Shamrock News
A Weekly Look at Grant Elementary School & the Grant PTA
Week of January 28, 2020
A Message From Principal Grey
Dear Grant Community,
One of Grant's most important values is learning through community-based partnerships and service-learning. Many of our classes are engaged in projects that connect the curriculum to a real cause or need in the world around them. Currently, two of our classes are engaged in a project that connects them to a class of students in Mexico through the study of local birds.
Mrs.Cratty and Mrs. Jimenez’s are participating in a program called, Amigos Alados. This program is in an international classroom exchange and migratory bird conservation project. By inviting school classes from both the summer and winter habitat areas to form partnerships, students are encouraged to protect birds on both sides of the border.
This project incorporates lessons on geography, Spanish, English, research, writing, and biology. Our school’s partnership with this organization has led to many exciting classroom visitors including Alison Quoyeser, who brought in bird specimens for the students to examine and taught them more about the physical characteristics that allow the birds to survive in their environment. The pen pal relationships between our second graders and the second graders in Tapalpa, Mexico allow students to exchange letters that focus on their own environment as well as the natural environment of the birds that migrate from California to Mexico each year.
To further enhance their unit on birds, we have connected with a project called, Soundscapes to Landscapes to support local bird species in Petaluma. We plan to place small audio recorders in designated outdoor areas that will pick up the bird calls of local birds that frequent the Grant campus. The recorders will be on over a three-day weekend in the spring and collected afterward. This data will inform their research and involve the students in a community-wide project to support local wildlife.
We are so proud of the meaningful teaching and learning that is taking place through the involvement in these programs and look forward to more opportunities to connect with causes locally and beyond!
Revised and Final Calendar for the 2020-2021 School Year
Attention Parents and Guardians:
Many students are knocking on the windows of classrooms that are still in session, students are yelling and climbing on planters in the amphitheater and running in the hallways. Please be considerate of all students and staff by encouraging your students to follow the same rules that are in place during school hours on campus. Thank you!
Intent to Return for the 2020-21 School Year!
It is already time to begin preparing for the 2020-2021 school year! By providing the information requested for each of your children, you are assisting us so that we may plan appropriately for the next school year. We will have a paper version of this form available in the office as well. Thank you for your support and participation!
Valentine's Day
If an effort to create both a healthy and celebratory culture on campus, we are encouraging families to limit the amount of candy and treats that they attach to their students' valentine cards. We recognize that candy is considered a big part of the tradition and appreciate your consideration for moderation. We encourage valentines and messages of friendship, kindness, appreciation. Each teacher will be contacting families with details about valentine's celebrations in their classrooms.
CHORAL FESTIVAL! Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at Petaluma Junior High
Petaluma City Schools Elementary Music Department
CHORAL FESTIVAL!
Wednesday, February 12, 2020,
7:00 PM (arrive 6:30pm)
Petaluma Junior High School
*in the multi-purpose room
700 Bantam Way
Dear Parents of Chorus Students,
Our third annual Petaluma City Schools Chorus Festival is quickly approaching. You and your child in chorus will not want to miss it! Your child will get to sing with many other choir students. Plus you and your child will get to hear both the Petaluma Jr. HIgh and the Petaluma High choirs perform. All the students, grades 4-12 will end the program with a Grand Finale.
Students should be in their seats by 6:30 PM. The concert runs approximately one hour.
Performing Arts: Forms & Sign-Ups
Info on rehearsals and option to print forms:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B37YZGVFDM7wUWcyOG9ZVDR6Ym93LUgzZnN2WURseWJ3T3Jv/view?usp=sharing
Online Registration Form: http://bit.ly/grantspring20
Find the option to pay online here: https://grantpta.membershiptoolkit.com/home
Cash for Koalas: Final Week!
Grant Wish Board - through 1/31
See's Candy Fundraiser
Grant Gala Auction Tickets go on sale Monday, February 3rd
Grant Gala Auction - Help Needed
*Auction organizers are looking for donations of bottles of wine. if you rifle through your cellar (said in jest) and find a bottle or two of something you are willing to part with, please bring that fine wine to the office and we'll make good use of it!
Make Sure You Get a Grant Yearbook
PTA Association Meeting, 2/20 at 6pm
School Volunteer Paperwork
Our school district also requires a current TB test result. These test results last up to 4 years. If you have any questions at all about this process, please come by the office to speak with Kim Shoemaker or email her at kshoemaker@petk12.org.
Kindergarten Registration Now Open!
Please visit https://www.petalumacityschools.org/enroll to begin your application process.
* There are two school tours scheduled in January. If you or someone you know would like to go on a tour at Grant, please call the front office at (707) 778-4742 to schedule one.
Community Events
From free Tutoring/Homework Help to Coder-Dojo and Read to a Dog, check out the great events at the Library: https://sonomalibrary.org/locations/petaluma-regional-library
Empowering Girls, 1/30 at 6:30pm at the Cavanaugh Center
Girls United launches the 1st ever all girls outdoor Spring Soccer League in Petaluma! Starting March 2020. Register at . girlsunitedsoccer.com/SPRINGLEAGUE
Science Saturdays with Sonoma County Parks https://parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov/Play/Calendar/Science-Saturday-2020-01-04/?fbclid=IwAR0MpjGS41v-CNBRaN2_Lc9NVL0r2Rzs4cLU1CzJ-yptT2KVPvwMc081ipQ&fbclid=IwAR0EyJiS5FMh7sRGps7yGoEkdirlwzWskZ2ouqBSQgbOkILr-96UxkC-z-w
Wise Girl Workshops: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10220404949584101&set=gm.2543532242561083&type=3&theater&ifg=1
School Year Calendar
In the Thank You Column:
- Thank you to everyone who came out to the TIDE meeting
- Big Thanks to Hayley Boles for organizing another awesome Grant Movie Night. You've chaired this event for so many years, we don't know what we'll do without you next year. Thank you for all you have given Grant.
- Many thanks to Anna Barrera for making all the treats to sell at the 6th Grade Bake sale during movie night. You rock!
- Thank you to Grant evening janitor Francisco who pitched in to clean up a very messy multi! We appreciate your extra work.
- Big thank you to Amber Wong, PTA President of Valley Vista, for all her great ideas for our first family dance! Much appreciated.
- Many thanks to everyone working on filling all our Grant Wishes on the Wish Board! It will be up all week.
At A Glance
January
January 27-31- Wish Board
January 27- Feb 22 - Adopt a Book
February
February 10- Lincoln’s Holiday (NO SCHOOL)
February 12- Chorus Festival 7pm, Petaluma Junior High Gym
February 17- Washington’s holiday (NO SCHOOL)
February 20- PTA Board Meeting and Association
February 22- The Grant Community Dance
February 24-28- Read Across America
February 24-28-Conference week (WEDNESDAY SCHEDULE)
March
March 2- Dr. Seuss Birthday Party
March 7- Grant Auction
March 16-20- Spring Break
March 26- PTA Board and Association Meeting (Elections)