Geist Gazette
August 19, 2016
GEIST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Website: http://www.hse.k12.in.us/GES
Location: 14051 East 104th Street, Fishers, IN 46037
Phone: 317-915-4260
Twitter: @Geistgators
A Message from Mrs. Thomas
Good afternoon families,
It has been an amazing week at GES! Your students are hard at work learning! Thank you for sharing your children with us!
This week's letter is focused primarily toward third and fourth grade parents. Today begins a new journey with the educational tool of an iPad. The rental iPads will be sent home today in your child's backpack for third and fourth grade students only. Starting on Monday we will be accepting all iPads (rental and BYOD) in school for third and fourth grade only.
This weekend, I encourage you to take some time to make sure you discuss your guidelines for home iPad use with your child. Speaking as a mom, I find it helpful to find a consistent charging location in our house that is outside of the girls' rooms. In fact, it is on the other side of the house from their rooms. We will talk about possible filters at our GES technology night - more info to come! Via our filter, I set bedtimes, time allotments and access/restrictions to sites and apps.
Next, I would encourage you to look into a family share account through iTunes. That will require you to first have an Apple ID and follow the directions on your iOS device for family share. This seems to be a feasible approach for third and fourth grade students. Any request for an app download must go through the organizer of the family share. You can approve each app or turn of the approval while they complete the school list of required apps and then turn it back on. The initial directions are below.
On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch:
- Go to Settings > iCloud.
- Tap Set Up Family Sharing, then tap Get Started.
- Confirm that you want to be the family organizer and that you're signed in with your personal Apple ID.
- Follow the onscreen instructions.
Earlier today 3rd and 4th grade parents received an iPad basics document and a letter from our technology committee. More information can be found on our HSE website. The app list is at this link.
Remember the above content only applies to 3rd and 4th grade at this time. We will address K-2 at a later date.
If your child does not come home with a rental, it is because the online application was not completed by July 29th. The next round of ordered IPADS should be in during the next two weeks. Thank you for your patience.
We look forward to joining you in this journey of technology integration!
Mrs. Thomas and Mrs. Laffey
Meet the Teacher Nights this Week
Monday, August 22
1st Grade 6:00 - 6:45pm
3rd Grade 7:15pm - 8:00pm
Wednesday, August 24
Lifeskills & CFL 6:00 - 7:00pm
2nd Grade 6:00– 6:45pm
4th Grade 7:15pm - 8:00pm
These meetings are for parents only. You may stop in the office to have your picture taken for the Safe Visitor Badge. The office will open at 6:00 and close at 8:00.
Student Handbook
Dear GES Parents and Guardians,
New for the 2016-2017 school year, all HSE Schools student handbooks (K-12) are now online for easier access. The handbook for Geist Elementary School can be found at this link: hse.k12.in.us/ges/about.
We encourage you to review it at your earliest convenience. Should you have any questions, please contact the GES main office at 317-915-4260. Our staff is available to assist you. Have a great school year.
Artsonia - GES Student Online Art Gallery
Parent/guardians of first grade and new to GES students (grades 1-4 only)
In the next week, you should be receiving an email from Artsonia, our school's online web art gallery. In order for your child's artwork to be posted, you must grant permission by following the link included in the email.
Artsonia is a great way to see your child's work, as I store most work until the end of the school year. In addition, you can have your child's artwork printed on gift items and GES art gets 20% of the sales. These funds are used to buy supplies your child uses in art class.
Artsonia does not display your child's last name with the artwork and does not publish comments unless approved by the parent/guardian account holder. Details about their security measures are available on the website: http://www.artsonia.com/privacy.asp
What to do if you suspect a disability/Child Find:
What to do if you suspect a disability/Child Find:
If your child is age 2 ½ through 21, attends any school within the Hamilton Southeastern Schools boundaries or you live in our community, and you suspect your child may have a disability, you should contact us for more information.
· For children at least two and a half years of age, but not yet age-eligible for kindergarten, you should contact the Early Childhood Assessment Team at Brooks School Elementary School, 915-4250.
· For students who are eligible for kindergarten through age 21, you should contact your child’s teacher, school counselor or building administrator to discuss your concerns and explore the steps to be taken. If your child is not enrolled in public school, you should contact the counselor or building administrator in the building your child would attend if enrolled.
What to do if you suspect a disability/Child find
Response-to-Instruction (RtI)
RtI is a general education initiative designed to provide high quality instruction and interventions matched to student needs, and using learning rate over time and level of performance to make important educational decisions. The RtI model is based on a three-tiered model of service delivery with a focus on early intervention and prevention of academic and behavioral concerns. Data collected during this process provides valuable information regarding students’ educational progress and response to interventions. Students who do not demonstrate a response to well-implemented, scientifically-based interventions at the Tier 3 level would be referred for an educational evaluation to determine eligibility for special education. RtI is a component of HSE’s Child Find Process.
Geist Elementary PTO is the best!
Our fantastic PTO has a facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/GeistElementaryPTO/
This is to let everyone know that VolunteerSpot changed its name to SignUp.com. Everything looks the same and works the same, but the new link is "https://signup.com/Group/34755766093/" When you type this in, it will create a link to access our group page. See below:
Please sign up for Geist Elementary PTO activities on SignUp.com today!
Does your child attend YMCA?
Lunch Visitors
Safe Visitor Badge and Visitors
Anyone intending to spend time in the school must have a SafeVisitor ID Badge. Please note this policy also applies to anyone wishing to join students for lunch (see below). If you have been approved as a volunteer with Hamilton Southeastern School Corporation and did not receive an email from info@safevisitorsolutions.com, please email Vicki Foutty (vfoutty@hse.k12.in.us). If you have not yet completed the background check, click here to get started.
Want to keep up on what's happening at school?
Follow @geistgators on twitter. We tweet throughout the day.
Check our website: hse.k12.in.us/GES
This newsletter, the Geist Gazette, goes out every other Friday (although it may be sent again next week). We will send it to you via email, and post it on our website under the News tab.
Click here to see our building calendar. This lists activities before, during and after hours.
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AT GEIST:
Destination Imagination Open House
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS:
GIRL SCOUT REGISTRATION NIGHT
Is your daughter interested in becoming a Girl Scout?
Girls can start Scouts at any age, beginning in kindergarten, so come join the fun!
Registration Night is Tuesday August 30th from 6-7pm at The Promise Church 12648 E. 116th St.
If you’d like more information about Girl Scouting in Central Indiana, please contact Lindsey Goergen or Gwenn Frasco, the Community Troop Organizers for Geist Elementary School
lindseygoergen@gmail.com<mailto:lindseygoergen@gmail.com
princessgwenn@gmail.com<mailto:princessgwenn@gmail.com
OR visit our website at girlscoutsindiana.org<http://girlscoutsindiana.org
Troops will be formed that night, so come prepared.
This registration is for parents only!
S.P.O.R.T.S.
S.P.O.R.T.S. Basketball Registration – Open registration for boys and girls basketball continues through August 31. Beginning September 1 a $10 late fee will be incurred on all registrations. Registration forms are available at the S.P.O.R.T.S. office, on the S.P.O.R.T.S. website, at all HSE schools, and the Fishers Library. Parents may also register online and can pay with a credit card or can print the form and submit it to the S.P.O.R.T.S. office with a check or cash payment. Credit cards are not accepted in the office.
Fishers-HSE Travel Girls Basketball Tryouts – Girls must attend the evaluation for the high school district where they reside. Please note that 3rd grade tryouts will take place later in September.
Fishers Lady Tigers – FHS Auxiliary Gym.
4th-6th grade tryouts – August 22 & 23 – 6:00-7:30 p.m.
HSE Lady Royals – HSEHS Auxiliary Gym
3rd-6th grade camp – August 24 & 25 – 6:30-8:00 p.m.
4th-6th grade tryouts – August 29 & 30 – 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Click here for more information
Fishers-HSE Girls Basketball Fever Event – The 6th Annual Event will be held on Saturday, August 27. For more information, visit the Girls Basketball website at www.girlsbasketball.hsesports.org. To sign up for the event, go to www.fevergroups.com/fishershse. If you have additional questions, contact David Walker, fishersgirlsbball@gmail.com.
HSE High School Youth Football Night is Friday, August 26 at HSE High School as the Royals take on North Central at 7:00 p.m. All youth players and cheerleaders in uniform get into the game free and are invited on the field to welcome the Royals. Arrive no later than 6:30 and meet on the north end of the stadium
HSE-Fishers Boys Travel Basketball Tryouts – Boys must attend the evaluation for the high school district where they reside.
HSE Royals
Parent Meeting – September 6 – HSEHS Cafeteria, 8:00-9:00 p.m.
Travel Team Camp/Tryout–HSEHS Auxiliary Gym
3rd grade – September 14, 15 & 20 – 6:00-7:30 p.m.
4th grade – September 14, 15 & 20 – 7:30-9:00 p.m.
5th grade – September 12, 13 & 19 – 6:00-7:30 p.m.
6th grade – September 12, 13 & 19 – 7:30-9:00 p.m.
Fishers Tigers
Parent Meeting – September 6, FHS LGI Room, 7:00-8:00 p.m.
Travel Team Camp/Tryout–FHS Auxiliary Gym
3rd grade – September 13, 14 & 20 – 6:00-7:30 p.m.
4th grade – September 15, 19 & 21 – 6:00-7:30 p.m.
5th grade - September 13, 14 & 20 – 7:30-9:00 p.m.
6th grade – September 15, 19 & 21 – 7:30-9:00 p.m.
4th, 5th and 6th grade call backs will be on September 22
Click here for more information
S.P.O.R.T.S. – Welcome back! Please check your school newsletters weekly for up to date S.P.OR.T.S. and league information.
Launch into Scouting
Pack 140 is extending the opportunity to begin your very own adventure in Scouting! Meet friends, go camping, hike through the woods, roast marshmallows, and have fun by joining Cub Scouts on Thursday, August 25, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Geist Elementary.
Please contact Emily Roesch at (317) 813-7128 or emroesch@crossroadsbsa.org for more information.
*New members will receive a rocket to build and launch.