Geist Gazette
November 2, 2018
GEIST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Website: https://ges.hseschools.org/
Location: 14051 East 104th Street, Fishers, IN 46037
Phone: 317-915-4260
Twitter: @Geistgators
Note from the Principal:
Dear GES Families-
Follow up on recent HSE tragedy:
Thank you for your continued support of GES and HSE Schools. It has been a very challenging two weeks throughout the district. I encourage you to continue to foster dialogue with your children as you see fit. Because our family attends a directly impacted school, we ask our children periodically, how are you feeling about the incident? Do you have any questions or anything you want to talk about? Now in that moment, it may not come up but later at bed time tuck-in-time our child has said, " Mom, people are sad. It isn't normal." "Yes, they are sad and that is ok. It is ok to be sad and it is ok to have other emotions at this time. We all grieve differently." How do you feel? Just letting them know they can express themselves and ask questions is so important.
The book "Tear Soup" is a nice book that talks about how we all process differently and no one can tell us how to process grief. It takes time and looks differently. The ingredients we need in our soup may be different. Now this book covers the loss of a child and it ranges in age appropriateness but the message is what is most vital. We all grieve differently.
As I have mentioned in my previous emails, the impact at GES has been relatively low in regards to counselor needs. Just always remember we have a great guidance department that is here to help you and your child and that department actually just grew!!! We are happy to have added Bethany Magill to our Guidance Department as she will be working in this role part time and at TCE part time. We welcome Mrs. Sarah Erickson to our 2nd grade team as Ms. Magill was teaching second grade at GES. Thank you for your support and flexibility as we made this transition.
Family meeting time:
Ok, remember when you were kids and you had a family meeting. We still have family meetings in our house. The kids are not a big fan, my husband is probably less of a fan, but sometimes you just need to talk about the issues and devise a solution. We have to be open!
It is time for a GES Family Meeting about dismissal at the end of the day. Friends, school goes until 3:40 each day. We have a large number of students who are leaving school early each day for extracurricular activities that begin shortly after school. The mass number of early dismissals is causing a delay in school wide dismissal. With school dismissing at 3:40 and dismissing 865 students it is not very realistic to have extra curricular begin at 4:00. Please attempt to schedule extra curricular for 4:30 as to not disrupt the school process. Unless you have an emergency or medical appointment we ask that you don't do early dismissal. Please allow your children to ride the bus home and begin extra curricular activities when they arrive home.
If you are picking up your student before school is dismissed for a medical appointment or emergency: Please arrive at the school office no later than 3:15; bring your ID and sign out your student. Please send a written note to the teacher with your student stating the time you plan to arrive. It is not necessary to contact the office if you have notified the teacher. There is no early dismissal option on School Dismissal Manager.
If you are a driver in the after-school car-rider line: Drivers are arriving at school very early this year, filling the driveway long before dismissal. It is not necessary to start the car-rider line until after 3:10 which is 30 minutes before dismissal. Please know this area is a no idle zone, and if you choose to sit in line for 30 minutes we ask that you turn your car off. Please help us keep the driveway clear for other visitors and emergency personnel, if needed.
Additionally, drivers should have a sign in the car with the student(s) name written in BOLD letters so our staff can read it from a distance. Please keep it up for our staff to come back to until you have your child.
OK, I know that was a lot. It has just really become an issue and is delaying the entire school dismissal. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation. GES Family meeting adjourned.
Upcoming events:
We are excited for the event of the coming months! Veterans Day is around the corner and the second grade musical! We look forward to seeing our families out to enjoy these wonderful performances. Have an amazing weekend!
Being a science and math fan, I want to encourage all students to participate in the Science Fair. They DO NOT need have been involved in Mad Scientist Club, as enrollment is already past capacity. Have fun at home and ask your child, what do you wonder about? Dig in and have fun! More information is below in the newsletter.
Thank you for sharing your children with us. They make me smile daily!
Respectfully,
Christi Thomas, Principal
Keller’s Clips: Schoolwide Conflict and Bullying Lessons
During the month of October, I have taught guidance lessons to all grade levels to educate our students regarding conflicts and strategies for recognizing conflicts (problems), and how to respond to simple conflicts. The strategy taught to our students is to recognize when their emotions are triggered in regard to normal peer conflict (i.e. someone cutting them in line, someone not letting them play), then to calm themselves by taking a deep breath, in order to use an I-Message. I feel (emotion) when you (undesired behavior). Please (desired behavior).
I-messages are respectful statements used to solve a conflict (problem) that is infrequent, not intentional and involves no imbalance of power. Conflicts are normal parts of life and students are taught that their feelings matter! When someone does something that ‘hurts their heart’, they have the right and the means to express their feelings about an undesired event. They are taught to not react but respond, by using an I-message and if that doesn’t work, to ask an adult for help. All three elements are incorporated in an ‘I-Message’, and therefore, aid our kiddos in healthy and respectful personal boundary setting. Confidence in one’s ability to set boundaries regarding their feelings is the ultimate goal.
I also discuss the dynamics of Bullying and what constitutes bullying-behavior. Bullying is defined as conflicts (problems) that are:
- Repeated
- Intentional-Meant to cause harm
- There is an Imbalance of Power
- Physically/emotionally significant to the victim
Students were taught the three R’s of Bullying Prevention (Recognize, Refuse and Report). Please see attached bullying guidelines shared with students and staff. Bystander Power is also discussed, as there is power in Recognizing, Refusing and Reporting hurtful and ongoing behaviors of others to an adult who will intervene and take necessary steps to stop the bullying behavior, also attached.
- Recognize when bullying is happening
- Report bullying to a caring adult
- Refuse to let bullying happen to themselves or others
- Be a bystander who stands up and is part of the solution to bullying
HSE-district was able to purchase The Second Step program for SEL (Social and Emotional Learning) and with it, the Bullying Prevention program for all elementary schools. The Second Step program teaches children important skills for getting along with others and doing well in school. It also helps our school be a safe, respectful place where everyone can learn.
For bullying prevention to work, everyone at school needs to be involved and are educated and instructed to:
- Recognize and respond to bullying
- Support children who have been bullied
- Correct behaviors of children who are bullying
- Use strategies that support a positive school and classroom climate
And we need your help, too! Get involved in making our school a safe and respectful place by letting us know if you hear about bullying at our school. Make sure your child knows to tell you or someone at school if he or she is being bullied. And give your child the clear message that it is never okay to bully others.
Warmly,
Mrs. Lisa Keller
A Warm Welcome to Bethany Magill
Bethany Magill has been added to our counseling department as a ½-time school counselor for the current school year, 2018-19. Ms. Magill previously served as a GES 2nd-grader teacher and has recently been certified as a school counselor. She supports students at TCE in the mornings and then makes her way to GES to support our students in the afternoon. Because of high student enrollment numbers at both TCE and GES, our district was able to add an additional ½- time counselor at each school to help support and guide our students. With our additional support, we look forward to making great gains in our comprehensive school counseling initiative, Guiding All Kids, by providing strong social emotional learning opportunities.
She is a wonderful addition to GES in her new role and we welcome her warmly! Please don’t hesitate to reach out to her at rmagill@hse.k12.in.us if you have concerns with your child(ren) or wish to ask for her assistance to help guide and support your kiddos.
Science Fair - January 15, 2019
Global Studies - Chinese
Mrs. K's Music Corner
Music Newsletter:
-Information on Veterans Day Performance
-Information on the 2nd Grade Musical
-3rd Grade Demo Day Pictures
-Canvas Information for Music Classes
-Performance Information for Spring Semester
News from the Library
SPOTLIGHT ON:
World Book Online Database (encyclopedia and digital library)
For several years HSE has provided World Book to students and staff for reading and research both academic and personal. Access at school is provided through our Symbaloo and needs no long-in credentials. At home the username is hseschoolshome with password worldbook1.
Click here to take a look at the school Symbaloo and World Book Online. https://destiny.hse.k12.in.us/common/servlet/presenthomeform.do?l2m=Home&tm=Home
Artist of the Week
Artist of the Week for Oct. 29:
K: Emmy S. in Mrs. Many's class
1: Chloe T. in Mr. Savin's class
2: Addison L. in Mrs. Wolf's class
3: Micah C. in Mrs. Bigg's class
4: Noah T. in Mrs. Boyd's class
NEWS FROM THE GYM
All grades will be bowling over the next few weeks. Grades K-2 will be learning the basics of how to hold the ball properly and proper pin placement. Grades 3 and 4 will be learning those skills as well as learning some basic scoring.
With winter fast approaching, please help me to have your child prepared to exercise safely in PE. Please remember those tennis shoes and proper clothing.
I will have a Twitter account up and running very soon. If you would like to follow, the info is @SutherlinRod. This will be a private account so if you want to follow the account, just send me an email with your information and your child’s name and I will add you to the account.
If you have questions, please call or email.
Changes coming to School Dismissal
HSE Schools Community Insider
Please check out the following new events on the Community Insider.
- NEW SESSION OF CHESS CLUB AT GEIST ELEMENTARY
- HSE Family Friendly Haunted House
- HSE Wrestling Cub Registration
- All Treat, No Tricks Fishers High School