Matilda Hartley Elementary - Bibb County Schools

Matilda Hartley Elementary
DECEMBER 2011 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 3
A Message from the Principal
Dr. Shelia V.
Garcia
Report Cards will be issued
on January 11th. When it
comes to parent engagement,
the research is clear:
When schools, families,
and communities support
each other, students
of all backgrounds and
ability levels achieve at
higher levels.
Character Counts
Character Words for
December:
Dec. 1-2: Loyalty
Dec. 5-9: Charity
Dec. 12-16: Compassion
Dec. 19-20: Generosity
Please make sure that
you are having daily
talks with your child
about their academic
performance.
Please come by the
school and register for
a parent account so
that you can access
Infinite Campus.
Having a parental login
account will allow
you to see your child's
grades and attendance.
I will be more than
happy to help any parent
set up their account
and walk them
through any technology
issues. We have
to make sure that all of
our students are successful.
In addition, our students
have taken their second
benchmark assessment.
Please discuss with your
child how they think they
performed on their second
benchmark assessment.
Together we can make a
difference!
QUOTE OF THE MONTH:
Any book that helps a child to form a
habit of reading, to make reading one of
his deep and continuing needs, is good
for him. Maya Angelou
Dates to Remember
Dec. 16 (9:30 am)–
Christmas Assembly &
Sing-a-long
Dec. 19 @ 2PM-Reading
Celebration (AR)
Dec. 21 -- Jan. 8—Student
Holidays
Inside this issue:
Media Matters 2
Counselor’s Corner 3
Coaches’ Corner 4
Staff Recognition 5
On the Stage 6
Dollar Books 7-8

MATILDA HARTLEY ELEMENTARY
Michael Lashley,
Library media Specialist
AR Celebration
The Accelerated Reader
celebration for students in
Grades 2-5 will be held
on Dec. 19 th.
All library books are due
back in the library on
Dec. 12th. Students may
still earn points by reading
materials in your
teacher’s classroom
library.
Media Matters @ Hartley Elementary
Parents be sure to attend our
upcoming PTO meeting in
January. The focus of our
meeting will be a presentation
on how to register for
PARENT PORTAL. This is
available to you free of
charge and will allow you to
keep track of your child’s
grades & attendance.
Page 2
It is a great resource that will
allow you to see each assignment
and grade that your
child has earned. It also has
options built in so that you
can be emailed if your child
receives an “F” or skips a
class. It is a wonderful tool.
This resource does requires
Internet but you may use the
computers at your school’s
media center to pop in and
check on your child’s progress.
Just ask the school
media specialist to assist you.
You must register through the
school office to obtain a
Help your child find an appropriate book to read today. In
addition to finding books on the right reading level do not
forget to let your children see you reading. They value what
their parents value. If you like reading and they see you doing
it, they are more likely to pick up a book too. For more
information check out this great site:
http://www.lexile.com/fab/ga
READING IS A GREAT WAY TO SPEND TIME WITH
YOUR FAMILY AND THE MEMORIES WILL LAST A
LIFE TIME. GIVE IT A TRY THIS CHRISTMAS.

Page 3 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 3
Counselor’s Corner
During the month of November,
we are focusing on
the following character
education words: Democracy,
Citizenship, Patriotism,
and Loyalty.
Mrs. Twanna White, Ed.S
The following students
show that these character
School Counselor traits are a part of their
daily lives:
Regular attendance in elementary
school sets up a
good pattern for your
child’s entire school career.
Therefore, it is imperative
that you have
Hartley Elementary
School Administrators and
Faculty have been working
with all students through-
your child here on time
everyday. If your child is
absent, please remember
to send your teacher an
excuse regarding the absence
within 3 days of
your child returning to
school. Also schedule
doctor/dental appointments
after school or dur-
out the year on bullying prevention
initiatives. These initiatives are designed
to be proactive in helping students
to improve their social and
communication skills. Students are
challenged to think of ways they can
help be a part of the solution to end
bullying at school. Bullying is not a
normal behavior to expect from children.
As parents, you play an important
role in helping your child stand
up to bullying. Here are some
PreK: Shymere McNear
Kindergarten: Destiny
Starkes
First: Demarion Williams
Second: ZhyNaejah Stubbs
Third: Kyerra Harvey
Fourth: Acountice Graham
Fifth: Jordan Brown
ing school breaks. If your child
accrues 7 or more unexcused absences,
he/she may be referred
to our School Social Worker. At
15 or more unexcused days, your
child may not be promoted to
the next grade. Attendance is also
an AYP indicator. Contact your
child’s teacher if you have questions
regarding your child’s attendance.
suggestions for how you can help:
“Too often we
underestimate the power
of a touch, a smile, a
kind word, a listening
ear, an honest
compliment, or the
smallest act of caring; all
of which have the
potential to turn a life
around.”
L. Buscaglia
*Talk with your child about school and ask
about their peer relationships.
*Work with Hartley staff if he/she is a bully
or a target.
*Connect with other parents by attending
functions at Hartley
*Talk with your child about the different
types of bullying; review Bibb County Guidelines
for Success
Together we can end bullying at Hartley!!

Matilda Hartley elementary school
2230 Anthony Road
Macon, Georgia
We’re on the
Web !
Check us out.
Mrs. Paula Johnson,
Performance Learning Coach
Have you noticed that some of your child’s
Mathematics Assessments don’t look the same
as they did when you were in school? The
reason is that assessment is no longer simply
about assigning a grade; its purpose reaches
far deeper than that. One purpose of assessment
is to provide formative information; and
to act on what the assessment informs the
teacher. Students engage in activities that
are designed to see what is already known
about a mathematical concept or skill. Connecting
the new to the known is a powerful
teaching strategy and teachers gather information
for planning lessons from this ongoing
type of assessment. Tasks are assigned to
check understanding of concepts and skills
during or after a unit of study. The emphasis
is not only on accuracy, but also on application.
We want students to be prepared for the
challenge of higher level mathematics as well
as everyday tasks that involve money or computation.
Have a safe and wonderful holiday
season!
We believe that all children can learn but they learn differently. We have a sense of urgency to get our
students prepared for middle school, high school, and life. We also believe that we must teach students in
a way that they have never been taught before. That means with a challenging and relevant learning environment.
It is our goal to increase our partnership with parents to help us increase student achievement.
Coaches’ Corner
Mrs. Dora Collins,
Instructional Coach
Page 4
Thank You Volunteers
Special recognition and thanks are extended to the retired
teachers and nurses from Carlyle Place who read and presented
a gift of books to Hartley’s first grade classes. Thank
you Ms. Latoya Flowers, parent of Antonio Flowers, who orchestrated
this effort.
**************
The Young Georgia Authors’ Writing Competition 2011-
2012
It’s that time again! Students in Kindergarten through fifth
grades are encouraged to enter Hartley’s School wide Young
Georgia Authors’ Writing Competition. School winners’ entry
will be submitted for the system wide competition, and system
winners will be submitted for the statewide competition.
Classroom teachers will be sharing the criteria and rubric with
your child. Help us celebrate our children’s writing successes
by encouraging your child to participate in this grand opportunity.
The deadline is to be announced.
*************
This month’s websites… Are you wondering how to
get your child to enjoy reading? Read this article from CNN,
How to get your kid to be a fanatic reader…on the website
http://www.cnn.com/2011/09/28/opinion/patterson-kidsreading/index.html
***************
Time for Kids has amazing articles and useful homework tips
to promote learning and support your child’s success in
school. Check out this website. http://www.timeforkids.com/
homework-helper

Develop a passion for
learning. If you do,
you will never cease to
grow.
Anthony J. D'Angelo
Read more: http://
www.brainyquote.co
m/quotes/topics/
topic_education.html
#ixzz1dBsLDJee
MATILDA HARTLEY ELEMENTARY
Ms. Andrea Sanford
Teacher of the Month
My name is Andrea Sanford. I am a first grade
teacher at Matilda Hartley Elementary School. I
have been teaching here at Hartley as a first grade
teacher for 5 years and I can honestly say that I love
what I do. I have a Bachelors of Science Degree in
Child and Family Development from Georgia Southern
University and a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood
Education from Walden University. I am currently
pursuing at Specialist degree in Teacher Leadership
from Walden University. As you can see I
believe that in order to be a great teacher you must
first understand the importance of being a life long
learner. For this reason I work hard to aid each and
every one of the students I see in understanding the
importance of getting an education and becoming a
life long learner.
Instructional Support Personnel of the Month
Ms. Makeba Rogers
Page 5
Makeba Davis Rogers has been working as an educator
for eight years. Half of those years were spent in the
Fort Lauderdale, Florida area and the last four have been
here in Macon, Georgia. A native of Macon, Georgia,
Makeba finds it a privilege to embark upon a new adventure
by being a part of the Macon Miracle. To be a
part of this transformation is a transforming experience.
Parents, students, educators and the community have a
responsibility to each other to propel our community
into a new and exciting better Macon (world). “Our students
are the key to that. I truly believe in the wise
statement that has been passed from generation to generation,
‘It takes a village to raise a child.’”
Mrs. Rogers is the proud parent of Quincy and Kayla
Davis, She is also thrilled to add to her family a loving
and devoted husband, Wayne Rogers, and four fabulous
step-children. Makeba accredits her thirst and joy of
education from being the daughter of a dedicated, creative
and incredible educator, Julia H. Davis. Mrs. Davis
was indeed a dedicated pioneer in the Bibb County
School system for many years and her daughter, Makeba
has that same zest.

Page 6 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 3
On the Stage
This month we wanted to spotlight the First Grade classes at Hartley who provided
a lovely presentation at our school last month during the monthly Title I/PTO
meeting. These students dressed as early colonists and helped us celebrate the
Thanksgiving season. The songs were accompanied by the school chorus teacher,
Mr. Gregory Austin. Special thanks go to Ms. Turner, Ms. Scott, Ms. Combs, & Ms.
Sanford for their time and effort in working with our students. These Hartley scholars
made us very proud.
Websites of Interest
Parents should always preview material prior to sharing it with your child.
A human being is not
attaining his full heights
until he is educated.
Horace Mann
Read more: http://
www.brainyquote.com
/quotes/topics/
topic_education.html
#ixzz1dDz6KcAY
Parents-- please note:
We are not able to show pictures of your child or recognize them without your written
permission. Please check with your child’s teacher to make sure that they have your
written permission to be photographed on file at the school. Without the permission,
your child’s picture cannot be included in our newsletter or posted on our school web-
D-O-L-L-A-R BOOKS from Scholastic, Inc.
Each month the school will offer books from Scholastic for one dollar ($1)
each, to help our community increase the number of books in each home.
Be sure to check each Wednesday folder for information on upcoming
books. There are quite a few
• STORYTIME_ONLINE—BY THE SCREEN ACTORS GUILD
http://www.storylineonline.net
• Barnes & Noble Book Seller site (preview before sharing)
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/u/online-storytime-books-toys/379002381/
• STORY PLACE
http://www.storyplace.org/
• STARFALL
http://www.starfall.com