Iceland's Volcano

Mr. Lemons, our technology/ math lab instructor, shared an awesome link with staff and students. We've all seen images and heard about the volcanic eruption in Iceland on the news. Mr. Lemons shared a site to stimulate scientific discussions for the classroom. This site (Boston.com) has some amazing photos of the eruption and after effects of the volcano and the havoc it is causing in Europe. Clink the link below to visit the site!

More from Eyjafjallajokull

Gilbert Celebrates Earth Day

Earth Day activities abound at Gilbert on this beautiful spring day.  Below you see a photo of Dianne Richardson's student David Klopp as he shares his illustration of the earth and explains how he can help make our earth healthier by doing his part to conserve resources.

Kari Krouse is Gilbert's Teacher of the Year, and she does an amazing job with her students during their exploration of concepts and content.  She came up with a very creative way to teach her students about conservation by designing an activity that saves paper as well as cleaning supplies.  Each child was provided an amount of shaving cream, they rubbed it on their desks and then drew some item they could recycle or help conserve.  Once they explained their thinking to Miss Krouse, the image was rubbed away and a new one emerged.  The children loved the fact that Miss Krouse became actively involved with them during their activity.  In the photo, Ella Carter encourages Miss Krouse to participate in a most unique way.  It is evident that this young lady loves her students and her role as their teacher.

Submitted by Kelly Massey

Singing Gators Entertain Our Community

Mrs. Michelle Blaylock and the Singing Gators performed at the April 19th meeting of the Walker County School Board. The meeting was packed with parents and other community members. All were delighted by the sounds of our Singing Gators.

Singing Gators prove that "School Rocks!"

Chairman Patty Hart cheers Mrs. Melissa Mathis (Superintendent of Walker County School) as she receives a Gilbert Gator shirt at the meeting. 

Mrs. Mathis was named an honorary Gilbert Gator. Mrs. Mathis stated, "As long as I don't have to sing, I'll gladly accept this Gilbert Gator shirt!"

Principal Brad Hayes

Science is Out of This World!

Mr. Bruce has been busy teaching students about outer space! Congratulations to Mrs. Brooks' Class! They were the first class to complete the large Solar System puzzle during the week of April 16th.

Gilbert Art Travels to Atlanta

Five Gilbert Elementary students had their art work chosen for exhibit in the Georgia Department of Education Youth Art Gallery in the Georgia State East Tower in Atlanta. Their work will be on display for the coming year until March 2011. Congratulations!

Pictured with Gilbert Elementary art teacher Chris Sandow are students Caleb Mangrum, Maddie Curry, Logan Brooks, Kristy Jones, and Kaitlyn Carrington.

Congratulations, Mr. Lemons

Gilbert Elementary School's Jay Lemons was selected as one of the 2010 UNUM Teachers’ Hall of Fame Starting 9. Lemons will be recognized at the May 14th Chattanooga Lookouts game along with the other Starting 9 teachers from the greater Chattanooga area recognized for their accomplishments in the classroom. UNUM explained that high standards are important and this is an opportunity to celebrate teachers’ good work in the classroom and around the community.

The "Starting 9" program honors those educators who step up to the plate and make a difference in the lives of their students. The nine outstanding educators will receive all-star treatment on May 14. Each will receive four skybox tickets, a $500 personal check and the opportunity to throw the ceremonial first pitch prior to the game while donning a personalized Lookouts jersey.

Unum invited principals from schools in Hamilton County and surrounding counties to nominate a teacher from their school who has made an extraordinary difference in motivating students to raise performance levels. The winners were selected by a committee out of many outstanding nominees based on their creativity and innovation in the classroom.

"Unum is committed to making our community a better place, and one important way we can do that is by supporting public education," said Bob Greving, chief financial officer for Unum. "We are proud to partner with the Lookouts to honor these teachers who work so hard to make a positive impact in the lives of our children."

Congratulations Mr. Lemons!

Submitted by Mr. Brad E. Hayes

Two Down, Three to Go!

Shout Out to the Gilbert Gators!

Thanks for another great day of testing!

Put on your thinking cap for tomorrow's Math test!

Good luck, Gators!

One down, Four to go!

Thanks for a great first day of testing!
We had wonderful attendance for testing!
Keep up the good work!

CRCT Study Guides Available

CRCT Study Guides are available for download!
Just click on your grade level to download your study guide!

1st Grade CRCT Study Guide
2nd Grade CRCT Study Guide
3rd Grade CRCT Study Guide
4th Grade CRCT Study Guide
5th Grade CRCT Study Guide

How Can Parents Help Prepare Students for the CRCT?

How can I help my child do his/her best on the CRCT?

Please make sure that your child arrives to school on time during test week (April 19-25). Testing will begin promptly at 8:00 a.m. each morning. Students arriving after testing has begun will not be admitted to class, as the testing session cannot be interrupted. These students will remain in the office or other location under the supervision of a school employee. Students who are late or absent during testing will be given a make up test. Keep in mind, children usually test best in a familiar environment, so it is important for them to take the test in their classroom with their teacher and classmates.

Check outs for doctor or dentist appointment should be avoided if possible. If not, please schedule them for the afternoon, as our testing takes place in the early morning.

Be sure your child gets a good night's sleep and a healthy breakfast before each day. Students should get between 7-8 hours of sleep each night in order to be well rested. Numerous studies have shown the importance of eating a healthy breakfast. If there's not time at home, consider allowing your child to eat breakfast at school. Breakfast is served in the cafeteria beginning at 7:15 a.m. each morning.

Students are usually nervous and apprehensive about taking the CRCT. When you talk to your child about the importance of the test, try to encourage him to do his best without creating too much much anxiety. A relaxed, confident child will perform better than one who is anxious.

Tips to Help Reduce Anxiety

• Discuss the test openly and in a positive way.
• Emphasize that the test is only one measure of academic performance.
• Emphasize that test scores do not determine a person's worth.
• Encourage your child to do his or her best.
• Ask your child each day how he/she thought the went for the day.
• Try to keep your home routines as normal as possible. Sometimes busy schedules and sudden changes cause students to become anxious.
  

It's that time of year!

CRCT Testing April 19-23
It's almost testing time for Gilbert Gators!

It's that time of year again! We are getting ready for the Georgia Criterion Referenced Competency Test (CRCT). This is a required test for all first through eighth grade students. The purpose of this test is to determine if students have mastered the Georgia curriculum.

The results of the test are used in several ways. First, they tell us what areas of the curriculum we are covering well and where we need improvement. As we prepare for the upcoming school year, we will use this information to help develop and revise our school improvement plan. Secondly, the CRCT results are used to determine if Gilbert Elementary has made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) as required by federal No Child Left Behind legislation. Finally, Georgia state law requires that students in 3rd grade pass the reading portion of the CRCT and students in 5th grade pass both reading and math in order to go on to the next grade level.

This week, students in grades 1 through 5 will be reviewing content, learning test taking strategies, and other activities designed to motivate and help your child do his or her best on this test. Be sure to check our blog later in the week to see how you can help, too!

Spring Break is Here!

Walker County Schools will be closed April 5-9, 2010!
Have a safe and enjoyable Spring Break!
See you back on Monday, April 12th!