Geist Gazette
December 8, 2017
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
Note from Mrs. Thomas:
I'm not sure what happened to November but here we are in December!!! The next few weeks are going to be very busy for the Geist Gators!
First, the winter NWEA testing session is underway. Please know your child will take the reading and math NWEA assessment on their iPad with their teacher. This test is not timed and can be paused as many times as necessary. Our teachers are working hard to ensure a peaceful and focused testing environment for all students. HSE will send out reports for testing following the testing window.
Second, this week has been the official Hour of Code Week (December 4-8 during Computer Science Education Week). Our students have extra special coding opportunities with the help of Mrs. Pidcock over the next few weeks. Feel free to join in at home! Coding connects with the STEM work we are doing in the classrooms. Geist students are experiencing science instruction that covers STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) in our classrooms. Currently we are in the process of getting a 3D printer up and running at our school. It was recently donated to us and we are excited to see what the students can create!
*** I encourage students in 1st-4th grade to participate in the Science and Engineering Fair on February 1st. Encourage your child to investigate a science or engineering topic that interests them. I still think back with fun memories of my 3rd grade project on magnets and HS project of Water purification! We remember projects where we have choice, experience ownership, and find relevancy! Let your child explore and own the process! ***
Thank you to everyone who submitted their name to help with our Guiding All Kids (GAK) Advisory committee. Although we wish we could have everyone as part of the team, we only have so many seats on the advisory board. The Guiding All Kids Committee is a result of the Eli Lilly Grant to strengthen our counseling program K-12, decrease our achievement gaps in under-represented groups, and work to utilize our Fishers Community as a learning campus and true resource for all children. We will keep you informed of our progress throughout the year. Full implementation of GAK will be a four year process.
I look forward to sharing with your children all about my trip to China and our sister school. The presentations are scheduled and I expect to see all the grades prior to Winter break. Once I have presented to the students, I will send families the presentation as well!
Finally, I want to wish everyone a wonderful winter break. Wishing you all joy and happiness this holiday season. May your family have peace and experience many blessings during the 2018 year!
Thank you for blessing us with your children each and every day,
Christi Thomas, Principal
Baby its cold outside.... AND yes and we still go outside to play!
Please know we go outside for recess unless it is raining or the temperature/wind chill falls below 15 degrees Fahrenheit. These temperatures are based on recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics. We believe it is important to run, play and get fresh air! Thank you for dressing your cherubs appropriately for the cold weather!
GES Science & Engineering Fair - February 1
The science/ engineering fair kickoff has begun at Geist Elementary. Information packets and sign ups are available through the GES website and in the office. Any first through fourth grader can take part in the fair.
The science/ engineering fair will take place February 1st during the school day. Students will present their science OR engineering project to judges and the top two winners in each grade will represent Geist Elementary at the Central Regional Science Fair on February 24th at Marian University.
Click here for the 2017-2018 Science & Engineering Fair Information Packet.
Science / Engineering fair projects are a great way for students to solve problem, investigate, and learn how things work. If you have any questions, please contact Susan Galliher (sgalliher@hse.k12.in.us) or Abby Miller (amiller@hse.k12.in.us).
NWEA Testing Continues through Dec. 15
Students will be taking Winter NWEA tests between Mon., Dec. 4 and Fri., Dec. 15th. Please watch for information from your child's teacher for specific testing times. Please do not send sick children in to school for fear of missing a test.
Art Room News
Remember to order from Artsonia by December 14 for delivery by Christmas. The art department receives 20% of your purchases that are used to by art room supplies!
Kindergarten: We are wrapping up our unit on lines in art with creations made with popsicle sticks. Our next focus will be learning about shapes in art, specifically the two types: geometric and free-form.
1st grade: Students have finished their exploration of warm and cool colors. Our next lessons will focus on patterns in art. We are learning about Andinkra fabrics created in Africa.
2nd grade: We have finished our study of geometric shapes and radial designs. Students learned how to arrange geometric shapes in a design that is radial, like a bicycle wheel or snowflake. We have began learning the aspects of a still life and how it can reflect a celebration of their choice.
3rd grade: Our focus has been on how space is used in a work of art. We have discussed and applied the "tricks" artists use to create a feeling of space in a landscape: size, placement, overlapping, shading, and a horizon line.
4th grade: Creating form (making a 2D art appear 3D) in our work has been our goal over the last two weeks. We are finishing applying this concept to a drawing of donuts, and will be creating donuts in clay for a real 3D feel!
Artists of the Week
Artists of the Week for November 13:
K-Elise W. in Ms. Barmore's class
1st-Jana O. in Mrs. Cameron's class
2nd-Taylor M. in Miss Schmitt's class
3rd-Jack M. in Ms. Harvey's class
4th-Sophia M. in Mrs. Scott's class
Friends of the Library
Reminder from the Nurse: Cold weather planning; Help prevent the spread of germs
Just a few friendly reminders as we approach winter.
Good hand hygiene – Please talk to your child about washing their hands frequently, especially before eating, after restroom breaks and after coughing/sneezing.
Dressing for cold weather – Students will be expected to be outside unless outdoor recess is moved indoors by administration, or if the child has a doctor’s note. In general, recess will be outdoors unless it is raining or the temperature/wind chill falls below 15 degrees Fahrenheit.
Staying home when sick - A student whose oral temperature is 100 degrees Fahrenheit or greater must stay home from school until they are fever-free for 24 hours without aid of medication. Likewise a student who has vomited may not attend school until they are 24 hours past the last incident without aid of medication.
Stay warm and healthy!
Lost & Found Items will be Donated to Goodwill
If your child is missing a sweatshirt, jacket or any other items please check the lost & found located outside of the music room. There are many items that have been left in the café, on the playground and dropped in the hallway. Stop by next time you are in the building. Any item not claimed by Wednesday, Dec. 20 will be donated to Goodwill.
Holiday Meal at Lunch - Dec. 13
The café staff will serve a holiday menu on Wednesday, Dec. 13 for students who order a hot lunch. The menu will include Turkey Ham, Au Gratin Potatoes, green beans, roll with butter, strawberries with whipped cream and a gingerbread cookie. PBJ, Pizza Pak and Salad Choices will be available as well.
Lunch Menus and Visitors
Click here to see what's being served in the café.
Click here for the food services website.
We are practicing smooth transitions and procedures in the cafeteria as our students adjust to the school schedule. The cafeteria is not open to visitors at this time. We will open for visitors after Labor Day.
#Write To White - Letters due Dec. 11
HSE Transportation Director Jim White is retiring at the end of the year, and we want to share with him what he has meant to you -- our students, staff and HSE families.
Please consider writing message or drawing a picture to Jim -- sharing your wishes, thoughts and memories.
You can drop off your letters and/or drawings at the front office of any school, the HSE Administration Building or mail to:
Emily Pace Abbotts
HSE Schools
13485 Cumberland Road
Fishers, IN 46038
All letters and drawings are due by Monday, December 11.
Geist Elementary PTO is the best!
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.
Text-A-Tip
Submit Via Text
Texts can be sent to 274637 (or CRIMES). Start the actual message with the # symbol and a building-specific keyword. For a list of keywords, click here...
See what the HSE Schools Foundation is up to this month.
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AT GEIST:
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS:
HSE Schools Community Bulletin Board
HSE Schools has created a Community Bulletin Board on its district website. This will serve as a central location to find information about activities and events promoted by organizations that serve our students and their families. This is where the Fishers Library, YMCA, S.P.O.R.T.S. and other groups' registration information will be located.