Weekly GUFS Newsletter
October 15, 2021
Principal's Message
Dear GUFS Families,
We are thrilled that we are able to continue with some of the GUFS traditions this year! Beginning the week of October 25th, we will be celebrating DEAR week! We will have a book fair fundraiser partnering with Split Rock Books. This time around, the book fair will be in-person! Students will have the opportunity to browse for new books and purchase them throughout the week. Additonally, we will have guest authors share their award-winning books with our students via Zoom! Parents will be invited on Monday, the 25th of October to kick off the week with an opportunity to read with the children up at the pavillion and under our tents! Stay tuned for more details to follow.
As you have been reading in our recent newsletters, our band program is well on it's way! However, we are still recruiting new members to participate in music! If your child has an interest in a particular instrument, please contact Mr. Barone (grades 6-8) or Mr. Gonzalez (grades 4-5). They will be happy to help your child find their musical passion!
As always, we are here to help your child grow and learn and are eager to partner with you all throughout the process! We thank you!!!
With Gratitude,
Allison Emig
Calendar Reminders
For a detailed look at what's happening, visit the School Building Calendar for the 2021-2022 school year
- UPCOMING DATES:
- October 18th: Deadline to complete GCEF Google Form (see below)
- October 18th: 4th Grade Field Trip to Minnewaska to Study Pollinators
- October 20th: Unity Day (Wear Orange to School)
- October 21st: 1st Grade Field Trip to the School Forest for Forest Stewardship
- October 25th: Flu Clinic Sponsored by the Putnam County Dept. of Health
- October 25th-29th: DEAR week!
- November 2nd: Election Day/ Professional Learning Day (No students)
- November 10th: 8th Grade Field Trip to Ellis Island / Statue of Liberty
- November 11th: Veteran's Day (School Closed)
MUSIC NOTES
Kindergarten Weather Studies
Students in Ms. Ricci's class have been conducting ongoing weather data analysis to understand how and why our weather changes throughout the year. On October 12th, we built on that understanding by bringing clouds into the conversation. We analyzed thermal images we collected about clouds in our sky. We then discussed how clouds are different, where they form in our sky, and why they're made of different materials in relation to temperature. We wrapped up this discussion by making our own clouds!
5th Grade Took a Science/Nature Journaling Field Trip to School Forest on 10/12
More Pictures from the 2nd Grade Field Trip to Common Ground Farm
4th Grade Forest Field Trip
Student Art
Drawings from life develop obserational skills and trains the eye to see more accurately. Drawing with line is the first skill of the 7 elements of art which are building blocks in becoming an accomplished and skilled artist.
I brought a little bit of my summer back into the classrom for this first assignment. I collected crab claws and shells for my students to observe, study and draw. The sunflowers are from my garden in Beacon. This is a small collection of the talent and creativity from our K-8 students.
-Coulter Young, Art Teacher
7th Grade Wigwam Project
-Christine Valvano, Social Studies Teacher
Boys & Girls Soccer Scores & Schedule
The boys' soccer team tied Croton 10/12 by a score of 2 to 2. Juan and Justin kept us in the game with great defense, while Rhys and Elias controlled the middle of the field. George had 10 saves and scored a goal in the 4th quarter to tie the game.
On 10/12 the boys' soccer team played at home vs Lakeland.
On 10/13, after being down 1-0, the girls’ soccer team made a great comeback and won their game against Croton 3-1. The exciting game included goals made possible by Anna-Cat and Olivia, as well as excellent defense by Gigi and Esther!! Awesome work team!!
Reminders & Upcoming Games/Practices Next Week:
All games start at 4:30.
All Practices end at 4:30.
Click Here for the full sport schedule this season
On the page, filter by School: Garrison Middle School / District: Garrison UFSD and enter Dates (today's date) and To (6/25/2022).
Boys Football Scores
Sammartano's Tech-Talk
Hello GUFS families!
You should have received an email this week reminding you about the NYS Digital Equity Survey. This brief survey is required by the state and must be completed for all students enrolled in The Garrison School. If you haven’t gotten to it yet, we would appreciate if you could submit the brief questionnaire at your earliest convenience.
Additionally, if you are interested in information about navigating your child’s Envisions math curriculum and resources online, you may find these resources from the publisher useful.
Finally, here are some tips and resources to help families maintain a balanced media life for Elementary School and for Middle School
Keep your eye out for upcoming parent technology chats organized by the GUFS PTA!
Nurse Melissa's Corner
COVID-19 Testing:
Testing for COVID continues to be a valuable tool, even for those without symptoms. You can also keep our school healthy by proactively testing your students. Please contact Nurse Melissa at mdefonce@gufs.org to set up a test.
Last Call to Sign Up for The Flu Vaccine at GUFS on October 25th:
If you are interested in having your child receive the Flu Vaccine during school hours on October 25th please complete the consent form below and return to Melissa DeFonce at mdefonce@gufs.org or have your child bring it into Nurse Melissa. The form has to be in by Wednesday, October 20th.
Community Organizations & Resources on The GUFS District Website
Stay connected to our community and see what's happening locally by visiting the Community Organizations & Resources page of the GUFS District Website
Philipstown Recreation
PTA Corner
GCEF Corner
GCEF Spring Grant Application Deadline
Calling all teachers, staff, parents and students! The deadline for submitting a grant application for GCEF has been extended to Friday, November 12th. Please consider contacting us at gcef.garrison@gmail.com or 914-261-5425 with any questions as you request funding for new trips, initiatives and equipment this coming Spring. GCEF is honored to partner in the educational journey of Garrison students!"
Sincerely,
Karen Nelson
GCEF President
GCEF Database Form
The Garrison Children’s Education Fund (GCEF) is a not-for-profit organization created to enrich the educational experience of children in grades K-12 who reside in the Garrison Union Free School District. Our focus is to create high quality programs in arts, science, history, academics and physical education. This fall, we approved $18,000 in grants, including: Drop Everything And Read (DEAR) Week visiting author fees; costs for a new Carbon Storage measurement project in the School Forest; a multi-grade Mindful Yoga program; and the NYC Immigration experience field trip.
GCEF is in the process of updating our K-12 database of students attending GUFS and neighboring high schools. Please complete the attached Google Form by 10/18/2021 so we can share programming information, fundraisers and social events throughout the year. Thank you for your support.
Coat Drive
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/