GEIST GAZETTE
November 8, 2019
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
Do you hit a stumbling block with your children when it comes to school feedback? How was school today? " Fine" (and that might be if you're lucky.) Some fairly standard activities across a school day includes community circle, readers and writers workshop, math workshop and related arts.
- Ask about which related arts he/she attended and what activities he/she did.
- Ask your child what book is he/she reading as a class.
- What are you writing about?
- What question/starter was used in community circle? (Be prepared to share your temperature or scariest moment.)
- What was the best part of the day and what was the worst?
Our character trait for the month is Empathy, defined as to show compassion and kindness to others when they are struggling. Feel free to bring it up at home so they know HOME and SCHOOL value showing empathy to others. Students in pilot Second Step classrooms are learning specifically about empathy and all students are setting an empathy goal in their classroom. As we move into winter and holiday season, this is a wonderful time to show compassion and kindness to those who need extra assistance with food, clothing, and basic necessities. I know the Hamilton County Good Samaritan Network is always looking for volunteers during this time of year. This is just one of many places in the community that offers volunteer opportunities for families. If the opportunity does not present itself, just showing empathy for someone's feelings and validating them can go a long way. Choosing to be kind is always a WIN!
We are excited to start our book study on Self- Reg. We have a great start with our families who want to participate and still have a few spots open. Check out the book study link for the three sessions we will have.
Thank you again for your support of our school. Please know we encourage you to reach out to your child's teacher if you are in need of more information with regards to your child's progress. We want to be working together as a team to help your child progress in their social, emotional and academic growth!
Thank you,
Christi Thomas, Principal ( PS. Make sure to follow us on Twitter @Geistgators)
Morning Announcements
Thank you to our Gator Gallop $100+ Donations families and students
Art Room News
Information about what your child has experienced in Art class during October can be found in Canvas. Please log in with your parent account to learn the latest! Don’t have your parent account yet, click https://www.hseschools.org/services/technology/canvas for directions.
Artists of the Week for November 4:
Kdg: Ivy X. in Ms. Dawdy's class
1st: Morgan H, in Mr. Savin's class
2nd: Rory K. in Mrs. Friedle's class
3rd: Brandon B. in Ms. Harvey's class
4th: Ella C. in Ms. Kappus's class
Growth Mindset at GES
Growth Mindset is taught and lived at Geist Elementary. Our students learn that life is about challenge and that learning comes from
- Having a Growth vs. a Fixed Mindset
- Learning from Mistakes
- Perseverance, and
- A love of Challenge.
Students are taught that their minds are powerful muscles and when exercised through challenge, they grow and learn. In order to grow, students are to use their inner voices or thoughts to calm, motivate and challenge themselves. Instead of using Fixed Mindset statements, like “I can’t do this!”, students are instructed to use Growth Mindset statements, like “I can do this, one step at a time”. Other Growth Mindset statements might be “What am I missing?”, or “I’ll use a different strategy."
The approach to Growth Mindset challenges students to change their thinking about their potential and their abilities. It highlights the importance of critical thinking, thinking about ‘thinking’, and it teaches students to learn from failure. Mistakes and failure are the basis for re-thinking, re-direction and new pathways.
A great read for parents is an article, entitled The Secret to Raising Smart Kids, by Carol Dweck. The research demonstrates that a focus on the process of learning, rather than on intelligence or ability, is the key to success in school and in life.
If Your Student is Staying for Movie Night...
When to call the office regarding late arrivals, absence or leaving early...
From the Nurse...
From time to time, we may see a case of head lice in our school building and wanted to pass along some information to help answer your questions regarding head lice. Feel free to contact the school nurses with further questions regarding head lice and the treatment suggestions.
Head Lice Information
- Head Lice are small parasitic insects that can be found on the heads of people.
- Head lice feed on human blood several times a day and live close to the human scalp.
- Head lice and head lice nits are found on the scalp, around and behind the ears and near the neckline at the back of the head.
- Head lice cannot fly or jump; they can only crawl
- Head lice are spread by direct head-to-head contact
- Head lice are rarely spread by contact with clothing or personal items (such as combs, brushes, hats or coats)
- Head lice are not a sign of uncleanliness
- Head lice are not known to spread disease.
Signs and symptoms of head lice infestation
- Tickling feeling of something moving in the hair
- Itching, caused by an allergic reaction to the bites of the head louse
- Irritability and difficulty sleeping; head lice are most active in the dark
- Sores on the head caused by scratching
If your child exhibits signs and symptoms of head lice infestation, you should examine your child’s head (especially behind the ears and at the nape of the neck) for crawling lice and nits. If crawling lice and/or nits have been found, all household members should be examined for head lice and/or nits every 3-4 days. Persons with live (crawling) lice or nits within ¼ inch or less of the scalp should be treated.
For more information on head lice and treatment go to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) web site at http://www.cdc.gov
FLIP Spanish Class at GES
FLIP offers enrichment classes in Spanish for grades K-4. Class sizes range from 12 -22 students, grouped by age and level of foreign language knowledge. Students meet once a week before school. FLIP teachers will visit once a week on Thursdays for 45 minutes before school. The first 8-week session will the week of 12/12. The sessions will be held at Geist Elementary School from 8:00-8:45. Registration is required.
HSE Schools Community Insider
Check out extracurricular opportunities and activities happening at Geist Elementary and around the community! The HSE Community Insider is on updated frequently and is located on the HSE Schools webpage. You can find it here: hseschools.org/happenings/community-insider.