May/June - Grafton Village Elementary School

Grafton Gazette
May/June 2013
A Message from the Principal
Dear Families,
It is hard to believe that the school year
is quickly drawing to a close. As with the end
of every school year, there is much excitement
and hard work ahead for our students and staff.
As many of you probably know, our annual
Standards of Learning tests will take place between May 20nd and June 6th (the full schedule
is included within this newsletter). The SOL
tests are very important to our children, our
school, and our county. Please remind your
children of the need for them to stay focused in
class, study hard, and do their best on test day.
Parents, you can help by making sure your child
is well rested, has a nutritious breakfast, and
arrives to school on time. Also, please know
that during testing, parent volunteers and
lunch visitors are not permitted. We apologize
for any inconvenience that this may cause.
Did you know that research has shown the average student loses approximately one month of
instruction during the summer break? In addition, learning loss is greatest when it comes to
basic math facts and spelling patterns. While
there are many benefits that come from our
lengthy summer break, I also know that many
parents want their children to maintain what
they have learned during the previous school
year. With this in mind, please be aware that we
have included links on our website to each grade
levels’ Standards of Learning (SOL) for each
subject. These standards are a great resource for
reviewing and discussing what your child has
learned in their current grade as well as previewing what they will learn in the next school year.
To read more of the research regarding summer
learning loss, check out the following link:
http://ceep.crc.uiuc.edu/eecearchive/
digests/2003/cooper03.html
With summer approaching, we are already receiving questions about class placement for next
year. As has been done in the past, we will be
sending home a parent input sheet to help us
consider important factors when placing each
student. Please take time to complete this
important form. I carefully read each one
Grafton Village
and assure you that it does make an impact in Elementary School
our class placement decisions. We work very 501 Deacon Road
Fredericksburg,
hard to consider performance data, teaching
VA 22405
and learning styles, and input from various
Phone#
540-373sources when making class lists. As always,
5454
please remember that we are unable to honFax #540-373-1498
or requests for specific teachers. These
forms will be sent home in mid-May and are
due by June 20th for consideration. Thank you
in advance for your valuable input.
Recently, Grafton Village began Kindergarten registration for the 2013-2014 school
year. If you or any of your friends or neighbors need to register a kindergartner, now is a
great time to stop by our office and begin this
process. Please be sure to bring your child’s
state issued birth certificate, social security
card, and proof of residency. Because our
hiring of new teachers is based on the number
of students enrolled, everyone is encouraged
to register as early as possible!
Finally, with the upcoming renovations and
temporary relocation to Stafford Middle
School, we are holding a final Town Hall
meeting to discuss the project and answer any
questions you may have. The meeting will
take place on Thursday, May 16th at 6:30pm.
We will have representatives from the Transportation department and Planning and Construction department on hand for the meeting.
The renovation project promises to bring
much needed upgrades to every corner of our
school and we are excited about what the future holds for our facility and our students!
With best wishes for a safe and relaxing
summer,
Michael B. Sidebotham
Principal
Calendar of Events
for March/April
Please
turn to
the next
page for
our
calendar
Calendar of events
May
5/1
5/2
5/5 -5/11
5/6
5/7
5/8
Grizzly Clubs 4:00
Focus Festival @ BPHS 6:30-8pm
Teacher Appreciation Week
LAST FLEX class
3rd grade field trip to D.C. (9:15-3:00)
Nurses Day - Yay for our Nurse Amy!
SOL prep 4:00
LAST Grizzly Club 4:00
5/9
LAST SOL prep class 4:00
5/10
Interims go home (grades 1-5)
5/12
Mothers Day
5/13
Kg field trip to Westmoreland -9-1:30
5/14
5th grade field trip (historymobile)
5/15
PTA spirit night @ Subway
5/20-6/5 SOL testing begins (grades 3-5)
5/24
Early dismissal 1:10pm all grades
5/27
NO SCHOOL/ Memorial Day holiday
Calendar of Events
June
6/5
6/6
6/7
6/11
Kg field trip to zoo (9-3)
DARE graduation @ Dixon Smith
SOL window closes
Volunteer Breakfast (8am /café)
DARE DAY (pratt park) 9:30-1:15
6/12
Early dismissal 1:10 (all grades)
6/13
Early dismissal 1:10 (all grades)
5th grade Celebration 1:30-3:30
6/14
Early dismissal 1:10 (all grades)
***Last day for Students***
6/17-18 staff workdays
Security procedures at Grafton
Grafton Village Elementary, along
with all other Stafford County Public
Schools, has security procedures in
place to insure the safest environment
possible for our students and staff. We
ask for your utmost understanding, cooperation and support in following these procedures when you come into our
school. All adult visitors to our
school will be required to present
photo identification at the main
entrance sign-in desk. We will
hold your photo identification
while you are visiting our school;
after you have finished your visit
your identification will be given
back to you when you check out at
the sign-in desk. Each adult visitor will be provided a visitor’s
badge to wear while visiting the
school. Our staff will not able to
“vouch” for you if you forget your identification…….so please remember to
bring it when you come into the school!
Visitors to our school who are picking up their children will need to sign
them out in the office and present photo identification. You will then be
asked to wait in the office or front lobby for your child to be called up. The
safety and security of your children,
whom you have entrusted to us, is our
highest priority. We regret any inconvenience this may cause you.
PARENTS: AN FYI FROM THE
CAFETERIA MANAGER……..
The cafeteria offers many items on an a
la carte basis each day. These items are
in addition to the basic meal price.
Please be sure your child is aware that
not all the items offered are part of the
basic meal.
If you want to limit lunch choices
and a la carte items for your child,
simply send in a note or call the
cafeteria manager and she will flag
the account with any
restrictions.
*Free and reduced lunch applications
are always available from the office ,
online, or from cafeteria staff if needed.
The cafeteria staff is very excited
about changes in our menu selections and food products.
They are constantly tweaking to
make sure federal guidelines are
followed and that our menu
choices are healthy and good
tasting for our students. There
is a lot of color on the plates this
year with a wide variety of fresh
fruits and veggies. Please feel
free to contact the cafeteria
manager with any concerns or
questions you may have.
CAFETERIA CORNER
It’s hard to belIeve that another year Is
almost done. We have enjoyed feeding and
caring for your children this year and are
looking forward to our move to Stafford
Middle school during our renovation.
Just a reminder to our parents and students that the last day to charge lunch will
be May 31st. This applies only if your child has
a negative or zero balance in their lunch account. Students that have money in their account are able to continue to charge.
Next year you will need to speak with the
cafeteria manager if you would like any limIts placed on you chIld’s lunch account as they
are reset at the end of each school year.
Another important change will be a five
digit lunch code that all 2nd-5th grade students will begin using the first day of school.
This number will follow them all the way
through high school. . Have a great summer!!
Very Important Music “Notes” from Mrs. Greven
The end of the year is fast approaching and that brings our most popular
composer of the month: John Williams! We will listen to many familiar
film scores he has written for the Symphony Orchestra. This is a time to
listen and identify instruments we have heard throughout the year! Can
you solve the mystery song each week?
5th grade students participating in DARE will have their DARE graduation on Wednesday, June 5th at 6:30 p.m. The graduation will be held
gymnasium at Dixon-Smith Middle School. Please stay tuned for additional details from your child’s teacher.
Congratulations to our GVES Chorus who put on spectacular performances at Grafton Village as well as at the SCPC Fine Arts Festival! Thank you to all of your dedication to make another successful
chorus year!
Congratulations to the following third grade students who participated in
the Fine Arts Festival Musical "Clever Beatrice" in April: Nicole Busby,
Grant Cureton, Mattie Furrow, Jack Greven, Zamari Holley, Savannah
Minx, Kimberly Rivas, and Amber Russell. These students worked very
hard and represented Grafton Village very well in this all-county event.
The Clinic Chronicle
Amy Pisciotta, RN
The end of the school year is fast approaching and it is hard to believe another school
year is coming to a close. It has been a very busy school year this year. We seemed to
have a little bit of everything this year from the flu to multiple stomach viruses, and not to
forget the dreaded Virginia allergies. The clinic has been very busy indeed. As of April
22, 2013 I have had 3,580 office visits and given 1,670 medications. As usual, we have a
resilient group of children and have survived it all. Thank you to all of the children for
coughing into their sleeves, washing their hands (a lot), and staying home when sick.
Thank you to the parents for asking questions and being so great about getting some of these conditions treated so quickly.
In June, I will be sending home medication forms to all students who received medication
at school. We do have an End of the Year Medication Policy if your child does have medication at the school:
The school Year is almost over and and all medications will need to be
picked up from the clinic. You will need to pick up your child’s medication the last day of school between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. If
you are unable to do so on that day, please contact the school nurse to arrange another time.
Since some of the medication dispensed in the clinic is classified as a controlled substance, NO medication will be sent home with a student. Medication not picked up will be properly disposed of by July 1, 2011.
Parents of middle school children please remember to have your child receive his/her Tdap
(tetanus/pertussis) vaccination before the start of the school year. It is better to have it
done early so that the school does not start calling you for the vaccine. If there is any way
to have them done before the end of the school year and turned into me, it would be most
hopeful for the middle school. The vaccine is required in order to start the school year and
if your child does not have it, he/she will be excluded until the vaccine is given. All charts
will be transferred to the respective schools and reports will be given to the middle school
nurse. If you have any questions regarding the transfer, please call me.
Bright Ideas
Susan Kesler
Fantastic Summer Opportunities for Children
Our area offers many summer opportunities for children, and they go beyond sports camps! Check out the
offerings below and reserve your spaces early!
George Washington’s Ferry Farms/Historic Kenmore – Summer Explorers - The George Washington Foundation is offering an exciting range of short, 1 & 2-hour programs and extended day camps for children during
the 2013 summer season.
http://www.kenmore.org/education/SummerExplorers.html
Fredericksburg Area Museum and Cultural Center – Free Summer Art Camp and other exciting offerings.
Click on “Learn” and “Youth & Family Programs.” “2nd Saturdays at the Museum” sounds especially fun!
www.famcc.org.
Summer History Camp in Historic Fredericksburg – Come explore history and follow in the footsteps of
George Washington, his family, and his friends. June 24-28 for rising 3rd – 6th graders. Call 370-0732
ext. 24 or e-mail hayes@gwffoundation.org
Pots and Palettes – Painting & Pottery classes. www.potsandpalettes.com.
LibertyTown Arts Workshop - Variety of classes in introduction to art, pottery, origami, mosaic and more.
Classes for adults and children. http://www.libertytownarts.com/site/
Rappahannock Summer Music Camp - Instrumental Performing Arts Camp for ages 8 – 18. http://
www.rsmusiccamp.com/
The Camps at Fredericksburg Academy – Enriching one-week day camps featuring arts, outdoor adventures,
hands-on science and more for rising kindergartners through rising seniors, June 10-August 9, 2013. http://
www.fredericksburgacademy.org/page.cfm?p=778
Stagedoor Productions – Summer performance arts camps. www.stagedoorproductions.org
Drama Kids International - Their summer camp and weekly drama classes are held at various locations
throughout Stafford, Prince William County, Fredericksburg, and Spotsylvania.
http://
www.dramakids.com/va3
Summer Math Camp – Enrichment for students entering geometry, pre-algebra, algebra I, and math 5
and 6. Dr. Lambert-Woodard and The Manigault Institute of Stafford. http://
www.manigaultinstitute.com/index.html
Camp Alliance – For kids 7 -14. Offers memory calisthenics, math enrichment, Spanish language immersion, abstract art, library excursions, and recreational activities. Call Dr. Sylisa Lambert-Woodard at
(540) 373-9577 or (703) 309-3409.
iD Tech Camps – College of William & Mary (ages 7-17) Kids and teens learn one course topic per week, specializing in video game design, iPhone® app development, programming, video editing and more. http://
www.internaldrive.com/locations/va-summer-camps-virginia-computer-camps/college-of-william-marywilliamsburg-area/
Dr. Yum’s Cooking Adventure – This kids cooking camp focuses on preparing exciting and healthy, plantbased recipes using local ingredients. Each class features tastings, nutrition lessons, and cooking skills
with age-appropriate tools. http://www.doctoryum.com
Math Moments with Mrs. Meadows
First in Math
1st grade
Mrs. Counsell
+1656
2nd grade
Ms. Teegardin
+1029
3rd grade
Ms. Petriella
+1469
4th grade
Mrs. Ruppert
+1484
5th grade
Ms. Deverna
+935
Mrs. Feeney’s Art Message
I would like to thank all of my volunteers this year. It’s great to have
parents who lend a helping hand and have an interest in the art program. I hope everyone had a great spring break and will have a
wonderful summer.
Supplies Needed
Kindergarten: Multi or solid colored yard for their weaving.
3rd Grade: Antique, colorful or regular buttons
5th Grade: Glue sticks
Art Projects
Kindergarten: The students will be making a paper plate yarn weaving
and turning it into a flower. They have just finished making a threedimensional clay fish.
1st Grade: The students will be making a clay ladybug and painting
using glazes. They have just finished making a three-dimensional clay
fish.
2nd Grade: The students will be creating a three-dimensional rain
sticks and will use their rain stick in music class. Then they will create a Van Gogh Sunflowers painting.
3rd Grade: The students will be making a three-dimensional cupcake
based on “Pop Art” and mixing paint to create a variety of tints. Then
they will make a painting of a color wheel flower collage.
4th Grade: The students will be making a three-dimensional clay slab
bowl. Then they will create a cityscape collage.
5th Grade: The students will be making a fiber art yarn weaving.
Are you leaving
us this summer?
Are you staying in Stafford County:
New address
____________________________________________
Moving out of Stafford County to:
(county, city, state )
___________________________________________
Moving out of state/country to:
(county, city, state/country)
_____________________________________________
* return completed form prior to the end of school *
Additional bus assignment forms MUST be filled out
each school year. The required form to be completed
can be found on the following page. Bus routes are
assigned based on the home street address. Since bus
drivers and routes may vary from year to year, it is
important to have the most current information, even
if the daycare provider is the same as the previous
year. We would like to have a smooth transition for
next year, especially since we will be in another location, so we sincerely appreciate your cooperation with
this.
HAVE A WONDERFUL SUMMER!!
Please remember, the school day begins at 9:00 am and ends at 3:40pm.
Student may be dropped off after 8:35am.
Students dropped off after 9:00 am are considered tardy. The tardy will be
excused with a written note.
Please call the school by 10:30 am if your child will be late or absent. An
excuse note is required upon your child’s
return to school. The absence remains unexcused until a note is received.
Visiting your child’s classroom is permitted, but certain
procedures should be followed. If you wish to meet with your child’s
teacher, please call ahead and set up a time.
Teachers cannot be disturbed during instructional time.
If you are planning to pick up your child during the school day or at the
end of the school day, please send a note in the morning with your child
to give to their teacher. If you have a last minute/urgent matter which will
change your child’s afternoon
transportation, please call the school before 3:00 p.m.
During inclement weather, please remember to listen to the local radio or
television stations or check the Stafford County Public Schools
website. If there is a 1 hour delayed opening, students may not be dropped off before
9:35 a.m. If there is a 2 hour delayed opening, students may not be dropped off before
10:35 a.m.
If you need to change your child’s afternoon transportation, please send a
note to the teacher in the morning. The teacher will forward the note to
the office for a pass to be made. If you have any
questions about bus routes, bus stops, or the bus driver, you may
contact the Transportation Department directly at #373-6095.
Please make sure that your child’s name is on all coats, hats, backpacks and lunch boxes. If your child is missing an item of clothing, you
are welcome to come in and search the Lost & Found box located in the
front lobby.
School Hours
Absent or Tardy
Visiting During
School
Picking up from
school
Inclement Weather
Bus
Transportation
Lost and Found
**Reminders**