HES library is launching the PBS Raising Readers Library Corner

Haywood County Schools Deputy Superintendent Teresa Russell wrote a grant that allowed the Haywood Elementary library to get a “Raising Readers Library Corner.” PBS piloted this program in the summer of 2009 to build reading skills. The program is funded by a Ready to Learn grant from the United States Department of Education. The program includes exciting games, playful websites, and easy-to-use learning resources for kids, parents, and teachers. It also encourages children to engage with some of the PBS KIDS programming. The goal is to help children ages 2 to 8 to build the skills they need to learn to read. We will be launching the program in the coming months. There will be many great resources for your child to check out and bring home then return to the library.

A free resource to help your child practice reading skills at home is www.readytolearnreading.org. Kids can play free reading games and activities that feature their favorite PBS KIDS characters. As a parent or caregiver, you will be able to keep track of your child’s progress. We hope you will try out this website and we look forward to preparing our children to become better readers!!!

Piggy Bank Pageant a success

Mrs. Dancy, from the Family Resource center, recognized those students who won awards in the recent Piggy Bank Pageant. We are excited that one of our students will have their pig represent Haywood Elementary at the state level in this competition. Students used recycled materials to create their entries. Mrs. Dancy also recognized classes for their participation in the Readers Wall of Fame.

 

Mrs. Vaulx and Mrs. Wills help with awards

 

Mrs. Marjorie Vaulx, Instructional Specialist, Teacher Quality and Accountability and Mrs. Jean Wills, Instructional Specialist, Elementary, were the special presenters at the Haywood Elementary fourth six weeks awards program. Mrs. Vaulx is pictured with Haywood Elementary principals Tracy Riddle and Stephen May, and Mrs. Wills is pictured with a student.

Student recognized for “character”

Mr. Stephen May presented the “Fairness” Character awards for last six weeks. Congratulations to our girls who were nominated for this award by their teachers.

Student wins a bicycle for perfect attendance

We were excited to have Mr. Elliot Simmons (left), representing the Rotary Club,
and Brownsville Police Chief Chris Lea at our morning awards program to present a bicycle to the second-grade student selected to receive the bike for perfect attendance. Chief Lea spoke about the importance of wearing a helmet whenever you ride a bike.

The Roatary Club has presented a bicycle to a student with perfect attendance each six weeks this year. Thank you for recognizing the difficult task of achieving perfect attendance during the cold winter weeks.

Haywood Elementary goes green

It didn’t matter if you were Irish on St. Patrick’s Day at Haywood Elementary School or if you just love to recycle to conserve resources. Everything went green at our school on March 17 - from our clothes to the many recycling activities in which students, faculty and staff participated. Students got into the spirit of the day by bringing in items to be recycled, making musical instruments, creating picture frames and turning milk cartons into planters.
 

Teachers helping teachers

Student teaching is an important part of every teacher’s education. Under the guidance of a highly qualified, experienced, mentor teacher the student teacher is given the opportunity to actually apply the skills and classroom theory they have obtained during their years as education majors. It is also an opportunity for students and mentor teachers to benefit from the latest, research-based methods of teaching. “It is an honor for any school to be selected by a university in which their student teachers can complete their practicum,” said Haywood Elementary Principal Tracy Riddle. Haywood Elementary School currently has two student teachers serving in second grade. “We are glad to welcome Heather Glass from the University of Memphis, who is with Miss Stacie Lefave, and Brian Massey from Freed Hardeman University, who is with Mrs. Pamla Reagan at our school.”

Family Resource Center holds open house

The Family Resource Center, located at Haywood Elementary School, hosted an Open House event on Tuesday, March 9. If you are not familiar with the Family Resource Center you are missing out on a valuable asset to your child’s education. The Center is a team effort of the UT Extension Service and the Haywood County School System. Students can visit the center after school with their parents and check-out educational games, movies, videos, puzzles, books and go on-line on computers to play games and research their interests. Mrs. Peggy Jackson is the program coordinator, and the on-site supervisor at HES is Mrs. Bridgit Dancy. Please feel free to come and visit the Resource Center whenever you have the chance.

HES Afternoon Enrichment – it’s about Tennessee and music

The afternoon enrichment program for first and second grade students at HES has begun. Mrs. Robin Philpot is teaching about the state of Tennessee, its history, culture and people. Ms. Patricia Gaietto is preparing a musical comedy program you’ll have to hear to believe. Students spend two days each week with Ms. Gaietto and two days with Mrs. Philpot. In this photo some of the students were caught “hamming it up” in their “Read Me Week” finery.
 

HES celebrates “Read Me Week”

March 1-5 was “Read Me Week” at Haywood Elementary School. Everyone had a wonderful time celebrating the joy of reading. Students remembered what would have been “Dr. Seuss’s” 106 birthday on March 2 and that just added to the fun. The kids “took their hats off to reading,” “wiggled their toes in funny socks,” read “each other’s shirts” and had special readers. The students and staff really got into the spirit of the week on Friday when everyone dressed up as their favorite character from a book.
 

Firefighters visit Haywood Elementary

Mrs. Annette Hill’s second-grade class had Mr. Jeff Russell and Mr. Travis Young from the Brownsville Fire Department to visit recently. The story for the week was titled “Fire Fighter,” so it was a real treat to hear what the two firemen had to say about their jobs. The students learned about the many jobs of a fireman.
 

Mr. Ross visits HES students

Students in Mrs. Cheri Velotta’s class had a treat visiting with Mr. Willie Ross, veteran bus driver for Haywood County Schools. Mr. Ross was invited by his great-grandson, Kendall Bond, who was the Student of the Week in Mrs. Velotta’s class. Mr. Ross shared with the class about his education, his many occupations, and the changes he has seen over the years. Mr. Ross has been a Road Commissioner, a store owner and operator, and a bus driver in our county for 42 years. The students were very interested when he told them that he had been Mrs. Riddle’s bus driver! Mr. Ross is a very kind, gentle-hearted, industrious man who knows the value of education and hard work.
 

“Energized Guys” educate HES students

Students were both entertained and informed by “The Energized Guys” about ways to conserve energy and natural resources on February 25. Two actors from the National Theater for Children presented the program which was sponsored by TVA and the local power company. The students learned that it is easy to conserve energy by turning off computers, televisions, and lights when you leave your room or house and by parents turning down the water heater. The children were very attentive and seemed to really
enjoy the presentation.

Recycled Piggy Banks!

Wow! Did you see those great looking “Piggy Banks” the kids at HES made
out of recycled materials for Mrs. Bridget Dancy?

Slithery visitor fascinates students

Recently Haywood Elementary students had a very slithery guest visit our school. Ms. Kim Smythe, who works for the Tennessee Wildlife Federation, brought her King snake to visit in Ms. Clark’s classroom. Mrs. Coleman's children joined the group as everyone learned about the habitats and feeding habits of snakes. Some of the children were brave and actually touched the 8-year-old, 4-1/2 foot visitor.