Ms. Schletter, Principal schlettera@duvalschools.org Ms. Hartigan, Assistant Principal hartigank@duvalschools.orgDr.Baker, Assistant Principal bakerr2@duvalschools.org

Vol.3 Issue 1 September 2017 In This Issue:

1 Principal’s Corner1 Vision and Mission, PTA Press2 Calendar of Events, SAC3 Dolphins of the Month4 Inside our Classrooms5 Inside the Drive6 Editors Niche

* * * Check your child’s planner daily for general information. *

* *

CLIP AND SAVE Classes compete to see who can bring in the most Box Tops. Send them in

today!

Sign up to be a Volunteer! Go to

http://dcps.duvalschools.org/volunteer

Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s),

The first and foremost priority for all students attending Gregory Drive Elementary is safety. We need to mention that all Florida Schools are responsible for student safety during the official school day and only 30 minutes before and after school each day. The official statute is:

“Florida Statute 1003.31(d)(2) states that students must be under the control and direction of the principal or designees no longer than 30 minutes before or after school hours while on our campuses or while participating in an authorized school-sponsored activity.  Parents should not rely on school supervision outside the time limits of such policy.”

Gregory Drive Elementary School’s academic hours are from 8:30-3:00 daily. Unless you officially sign up for the before or after school program (form and prices in the office), no student should arrive on campus prior to 8:00 A.M. or be picked up after 3:30 P.M.

Before School-There will be at least three adults and at least 15 fifth grade Safety Patrols greeting bus riders, walkers, and car riders between 8:00-8:29 daily. From 8:30 on, all late students need to report to the main office and sign into school. No students are to be on campus before 8:00 am. There is no supervision before 8:00 A.M.

Breakfast- Please also remember that breakfast will be served every morning from 8:00-8:45 A.M. Kindergarten through 2nd grade will eat breakfast in their classrooms while the 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders will eat in the cafeteria until 8:25, when their teacher will escort them to class to begin the academic day at 8:30. If a student arrives on a late school bus or arrives between 8:25-8:45 he or she can pick up a breakfast in the cafeteria, take it to class, and eat while not missing any academic instruction.

Early Pick-up before 2:00. In addition, Duval Public School District permits a parent/guardian to pick up students early, except for the last 45 minutes of the school day (2:45-3:00).

Dismissal- Dismissal will begin promptly at 2:45, with all teachers, staff, and administrators supervising our students. Car riders should be picked up in the immediate 30 minutes after dismissal. Any students not picked up by 3:15 will be placed in the extended day program and will be subject to a supervision charge each occurrence after the first time. If the student is habitually picked up after 3:15, the school has the right to contact the Department of Children and Families (DCF).

The aforementioned are to keep all Gregory Drive Elementary students safe and secure before and after school. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to communicate directly with Principal or Assistant Principals.

Thank you for your help and cooperation in keeping all students safe!

Respectfully,

Andi Dempsey Schletter,Principal, Gregory Drive Elementary School

Diving into a MAGICAL year!

Gregory Drive Elementary“THE DRIVE”

Gregory Drive Mission and Vision

Vision: Gregory Drive is a school in which every child, regardless of their background, becomes a healthy, productive and educated member of society in a safe and supportive academic atmosphere. Mission: Every student will become a successful reader while integrating math, science, and technology across all academic areas to reach their highest potential, drawing on the child’s entire community for support.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)

PLEASE JOIN TODAY $5.00 – WE NEED YOU!

Dolphins of the Month!

Kindergarten: Jimena Carranza

1st Grade: Allen Washington

2nd Grade: Lyla Cuevas

3rd Grade: Rahking Harrison

4th Grade: Tabatha Melgar

5th Grade: Alvin Smith

School Advisory Council SAC is made up of parents, staff,

business partners, and citizens in the community. Anyone interested in

joining SAC should contact the main office. The Council meets 8 times a

year.

The Next meeting is a special meeting: September 12 @ 4:00 p.m. & Sept 26th in the conference room.

Teacher of The Year

Ms. Matthew

Dr. Robert Baker, Assistant PrincipalCordelina Blair, MonitorsLauren Bush, SpeechNichelle Caudle, 5th Grade Math/ScienceKristine Conception, 1st GradeSherrita Cummings, VE K-2Rachel Gilsson, MediaAdair Hinds, ArtBen Klemer, ELA Interventionist 3-5Courtny Lee, VE 3-5Marvin Ludway, SecurityCarolyn Mitchell, ELA Interventionist K-2Adriana Rivera, ELA/Inclusion ParaKatherine Teuton, 2nd GradeNikki Torian, Math InterventionistPaula Toston, 4th Grade Math/ScienceDylan Watkins, 2nd Grade

Check out our School Website!

Duvalschools.org/GDE

Please call the office with any

questions: (904) 573-1190

Follow us on:

#WeAreGregoryDrive

Congratulations!To the Warnock Family on their

newest Dolphin.Welcome, Welcome, Welcome!

Calendar of Events

September 4th No School Labor Day

September 5th Behavior Assembly

September 6th Wednesday- Open House 5:00 – 7:00pm

September 12th Special Called SAC Meeting

September 13th Early Release

September 26th Regular SAC Meeting

September 27th Early Release

Kindergarten ELA - In Reading, we are learning about Nursery rhymes and rhyming words. We will be starting fables soon. See which Nursery Rhymes your child can recite to you!

Math - We are working on vocabulary such as exactly the same, same but..., alike. We will be moving into numbers 1-10 shortly! At home, see if your child can identify items that are exactly the same and same but slightly different (for example two white socks that are different sizes or two shirts with different patterns)

Science - In science we are learning about our five senses. What can you see, hear, smell, touch, and taste at home?

First grade is off to a magical start in learning. In language arts, students are learning to retell and summarize fables and folktales by identifying the characters, setting, and plot, including the beginning, middle, and end of the stories and how to identify the characteristics of a fable or folktale.

In math, we are learning to represent the numbers 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 using strategies such as number bonds (part + part = whole), counting on from one number to the next, and creating addition expression for each total (i.e. 4+2=6).

In science, students are learning how to become scientists by asking questions; using their 5 senses (sight, touch, smell, hear, and taste); and using science tools to investigate the physical properties of objects such as shape, size, and color; similarities and differences; and practice of recording observations.

As always, thank you for your support ~ The First Grade Team.

In Math we are beginning Module 2, students will be exploring the ruler, estimating and measuring lengths using various tools and units and finally, relating addition and subtraction to length.

 In Reading, we are on the Indus River and the civilization that began in a nearby valley. Over the next several days, your child will learn more about life in early Asia, specifically ancient India. Your child will hear more about the Indus River Valley civilization as well as the civilization that began around the Ganges River. S/he will learn about some key features of civilizations, and hear some folktales from early India. In Science, Students will be able to distinguish actual observations from ideas and inferences about the observations.

A few gently reminders; if you have already done so please bring in headphones for your child’s use only and sign up for class dojo. Open house will be held on Wednesday, September 6 at 5pm.

We're off to a great start!!! In Reading we are unlocking the magic of Close Reading, which means Reading complex texts multiple times; each time for a different reason. Daily usage of I-Ready Reading and Achieve 3000 is encouraged to help build Reading Skills. In Writing we are learning how to structure Informational Essays. In math we have begun our year with learning multiplication and division. We are building our fluency with 2's, 3's, 4's, and 5's. Students can logon to www.reflexmath .com  for fluency practice at home. In science we are discovering how inquiry has helped us understand our world and how things work. We ask that you please send in your students' 1.5 inch view binder, check and sign agendas daily, and download the dojo app to connect with your child's class page. 

Welcome 4th Grade students and parents! We have an exciting year planned, full of amazing learning opportunities.

Our first novel study in Reading is a book by Sharon Creech called “Love That Dog”. It is written in verse, like a poem. The character, Jack, is learning to write poetry throughout the story. We are learning to summarize a text and analyzing the main character, Jack. The book is filled with real poems that Jack uses as he learns about poetry. We are analyzing poems to learn from them. Ask your child about the elements of poetry that we have learned. We have learned about stanzas, imagery, free verse and many other elements. Don’t forget that your student should be reading for 30 minutes each night.

Our first lessons in writing are called, “The Painted Essay.” We will color code our writing as we learn the purpose of each part in an essay. Students are already working on creating focused paragraphs. We will move on to adding specific details, great word choice, and great beginnings and conclusions. A great amount of focus will be placed on spelling and grammar, as well.

In Math, we begin with place value. Students have been working on their thousands charts. They will move on to addition and subtraction, then multiplication and division. Students will find this work easier if they are familiar with basic math facts. Try calling out multiplication facts while driving in the car. Students should be able to respond quickly to these.

Our science lessons will help students learn the Scientific Process. Students will learn how to go about asking a scientific question and using science to find the answer. From there, students will investigate the properties of matter.

Don’t forget to sign in to Class DOJO and see how your child is doing in behavior. There is also a chart showing the point system and it connects to their conduct grades.

We thank our parents for their support in making sure their child completes assigned homework. Check and sign the agenda to keep up with assigned work. Parents who might be interested in chaperoning a field trip need to check to be certain that they are still eligible. The applications are good for two years! We look forward to a great year in 4th Grade! Thanks again for your support!

Reading: During Reading, students will wrap up our deep dive into historical documents such as the Bill of Rights and the Declaration of Independence. In preparation for a close read of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, students will connect historical documents by locating and explaining the relationships between each. This will build background as students swim into the next unit where we'll connect articles if the UDHR with events in a novel. 

Writing: We are diving into text-based informational writing.

Social Studies is integrated in both reading and writing daily.

Math: In math, we are working through place value with fraction decimals. Next we will be diving deep into multi-digit whole numbers with decimal fraction operations. As always I-Ready math is a great filler on non-homework nights.

Science: In science we are diving into the practice of science. Our 5th grade dolphins have learned about the practice of science and the process scientist take when they investigate. Next we will dive into the properties of matter.

Please send in a presentation board for your child to display their science fair data. A detailed packet will be sent home outlining timelines for

completed portions of the project as well as possible investigations the students can select. Please continue to encourage your child to work on Achieve Science at home.

K-5th: Students are participating in:

1) Scarf Juggling, 2) Learning about Pedestrian and Bus Safety and 3) Bowling.

3rd-5th: Students have started their Fitness Gram Testing.

5th graders have taken their Resource Baseline Test.

And we’re off! Students in grades K-1 will continue reading Eerie Elementary: Recess Is A Jungle, as grades 2-3 begin Magic Treehouse: Dinosaurs After Dark, and grades 3-4 embark on their first mission in 39 Clues: The Maze of Bones! Students who read ahead, and write chapter summaries will be entered to win a special prize! 

Music News for 4th & 5th graders 🎶🎶......we are studying the 'Star-Spangled Banner' and will take a written test to determine which class (one in 4th and one in 5th) has the best class average to earn their class a special reward. Study well 4th & 5th graders!!!!!

Editors Niche: Articles and News for the Drive will be not be included after the deadline. The Deadline for next month’s issue of the DRIVE is October 20th . Thank you for your support and timely submissions.

Respectfully submitted,

Nikki Torian, Editor hudsonnn1@duvalschools.org