GSD E-Blast February 2024
Dear Parents and Guardians,
As we kick off the new semester, we're excited to enter the second half of the school year. As you check on your child's grades, take a moment to set some goals together. Have a conversation about what subjects they enjoyed in the past few months and what they want to achieve by the end of the year. It's a simple way to support your child's learning and keep them motivated.
Below you will find information on our Kindergarten round up! Please make sure to pass along our Kindergarten round up information to family and friends.
Your Partner in Education!
Amy Conway
Superintendent
Spark's Corner
Research shows that being happy and positive primes the brain to be more successful and productive. Promoting positivity will enhance our student’s academic ability and develop them into happy and positive thinkers and leaders. Each month we will highlight a building or staff member that is spreading “The Orange” (Happiness) through Gibraltar!
Peer to Peer at Shumate
Peer to Peer is a new school-wide peer partner program at Shumate that aims to foster a sense of belonging, independence, and increased academic opportunities for students within our center-based classroom. Within Peer to Peer, school staff creates intentional connections between students in need of extra social skills practice and their peers throughout the school day. The program employs peer education to equip students with knowledge and skills, while also fostering greater understanding and acceptance among all students involved. Through these planned peer interactions students help to create and foster a more positive and accepting school culture for everyone.
Kindergarten Round Up is Coming!
Do you have a child at home who will be five years old on or before September 1, 2024? Do you know someone who does, perhaps a friend or a neighbor? If so, Gibraltar School District has a spot waiting just for them in our kindergarten classrooms next year! Gibraltar School District offers both a traditional Kindergarten program as well as a Young Fives Kindergarten program. Both of these programs have a strong focus on the math and literacy skills needed for a solid foundation through the course of the formative elementary years. Registration opens very soon, on February 12. Once you register, please join us for an informational night, for parents and prospective students, on April 16 at 6:00. These will be held in each elementary building. Visit our website for more information!
https://www.gibdist.net/page/kindergarten-and-young-fives-information
Carlson High School
In January the state champion Carlson Cheer Team traveled to Adams High School for a cheer competition. Our Marauder Cheer Team took down the division 1 state champions from Rochester Adams and hoisted the championship hardware that day. The cheer team is sharpening its rounds as it prepares for the defense of the state championship this February and March. State finals will be held at Central Michigan University on March 2nd at 4pm.
Chapman Elementary School
Sweet Beginnings: Chapman's Peer-to-Peer Committee Launches with Cupcake Decorating Extravaganza
Hunter Elementary
Reading, Relationships and Leadership at Hunter Elementary
Kindergarten and fourth-grade students eagerly come together each month for a heartwarming reading buddy program that not only fosters a love for literature but also cultivates essential life skills. The fourth graders, taking on the role of mentors, not only support their younger counterparts in developing reading fluency but also emerge as natural leaders, guiding the kindergarteners through the enchanting world of storytelling. This cross-grade interaction creates a unique bond, strengthening peer relationships and fostering a sense of community within the school. As the older students patiently listen and encourage their younger buddies, the kindergarteners gain confidence in their reading abilities, while the fourth graders learn valuable leadership and empathy skills, creating a positive and enriching environment for both age groups to thrive.
Parsons Elementary
Parsons Students Blast Off for Science
On January 11th, Parsons students experienced the miraculous magic of space. Thanks to the Parsons PTO our students were able to enter a portable, inflatable planetarium. Our budding astronomers were taken on a tour of the solar system during a 45 minute program. We had an awesome time learning about planets, galaxies, astronauts, and other space phenomenon. The content was aligned to what students learn in science, such as why the night sky looks different in different seasons. This experience was definitely out of this world!
Downriver STEM at Weiss
January's Fun PBIS Clubs at Weiss
Our students enjoyed their second PBIS clubs at Weiss in January. These clubs were designed to celebrate the students' excellent behavior from the previous month. Students had the opportunity to choose from a variety of clubs such as cooking, play-doh, drawing, board games, dance, Lego, crafting, friendship bracelets, Star Wars, basketball, reader's theatre, and rock wall climbing. The clubs are chosen based on student interests. They are not only highly engaging and fun but also add a unique element to their learning each month.
Lakeshore Virtual School
Student Leaders at LVS
We want to recognize our student leadership club who play a pivotal role in fostering a sense of community and driving positive engagement among their peers. These leaders, often selected based on their demonstrated leadership skills, commitment to academic excellence, and passion for collaboration, serve as virtual ambassadors for our school community. They navigate the digital landscape with ease, organize campus events, and promote open communication with staff and students. In addition to their academic responsibilities, our student leaders exemplify resilience and adaptability, as they navigate the unique challenges posed by virutal learning. Through their initiatives thus far, these leaders inspire a spirit of camaraderie, encouraging their fellow students to actively participate in campus events, seek support when needed, and contribute to our learning environment. We are so proud of them and look forward to their semester 2 events!
Food Service Update
We do not want to spotlight just one person this month, we want to spotlight OUR TEAMS. Shumate and Carlson kitchen staff were awarded CHEERS certificate's for an outstanding job working as a TEAM. Each group strives in their own way to achieve the goal of feeding our students healthy meals with a SMILE.