Gates Notes & News
November 15, 2022
While I try to reflect on all the things I have to be grateful for throughout the year, November is the time of year that this is at the forefront of my mind. This year, I find that I have much more to be grateful for.
Making the decision to move from Thomson to Gates was not an easy one, but at only three and a half months into the school year, I can not imagine being at any other school. I am so grateful for the warm welcome I got from staff, students, and families. I am grateful for the opportunity to reconnect with students from the past and meet those that joined Davison Community Schools after kindergarten. Through good and difficult times, I am grateful for the support of parents, teachers, and my colleagues throughout the district. I am very proud to be a member of Davison Community Schools, to have my daughter be a student here, and to work along side some of the best educators around. Things may not always be perfect, but knowing that the staff is doing everything they can for kids on a daily basis is what makes Gates a special place to be everyday.
Thank you for sharing your child(ren) with me. Wishing you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving!
Most Sincerely,
Natalie Miller
Proud Gates Principal
Cold Weather Is Here!
Now is the time to throw a hat and set of gloves in the backpack just in case it hasn't warmed up by recess. All Gates students enjoy a 35 minute outdoor recess each school day unless the temperature dips below 0 degrees or it is raining. Students should arrive at school prepared for the weather which may include snow pants, boots, mittens and hats. Parents are encouraged to write their student’s name on these items since many students have identical things and it will avoid confusion.
Please be reminded, students must have a note from a parent to stay indoors for recess. This request will be honored for up to 2 days. Any request beyond 2 days requires a doctor’s note stating the reason the student must remain indoors and the dates it includes.
It's Cool to Care!
This year we will be collecting money which will be given to Outreach East, a nondenominational, walk-in, year-round emergency resource center dedicated to assisting Davison area families in need. This means money collected through the Cool to Care drive will go right back to helping Davison students and families. Donations will be accepted at our school from Monday, November 9th, and continue through December 9th.
Students are invited to participate in several fun $1 days including hat day, crazy sock day, pj day and red and white day! If you are able, please consider helping to make this another successful drive as we reach out to help others this holiday season.
Family Game Night
4th Grade Job Program
At Gates Elementary, we want our students to have positive experiences as leaders and contributors to our school. When children have the opportunity to assist in making this the best place it can be, they feel ownership and pride in our collective goals and successes. Such experiences also help create courteous, attentive, respectful, dependable, and supportive young people.
Therefore, we have identified over seventy helping positions that fourth grade students have filled. Students who were interested had to go through an application process before being selected. Our students have been enthusiastically assisting teachers, caring for our Flag, sorting mail, assisting other students and helping in a variety of other ways.
We are so very proud of their involvement in this experience. Our community, country, and world need these children to grow into quality citizens.
Cardinal Crowd Pleasers of the Month
Room 8 - Brody Schlaud
Room 10 - Summer Newnham
Room 11 - Noah Stevens-Lewis
Room 13 - Lane Powell
Room 14 - Easton Boshell
Room 2 - Peyton Fuller
Room 4 - Gordon Williams
Room 5 - Jaelynn Kruger
Room 6 - Brooklyn Bishop
Room 7 - Andrew Sorensen
Room 22 - Julia Blaine
Room 23 - Eli Kimmel
Room 24 - Olivia Doelle
Room 25 - Jorja Hurley
Room 26 - Amiyah Harris
Room 17 - Savana Bishop
Room 18 - Lucy Gist
Room 19 - Cailynn Carlson
Room 20 - Tucker Tomanek
Room 21 - Sebastian Woodruff
Gates PTO News
- Fall Fundraiser Wrap-up- Last week we wrapped up our fall fundraiser. To say that this fundraiser exceeded our expectations would be an understatement. Special thanks to the generous support of Gates families and friends, students raised over $19,000 in profits for our school. Fundraiser pick-up will take place Monday, November 21st from 3:45 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. Due to storage, all fundraiser items MUST be picked up on this date. Announcements of classroom winners will be coming soon!
- Next PTO Meeting-Our next PTO meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 13th at 6:00 p.m. in the Gates Library. We will be discussing upcoming events and additional plans for using the money raised from our fundraiser. We hope to see you there!
- Save the Date-Daddy/Daughter Dance-Calling all Dads and Daughters! Please mark your calendar for our Gates Winter Wonderland Daddy/Daughter Dance to be held on Saturday, December 3rd. A flyer was sent home last week and rsvp slips are due November 28th.
- Santa's Secret Shop-We are quickly approaching Christmas and this means the return of Santa's Secret Shop. Students will have an opportunity to shop for family and friends on Wednesday, December 14th. While more information will come as we approach this date, we are and will continue to be looking for donations of tape, small and medium gift bags, tissue paper, and gift tags. If you have items you would like to donate, please send them to the office. Anyone interested in helping students shop, wrap gifts and assist crafters during Santa’s Workshop on December 14th should contact the PTO at santasworkshop.gates@gmail.com Volunteers are needed from 8am to 3pm—working in shifts (AM or PM) or all day, however, VOLUNTEERS MUST HAVE A CURRENT VOLUNTEER APPLICATION/BACKGROUND CHECK ON FILE.
HELP WANTED
Important Upcoming Dates:
- Wednesday, November 16th - Cool to Care $1 Spirit Day - HAT DAY!
- Thursday, November 17th - Gates Family Game Night, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, November 23rd - Cool to Care $1 Spirit Day - CRAZY SOCK DAY!
- Thursday, November 24th - No School - Happy Thanksgiving!
- Friday, November 25th - No School - Happy Black Friday!
- Wednesday, November 30th - Cool to Care $1 Spirit Day - PJ DAY!
Attendance Matters!
Gates Elementary
Team Gates
All for 1-1 for All!
And..
Where Kids Come First and Futures Begin!
Email: nmiller@davisonschools.org
Website: www.davisonschools.org
Location: 2359 S. Irish, Davison, MI, United States
Phone: 810-591-5001