The Gayman Gazette
"What Will Your Beautiful Hands Do Today?"
November 7, 2016
Important Upcoming Dates
- November 8th- Election Day - No School
- November 10th - HSA General Membership Meeting @ 9:00 AM
- November 10th - Picture Retakes
- November 11th - Veterans' Day Assembly @ 9:30 AM
- November 11th - Jump Rope Assembly @ 2:00 PM
- November 15th - Kids Care Club @ 3:15 PM
- November 17th - Spotlight on Music - Grade 3 @ 9:00 AM; Grade 6 @ 10:00 AM
- November 17th & 18th - No Kindergarten - Parent/Teacher Conferences
- November 18th - Student Council Twins Day
- November 21st & 22nd - Early Dismissal @ 11:55 AM; No Kindergarten - Parent/Teacher Conferences
- November 23rd - 25th - No School - Thanksgiving Break
- November 29th - Principal's Award Ceremony
- December 1st - Kids Care Club Work Party @ 3:30 PM
Upcoming Home & School Meeting
The next Home & School meeting will be held on November 10th at 9:00 AM in the All-Purpose Room. Our new superintendent, Mr. John Kopicki, will be our guest speaker. Mr. Kopicki will be discussing his vision for the Central Bucks School District, as well as answering questions.
All questions for Mr. Kopicki must be submitted ahead of time. If you have a question that you would like Mr. Kopicki to address, please send it to ghsapres@gmail.com by today, November 7th. The GHSA Executive Board hopes to see you there!
Report Card Review Committee Update
Dear Gayman Parents,
With the first marking period ending today, are you ready for the look of this 2016-2017 school year report card? Letter grades based on a percentage range are back for 5th and 6th grades academic subjects. There is a dedicated space for all core subjects and a summary of grades throughout all 4 marking periods can be found at the top of the 2nd page. For all 1st-6th grades, Success Standards are simplified in language and quantity. We went from 19 standards down to 11. Before your child’s fall conference, be sure to check out Parent Portal -Campus Backpack to see these positive changes first hand.
Are these changes enough? The Report Card Review Committee has pushed forward with asking what other changes in the report card would be for the better. How many pages should the document be? Landscape or Portrait orientation? Stock template layout or Custom layout? What’s the language to use—academic jargon or clear understandable wording? Open ended comment boxes or Strengths/ Goals categories? Fewer standards listed under each subject? Should letter grades start before 5th/6th grade?? Print every marking period or only Final document at end of year?
One question being asked is whether to move to Trimesters? By dividing the school year into 3 equal sections of 61 days, it provides the allotted time from the start of school and the holiday breaks to accomplish a more accurate assessment of a student consistent throughout the school year. In keeping with 2 touch points for conferences -Fall and Spring, parent-student-teacher input opportunities would remain unchanged in the trimester structure. Many elementary schools in the area work on Trimester. What do you think of moving to Trimester reporting?
The committee work continues to be productive and positive with the sharing and discussion from all the parent-teacher-administrative representatives.
Respectfully submitted,
Alicia Mangiacapre- Report Card Review Committee-Gayman Elementary Parent Representative
732-319-0744
Picture Retakes & 6th Grade Pano
Kids Care Club For November
Please join the Kids Care Club and the awesome Mike from CrossFit Summa as he teaches the kids a bit about Crossfit and nutrition on Tuesday, November 15th from 3:15 - 4:30 PM. The kids will also be able to attempt an American Ninja Warrior-like course! Come join the fun while helping the Kids Care Club raise money for a special organization. All money raised will be donated to Poverty Resolutions (povertyresolutions.org).
Please sign up each child individually through the Sign Up Genius link below.
GHSA Clothing Sale
Stay warm this winter with apparel from Gayman's Home & School Association. Check out the new flannel PJ pants, hoodies, long-sleeve shirts, cozy Gayman Mustang blanket and much more. Ordering opens November 1st through November 11th!
To view all of the items and order on-line click here.
Contact: Grisselle Laborde-Gabriel at ghsavp1@gmail.com or Amy King ghsavp2@gmail.com if you have any questions.
Race For Education Update
The 8th Annual GHSA Race for Education was a HUGE SUCCESS!! Thank you to all of the students, staff & Gayman families who participated in the fundraising event. Year to Date we have received over $28,000 in donations from sponsors.
Last Monday, as promised, both Mrs. Menard’s AM Kindergarten and Mr. Grace’s 4th Grade homeroom were given the opportunity to dunk Mr. Testani during the spirit assembly.
It was a fun-filled event, with lots of laughter and the students had a great time celebrating their accomplishment!!
A big thank you goes out to Mark Hasaka of A&M Party Rentals for donating the use of both the Inflatable Obstacle Course and the Dunk Tank!
RFE Committee
Library Books and Leaking Water Bottles Don't Mix
If at all possible, please try to separate your child’s library book from their water bottle in their backpack. We have had several books that have been damaged beyond repair by water bottle leaks. A great preventative measure is to encourage your child to protect their books in a gallon-sized Ziploc bag. Thank you for your support in keeping our library collection great at Gayman!
Spotlight On Music
Mark your calendars for the first Spotlight On Music performances:
Grade 3 - Thursday, November 17th at 9:00 AM
Grade 6 - Thursday, November 17th at 10:00 AM
Make A Difference Child's Foundation 1 Mile Run Run & 5K Race
Operation Gratitude
FEAST...That Time Of The Year Again
FEAST will be furnishing meals for those in need at Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter.... And once again FEAST will have winter coats available starting at Thanksgiving.
FEAST has come a long way... It started making 100 meals and now averages 1500 meals per event... and growing. FEAST is now officially 501(c)3 certified.
YOUR Help is essential in assisting the processing of helping those in need... FEAST's Motto No One Goes Unfed.
For complete details click here.
Boomerang Awards
This year, Gayman will continue to accept nominations for the Boomerang Award, which is our way of honoring students who best demonstrate their own developmental assets. What are Developmental Assets? Students possessing a combination of “40 Assets” are typically most successful in school and in life. These assets have the power to influence choices young people make and help them become caring, responsible adults. For a complete listing of the 40 Developmental Assets visit: www. Search-institute.org.
November #26 - Caring. Young person cares about others. They place a high value on helping other people. He/she thinks about ways of helping others and is motivated to initiate kind and thoughtful acts. Boomerang nominations may be emailed to Suzanne Vass at svass@cbsd.org, or printed out and sent into the office.