GS Updates
Sunday, January 15th
Upcoming Dates
- 1/16/2023: No School
- 1/20/2023: Early Dismissal (12:35 pm)
- CANCELLED- 1/20/2023: Home & School Association Roller Skating Event
- 1/31/2023: Student Council Hat Day
- 2/24/2023: VIP Dance 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Lost and Found Items
If you would like to come in and look through our lost and found items, please be sure to bring your photo ID so we can sign you in as a visitor.
Reading Olympics Update
Reading Olympic meetings will take place on the following dates from 8:15 am - 9:00 am for all participating 5th and 6th-grade students:
- January 17th
- January 31st
- February 21st
- February 28th
Meetings will be held in the library. Please reach out to Mrs. Eagan (eaganla@npenn.org) or Mrs. Juckniewitz (juckniwy@npenn.org) with any questions about this program.
Updated deadline for Black History Oratorical Competition
Please note the deadline for our annual Black History Oratorical Competition has been extended. All video submissions must now be submitted by January 25th.
Students who are selected to take the stage will be notified on February 10th. We hope everyone will consider attending this wonderful event in celebration of Black History Month! Happy New Year!
You can view the newsletter that was previously sent by clicking here.
Save the Date! VIP Dance
SAVE THE DATE for our VIP Dance on Friday, February 24th from 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm at Gwynedd Square.
Who is a VIP? A VIP is any adult who is a Very Important Person in your life: mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, aunt, uncle, etc!
There will be music, dancing, and snacks!
We are currently planning this event and are in need of volunteers to work with our VP of Events in planning and carrying out details for the evening. If we do not have enough volunteers, the event will be canceled. Please reach out to Kristen Menzen at kmmenzen@gmail.com by January 23rd with your availability.
Sneakers and Proper Footwear
This communication is being sent as a reminder to please send your child to school in sneakers/proper footwear to avoid accidents/injuries while active in recess and gym class.
There has been an increase in injuries related to students wearing “Crocs” and sandals/slides for these activities.
Please reach out to Mr. Prykowski if you have any concerns. Thank you kindly for your help in keeping our students safe and healthy while at school.
Black History Month
Resources for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 2023- Monday, January 16th
The resources above are designed to:
Provide history of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Expand our collective understanding of the 32 years journey that led to the recognition of the King holiday in all 50 states
Provide a more comprehensive picture of the social and political context surrounding Dr. King and his work
Spotlight men and women who worked closely with Dr. King and played an instrumental role in the civil rights movement although their names and stories are not well-known
Provide additional resources (primary sources and videos) and lesson plans to enrich the content that is currently being taught
Before you check out the resources, here are a few facts about Martin Luther King, Jr. Did you know?
Dr. King’s name at birth was Michael. The civil rights activist was born Michael King, Jr. His father, Michael King, Sr. visited Germany in 1934 and became inspired by the Protestant Reformation leader, Martin Luther. King Sr. began calling himself and eventually, his son– Martin Luther King.
From 1957 to 1968, King traveled over 6 million miles and spoke over 2,500 times.
Dr. King was expelled from school in first grade because he did not meet the age requirements but later skipped 9th and 12th grades and entered Morehouse College at 15 years of age.
There are approximately 900 streets named after MLK in the U.S. Seventy percent of the streets can be found in Southern states, including Alabama, Texas, Florida, Mississippi, Georgia, Louisiana, and North Carolina.
Dr. King won a Grammy posthumously for Best Spoken Word Recording at the 13th Grammy Awards in 1971 for “Why I Oppose the War in Vietnam.” He was nominated for Grammys twice before he won this award.
Lunar New Year
Resources for Lunar New Year- Sunday, January 22, 2023
The resources above include articles, videos, and websites that focus on:
- General information about Chinese New Year and Lunar New Year traditions- Specific resources for Korean Lunar New Year are provided
- Traditional foods are eaten during the Lunar New Year celebrations
- Resources for teachers and families including recommended children's books
- Chinese New Year Celebrations in Philadelphia
Check out a few facts:
January 22, 2023, marks the first day of the year 4721 on the Chinese calendar.
‘Guo Nian Hao’ (pronounced gor nee-an how) means Happy New Year!
More than 2 billion people worldwide will celebrate the Lunar New Year this year- which is approximately 20% of the world’s population.
Each animal in the Chinese zodiac is said to have certain characteristics and personality traits that a person born in that year would also demonstrate.
London, San Francisco, Sydney, New York, Vancouver, and Los Angeles have the largest Lunar New Year celebrations outside of Asia.
Foods typically eaten include spring rolls, dumplings, noodles, steamed fish, or chicken and rice cakes. Each dish has a special meaning. For example, long noodles cannot be broken or cut because they are a symbol of long life.
Red envelopes are traditionally given to children by their parents and anyone who is unmarried- even if they are 40 years old!
Birthday Treats for Classroom Sharing
Here are a few things to keep in mind if you plan to celebrate your child's birthday at Gwynedd Square:
- Individually wrapped and prepackaged items are required. These types of treats are the safest items the teacher can distribute to children.
- If you plan to give a treat, every classmate should receive one.
- Birthday treats will not be handed out during lunch. Please speak with your student's teacher about how birthdays are celebrated in their classroom.
- If treats are allowed, remember to please be mindful of allergies.
Volunteers Needed
Themes will be provided. We will need help with details and ensuring all classrooms are accurate.
This is a great way to help out when you have limited time since the work can be completed at your convenience!
Please email gsfamilies1@gmail.com for more information and to volunteer.
ICA Republic Night
The ICA Republic Night will feature Mokshaa Dance Academy, Philly Broad St Baadshaz, a Fashion show, speakers, and many more attractions.
The cost is $5 (pay at the door), and food will be available and paid for separately.
Any questions, please contact nphsica123@gmail.com.
Please see the flyer below.
Gwynedd Square Elementary School
Email: bashawjm@npenn.org
Website: https://gwyneddsquare.npenn.org/
Location: Gwynedd Square Elementary School, Supplee Road, Lansdale, PA, USA
Phone: 215.855.4331