Walking the halls
By VANESSA PHILLIPS Principal of Few Elementary

Here we are in the last six weeks of school. We have a busy calendar for the rest of the school year. While enjoying the wonderful weather, the students are working hard to do their best and learn all they can. Faculty and staff are also working hard to make every moment a learning experience and to expose each child to everything he/she will need to be successful next year.

Even though we do not take the state administered TAKS test, we assessed our first and second grade students with TAKS formatted reading and math assessments. This will give us a benchmark as to each child's academic needs for next year.

Another tool we use is the Texas Primary Reading Instrument, which will be administered one-on-one to all kindergarten, first, and second grade students. This was given at the beginning and middle of the year. The end-of-year TPRI will measure each child's academic growth this school year. While kindergarten, first and second grade are doing the TPRI, pre-kindergarten teachers will be testing their students with the Kindergarten Readiness Test.

Each of these assessment tools are used to gather academic data and provide teachers with information on how to individualize each child's learning experience.

As the end of this school year approaches, we are preparing for our end of year activities. Few Olympics is scheduled May 4 and each first and second grade class has selected a country to represent. The students will participate in various activities with the assistance of parent volunteers and Jasper High School Student Council volunteers.

Kindergarten students will be going to the park for a day of outdoor fun. And the prekindergarten teachers are organizing and preparing for the Pre-K graduation May 18. All of these memorable moments plus others from throughout the year will be captured in the yearbook that our PRIDE organization is selling for $15.

Our kindergarten roundup for five year olds who plan to attend kindergarten this next school year will be held May 7, from 4 - 7 p.m., and May 8, from 8 - 11 a.m., in Few Primary's multi-purpose room. Kindergarten students must be five years old on or before Sept. 1.

Pre-Kindergarten roundup for four year olds who plan to attend Pre-K this next year will be held Aug. 2, from 1 - 6 p.m., and August 3, from 7 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Few Primary in the gym. Pre- K students must be four years old on or before Sept. 1, must qualify for free or reduced-price school meals, or be unable to speak and understand the English language or be homeless.

The following documents will be needed to register a child at either of the roundups:

(1) Certified copy of the child's birth certificate

(2) Complete, up-to-date immunization record,

(3) Student's social security card

(4) Proof or residence (utility bill, copy of lease, tax statement)

(5) Parent or guardian picture ID

Finally, when walking the halls of Few Primary you will see learning occurring everywhere; our parents, teachers, staff and administrators are all partners in the education of each child at Few Primary. Few Primary is "Building a Foundation of Excellence" in all our students.