GECKO GAZETTE
GRANT SCHOOL - SANTA MONICA
WEEK OF APRIL 18 - 24, 2022
~Happy Easter to all of our families who celebrate~
~ IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER ~
Please review these important dates:
- Monday, April 18th: *POSTPONED* School Site Council Meeting - 3:15 PM - Zoom Link to Meeting; Meeting ID: 836 7550 8240; Passcode: 749448
- Tuesday, April 19th: School Tour for Prospective Grant Families - 9:00 AM in person
- Wednesday, April 20th: PTA Executive Board Meeting at 6:00 PM; PTA General Meeting at 6:30 PM
- Friday, April 22nd: 5th Grade Panoramic Picture - Please make sure your child is in attendance so they don't miss out!
- Friday, April 22nd: Talent Show All-cast Technical Rehearsal from 3:00 - 6:00 PM in the Auditorium
- Saturday, April 23rd: Grant STEAM Expo - 1:00 - 4:00 PM on the Grant Big Yard - See below
- Monday, April 25th: Earthquake Drill #2 @ 10:45 AM
- Tuesday, April 26th: CAASPP Testing: 5th Grade Science - Day #1/2
- Wednesday, April 27th: CAASPP Testing: 5th Grade Science - Day #2/2
- Thursday, April 28th: Grant Talent Show All-cast Dress Rehearsal from 3:00 - 6:00 PM
- Friday, April 29th: Grant Talent Show Night #1 at 4:00 PM
- Friday, April 29th: Jogathon Kickoff Assembly
- Saturday, April 30th: Grant Talent Show Night #2 at 4:00 PM
- Monday, 2/5 - Thursday, 5/5: CAASPP Testing: English/Language Arts: Grades 3, 4, 5
- Thursday, May 5th: *Rescheduled from 4/18* School Site Council Meeting - 3:15 PM - Zoom Link to Meeting; Meeting ID: 836 7550 8240; Passcode: 749448
- Saturday, May 7th: Grant Parent Spring Gala Event! Details Coming Soon. Mark your calendars for this fun event!
- Monday, 5/9 - Thursday, 5/12: CAASPP Testing: Mathematics: Grades 3, 4, 5
- Tuesday, May 17th: JOGATHON! - DETAILS COMING SOON!
- Wednesday, May, May 25th: School Tour for Prospective Grant Families - 9:00 AM in person
- Thursday, May 26th: Open House ~ Details coming soon~
- Thursday, June 9th: LAST DAY OF THE SCHOOL YEAR ~ MINIMUM DAY
~IMPORTANT: ANTIGEN TEST REQUIRED TO RETURN TO CAMPUS ON MONDAY, APRIL 18TH~
Dear Grant Families,
I hope you all have been enjoying this much-needed Spring Break! It is hard to believe that there will only be 8 weeks of school remaining in the year when we return on Monday!
Please read the attached letters outlining the requirement for all students and staff to show a negative antigen COVID test on the morning of Monday, April 18th to return to campus. Here is the letter with instructions on showing the negative test upon arrival to our campuses / offices.
We distributed these antigen tests to all students prior to the break. I hope that you have secured the test box by putting it in a safe place until the morning of Monday, April 18th.
Remember, all students and staff must present a negative antigen test to the staff at the front gate prior to entering campus. Please keep home any student who is not feeling well and/or who has a positive antigen test result.
Additionally, while masks are no longer mandated, we are asking that everyone consider wearing one for the next couple of weeks. Again, this is a personal decision but with many of our families and staff traveling near and far during the break and with the rise of the new COVID variant, it may prove beneficial to be cautious.
Please email us if you have any questions.
We look forward to seeing you all!
Best regards,
Christian Fuhrer
Principal
Grant School
~GRANT STEAM EXPO 2022~
~STEAM Expo Information~
🔬Science Fair + STEAM Expo
Student Science Fair - Due Apr 22nd
- CHECK OUT our Student Guide for ALL DETAILS (attached)
- Talk to your teacher
- Start your projects or design an egg drop!!
- Create a Google slide + videos (2 min less)
SCIENCE_ FAIR 2022 Student Guide (2).pdf
STEAM Expo ~ Saturday, April 23rd, 1:00 - 4:00 pm on the Big Yard
- FREE on-campus community event
- STEAM exhibits
- Science lab - hands-on activities
- Raffle prizes for students who complete their passport of activities
- FUN for the ENTIRE family!
WE NEED YOU
- We need 12 tents/canopies on the day of the event
- SAVE your recycled materials for the on-campus egg drop!
- Parent-led projects - we'll have ALL the supplies - SIGN UP HERE
Any questions or donations: STEAMexpo@grantpta.org
~GRANT SCIENCE FAIR STUDENT & PARENT GUIDE~
~Additional Important Information re: COVID Protocols~
Community Vaccine Clinics: Our community partner, City of Santa Monica, is offering three upcoming vaccine clinics in Santa Monica. Everyone, regardless of your office/site location, may register. Adults and youth aged 5+ are encouraged to be up to date on COVID-19 vaccines. Here is the direct link: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=rirpx2Xf30ueH4az8jOuskFOW02eODtKjWjkGxrgT7VUMzlNOTZMSlNKQzM1WkRZOUw4Uko0U1FCOC4u
Masks may still be required for the below situations:
LAC DPH is expected to update isolation and quarantine protocols by this weekend. A student may still be required to wear a mask when returning early from Isolation on Day 6 (pending LAC DPH update). Our illness protocols will remain the same. Students with symptoms of illness at school may be asked to wear a mask while awaiting pick up from parent/guardian to protect others from contagious illness.
Illness Protocols-Notify Attendance & the Health Office
PCR Test* required to return to campus for the following symptoms: cold symptoms, congestion, runny nose, shortness of breath, new cough, fever >100 or chills, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea or sore throat.
* A testing facility verified antigen is acceptable for those who were COVID+ in the past 90 days.
Instructions for COVID in the Household-Notify the Health Office
-Fully vaccinated students living with a COVID+ household member are STRONGLY recommended to STAY HOME for the duration of the positive case’s isolation. This is due to the high likelihood of spread within a home despite vaccination status.
-Students who are not yet fully vaccinated and living with a COVID+ household member is required quarantine at home. Day 0 is the last day of the positive case’s isolation. These students must stay home while the positive case is on isolation and quarantine for an additional 5-10 days after that.
Free at-home COVID tests: www.COVIDtests.gov
SMMUSD Health Services Webpage Resources: https://www.smmusd.org/Page/3733
~5TH GRADE PANORAMIC PHOTO FRIDAY, APRIL 22ND~
~GRANT PARENT GALA!~
~GRANT SCHOOL RANKED #2 IN SANTA MONICA AND #56 IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA!~
~SMMUSD Registration for Preschool, Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten Now Available~
If you missed the TK/Kindergarten Roundup last week the link will be posted on the Grant School website under "About Us" and then "Presentations". The link to the video will be posted on Monday, January 31st.
~FARELESS GOPASS PROGRAM FOR ALL SMMUSD STUDENTS~
~PARENT VOLUNTEERS NOW PERMITTED TO WORK IN THE CLASSROOMS!~
Great news! We are now at the point where we can have our parents volunteer in the classroom again! It's been two years since we have benefited from our parents' helpful participation in the classroom. The District has now cleared us to proceed.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Parent volunteers must be fully vaccinated and boosted just like as are District staff. We consider regular volunteers to be like employees (unpaid unfortunately!).
- Parents must prove vaccination at the office prior to volunteering. Parents may not skip this step.
- Parent volunteers must have their volunteer clearance. If you are unsure of their volunteer clearance status then you can contact Roshanak Ighani in the main office (righani@smmusd.org).
- All parents must follow all the rules of the school and District.
- Volunteers must always check into the office before their "shift".
- Teachers and parents will be responsible for arranging volunteer days and times in classes.
Please note that not all teachers are ready to have parent volunteers in the classroom at this time. Contact your child's teacher to see if she is ready.
The next volunteer training Principal Fuhrer will be offering will be Monday, March 28th at 4:30 PM on Zoom. Please share this date and time with any parent that may need this training.
Let us know if you have any questions about volunteering! Thank you in advance for your efforts!
GO GECKOS!
~HELP NEEDED IN THE LIBRARY~
The library needs volunteers to assist with shelving, book repair, book processing and other tasks. If you have a few minutes at drop off/pick up or larger chunks of time please email or call Ms. Wolfe and let her know when you are available. There are no restrictions anymore you just need to be up to date with your volunteer training. The next Volunteer Training is on Monday, March 28th at 4:30 PM. See the information above.
Book Fair Committee Needed! I am looking for a few parents to run the book fair in May. Our spring fair is scheduled from May 20 - May 27. We will need a crew to handle set up, volunteer recruitment and schedule, daily operations, class previews, breakdown and decorations. Contact Ms. Wolfe 310-450-7651 x63152 or pwolfe@smmusd.org
~SPECIAL NOTES~
~Student Well-Being - “Talking About War”~
Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers Helping Children Cope with Terrorism: Tips for Families and Educators
SAFETY REMINDER: PLEASE DO NOT WALK STUDENTS THROUGH STAFF PARKING LOTS. IT CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS AND WE WANT TO KEEP EVERYONE SAFE.
ADDITIONALLY, PLEASE DO NOT BLOCK OUR NEIGHBORS' DRIVEWAYS WITH YOUR CARS. THE SCHOOL CANNOT CONTROL WHETHER THE POLICE WILL TICKET OR TOW A CAR OFF-CAMPUS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.
~GECKO WEAR SCHOOL SPIRIT FRIDAYS~
~ DONATE TO THE GRANT PTA AND SANTA MONICA EDUCATION FOUNDATION TODAY! ~
Your donation does so much for Grant!
Please consider donating to the two organizations that enhance education for all Grant students: the Santa Monica Education Foundation and Grant PTA. Your donations are so important. Check out the crucial staff, programs, technology, and materials funded by your donations in this chart!
Our goal is for 100% of Grant families to give to PTA and the Ed Foundation. ANY amount makes a difference to our kids. If you have already donated, thank you!
~COMMUNITY RESOURCES for FAMILIES~
~TRANSLATION OPTION INTO 100 LANGUAGES!~
~ ¡NUEVA OPCIÓN DE TRADUCCIÓN A 100 IDIOMAS! ~
Para leer la Gaceta Gecko en otro idioma, mire a la derecha del boletín y haga clic en "TRADUCIR EL BOLETÍN". ¡Ahora puede elegir entre 100 idiomas!
~ በ 100 ቋንቋዎች ውስጥ አዲስ የትርጓሜ ምርጫ! ~
የጌኮ ጋዜጣ በሌላ ቋንቋ ለማንበብ እባክዎን በራሪ ወረቀቱ በስተቀኝ በኩል ይመልከቱ እና “የትርጉም ጽሑፍ” ን ጠቅ ያድርጉ ፡፡ አሁን ከ 100 ቋንቋዎች መምረጥ ይችላሉ!
GRANT SCHOOL ~ A CALIFORNIA DISTINGUISHED SCHOOL
~GRANT SCHOOL NAMED A 2020 TOP LA COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL FOR CLOSING THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP FOR LOW-INCOME AFRICAN-AMERICAN STUDENTS~
~GRANT RANKED AS A TOP TWO SANTA MONICA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL~
https://www.niche.com/k12/grant-elementary-school-santa-monica-ca/