School Overview
2940 MacArthur Rd., Whitehall, PA 18052 • 610-433-7551
Mrs. Denise Saylor, Principal
Kindergarten and 1st Grade Building
Student Day: 8:35 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.
The Gockley School is truly a “great place to start!” Completed in 1978, the school currently houses 13 Kindergarten classes, 13 First Grade classes, 2 Learning Support classes, and an Emotional Support class. Our students begin their formal education in an attractive school designed in cluster or pod settings, which promote a versatile and stimulating environment. The staff provides a very caring atmosphere while implementing the most innovative teaching techniques available. In previous years, several members of our teaching staff have been recognized in “Who’s Who in Teaching,” and others have received the Howard L. Klopp Award for Exemplary Teaching, the Outstanding Educator Award from Lehigh University, and the Wal-Mart Outstanding Teacher Recognition Award. Support programs include a Whitehall Intervention Team, Title I Reading, summer phonemic awareness programs, supportive math, and speech therapy. Parents and grandparents have the opportunity to actively participate in the PTO PLUS volunteer program and the tutoring program under the direction of the guidance office.
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION
To be registered for kindergarten, a child must be 5 years old before September 1st. A Kindergarten Assessment/Registration Event occurs each spring for the incoming, registered kindergarten students. This event includes a parent orientation while students meet with kindergarten teachers to be assessed and participate in scheduled activities.
MARKING SYSTEM
All Gockley students receive report cards at the end of each quarter which target specific competencies during each marking period. Marking periods are 90 days in length. Report cards can be accessed electronically through the Parent Portal. Copies of report cards are also sent home with students at the end of each marking period.
COUNSELING SERVICES
Mrs. Elyse Mohr, School Counselor
The Gockley School counselor supports all kindergarten and first grade students. Services are provided to the children via individual counseling and classroom instruction, to the teachers through consultation and assessment, and to parents through school or parent initiated conferences. The counselor coordinates school support personnel and outside agencies which may be involved with a child.
The Child Study Team and the Student Assistance Program (SAP) are coordinated by the counselor. The purpose of these teams is to provide support and interventions for students who may be experiencing academic and/or behavioral difficulties.
PARENT EVENTS
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A “Meet the Teacher” event occurs at the end of August, prior to the first day of school, for parents to come to school with their children, meet their children’s teachers, and see their classrooms.
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Parent-Teacher Conferences are held for all students in November. This is an opportunity for parents and teachers to discuss student progress and share information with each other in order to best support their children throughout the rest of the school year.
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A Gockley “Open House” event occurs in May for families to visit the school and see their children’s work displayed in classrooms and throughout the building.
SWPBS
SWPBS stands for School-Wide Positive Behavior Support. It is a framework designed to promote positive behavior and create a supportive school environment. The goal is to help every student succeed by encouraging good behavior and making sure everyone knows what is expected of them.
Our theme is the Gockley I CAN train!
C stands for Caring,
A is Always do my Best, and
N is Need to be Safe.
