APRIL AND MAY NEWSLETTER - Georgetown High School



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APRIL/May 2015

NEWSLETTER

Dear Parents,

We have MANY events occurring in April and May. The most important of which is continued learning for all of our students in order to show growth and progress through successful performance on the STAAR tests as well as student grades. During this time of year, many students develop Spring Fever. Please ensure that your child stays focused and engaged in learning these last nine weeks. A balance between school, homework, play, sports and sleep is so very important. We appreciate your commitment to learning and achieving!

3rd grade parents enjoyed the fall musical production, The Polar Express in December. Our 4th graders performed The Alamo, written by former Williams’s teacher, Mr. Phil Garcia, in March and 5th graders will perform their musical, American Revolution, on May 7th. As you can see, we are integrating Social Studies into our productions, as we want students to have fun but also learn as they go through this wonderful experience. THANKS to our music teachers, Mr. Votolato and Ms. Critides, as well as our Specials and Homeroom teachers for their outstanding efforts with the musicals. This is truly an experience that our students will never forget!

Mark your calendar for Field Day on Friday, May 15th, Awards Assemblies on May 28th AND, can you believe, the LAST DAY OF SCHOOL on May 29th!

We are already planning for next school year. If there is something with which you are particularly pleased with, please drop us a letter or email! If you ever have any concerns, please also contact us by phone or email.

A note about next year: we do NOT take TEACHER REQUESTS as it is important for us to have balanced classes. Parents are WELCOME to write or email us describing what STYLE of teacher works best with your child. We appreciate this information as you know your child best. Remember, that each child at Williams has TWO teachers daily! We are committed to having knowledgeable, professional, caring, teachers IN EVERY CLASSROOM AT EVERY GRADE LEVEL at Williams Elementary School!

Again, THANKS to all or our parents and families for sharing your child with us each day. We truly love and care for each of them. I am so proud and honored to be the Principal at the best school in the world!

With PRIDE,

Natasha Drumgoole

Principal

MOVING SOON?

Please inform the office, as we need to ensure student records are up to date and accurate.

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NURSE’S NOOK

What sleep means for your child

As adults there is little valued greater than a good night’s sleep. In children however, there is a growing issue of sleep insufficiency that has far reaching effects on health, success in school, and overall cognitive performance. Recognizing the role that sleep plays in a child’s developing brain and body is important to ensuring their success.

The Physiology of Sleep

There are two types, or rather states, of sleep: Non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. These states are known as “quiet” and “active” sleep, respectively.

During NREM sleep, tissue growth and repair occur. Blood supply to the muscles is increased and important hormones for growth and development are released to do their job. During REM sleep, dreams take place. While the brain is active, the body becomes immobile and relaxed as muscles are turned off. REM sleep provides energy for the brain and is vital for optimal daytime performance.

Sleep plays an important role in the consolidation of memory. Studies suggest that new memories are replayed by the brain during sleep, fostering long-term memory formation. This includes information learned in school. Sleep plays an important role in retaining new knowledge.

Sleep Requirements

School-aged children require 10-11 hours of sleep each night. Sadly enough, very few children attain this amount of sleep on a regular basis. This age group proves to have great risk for sleep problems due to the ever increasing amount of distractions available to them.

More than two-thirds of American children experience one or more sleep problems at least a few nights a week. Maintaining reasonable school, home and extracurricular balance and, limiting exposure to media, especially in the hours just before bed, can help prevent problems such as insomnia, difficulties falling asleep, and difficulties sleeping through the night.

Effect on Learning and Attention

Studies have found that activity in the cerebrum, the area of the brain responsible for alertness, attention and high-order thought processes, changes in response to sleep deprivation. Cognitive functioning suffers as a result of sleep loss.

ADHD and Sleep

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and associated behavioral problems have been linked to several sleep problems. Likewise, symptoms related to sleep problems are often mistaken for ADHD. Children, unlike most adults who respond to sleep with sluggishness, tend to over compensate sleep insufficiency and speed up. Some common symptoms of sleep deprivation in children include moodiness, aggression/emotional explosiveness, inattention, and hyperactivity/impulsivity.

School Nurse, Christine Johns

johnsch@

ext 512 9435161

COUNSELOR’S CORNER

There are many wonderful resources available to families who are looking for summertime activities for children. A few are listed below for your convenience. [pic]

• Boys and Girls Club-868-3700

• Georgetown Public Library-930-3551

• Georgetown Parks and Rec -930-3595

• Extended School Care Action Program 943-5000 x6925

• Acrotex Gymnastics-863-5437

• Mel’s Lonestar Bowling Lanes-930-2200

• Performing Arts Studio-863-2750

• Palace Theatre-843-0849

• Greater YMCA of Georgetown-615-5563

• Bridges to Growth-864-3008-offers parenting classes as well as children’s activities and an on-line library

• Georgetown Art Center-930-2583

Also, visit the City of Georgetown website for summertime events, festivals and attractions: .

Website of the month:

Chadd is a non-profit membership organization that provides resources and information regarding ADHD.

If you want your children to improve, let them overhear the nice things you say about them to others

~Haim Ginott

A list of assets, known as the 40 DEVELOPMENTAL ASSETS, highlights the building blocks that children need to increase the likelihood of them growing up healthy, caring and responsible. Children who have more “assets” are more likely to avoid “high risk” behavior as they go through middle and high school and are more likely to succeed in school and LIFE. This newsletter focuses on “Positive Values” and “Social Competencies”.

Volunteer!

vol·un·teer (noun)

Volunteerism is the act of giving ones service to something believed in without receiving pay. People may volunteer for their own skill development, to meet others, to make contacts for possible employment, to have fun and a variety of other reasons that are as individual as the person volunteering. Volunteering is a great way to give back to the community and produces a feeling of self-worth and sense of duty.

Check out the volunteer opportunities in Georgetown this summer!

“The world is hugged by the faithful arms of volunteers”

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Speaking of volunteers…….

The following have been elected to the PTA Executive Board for the 2015-2016 school year. Elections will be held on Thursday, April 2nd at 6:00 p.m.

President-Elect: Melissa Craven

Vice President -Elect: Alma Bustillos

Secretary-Elect: Barbara Lowrance

Treasurer-Elect: Iiona Virgin

LUNCH MONEY:

Please have your child take money to the cafeteria as soon as they arrive to school!

No charging will be allowed after April 20, 2015 for the remainder of the year.

LOST AND FOUND: Please check it out and get any personal items as it is FULL again!

All items left after the last day of school will be donated to the Caring Place.

DROP OFF AND PICK UP ONLY IN THE CAR LANE and please approach from the NORTH as no LEFT TURNS or U-TURNS are allowed on College Street! PLEASE AVOID picking your child up EARLY from school unless you have to get to an appointment. DO NOT DROP YOUR CHILD OFF PRIOR TO 7:20 A.M.

SPECIAL THANKS to our Dads in our (WATCH) D.O.G.S. program!!

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IMPORTANT DATES

APRIL

April 2-Cici’s Pizza Night

Apr 2-PTA General Meeting-6:00 pm

Apr 3-SCHOOL IS IN SESSION

Apr 7-5th grade Graduation pictures

Apr 12-Chase the Chief Run

April 19-Quail Valley Health screenings

Pizza and Soccer

Apr 20-5th grade Math STAAR test

Apr 20–Last day to charge in the cafeteria

Apr 21-3rd & 4th Math STAAR test

Apr 22-3rd & 4th Reading STAAR test

Apr 23-5th grade Science STAAR test

Apr 24-Spring Cookout

Apr 27-3rd grade GT Math Challenge

Apr 28-Battle of the Books

Apr 30-Progress Reports go home

Apr 30-4th & 5th grade GT Math Challenge

MAY

May 1-Spring Dance-6:30 p.m.

May 4-8-Spring Book Fair

May 7-Cici’s Pizza Night

May 7-5th grade musical performance

7:00 pm

May 4-8 Teacher Appreciation Week

May 8-5th grade Field Trip

May 12-5th grade Reading Re-test

May 14-Spring Concert

May 15-Field Day

May 18-5th graders visit Middle Schools for 6th grade orientation

May 21-Fine Arts Day

May 25-Bad Weather Makeup date

(School Holiday)

May 28-Awards Assemblies

May 29-LAST DAY OF SCHOOL/Report cards go home

STAAR Testing Schedule

***PLEASE NOTE****

THE WILLIAMS CAMPUS IS CLOSED TO VISITORS ON THESE DATES

3rd Grade: Math-April 21

Reading-April 22

4th Grade: Writing #1-March 30

Writing #2-March 31

Math-April 21

Reading-April 22

5th Grade: Math-April 20

Reading-March 31

Science-April 23

Reading Retest-May 12

***It is important for all students to pass their STAAR assessment as it is a criteria considered for promotion to the next grade. ALL students must pass all of their classes with 70% or higher grade average to be promoted.

All students who are in the Special Education program and take STAAR A will test on these same days and must also pass their tests to be promoted.

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