GEIST GAZETTE
October 4, 2019
GEIST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Website: https://ges.hseschools.org/
Location: 14051 East 104th Street, Fishers, IN 46037
Phone: 317-915-4260
Twitter: @Geistgators
School Picture Retakes Tuesday, Oct. 8
Geist Elementary School Picture Retakes will be Tuesday, October 8. Students who were absent or are new to the school will be photographed. An order form was sent home to those students.
Students who wish to have their photo retaken Tuesday should bring the picture package that was ordered. Send it with them on Tuesday, please.
Online orders may be placed by visiting inter-state.com/order and use the order code: 44717EB
The pictures will be taken first thing in the morning.
Send in Box Tops for Tuesday, October 8th- Topsicle Tuesday!
Note from the Principal:
Fall Festival, Gator Gallop, dogs doing tricks, a new painted playground, Community helpers exhibit in first grade! SO MUCH FUN!
Thank you to everyone who made our fundraising efforts a success. We are blessed with an amazing community that is helpful and supportive of the staff and students at GES. THANK YOU.
Your students may be sharing about playground changes. In 2017, I approached the students seeking ideas on how to make the playground more interactive. They provided many great ideas and they were so good, it was hard to find the companies to paint the drawings in our area! Well after many challenges, discussions, and much perseverance the ideas of our GES students have come to fruition! Feel free to stop by over the weekend and enjoy the interactive markings on the playground!
Special thanks to the team of parents who put together a new gaga pit for us. Our first Gaga Pit came many years ago in honor of a former GES student, Dayo Adeniyi, who passed in 2nd grade. He enjoyed playing outside! We are thankful for the effort of the team who made a new one and moved the dedication plaque over to the new Gaga Pit!
Parent teacher conferences are taking place over the next few weeks. It is our goal that every family will meet with their child's teacher. Even if you are not able to meet in person, please make sure to schedule a phone conversation to stay informed by your child's educator of your child's progress. We want you to be an active member in your child's education.
Thank you for your continued support of the school. Enjoy your fall break! We hope you are able to enjoy the cool breeze that is coming!
Respectfully,
Christi Thomas, Principal
Artists of the Week
Artists of the Week for September 30:
Kindergarten: Ashley E. in Miss Cobb's class
First: Liam F. in Ms. Barmore's class
Second: Kinley H. in Ms. Dahl's class
Third: Liam S. in Mrs. Miller's class
Fourth: Lucas S. in Mrs. Boyd's class
Tips for Parent Monitoring:
The websites shared below are intended to help educate and inform you, as parents, of some of the dangers in our children's worlds (apps, videos, chatrooms, etc.). As school counselor and parent, myself, I care greatly about the well-being of ALL of our children.
Over the years, some phone apps have come to my attention that have proven to be dangerous to children. The dangers inherent are secrecy from parents, rude/demeaning comments to others, inappropriate photos, etc. The two apps that have come to my attention recently are 'Hang-outs' and 'Secret Calculator'. Both can cause issues and invite bad decisions from students who use them.
When your child(ren) use cell phones, I-Pads, etc., you might want to check the apps they are using. Please visit these sites to learn about the dangers lurking behind the scenes of cell phones, apps, and technology (in general). While technology can be a wonderful and useful tool, it can also be a source of hidden dangers.
As always, please share with me any new information you find, as well. We are in this together! Thank you!
- http://carefulparents.com/ https://www.gaggle.net/top-social-networking-sites-and-apps-kids-use/
- http://www.wbtv.com/2019/02/27/parents-being-warned-about-dangerous-image-appearing-youtube-kids/
- Family Online Safety Institute
- Common Sense Media
- Creating a Family Media Plan (American Academy of Pediatrics)
- Teaching Kids About Internet Safety (GCFLearnFree.org)
- Talking with Kids About Being Online (Federal Trade Commission)
An excerpt taken from www.carefulparents.com
The first is 'MeetMe,' an app where teens can easily be in contact with users much older than them, with an emphasis on dating.
'WhatsApp' and 'SnapChat' are for messaging, but what you should know is teens can send unlimited messages, have video chats and even share their live location with other users, people they may not even know.
'Skout' is a flirting app that's used to meet and chat with new people. Teens and adults are in different groups, but ages aren’t verified.
'TikTok' is used for sharing user created videos that can contain bad words, even adult content.
'Badoo' and 'Bumble' are dating apps for adults, but teens can still find ways to join.
'Grindr' is geared towards the LGBTQ community. It allows users to share photos and meet up based on phone’s GPS location.
'Kik' is specifically for kids, but anyone can join and anyone can contact or direct message your child.
'LiveMe' is a live streaming app, but you don’t know who’s watching and your kids’ location is revealed.
'Holla' is all about connecting strangers around the world through video chat. Enough said.
'Whisper' is a social confessional where kids can remain anonymous, but still share their feelings. And it can reveal your child’s location for a meet up.
'ASKfm' encourages people to allow anonymous users to ask them questions, which opens the door for online bullying.
'Hot or Not' rates users on attractiveness.. There’s no age verification and users can send each other messages.
And lastly, 'Calculator%' apps are several secret apps that allows kids to hide their photos, videos, even browser history.
Warmly,
Lisa Piatek Keller, M.S.
School Counselor, Geist Elementary School
Coats for Kids
Did you know that according to the Good Samaritan Network, Hamilton County has at least 18,000 persons who are living below the poverty level?
Please help us keep our kids warm and cozy by donating new or gently used coats, mittens, gloves, hats, or boots. All sizes- Infants to high school.
GES will be hosting a Kids Coats Collection the week of October 7- October 11.
Each item collected will find a home in Hamilton County. All donations will be distributed at the Nov 2rd and 11th coat give-aways.
Visit kidscoats.org for more info & volunteer opportunities.
National School Lunch Week Treats
HSE Schools will celebrate National School Lunch Week 10/21 – 10/25. We will serve a special treat each day free with a Meal Deal or $1.00 (special treat).
Monday: Ice Cream Cup
Tuesday: Chocolate Pudding w/ Whip Topping
Wednesday: Cake Balls w/ Citrus Slice
Thursday: Cream Puffs w/ Flame Roasted Apple Cinnamon
Friday: Churro Loops w/ Cinnamon Sugar
Help Wanted in the Geist Cafe
Exploration at recess = Praying Mantis
K-9 Crew Celebration
Vectren presentation on energy conservation for 4th grade!
GES Student Fees are Due for the 2019-2020 School Year
Book Fees were due October 4, 2019. Fees may be viewed under the Fee Management link in Skyward. If paying by check, please make the check payable to Geist Elementary School and include your student's full name and ID Number. You may also make payment through Efunds. Efunds is available in Skyward, under District Links. If you have any questions, please contact the school office at (317) 915-4260.
HSE Schools Community Insider
Check out opportunities and activities on the HSE Community Insider on the HSE Schools webpage. You can find it here: hseschools.org/happenings/community-insider