“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”

Nelson Mandella

!

Dr. Clara Taylor, Principal

Our Vision: To Be a School of Choice

Our Mission: Empowering Leaders and Lifelong Learners

Dear D. H. Stanton Elementary School Parents, Students, and Partners,

We made it to the end of the school year. The year flew by very quickly and it is hard to believe that 8 months have already passed, and here we are closing in on the final month of school. Let me begin by saying THANK YOU! We are grateful to each of you for your support of the vision and mission here at D. H. Stanton Elementary School. The continued collaborative support is the tool needed to help us in our effort to being that school of EXCELLENCE for you, your children, and this community.

This will be our last newsletter for the 2012-2013 school year. There are a lot of great things happening here at D. H. Stanton Elementary School. We have many success stories, and, yes, we have had our challenges. We try daily to create an environment where kids feel safe and loved, our staff members are excited to come to work, and our parents and other stakeholders feel welcome coming into our school. We truly feel that each child is “special” and has something to offer, and we value each child’s unique talent. We know the sky is the limit for each child’s growth, and we are glad that you trust our school to be a part of that growth.

We just completed our Criterion Referenced Competency Test (CRCT) for 3rd-5th Grade. The students came to school and remained focus throughout the duration of the CRCT. Results should be in the school before we leave and we will share these results with students and the parents. We would like to send out a big thank you for your support and cooperation in having students here and on time daily.

Over this past school year, we have implemented several new initiatives and beginnings: The Common Core Georgia Performance Standards, “The Leader in Me,” “Reader’s & Writer’s Workshop,” our new Science Lab, the addition of 2 Pre-K Units, new assessments for our students (SLOs), Teacher Keys Effectiveness System, naming of your new principal, the increased partnership with the Peoplestown Community, an improved and growing PTA and a new playground. We will continue to focus on these initiatives. I am excited about our going deeper into our instructional practices to improve student achievement.

D. H. Stanton Elementary970 Martin Street Atlanta, GA 30315 (404) 802-4200

May, 2013 Panther Newsletter

We have to continue to review our data and make better decisions on how to meet the needs of our students. Math is an area we identified for improvement this year for 4th & 5th grade. We are waiting on the data to see if we met our goal for the year. Even so, we have much work to do to help our students to be the world class scholars that can and deserve to be. Please make sure that your child continues to read, write, and work on math during the summer months. Learning must be an ongoing process, and we do want to eliminate gaps in learning from this break.

As you purchase clothes for school, please remember that we are a UNIFORM SCHOOL. Students must wear uniforms: Red, White, or Black tops and Khaki or Dark Pants (Navy Blue or Black). Students may wear jeans and other non-uniform clothes on Fridays. Please help us with this expectation. More information is to come on uniforms and why they are important and good for students.

We want to give you an early “heads up” to some important end-of-year events. May is a very busy month with our upcoming “Leadership Day/Career Day” on Tuesday, May 7; field trips; field day- May 15; Awards Day: May 20 for 1st- 4th Grades at 9:00 am - 10:00 am, May 21 for Kindergarten at 8:30-10 am, and May 21 for 5th Grade at 5-7 pm, along with various other activities. We will always try to keep parents updated as best as possible on all the upcoming events we have.

As your principal and assistant principal, this is all quite bittersweet as we close in on our final days at D. H. Stanton Elementary School this school year and at the same time, prepare for the incredible journey that lies ahead. The major initiative going forth for next year is the implementation of the Dual Immersion Program, with Spanish being our language of choice at the Kindergarten level. We will begin to accept applications this month on May 16. Please come by the main office to complete your application for your upcoming Kindergarten student.

One last wish for our departing 5thgrade class is, “Thank you for the time we have had together.” We have enjoyed all of our interactions and sharing in your learning experience here at D. H. Stanton Elementary School. Have fun and work hard as you move on to M. L. King, Jr. Middle School.

We must give a big shout out to our wonderful teachers and instructional support staff. Happy Teacher’s Appreciation Week! We celebrate you every day for all that you do for children. Parents, students, and our partners, please do not hesitate to share your thank you and words of appreciation to those responsible everyday for preparing and implementing quality teaching and learning for your child(ren). We value them greatly.

Congratulations to our Teacher of the Year for 2013-2014, Ms. Lorrae Walker! Ms. Walker was selected by her colleagues to represent D. H. Stanton Elementary School for this upcoming school year. We are so happy and delighted for this representation. You Go Ms. Walker!

On behalf of Mr. Ford and myself, we thank you for trusting your children to our care. Please continue to run this race with us, as the race has just begun. We will reach our vision of being that school of choice as we work with a spirit of excellence every day.

Enjoy the summer break and do not hesitate to stop by the school to see us. We will be here.

Dr.  Clara  Taylor,  Principal

Mr.  Thomas  Ford,  Assistant  Principal

Instructional Coach

In order to support our students in reaching their fullest potential, it is essential that we provide them with learning opportunities throughout the Summer. Below you will find a list of websites that will reinforce the skills we teach at Stanton, and I invite you to explore them with your children as often as you can! Happy Surfing!

Ms. Young

10 Educational Websites1. ABCYa - How about learning by taking a trip, making some Tangrams, building a house, or trying a little vocabulary with the Slider Game? All educational computer activities on this site were created or approved by certified school teachers. They are free and are modeled from primary grade lessons and enhanced to provide an interactive way for children to learn. Grade level ( K-5) lessons incorporate areas such as math and language arts while introducing basic computer skills. Many of the kindergarten and early grade activities are equipped with sound to enhance understanding. There is even an app for the iPad!

http://www.abcya.com/

2. PBS Lions- Just entering the site is fun as you hear about games, stories, video clips, and Lions To Go! It is designed to be navigated and enjoyed by young kids on their own. Have fun entering the Quiet Machine! First, the games focus on a variety of educational areas, as do the video clips, which are taken from the popular show Between The Lions. Next,the stories—featuring everything from new books to old folk tales to original and classic yarns. They do a wonderful job of introducing kids to a wide variety of storytelling methods and subject matter. Accompanying each story is a story-specific game to extend either the vocabulary or phonics found in the story itself.

http://pbskids.org/lions/

3. Learning Planet - Another free site with a multitude of resources. If you wish to pay a little you will discover even more resources, and without the banner ads. The site is set up for students to play and learn, and for teachers to discover resources to use in their lessons. There are four categories for students including pre-school through kindergarten, first through third, fourth through fifth, and seventh and up. Want more details between free and pay? Be sure to check out the help page. There are also apps for the iPhone.

http://www.learningplanet.com/

4. Cool math 4 kids – Wow, when entering this site you will soon understand that it may take a “moment” to explore. The site describes itself as an amusement park for math, especially designed for fun, fun, fun! There is even another site for pre-algebra and up... but I will keep it elementary for now! All of those important math standards are presented in an engaging manner. Best of all, it is all free as support comes from advertisers. Take a moment and click on over. I hope you have some time because before you know it... you will be engaged in a game!

http://www.coolmath4kids.com/

5. Starfall - The people at Starfall state that their method of instruction motivates children in an atmosphere of imagination and enthusiasm, provides opportunities for child-directed instruction, and supports English language learners and struggling readers learning alongside their peers. The website and companion printed materials are clear and effective tools to help the teacher implement proven methods. The authors claim that the site contains scientific, research-based reading materials and the activities are modeled on the “Big Five” focus areas recommended bythe National Institute of Child Health and Human Development: phonemic awareness, systematic phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. Starfall.com injects their sixth... motivation! Spend some time and be sure to check out all of the areas!

http://www.starfall.com

6. Game Goo – You will soon find out that this game based site truly involves “Learning That Sticks”. Once you get away from the urge of moving the mouse around the screen to see all the animations and hear all the sounds, you will begin to note the organization. The easy to use interface lets you know what is for beginners, intermediates, and advanced! I am sure you will find some fun at this site from the people at Houghton Mifflin Company!

http://www.earobics.com/gamegoo/gooey.html

7. Fun School Caboose – This site includes all the core subjects, plus it also includes sports and the fine arts! It provides games and activities for students in kindergarten through the sixth grade. Make sure you visit the teacher page for a complete listing of all this site has to offer. I promise that you will not walk away empty handed.

http://funschool.kaboose.com/arcade/index.html

8. Pbskids - Another great site providing some awesome activities and games for those elementary kids. What young child doesn’t like puzzles, animals, and dinosaurs! Check out some of the super hero games featuring some of those amazing PBS characters. As I tried a few of the games I found them to include an impressive visual and audio reinforcement that young children will enjoy. Best of all kids will be rewarded with prizes and rewards. While visiting, take a look at some very engaging video on your journey!

http://pbskids.org/games/

9. Funbrain – Who says that these games have to be just for the little kids? This site includes fun engaging activities all the way up to, and including, eighth grade. I even had some fun... and I am a few years beyond that! Funbrain offers more than 100 fun, interactive games that develop skills in math, reading, and literacy. As an added attraction, kids can read a variety of popular books and comics on the site, including Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Amelia Writes Again, and Brewster Rocket. Not always connected to the internet? This website even offers Funbrain To Go, where you can download these games and activities and learn from them where the internet sometimes is not!

http://www.funbrain.com/

10.Primary Games – As the site proclaims... “A fun place to learn”. Where do I begin? I could start with describing 15 different categories including subject areas, puzzles, downloads, virtual worlds, postcards, and even arcades. Perhaps that will get you to click the link and discover hundreds and hundreds of possibilities! Do you work with mobile devices? Then check out the mobile site for primary games! I know you will find an activity that will take your students beyond primary and into the 21st century of learning!

http://www.primarygames.com/games.php

Counselor’s Corner

Raye J. Dupree, Counselor

A BOOK FRIENDLY HOUSE

Creating a home library will encourage reading for pleasure and it can be done without spending a lot of time or money.

An added bonus is that a library is a great way to enjoy time with your children. Here’s how:

WHERE?

Choose a quiet corner in the main living area of the house for the library. Some comfortable seats and good lighting will turn your library into an inviting nook.

WHAT?

Start your library with books you already have. Add a few magazines and comic books. Be sure to pick books that match your family’s interest and reading ability.

HOW?

You can find inexpensive books at used bookstores, library sales, and book fairs. Consider building bookshelves from bricks and boards or crates. Put books for the younger reader on the lower shelves, and reserve an “older reader” section at the top. Continue adding to your library so it will grow with your family.

REMEMBER TO ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILDREN TO READ OVER THE SUMMER VACATION.

Books are the quietest and most constant of friends.

Moving on Up!

As the days wind down, our PreK students eagerly await the end of the school year for the moment when they can finally call themselves "kindergarteners!" The spring has been full of excitement and discovery as we have spent the past month studying plants, gardens, and pond life! We will welcome the month of May with a new (and final) unit focused on folktales and life on the farm! Just as spring is a time for new beginnings, our PreK kiddos are just a few short weeks away from beginning the next exciting chapter of their lives. Kindergarten here we come!

A note for PreK parents: As mandated by GA PreK, there will be no PreK graduation in the traditional sense. We will, however, acknowledge this exciting time with a classroom celebration at the end of the school year (details to follow). This is the statement sent to all PreK programs: "Bright from the Start does not recommend “graduation” for four-year-old children as an appropriate activity. Bright from the Start believes that transitioning from Pre-K to Kindergarten marks the beginning of the child’s formal schooling experience, not the end."

Ms. Orlando

Kindergarten

Writing Tips for kindergarten Parents

Encourage your child to express ideas and emotions by writing them down. Offer your help when she needs it. A birthday card, a letter, and even a grocery list are all ways of communicating thoughts and emotions. When you show your child how useful and necessary writing is in many different situations, you encourage her to use writing to both imagine and communicate.  

• Don’t worry about correct spelling. Your kindergartner is just beginning to learn about the relationship between letters and sounds. At this age, children generally know how to spell some common words correctly, such as "go" and "love," but they "invent spell" most words, using their knowledge of letter sounds to record what they hear. Celebrate your child’s first attempts at spelling! The kindergartner who spells "Elephant" as "LFNT" is thinking carefully about sounds and letters.

• Encourage your child to read her own writing. Many kindergartners are proud to read their work to a caring adult. Although parents are not always able to decipher their kindergartner’s writing, children are generally able to "read" their writing based on the letters they wrote and their memory of what they intended to write. You can compliment and encourage your child for reading his own writing by saying, "I like how you used such interesting words." Not all children like to read their writing, however, so be sensitive to your child’s desire to keep his writing private if he likes.

• Provide a wide variety of pens and papers. Children are motivated to write more often if a variety of materials with which to experiment is handy. Markers, colored pencils, sidewalk chalk, glitter pens, neon pens on black paper, chalk and easel, colored paper, and old greeting cards are all appealing writing materials for 5-year-olds. They also enjoy keeping their materials in a special box or drawer.  

Show your child how YOU write. One of the most important ways to help your kindergartner develop as a writer is by writing yourself and talking about the process with your child. As you address an envelope, you might explain why you are writing the name and address of the recipient on the front of the letter. Write grocery lists by saying the items aloud and then

writing them. You can even enlist your child’s help in figuring out the first letter to write in "bananas" and "milk" as you make the grocery list together.

Dr. Freeman & Ms. Dixon

First Grade Learning Outside the Box is learning in

new environments, an opportunity to put knowledge in practice and have new

experiences. Trips to the Library – a place where your scholar will love reading and owning a library card, options to read exciting books, write descriptive reports, and attend book events!

Trips to the Museum – a place where your scholar will learn about art, history, and cultural heritages.

Trips to Sporting Events – a place where your scholar will enjoy numbers, skip counting the score, understand good sportsmanship and sports’ history.

Trips to the Park – a place where your scholar will have an opportunity to learn about their community, nature, and have a place to exercise.

Trips to the Zoo and Aquarium – a place where your scholar will learn animal facts, their habitats and behaviors.

Ms. Ellis & Mrs. Welch

Second Grade

School  is  almost  over!!  We  would  like  to  thank  all  parents  for  suppor8ng  your  children  in  their  quest  for  a  quality  educa8on  experience  this  school  year.    Last  Tuesday,  April  23rd,  was  the  last  tutorial  session  for  this  school  year.  

We  are  going  to  learn  about  mul8plica8on,  life  cycles  of  animals  and  plants,  Jimmy  Carter,  comparing  and  contras8ng  two  versions  of  the  same  story  by  different  authors,  and  possessive  nouns  for  the  remainder  of  the  school  year.  As  a  reminder,  please,  have  your  child  do  his/her  homework  daily.  

Thank  you  for  your  support.

Mrs.  Han,  Ms.  Walker,  and  Ms.  May

Third Grade

Character Counts

In May, we are focusing on:

FAIRNESS

*Play by the rules

*Take turns and share

*Be open-minded: Listen to others

*Don’t take advantage of others

*Don’t blame others carelessly

The Thriving Third Grade Team,

Ms. Greer & Ms. Wallace

5th Grade News

• CRCT retake for students that did not meet in Reading and Math 5/16 and 5/17

• 5th Grade week activities 5/13-5/17 (please see the calendar that was sent home)

• Please submit all permission slips and fees for activities planned. (See calendar)

• Students will receive remediation and acceleration in different subject areas based upon previous common assessment scores.

Ms. Johnson & Ms. Barlow

4th Grade TipsMake books special.Turn reading into something special. Take your kids to the library, help them get their own library card, read with them, and buy them books as gifts. Have a favorite place for books in your home or, even better, put books everywhere.

Get them to read another one.Find ways to encourage your child to pick up another book. Introduce him or her to a series like The Boxcar Children,Harry Potter or to a second book by a favorite author, or ask the librarian for additional suggestions.

Crack open the dictionary.Let your child see you use a dictionary. Say, "Hmm, I'm not sure what that word means... I think I'll look it up."

Talk about what you see and do.Talk about everyday activities to build your child's background knowledge, which is crucial to listening and reading comprehension.

First drafts are rough.Encourage your child when writing. Remind him or her that writing involves several steps. No one does it perfectly the first time.

Different strokes for different folks.Read different types of books to expose your child to different types of writing. Some kids, especially boys, prefer nonfiction books.

Teach your child some "mind tricks."Show your child how to summarize a story in a few sentences or how to make predictions about what might happen next. Both strategies help a child comprehend and remember.

Have a wonderful Summer Vacation!

Mr. Railey & Dr. Smith

Congratulations!!!Ms. Lorrae Walkerhas been selected as

D. H. Stanton’s 2013-2014 Teacher of the Year

PTA  MEETING  ANNOUNCEMENT:May  14,  2013

5:30  PM  at  D.H.  STANTON  ELEMENTARY  in  the  auditorium

Join  us  for  our  Last  PTA  mee8ng  for  the  2012-­‐2013  school  year.If  you  are  interested  in  helping  with  the  PTA  for  the  2013-­‐2014  school  year,  please  join  us.  We  will  be  elec8ng  officers  for  the  upcoming  school  year.

Thank  you  in  advance.  We  look  forward  to  seeing  you  there!!!!!