1

Whale Branch Elementary School Davis Early Learning Center

Tiger Shark Quarterly Newsletter

2016-2017

1st Quarter

Principal’s Message From the Principal’s Desk

Greetings Parents, Students, and Stakeholders!

We have gotten off to a terrific start to the 2016-2017 School year.

Great Things are happening at James J. Davis Early Childhood Center and Whale Branch Elementary School!

Points of Celebration

We have several new staff members.

We introduced Dance as a related art this school year.

We received the Palmetto Silver Award for General Performance by the SC Oversight Committee.

We have “Tie Tuesdays” as a way to motivate students to be successful and feel good about themselves.

We have partnered with the YMCA to have an Afterschool Program in addition to our STEAM Afterschool Program. Our

STEAM Afterschool program is a SC Homework Center, is funded by the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce and is

offered to students in grades 3 and 4. It offers students extended day activities in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts

and Mathematics.

We continue to have support from various individuals and organizations:

Pastor James Moore and Mount Carmel Baptist Church

Sheldon Township Community Members

Kiwanis Club of Beaufort

First Books of Beaufort

Committed to Excellence Group

A few reminders:

If you have not completed online registration for your student(s) for this school year, please do so as soon as possible. Parents are

also invited to come to the school so that we may assist you with this.

We still have a lot of students arriving late and leaving early. Students are allowed to enter classrooms at 7:30 a.m. each day. The

school day officially ends at 2:45 p.m.

Please support our PTO and SIC. Cluster PTO and SIC meetings take place on the 1st Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. The three

schools rotate having the meetings each month. Announcements and emails are sent out letting you know where the meeting will

be held.

Please continue to support our schools.

#EveryStudentsMattersEveryMomentCounts

2

Faculty Spotlight

Brad Williams, Music

Bachelor of Music Education, East TN State University

(1994)

16 years experience in public school music education

6 years experience in industry as a trainer

Family:

Angie - wife

Tyler - son (graduating in December from Carson-

Newman University)

Makena – daughter (8th Grader at Beaufort Middle)

Hobbies: Reading, beach activities, cooking

Danielle White, Dance Education: Winthrop University, Bachelor of Arts in Dance with a minor in Professional Business Prior Experience: Dancing for 20 years, competed for several years, won scholarships at dance conventions, Dance Instructor at Beaufort Academy of Dance Hobbies: Going to the movies, church, and shopping Also Joining WBES and DELC: Angelika Jones—1st Grade Lei F. Horne—2nd Grade Emily Brown—3rd Grade Pamelia Smalls—3rd Grade Blakely Fields—4th Grade Ms. Danztler—Assistant Principal

3

Pre-K is off to a great start this year! We are learning our routines and rules.

We are starting to recognize and write our names and learn the letters in the

alphabet (especially those in our name). We also spent the first month of school

learning about nursery rhymes. We read each one, acted it out and sang them.

We have made several art projects that are displayed in our classrooms and in the

pre-k hallway. We finished off this unit by dressing up as our favorite nursery

rhyme character. We went to the gym and celebrated all the rhymes by singing

and dancing to them! We are excited to go to the library and computers once a

week with Ms. Delaney. We are learning to use a mouse and are really excited to

choose our own library book. All week long we get opportunities to look at our

books and share with each other. In math we are using all sorts of counting bears

and other manipulatives to count up and back by one. We are also learning how

to graph. As you can see we are very busy having fun, making friends and

learning!

Pre-K News

4

Humpty Dumpty, Jack and Jill, the mouse from Hickory Dickory

Dock, and the dish and spoon from Hey Diddle Diddle were all

spotted at James J. Davis Early Childhood Center on Friday,

September 23, 2016. It was all part of the school’s annual nursery

rhyme parade for Pre-K students and Kindergartners. The event is

one of the ways Pre-K students and Kindergartners celebrate their

study of nursery rhymes.

Nursery Rhyme Study at DELC

5

6

Second grade students have been working hard these

past few weeks. They have been studying Author’s

Purpose and Main Idea in Reading. Our focus in

Science has been on the different Seasons and types of

weather. Students are finishing up Unit 2 in Math and

learned different ways to name numbers, along with

fact families. This week in Writing students have been

sharing their experiences with Hurricane Matthew.

Please encourage your child to read with you every

night to promote good reading habits. Thank you for

your continued support.

2nd Grade 2nd Grade Team

Ms. Abney – Ms. Horne – Ms. Townsend - Ms. Triplett – Ms. Smith

7

There is such a positive energy in the Red Hall as students take on the added responsibilities of being a

3rd grader. It is awesome to see how much they have grown, and to see some new faces. We have several new

faculty members who bring a wealth of experience to the WBES family. We welcome Ms. Smalls and Ms.

Brown to Team 3. Ms. Bryan and Ms. Murray have joined the team from grades 2 and 3, respectively. Ms.

Oliver is returning to Team 3.

So, what is new for 2016-2017, besides the school day starting at 7:45! This means an early start to

instruction each and every day. Parents, please see to it that students are on time and ready to start their day.

Third graders will be taught from a new edition of Everyday Math. The components of this textbook are now

online. If your child is absent he or she can follow along at home using his or her computer password. Your

child’s teacher can track his or her progress.

Teachers are using Class Dojo as a behavior monitoring tool. This means you can get daily, hourly, or

even up-to-the minute-behavior reports. Communication is the key to a successful parent-teacher

relationship, so keep your child’s teacher updated should your telephone number change.

What are we studying in the other subject areas? We are very busy in Science exploring Earth’s

Materials and Processes. This included rock, soil, fossils, renewable and nonrenewable resources, and the

human impact on our environment. As for Social Studies we started with Where We Live, an overview of our

planet, continent, country, state, county, and city. Then we started looking at South Carolina and the various

regions of our state. We are now looking at the exploration and settlement of the state. In ELA we are diving

into story elements. This includes character, setting, plot, conflict, and resolutions. We are observing

characteristics, mood, and how that mood is emphasized by the author. Finally, there is writing. Students are

developing their skills in the writing process by writing about small moments in their lives. We are first

focusing on introductions which dazzle the reading and make them want to continue reading.

Parents, please be patient as your young ones are shedding those old baby ways and entering a new

phase of their young lives. They will be expected to do more, and yes, they can meet those expectations. Some

will cry, others will do so willingly, but in the end they will grow into fine young ladies and men. Thank you for

your support as we move into this exciting phase of learning.

3rd graders received dictionaries from the Kiwanis Club.

3rd Grade

Back to School Back to Work

8

4th Grade 4th Grade Team

Ms. Baker - Ms. Driscoll - Ms. Fields - Ms. Hayes - Ms. Turner

4th graders have been working with story elements. Here,

a student in Ms. Baker’s class shows a cereal box game

she created around the story elements of the book

“Shiloh” by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor.

Students practice Partner Reading to improve fluency

by listening and reading to a classmate.

Dance Off! Just one of the many engaging activities that are

included in the House Program.

9

Ron Clark Academy- Whale Branch Elementary Style

Many of you have heard and/or seen some of the activities that the fourth grade team has been

implementing. These activities have been based on the concepts embedded at the Ron Clark Academy. The

Ron Clark Academy (RCA) is a highly-acclaimed school located in Southeast Atlanta. The Academy has received both

national and international recognition for its success in educating students with academic rigor, passion, and creativity

balanced by a strict code of discipline.

RCA is a demonstration school – a place where visiting educators engage in a vibrant professional development

experience by observing best practices in action before participating in hands-on workshops. In the past seven years,

more than 22,000 superintendents, district level administrators, and teachers from 42 states and 22 countries have

participated in the RCA Experience to learn better ways to engage students, promote academic rigor, and create a

climate and culture that promotes success.

At the Ron Clark Academy (RCA) students begin their tenure by finding out what house they are in by

spinning a wheel. We chose to have students pop black balloons to find out their house assignments. When

they popped the balloon they received a wrist band in the house color with the name of their house. Each 4th

grade teacher is a “Head of House” for one of the 4 houses (Altruismo, Amistad, Reveur, and Isibindi). The

student’s homeroom teacher isn’t necessarily going to be the house that they belong to. Every other Friday

students will eat lunch with their house mates and we will end the day with house meetings.

Throughout the school year the houses will compete in a points style race to claim the title of “House

Champions” for each quarter. Students can earn points for their house by following rules, creative/critical

thinking, and problem solving; these points are awarded at the discretion of the teacher based on a student’s

performance in the classroom. We also have fun house battles throughout the year to help keep students

motivated and engaged in the house system. The first house battle consisted of house cheers. The next battle

was a dance off among houses. (This was so much fun!) Each house leader selected one of eight songs and

houses were given time to create and practice a dance to perform.

The Ron Clark Academy was founded upon Ron Clarke’s famous Essential 55, which is 55 rules that will

build kids’ self-esteem by teaching life skills that also happen to help create better students. The 4th grade

team went through and picked the ones we believed to be the most beneficial for our students, which led to

the creation of the Essential 26. Students have learned the Essential 26 through class lessons at the beginning

of the year; we also sent copies of the rules home and posted the rules in the classrooms. Our goal is for our

students to not only learn the curriculum, but also how to become upstanding citizens in their community.

10

The teachers at RCA teach many different ways, one of which is through classroom transformations.

These transformations are used certain times throughout the school year to reinforce classroom topics and

motivate students to achieve goals in the classroom. Some examples include transforming the classroom into

a football field to literally put students side by side and head to head as their progress throughout the lesson

moves them down the field towards a goal. Another one is turning the classroom into the inside of a spaceship

and the teacher dressing up as an alien to spark creativity in literary projects. In order to achieve this, we

implemented “Wacky Wednesdays”, during which each teacher in 4th grade is responsible for one of the 5

subjects and plans a lesson that is a little out of the ordinary for their subject. On “Wacky Wednesday” the

students rotate through the different classrooms with their housemates to participate in a 50-minute lesson

and receives lessons in all 5 subjects that day.

The discipline system at RCA is a detention system and we have modified their system to work for us.

Students who are struggling with adhering to The Essential 26 write their name on the board, as a warning. If

a student continues to exhibit the same negative behaviors, they are then asked to place a checkmark next to

their name; One checkmark results in a silent lunch. If they continue and receive another check, they will

receive an after school detention, as we do not believe in taking recess from our students because they need

that time to run and socialize. After school detention is held on Thursdays and students that receive detention

will have letters sent to their parent or guardian, that is returned showing that they agree to pick up their

child, as there is no transportation. Parents have been very supportive of this discipline system and

alternatives are offered for those who don’t agree.

The RCA experience at Whale Branch Elementary has begun with a bang and students have been very

responsive.

Written By: Amy Turner, 4th grade teacher

11

Other School News

DANCE TROOP

The WBES Dance Troop, led by Ms. D. White, has

delighted audiences both at school and at

community events.

TIE TUESDAY

Our PE teacher, Mr. Smith, has started a new

tradition known as “Tie Tuesday”. All students are

encouraged don ties with their uniforms to polish

their academic images.

STRENGTHENING FAMILIES

WBES is proud to offer the Strengthening

Families program on Wednesday evenings.

Parents and children participate in activities

designed to improve academic,

communication, and life skills.

TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Congratulations to Ms. April Smalls, who

selected as the WBES/DELC Teacher of the

Year for the 2017-2108!

12

GEOCACHING

Mr. Smith has incorporated technology and math into his

PE classes in the form of Geocaching. Students have

actively roaming the school grounds during PE classes to

find cached treasures using GPS units and coordinates.

AWARD WINNING CAFETERIA

Ms. Owens runs an award-winning cafeteria! She was

recognized for Outstanding Service and the cafeteria was

recognized as the Best in District.

LIBRARY MAKEOVER

The WBES media center is looking great with new

furniture, curtains and carpets. In addition, the library

has almost 2,000 new books for information and

reading pleasure.

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK!

https://www.facebook.com/whalebranchelementary/

Other School News

WBES WINS THE PALMETTO SILVER AWARD

Whale Branch Elementary school has been awarded the Palmetto Silver Award for Performance by

the state of South Carolina. We are super-proud that the hard work of our teachers and students has

been recognized

13

AUGUST BIRTHDAYS

August 1 Olivia Walton

August 2 DeMario Alston

August 2 Jorden Hamilton

August 2 Anthony Roberson

August 3 Genesis Grant

August 3 Johnnie Pryor

August 4 Demetrius Moultrie

August 5 Nathaniel Powers

August 6 Trevon Watson

August 6 Gabriel Williams

August 6 Jalayah Young

August 8 Makyla Green

August 10 McKenzie Brown

August 10 Royale Burton

August 10 Zynique McCollum

August 12 Shawn Habersham

August 13 Ta'leyah Green

August 13 Maurice Todd

August 14 Mckenzie Grayson

August 14 Joshua Young

August 15 Antanella Dixon

August 15 Makiah Harris

August 16 Jermal Delaney

August 16 Ty'marean Riley

August 16 Hayden Valentine

August 17 Jaylin Wright

August 18 Jada Coakley

August 18 A'naiya Gilbert

August 18 J'kwon Jenkins-Fizer

August 18 Jourdyn Johnson

August 18 Justin Johnson

August 18 Jalaisa Middleton

August 18 Kaveon Tyler

August 19 Jordan Fields

August 19 Ja'Vaeh Griffin

August 19 Genesis Sharpe

August 20 Jarrett Gibbs

August 22 Zandiea Wills

August 23 Travis Johnson

August 24 Jaiden Aldana

August 24 Klayre-Ann Hodges

August 25 Tamyree Fields

August 25 Caylon Thomas

August 26 Elijah Henderson

August 26 Kimora Washington

August 27 Jordan Jones

August 27 Tatiana Willis

August 29 Jaiden Ferguson

August 29 Ja'Niya Green

August 29 I'veon Watson

August 30 Jayden Elliott

August 30 Shiloh Owens

August 30 Jeremiah Smalls

August 31 Terence Campbell

August 31 Tifiney Mack-Nunez

OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS October 1 Kaliyah Brown

October 2 Kennedy Jenkins

October 2 Ariyanna Polite

October 2 Sha'Neil Washington

October 3 Tayler Goethe

October 3 Tyler Goethe

October 3 Taveon Byson

October 3 Trevor Brown

October 3 Shaynia Albany

October 6 Serenity Singleton

October 6 Zyasia Aiken

October 7 Tanay'e Byas

October 7 Harmony Hutchinson

October 7 Ireanna Kelly

October 7 Tylazja Smalls

October 8 Adeani Jackson

October 8 Destiny Rivers

October 10 Jamel Washington

October 11 Hezekiah Morrall

October 14 Juan Tyler

October 15 Blaine Burleson

October 15 Akeilious Williams

October 16 Ja'Mari Smalls

October 16 Jordan Gibbs

October 16 Shiy'quan Manigo

October 16 Samara Cummings

October 16 Britney Donjuan

October 17 Justin Jenkins

October 19 Anjel Costanzo

October 20 Kareem Bing

October 20 Destiny Middleton

October 21 Alyssa Brown

October 21 Amar Lonon

October 21 Davion Floyd

October 22 Carolina Shell

October 22 Dionna Hagood

October 22 Derius Polite

October 23 Jasiah Morgan

October 24 Brian Bryan

October 25 Elanni White

October 25 Melanie White

October 27 Moriah Watkis

October 27 Samiya Lee

October 27 Divine Person

October 28 William Brown

October 30 Michael Jansky

October 30 Azharian Rich

October 30 Elijah Anton

October 31 Nehimiah Rule

SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS

September 1 Vaughn Cole September 1 Jayden Gilbert September 1 Dereona Jenkins September 3 Tyrice Washington September 4 Laylah Hicks September 5 Ariana Davidson September 5 Jordyn Fryar September 7 Beautifull Brown September 7 Aiden Carey September 7 Shamari Moultrie September 7 Kiersten Wright September 7 Bria Young September 7 Dre'Quan Young September 8 DaTona Gadson September 8 Myonna Gadson September 8 Kamora Green September 8 Smith, Osorio September 9 Kamryn Fields September 9 Jeremiah Jones September 9 Rashod Williams September 10 Raimund Roell September 11 De'Mone Odom September 12 Jaiden Greene September 12 Ja'Nasia Middleton September 13 Gabriella Gadson September 14 Alexander Duncan-Lewis September 15 Aliyah Diaz September 15 Destiney Glover September 15 Trinity Glover September 15 Christina Graham September 15 Noah Pratt September 16 Kamari Bolden September 16 Liberty Jenkins September 16 ZyArie Porter September 16 Jamison Smalls September 17 V.Sophie Pagan September 18 Ja'Shawn Griffin September 19 Davon Evans September 19 Quincy Jenkins September 21 Mercy Heyward September 22 Trevon Middleton September 22 Ki'Miya Roseman September 23 Talaysia Brown September 23 Johnathon Cook September 25 Ja'Laya Allen September 25 Miroslav Jansky September 25 Jayla Lawson September 25 Timberly Stefan September 26 Josiah Brown September 26 Mar'Taz Canty September 26 Khalil Williams September 28 Kalupp Mervin September 28 Devin Mitchell September 28 Fareed Ozoya September 30 Malik Brown September 30 Ashton Heyward September 30 Jaheim Morgan