Geist Gazette
April 29, 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
Playground tables
Remembering our Friends
Earth Day
Upcoming Dates
Click here to view the current activities calendar at Geist Elementary.
Monday, May 2
Track Club - Grade 4
Spanish Lessons
NWEA Testin Begins - through May 20
IREAD Testing continues - through May 6
Engineering Club
Tuesday, May 3
Election Day - Vote in the GES Gym
Geist Running Club - Grade 3
NWEA Testing
ISTEP Testing
Field Trip - Deckard, Ireland, Mann - Grade 3
2nd Grade Musical Rehearsal (please refer to Mrs. Taylor's schedule)
Kindergarten Readiness Assessments
Wednesday, May 4
NWEA Testing
ISTEP Testing
Field Trip - Galliher, Hillman, Killinger - Grade 3
Kindergarten Readiness Assessments
Sign Language Club
Tennis Lessons
Thursday, May 5
Spanish Lessons
NWEA Testing
ISTEP Testing
2nd Grade Musical Rehearsal (please refer to Mrs. Taylor's schedule)
Friday, May 6
Geist Running Club/Track Club - 4th Grade
Student Council
NWEA Testing
ISTEP Testing
Chess Club
Monday, May 9
Spanish Lessons
Track Club - 4th Grade
NWEA Testing
2nd Grade Musical Rehearsal (please refer to Mrs. Taylor's schedule)
Engineering Club
Tuesday, May 10
Geist Running Club - Grade 3
NWEA Testing
Topsicle Tuesday
2nd Grade Musical Rehearsal (please refer to Mrs. Taylor's schedule)
Wednesday, May 11
NWEA Testing
Sign Language Club
PTO Fall Festival Committee Meeting
Field Trip - Diamond, Ward, Carter - Grade 1
2nd Grade Musical Rehearsal (please refer to Mrs. Taylor's schedule)
Tennis Lessons
Thursday, May 12
Spanish Lessons
NWEA Testing
PTO Board Meeting
Kindergarten Concert
Friday, May 13
Geist Running Club/Track Club - 4th Grade
NWEA Testing
Chess Club
Specials Rotation
May 2 - 6 - Week 1
May 9 - 13 - Week 2 (PLC)
Lunch Menu
May 2 - 6 - Week 3
May 9 - 13 - Week 1
Click the links to see the lunch and breakfast menus. Visit the HSE Food Services page for prices and nutritional information.
PTO Corner
Destination Imagination Success
HSE DI would like to thank you for your continued support. Students who participated in the program had the opportunity to put their HSE21 skills to work in so many ways. We have students from 7 teams headed to Globals to compete against teams from 37 countries and 45 states. We are hoping to have as much success as last year with two world-champion teams.
All DI team members have already received a participation award from DI, but we know many schools have end of year celebrations for clubs, newsletters, etc. The following students participated on a Destination Imagination team this year: Zahra B., Peighton B., Elizabeth B., Hannah G., Paige G., Gage H., Gabe H., Andrew K., Samaira L., Kaelen M., Revah M., Carson O., Grant R., Jaskaran S., Jack S., Tate W. and Luke W.
Luke W. will be heading to the Global DI Competition in Knoxville, TN! Congratulations to all the GES DI team members and good luck to Luke!
New Traffic Patterns at Geist Elementary for Car Riders and all Morning Activities
You may have noticed a slightly different traffic pattern in our car rider lines for arrival/dismissal and morning club/activities. Student safety is our primary concern in the parking lot. If you drive your children to school please take a look at the maps and review the safety procedures. As always, your patience and courtesy with students, staff and fellow drivers is appreciated.
Morning Activity Map (YMCA, Tutoring, Running Club, etc. from 6:30-8:15 am.)
For safety and efficiency please follow our procedures:
- DO NOT talk or text on cell phones while in car line
- DISPLAY a card in your windsheild with your student’s first and last name
- KEEP name card visible until child is in the car
- ALLOW students to exit and enter the car on their own on the CURB SIDE only
Help support the Ronald McDonald House at our duct tape booth!
Next week, May 2-6, Mrs. Kappus’s class will be opening a duct tape booth to sell fun gifts for mom, a friend, or even yourself. Students can come and shop in the library after morning announcements until 9:30. We will be selling duct tape pencils and pens ($3.00), wallets ($3.00), and penny purses ($2.00). All proceeds will go to the Riley Hospital Ronald McDonald house. We look forward to seeing you at our duct tape booth!!
Friends of the Library Club
Thank you and congratulations to the most recent Friends of the Library Club members. Books have been donated by (April) Conner G., Adam H., Matthew B., Conner N., Micah G., Graham R., Zoe L., Max M., Natalie K., Gloria L., (May) Merritt H., Jordan R., Ella C., Jonas R., Naomi T., Andrew O., Nate M., Shelby B., Ava P., Madeline R., (June) Alexi N., Sarah R., Eva S., Evan B., Matthew R., Taylor W., Jackson S., (July) Nathan T., Raegan H., Leah P., Summer W., Cole W., Blake E. and Elisabeth H.
It’s not too late to join Friends of the Library no matter what month you are celebrating. Talk to Mrs. Pidcock if you’d like to donate a book to the Geist library.
Talent and Hobby Days
Talent and Hobby days are coming to a Music room near you! During the week of May 23-26, all students in grades 1-4 are invited to share their special talents with their classes during their regular music classes. Piano, guitar, gymnastics, singing, juggling, magic, hula hooping, ballet, joke telling and art work are some talents you may have and want to share during music class. If you are not sure what your special talents are yet, you may want to share your special Hobbies-for example: sports, sewing, collecting things, scrapbooking, photography, building things. Bring in your uniform, trophies, pictures, scrap book, items that you sewed, built or designed and share your hobby. (No video games, please.) You may bring in a device to show us a video of you doing your special hobby-for example: horseback riding!
We will have a day in music class to sign-up if you are interested in sharing your talent or hobby. We will all look forward to discovering more about our friends at school!
Mrs. Taylor rhtaylor@hse.k12.in.us
Artist of the Week:
April 18: Naomi T. in Mrs. Wolf’s class
April 25: Taylor W. in Mrs. Brown’s class
SchoolKidz Supply Kits for students attending GES in 2016-2017 - ORDER BY MAY 10
Your SchoolKidz order form was sent home this week. SchoolKidz is the school supply kit that is delivered to your child’s classroom for the first day of school. No running from store to store looking for the right supplies, it’s all done for you. The SchoolKidz supply list is chosen by the teachers so the kit contains the exact supplies needed for the classroom, plus a few shared supplies (Kleenex, baggies, wipes, etc…) for school wide use. Each grade level kit is $35. (Each kit is $35= $30 grade level supplies + $5 convenience fee which provides additional school wide shared supplies).
This year all orders will be placed online at www.shopttkits.com (use account number 32455) until May 10. Please contact Sarah Tappendorf stappendorf@hse.k12.in.us with any questions.
*This is a service provided by the GES PTO for students attending GES for 2016-2017.
Order Artsonia Mother's Day Gifts by May 1st
There are many great choices of items you can order for gifts, and 20% of your purchase goes to the GES art department! Items that feature your child’s artwork include snap-on necklaces and bracelets, mugs, iPhone cases, and much more. All students in grades 1-4 have an Artsonia account. If you’re unsure how to access it, contact Ms. Green at egreen@hse.k12.in.us. Visit artsonia.com to see all the items available for order!
Spring Brings Rain Showers and Mud Puddles
News from the Gym
Geist 5K - If you are interested in running the Geist 5K, please use the link below and follow the listed directions.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/geist-half-marathon-2016-registration-18331334515?access=SchoolProgram
Choose 5k school program pay now
Choose Hamilton Southeastern Schools
Choose Geist Elementary
Follow directions from there
If you have questions, please email me. rsutherlin@hse.k12.in.us
Track Club permission slips went out last week. Parents can get a copy from the office or students can get a copy from Mr. Sutherlin. If you have questions, please contact Mr. Sutherlin.
NWEA Testing Begins Monday
April 18 - May 20: ISTEP Window (Grades 3 & 4)
May 2-20: NWEA Testing Window (Grades K-4)
Enrolling New Students
IDENTIFYING HIGH ABILITY STUDENTS
Students are identified in two ways:
• those with exceptional cognitive potential
• those with outstanding achievement in mathematics/reading.
More information here: http://www.hse.k12.in.us/ADM/academics/ha.aspx
Measuring Academic Achievement
Normative data from the NWEA test is used to identify high academic achievement for students in reading or math.
The NWEA is an adaptive test that provides progress scores as well as national norms.
All students in grades K – 6 participate in the NWEA two times a year.
Grades K and 1 students who score at the 99 percentile and grades 2-6 students who score between the 95th - 99thpercentile on national norms from the spring administration of NWEA will be identified as eligible for service in the areas of mathematics, reading, or both depending on the results of the test.
All students in grades K, 2, and 5 who have not already fully qualified in both reading and math through NWEA will then participate in a cognitive potential screener.
Measuring Cognitive Potential
This second round of testing is intended to find any students with cognitive potential that might have been missed through achievement testing.
A screen is a short version of a test followed by a full version pending screening results.
In measuring cognitive potential, we use the CogAT, a nationally normed test of aptitude.
Students in grades K and 2 will take a CogAT screener. Scores at or above the 80th percentile on the CogAT screener will qualify for the full CogAT. In grade 5 scores at or above the 80th percentile on the NWEA will qualify participation in the full CogAT.
A score between the 95th - 99th percentile on the full CogAT at grades K, 2, and 5 indicates that the student qualifies to receive high ability services.
Potential Third Qualifying Test
Students with results that just miss the cut off score within the standard error of measure (SEM) on either test are eligible for a third qualifier. The Scales for Identifying Gifted Students Inventory (SIGS) will be used to collect data from parents and teachers. A score between the 95th – 99th percentiles on the SIGS indicates that the student qualifies to receive high ability services.
HCCTA Tennis Lessons Offered at GES
HCCTA Mission: Using tennis to enhance communities through fitness, education, community service and diversity
WHO Any Geist Elementary Students in grades K-4.
WHAT HCCTA is a 501 c 3 non for profit organization. HCCTA offers beginning tennis programs to students in grades K-4 at GES. The program is 6 hours of Beginner tennis instruction using short court nets and foam balls. Short court nets will be set up in the gymnasium as well as outside on the school playground. Tennis racquets provided. Students may bring their own if they would like.
WHEN May 4, 11*, 18, 25 from 3:45 to 5:15pm
*May 11 may be rescheduled if weather is bad
COST $50, includes tennis instruction, t-shirt, certificates, and equipment supplied by HCCTA.
DEADLINE When enrollment numbers have been met. *Spots are limited and are based on a first come first served basis*
REGISTRATION INFO: To register your student, please go to http://hccta.org/geist-elementary-registration/
Questions? Contact Shannyn Miller at smmiller@hse.k12.in.us .
S.P.O.R.T.S.
Fall 2016 Open Registration for football, cheerleading, soccer, girls volleyball, fall baseball, cross country and boys and girls winter basketball will begin on May 1 and continue through May 31 (basketball registration remains open through August 31). Registration forms will be available on the S.P.O.R.T.S. website, at the S.P.OR.T.S. office, at all HSE schools and the Fishers Library. Parents may also register online and can pay online with a credit card or can print the registration form and submit it to the S.P.O.R.T.S. office with cash or check payment. Credit cards are not accepted in the office.
Spring 2016 Registration Update – Contact the S.P.O.R.T.S. office for up to date information on openings for spring sports or visit our website, www.hsesports.org.
HSE-Fishers High School Girls and Fishers High School Boys Lacrosse Youth Night April 29 - Youth boys and girls lacrosse players are invited to come cheer on the HSE/Fishers High School girls lacrosse team and the Fishers High School boys lacrosse team on April 29 at Fishers High School. Youth wearing their lacrosse jerseys will be admitted free. The doubleheader will also be a benefit for Lindsey Schuler, the HSE student undergoing rehabilitation after a cheerleading accident with the Lindsey Lacrosse Launch contest taking place at halftime. For more information, contact Marty Miller, stbmiller@sbcglobal.net. Click here for the Lindsey Lacrosse Launch Flyer
Fishers-HSE Knights Cheerleading is holding tryouts for the 2016 season. Any 4th, 5th or 6th grade girl (2016-2017 school year) wanting to try out for Knights Cheerleading will need to attend the mandatory clinic being held on Friday, May 6, 5:00-6:30 p.m. at Indiana Elite. Tryouts are held the next day, on Saturday, May 7, at 9:30 a.m. at Indiana Elite. Please visit Knight Cheerleading on the Cheer website for more information.
S.P.O.R.T.S. Youth Volleyball Competitive League Evaluations - for girls entering 5th and 6th grade in the fall of 2016 and interested in playing in the competitive league in the fall, will take place on Monday, May 16 and Wednesday, May 18. Girls must be registered for volleyball through S.P.O.R.T.S. to tryout. Registration begins May 1. Click here for more information.
Fishers-HSE Cheerleading is seeking new board members for various positions. Please let us know if you would be interested in joining, sportscheer@yahoo.com
HSE-Fishers Youth Girls Lacrosse is seeking members for their newly established youth board. Please email Shannon Murray, skmurray98@yahoo.com if you are interested in running for a position or have questions. Interested individuals are invited to attend the next board meeting scheduled for May 11. Youth parents are asked to become involved and help shape the future of the growing youth girls lacrosse league!
S.P.O.R.T.S. Youth Soccer board is in need of a treasurer and secretary. If interested, contact Alyssa Anderson at sys.soccer.president@gmail.com