Welcome to GES
2021-2022 School Year
GEIST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Website: https://ges.hseschools.org/
Location: 14051 East 104th Street, Fishers, IN 46037
Phone: 317-915-4260
Twitter: @Geistgators
Welcome
Thank you for sharing your child with us each day!
Welcome to GES!
Christi Thomas, Principal
School Hours
School hours are 7:40-2:10
Doors will open for students at 7:30.
Students are dismissed for the day at 2:10.
Reporting Absences, Late Arrivals, Leaving Early
If your child will be late to school or absent you are asked to call the school office by 8:00 am. The phone number is 317-915-4260.
Voicemail is available 24 hours to leave messages. Extended absences may be reported using the prearranged absence form here.
If your child is leaving early please send a note to the teacher. We will call the student to the office when you arrive. We ask for early pickups to be completed by 1:50 PM.
Bus Information
Car Riders, Morning Drop-Off / Afternoon Pick-Up Procedures and Map
Students may be dropped off in the car rider line beginning at 7:30 am at Door 11. If you are in need of before school care for your child, the YMCA offers a program at GES. See information in the next section in this newsletter. Students arriving after 7:40 am are considered tardy and need to be escorted to the office (Door 1) by a guardian to be signed in.
GES uses an established procedure for car riders and walkers at arrival and dismissal. Please review the car-rider map and familiarize yourself with the traffic patterns and procedures. Click here to see the traffic map.
Families are asked to line up in our car rider line and remain in the vehicle. School staff members will greet and dismiss students in groups as cars proceed through the line. If you need extra time for your child to buckle their seatbelt, please pull forward to the end of the driveway and stop so that additional cars may be loaded with students.
Afternoon car riders and walkers will be directed to the gym at 2:05; dismissal from the gym will begin shortly thereafter. Drivers are asked to show a letter size paper with the child's name in bold black letters.
Please do not park and walk across the lot to come to the sidewalk to get your child. This poses a hazard for drivers and pedestrians. Our main priority is the safety of our students.
School Dismissal Manager - How is Your Child Going Home?
Geist Elementary uses an automated system called School Dismissal Manager for end-of-day dismissal plans. This is the method through which parents/guardians let teachers and students know how the child is going home at the end of each day. Changes to daily plans are reported through SDM as well. Changes should be noted on SDM before 1:00 each day.
All students are assigned to a bus. School Dismissal Manager allows you to indicate that your child will be a car rider or go to the YMCA on any given day. The schedule can be set up for an entire semester/school year; daily or weekly changes may be made to that.
Login information and detailed instructions will be sent to parents in the next few days. Guardians are strongly encouraged to visit www.schooldismissalmanager.com to view tutorials and learn how the system operates.
Visitors and Volunteers: Safe Visitor Badge
All visitors must check in at the Geist Elementary office upon arrival and departure.
If you wish to chaperone a field trip or participate in a classroom activity you must have a valid Safe Visitor Badge (background check) on file with HSE Schools. The badges are valid for 3 years and are good at all HSE Schools. If you wish to check the status of your badge please call the school office.
Background checks take about a week to process so please plan accordingly.
Please visit the HSE Schools website to learn more and apply for a Safe Visitor Badge. http://www.hseschools.org.
Breakfast and Lunch
All HSE Schools enrolled students will receive free meals (if they choose the full meal), including breakfast and lunch. Students will need lunch money for extra portions, snacks or items that are selected in place of the full meal. Cash or check payments may be sent to school. Credit/debit payments may be made via eFunds.
The menu can be found here. Due to supply chain issues the menu may change. Please follow our cafeteria manager on twitter @geist_cafe for daily updates.
Check out the HSE Schools Food Services page for more information including payment/eFunds instructions, menu prices, free & reduced benefits and more.
iPads, Books and School Supplies
iPad:
Students are required to have an iPad for school. Please click here for device specs.
You may purchase your own or rent one from school. The rental fee is $80 per year.
Book Fees:
Book and iPad rental fees will be posted in your Skyward account after school begins.
Payments/Assistance:
Payments may be made in cash or check. Online payments may be set up through efunds. Click here to learn about efunds. Free and Reduced benefits for meals, books and iPads are available here.
School Supplies:
Communications from School, Skyward Family Access, Canvas
Geist Elementary and HSE Schools communicate regularly with families. Please note the sources below to stay informed.
Skyward Family Access: Grades, contact and other information is available on Skyward Family Access. Click here to learn about Skyward.
Skylert: Most information will be sent electronically via Skylert email. Check your student's Skyward account to confirm that your email address, phone numbers and communication preferences are correct.
Website: Visit ges.hseschools.org and hseschools.org.
Geist Gazette: Our newsletter is published every two weeks. It will be sent via Skylert to your email address. The Geist Gazette is posted on our website as well.
PTO: The GES PTO newsletter is published every two weeks, alternating with the Geist Gazette. It will be sent via Skylert and is posted on the website. The PTO is on Facebook.
Social Media: Follow us on twitter @GeistGators
Classroom News: Students and families may connect with their teacher via Canvas. Teacher email addresses may be found in the staff directory.
Weather Delays/Closings: HSE Schools may delay or close school due to weather. Families will be notified via Skylert.
HSE Community Insider: You can find information about sports, activities and organizations on the HSE Schools Community Insider. A link is included in each Geist Gazette and on the GES and HSE websites.
Health Information and Emergency Contacts
Mental Health and School Safety
Visit the HSE School Safety site to meet our School Resource Officers and learn about HSE school safety measures.
Geist Elementary PTO
We are fortunate to have the best volunteers in the district! The money raised through our PTO activities each school year helps to fund each of our teachers' classrooms with much needed supplies, books and curriculum support materials. During previous school years each grade level received grant money to support special projects and activities throughout the year. In addition, the funds raised via the PTO support our programming throughout the year including Winter Celebration, Science Fair and Science Night, Everybody Counts, Earth Day, Staff & Volunteer Appreciation and so much more.
Learn more about the Geist PTO on our website. The PTO Corner newsletter will be sent via email every two weeks. Follow the Geist PTO on Facebook.
YMCA Before & After School Care
Before & After School Care is provided at GES through the YMCA. To register or for information please contact them directly at 317-577-2070 or www.indymca.org.
If your child is enrolled in the YMCA program, be sure to contact the YMCA IN ADDITION TO THE SCHOOL if your child will be absent or have different care arrangements on a certain day.