The GATE Gazette
Friday, October 11, 2019
This Week
Our Fun Run was a success! The PTO has a school-wide fundraising goal of $8,500. As of Friday afternoon at 1pm, we have raised over $11,600! AMAZING!!!
Because we surpassed our school goal, all GATE students will receive cider and doughnuts on October 17th!
Also, ALL classes met their goals! This means that each classroom teacher will receive 5% back of their goal total to use for classroom supplies or other needs! A special congratulations to Ms. Burmann's class for being GATE's top-earning class! AWESOME JOB EVERYONE! The Fun Run Hub will continue to be open for any additional donations until Wednesday.
Many of your questions can be answered within this weekly newsletter; thank you for taking the time to read it! Have a fantastic weekend!
Sincerely,
Kate Martin, Principal
GATE Upcoming Events
- Oct. 16: Avondale Resident Information Night 6:30-7:30pm in Media Center (For Avondale residents or current SOC Avondale students interested in applying to GATE for next year)
- Oct. 17: Early Dismissal (12:53)
- Oct. 24: GATE Parent/Teacher Conferences 4:30-8pm (Teachers have sent out sign-up)
- Oct. 25: GATE Family activity night 7-9pm (room 163)
- Oct. 29: GATE Parent/Teacher Conferences 4:30-8pm (Teachers have sent out sign-up)
- Oct. 31: Classroom Fall Parties (Time determined by your classroom teacher) & Halloween parade at 2:15.
- Nov. 4-15: Internal Application Window for residents and students already enrolled in Avondale thru schools of choice
- Nov. 5: 1/2 Day - Election Day
- Nov. 12: Fall Photo Retakes
- Nov. 14: PTO Meeting 7pm, Media Center
- Nov. 22: 1/2 Day; Teacher Records in PM.
- Nov. 26: 1/2 Day; Teacher Records in PM. End of 1st Trimester.
- Nov. 27-29: No School
Fun Run!
Another HUGE shout-out goes to everyone who donated! Your generosity will help our classrooms and school have the supplies we need and more. It is appreciated!
Lastly, a HUGE shout-out to all of the volunteers who came to help set up, time/mark laps, hand out water and popsicles, and clean up! Thank you!
Spirit Week
Tardy and Early Dismissal Changes
We are making some changes to alleviate crowding in the front office, and to reduce the time it takes for tardy students to get to class. STARTING MONDAY, a SafeEd staff member will be stationed at the GATE entrance to allow for parents/students to sign-in or out.
ARRIVAL/TARDIES/VOLUNTEERS: From 8:00-9:15am parents will be able to enter through the GATE doors to sign in late students, sign in to volunteer, or for any other reason you may be in the building.
EARLY DISMISSALS: From 2:15-2:53 parents will be able to enter through the GATE doors to sign out late students or to volunteer.
SPECIAL EVENTS: If we are ever having school-wide special events, the GATE doors will be available as an entrance. (i.e. the Halloween Parade)
While this is an added convenience, my hope is that all students are getting to school on time by 8am. However, tardies happen, and I think this will still help students get to class quicker.
Coming anytime between 9:15-2:15? Go to the Meadows Front Office.
School Hours are from 8:00am - 2:53pm
Lunch/Recess Help Needed
Parents and volunteers - even ONE day a week or every other week HELPS a TON! Please consider signing up to help monitor students between 12-12:46.
Please sign up here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080a49aca62da0f58-lunchrecess
If you think you **might** be interested in our actual lunch/recess supervisor position, know that you can do it PART-TIME as well and share the job with someone else! Please email me if you think you might be interested in this option! We need 2 Lunchroom/Recess Supervisors. Hours are 11:30am-1:00pm Monday-Friday.
Here's the link to the posting: https://ats4.searchsoft.net/ats/application/search/job_search_frame?APPLICANT_TYPE_ID=00000002&COMPANY_ID=JA000529
You'd need to create an application and submit it ASAP if interested. Please also email me.
Gift of Giving Applications Being Accepted
Gift of Giving, a non-profit 501c3 organization, is hosting its 6th Annual Holiday Drive to support our Avondale families. The Holiday Drive is aimed to provide at least two high-need items (winter coats, boots, snow pants, clothing, shoes, etc.) identified by the families and two weeks of breakfast and lunch items for the Holiday break. This year, holiday pick-up is on Monday, December 16th from 12-8pm or Tuesday, December 17th from 12-4pm at the Avondale Administration Building.
ONLY ELECTRONIC FORMS ARE ACCEPTED THIS YEAR
Please use this link to fill out the application if you need assistance:
https://forms.gle/cCFWtF7Ard2QVQyn6
All electronic applications are due on Friday, October 18th at the end of the school day.
School Messenger Information
During the week of October 21, 2019, Avondale School District will begin using the SchoolMessenger system to deliver text messages (SMS) as an additional communication channel. Short notices about events, school closings, safety alerts, and other important information appropriate for group distribution will be sent directly to your mobile phone.
ON October 21, 2019, you will receive a text from SchoolMessenger asking if you wish to participate in this free service.* Reply to the text to opt in (YES) or to opt out (STOP). (You can also opt out of these messages at a later time by simply replying to one of the messages with STOP.) Messages from your school and from Avondale School District will always be preceded by “67587 AvondaleSD”.
*Terms and Conditions – Message frequency varies. Standard message and data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help. Text STOP to cancel. Mobile carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.
Information about SMS text messaging and Short Code:
-SMS stands for Short Message Service and is commonly referred to as a “text message”. Most cell phones support this type of text messaging. Our notification provider, SchoolMessenger, uses a true SMS protocol developed by the telecommunications industry specifically for mass text messaging, referred to as “short code” texting. This method is fast, secure and highly reliable because it is strictly regulated by the wireless carriers and only allows access to approved providers.
-SchoolMessenger is compliant with the Student Privacy Pledge. Your information is safe and will never be given or sold to anyone.
Notice of Pesticide Spraying at Meadows
AMS Halls of Halloween
Halloween Parade
Our Halloween celebration will be begin at 2:15pm on Thursday, October 31st with our parade. The parade will occur outside this year around our carpool loop, weather permitting. Some classes may have their party prior to the parade and others may have their party after the parade. Check your child's teacher's newsletters.
Costumes should be able to be put on OVER your child's school clothes. Please keep in mind the following building guidelines for costumes at school:
- We ask that children NOT wear costumes depicting violence or violent acts. This includes fake blood, gore or imagery that would not be "G-rated".
- We will also be restricting masks during the parade to avoid any potential tripping hazards.
- School policy prohibits any and all toy guns, knives, swords, wands or weapons.
Please reserve elaborate costumes, frightening masks, face paint and make-up for trick or treating as these things can create a school disruption. Halloween is an exciting time. Let's all help to make sure it is a safe and positive experience for the children while at school. Thank you for your support with these guidelines.
Please Note: Children who do not participate in Halloween activities will be offered an alternate option during the Halloween celebrations. Please let your child's teacher know by October 25th if your child will need this option.
Breakfast and Lunch Changes
New Breakfast Option:
Breakfast will now be offered on a "cart" in the mornings between 7:45-8am! A cafeteria staff member will be in the GATE lobby area and students can "grab and go" a breakfast if they so choose. Students will be charged for an elementary breakfast if they are taking the breakfast option. Students will be expected to eat in a timely manner and complete the food no later than 8:05am in the hall/class.So far, few students have purchased breakfast. This will be discontinued if students do not purchase the "grab and go" breakfast. Breakfast will still be offered in the cafeteria.
Costs for GATE students effective October 1st:
Breakfast $1.50
Lunch: $2.75
Positivity Project - P2
Next week's focus is perspective.
PTO News
Movie Night
Small snacks will be available for purchase.
Cookies and Canvases Event!
Come release your inner Picasso at GATE with Cookie and Canvases. November 7th from 6:00-8:30pm.
We will have the option of painting one of 2 winter theme paintings. Children must be accompanied by a parent and parents are welcome to paint as well. This will be a first come first serve event so be on the lookout for signup next week. The cost will be $15 per painting.
Box Tops for Education
To earn money for our school From BoxTops:
-Open the App Store on any device with a camera,
-Search for “BoxTops” app,
-Download the app, and follow instructions.
(Our schools’ name is “Avondale GATE Magnet School.”)
Kroger Rewards
Amazon Smile
Resident Application Information - Pass Along to Interested Families!
Staff Contact Information
If you need to notify the school of an:
ABSENCE
ABSENCE EXCUSE
EARLY DISMISSAL
OTHER IMPORTANT INFO FOR YOUR CHILD
Please call/email Brenda in the front office AND email your child's teacher:
GATE OFFICE CONTACT:
248-537-6400 (voicemail is now set up) or email brenda.trager@avondaleschools.org
You do not need to notify Ms. Martin of absences or early dismissals; please follow directions above.
Classroom Teachers
4th/5th: Ms. Michelle Gierman
michelle.gierman@avondaleschools.org
4th/5th: Ms. Erica Burmann
erica.burmann@avondaleschools.org
2nd/3rd: Ms. Amanda Merrill
amanda.merrill@avondaleschools.org
Long-Term Sub for Ms. Merrill - Ms. Leanore Ray
2nd/3rd: Ms. Kimberly McDermid
kimberly.mcdermid@avondaleschools.org
3rd/4th: Ms. Rachel Breeden
rachel.breeden@avondaleschools.org
6th: Mr. Mike Bigelow
michael.bigelow@avondaleschools.org
Special Area Staff
STEAM Lab: Ms. Heidi Heil
heidi.heil@avondaleschools.org
Physical Education: Ms. Adrianna Pfeffer
adrianna.pfeffer@avondaleschools.org
Art: Ms. Elizabeth Lowe
elizabeth.lowe@avondaleschools.org
Support Staff
Learning Resource Room: Ms. Jennifer Spencer
jennifer.spencer@avondaleschools.org
Speech Therapist: Ms. Kristen Genslak
kristen.genslak@avondaleschools.org
Social Work: Ms. Anne Ossewaarde
Contact Info
Our secretary, Brenda Trager, will be answering your calls.
Please call this number to report absences or when you have school related questions.
brenda.trager@avondaleschools.org
Our address is 1435 West Auburn Rd. Rochester Hills, MI 48309
Our website: https://sites.google.com/a/avondaleschools.org/gate-1/
Contact Information
Email: kate.martin@avondaleschools.org
Website: https://sites.google.com/a/avondaleschools.org/gate-1/
Location: 1435 West Auburn Road, Rochester Hills, MI, USA
Phone: (248) 537-6400
Twitter: @KateMartinGATE