Dear Wildcat Parents,I hope that each of you had a fun-filled Spring Break spending time with family and

friends. As you are aware, all students in grades 3rd-5th will be participating in the Georgia Milestone (see testing schedule below). It is imperative that students arrive on time and are present each day so they are able to test with their peers. Our wonderful teachers and students have been working very hard this year and we know they will do well!Spring 2016 End of Grade Georgia Milestones Testing Schedule

With the warmer weather here also signals the need for a dress code reminder. Many students have grown taller since the summer/early fall and the warm-weather clothes they wore months ago may no longer meet dress code. As a reminder we ask that shorts, skirts and dresses are at least two-finger length. We greatly appreciate your assistance. Should you have any questions please refer to the Dress Code section of the Student and Parent Handbook pgs. 27-28.

Thank you all for supporting the LGE clubs this year. Our students have had a wonderful time learning and becoming experts in an area of their personal interest. Our Drama Club had an opportunity to present a student-constructed play on preparing for the Georgia Milestone, and they did an awesome job! The Garden Club is preparing a ground to table meal, with all items being grown by our very own LGE students. This work could not take place without our teachers and you! Again thanks for all you do.

Educationally yours,Dr. Attenya ScottPrincipalLocust Gove Elementary

Kindergarten is in full bloom! We enjoyed our PAWS conferences with our parents and letting our students shine and share their progress.

As we return from Spring Break, we will be focusing on comparing familiar stories, sorting animals and plants based on their physical features, learning where we live, and addition and subtraction strategies.

We will also be reviewing concepts that we have been working on previously this year. Please continue to work on counting backwards from 30, sight words, and learning their address at home. We appreciate all you do and look forward to a great rest of the year!

April is full of exciting events and activities. In social studies, we are doing fun activities as we learn about producer/consumers, opportunity cost/benefit/ spending/saving, and goods/services. This will prepare your child for next year’s Mini Society, as well as, the real world.

In reading we will review the main topic and key details, character, setting, and plot, ask and answer questions, and point of view. You can help your child grow in these areas by asking high order thinking questions throughout the book. One area we focus on at Locust Grove Elementary, is citing the evidence. Asking questions such as, “How did _________ feel when __________ happened? Why did he/she feel that way? How do you know? Prove your answer,” will help their comprehension skills. You may further their understanding by having them write about what they are reading, citing the evidence along the way. Ask your child what ‘RACE’ stands for, and have them give you an example.

In math we are focusing on partitioning shapes, arrays with repeated addition, and even/odd. By allowing your child to help you buy groceries or run general errands, that will bring addition and subtraction with real life situations.

Second grade will soon have an exciting field trip coming up. Looking forward to walking to Locust Grove’s City Hall and meeting Mayor Robert Price.

Well, it’s hard to believe it’s already April! Georgia Milestones is coming up quickly!

The students have concluded a fun unit on fractions. We are now exploring the concepts of time and measurement. They will be solving various real world

problems to solve involving these concepts.

The students are doing a great job of reading passages and writing on Opinion Piece based on these passages. They should be able to support their opinions by

providing valid reasons.

The students are enjoying our Mini-Society Unit! They are learning about economic concepts including scarcity, opportunity costs, goods, and services. Ask

your child about these concepts!

Please make sure your child is completing activities on First-In-Math, math homework, as well as reading at least 15 minutes every night!

Georgia Milestones Testing for third grade begins Wednesday, April 20th for ELA Part 1. It continues with ELA Part 2 on April 21st, Mathematics on April 22nd, Social Studies on April 25th, and Science on April 26th. Please make sure your

child is here on time every day!!!

We are pretty sure that this year has flown by! As we sit typing this, we have three days until spring break! As excited as we all are for a break, students and teachers have been knee deep in preparation for the Georgia Milestones.

We have spent the past couple weeks, becoming familiar with the tools on the test. Ask your child how they can use the highlight, sticky note, and cross-off tools to their advantage. Taking a test is not just about the content, but also successful test taking strategies! We want them to have an arsenal of strategies and tools in their back pocket!

We wrapped up our unit in decimals (tenths and hundredths) and currently working on solving measurement problems involving conversion. Students have been practicing reading and responding to questions in preparation for the milestones. Encourage your child to use the RACE strategy!

Lewis and Clark headed out west many, many years ago and so are we! We were fortunate enough to borrow a “trunk” from the Atlanta History Center with artifacts and documents from the time of Westward Expansion! The students LOVED looking and studying each and every artifacts.

Please make every effort to be on time and be prepared for the Milestones, we will rock it for sure!

Dates to Remember:

April 27- ELA part 1 & 2

April 28-ELA part 3

April 29-Math

May 2-Science

May 3-Social Studies

May 10-Field Trip to Rock Ranch

And the countdown has begun. 35 days until Middle School. But before

we can celebrate we must beat the Milestones. Milestones testing

begins Wednesday, April 16 and ends Tuesday, April 19.

Remember field day t-shirts are due April 15th. The cost for the shirts

will be ten dollars. We also will be collecting money for 5th grade

memory shirts and Zaxby’s. The shirts will have every 5th graders name

and the year.

Zaxby’s will be catering the last day of school for 5th graders. The cost of

shirts and Zaxby’s will be sixteen dollars. Graduation for 5th graders will

be the night of Thursday May 26, 2016.

Monthly Math Minutes -

GA Milestones is approaching quickly for our students in 3rd – 5th grade. Have you

been to one of our GA Milestones Parent Sessions? If you couldn’t make it to the

January or February Title night and still want to learn about it, please do not

hesitate to reach out to Mrs. Rainer or Mrs. Hall. In addition to the trainings, you

can also find information about the GA Milestones on Mrs. Hall’s webpage:

http://schoolwires.henry.k12.ga.us/domain/3791 or find “Math Coach” under the

Academics tab on the LGE webpage.

Continue to work with First in Math at home. Thank you to our PTO for providing

trophies to the Team of the Week for First in Math. The trophies have helped to

ignite competition between the homerooms.

Also, talk math and numbers with your student every day. How much rain fell

today? Is that over an inch or less than an inch? How many degrees did the

temperature drop between yesterday and today? There are so many questions

you can ask or better yet, allow your child to ask questions!

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.

Until next month,

Mrs. Hall, Math Instructional Lead Teacher

Notes on Summer Reading from the Literacy coach…Students and teachers have worked tirelessly this school year to make gains in reading. The research is clear that students who do not read over the summer

can lose up to three months of reading progress. Even while on the go this summer, reading can be a part of your students’ daily routine. Incorporating the

tips below will ensure that your student is ready to start the next school year on the right foot.

Literacy tips for early readers• Point out print in the child's environment: on cereal boxes, food labels, toys, restaurants, and traffic signs.• Sing songs, say short poems or nursery rhymes, and play rhyming words games with your child.• Tell stories to your child.• Read aloud to your child. Point to the words on the page as you read.• Read a short passage several times to your child until your child can read it with you. Then encourage your child to read the passage to you.• Encourage older children to read with younger children.• Encourage your child to read (or pretend read) to you. Make this reading enjoyable. Don't worry if your child does not read all of the words correctly but, rather, applaud your child's efforts to read.• Go to the library together.• Have books, magazines, and newspapers around the house. Let your child see you reading.• Encourage your child to write messages such as grocery lists, to-do lists, postcards, or short messages to family members or friends. Don't worry about conventional spelling at this point but, rather, encourage your child's first efforts at authorship.

Literacy tips for more advanced readers• Talk to your child about what he or she is reading. Ask open-ended questions such as "What do you think about that story?" "What would you have done if you were that character?"• Make reading and writing a regular part of your daily home activities. Let your child see you using reading and writing for real purposes.• Visit the public library. Help your child to get his or her own library card.• Read to your child regularly, even after your child is able to read some books independently.• Listen to your child read. Use strategies to help your child with tricky words. For example, when your child comes to an unfamiliar word, you might say, "Skip it and read to the end of the sentence. Now try again – what makes sense and looks like the word that you see?"• Praise your child's efforts at reading.• Play word games such as thinking of different words to describe the same things.• Support your child's writing. Have writing materials such as paper, markers, and pencils available. Read what your child writes.• Set reasonable limits for television viewing and time on technology.Adapted from Mraz, Padak, & Baycich (2002).

The Science Lab is in full swing. Students have enjoyed learning about animal needs, animal groups, characteristics of light, the night sky, constructive and destructive forces of the Earth, and rocks and minerals. Classes have been earning rewards, such as film canister rockets and making slime. The lab needs donations of several items in order to continue our fun scientific learning experiences. Please send donations of the following items:• straws• plastic cups• plastic zipper bags• food coloring• paper plates• film canisters • bottles of glue• pencils• reams of copy paper

Don't forget that the school "Science Fair" is open to all students. Please check the school website for more information.

LGE’s Afterschool Program is “SUPER”! That’s right…we have a SUPER Staff, lots of SUPER Activities and the kids say it’s… SUPER FUN! WELCOME to our new and returning ASEP families. Our largest group is our 3-5th grade group with almost 30 students! Not far behind is our K-2nd group with almost 20! Ms. Loretta, Ms. Bethany, Ms. Donna, Ms. Ciera, Ms. Lindsay and Ms. CeCe have been working hard to make sure our kids stay engaged and entertained. Afterschool is a special place at LGE and we are excited to see what the year holds!

WISH LIST: Our students read every day and our books have had a good life but are showing their age. We would love to refresh our book library. Please consider donating your gently used (or new) books to the LGE ASEP Library. We can use books on any level, but prefer no “board” books. REMINDERS: • Anyone picking up a student from ASEP should be ready to show identification. Sometimes we have instructors cover the office and they are required to ask for I.D. Please understand that this is for the safety and security of our students. We appreciate your patience and understanding. • PLEASE be sure we have current contact info, including names of authorized people who can pick up your child on file. • Tuition is $50 per week (5 days). We operate every day that school is in session. • You can pay online at myschoolbucks.com (small service charge applies).• Our program runs from 2:30 pm until 6:00 pm. After 6:00pm there is a $1.00 per minute late charge. • Currently we do not offer “Drop In” service.

ASEP INFO: LGE’s After School program is offered through Henry County Schools and gives families/students the opportunity for after school care and the students don’t have to leave the building. We are here every day that school is in from 2:30pm-6:00pm. Students have a nutritious snack, complete homework, and have at least 2 enrichment classes per day, as well as gym and/or recess time depending on the weather. Cost of the program is $50 per week, per student. If you are looking for reasonable and fun after school care, with qualified professionals, contact Mr. Lavon Brown @ (770) 957-5416 or Lavon.Brown@henry.k12.ga.us for more information.

LGE Jr Beta,

LGE’s current and future Jr Betas went to Stone Mountain on March

31st for an extended day trip! We had a session about Rosie the

Riveter (WWII standard), rode the “DUCKS” -amphibious land-water

vehicle created by GM to storm the beaches at Normandy, and spent

the rest of the day at the park

(https://www.stonemountainpark.com/groups-education/school-

programs/field-trips/ride-the-ducks). Thanks so much to our current

and future Jr Beta parents, as well as our LGE 4th and 5th grade

teachers, for your support!

Future Jr Beta Club members! We’ll have a short meeting 1 morning

soon to discuss your skillset with regard to next year’s Jr Beta

convention contests!

Genius :40… LGE Clubs

Congratulations to Danielle in Mrs. Pace’s class for her “Tarantella Fantastica” Media

Festival project winning at our county level! Her project now goes on to the state level!

Our LGE Drama Club had its 1st play production on Friday, April 1st! The play, under

our Club leaders Phoebe and Mrs. Tolbert, was written by our club members and is

about preparing for the Georgia Milestones!

The LGE Elite Speed Track Club is going strong under Jayden’s and Coach Smith’s

leadership.

Art Club, led by Taniya, Kaylee, and Ms. Davis!

Rumor has it that these clubs will continue next year, too! A new/true legacy.

We are busy as bees in the Computer Lab. Many of our students are really making progress and have advanced from the beginners lessons to the intermediate lessons in typing.com. I am very proud them. Their names will be posted here in the newsletter and also on the board or the wall in the computer lab.

In addition as the students’ progress through the lessons and complete them, they will be presented with a certificate for each level they complete at the awards program. Each student has the opportunity to be awarded three certificates. Again we are very proud of the progress our students are making, as typing skills are very much needed in this tech savvy world. Let’s Keep Typing! Students that have completed the beginners lesson:

Student TeacherRoderick Raines Ms. Garner 3rd grade

Hallee Stokes Ms. Gregory 3rd gradeIvory Martinez Ms. Gregory 3rd gradeMahkel Perrier Ms. Gregory 3rd grade

Jada Mudd Ms. White 3rd gradeAlexis Luke Ms. Reda 4th grade

Azaryiah Hill Ms. Majors 5th gradeSamyra Freeman Ms. Majors 5th gradeTyRin Mason Ms. Majors 5th gradeAmber Watts Ms. Pace 5th gradeBrenda Riley Ms. Pace 5th grade

CONGRADULATION TO YOU ALL ON YOUR HARDWORK!

Title I provides federal funding to schools that have high poverty levels. The funding is meant to help students who are at risk of falling behind academically. The funding provides supplemental instruction for students who are economically disadvantaged or at risk for failing to meet state standards.

The Title I program originated as the Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Act of 1965. Its primary purpose was to ensure that all children were given the opportunity to be provided with a high quality education. Title I is the largest federally funded education program for elementary and secondary schools. Title I is also designed to focus on special needs populations and to reduce the gap between advantaged and disadvantaged students.

States that have Title I schools have several requirements to keep the funding. Schools must have a child poverty rate of at least 40% to operate a school wide Title I program. A school wide Title I program can provide benefits to all students and is not just limited to those students who are considered to be economically disadvantaged.

LGE TITLE I FAST FACTS: Locust Grove Elementary is a School-wide Title I School ALL LGE Teachers and Paraprofessionals are Highly Qualified Parents/Guardians may ask for teacher/staff qualifications at any time LGE has no designation from the state Schools can be labeled as Focus, Priority, Reward All families were invited to participate in the Family Input Team meeting where we discussed,

received input, reviewed and revised our Parent Involvement Plan and School Compact for Student Success for 2015-16.

Title I Funding provides: Math & Literacy Coach (Ms. Hall and Ms. Rainer) Parent Liaison (Ms. Kim) Family Resource Room (Room #1) Technology and Resources Additional Teacher Training Parent Engagement Budget 1% (Approx. $3000) Academic resources in Math, Literacy & Science to be used at home to support student success. Family Nights / Academic workshops to provide families with understanding of math, literacy and

science standards so they can help children at home.

My Name is Kimberli Stone and I am the Parent Liaison for Locust Grove Elementary. As a Parent Liaison my goal is to keep parents/guardians informed of school activities and volunteer opportunities. I also operate the Parent Resource Room located in Room 1 directly across from the main office.The Parent Resource Room was allocated by Title I to provide free academic resources to the parents to help assist students at home. Everything in the Resource Room is FREE to check out with no time limit! The Room has activities that are also used in the classroom and games to help with family bonding while building academic skills. There is a wide arrangement of Parent Power books that are available for checkout.

The Parent Resource Room is open from 7:45 AM – 3:00 PM. If these times are not convenient for you, please give me a call and we can schedule an appointment.

I am very excited to be here at Locust Grove Elementary and eager to help our parents help our students! If you have any questions and/or concerns, please contact me by e-mail at Kimberli.Stone@henry.k12.ga.us or 770-957-5416.

I look forward to serving you!!Kimberli StoneLocust Grove Parent Liaison

We are proud to have community partners that support our school and more importantly our student’s success! If you are interested in becoming a Partner in Ed, Please contact Ms. Kim Stone or Mr. Brown for more details on partnership!

- April 4th -8th Spring Break

- April 13th – May 4th GA Milestone Testing

- May 9th - 13th - Kindergarten Round- Up

- May 10th – 19th Field Day

- May 20th – K- 4th grade awards ceremony