Greetings Locust Grove Parents and Community

Greetings Locust Grove Parents and Community:

I would like to take this time to say thank you for a successful 1st 9 weeks of school. Our teachers have been working very hard to ensure students are provided with rigorous instruction while meeting their individual needs. Your commitment is greatly appreciated in supporting their work and our vision as a school of promoting academic excellence.

Student Led Conferences will begin the week of November 9th. During this time students will lead a discussion on their academic progress and ways they plan to meet achievement goals. Please mark your calendars for this wonderful event!

The phrase “It takes a village to raise a child” plays an important role of supporting our students academically, socially and emotionally. This year we will be implementing a mentoring program to provide an extended support system for our students. If you are interested in becoming a mentor, Mr. Brown, our school counselor has scheduled a Mentor Orientation on October 23rd. from 9am-10pm in the cafeteria. Information regarding becoming a mentor will be sent home with students on October 13th. Please come and learn how you can have a positive impact on a child’s life by volunteering 1-2 hours per week.

Our science lab is up and running. We are very excited about this new addition to our specials rotation. This past week was spent reviewing safety practices while students are engaged in hands-on learning activities. Ms. Brown has planned some very innovative standard-based lessons for our boys and girls, so don’t forget to ask our future engineers and scientists what they learned.

Finally, as we transition into cooler weather please ensure that your child is dressed appropriately. Packing a light jacket for recess would be greatly appreciated. Also as a reminder, leggings should be worn with a shirt that is at least two fingertip in length, as this information was communicated at the start of the school year. In addition, all pants should be worn at the waist. Should you have any questions regarding dress code please refer to the Henry County School handbook.

As always thank you for your commitment and support!

Dr. Scott

Principal

Kindergarten Information

Hello Parents and Guardians!

Kindergarten is “falling” right into place with our learning! We are starting to read and write sentences!! This is very exciting, but we need your help! In order for your child to meet their full potential, please work on sight words every day! The more words they know, the faster they will grow as a reader and writer. In math we are growing in our number sense. We are realizing the values of teen numbers and have increased our math vocabulary. Ask your child what greater than, less than, or equal to means!

Our field trip to the pumpkin patch is right around the corner on October 27th. Please return your permission slip as soon as possible. The students are very excited about the trip and we are looking forward to a great time. Thank you for all of your support and we can’t wait to see how much our students grow this year!

Kindergarten Teachers

First Grade “On Top of the World!”

Ms. K’s Class

We are learning about the seven continents and four oceans in our Social Studies unit.

In our opinion, Locust Grove Elementary is the BEST school because we have fun, play with our friends and learn all about our world.

Counting to 99 is fun when we play “Oh No 99!”

First Grade

News Update

Remember all additional classroom supplies

are optional, helpful, as well as

appreciated!! 

Hello Parents!!

We’ve been working hard and that’s all that MATTERS. In science we’ve been studying the different forms of matter; solids, liquids, and gases. We conducted several different experiments watching how different forms of matter can change into another form. I’m sure your child came home telling you about how Mentos and Coke create a gas when combined.

Math is all about addition and subtraction. The new number of the week math homework reinforces the skills for number sense and addition and subtraction.

We are comparing and contrasting two similar stories by different authors and from different cultures. If you go to the library see if you can find similar books and ask your child to tell you how they are alike and different.

We’ve been working hard to complete our opinion writing pieces. We’re ready to transition into informational writing.

Third graders are having a blast learning lots of new concepts! We are learning different strategies to multiply and divide numbers. We are also learning the steps to successfully solving word problems. Ask your child about attending to precision and persevering as we solve problems.

The students been learning about nonfiction text features. They are now able to use these features to locate information efficiently in a text. Soon, we will be comparing characters, themes, and plot in stories by the same author.

Do you know the regions of Georgia? Well, the students have been learning about these regions. They can now describe the weather in each region, the animals in each region, as well as plants in each region.

The students really enjoyed our Field Trip to Cubihatcha. They learned about bees, surface tension of water, and how to take care of forests!

Please make sure your child is completing activities on First In Math, as well as reading every night!

It’s Fall Outside and Fabulous in 4th Grade!

October is well under way and the students are in cruise control! Ms. Evans, Ms. Tolbert, and Ms. Reda are very pleased with how well the students are doing and how willing they are to try things on their own! We have started our math unit of multiplication. We have defined prime and composite numbers. We have created factor rainbows. Ask your child what a factor is! Ask them how many First in Math points they have!

We traveled back in time to 1492 to Columbus. We created 3-D map to show Columbus’s journey across the Atlantic. We read and discuss the unfortunate fates of John Cabot and Henry Hudson. See if your child can retell what happened to Cabot or Hudson, it’s not a happy ending. In the next few weeks, we will start studying stars, planets, and constellations. Students have had their first experience in our science lab with Ms. Brown. They are super excited to experiment weekly with her!

Please make sure your child is reading and reading often. It is one of the easiest and best things they can do to become a better reader. Ask them to explain the RACE strategy and what it means to “find evidence”. We have been working on the RACE strategy and “finding evidence” since the beginning of the year.

We thank you for supporting us and your child. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions, concerns, and comments!

If you have not joined Class Dojo, DO IT! All the cool kids are on it! It’s a great way to stay in communication with your child’s teacher and way to send texts if you have any questions!

We are rolling right along in 5th grade! We have been working hard on learning about non-fiction text structures. We are using those text structures in writing to make our own magazines. We can’t wait to see how they turn out! In Science, we have been learning about plant and animal cells. Some classes even made an edible cell and had so much fun making and eating them. We also studied animal and plant classification. We even took a field trip outside (here at school) to look for vascular and nonvascular plants and found so many examples. Mrs. Brown is our Science lab teacher and will do cool experiments with us, too. In Math we have been working diligently on long division. It’s not taught the way you parents are used to, so take a look at your Class Dojo story to see the way we do it now. Next up in Math….decimals! ______

“Genius :40” is a 40-minute time slot, 3 times per week,

in Mr. Schwartz’s trailer for 4th and 5th graders. During this time, we’re focusing on 21st century skills,

such as Tony Wagner’s 7 Student Survival Skills (Critical thinking, Collaboration across networks and leading by influence, Adaptability in thinking, Initiative and entrepreneurialism, Effective oral and written communication, Accessing and analyzing information, and Curiosity and imagination).

So far, we’ve watched/discussed a few videos about future projections of our society based on current trends in various aspects of our global society.

We’ve also looked at current cutting edge technology, such as the ambulance drone ,

and the aeromobile ,

and the positive global impact they could have, but also taking account of the negative possibilities. Many of the day-to-day questions involve higher order thinking skills, where students have to use what they saw, read, or discussed and apply the information to make predictions, or compare/contrast ideas, too!

______

Happy Fall to all Parents and Guardians!

Paul Halmos stated, “The only way to learn mathematics is by doing mathematics!” With that in mind, what are you doing to help with that process? One way is to encourage math at home is to have students play First in Math. If you do not have access to computers while at home, the public library has computers that are available to use.

Another way to support students is to ask questions about their homework. Don’t tell! Just ask. One of the Standards for Mathematical Practices (habits that we can all learn to be good thinkers with math) is making sense of problems and persevere in solving them. To help students with that practice, ask questions like:

•What is this problem asking?

•How could you start this problem?

•How could you make this problem easier to solve?

•Does your plan make sense? Why or why not?

•What tools/manipulatives might help you?

•What are you having trouble with?

•How can you check this?

Please don’t hesitate to call or email if you have questions about math for your student(s)! Have a great month!!

Mrs. Hall – LGE Math Coach

Thanks,

Mollie Hall

Math Instructional Lead Teacher

Locust Grove Elementary

770-957-5416

We are off to a GREAT start with Reading and Writing at Locust Grove Elementary. Students have been working hard on Close Reading with an emphasis on non-fiction texts. We are also working hard on citing text evidence to answer questions, and explaining that evidence and how it relates to our question. As a parent, as you are asking students to answer questions about their reading, always ask “How do you know?”

A great resource for parents to help support their students with Literacy is There are many interactive tools and links to support reading comprehension. Check these out with your students!

Students and teachers have also been learning how to use Explor-Ebook, a resource provided by the ELA department. These interactive books will be used in the classroom as a resource to support our Georgia Standards of Excellence. More information will be coming home with students so that these books can be accessed from home.

Science Lab

LGE is very excited about the addition of the Science Lab. Students will come weekly to do hands-on experiments and scientific explorations that enhance the curriculum in the classroom. The Science Lab will be run by Debbie Brown, a retired teacher with many years of classroom experience. The lab is in need of donations of household objects to help our students. Please check the board outside of room 3 to see what is needed. The following items are needed now. Other items will be posted as needed. Thank you for your support and be sure to check out the Science Lab in room 3!

Donations requested ( Please write "Science Lab" on containers.)

•2 liter bottles with lids

•yarn

•scissors

•white board markers

•zip lock bags (various sizes)

•pencils

•tape

•Kleenex tissues

•hand sanitizer

•paper towels

LGE’s Afterschool Program is “SUPER”! That’s right…we have a SUPER Staff, lots of SUPER Activities and the kids say its…

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 for more information.

Title I provides federal funding to schools that have low poverty levels.

The funding is meant tohelp studentswho areat riskof falling behind academically. The funding provides supplemental instruction for students who are economically disadvantaged or at risk for failing to meet statestandards.

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 andsecondary schools. Title I is also designed to focus onspecial needspopulations 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. Lunn)
• Family Resource Room (Room #1)
• Title I Tutors
• 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.

LGE is a school-wide Title I school that receives extra funding from the State and Federal government to support student academic success.

The 2015-16 LGE Parent Involvement Plan and Compact for School Success has been sent out. Extra copies are available in the Family Resource Room (Room #1), as well as in the front office and on the LGE website: New families registering should receive a copy to review and then return the acknowledgement form. This is a Title I requirement and it’s important for everyone to know what LGE has planned for student academic success!