Slater/Marietta Elementary News Briefs (week ending 4/29)

Battle of the Books

Fourth and fifth grade students worked closely with Media Specialist Christina Mobley in preparation for the annual Greenville County Schools' Battle of the Books. Students read ten chapter books and then are drilled for months on questions about the books. While the Slater-Marietta team was not among the winners, they represented the school well!

Poetry Slam

Students, staff, and parents enjoyed a trip back to the 1960's as a culmination to a unit study on poetry. In a glimpse of days gone by, students came dressed in their best “artist” look. Parents contributed snacks for the “coffee house”, and suddenly we were wrapped up in Poetry Slam night at the local Coffee House.

Students had spent weeks discussing the many varied styles of poetry and writing samples of each. During the Poetry Slam, students shared at least two of their favorites. The poems varied in style and in topic, but many were written as tributes to family and friends in the military. Marie Johnson and Jennifer Chamberlin had provided students with not only the skills to write poetry but also the passion to enjoy it throughout life.

Pass Testing

Greenville County students in grades three, four, and five are reviewing and working hard to prepare for the upcoming PASS testing required by the state and used to comply with the national No Child Left Behind regulations.

Slater-Marietta students, teachers, and parents are proud making the national AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) standard for the past four consecutive years . With dedication and commitment, there is high hope for a fifth year, even though the bar has been raised yet again. This year, schools must have a high percentage of students who achieve “Met” or “Proficient” on the end of year PASS test. (At least 79.4 percent in English Language Arts and 79 percent in math.)

Events

May 9, 11, 12 and 13 - PASS testing for students in grade 3, 4, and 5

May 24 - Vehicle career day

May 27 - Field day

(Pictured: The Slater-Marietta Battle of the Books team included the following fifth grade students: Jake McPeak, Haleigh Williams, Mia Koppari, Leanna Dockery, Haley Guthrie, Taylor Fleming, Olivia James, and Meghan Waldrop.)