The Geist Gazette
March 3, 2023
GEIST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Website: https://ges.hseschools.org/
Location: 14051 East 104th Street, Fishers, IN 46037
Phone: 317-915-4260
Twitter: @Geistgators
Principal's Notes:
Hello Gator Families-
Thank you to all the families who made it out to our Science Night last week! This year was the largest group of students participating in our Science Fair and our largest Science Night yet. Thank you to the entire GES Science Team as well as our PTO support in making the entire day a success.
During Science Night we had both the Fishers Fire and Police Departments. We are starting a campaign to have all GES families check their smoke detectors at home. It is quick, simple, and important. I'll be honest, I needed to replace mine and I'm guessing I'm not the only one. So I come you airing my faults and asking if you haven't checked your smoke detector join me in doing so! We have created a short video below on how to check your alarm as most are wired-in units. Also any student who comes to school with a picture of the back of their smoke alarm will get a free pencil from the Fire Department! Thank you for partnering with GES and FFD in helping to increase fire safety around the GES community.
March will be packed with different activities and events. Next week, March 6-10, we will be celebrating Read Across America with some fun themes. Please check out the dress-up and support days on the flyer below! All third-grade students will be testing IREAD during the week of March 6-17. Individual teachers will be sharing the details. Our fourth-grade students will be sharing "Around the World" on March 16. Finally, on March 21, we will be having International Night. We hope you can make it out to yet another wonderful evening of stations and learning by our students and families.
Thank you for your continued support of our staff and school. We appreciate you!
-Christi Thomas
Principal, GES
Mark Your Calendar
Thank you PTO for the Book Buffet! GES staff members love our new books :)
Library Corner
Mark your calendars! The Scholastic Book Fair will be held on March 20-23. There will be a family shopping night on Monday, March 20 from 5:30-7:30pm. More information will be sent home soon.
The library is on social media! Follow to see what we are doing in the Geist Library! We are on Instagram and Twitter @geistlibrary #GeistGatorsRead
We need some help shelving books! We are looking for volunteers to help for an hour a few times a week. Please email Jennifer Harmon at jharmon@hse.k12.in.us with any questions. All volunteers must have a current background check on file. Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094BA5A82EA0F9C70-library
Grade 3 Students and Families
Our third grade students and staff have worked hard to prepare our Gators for the IREAD-3 test!
The Indiana Department of Education requires that all 3rd grade students participate in the IREAD-3 assessment. IREAD-3 assesses foundational reading standards through 3rd grade in the areas of Word Recognition, Fluency and Vocabulary, as well as comprehension and analysis of nonfiction and literary test.
Testing will take place during the school day and each classroom will have scheduled testing days during the IREAD-3 window communicated by the classroom teacher. The testing window will begin on Monday, March 6th through Friday, March 17th.
Please partner with us in preparing your child for IREAD-3:
-prepare your child's iPad with the "SecureTestBrowser" app (rental already installed)
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/airsecuretest/id607002517
-charge iPad device nightly and pack the iPad in the backpack for school each day
-ensure your child has working headphones
-adequate sleep is important to maintain focus and attention to the test
-eat a protein rich breakfast
-encourage your child with confidence, they've got this!
-arrive at school on time each day
2022-2023 Science Fair
Art News
HSE District Art Show:
All are invited to attend the annual district art show to be held at HSE High School on March 25 & 26 from 2-5 PM each day. Student artwork from all schools will be on display and the show is open house style. Geist Elementary will have almost 200 pieces on display alone! GES students with artwork in the show will have received an invitation. The elementary display will be in the main cafeteria. Hope to see you there!
Contact Ms. Green, GES art teacher with questions: egreen@hse.k12.in.us
Schoolhouse 7 Cafe Display:
Geist Elementary also has a small display this month at Schoolhouse 7 Cafe. The display features the following third grade artists' work inspired by Vincent VanGogh's Starry Night: Meg C, Landry W, Bruce H, Bryce C, Maya A, Mina M, Hadley D, Chase T, and Sthavvya S.
Congratulations!
Science Night Was a Blast!
Thank you to everyone who came out for our GES Science Night last Friday. We had over 400 people explore our hands-on Science Stations sponsored by Hoosier Pediatrics Dental Group. We would also like to thank our wonderful Fishers Fire Department and Fisher Police Department for hosting stations this year. We hope everyone enjoyed the AMA Flight Show. And last but certainly not least, we want to thank Sub Zero Nitrogen Ice Cream for coming to our event this year. We saw lots of smiles as families watched their ice cream being made right before them using liquid nitrogen. We hope everyone had a great time!
New from the Music Room
4th Grade Performance is March 16th@ 6:30pm: 4th Grade Performance is next month! The theme is what brings you JOY! I wanted to send out some information about auditions and other things so students and families can plan. Please note that there will be no limit to audience members like the Veterans Day Performance. All family and friends may attend. Due to the pandemic, we will be requesting that all performers wear a mask and highly recommend all audience members to wear a mask as well. 4th Gr. Schedule: 3/14 Stage Set Up & Decorating 3:30-6:30pm (Optional, Adult Volunteers) 3/15 Speaking Part Rehearsal 7am in the Gym 3/16 Dress Rehearsal for all 4th graders during the school day 3/16 4th Grade Performance 6:30pm Adult Volunteers from 4th Gr. Needed: Please email Mrs. K if you would like to be placed on the volunteer list for the 4th grade performance. Some jobs can be done at school and others can be accomplished at home. I will send an email later this month with the jobs that need to be filled. I just want to comprise a list now of those that are interested. Thanks! Costuming: Please note that the students will need to be able to dance or play an instrument in whatever their costume is. Thanks! SCOTT Wear Red, White, and/or Blue. NO American Flags. We are representing the Cuban Flag. Jeans, Pants, Shorts, Skirts, Polos, Dresses, Capris are all okay. Please no graphics or writing on clothes if at all possible. Patterns like stripes, polka dots, stars etc. are great! They will be dancing so make sure the students wear tennis shoes or sandals that stay securely on their feet. No flip flops or crocs please. DESSERICH -Wear Gold Yellow, Red, Green and/or Black. Dress up with Jeans, Pants, Polos, Nice shorts, Skirts, Dresses, or Capris. Please no graphics or writing on clothes if at all possible. Patterns like stripes, polka dots, African style patterns etc. are great! No athletic wear if possible. FYI: We are representing the African Flag. BECKNER- -Hawaiian/Polynesian Shirts & Shorts/Capris. Leis are optional. If you can’t find a Hawaiian shirt, you can wear a bright solid colored short sleeve shirt with a leis. Please no graphics or writing on clothes if at all possible. Please NO FLIP FLOPS or FLIP FLAP SANDALS, grass skirts, or coconuts. They will be dancing so make sure the students wear tennis shoes or sandals that stay securely on their feet. BALE Wear Red, White, and/or Black. Dress up with Jeans, Pants, Nice shorts, Polos, Skirts, Dresses, or Capris. Please no graphics or writing on clothes if at all possible. Patterns like stripes, polka dots, etc. are fine. No athletic wear if possible. Some will be dancing so make sure the students that are dancing, wear tennis shoes, dress shoes or sandals that stay securely on their feet. No flip flops or crocs please. FREIBERG Wear BRIGHT COLORS Teal, Hot Pink, Yellow, Lime Green, and/or Orange. You may add white, gray or black if needed but keep it minimal. Dress up with Jeans, Pants, Nice shorts, Polos, Skirts, Dresses, or Capris. Please no graphics or writing on clothes if at all possible. Patterns like stripes, polka dots, stars etc. are fine. No athletic wear if possible. DOBBINS Wear Red, Gold, Yellow, and/or Black. Dress up with Jeans, Pants, Nice shorts, Polos, Skirts, Dresses, or Capris. Please no graphics or writing on clothes if at all possible. Patterns like stripes, polka dots, stars etc. are fine. No athletic wear if possible.
Kindergarten Performance: Gettin' Down with Mama Goose
May 5th at 6:30pm in the GES Gym
More details will be sent later this month through Parent Square.
Disability Awareness Week
GES students will participate in a variety of activities during Disability Awareness Week March 20-24. The goal is to increase awareness of obstacles faced by some individuals with disabilities and how many of those individuals use their own skills and technology to navigate throughout their daily activities.
Among our presenters is Jason Funk, a 17-year-old HSE student with Autism. Jason publishes original comics and personal essays and will share his story with the students. If you are interested in ordering some of Jason's merch, please use the attached order form.
International Night at GES Tuesday, March 21
The first annual GES International Fair is just around the corner. Join us on March 21st from 5:30-7:30PM for this exciting event. Our students have been busy learning about different countries and cultures, and they can't wait to share their hard work. Join us to taste amazing food and experience music, games and art from all around the world.
If you would like to share about your culture or heritage, it's not too late. Email Mrs. Koenig or fill out the online survey ASAP.
Cafeteria News
Adult volunteers are needed to help in the cafeteria from 10:30-1:30. Volunteers can work a day or two - and it's just 3 hours!
The cafe is selling Juice boxes along with snacks. The cost is $1.15, the same price as a large snack.
Please watch for posts from Geist Cafe so families know what week and day we are on and for any menu changes due to out of stock items.
We are working on specific goals each week to earn Gators. Ask your student if they know what the expectations for the week are and how they can help their class win a Gator reward.
SEL - UPDATE THIS
Get your yearbook now- online ordering ends on 03/17/2023!
Don't forget to order a yearbook!
Yearbooks are on sale now through March 17.
All sales are online only. Yearbooks cost $18 each.
To order your yearbook visit:
inter-state.com/order and enter code: 75435Y
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R.A.V.E. REVIEWS
Help us in recognizing and appreciating our talented, hard-working, and dedicated employees by submitting a R.A.V.E. (Recognizing All Valuable Employees) Review. All HSE staff members are eligible for nomination and may be recognized multiple times. To submit a R.A.V.E. Review, click here to fill out a quick and easy online form and share why the individual is a 5-Star employee.
Recipients will receive a R.A.V.E. Review window cling to proudly display their nomination in their workspace, a certificate and letter of recognition with their review. Each month, one R.A.V.E. Review recipient will be selected at random by the Hamilton Southeastern Education Foundation for a $100 gift card. Thank you for your support!