GEIST GAZETTE
September 20, 2019
GEIST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Website: https://ges.hseschools.org/
Location: 14051 East 104th Street, Fishers, IN 46037
Phone: 317-915-4260
Twitter: @Geistgators
Note from the Principal:
Dear Gator Families-
We have had a busy two weeks and we are about to embark upon one of our busiest weeks at GES! Your children are very excited about the Gator Gallop and the Fall Festival on Friday, September 27th!
Please remember our dress up days this week. The students love involving themselves in the excitement of the building.
Sept 23rd Mismatch Monday - Wear mismatched shoes and clothes
Sept 24th Tropical Tuesday - Wear Hawaiian print clothes, beach themed clothes and/or a hat
Sept 25th Workout Wednesday - Wear workout or sports clothes
Sept 26th Tie-Dye Thursday - Wear tie-dye clothes or something colorful
Sept 27th Friday - Gator Gallop Day! Wear your Gator Gallop T-shirt (Teachers will distribute T-shirts in class the morning of Gator Gallop)
One of our goals this year is to increase parent engagement within our building and minimize barriers. We hope you are able to attend one of the many events we will have this year. We want you to be involved in your child's school and in their learning. We hope you will reach out to us with questions, concerns and praises.
Just recently we welcomed our third grade families into the building to learn more about Community Circles. We had a great morning! Please know that all of your children are participating in Community Circles K-4 throughout the building. They do a check in and often have discussions or share outs. Our goal is building relationships and stronger classroom communities.
Another exciting activity we plan to have this semester is a book study on the book, Self- Reg: How to Help Your Child (and You) Break the Stress Cycle and Successfully Engage with Life by Stuart Shanker. If you are interested in joining us, feel free to purchase it and start reading! We will share opportunities later this semester to discuss the book. I can't stress enough how helpful this book is from a parenting perspective as well as for personal self care! As parents, we do have to take care of ourselves! We too must self-regulate to be able to help others!
Thank you again for entrusting your children with us each day. We look forward to YOU being in the building over the next four weeks for the fall festival and then for parent teacher conferences!
Respectfully,
Christi Thomas, Principal
Limited Lunch Visitors on Friday, September 27
Picking up your child early from school?
Keller's Clips - Self-Regulation: Control
Stress is a very normal; yet uncomfortable aspect of daily demands on us.
We have schedules and events to meet, tasks to complete, time management demands and pressures to perform. As adults, this can be difficult; yet we must be cognizant of the demands and to realize that some things are simply ‘out of my control’. When we focus on what is ‘in our control’, all of a sudden, the weight of many stressors is lessened.
Notice what’s ‘in my control’ all include the words ‘I’ and ‘my’; and those things ‘out of my control’ are situational events or have to do with ‘others’ thoughts and behaviors.
Our children are no different; yet sometimes we, as adults, forget to remind ourselves and our children to focus on ‘what is in our control’ and to establish a game plan, with a positive mindset, when faced with decisions and responses regarding those things ‘in our control. The reminder to ourselves, helps us to remind and guide our children to do the same.
1. Notice we are stressed (body signals, feelings of overwhelm, etc.). Talk with your child(ren) about how you notice stress in your own bodies and share with them what you do to calm your amygdala, in order to ‘get your prefrontal cortex online’ and able to take that first step toward a goal or task.
2. To use a strategy to calm our triggered amygdala (the outcome of a stressor). Positive self-talk using growth mindset words, like ‘I’ve got this’, ‘It will be okay, I’m ready to tackle this in a minute’, and ‘I will use one of my strategies’, are key.
3. Coming up with a plan or taking steps toward a goal is the next step. This is where we as educators and you, as family caregivers are so important. Modeling the
planning or goal-setting steps, with a growth mindset will enable your child(ren) to do the same for themselves when needed.
Many times, our young ones are amazed when we share with them that we are stressed and have struggles, many times, as well. When they hear and see modeling from us that affirms we are stressed, how we respond with calming self-talk and growth mindset and how we plan steps toward completion of a goal or challenge; this is when learning occurs.
Remember, to always identify when triggered by a stressor, to verbalize and to decide whether an event or stressor is ‘in your control’ or ‘out of our control’. If ‘out of your control’, share verbally what you say to your amygdala to remind yourself that ‘it’s okay’, ‘I will move on and stop worrying’, etc., so that your child(ren) SEE you and DO the same.
Keller's Clips - bullying Curriculum Lessons
The Related Arts team of teachers and I presented to all grade levels this week our conflict resolution curriculum. We re-visited and practiced conflict; the use of I-messages and to RECOGNIZE when an Adult is needed for support.
We talked about how conflict is normal, it happens to everyone and we can resolve our own conflicts with I-messages:
‘I feel____________ (emotion) when you __________ (undesired behavior).
Will you please _____________ (desired behavior).
When someone doesn’t respond appropriately to an I-message, students are taught to Report to an adult for help. The adult will help the student resolve the continuing conflict with a number of supports.
- To help the student use a strong and assertive voice to set a boundary.
- To support the student with needed conversations to address the undesired behavior.
- To empathize with the student and to ask them to continue reporting to them if the undesired behavior continues, and
- To keep a watchful eye on the situation.
Students are taught that most problems they have are normal conflicts (small problems) that they are able to fix with their strong, assertive and respectful voice.
Conflict:
- Normal everyday problems
- Can be solved by YOU with ‘I-messages’
RECOGNIZE that they need an adult to help.
They are taught that if conflict continues, or meets the following criteria, to ask for help.
The adult will help them and discern whether the conflict is a bullying-type behavior and will handle the situation, accordingly.
Bullying:
- On purpose
- Happens over and over again
- Mean on purpose—physically or verbally
- Imbalance of power (Big vs. Little, Group vs. Individual)
We are attempting to clarify for our students that MOST problems in life involve conflict, rather than bullying. A student’s responsibility is to RECOGNIZE when they need an adult to help.
Please empower your child(ren) to identify problematic situations as conflicts, rather than labeling problems as bullying.
I have included links below that you may reference to discuss the lessons at home. Please click on the imessage visual link and the appropriate grade level link.
Thank you!!
Lisa Piatek Keller, M.S.
School Counselor
Friends of the Library
Books have been donated by Mia W., Savera G., Enzo H., Amelia D., Rylee F., Hank L.,
Elliot R., Taylor M., Kendall F., Quinn R., Jack K., Cooper R., Cruz H., Luke S., Isaac S.,
Rileigh P., Ben S., and Oliver T.
Music Notes
Oct 7th-11th: 3rd Grade Demo Day in Music Class
Families will be invited to join their 3rd graders during their regular music class day and time. More details will be emailed to all 3rd grade families in a few weeks.
Music Performance Schedule 19-20
Here is a link to the entire music performance calendar that includes all grade levels. Email Mrs. Koenig with any questions: jkoenig@hse.k12.in.us
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PPnvpQ8ByyR2G3vqJQ5C40AtZZP8PKe8/view?usp=sharing
News from the Gym
We have been hard at work getting use to the routines and procedures in the gym. We will continue to work on those basic locomotor skills with grades K-2. We have moved on to working on balance activities and bouncing and catching activities. In grades 3 and 4, we have completed our unit on The 5 Components of Fitness. We will continue to talk about how The 5 Components of Fitness fit into our daily lives.
I do have my Canvas page started and have class schedules and some other info on it. Please check it out if you have questions. Anything involving E-learning will be on that page as well.
If your child likes to run, please make sure they sign up for The Liger Mile.
You can find the link to sign up for The Liger Mile in the Links section of my Canvas page.
If you follow Twitter, you can follow our activities at @SutherlinRod
Please don’t hesitate to contact me with questions: rsutherlin@hse.k12.in.us or 317-915-4260 Ext. 1690
Art Room News
Next month, all students will have the opportunity to experience a collaborative piece to be created at GES based on Yayoi Kusama's The obliteration room. If your family would like to experience one of Kusama's rooms, I encourage you to visit the Indianapolis Museum of Art, as they are holding an exhibition titled Infinitely Kusama beginning Oct. 4 through March 29. Second grade has already been learning about this artist and were very intrigued by her infinity mirror rooms!
Kinder: We started our year with the book The Dot by Peter Reynold. In the story, we learned that everyone can be an artist, and that all you need to do is "make your mark and see where it takes you." We made dots in swirly gold frames, and these are uploaded to Artsonia if you'd like to see your child's work. Next we are learning about different kinds of lines.
1st: Our first project is creating different kinds of lines in paint. Lines can be short, long, wavy, curvy, and on and on! Every artwork starts with lines! Next we will move on to colors.
2nd: So far we have learned about two contemporary Japanese artists. Our first was Takashi Murakami, who creates art in a very cartoon/anime type style. Students created drawings inspired by his work. We have begun exploring Yayoi Kusama and will be creating artwork inspired by her use of pattern. Many of Kusama's works have the word infinity in the title--see if your child can explain why! (Also see below for more information about Yayoi Kusama.)
3rd: Third graders began their first project by exploring contemporary American artist Lina Iris Viktor. She is known for her use of geometric shapes, and a limited color palette of black, gold, and another color. The project was to create a composition using the qualities of her work.
4th: We compared and contrasted two mural artists, Brad Eastman and Isaias Crow. Students then chose one artist for the composition of their artwork. They chose their own color media, but also learned paint mixing techniques.
Artsonia: As we finish new projects, remember you can view your student's gallery by visiting the Artsonia website. If you need any assistance with Artsonia, please contact Ms. Green egreen@hse.k12.in.us.
Global Studies
We have been having a great time learning Spanish in Global Studies! Kindergarten students have been working on how to ask someone his or her name as well as how to answer that question. In addition, they have been singing and moving to music which has introduced them to verbs such as march, dance, run, jump, stop and walk.
First grade students have been holding conversations which include asking someone his or her name, how he or she is feeling and responses to those questions. They are beginning to learn colors.
Second grade students have learned how to ask someone where he or she lives and how to respond to that question. They have been reviewing colors and are currently learning words for various shapes in Spanish including square, triangle, rectangle, oval, rhombus and circle.
Third and fourth grade students are learning how to ask someone his or her age and how to respond to that question. They are currently learning numbers by 10’s to 100.
Coats for Kids
Did you know that according to the Good Samaritan Network, Hamilton County has at least 18,000 persons who are living below the poverty level?
Please help us keep our kids warm and cozy by donating new or gently used coats, mittens, gloves, hats, or boots. All sizes- Infants to high school.
GES will be hosting a Kids Coats Collection the week of October 7- October 11.
Each item collected will find a home in Hamilton County. All donations will be distributed at the Nov 2rd and 11th coat give-aways.
Visit kidscoats.org for more info & volunteer opportunities.
Thank you!!
Lisa Piatek Keller, M.S.
School Counselor
Geist Elementary School
GES Student Fees are Due for the 2019-2020 School Year
Book Fees are due October 4, 2019. Fees may be viewed under the Fee Management link in Skyward. If paying by check, please make the check payable to Geist Elementary School and include your student's full name and ID Number. You may also make payment through Efunds. Efunds is available in Skyward, under District Links. If you have any questions, please contact the school office at (317) 915-4260.
Safety Levels
HSE Schools Community Insider
Check out opportunities and activities on the HSE Community Insider on the HSE Schools webpage. You can find it here: hseschools.org/happenings/community-insider