May 1, 2024
Dear Coverdell Families,
The year has been marked by significant growth, laughter, and countless memorable moments. We are thrilled to celebrate these achievements together. We invite you to join us in commemorating Teacher Appreciation Week, extending our heartfelt gratitude to our incredible educators for their dedication to fostering a year filled with learning and growth.
Upcoming Events in May:
Early Release Day - May 3rd, 8:05 AM - 12:05 PM On May 3rd, we have an Early Release Day scheduled. Students will be dismissed at 12:05 PM, providing our dedicated staff with valuable time for professional development and planning.
PTO Meeting - May 13th, 6:30 PM Our Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) continues to be a cornerstone of our school's success. Join us for the PTO meeting on May 13th at 6:30 PM as we discuss important matters and plan for the future.
Blood Drive - May 14th Consider participating in our Blood Drive on May 14th. Your generous donation can make a significant impact and save lives. More information about this event will be shared soon.
Field Day/Kickball - May 23rd Get ready for a day of fun and friendly competition on May 23rd during our Field Day and Kickball event. It's a time for students to bond, enjoy the outdoors, and create lasting memories.
Trimester Awards Assembly - May 24th, 8:30 AM We'll celebrate the achievements and hard work of our students at the Trimester Awards Assembly on May 24th at 8:30 AM. It's a special moment to recognize their dedication to learning.
Last Day of School Early Release Day - May 24th, 8:05 AM - 12:05 PM The school year concludes on May 24th with an Early Release Day. Students will be dismissed at 12:05 PM as we bid farewell to this academic year.
As we celebrate the accomplishments of this year, we also look forward to the exciting journeys ahead. To those students moving on to Jefferson, we wish you every success and know that you'll continue to shine brightly. To our youngest Chiefs, who are moving up from kindergarten to first grade, we can't wait to see your continued growth and enthusiasm for learning!
Thank you, Coverdell families, for your unwavering support and commitment to our school. It's through our collective efforts that we've created a nurturing and inspiring learning environment for our students.
Dr. Chris Hallam, Principal
Mrs. Kristi Litton, Assistant Principal
- Kindergarten just finished our life science unit. We enjoyed learning about living things and watching our plants grow.
- Our field trip to Powder Valley was the perfect ending to the unit. We have been working hard mastering addition and subtraction in math and reading more challenging books during reading time.
- The students have been learning how to write our opinions during writing, while continuing to practice neat handwriting and complete sentences.
- We are gearing up for our Graduation celebration on May 20th!
- Second grade is excited for our final I-Ready test!
- In Language Arts, we're going to look back at the different kinds of writing we've done this year. We'll also make memory books to remember our time in second grade. Plus, we'll go over the phonics rules we've learned and learn about new vowel combinations.
- In Math, we'll focus on measuring things and reviewing what we've learned this year.
- In Social Studies, we're going to learn about economics. A guest from First Community Credit Union will teach us how to make good choices with saving and spending money.
- In ELA, we read "Because of Winn-Dixie" and learned about different kinds of figurative language and poetry.
- In Math, we studied area, perimeter, and shapes called quadrilaterals.
- In Science and Social Studies, we focused on economics and life science topics.
- In Writing, we practiced strategies to do well on the upcoming MAP test.
- We've really enjoyed teaching our students this year and are excited about their bright futures!
- We're preparing for MAP testing to sharpen our test-taking skills.
- We'll be participating in a field trip to Jefferson to explore our next school !
- Students are starting a poetry unit where we'll create personal poetry books.
- We'll be creating a detailed research project on various states.
- They'll also engage in extensive project-based learning to review the year's lessons.
- In science, we've focused on Earth Day, learning to reduce, reuse, and recycle materials to protect our planet, as demonstrated in our Cardboard Carnival project.
As the school year unfolds, it often feels like an endurance race, a marathon of learning, growing, and challenges. Just like a marathon, it demands determination, consistent effort, and a clear goal. And, when the finish line approaches, we find ourselves in the final stretch—the standardized testing season. This crucial phase serves as a reminder of the progress and achievements students and educators have worked diligently to attain throughout the year.
The Start of the Race: The First Day of School Much like a marathon begins with that initial step across the starting line, the school year commences with the excitement and anticipation of the first day of school. Students and teachers embark on their journey together, setting academic goals and envisioning the milestones they aim to reach.
The Long and Winding Course: Navigating the School Year As the school year unfolds, it mirrors the marathon course, with its ups and downs, twists and turns. There are days of smooth sailing, where everything clicks, and progress is evident. Then there are days when obstacles and challenges seem insurmountable. But, just as marathon runners persist through fatigue, students and educators persist through difficult times, drawing strength from their commitment to learning and growth.
Aid Stations: Support Along the Way In a marathon, aid stations provide runners with water, encouragement, and the sustenance they need to continue. In education, these "aid stations" come in the form of supportive families, dedicated teachers, and a nurturing school community. They offer guidance, motivation, and the resources necessary to keep moving forward.
The Final Push: Standardized Testing As the school year progresses, the final push approaches—the standardized testing season. This phase is like the last few miles of a marathon, where runners give their all, drawing upon their training and endurance to achieve their best performance. Similarly, students showcase their growth, knowledge, and skills through standardized tests, providing valuable insights into their progress.
Just as marathon runners celebrate crossing the finish line, the the end of the school year is a time to celebrate achievements and growth. Standardized test results reflect the hard work and dedication put forth by students, educators, and families throughout the year. They serve as a testament to the collective effort of the school community. We know everyone will be doing the best they can as they persevere through the testing season. -Mrs. Litton
1. Establish a Consistent Routine: Maintain a regular sleep schedule and ensure your child gets adequate rest before the test day. A well-rested mind performs better.
2. Healthy Eating: Provide a balanced breakfast on the morning of the test. Nutritious foods help sustain energy levels and improve concentration.
3. Stay Informed: Familiarize yourself with the test format and content, as well as any specific instructions or requirements. This knowledge can help you prepare your child effectively.
4. Reduce Stress: Encourage your child to stay calm and confident. Remind them that the test is just one way to assess their skills and abilities.
5. Practice, But Don't Overdo It: Review sample questions or previous test materials to help your child become comfortable with the format. However, avoid excessive test prep, as it can lead to burnout.
6. Time Management: Teach your child to pace themselves during the test. Encourage them to answer the easier questions first and come back to challenging ones later.
7. Positive Reinforcement: Offer words of encouragement and praise for their efforts. Positive reinforcement can boost their confidence and motivation.
8. Stay Hydrated: Ensure your child is well-hydrated on test day. Dehydration can affect cognitive performance.
9. Arrive Early: Plan to arrive to school with ample time to spare. Rushing can increase anxiety.
10. Relaxation Techniques: Teach your child relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or visualizationto manage stress during the test.
11. Post-Test Discussion: After the test, engage in a positive discussion about your child's experience. Focus on their effort rather than specific results.
12. Long-Term Perspective: Remind your child that standardized tests are just one part of their academic journey. They don't define their worth or future success.
13. Open Communication: Keep the lines of communication open with your child's teacher. They can provide valuable insights and additional support.
Dear Parents,
We all look forward to summer—a time for our students to recharge, explore, and grow. However, we want to keep their minds engaged and prevent the summer slide. Recent research indicates that students in grades K-8 can lose between 17-34% of their learning over the summer break. (Atterberry 2019)
You may wish your child could catch up, stay on track, or get ahead, so we wanted to share a vetted resource that could be beneficial: Summer Bridge Learning Workbooks. Priced at about $10, these offer an affordable way to help your child maintain and advance their skills throughout the summer. They are standards-based and tailored to reinforce the curriculum they've learned throughout the year and prepare them for new challenges ahead.
Please note that using these workbooks is entirely optional, and we are not receiving any incentives for recommending them. We believe in the value of continuous learning, however you choose to have your child practice.
Atteberry, Allison, and Andrew McEachin. "School's Out: The Role of Summers in Understanding Achievement Disparities." EdWorkingPaper: 19-82, 2019, Annenberg Institute at Brown University,
