ghes green team - Gold Hill Elementary School

October 2012
Important Dates
Oct 3 Walk to School Day
Boosterthon Fun Run
GHMS Football Field
All Parents come and
cheer on your students!
8:30-9:30 Grades 2 & 3
9:40-10:40 Grades 4 & 5
10:50-11:50 Grades K & 1
Oct 11 All Boosterthon
pledges monies are due
Oct 15 5th Grade Field Trip
Camp Thunderbird
Oct 16 PTA Meeting, Lego Lab
7:45 am
Oct 16 Restaurant Night
Beef O’Brady’s
Oct 19 Blue Ice Friday
Oct 26 School in session.
Weather make-up day
Oct 29– Fall Book Fair
Nov 5 Media Center
Have something you’d like to submit
to the BeeLine? Please email submission
to ghesbeeline@gmail.com by the 25th
of each month.
Join us.
Please join us at our next
meeting. Mrs. Wells will be
our guest speaker and will
talk to us about our new
Lego Lab.
October 16th
7:45 am
The Lego Lab
Starbucks ® coffee provided by:
Gold Hill Elementary School PTA Newsletter | A National Blue Ribbon School
Boosterthon is in full swing!
As you read this, our Boosterthon fundraiser is in full swing. The students attended
a pep rally on Sept 24th and received their Boosterton pledge packets. Our school
is full of excitement as our Boosterthon team Zach, Stewart, and Kaitlyn have been
making their way from class to class talking with our students. We hope you can
come out and cheer on your child for the FunRun which will be Wed. Oct 3rd at
the Gold Hill Middle School football field (behind GHES). We encourage you to
make signs, invite relatives, and have fun as it is such an exciting event!
Happy Pledging!!
Our Boosterthon FunRun will take place at the following times:
8:30-9:30- grades 2nd & 3rd
9:40-10:40 grades 4th & 5th
10:50-11:50 grades K & 1st
If you have any questions or concerns please contact: Melissa Quinn at
melissaquinn4@hotmail.com & Dolly O’Hara at dollyo1974@gmail.com
On the Road to Good Choices!
We’d like to thank you for all your participation in this fundraiser
and hope to see you all for the big run on Wednesday, October 3rd.
(See important dates for your class’s schedule)
We hope you enjoy the October issue of the Beeline. Please be
sure to check out the many articles from our parent volunteers and
teachers, such as our new Lego Education program and information on Common Core
Mathematics. As always, we thank you all for your continued support and dedication!
Go Hornets!
Angie and Donna, GHES PTA Co-Presidents

What’s neW at Gold hill?
GOLD HILL ELEMENTARy SCHOOL IS PROuD
TO ANNOuNCE THE OPENING OF THE RESEARCH
AND DISCOvERy LAB, OR RAD LAB.
This lab features a newly acquired
program called LEGO Education where
children acquire science, technology,
engineering and mathematical skills
through innovative, hands–on activities
in a three-dimensional format using
Lego building bricks.
The LEGO Education materials support
a process of learning that includes four
phases: Connect, Construct, Contemplate
and Continue. As the students work in
small groups they develop critical and
creative thinking skills that are necessary
to become proficient problem solvers and
decision makers.
Each of the Lego Education programs
provide the students with a scope and
sequence that allows us to take the
information from the RAD lab back to the
classroom for integration in Math, Science,
Technology and English Language Arts.
The scope and sequence have been
aligned with the new Common Core
Page 2 | October 2012 | The BeeLine
Domains that are in the process of being
implemented school wide. Even though
each of these Lego Education programs
can stand alone, we have the unique
opportunity at GHES to provide all of our
students the experience of Lego
Education therefore developing a strong
sequential foundation from one grade
level to the next. These programs also
allow us to continue to incorporate the
engineering design process into all of the
activities.
Our Kindergarten classes will be working
with the Story Starters program where
one activity is to build structures to solve
a problem from a selected story. Our
first grade classes will be discovering
and building with Early Simple Machines.
The second and third graders will
continue to expand their knowledge
and skills of machines while working
through the Simple Machines program.
Last but not least, our fourth and
fifth graders will be challenged by the
WeDO Robotics program. This activity
involves programming their builds on the
computer selecting their own sounds,
movements and duration of the program.
A student exhibit to display students’
projects created in the RAD lab will take
place during National Education Week,
November 11-16.
Due to the excitement of the RAD lab we
have created a twitter account which will
allow you to receive updates on many of
the amazing skills we are learning. Our
twitter account is @RADlabghes.
We would like to thank the PTA for their
tremendous support in purchasing the
Lego Education programs and allowing us
to provide such a unique program for the
students at GHES.

did you knoW?
Common Core State Standards to be
Implemented at Gold Hill Elementary
Gold Hill Elementary will be implementing
the new state mandated reading
and math standards this year in it’s
K-2 programs. Next year will be a
transition year for grades 3-5 with full
implementation the following year.
How are these standards different
from how we already teach?
There are many ways that common core
standards are the same, but in math,
students will be working on number
sense from the very beginning. The best
example of this is to teach numbers in
a ten frame starting in Kindergarten so
that when they are in 2nd and 3rd grade
they will have a better understanding
of addition and subtraction (i.e. 9+4 is
the same as 10+3). Teachers will also be
talking with the students at an earlier age
about correct vocabulary. Some standards
have moved grade levels and some
standards that the kids previously did in
6th grade, will now be introduced earlier.
These new standards move away from
teaching “horizontally” to teaching more
“vertical”, with a deeper understanding.
Because of this, teachers will be using
books less and will be using hands-on
activities more in class. Manipulatives
used in these activities will be funded by
the PTA. These are just a few examples of
how teaching will change in the coming
years.
These are national standards used by
most all states. We are hoping that
because of this, the assessments will be
common throughout the states.
Background on the Common
Core State Standards
The Common Core State Standards
Initiative is a state-led effort coordinated
by the National Governors Association
Center for Best Practices (NGA Center)
and the Council of Chief State School
Officers (CCSSO). The standards were
developed in collaboration with teachers,
school administrators, and experts, to
provide a clear and consistent framework
to prepare our children for college
and the workforce. The NGA Center
and CCSSO received initial feedback
on the draft standards from national
organizations representing, but not
limited to, teachers, postsecondary
educators (including community colleges),
civil rights groups, English language
learners, and students with disabilities.
Following the initial round of feedback,
the draft standards were opened for
public comment, receiving nearly 10,000
responses. The standards are informed
by the highest, most effective models
from states across the country and
countries around the world, and provide
teachers and parents with a common
understanding of what students are
expected to learn. Consistent standards
will provide appropriate benchmarks for
all students, regardless of where they live.
These standards define the knowledge
and skills students should have within
their K-12 education careers so that they
will graduate high school able to succeed
in entry-level, credit-bearing academic
college courses and in workforce training
programs.
The standards:
• Are aligned with college and
work expectations;
• Are clear, understandable and
consistent;
• Include rigorous content and
application of knowledge through
high-order skills;
• Build upon strengths and lessons of
current state standards;
• Are informed by other top performing
countries, so that all students are
prepared to succeed in our global
economy and society; and are
evidence-based.
Key Points In Mathematics:
• The K-5 standards provide students
with a solid foundation in whole
numbers, addition, subtraction,
multiplication, division, fractions and
decimals—which help young students
build the foundation to successfully
apply more demanding math concepts
and procedures, and move into
applications.
• In kindergarten, the standards follow
successful international models and
recommendations from the National
Research Council’s Early Math Panel
report, by focusing kindergarten work
on the number core: learning how
numbers correspond to quantities, and
learning how to put numbers together
and take them apart (the beginnings of
addition and subtraction).
• The K-5 standards build on the best
state standards to provide detailed
guidance to teachers on how to
navigate their way through knotty
topics such as fractions, negative
numbers, and geometry, and do so by
maintaining a continuous progression
from grade to grade.
• The standards stress not only
procedural skill but also conceptual
understanding, to make sure students
are learning and absorbing the critical
information they need to succeed at
higher levels—rather than the current
practices by which many students learn
enough to get by on the next test, but
forget it shortly thereafter, only to
review again the following year.
• Having built a strong foundation K-5,
students can do hands on learning
in geometry, algebra and probability
and statistics. Students who have
completed 7th grade and mastered
the content and skills through the 7th
grade will be well-prepared for algebra
in grade 8.
The BeeLine | October 2012 | Page 3

email
mobile
blog
ORDER yOuR GHES SPIRIT WEAR TODAy.
Child’s Name: Phone:
Grade and Teacher: Email
COLOR:
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Ash Grey Shirt
SIZE:
Carmen S Miller
“Your Home, Your Time, Your Agent”
Proudly Supports Fort Mill Schools!
carmen@carmensmiller.com
803.322.3479
homesfortmill.com
@carmenmiller
Page 4 | October 2012 | The BeeLine
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Adult X-Large Adult 2xl-5xl (add $1.50)
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$10.00 each
with 25% going back to PTA
Make checks payable to GHES PTA. Submit order form to teacher or PTA drop box in front office or contact Sprit wear
coordinator: Dawn Whitley @ Dawn.whitley1@gmail.com 704-339-8403
“A Reliable Pet & Home Sitting Service”
Tega Cay and Fort Mill area
ServiceS include:
• In Home Pet Care
• Daily Dog Walks
• Servicing your home
as if you were there
Michelle Shirley
Owner
www.tegacaypetnanny.com
803-367-3068
The Pet nanny
Team Services
Tega cay and
Fort Mill Area.
248 Shoreline Parkway Telephone: (803) 367-3068
Tega Cay, SC 29708 www.tegacaypetnanny.com
Al Patel Insurance Agency Inc
Al Patel, Agent
856 Gold Hill Road, Suite 110
Fort Mill, SC 29708-8578
Bus 803 802 5533
www.alpatelagency.com
Fax 803 802 5661 Toll Free 888 368 7441
Good Neighbor Agent since 1999

Restaurant Night
Our October Restaurant Night will be at Beef O’Brady’s
on Wed. Oct 16 from 5-8. Come out and enjoy the fun!
A portion of the proceeds from this night will go to
GHES PTA!
HELP WANTED
GHES track is in need of repair.
Our school track is in need of repair. If you or anybody
that you know is an expert with asphalt repair, please
contact Donna at dvidt@comporium.net.
Grant Writing
Do you have any experience in grant writing? If so, GHES needs
your help! Our school has many needs that we are unable to
obtain funding for such as resurfacing our track and playgrounds,
obtaining advanced technology tools, etc. We are looking for a
few good parents to help us find and apply for grants for some
of our high priority unmet needs. If you are willing to assist,
please contact Meera Cirian at meeracirian@yahoo.com.
Local Pest Problems Need a Local Family Owned Pest Control Service
Contact us today.
803-389-0229
www.noosapest.com
>> Tega Cay resident owned.
>> Family and pet friendly products.
>> Wildlife removal
Melissa Bennett Gray
Master stylist / color specialist / owner
cell 803.984.9524
1974 Carolina Place Suite 116, Fort Mill, SC 29708
>> Termite warranties and pest control services
>> Botanical service for mosquitoes and general pests
>> Moisture control for crawlspaces
>> Automatic mosquito misting systems
>> Bed bug heat treatments and K-9 inspections
The BeeLine | October 2012 | Page 5

Accelerated Reader update
The AR year is underway and we have started STAR testing for
grades 2-5. The results of the STAR test are used to determine
student’s individual reading level and quarterly reading goals.
Students can take short quizzes on books they have read to earn
points towards their goals.
Our AR theme this year is “Dive Into Reading” and our year
end celebration will be a Water Carnival! Students can earn a
ticket to the carnival if they reach their AR goal in at least two
quarters. Check out the AR board outside the Media Center and
encourage your child to read each day and take their AR tests!
Check your Child’s Progress:
https://hosted181.renlearn.com/47767/HomeConnect/
email
mobile
blog
www.schoolsmart.org
Ann Marie May/803-389-4974
Susan Axton, Realtor, SC, NC
One of Allen Tate Realtor’s
Top 100 Agents of 2012
Proud Gold Hill Elementary
School Supporter
803-370-2788
susan.axton@allentate.com
757 Stockbridge Drive
Fort Mill, SC 29708
www.fortmillhomesandschools.com
WebsiteVantage.com
Helping Local Businesses, Organizations,
And Individuals Get On The Web!
scott@websitevantage.com
803.322.3694
websitevantage.com
@scottdmiller
Page 6 | October 2012 | The BeeLine
SCOTT MILLER
Website Design | Internet Marketing
Congratulations to our student
directory art contest winners!
Front Cover: Suzette Smit (5th Grade Hart)
Kindergarten: Sammy Gallagher (Conrey)
1st Grade: Tori Boling (Furr)
2nd Grade: Alexa Miller (Timmerman)
3rd Grade: Ossian Quinn (Warren)
4th Grade: Emma Ziemer (Richardson)
5th Grade: Maddy Brong (Hart)

TEACHER’S
CORNER
uPCOMING EvENTS:
October Birthdays
Colleen Crosby Oct 2
Kaleb Greenan Oct 5
Bonnie Hisman Oct 7
Tim Smith Oct 17
Cindy Ormseth Oct 21
Kari Revels Oct 23
Debbie Dearth Oct 27
November Birthdays
Susan Howell Nov 1
Angie Davis Nov 9
Nancy Crawford Nov 27
Ann Timmerman Nov 27
Thank you to our
September Volunteers
PTA Teacher Appreciation
Sheila Kauffman
Amy Holland
Angie Ramage
Hilary Toon
{{
Highlights from September
The BeeLine | October 2012 | Page 7

HEAlTHy HORNETS FOOd FOR THOuGHT
How Healthy is your Plate?
Page 8 | October 2012 | The BeeLine
Before you eat, think about
what goes on your plate or
in your cup or bowl. Foods
like vegetables, fruits, whole
grains, low fat dairy, and
lean protein contain needed
nutrients without excess
calories.
In 2010, the uSDA released an initiative to help
children and adults make healthier food choices called
“MyPlate”. MyPlate illustrates how to incorporate key
foods from the five food groups into each meal.
Below are some tips on how to use this tool in
your home:
• For children, use a smaller plate (lunch size). Adults
can use a standard plate (9”).
• Fill ½ of your plate with vegetables or a combination
of fruit and vegetables. Make your choices as colorful
as possible.
• Divide the other ½ of your plate between grains/
starches and lean protein.
• Choose grains/starchy foods that are either 100%
whole grain or high in fiber such as:
1. 100% whole grain bread, crackers, cereal, and
oats
2. Whole wheat pasta, brown rice, quinoa, barley,
beans, and legumes
3. Whole grain tortillas, wraps, and pizza crust
4. Sweet potatoes or sweet potato fries
• Choose lean protein foods: chicken or turkey (skin
removed), fish, seafood, beef loin, pork loin, round
steak, 90% lean or leaner ground beef or poultry.
Limit fried meats.
• Other protein foods include: eggs or egg whites,
reduced fat cheese, beans, nuts, nut butters, tofu,
and soy protein.
• Replace high fat dairy foods with skim or 1% milk.
Choose yogurt with the least amount of sugar.
• Avoid sodas, sweetened drinks, and fruit juice.
Choose water and eat your fruit!
If you would like additional information or tips, please
visit these web sites:
www.choosemyplate.gov
www.eatright.org
By: Shannon Muckenfuss, RD, LDN, CDE
BeeLine Birthdays and
Holiday Wishes–$5.00
Does your child have a birthday coming
up? Would you like to wish your favorite
student or teacher a Happy valentine’s
Day? Happy Holidays?
Please include the following information:
your Name:
Phone:
Email:
Message (Ex. Happy 6th Birthday, Nathan! Love, Mom and
Dad):
WIN A TRIP &
$5,000
FOR YOU!
The
WIN TRIP
You & your family could a
to
GRAND
CANYON
VIDEO CONTEST
www.scottiestreesrock.com
YOUR SCHOOL
could win
For official rules on how to enter and for a list of all prizes,
visit www.scottiestreesrock.com with a parent or legal guardian.
©2012 Irving Tissue, Inc., Scotties is a trademark of Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Inc. Manufactured, Packaged and sold by Irving Tissue, Inc.
INCLuDE
A PHOTO.
PLUS $5,000 IN SPENDING CASH.
$10,000
Beautify the Outdoors for Play Learning!
So grab a video camera,
GET CREATIVE & TELL US WHY
Trees are so important to you, your school & your community.
&
tell us how you think your school could use
$10,000 to beautify the outdoors if you win.
Also,
or
In partnership with
WIN $10,000
FOR YOUR
SCHOOL!
YELLOWSTONE
NATIONAL PARK
to

GHES GREEN TEAM ROCKS!
Yes, GHES has a Green Team!
For the 3rd year now, a team of 4th and 5th grade students have joined
together to help make GHES a “green school”. Every Monday, the Green
Team offers up part of their recess time to race through hallways emptying
recycle bins of plastic, paper, aluminum and even cardboard!
Teachers are asked to place bins outside their classroom door and offices by
10 am each Monday for the Team to pick up. The Green Team Leaders, Kari
Finnerty and Jennifer Levan, manage the group.
A monthly GREEN TEAM TROPHy AWARD will be awarded to the
classroom with the most recyclables!
Also check the 5th grade hall ‘GREEN TEAM Recycle Wall’ and cafe bulletin
board for monthly recycle tips and news on environmental consciousness!
Here is a list of the items we collect:
chip bags
glue bottles
glue sticks
pens
markers
ink cartridges
toner cartridges
empty stackable
yogurt cups
used toothpaste
tubes
toothbrushes
cosmetic items
cell phones
laptops
digital cameras
iPods
2603 West Hwy. 160
Fort Mill, SC 29708
Phone: 803-548-4070
Fax: 803-548-1955
Scot and Sherry Reed
Welcome Om
Experience Om yoga and be encouraged to
deepen the awareness of the body, mind and spirit.
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Located in Baxter Village
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Retail Catering Fundraising
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www.brusterstegacay.com
Voted The Best Ice Cream
5 Years Running!
The BeeLine | October 2012 | Page 9

Fall Book Fair coming soon—volunteers needed.
The Fall Book Fair will be held in the GHES Media Center from
Monday, October 29, through Monday, November 5.
Cardinal Lane Book Fairs provides quality fiction and nonfiction books for every age….
Step Into Reading books for early readers, Beginning Chapter books for transitional
readers, and novels and references for advanced readers. Their collection of hardback
and softback picture books include the latest titles and old favorites. This is an exciting
event for our students, but we need many volunteers to help things run smoothly. It’s
fun and exciting as you help the children enthusiastically make their book selections.
If you are interested in volunteering for a shift (or two!), please email Casey Miller at
darylcasey@comporium.net. Whether or not you can assist us, please mark your
calendar for Monday evening, November 5. Family Night at the Book Fair will be held
that evening. More details coming soon.
GHES PTA STuDENT GARDEN uPDATE
Learning Outdoor Gardens update:
Hopes for a Bird Sanctuary
The GHES Courtyard Committee of volunteer parents are now working
to revive the original Quilt Garden and create an outdoor museum to
teach the South Carolina’s rich history and create a bird sanctuary to
attract natural wildlife. Ms. Terry’s class invited Marion, a bird expert
from Chirp N Chatter to teach about how to attract and care for birds
in the courtyard. We are looking for other classes to help fill the bird
feeders and place fresh water in the bird baths.
To get involved or to receive email garden updates, contact:
Kara at gogreen@mycarolinatown.com or call Jennifer de la vera at:
1-704-953-9203.
Page 10 | October 2012 | The BeeLine
Special thanks to:
Earth & Woods Landscaping
Co.McHales Bar & Grill
Carolina Fresh Farms
Compact Power Equipment Center
Fort Mill Rotary Club
Case Remodeling of Charlotte
Lowes
Walmart
Chirp N Chatter
and
A fantastic group of
parent volunteers!

3 EASy WAyS TO HELP RAISE MONEy FOR GHES:
Remember that every little bit helps. Don’t forget these easy ways to raise additional money for our school.
Funds raised through these efforts can help with school supplies for our classrooms.
Boxtops for Education—Help reach our goal of $3000!
My Coke Rewards School Donations
Link your Grocery Store Card
We are geared up for this years collection of box tops. Please submit
your box tops by the end of the month to your classroom teacher
or the various bins around the school. They can be submitted on the
sheets that were sent home or in baggies with your child’s name on
it. There will be a individual winner and a classroom winner. you
can also ask grandparents to collect and send them in with your
child. This is an exciting year and we have set a goal of $3,000,
which is obtainable. Thank you for all your help.
Do you drink ANy of the products on the left? If so, then you can
help GHES get free school supplies. Whether you buy just individual
bottles, 12 packs, 2 liters, 24 pack cases etc... all of these products
have Coke Rewards on them or their packaging. The larger the
package the more points we earn.
The PTA is collecting Coke Reward Points which we can turn into
school supplies for our students. There are two ways yOu can
participate.
1. you can collect and enter your own Coke Reward Points
by creating your own Coke Rewards account at www.
MyCokeRewards.com, then you can donate them by
transferring them from your account to the Gold Hill Elementary
account online.
2. you can also participate by dropping off your Coke Product caps
& labels with reward numbers into the Coke Rewards box located
just inside the main entrance of GHES where the other drop off
boxes are located.
If you have any questions, please contact Jim Jeranek—GHES PTA
Coke Rewards Chair Person at JJeranek@PrevailCorp.com
Participate in Harris Teeter’s “Together in Education” program. More information can be found
on the school’s website under Community Support.
Harris Teeter School Code: 2152
Register online at: www.harristeeter.com/community/together_
in_education/link_to_your_school.aspx
The BeeLine | October 2012 | Page 11

REMINDER:
WE CAN DO YOUR
MULTI-COLOR JOBS ...
Positive Printers
is proud to support
Gold Hill Elementary School
When you think Printing or Copying...Think Positive!
WHEN YOU THINK PRINTING OR COPYING ...THINK POSITIVE!
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You may have
known us as...