Our school theme this year is all about adventure! We have so many adventures planned in learning. Whether it be reading, math, science, assessments, technology, STEM activities, art, music, PE, library, or anything else at G.W., we are looking to create an environment of new experiences for our students. Someone once said, "If you don't challenge yourself, you will never know what you can become." At G.W. we look to challenge ourselves and our students to leave our comfort zone, dare to try something new, and support one another during the journey. We appreciate our students, staff, parents, and community for persevering with us during the PikMykid implementation. Our new dismissal system becomes more efficient everyday which creates a safer process for our students to get home safely. Thank you to everyone!

We had such a great time sprucing up our playground that we have decided to give our library a face lift! We will begin the Love Our Library (LOL) campaign this year. We are raising funds and finding grant money that will assist in purchasing new creative seating, new shelving or vibrant colored paint for the existing shelves, and support our new G-Dub book club or Spotlight Book (Principal's pick) program. The G-dub book club will have students reading various books by the same author, holding peer discussions, and comparing/contrasting those books. Our librarian, Anna Westermeyer, has put this club together to enhance the experience of reading for our students. This is FREE and anyone can join as long as parents give permission. The Spotlight Book is a 2019-2020 Iowa Children's Choice book that Mrs. Davis is reading or finished reading recently. The library will transform into a scene or a theme from the Spotlight Book each month. The Spotlight Book for September is "Wishtree" by Katherine Applegate and here is a book talk to learn more about "Wishtree".

Building our student's achievement and knowing which skills they are ready to develop through instruction is the main purpose of the screening assessments. GW utilizes FastBridge and MAP testing to monitor your student's growth. These assessments will be given as follows:

FastBridge assessment window is from September 9 - September 27

MAP assessment window is from September 23 - October 4

Please encourage your student to try their best on the test so our teachers know how to support their learning.

All students at George Washington will meet with the school counselor twice a month for classroom lessons. In September your students will meet Mr. Coovert, who is the school counselor at George Washington. Your student will learn what a school counselor does and how a school counselor can help them throughout the school year. Later in September, your student will learn about being an effective team or group member by studying some effective teams like a car assembly line. We will learn what they do to be an efficient and effective team. Be on the lookout for the next newsletter to find out what they will be learning in October.

I look forward to working with all George Washington students and parents this year. Have a great year everyone!

Mr. Alex Coovert

2nd - NO SCHOOL (Labor Day)

3rd - PTO Meeting at 5:15 in the music room

5th - Girl Scout Discovery Night at 5:30 in the gym

9th - Scout Chat Day (during school for boys)

11th, 12th, 13th - 5th Grade Field Trip to Heron Bend (details sent home later)

16th - NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS (Staff Collaboration & Learning)

23rd - PTO Fall Fund Raiser Kick-Off

I sincerely appreciate everyone that has been patient with our new dismissal system. Each day gets better and more efficient. I am proud to keep our students safe each day. As the weather gets cooler, the car line will get longer. To keep things running smooth, please make sure to change your student's default pick up mode to CAR rather than independent walker, parent walk up, or bus on the app or by calling the school. Contact me anytime you have a question or concern. Thank you!

Mrs. Davis