The Green Valley Gazette
Oct. 3, 2022
Letter From the Principal
Dear GVES Families:
We are quickly approaching the end of Quarter 1. While this is a time to pause and reflect on progress so far this school year, it is also a time to review goal setting for this school year. Take a moment at home to ask your child(ren) how they are working toward their goals.
With that being said, our school goal of Unity is realized every day. Our staff, students, and greater community are sticking together and working to build independence and resilience. It is our community strength and connection within our equity work that sets the foundation.
Thank you to our PTA for all of their support these last few months. The team of PTA volunteers contribute to our positive school culture. Every activity, little encouragement for our staff, and community events for students make a big difference for all at GVES and contribute to our goal of Unity!
Congratulations to our community for an increase in the participation of our WATCH D.O.G.S. (Dads Of Great Students) program. WATCH D.O.G.S. is a nationally recognized family engagement program that invites fathers and/or father figures into the school to volunteer.
The program has two primary goals:
- To provide positive male role models for students, demonstrating by their presence that education is important.
- To provide an extra set of eyes and ears to enhance school security and reduce bullying.
To participate, all that is required is to sign up for a day (or a portion of a day) to volunteer your time. Please contact the front office for an available date if you are interested in volunteering. We look forward to having more of our father figures involved in our school day!
Student-Family Handbook: For your convenience we have updated our student-family handbook for this school year. This handbook has all the need to know information regarding common policies and procedures. Before contacting the office, please check out the handbook to see if it answers your questions. The handbook can be accessed at: Student Family Handbook 2022-2023.docx
Safety First: On Friday, Sept. 16, 2022, we practiced several safety drills with students and staff. Everyone did a phenomenal job; they followed directions, participated quietly and were calm and focused. We are so proud of our students for doing such a wonderful job.
Be Weather Wise: Please continue to check the weather daily and ensure your child is dressed appropriately for indoor and outdoor activity. Our children will go outside unless it is raining. This will also be in effect when the weather gets cold. Part of our school philosophy is to bring education to the outdoors and support children as they learn from their environment.
Parent-Teacher Conferences:
Oct. 12-14 are scheduled for the Parent Teacher Conferences. We will offer both in-person and virtual conferences to support your needs. Our teachers will reserve:
- Wednesday, Oct.12, for in-person conferences in the evening
- Thursday, Oct. 13, for virtual conferences in the evening
- Friday, Oct. 14 as an open/teacher discretion virtual and/or in-person conferences in the afternoon
We will also offer flexibility for families within these schedules, if needed. Specifics for sign ups are being sent from individual teachers.
Sign ups will close on Oct. 10. After then, please contact the main office for support in scheduling your conference.
Yours in teaching and learning,
Dr. Giuseppe Di Monte
----------Mark Your Calendar---------
Oct. 5: No school
Oct. 6 at 6:30 p.m.: General PTA Meeting
Oct. 10-14: Scholastic Book Fair in the GVES Library
Oct. 12 at 1 p.m.: School begins (late start for conferences)
Oct. 13 at 1 p.m.: School begins (late start for conferences)
Oct. 14 at noon: School ends (early dismissal for conferences)
Oct. 20: No school
Oct. 21: No school
Oct. 28 at 6 p.m.: Trunk or Treat
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The Watch D.O.G.S. Winner is...
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We are looking for fathers, grandfathers, uncles, and other father figures who can volunteer as positive male role models for the students. Our goal this school year is to have 100 days of Watch D.O.G.S. volunteers.
The PTA is providing classroom parties to monthly and annual winners with the most Watch D.O.G.S. volunteers. Kids of WatchDOGS will also receive a prize that day! Learn more about the program on the WatchDOGS Home Page.
We Need Five More Classroom Parents
If interested, please contact the Volunteer Committee at gvesvolunteer@gmail.com.
2nd Gr
Jackie Hanlon
3rd Gr
Mary Ellen Graziano
4th Gr
Carol Mitsis
5th Gr
Bethany Baker
Lisa Mackintosh
Help Host the Teachers' Chili Cook Off
The Annual GVES Teacher Chili Cook Off is Oct. 6. They supply their chilis and the PTA is looking for supply donations and set-up or clean-up volunteers. Sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b044daba92eabfc1-gves
Sign Up for Trunk or Treat
The GVES PTA will be hosting a Trunk or Treat on Friday, Oct. 28, at 6 p.m. A flyer and more information will be given soon. We are asking families to sign up to decorate their cars and donate items for cars to hand out to students. There will be a box in the main foyer to drop your donations. Please look at the sign up genius below and sign-up for any slot(s) you're able. Looking forward to a successful, spooky evening with our GVES Giants!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0b4ca8a72ca0fb6-trunkDiscover New Books and Support Your School at the Scholastic Book Fair
Every purchase at the Book Fair supports the school.
Students can shop our Book Fair in the library:
- Oct. 10, 11 and 14 from 8:30-9 a.m.
- Oct. 12 and 13 from 12:30-1 p.m.
- Oct. 12 and 13 from 4:30-7:30 p.m.
- Oct. 14 from 1-3:30 p.m.
And, volunteer to help run the Book Fair by signing up at at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080E49A4A72EA1FF2-book
Join Chess Club for Free
We need one volunteer to assist with Chess Club and their child will get a free membership! Please contact gvesvolunteer@gmail.com.
For everyone else, Chess Club is open to all students each Wednesday from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Oct. 19, 2022 - Feb. 1, 2023. Tuition is $216 for the 12-weeks. Registration link https://chessacademy.com/products/green-valley-chess-club
Donate to the Landsdale Community Diwali Food Drive
Items like pasta sauce, boxed milk, condiments, cooking oil, fresh produce, toiletries and paper products are often needed items in addition to traditional donations like rice, noodles, mac 'n' cheese, and soup. Don't forget to check your expiration dates, too!
Stay Connected
Here are ways to ensure you're getting the latest news and updates from GVES:
- Find Out First E-mails - We use the email address you provided when your student enrolled to send out information. If that email address changes, please email the school (greenvalley.es@fcps.org, also listed in the About Us info below) to update your information.
- PTA Website - This provides information about upcoming PTA events and activities, membership and volunteer opportunities, current and previous editions of this newsletter, and more. Bookmark it today! https://gvespta.memberhub.com
- PTA Facebook Page - Stay informed about PTA events, activities, and school information by liking the Green Valley Elementary School PTA Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/GreenValleyESPTA
About Us
Email: GreenValley.ES@fcps.org
Website: https://education.fcps.org/gves/home
Location: 11501 Fingerboard Rd, Monrovia, MD 21770, USA
Phone: (240) 236-3400