The Eastside Family YMCA in Penfield is teaming up with us to offer a "School of Roc Virtual Day Program" for the Fridays that our elementary students are learning virtually. The program runs from 7am-6pm on each elementary virtual day and will assist students with logging onto their virtual classes and any asynchronous work due that day. Additionally, the YMCA School of Roc also provides various kid-friendly activities throughout the day such as crafts, games, and time in the Adventure Center.

Parents will need to transport students to and from the program and also provide a packed lunch. Breakfast and afternoon snack are provided by the YMCA. The cost to participate is $55 for YMCA members or $75 for non-members per day. You can sign up for as many days as you would like, from one to all seven. Once you register, you will also be sent a form to fill out your child's virtual learning schedule and homework assignments.

Space is limited in the program, so be sure to register soon! Registration forms are posted on ParentSquare. If you have any questions regarding the program, please contact Taylor Maiorana by email at: taylor.maiorana@rochester.ymca.org.

Congratulations to Sue DeGraff for being our PBIS staff winner! Sue has stepped up this year in her role as a 4th grade teacher, spending countless hours learning and teaching a new curriculum. She consistently puts her students and their needs first

Athletic Registration is now open for the following sports. Please log into Family ID for registration:
Modified Boys Basketball
Modified Girls Basketball
Modified Cheer
Modified Volleyball

Fall 2 Season begins on March 15th.

Order your Gananda Middle School yearbook! Visit www.inter-state.com/yearbook and enter code 55257R to place your order. Softback and hardcover yearbooks are available with the option to add a personalized cover. Standard GMS yearbooks will be available to order until April 9, 2021. Orders with personalized covers must be ordered by March 1, 2021. Please direct any questions to Nickie Mereness: nmereness@gananda.org.

There are so many good reasons to volunteer. Contact GDFScholars@gananda.org if you are interested to learn more!

Lisa Fox explains why she decided to join GDFS:

"I joined GDFS when it began in 1991 and have continued to support its work every year since then because I can see the tangible impact of this work. Because of this committee’s efforts, our students feel the financial support of their community and proudly go out into the education world beyond Gananda.

GDFS’ first spring phone-a-thon back in 1991 enabled $3,235 in scholarships to be awarded to qualified students. Our most recent phone-a-thon raised over $6,000 and in June, over $33,000 was distributed to seniors. Of course, the phone-a-thon is the largest but not the only fundraising source of scholarship money. In 2021, we will keep going. COVID-19 may require us to change our approach, but Gananda’s students will continue to graduate and further their studies and GDFS will continue to be there to provide financial encouragement. Want to join the fun? We welcome you at our Facebook page and at monthly planning meetings announced there and here in the weekly Gazette.

Gratefully yours, Lisa Fox, mom of Sue, Class of ’94 and Rob, Class of ‘97"

GDFS next meeting date is March 2 at 7 pm. This meeting will be available through Zoom.