Shamrock News
A Weekly Look at Grant Elementary School & the Grant PTA
Week of January 21, 2020
A Message From Principal Grey
Dear Grant Community,
We are thrilled to kick off our spring mindfulness program this week with a school-wide assembly on Friday! Two of our classes piloted mindfulness and mindful movement classes earlier this school year and gained valuable skills in focus, self-regulation, and relaxation. Starting next week, our third and sixth-grade students will start an eight-week program with our skilled instructor, Ozlem Ozdener. We hope to be able to provide our mindfulness program for our students 2-3 times throughout their time at Grant School. We are passionate about giving our students the opportunity to learn skills that support physical, and social, and emotional wellness in their lives.
Sincerely,
Ms. Grey
What exactly is "mindfulness?"
Mindfulness is a state of active, open attention on the present. When you're mindful,
you observe your thoughts and feelings from a distance, without judging them good or
bad. Instead of letting your life pass you by, mindfulness means living in the moment
and awakening to experience.- Psychology Today
About Ozlem:
Ozlem is an avid yoga practitioner since 1999 and has thought kids yoga
classes in Costa Rica and California. As a certified Kidding Around Yoga teacher,
she is teaching kids yoga and family yoga at the Sonoma County libraries and
several county schools and private studios. She also worked with Child Parent
Institute (CPI) and 4Cs in Sonoma County. Her classes get the children,
singing, dancing, skipping, marching, jogging, laughing, hopping, and storytelling,
while practicing yoga and mindfulness with music.
Whether it is teaching kids to gain confidence through a balancing pose or surprise
them in a baby crow, there is always a sparkle in her classes that lights joy in
children. Ozlem has an MBA degree from the University of San Francisco and a BA in
Political Science and International Relations. She is also a certified yoga teacher
for adults, with 200hr training from Santa Rosa Junior College. She is a mother of
two kids, Kael (7), Ella (4). She speaks English, Turkish and Spanish.
Intent to Return for the 2020-21 School Year!
It is already time to begin preparing for the 2020-2021 school year! By providing the information requested for each of your children, you are assisting us so that we may plan appropriately for the next school year. We will have a paper version of this form available in the office as well. Thank you for your support and participation!
Valentine's Day
If an effort to create both a healthy and celebratory culture on campus, we are encouraging families to limit the amount of candy and treats that they attach to their students' valentine cards. We recognize that candy is considered a big part of the tradition and appreciate your consideration for moderation. We encourage valentines and messages of friendship, kindness, appreciation. Each teacher will be contacting families with details about valentine's celebrations in their classrooms.
From the Grant PTA
How is the money that you donate to the Grant PTA being spent? This month the PTA has:
*Approved $3,000 for Grant physical education equipment and PE Program teacher training .
*Approved expenditures for additional school supplies needed by teachers and staff
*Purchased copies of books from recent author visit for kids.
Haven't joined the Grant PTA? https://grantpta.membershiptoolkit.com/home
TIDE Meeting, 1/22
Grant Family Movie Night, 1/24
*This is not a drop off event. Your child will need to be supervised by an adult and we ask that kids stay in the multi and not roam the playground in the dark.
Performing Arts: Forms & Sign-Ups
Info on rehearsals and option to print forms:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B37YZGVFDM7wUWcyOG9ZVDR6Ym93LUgzZnN2WURseWJ3T3Jv/view?usp=sharing
Online Registration Form: http://bit.ly/grantspring20
Find the option to pay online here: https://grantpta.membershiptoolkit.com/home
After School Enrichment Classes Open - Time is of the Essence to Register!
Cash for Koalas
No Early Drop or Late Pick Up
We are aware of the challenges of work schedules, but we do not have supervision available for students outside of school hours.
See's Candy Fundraiser
The Grant PTA is holding a See's Candies Fundraiser and flyers went home last Friday. If you would like to order candy for friends and family, don't forget to fill out your order form and return to the office or your teacher by next Wednesday, January 29th. Orders will be delivered to the school in plenty of time to give to your sweetheart on Valentine's Day!
Grant Gala Auction Tickets go on sale Monday, February 3rd
Grant Gala Auction - Help Needed
*Auction organizers are looking for donations of bottles of wine. if you rifle through your cellar (said in jest) and find a bottle or two of something you are willing to part with, please bring that fine wine to the office and we'll make good use of it!
Make Sure You Get a Grant Yearbook
PTA Association Meeting, 2/20 at 6pm
School Volunteer Paperwork
Our school district also requires a current TB test result. These test results last up to 4 years. If you have any questions at all about this process, please come by the office to speak with Kim Shoemaker or email her at kshoemaker@petk12.org.
Kindergarten Registration Now Open!
Please visit https://www.petalumacityschools.org/enroll to begin your application process.
* There are two school tours scheduled in January. If you or someone you know would like to go on a tour at Grant, please call the front office at (707) 778-4742 to schedule one.
Community Events
From free Tutoring/Homework Help to Coder-Dojo and Read to a Dog, check out the great events at the Library: https://sonomalibrary.org/locations/petaluma-regional-library
Empowering Girls, 1/30 at 6:30pm at the Cavanaugh Center
Girls United launches the 1st ever all girls outdoor Spring Soccer League in Petaluma! Starting March 2020. Register at . girlsunitedsoccer.com/SPRINGLEAGUE
Science Saturdays with Sonoma County Parks https://parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov/Play/Calendar/Science-Saturday-2020-01-04/?fbclid=IwAR0MpjGS41v-CNBRaN2_Lc9NVL0r2Rzs4cLU1CzJ-yptT2KVPvwMc081ipQ&fbclid=IwAR0EyJiS5FMh7sRGps7yGoEkdirlwzWskZ2ouqBSQgbOkILr-96UxkC-z-w
Wise Girl Workshops: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10220404949584101&set=gm.2543532242561083&type=3&theater&ifg=1
School Year Calendar
In the Thank You Column:
- HUGE thanks to all who donated to Grant Community Cares this past holiday season! Your generosity is inspiring and so greatly appreciated by our community.
- Many thanks to Copperfield's, author Kate Milford and Grant Librarian Alice Crysdale for organizing a wonderful visit and inspiring kids to read.
- Thanks to Ms. O'Niell for all your work organizing Grant PE programs
- Big Shamrock thank you to Donnie Frank, Maryann Pacheco and Karen Miles for helping run Grant auditions.
- Thank you to Rosalie Thompson and Jenny Reich for the great start on the Grant Gala Auction!
At A Glance
January
January 22- TIDE Meeting 6:00 pm
January 24 - PTA Family Movie Night
January 27-31- Wish Board
January 27- Feb 22 - Adopt a Book
February
February 10- Lincoln’s Holiday (NO SCHOOL)
February 12- Chorus Festival at 7pm at Petaluma Junior High Gym.
February 17- Washington’s holiday (NO SCHOOL)
February 20- PTA Board Meeting and Association
February 22- The Grant Community Dance
February 24-28- Read Across America
February 24-28-Conference week (WEDNESDAY SCHEDULE)