Weekly GUFS Newsletter
June 4, 2021
A Message From the Principal, Mrs. Emig
Dear GUFS Families,
The 8th grade dance (which includes our 7th graders) is our middle schoolers' most exciting event to date! They have been talking about their dresses, outfits, mani/pedis and how they're going to wear their hair. The excitement and joy this week has been permeating throughout the building.
Our elementary students have many other exciting events to look forward to. For example, our 3rd graders will be going to the Bear Mountain Zoo next week. Additionally, for the first time ever at GUFS, our kindergartners will be competing in their first Field Day! These are a few examples of how our dedicated teachers are making the end of the year rich in learning experiences that are fun, active and engaging.
With gratitude,
Allison Emig
Principal
GUFS Recognized as Top Performing School District for DBT
Out of ninety-two (92) teams in forty-one (41) school districts, the Garrison Union Free School District DBT Team, led by School Counselor, Krista DiDiego and School Psychologist, Jessica VanDekker, was selected by Cognitive and Behavioral Consultants as their top performing school district for the implementation of Dialectical Behavior Therapy during the 2020-2021 school year.
As a generation of young people swept up in a global pandemic are experiencing higher levels of mental stress than ever before, the timing of the implementation of the DBT program was pivotal for students, their families, and school staff.
The consultants also commended the Garrison School DBT team for their efforts to expose the benefits of DBT to the larger community, which in turn, will provide greater opportunity to create a culture change and better understanding of mental health challenges that exist for so many.
The Garrison Board of Education, as well as the District and School Administration team is extremely fortunate and very proud of the members of the Garrison School DBT Team. We look forward to seeing how the team will expand on the success of this valuable program!
Girls Softball Ends Season Undefeated!
Past Game Scores:
6/2: Softball team won against Beacon 19 to 3
6/2: Modified Baseball team lost to Beacon 12-2 at Dutchess Stadium
6/3: Softball team won against Ossining ending the season undefeated!
Upcoming Baseball Games:
6/8 Home V. Alexander Hamilton at 4:15pm at Mayor's Park (This may be our last game!)
TBD if there will be one more game on 6/9: Away v. Putnam Valley
Support our GUFS teams and root for them in the stands!
Time Capsule Ceremony June 25th
Ned Rausch, our PTA president, has donated a real 4" x 13" time capsule to the school! Coulter Young, our GUFS art teacher is currently coordinating with every grade to answer a few questions and to submit drawings about what it was like to be in school during COVID-19. These contents will then go into the capsule to be ceremoniously buried on June 25th at 9:00 AM and will be reclaimed in a decade.
Colonial Day is Wednesday, June 23rd
Colonial Day will be held on Wednesday, June 23 (a half-day at GUFS). The 7th graders will be running Colonial Day stations such as:
-Blacksmith Demo
-Candle Making Station
-Calligraphy Station
-Tin Tapping
-Apple Cider Making
-Music
-Military Drills
The 4th-6th Grade students are invited to attend this special event!
Art Gallery Updates
Oil Pastel Sunset - 6th Grade
Figurative Collage & Photo Montage - 6th Grade
Experimental Painting
Yearbook Orders - LAST CALL (Orders due by 6/7/21)
Last Call! Order Your Yearbook Online by 6/7
Please go to www.yblive.net & select "Shop Online". Find your school through a State/City Search and order from the Garrison Store.
We are ordering a limited amount so please order in advance to secure one for your family. You will definitely want to look back and remember this school year!
PLEASE NOTE 8th grade parents do not need to purchase yearbooks for your graduates, these will be gifted to them.
Please direct any questions to your yearbook advisors: Jessica Van Dekker and Melissa Harris (jvandekker@gufs.org, mharris@gufs.org)
Science State Testing Session 1 (4th and 8th Grade): June 8th
- June 8th - Grades 4 and 8 from 8:45 AM - approximately 10:15 AM
- June 9th - Make-up test date from 8:45 AM - approximately 10:15 AM
Your child must be present to take the test in-person as it is not being offered remotely. If any iTutor student wants to come to school to to take the test, please contact Ms. Lusardi at slusardi@gufs.org. Mrs. Emig is happy to answer any of your additional questions via email at aemig@gufs.org regarding the ELA state test.
Students: Please get a good night sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and be on-time for school. These steps will help to reduce testing anxiety and increase alertness.
If your child continues to be worried about the test at all, please reach out to Jessica Van Dekker (jvandekker@gufs.org) or Krista DiDiego (kdidiego@gufs.org) so they can provide additional comfort and support for your child.
Rengents Exam Dates
Algebra 1 Regents (8th grade): June 23rd at 9:15am
Save the Date: Field Day - June 21st (Rain Date is June 22nd)
Grades K-3 from 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM (Lunch will be from 11:15 AM - 12:00 PM)
Grades 4-8 from 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM (Lunch will be from 12:30 PM -1:15 PM)
More details to follow.
8th Grade Events: SAVE THE DATES
- Tonight (6/4) from 6:30pm-8:30pm: 8th Graders (along with the 7th graders) attend the 8th Grade Dance at our School Pavilion.
- Friday, June 11th from 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM: 8th Grade Award Ceremony at our School Gymnasium.
- Thursday, June 24th at 6:00 PM: 8th Grade Graduation at our School Gymnasium. Details to be announced.
Nurse Melissa will send out a "Visitor Health Assessment" prior to both the awards ceremony and graduation for attendees to complete.
5th Grade Events: SAVE THE DATES
- Wednesday, June 16th (3:00 PM - 4:00 PM): 5th Grade Middle School Parent Meet & Greet in the School Gymnasium (A parent-only event)
- Thursday, June 17th (Time TBA): The 5th Grade Bridge Bash for 5th, 6th and 7th Graders at our outdoor pavilion
Upcoming Field Trips
6/10/21 3rd Grade Field Trip to the Bear Mountain Zoo
6/18/21: 5th Grade Field Trip to the Taconic Outdoor Education Center
Nurse Melissa's Corner
Please know that additional immunizations are required for students entering grades 6 (Tdap) and 7 (Meningococcal). Please plan to complete these immunizations over the summer so your child's education is not interrupted. If you need to check your child's status, please feel free to contact me at mdefonce@gufs.org
If your child is receiving the COVID vaccine please snap a photo of the card or send the dates to Nurse Melissa mdefonce@gufs.org so she can input this information into the system. It is best to wait until both vaccines have been received to send this information in.
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Nurse Melissa continues to offer COVID-19 testing for GUFS students. The next testing date is Monday, June 7th in the morning before school starts. If you wish to have your child tested, please email Nurse Melissa at mdefonce@gufs.org to schedule your appointment.
GUFS COMMUNITY SECTION
Community Organizations & Resources on The GUFS District Website
Lost & Found
Found: Heart Necklack
Found: Orange Scrunchie
Found: Beaded Necklance
Calendar Reminders
- 6/4: 6:30 PM -- 8:30 PM: 8th Grade Dance with 7th Graders at our School Pavilion
- 6/7: Yearbook Ordering Deadline
- 6/10: 3rd Grade Field Trip to the Bear Mountain Zoo
- 6/11: 10:00 AM: 8th Grade Award Ceremony at School Gymnasium
- 6/16: 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: 5th Grade Middle School Parent Meet & Greet
- 6/17: (Time TBA): The 5th Grade Bridge Bash for Grades 5-7 at our School Pavilion
- 6/17: Colonial Day Celebration Part 1: 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM - 7th Grade Only
- 6/18: 5th Grade Field Trip to the Taconic Outdoor Education Center: 9:00 AM - 2:30 PM
- 6/21: Field Day (Rain Date 6/22)
- 6/22: Living Environment Regents (8th grade) at 9:15am
6/23: Algebra 1 Regents (8th grade) at 9:15am
- 6/23: Colonial Day Part 2: Half Day - 7th Grade (plus 4th-6th invited to stations)
- 6/24: 6:00 PM: 8th Grade Graduation at our School Gymnasium
- 6/25: 9:00 AM - 9:15 AM - " Time Capsule" Ceremony
We are GUFS!
Email: slusardi@gufs.org
Website: https://www.gufs.org/Domain/4
Location: 1100 NY-9D, Garrison, NY 10524
Phone: 845-424-3689
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/garrisonufs/