Art

Here at Greenbrier Primary our students enjoy art lessons that not only stimulate their creativity but, serve to reinforce the core SOLs.  Students are given the opportunity to experiment with a variety of art materials and art techniques, through such lessons as " Rocking Horses - A Push and a Pull" (mixed media), "Holiday Houses" (chalk), "Three - Dimensional Fish (paper), and "Chinese Robes" (clay).

Art production in grade one focuses on increased communication, self - expression, and the depiction of stories and events.  Students will learn that people have different responses to the visual arts.

Art production in the second grade focuses on the acquisition of a reservoir of ideas for art making.  Students will acquire ideas from their own experiences, their school, their communities, the environment, and the art of other cultures.  Students will express these ideas, using an increasing variety of art materials, skills, techniques, and processes.

Tamara Jones, Art Specialist                                        Sheila Bullock, Art Specialist

Computer Lab

Sue Perry, Technology Integration Specialist, and Debbie Lemm, Computer Teacher Assistant work hand in hand to assure our students here at Greenbrier Primary School receive the very best technology instruction possible. Students come to the technology lab at least once a week to learn the different programs, parts of the computer, and technology terms. Mrs. Perry works with individual classrooms or grade levels using technology to teach the students and teachers new and exciting things. Mrs. Perry demonstrates the use of new technology such as: Smart Board, multi - media projectors, United Streaming videos, and Jeopardy games in an effort to teach teachers and students the value of integrated technology lessons. Technology is the wave of the future and here at Greenbrier Primary School our teachers and students are "On The Wave!"

We have an exciting website resource for all of the students, faculty / staff, and parents at Greenbrier Primary School.  Log on to:

www.portaportal.com

Sign in as guest access:  hes1

You will find a wonderful resource of activities for all students.  The sites marked with a "thumbs-up" have been evaluated and are deemed appropriate for the students.  This portaportal site is continuously updated.  We encourage all parents to view the individual sites before your students logon.  Play the activities with your children to see what "all the fun is about." 

Heidi Sterling, CTA

Guidance

The major function of the elementary guidance counselor is to aid children in mastering the academic, social, and personal developmental tasks which are essential for positive growth.  The duties performed are varied but include individual counseling for students to assist them in personal growth, self - understanding, self - respect, and responsible behavior.  The counselor provides group guidance activities for student and works cooperatively with teachers, principals, and other school personnel to plan approaches for helping children with difficulties.  The guidance counselor also helps facilitate the Child Study Team in the identification and referral of students who need services from school resources and / or community agencies. 

Media Center

Circulation and Loan Periods 

K - 1st Grade:  1 - book

                     1 - week circulation

                     2 renewals

2nd Grade:      2 - books

                     1 - week circulation

                     2 renewals

The library media center is open daily for students to return and check out books during open library or their regularly scheduled library period.  There is no charge for overdue books, however, circulation privileges will be suspended if overdue books are not returned or if lost/damage fees are pending.

Accelerated Reader

Accelerated Reader is a computerized program that is designed to measure reading comprehension.  A list of Accelerated Reader titles will be given to first and second grade students but it is also available in the media center, on our school website, and at all Chesapeake Public Libraries.  Students are encouraged to carefully read Accelerated Reader books within the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) and to take a quiz within 24 hours after reading the book.  It is important to note that failed quizzes cannot be retaken.  Students are recognized for achieving certain point values with prizes, parties and their names posted on the AR wall.

 Donna Abrams, Media Specialist                                   Cindy Hovey, Media Center Assistant

Music

The music department continues to be a fun and busy place during the 2006 -07 school year.  In first grade we are preparing for our annual school program to be held on March 12th and 13th.  They will perform "How Does Your Garden Grow?"  The lyrics will help them learn about springtime activities and given them hints on how to plant a successful garden.  Although the 2nd graders have finished with their performances for the school year, will still have much to do.  They will learn the basics of how to read music, through memorizing note values, and learning the letter names of the lines and spaces on the treble clef.  They will also learn about the instrument families so they can begin to think about one they may like to play in a few years. The 2006 - 07 school year had been fun so far and we are sure it will continue to be exciting to the end!  

Lindsay Reid, Music Teacher

Physical Education

The program of the primary grades one and two emphasizes movement education which allows each pupil to find a different way of fulfilling the same task at his/her own level of ability in his/her own time and way.  The pupil develops fundamental movements which include loco - motor, and axial movements as well as variations in direction, speed, and intensity.  Other experiences include creative activities for individual self - expression, fitness, stunts for individual achievement, and development of manipulative skills such as sports skills and rhythmical activities.

We support the work of the American Heart Association and participate in the Jump Rope For Heart program.  If you are interested in helping your child set up an online account for fundraising, please open the link below and follow the prompts.  We strongly suggest that parents monitor their children's online activities.  

Reading Resource

The reading specialist works in conjunction with the Balanced Literacy Facilitator by going into classrooms to provide training support related to the Balanced Literacy model.  The specialist works in partnership with classroom teachers and is always available for teacher consultation purposes.  The reading specialist responsibilities include:  diagnostic testing in language arts/reading, direct instruction of students, remediation and/or enrichment, staff development for teachers, special programs and activities directly related to reading and language arts, and parent conferences.

School Nurse

Mrs. Reese has been the school nurse at G. R. P. for eight years. Being a substitute for 2 years prior provided her with a variety of educational experiences with different aged children. She also has thirteen years of experience as a hospital critical care nurse. G. R. P. is proud to have Mrs. Reese to care for our children's health!

School nursing is an exciting and challenging specialty that supports the students' well being and academic success. The nurse provides a wide range of services to the school community, which includes students, parents, faculty, and staff. These services include, but are limited to, illness assessment and intervention, management of chronic diseases, emergency medical care, medication administration, conducting health screenings, and assisting with identifying the learning disabled student. The school nurse also acts as a liaison for community services and resources, and helps to promote and encourage healthy lifestyles. 

Optimal learning requires good health which makes the nurse a valued member of the school's team.

The administering of medications to students prescribed by a physician should take place at home under direct supervision of a parent or guardian. However, in some instances, as noted below, it may be necessary to administer medications prescribed by a physician during school hours. In these instances, the school principals will cooperate with the parents and the physicians within the following regulations:

1. The medication must be for:

A. medical purposes

B. the purpose of sustaining the students level of activity

C. such other reasons as the physician may deem necessary for the health or safety of the student

2. The medication order form (CS - 405) signed by the parents and physician requesting that Chesapeake Public Schools permit the prescribed medication to be administered during the school hours must be on file in the school which the student attends. In addition to making this request, the form must also provide the following:

A. description of the medical problem for which the mediation is prescribed

B. name of the medication

C. date of the prescription

D. dosage

E. possible side effects resulting from medication

F. duration of the prescription order

G. includes administration of "over the counter" medications

3. Requests for change or alterations in the dosage must be accompanied by an authorization from physician

4. A new request form for each medication must be submitted each school year.

5. The medication must be delivered to the principal / school nurse in a container appropriately labeled by the pharmacy or physician. Medication must be delivered by a parent or guardian. Students are not permitted to have medication in their possession on school grounds.

6. The medication will be kept in a locked area of the school office and will be under the control of the principal and shall only be released as prescribed. 

If you have any questions, please contact our school health advisor, Mrs. Kathy Reese at 436 - 3428.

 

Sharyl Hamilton, School Health Advisor