Looking for something to do?

The Hunter Museum of American Art

The Hunter Museum offers free admission on the first Sunday of each month! You can enjoy the galleries and studio activities free of charge from 12:00-5:00 p.m. On Sunday, April 6 the Museum will host the rhythm and blues soul of Nashville duet, The Light from 2-4 p.m. A great opportunity for families to experience the world of Art.

Welcome Back!

We welcome you back to school! We hope everyone had an enjoyable and restful Spring break. As you all know, the CRCT is right around the corner! We have two weeks left until testing begins. Teachers and students will be reviewing concepts and skills to prepare for this important test. If you haven't already done so, you may want to visit the Ga. Department of Education's website to download a study guide to help your child prepare for the CRCT. It may be found at http://www.gadoe.org/ci_testing.aspx?PageReq=CI_TESTING_CRCT. The link to download the study guides is located on the right side of the page. Click on the one for your child's grade level.

Thursday - Dr. Seuss Day!

Gilbert Elementary will celebrate the life and works of Dr. Seuss on Thursday, March 20. Among Dr. Seuss' trademarks were his rhyming text and his outlandish creatures. He wrote and illustrated 44 children's books. This wonderful author gave us such favorites as Green Eggs and Ham, The Cat in the Hat, Horton Hears a Who, and many others.

Students are encouraged to dress up as their favorite Dr. Seuss character and join in the zany fun-filled activities. You can even make Gak! What's that you say? Come and find out on Thursday!

Box Tops for Education

Won't you help us?

Since beginning in 2002, Gilbert Elementary has earned $6795 by collecting Box Tops for Education. The money earned has purchased books for our media center and other needed items for our school. This year, we've earned $589 . This money is earmarked for our playground renovation project. 

For a complete listing of eligible products visit:
http://www.boxtops4education.com/AboutBoxTops/Products.aspx

Once there, you may enter our school in the $10,000 giveaway. Boxtops4education is giving away $10,000 each day during the month of May. The more people sign up the better our chances of winning. You may enter once per day.

http://www.boxtops4education.com/promotions/extremedream/

As an added incentive for students to bring in Box Tops, Mr. Tipton sponsors a monthly contest awarding the class who collects the most points a reward of their choice. There have been pizza, Krystal, Sonic, and ice cream sundae parties.

Also, don't forget to write your child's name on the back of each Box Top. On Friday, we drawn ten Box Tops out of the box. These lucky students receive a free ice cream!

Save those soup labels!

Save those Campbell's Soup Labels!
These labels allow us to earn free materials for our school!

For a list of eligible products visit:
http://www.labelsforeducation.com/eligibleproductsEN.aspx

Academic Pep Rallies Scheduled

Academic Pep Rallies Scheduled

Kindergarten & First Grade
Monday, March 17th @ 1:40

Second & Third Grades
Tuesday, March 18th @ 1:40

Fourth & Fifth Grades
Wednesday, March 19th @ 1:40

Clipart courtesy of Cute Colors

Mrs. Karen Neal's Hero

Karen Neal, 3rd Grade Teacher

If you would have asked me who my hero was when I was a little girl, I would have said Wonder Woman. Those wristbands alone were worth fighting crime for. Now that I am grown, I know that a true hero was not on the Saturday morning cartoons. The dictionary says that a hero is a person admired for bravery, great deeds, or noble qualities. My Mom had everyone of those qualities. She left a huge imprint on my heart, and she will always and forever be my hero. My Mom was the kind of person you looked up to and admired. She was my very best friend. From the time I was a little girl, I wanted to be just like her. Her smile was as bright as the sunshine and her laughter was music to the soul. She had a beauty that radiated from the inside out. My Mom was kind to everyone that she met, and she would give you everything she had. When I was very young, she began telling me that I was special. She told me that I could do anything or be anything I wanted to be. She radiated this love all throughout my family. I know that God blessed me with a wonderful mother. I only hope I can be half the mother to my precious little boys as she was to my brother, sister, and myself. She will always be my hero.
~Karen Neal

Mr. Tipton's Hero

Mr. Tipton, Principal

When I think about my life, there have been many heroes.  However, there is one hero that stands above the rest.  That hero is my Mammaw, Adeline Caudell.  

No matter what you needed to talk about or what you needed to ask she was always there.  She was my rock. When I think of my mammaw, I think of her smile, her frank nature, and her unyielding love for her friends, family, and children.  She taught me many lessons about life.  

Adeline Caudell was a hero not only to me but my mother as well.  Mammaw was the widow of a coal miner who raised my mother alone from the time she was 4.  She worked her way up through Giant foods to become the corporate accountant for this large change which is now food city.  

As I grew up my mammaw, always kept my sister and I every summer. She lived in Kingsport and at her house she had a life-sized doll house that my sister would play in, a clothesline that my mammaw and I would play badminton over, and a basement that we could ride our bikes/hot-wheels/pedal cars in.

She always smelled like oil-of –olay and to this day I cannot smell that without thinking of her.  In her living room, she had a rocking chair and a piano.  I have the piano now and my sister has the rocking chair.  

The love for her husband that no one else could fill and the love for her child that she would give everything for has shaped me into what I am today. When I look at what I wanted to be the two most important things to me were to always be there for my wife and to always love children in order to  get the best out of them.  

I always think of her anytime something important happens in my life.  When I graduated with from UTC, I thought of my mammaw.   When I found out my wife was pregnant, I thought about how proud my mammaw would be of my wife and I.  When my little sister had her children, we thought of mammaw.  That is when you know how much you miss her.  

A hero is defined as a person noted for feats of courage or nobility of purpose, especially one who has risked or sacrificed his or her life. My hero is my mammaw.
~Michael Tipton

March 12 - Picture Day

Picture Day
Class & Individual Spring Pictures
Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Wear your best smile!

Gilbert says THANKS!

The staff and faculty at Gilbert would like to express our thanks to our Paraprofessionals for your hard work and dedication!

Happy Paraprofessionals' Day!

The Hand Holders:
A Tribute To Paraprofessionals

There is no job more important than yours,
no job anywhere else in the land.
You are the keepers of the future;
you hold the smallest of hands.

Into your care you are trusted
to nurture and care for the young,
and for all of your everyday heroics,
your talents and skills go unsung.

You wipe tears from the eyes of the injured.
You rock babies brand new in your arms.
You encourage the shy and unsure child.
You make sure they are safe from all harm.

You foster the bonds of friendships,
letting no child go away mad.
You respect and you honour their emotions.
You give hugs to each child when they're sad.

You have more impact than does a professor,
a child's mind is moulded by four;
so whatever you lay on the table
is whatever the child will explore.

Give each child the tools for adventure,
let them be artists and writers and more;
let them fly on the wind and dance on the stars
and build castles of sand on the shore.

It is true that you don't make much money
and you don't get a whole lot of praise,
but when one small child says "I love you",
you're reminded of how this job pays.

author unknown

Our Heroes

In keeping with our character word for March, Mr. Hayes asked the faculty and staff members to name their hero and write a brief explanation as to why this person was chosen. He has agreed to share one each day on our morning news show. Below are a few of our staff members' heroes.

What is a hero? A hero may be defined as a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.

Destiny Frye, Special Ed. Teacher

My hero is my mother. She has been through so many unimaginable and painful events in her life, and she refuses to shed a tear or be broken. She has faced 11 back surgeries, numerous scans and tests, and been left with several permanent disabilities, but she puts on a smile and holds herself up and never lets on that she is suffering. She has faced each trial so bravely; not letting anyone see one bit of fear. Doctors have told her she would never walk again...and she runs. They've said she'd have to be on pain medication all her life...and she takes none. She never gives up and never loses hope. She is courageous beyond my understanding. Her name is Debbie and she is my mom.

Dottie Pickard, Third Grade Teacher

My hero is Jesus Christ. I want to model my life after Him.My earthly hero is Harriet Tubman. I think she is a true example of Jesus Christ. She had so much courage. She dared to do what was right, even though she might have lost her life. She risked her life to help her people have a better life. She fought for her country during the Civil War. She often did without herself so that others might have. What a great example!

Shannon Robertson, Third Grade Teacher

My aunt Gretchen because she treats everyone fair and equal: strangers and family. It doesn't matter how long she has known you, she will treat you with love like she would her own mother. Also, it doesn't matter if someone does something silly or makes a mistake; she will be there for you making you feel special when the majority of people would be embarrassed by what you've done. She doesn't care what the crowd thinks about her, she stands up for what is right and what she believes in. She will go out on a limb, even if that means ALONE -for what is RIGHT.

Donna Hurley, Second Grade Teacher

One of my heroes is my daughter, Haven. Haven has a learning disability in reading, and she couldn't read until 2nd grade. Haven has worked so hard through all of her years at school. It takes her much longer to complete assignments than her peers. She is the most dedicated, hard-working student that I have ever known. She has learned how to compensate for her learning disability. She was salutatorian at her eight-grade graduation and fourth in her high school graduating class. Because of all her academic accomplishments she received a scholarship to Shorter College where she is currently a freshman. She made all A's her first semester of college.

Courage - Character Word for March

Courage is being brave enough to do what you should do even when you're afraid or unsure.

Mr. Hayes caught our student council officers and representatives displaying and showing their courage by helping younger students. These students are great examples for their younger peers.

Justin Elrod (4th grade representative on the student council) shares his favorite story from the 3rd grade reading text. The 3rd graders were excited that he shared with them his memories of reading in 3rd grade.

Haley Yoder (Vice President) worked one-on-one with one of Ms. Robertson's 3rd graders. Haley is one of our Gilbert Morning News Show reporters.

Corbet Neal (background), Zach Matthews and Jake Neal (4th grade representative) worked hard with students as they assisted Ms. Robertson in reading class.

Kelsey Payne (student council representative) thought it was neat helping other students. She thought it was an act of courage to teach. She did an awesome job!

Corbet Neal (Secretary) shared with 3rd graders his memories of taking the 3rd grade CRCT, but quickly emphasized the importance of working hard as they prepare for the 5th grade CRCT. He said everything they do from here on out will prepare them for 5th grade. Corbet spoke highly of Ms. Robertson and Ms. Krouse.

Zach Matthews (Historian) doesn't mind helping other students. He was a very big help with students in 3rd grade this week.

Other students wanted Justin Elrod to help them with questions. He had to revisit some of the students. He was a very popular teacher aide on this visit with third graders.

Great job to all of our young student leaders. Ms. Robertson and Mr. Hayes are very proud of the student council officers and representatives at Gilbert.

Judge Henry Visits Gilbert

Corbet Neal, Judge Henry, Zach Mathews, Jake Wallin, Ethan Price, Brad Hayes, Hayley Yoder, Michael Tipton.

After an invitation by Jake Wallin, Gilbert student council representative, Judge Bryant Henry visited Gilbert Elementary and discussed his role as juvenile court judge with our students during the morning news program. The student council members asked Judge Henry several good questions. One student wanted to know if he had always wanted to be a judge. Mr. Henry responded that it was not until he was in college that he had decided to go into law. He practiced law from 1974 until 1997, and after sitting in as judge on several cases he decided that this was the career for him. He later spoke with principal Michael Tipton and assistant principal Brad Hayes as they thanked him for taking time out of his busy schedule to visit our students.

Poet-Tree

Denise Troutman poses with several of her fourth grade students who have their poems displayed on the Poet Tree in the foyer.
Kason Warren, Aexis Woodard (standing), Austin Camp and Melanie McGill in front.

This past week students have been working with poetry in all grade levels K-5 in the classroom, media center and art. As the students write their poems and illustrate them, they are placed on a tree in the hallway for all the children and teachers to see. Denise Troutman, along with the other fourth grade teachers continued the writing and illustrations in their classrooms and their students are already excited about seeing their original poems on the "Gilbert Poet Tree" in the hallway outside the media center. All fourth and fifth grade students are working on independent poems that art teacher Chris Sandow will help them create illustrations for. It takes the entire school working together to bring about a love for a particular concept and already this is happening with our students. We have boys and girls alike coming to the media center asking for books of poetry, requesting opportunities to write other poems, and sharing these with all audiences willing to listen. The topics for these poems range from Heaven to Wolves to Freckles to Sports!

This poem is from a student in Ms. Lyn Wright's fourth grade. The student's name is Kyler Cain and he writes about Heaven.

Remembering Reagan

The 4th grade students in Mrs. Lyn Wright and Mrs. Charity Burnette's class enjoyed a lesson from Gilbert Assistant Principal Brad Hayes on February 6. They were celebrating the birthday of former President Ronald Reagan. President Reagan would have been 97 on this day. Mr. Hayes shared the book "What Presidents Are Made Of". The class also talked about Georgia's presidential primary election on Tuesday. Tiffany Williams is shown holding the latest copy of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution announcing the winners in Georgia. The school observed "Presidents' Day" on February 18th.

Welcome

Welcome to Gilbert Elementary's current events blog!

We're glad you're here! We hope that you will find the information on this page helpful. Our goal is to keep you informed of what's happening here at school.