Gator Gazette

💚 A Message from the Principal

At Arnett Hills, we believe that our differences make us stronger. This week, our focus is on celebrating the beautiful diversity that makes our school community so special. Every Gator has a story, a background, and a set of talents that make them shine.

Last week, our halls came alive during Multicultural Night—a time to honor traditions, languages, and foods from all around the world. Thank you to every family who shared a piece of your culture. You reminded us that when we learn from one another, we grow together.

This week, we’ll continue that spirit in our classrooms as we explore how differences bring color, creativity, and curiosity to our learning.

💬 1. Tell the Story of Your Name

• Sit down as a family and share how each person got their name.

  • Who chose it?

  • Does it have a special meaning or family connection?

  • Are there nicknames or traditions tied to it?

• Children can write or draw their answers on paper and decorate it with hearts, flags, or family symbols.
  📖 This builds vocabulary, oral language, and confidence in self-expression.

• • Each time someone shows kindness or helps another person, write their name on a slip of paper and add it to the jar.

  • Read the slips aloud at the end of the week to celebrate everyone’s good deeds!
    🐊 This builds responsibility, empathy, and gratitude.

• How did Unhei feel when her friends couldn’t say her name?

• Why was it important for her to keep her real name?

• How can we show respect for other people’s names?

Theme: Numbers Connect Us All

Math is a universal language, but every culture uses it in its own creative way.

• K–2: Practice one-to-one correspondence by counting traditional items from different cultures—chopsticks, marbles, beans, or shells.

• 3–5: Explore patterns in cultural designs (African Kente cloth, Mexican Talavera tiles, Navajo rugs). Look for symmetry, fractions, and shapes in these patterns.

• Family Activity: Cook a dish from your family’s heritage and talk about how math is part of the process—measuring ingredients, dividing servings, or doubling a recipe.

💡 Math connects us all, no matter where we come from.

After-School Program Is in Session!

🎉 This program is designed to provide additional learning support for students in grades 3–5. Students can also make up days by attending after school!

• Days: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays

• Time: 3:15 PM – 4:45 PM

• Transportation: NOW AVAILABLE!!!!!

If your child in grades 3–5 did not receive one and you are interested in having them attend, please email our program coordinator, Ms. Mariah Walker, at mwalker1@mail.dps.k12.va.us.

We look forward to supporting our Gators with this extra time for learning and growth!

Help your Gator grow stronger every day with these free, family-friendly learning links aligned to Virginia SOLs!

📚 Reading & Writing

• 🎧 Storyline Online – Free celebrity read-alouds for all ages

• 📘 Reading Rockets – Tips for reading at home and vocabulary games

• 📝 Starfall – Great for letter-sound and phonics practice (K–2)

• 📚 CommonLit – Free passages and comprehension questions (3–5)

➗ Math Fluency & Problem Solving

• 🎮 Math Playground – Fraction, multiplication, and logic games

• 🧮 Khan Academy Kids – SOL-aligned practice for all grade levels

• 🟨 SplashLearn – K–5 games for fact fluency and problem solving

• 🔢 IXL VA SOL Practice – Practice by Virginia standard

📖 Families who practice together, progress together!

• Morning drop off is at 7:40, please do not let students out before staff has arrived to greet them and see them safely inside.

To ensure a smooth dismissal process, students may not be checked out after 2:15pm.

To ensure the safety of all students, parents or guardians MUST present an ID at the time of checkout. We thank you for your cooperation.

Arnett Hills Elementary School

Associate Principal: Mr. Withers Jackson

Assistant Priincipal: Mr. Gary Lawson

Website: https://arnetthills.danvillepublicschools.org/
Location: 811 Northmont Blvd, Danville, Va. 24540

Phone: 434-354-0112