News from the Director of Elem Ed

May Letter to Parents

Second grade students at Goochland Elementary School recently completed their economics unit of study. The culminating learning activity – a grade level economics faire – involved each student taking on the role of both producer and consumer.

Students were responsible for designing and making ten like products, all while adhering to preset guidelines and constraints. They then made decisions about “pricing” in relation to supply & demand and market competition. Finally, they “sold” their wares at last week’s faire.

It was wall-to-wall smiles, engagement, and high finance.

Dear Parents of Rising Third, Fourth and Fifth Graders,

Times of transition are always some of the most challenging for all of us. For our students, those major transitions include kindergarten entrance, the transition from grade 5 to 6, from grade 8 to 9, and, of course, the life transition that takes place after high school graduation.

As we reflect on how we – as professional educators – can create programming, provide support, and communicate more effectively regarding these critical transition periods, you will notice an emphasis in these areas.

One important aspect involves program planning for grades 6-8 and how the upper elementary years impact course sequence for our students. We believe communicating with you now is critical.

Course offerings at Goochland Middle School include four required core subjects (English, mathematics, science, and history/social science), foreign language for qualifying students (French and Spanish), band, chorus, and other electives (i.e. art, creative writing, etc.). As fifth graders, all students (and families) will have the opportunity to meet with their school counselor and prioritize their selections for grade 6.

Program pathways for the traditional core academic courses are established using a multitude of indicators from a student’s scholastic performance in grades 4 and 5. While these requisites may be adjusted slightly from year to year, what you will find here are the criteria used for consideration for the 2011-12 academic year.

We understand and support the notion that students progress and develop at varying rates; additionally, individual interests become refined over time. In recognition, our team of teachers and administrators works closely with students and families to ensure that opportunities always exist to move into new scholastic pathways – or to participate in a program that includes multiple pathways. Our school counselors, teachers, and administrators stand ready to work with individual students and families as these considerations arise.

The intention of this letter is to keep our families well informed, to provide answers to potential questions in a proactive manner, and to ensure a successful transition to Goochland Middle School when the time comes.

As always, do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher(s), school counselor, principal, or us if we can be of assistance. We look forward to a continued partnership throughout your child’s education.

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The atmosphere was truly electric.

Our fourth and fifth graders who participated in yesterday’s Reading Olympics competition described feeling a combination of nervousness, excitement, joy, and an energy they couldn’t quite put into words. One fifth grade student said, “It’s like my belly is fully of glowing butterflies.”

As a participant, I can say, without hesitation, it was my favorite school day of the year.

Our children were well prepared, intelligent, and absolute models of good citizenship and sportsmanship. All day long I observed students using an incredible combination of critical thinking skills, teamwork, and manners.

Thank you to our Reading Olympians and to the dozens of teachers, parents, community volunteers, administrators, and library media specialists who made yesterday’s event such a resounding success.

Friday, April 6 was filled with egg hunts at our elementary schools: everything from traditional candy surprises to SOL review. Have a restful holiday.

At Randolph Elementary Mrs. Ferguson’s Fourth Graders have been busy keeping an eye on the Times Dispatch EagleCam. The footage is part of a research project that examines generations of eagles and how they interact within the Chesapeake Bay population. Mrs. Ferguson’s students have been tuning in (and checking in) at 8 o’clock and 3 o’clock daily.

“Virginia” and “James” became proud parents on Friday and again on Sunday. The footage allows the students to be a part of the eagles’ lives and see how they interact on a daily basis with each other and their surroundings. Talk about student engagement!

You can continue to follow updates on Mrs. Ferguson’s blog at http://blogs.glnd.k12.va.us/teachers/eferguson/.

Goochland County Public Schools will hold its annual Kindergarten Registration Day on Thursday, April 19. More than ten public school divisions in our region have identified this same day as way to expand and deepen advertisement.

Welcoming our kindergarten children and their families is one of the most exciting parts of being a professional educator. It represents the beginning of a 13-year relationship with our school division, and it’s important to us that we support our families during this initial registration period and throughout.

What follows is a list of frequently asked questions (and corresponding responses) relating to kindergarten registration and the subsequent transition to school.

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. When can children begin kindergarten?
State guidelines dictate that a child who is five years old on or before September 30 of the upcoming school year should enroll in kindergarten.

2. How do I register my child for kindergarten?
Thursday, April 19, 2012 (8:00-4:30) is the established day for 2012-13 kindergarten registration across our region of the Commonwealth. Families should plan to register at the elementary school whose attendance zone corresponds to their home address. (Please contact Ms. Sonia Ruqus at 556-5361 with individual questions regarding elementary school attendance zones.) Even if families do not have all of the required documents, they should plan to register on April 19 in order to begin the enrollment process.

3. What do I need to register my child for kindergarten?
TWO of the following documents are required:
Proof of residency documents such as:
• tax returns
• voter registration card
• recent payroll stub with physical address
• automobile registration
• utility bill (other than cell phone)/deposit receipt

Families will also need to bring the following documents that are required before a child may begin school in the fall:
• the child’s social security number;
• a certified birth certificate for the child, or, for non-U.S. citizens, other substantiating documentation such as a passport or an I – 94 form;
• a copy of a comprehensive physical examination by a qualified, licensed physician within 12 months prior to the date the child begins school; and,
• evidence of immunizations as required by Virginia law.

4. My child will be five by September 30, 2012, but is not yet ready for kindergarten. Do I have to enroll my child this school year?
No. Your child’s enrollment may be delayed for one year; however, you should notify the Superintendent in writing of your plans to delay kindergarten registration for one year.

5. My child just misses the deadline for enrollment in kindergarten by a few days. Is there a waiver of the age requirement?
No. Goochland County Public Schools does not offer a waiver of the age requirement.

6. Will my child attend a half-day or full-day kindergarten program?
Goochland County Public Schools operates a full-day kindergarten program.

7. I am separated from my spouse and I don’t want him/her to visit or pick up my child. Will you make sure that doesn’t happen?
Anyone other than the natural parent of a child must provide legal guardianship papers when enrolling a child in school. If your spouse is the natural parent of your child and you do not have legal papers showing court ordered arrangements, we must, by law, allow the parent to see the child. It is the responsibility of the parent(s) to provide the school with appropriate legal documents.

8. When is the first day of kindergarten and when will we learn who our kindergarten teacher is?
Generally, the first day of school is the third Monday in August. Please check the school division website (http://www.glnd.k12.va.us/) this spring for the Board approved 2012-13 division calendar. You will receive a letter in the mail in August from your child’s school stating your child’s teacher assignment.

9. How will I know where and when to wait for the school bus?
You will receive your child’s transportation information from the transportation department. This letter will contain your child’s bus driver’s name, bus number, telephone number, bus stop times and location. A responsible adult should be there with your child at least 5 minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive in the morning and the afternoon. An adult should be at the bus stop until your child reaches fourth grade.

10. Is there an orientation specifically for families of incoming kindergarten students?
Yes. Each of our three elementary schools will host a Kindergarten Orientation for families. This event is an opportunity to hear from school administration about day-to-day school operations and kindergarten programming. It’s also an opportunity for kindergarteners to meet their teachers and visit their classrooms. Kindergarten Orientation is typically held on the Thursday before the first day of the new school year.

11. Where may I obtain more information?
http://www.doe.virginia.gov/students_parents/student_enrollment.shtml

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[school readiness]
[PBS Kids: raising readers]

Today students all across our country and the world will recognize “Read Across America Day” in association with Dr. Seuss’ birthday. Our elementary schools took part in many engaging and unique ways … from arriving at school dressed as a favorite storybook character to simply listening to a read aloud.

Below students at Randolph Elementary enjoyed a favorite Dr. Seuss tale read by Mrs. Dianna Gordon.

The Goochland High School National Art Honors Society is hosting its Youth Arts Competition during the month of March. This celebration/competition of the visual arts is open to students in grades K-8, and the corresponding Youth Arts Fesitval at GHS will take place on Saturday, March 24 from 12-4pm.

This year’s theme is “Around the World.” Please see the entry form below:

Youth Arts Competition Entry Form