Gregory Gardens Weekly Bulletin
Week of October 6, 2019
Greetings from Administration
Happy Sunday Families! October is upon us! Take a bite out of absences and tardies. Be here, every day, on time!
Halloween 2019
This year students will be allowed to wear their costumes to school on Halloween, Thursday October 31st. We will continue to reserve the parade for our youngest Gators- preschool, TK and Kindergarten friends. In the coming weeks a flyer will be sent home regarding school appropriate costumes. We are excited to bring back an old Gregory Gardens Tradition.
Label belongings
We are doing our best at helping students keep track of their belongings. Please remember to label all reusable containers, water bottles, sweatshirts and jackets. Our lost and found is already filling up :( We will be making a donation run at the beginning of November..... please be sure to come find your items.
Lost & Found
All lost items are displayed for those looking for missed items along the picket fence at the front hall of the school. There is a second picket fence just outside of the playground bathrooms.
Intruder Drill
Wednesday will be our first school wide intruder drill. While we never anticipate a lock down at school, it is important to practice. Teachers will support students through this drill. These types of drills can bring about different feelings for students and staff. Prior to the drill, please find the time to talk with your children so they are comfortable and know what to expect. We will also hold community circles to talk with students and minimize stress.
MDUSD Transfer Window:
The MDUSD Transfer window will be open October 15, 2019 - November 15, 2019
(for students who are currently enrolled in Grades 5-11) For more information click here
Campus Updates
We are so close to completing our roofing project. Once complete, I will be working with M&O to get our blacktop fixed and work on other repairs. We should be hearing about our slide and steps replacements in the next few days.
Click here to view the 2019-2020 MDUSD Academic Calendar
Gregory Gardens Elementary
Campus Climate
We continue to make progress on creating a safe and inviting environment for students and families. Each week classrooms are participating in community circles to build relationships and foster empathy. During lunch I am on the playground supporting students through conflicts and ensuring interactions are respectful. We are struggling with inappropriate and derogatory language at school. Please work with your students at home and remind them that offensive words can hurt and do not support the climate we are building at GG.
*Walking home- Students are not being responsible on their walks home. We have had several neighbor and parent calls regarding student safety after school. We have had reports of playing in the street, pushing peers into cars, language concerns and trespassing. My priority is student safety, I have been joining students on their walks home all week. We recommend all students get picked up in the bus circle where they are supervised by school staff. If your child walks home- remind them of their responsibilities.
Back Gate
For the safety of our students and staff the back gate will be locked at 8:15am and unlocked between 2:00-2:15 pm each afternoon. (12:15 on Wednesday). We appreciate your cooperation and flexibility as we keep our campus safe.
Gator Time and Academies
Beginning tomorrow students will participate in two rotations to support student achievement.
Gator Time- 1st and 2nd grade, 9:40-10:10 and Academies- 3rd-5th grade, 8:00-8:30. Students will receive support in areas of language, reading or math.
Garden Education
We are thrilled to bring Sheila Hill to GG as our new Garden Education teacher. Sheila will be working with students to plant, harvest and learn healthy cooking habits. Garden rotations begin this week and last 4 weeks. Tk-2nd grade students will start and 3-5th graders will begin in November. Sheila will be with us until May.
Please refrain from picking any vegetables from our garden.... students will need these during class time.
PBIS
Beginning this week, students in grades Tk-2 will turn in Gator bites each week, grades 3-5 will now turn them in every other Friday. Our PBIS team met last week to discuss routines and procedures on campus. We have made some changes to our yard duty schedule to better support students before school. Teachers reported seeing positive change in the classrooms due to weekly community circles. Our team will be attending our Cohort meeting this Tuesday to work with our district Equity Team.
Volunteer Opportunities
*Check into the office to receive your visitors pass.
*Adults will be verified using our online database.
*Make yourself available to all students.
Thank you for helping support our positive and safe campus climate.
Volunteers are always encouraged, any day of the week - just come in when you can. However, for the safety of everyone, we can no longer allow non Gregory Gardens children on campus during volunteering, unless they can be carried in a baby carrier.
Below is a link to the MDUSD volunteer instruction page.
https://mdusd-ca.schoolloop.com/pf4/cms2/view_page?d=x&group_id=1394262952238&vdid=i4ea1lrm2y3nd
PTA Corner
For more information and ways you can help, please connect with your PTA room parent or check us out on Facebook.
Attendance
If you think your student will be absent, please call the Attendance Hotline at (925) 682-8000 ext. 7042. Please include your student's name, teacher, and reason for absence. Please be sure to call before 9:30 am. Thank you.
Follow Us
Check out how we spend our days! Follow us
Twitter @gregory_gators, @GGESgarden, @RSP_MDUSD, @MsKoontzMDUSD
Instagram @gregory_gatorsMDUSD
Robert Shearer Preschool
What's Happening around Preschool
This week, preschoolers will have their pictures taken on Monday and Tuesday. We can't wait to see their smiling faces all dressed up. We have also given the pod a facelift, come by and see student artwork that decorates our space.
Fall Festival
Join SEED for a ever-popular Fall Family Festival on Sunday, Oct. 20th from 12-3 p.m. at Lafayette’s Sienna Ranch!
A barbecue lunch, tractor rides, pony rides, visits with the goats and chickens on the ranch, hikes to the fort, pumpkin crafts and more! Cost is $10 per family. This is a very popular event so be sure to register today by clicking here.
Looking Ahead
October
October 7 & 8- RSP Picture Day
October 11- Dads and Donuts- 7am
October 15- General PTA Meeting
October 16 Chipotle Dining Fundraiser 4-8pm, Cresent drive location
October 21-25- Red and Blue Ribbon Week
October 25- GatorWeen- 5:30-8:30pm
October 31- Halloween
November
November 8: End 1st Trimester
November 11: Veterans Day- No School
November 12- See's Candy Fundraiser begins
November 15- Lunch on the Green
November 25- 29: Thanksgiving Break
December
December 2- See's Candy Orders Due
December 9-20- Parent Teacher Conferences
December 23-January 6- WINTER BREAK
January
January 7- WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL
January 17- Family Movie Night- 6pm
January 20- Martin Luther King - No School
January 27-31- Multicultural Week
January 27-31- Book Fair #2
January 31- Multicultural Week Potluck
What is a Community Circle?
Happenings around campus
Gregory Gardens/Robert Shearer Community
Website: https://gges-mdusd-ca.schoolloop.com/
Location: 1 Corritone Court, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523, USA
Phone: (925) 827-3770
Twitter: @gregory_gators