Blog
Student-Parent Handbook 2016-2017
Check out our newest student-parent handbook:
Spring Plant Fundraiser 2017
Our annual Spring Plant Fundraiser is back! Get your order in today – call Lisa Salster at Greengate School (256) 551-4439
Early Intervention Screening 2017
Early Intervention for Dyslexia
Catch Them BEFORE They Fail
Friday, April 14 & Saturday, April 15
This is for children ages 4-6, students who’ve had a year of pre-k or kindergarten and are struggling. It is a screening designed to identify children who are at high risk for reading difficulties. The original fee is $50 but for the first 30 to sign up it will be $35.
Call Lisa Salster at Greengate School to schedule an appointment for an early intervention screening: (256) 551-4439
When can we start? We can start as early as preschool! As toddlers, children are already starting the journey of putting together language, sounds, and alphabet letters, and are filling their reading “tool chests” with the knowledge needed to later become readers. It is now possible to reliably identify young boys and girls who are in preschool and kindergarten and are at a high risk for reading difficulties, or dyslexia, and provide intervention even before they experience failure.
What are the signs parents should look for?
Adapted from: Overcoming Dyslexia by Sally Shaywitz, M.D.
In Preschool Years
- Trouble learning common nursery rhymes or simple songs, such as “Humpty Dumpty” or “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.”
- Lack of appreciation or sensitivity to rhymes
- Mispronounced words ( “busketti”/ “ephelent”); persistent baby talk
- Failure to know or recognize the letters in his or her own name
In Kindergarten and First Grade:
- Failure to understand that words come apart, are made from separate sounds
- Difficulty connecting letter names and sounds
- Reading errors that have no connection with letter sounds; reading street as road or even big as goat.
- Difficulty with learning common oneJsyllable words (the, said, was) or with sounding out the simplest words (mat, cat, hop, nap)
Especially important: There is a strong genetic link with dyslexia, so a family history of dyslexia or problems with early reading and spelling is a critical factor to consider.
Strengths that you can also note: Children with dyslexic characteristics often demonstrate strengths in the areas of curiosity, a great imagination, a good understanding of new concepts, surprising maturity, a large vocabulary for the age, enjoyment in solving puzzles and building models, and excellent comprehension of stories read aloud to him or her.
Things that parents can do:
- Monitor language development. Be on the alert for problems in rhyming, pronunciation, and using precise vocabulary.
- Be aware of the code. Notice if he or she is struggling to learn letter names and sounds.
- Watch progress. Be alert to problems in speaking, reading, writing, or spelling.
- Focus on strengths. The goal is to make sure that the strengths, and not the weaknesses, define the child’s life. (Some families with more than the average complement of dyslexics see an abundance of photographers, artists, engineers, architects, scientists, and radiologists.)
- Intervene early. Students who struggle do not benefit from repeating a year of the same type of instruction, but instead need intensive, multisensory instruction; especially in the areas of book knowledge, phonological awareness, alphabetic knowledge, and writing skills.
Greengate School has been providing help for students and families who deal with dyslexia for over 12 years, and is the premier resource to the region in this field. All teachers at Greengate are highly skilled and experienced educators who are also trained in Orton Gillingham multisensory intervention methods for students with dyslexia.
Below the Radar Check Presentation
We would like to extend a HUGE thank you to Dan Bodeker and Mark Umansky at Below the Radar Brewing Company for making our Greengate School Fundraiser possible! On October 17 we had a Greengate School craft beer unveiling and tasting fundraising event at Below the Radar Brewing Company. “Sweatman’s Hallpass” and “Toasted Takeoff” were a hit, raising $500! We would also like to thank our brewmasters Bobby, Jim, and John & everyone who came out to support Greengate School. We look forward to working with Below the Radar again!
Dr. Hargett receives fundraising check from Mark & Dan in the Brewery
Welcome Back!
Greengate School for Dyslexia hopes everyone had a fantastic holiday season. We are excited to welcome back our students, teachers and staff for another productive semester!
Greengate Goes Viral!
Our Mannequin Challenge has gone viral! We are spreading dyslexia awareness to thousands. Currently our video has reached 20,053 people, has 7.5k views, & 93 shares! Please continue to view, like and share to educate the public on dyslexia and to show how awesome Greengate School for Dyslexia is.
https://www.facebook.com/GreengateSchool/videos/10154313207143074/
2016/17 Annual Giving Fund
Pork Butt Sale
Below the Radar Fundraiser
Thank you to our brewmasters: Bobby, Jim, and John for hosting a our Greengate School FUNdraiser at Below the Radar last night!
We would also like to thank everyone who came out to the Greengate School craft beer unveiling at Below the Radar Brewing Company last night! “Sweatman’s Hallpass” and “Toasted Takeoff” were a hit!
Congratulations to Lisa Bruton & Sara Threlkeld for winning the “Name Our Beer” competition.
See more photos here.
Exploring the Nina and the Pinta
The Nina and the Pinta have arrived in Guntersville Harbor! Perseus, Pegasus and Centaurs took a field trip to see the two replica ships.