• 2932 Zephyr Blvd., 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 & FIRST GRADE REGISTRATION
    A Parent Information Night is offered in January for parents of all incoming kindergarten students. Kindergarten registration is conducted in the spring of each year. Orientation for new students is scheduled in late August to acquaint students and their parents with the school. Registration of a child is not complete until the following items have been verified: 1. The child’s full legal name and date of birth. (A state issued birth certificate is preferred.) To be registered for kindergarten, the child must be 5 years old before September 1. 2. The completion of Pennsylvania’s school immunization requirements as found in 28 PA.CODE CH 23. 3. Verification of residency in the Whitehall-Coplay School District. Parents will be required to provide verification to enter the School District.

    MARKING SYSTEM
    All Gockley students receive report cards at the end of each quarter which target specific competencies during each marking period. The kindergarten students receive grades in alphabet awareness, speaking, listening, math, handwriting, art, physical education, social development, and work habits. First grade students are assessed in reading, spelling, math, handwriting, science, social studies/health, work/study habits, art, music, and physical education.

    COUNSELING SERVICES
    Mrs. Susan Pevorus - Counselor Team Leader of Whitehall Intervention Team
    The Gockley School counselor serves the 13 sessions of kindergarten and 13 first grade classes. 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 parentinitiated conferences. The counselor coordinates school support personnel and outside agencies which may be involved with a child.
    Classroom guidance comprises a major component of the guidance program. Topics include friendship, learning to listen, feelings, positive self-esteem, cultural diversity/ recognition and acceptance of individual differences, character education, career exploration, making good choices and conflict resolution.
    The Whitehall Intervention Team is coordinated by the counselor and is made up of the principal, support teacher, speech therapist, psychologist, and referring teacher. Its purpose is to discuss and provide support and interventions to the classroom teacher for a student who may be experiencing academic and/or behavioral concerns. The goal is that each child works up to his or her potential with appropriate support to make the child successful.

    ACTIVITIES
    1. Meet the Teacher Night is held in the fall, and Open House is held in the spring.
    2. A Musical Springfest, where first grade children are given the opportunity to sing before an audience, is performed for parents.
    3. The Scholastic Book Fair is hosted in spring, which encourages an interest in reading.
    4. A Kindergarten Information Night is conducted in January for all parents with students registering for kindergarten during the following school year.
    5. Kindergarten orientation is held in August of each school year to welcome the new class of kindergarten students.
    6. The PTO PLUS sponsors field trips, assembly programs, a holiday party, and Children’s Day for the students.
    7. The school also has a very active and vital parent volunteer and parent tutoring program.