Griffith Elementary
Weekly G*News * October 29, 2018
Principal's Principles
G.R.O.Will Make Every Minute Count
As we are moving through this year, our students are benchmarked and we know how far we need to come, it is essential that we are vigilant and Will Make Every Minute Count. The expectations are we teaching bell to bell. The extra 15 minutes of recess can be done in the class with GoNoodle, yoga, CalmClassroom, etc. The additional 15-minute reteach time may be used for S.E.L., i.e. Sanford Harmony, classroom community circles, AR, or academic reteaching.
This Wednesday, being Halloween, be mindful of students or staff that do not celebrate it. It was conveyed to me through your Leadership Team, that the school consensus was to not have any school-wide Halloween or Literacy event. So please note, any classroom parties or activities MUST be held only the last 20-30 minutes of the day. It is however, Red Ribbon Week, so students may dress up (according to RRW Spirit Wear calendar) to "Scare Away Drugs."
Lesson Plans
Shout Out to the first uploaded lesson plans by 4:00:
- Ashley Gayler
- Jillian Stumpf
- Lara Koebler
- Sandra Briones
- Susan Dent
Student Attendance!!! Teachers, any student that has 5 or more absences, please refer them to Everybody Matters and send home a permission slip.
Principally yours,
~DG
Week-at-a-Glance
Giant Giants
We want to recognize the staff who has had perfect attendance each month. Each month you will be given a recognition ticket for a chance to win a DD or Starbucks gift card.
August Perfect Attendance:
Sandra A Briones .......... Domenica M Minin
Albertine Buchanan .......... Marian Morris
Isabell Burnstad .......... Rayeann Noyes
Rene Chase .......... Stephanie Pease
Floyce Chavez .......... Leslie A. Perry
Susan L Dent .......... Michelle Randle
Alexa Dunaway .......... Katie D Riding
Alison Geislinger .......... Stephanie Rynne
Katherine George .......... Sarah J Simpson
Erin Green .......... Jillian K Stumpf
Lara A Koebler .......... Alexandra Thimons
Lydia Marquez .......... Quisha Ward
Megan B McCluskey .......... Hannah Williams
Evyannia J McCoy .......... Lisa W-Krebs
September Perfect Attendance:
Sandra A Briones .......... Megan B McCluskey
Rene Chase .......... Domenica M Minin
Floyce Chavez .......... Marian Morris
Susan L Dent .......... Stephanie Pease
Alexa Dunaway .......... Katie D Riding
Ashley M Gayler .......... Debra Rubi
Alison Geislinger .......... Stephanie Rynne
Katherine George .......... Jillian K Stumpf
Erin Green .......... Paige Stumpf
Kathleen Greene .......... Andrea Thomas
Hailey Indiere .......... Quisha Ward
Deborah A Jacobs .......... Hannah Williams
Lara A Koebler .......... Lisa W-Krebs
We will draw for August, September & October at the end of this week. October Perfect Attendance will be in next week's weekly.
Dojo Update
*Minin 100% .................... *Rubi 57%
*Pease 96% ..................... *Dunaway 57%*Simpson 93% ................. *J. Stumpf 56%
*Koebler 78% ................... *McClusky 50%
*Randle 70% .................... *Williams 50%
*P. Stumpf 62% .............. *McCoy 48% .................. *Gaylor 23%
*Indiere 59% .................... *Green 32% .................... *Shaw Stewart ?%
Thank you to our PTO for putting together a fantastic Boo Gram sale. They sold out 1200 Grams!
Dates to Remember:
- October 31st - November Birthday Book Give-aways
- November 8th - Giants Run the Night
- November 15th - PTO Mtg. 4:00
Everybody Matters Update
Everybody Matters will be doing classroom Social Emotional Sessions. If you have specific content presented in your class, please let us know. If not, we will be focusing on different aspects to help the students during school.
Everybody Matters teaches coping skills to emotionally vulnerable students. This improves their ability to live, love, and learn.
Playworks
Highlights:
- Teachers are actively participating in play during Class Game Times.
- Students are self-initiating and self-sustaining games during recess.
- Junior Coaches are helping at recess (Sara Chapel & Isabel Jimenez got a big shout out from Mrs. Jacobs for being so helpful).
Team Growth Goal = Adult Engagement
Actions Steps:
1. All adults encourage participation in playing games ( ex: asking students"who wants to play 4 square today?" "Would you like help joining or stating a game?")
2. All adults reinforce game expectations (ex: one soccer ball per game, use equipment properly - volleyball & 4 square ball for bouncing not kicking, etc.)
3. All adults model positive culture (ex: giving high-5's, playing a game, etc.)
October is National Bullying Prevention Month and we would like to invite you to join us for a unique opportunity with Playworks, Walk to StopBullying. On November 3, we will come together as a community to send the message that bullying can and must be stopped while enjoying a once in a lifetime day of family fun at ISM Raceway.
When: Saturday, November 3, 2018
Time: Registration will begin at 8:30 am with the walk starting at 9:30 am.
Where: ISM Raceway located at 7602 S Avondale Blvd, Avondale, AZ 85323
This one-mile walk is open to the public but created especially for students and educators. School staff will receive $5 off of the price of registration with their school I.D. All children/students will receive a "Real Players Don't Bully" t-shirt to commemorate their day (while supplies last). Then, join us for the post-race Family Fun Fair where you can sign the Playworks banner, pledging to stop bullying in its tracks, while enjoying Playworks games and crafts Don't forget to come dressed in style as there will be a costume contest, and you will get to be one of the very first to see the fully re-designed ISM Raceway. From registration in a real NASCAR garage to walking on a real race track, this day is going to be one-of-a-kind!
We hope that you will join us for this unique experience, and walk with us for this worthy cause. Registration is available now at azruntheraceway.com See you on the raceway!
Calm Classroom
#YearOfCalm
30-Days of Gratitude
“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough.” — Melody Beattie
Similar to how our minds tend to wander during meditation, it’s natural to get caught up in the stress and strain of daily life. Just like mindfulness invites us to return to the breath when we notice ourselves lost in thought, mindful living invites us back to the present moment to interrupt the snowballing effects of stress.
Upon returning to the present moment, one of the most powerful tools we have available to us is the practice of gratitude. Practicing gratitude creates a sense of spaciousness by opening the heart, relaxing the body, and bringing a fresh perspective to the mind.
Even in times of deep struggle and heartbreak, if we look around, there is always something or someone to be grateful for. Of course, gratitude doesn't cancel out what's hard in our lives, but it does invite a sense of balance and reminds us of what we have. Our entire being benefits from the practice of returning to the present moment and opening up to life’s gifts.
November’s daily challenges invite you to pause and take a moment each day to be grateful. Download the November Mindful Living Calendar above and join in 30-Days of Gratitude.