GEIST GAZETTE
March 6, 2020
GEIST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Website: https://ges.hseschools.org/
Location: 14051 East 104th Street, Fishers, IN 46037
Phone: 317-915-4260
Twitter: @Geistgators
Friday Read Aloud
Gators are enjoying a Friday afternoon read aloud in the “X”. Different teachers volunteer to read aloud on Fridays and the classes thoroughly enjoy listening.
Grade 3 Families: IREAD-3 Assessment
Our third grade GES teachers have been working hard this school year to prepare students for the upcoming IREAD-3 standardized test. The IREAD-3 testing window is Monday, March 16th through Friday, April 3rd. In the next couple weeks, additional information specific to the GES testing dates and times will be communicated with families.
The IREAD-3 assessment measures foundational reading standards through grade 3. The assessment is a fixed form test consisting of three sections. The IREAD-3 assessment is separate from ILEARN and at GES is administered electronically with the iPad device through the AIR Portal App.
For more information in regards to IREAD-3, the Indiana Department of Education provides the following family link: https://www.doe.in.gov/assessment/iread-3-families
Spring Picture Day - Thursday, March 19
SPRING PICTURE DAY IS HERE
PICTURE DAY IS: Thursday, March 19, 2020
Pictures will be taken at GEIST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
INTER-STATE.COM/ORDER
USE ORDER CODE 48729MB
Orders may be sent to the school or online. Forms were sent home last week.
Order Your Yearbook Now through April 1
The 2019-2020 GES Yearbook is for sale now! Order before April 1. The yearbook costs $15 each and are being sold ONLINE ONLY, and only during the sale period. Late orders will not be accepted and we won't have extras; please plan accordingly.
To order your yearbook click here or visit:
www.inter-state.com/yearbook and enter code: 47540P
Hamilton Southeastern District-Wide Art Show March 7-8
Our district art show, HsEART, will be held March 7 & 8 from 2-5 pm each day at HSE High School. Over 150 pieces from GES students will be on display, as well as artwork from all schools across the district. It is a free, open-house style gathering including artwork, performances, demonstrations, and children's activities. The elementary display is best accessed by entering on the south end of the high school at entrance 18. If you have questions, contact Ms. Green at egreen@hse.k12.in.us.
Hamilton Southeastern School Foundation Student-Led Grant Recipients:
Layla Mack and Cassidy Calac
Mrs. Miller's 3rd-grade class
At the close of our 2018-19 school year, Layla and Cassidy came to Mrs. Thomas and myself with an idea: To have a fish enclosure for all GES students to benefit from and enjoy.
Their 1-1/2 year-long journey:
Plan A: Koi-pond:
Their research showed that koi hibernate during Winter (much of the school year) and are active during Summer (no school). They found this wasn't viable.
Plan B: Saltwater Fish Tank:
They determined that the best location was in the center of the school, in the 'X", as known by students. Their research indicated; however, that saltwater tanks are expensive, as are the fish. The upkeep of the tank and fish was also a deterrent.
Plan C: Freshwater Fish Tank:
Again, the "X' was determined as the best placement for the tank and the fish. The purpose of the tank was determined: self-regulation, community-building and joy.
The work continued as the grant-process began.
Research of what was needed for a complete and freshwater tank began. The girls spoke with an 'expert' regarding what was needed to have and maintain a freshwater tank, research of products began, details listed for grant committee (item, amounts, costs) and questions were answered regarding the use, the maintenance and the upkeep of the tank were answered by the young ladies.
MANY revisions were made and the girls showed tremendous GRIT, dedication and positivity in the process.
The girls' student-led grant was submitted and they were pleasantly surprised a week ago from the HSE Foundation!
Their grant was approved!!! WE ARE SO VERY PROUD OF THEM!!
Now the hard work begins:)
#We've GOT THIS!!
Lisa Piatek Keller, M.S.
School Counselor
Keller’s Clips:
SEL: Friendship Skills
This month, our schoolwide theme is friendship skills. In our morning announcements and school assembly, we’ll be reminding students to invite others to play, play in fair ways, take responsibility for mistakes by making amends, and how to handle name-calling assertively. These skills help students make and keep friends.
- We can resolve friendship conflicts better when we can calm down and use the Second Step Problem-Solving Steps (S.T.E.P.)
- Say the Problem, Think of Solutions, Explore Consequences, Pick the Best Solution
- We can choose to have fun with others rather than only getting our own way.
- For K-1st, focus is in Fair Ways to Play: we can Share, we can Trade, we can Take Turns with one another.
- Getting along with others helps us be better learners at school and more successful at home and later in life.
Please see attached Home Links per grade level.
Lisa Piatek Keller, M.S.
Music Newsletter: Mrs. K's Music Corner
Music Newsletter: Mrs. K's Music Corner
-Upcoming Events
-Choir Audition Information
-4th Grade Performance Information
-1st Grade Demo Day Photos
-3rd Grade Noisy Paintbox Project
-And more
Supporting & Teaching ALL Students - Equity Newsletter
Equity Newsletter:
-What does an equity coach do?
-How are GES teachers and staff expanding their equity lens?
-How can you get involved at GES and the community?
Keiko Kasza is coming to Geist Elementary!
Our school is hosting author and illustrator Keiko Kasza on March 25th. All students will have the opportunity to hear her presentation throughout the day. Keiko's books will be available for purchase the week before her visit. Available titles are listed below. Books may be purchased with cash or checks made payable to Geist Elementary PTO. All purchased books will be signed by Keiko on the day of her presentation and sent home with the students. If you already own one of her books, your child may bring it to be autographed.
Available paperback titles
My Lucky Day $6.00
Badger's Fancy Meal $6.00
Dog Who Cried Wolf $6.00
Don't Laugh, Joe! $7.00
The Mightiest $6.00
Mother for Choco $6.00
Rat and the Tiger $6.00
Wolf's Chicken Stew $6.00
Kelly Pidcock
Teacher Librarian
Kindergarten Enrollment is Open
Registration is now open for the 2020-21 school year. Children must be five-years-old on or before September 1, 2020. Early Entrance to Kindergarten applications are available for children who turn five-years-old between August 2, 2020 and on or before September 1, 2020.
The HSE Kindergarten Open House will be April 30 from 5-7 PM. Students who are in Kindergarten but not at Geist Elementary may enroll now for 1st grade. Current HSE/Geist students do not need to enroll for the next school year.
Chess Club - New Session Begins March 20
Chess Club continues at Geist Elementary beginning March 20! Cloud City Youth will offer a 7 week session to students K-4. Kids learn competitive level chess from entertaining and imaginative instruction and games that reward their efforts. This is an engaging experience!!! Sessions will be on Fridays after school. The cost is $70. For more information contact chargreaves@cloudcityyouth.com.
HSE Schools Community Insider
Check out extracurricular opportunities and activities happening at Geist Elementary and around the community! The HSE Community Insider is on updated frequently and is located on the HSE Schools webpage. You can find it here: hseschools.org/happenings/community-insider.