The Gates Mills Gazette
Mrs. Tammi L. Bender, Principal
October 5, 2018
Gates Mills Elementary School
Website: http://www.mayfieldschools.org/gatesmillselementary_home.aspx
Location: 7639 Colvin Road, Gates Mills, OH, United States
Phone: 440-995-7500
Facebook: Facebook.com/gatesmillselementaryschool
Twitter: @mrstammibender
Welcome Patrolman Arch Kimbrew - Our SRO
Please welcome Patrolman Arch Kimbrew as our new School Resource Officer (SRO). His responsibilities will include building security, safety planning, some educational programs, fostering relationships with students, parents and staff, etc. He will also make frequent visits throughout the day to the Gates Mills Environmental Center on County Line Road.
Kindergarten Bus Riders
Mr. D's SE Skills Guidance Updates
I hope everyone had a fantastic week and great start to October! This past Monday I had the opportunity to work with the first grade and kindergarten students! Mrs. Stephens worked with the second and third grade students. Here is what the kids worked on. . .
Grades K and 1: Monday we took time to wrap up our lesson from September 17th, talking about the difference between a Silly School and a Super School. The purpose of this lesson was to work with the students on appropriate school behaviors. We read two stories about a Silly School and a Super School, noting the appropriate behaviors and inappropriate behaviors students were doing. Finally, the students were able to write a sentence stating a positive behavior they can do to be a Super Student, then drew a picture of it.
Grades 2 and 3: Monday the second and third grade classes met with Mrs. Stephens and listened to two read-alouds: Where’s Rodney by Carmen Bogan and Floyd Cooper, and My Friend Maggie by Hannah Harrison. We discussed the strengths and weaknesses of each of the main characters in our stories and observed how those qualities helped or hindered the characters. We then moved on to discuss and share what we thought were a few of our own strengths and weaknesses, then completed worksheets about this. Excellent insights were shared about our own individual strengths, and some very brave students shared what they thought a weakness was for them. We worked hard to learn and distinguish between “being” (personality traits) and “doing” (activities) strengths and weaknesses.
If you ever have questions about one of my lessons, please feel free to email me at cdimarino@mayfieldschools.org or call me at (440) 995-7427.
Inside the Idea Lab With Mrs. Stephens
This week in the Idea Lab, each class designed one miniature jack-o-lantern which will be created by our new 3D printer and raffled off at the Gates Mills PTC’s Fall Fest on October 19th. Please come see our school’s first 3D printer projects and maybe you will get to take home one of our six beautiful jack-o-lanterns!
Grades 2 through 5 worked in teams with dry erase markers on whiteboard tables to come up with several designs, then voted on the proposed designs to choose one final jack-o-lantern for each class. Teamwork and collaboration were emphasized and the students worked remarkably well together, both in being creative and in compromising to come up with a final product.
Grades K and 1 voted on the separate elements of a jack-o-lantern (eyes, nose, and mouth) to create a final class design. Good manners and good sportsmanship were emphasized during the voting process. Some of the classes read The Most Magnificent Thing and discussed how our process of putting together our jack-o-lantern design was similar to the main character’s process of creating a Magnificent Thing.
Box Tops for Education Collection
PTC News
- Congrats to the second grade class for winning the PTC dues collection contest! They enjoyed an extra recess and popsicle party for turning in the most money to support school PTC events.
- Walk-A-Thon pledge sheets are due Monday, October 8th. We will record each student's laps at the Walk-A-Thon and send the envelope back home to collect their pledges.
- The Walk-A-Thon will take place next Wednesday, October 10th. Please consider volunteering. We welcome any volunteers to help throughout the school day. Just email gatesmillspto@gmail.com and let us know what may work for you. Below is the schedule for the walkers on the October 10th:
Grade 5: 8:30 - 9:15am
Grade 4: 9:20 - 10:05am
Grade 3: 10:05 - 10:50am
Grade 2: 10:55 - 11:40am
Kindergarten: 12:50 - 1:35pm
Grade 1: 1:35 - 2:20pm
Important dates for the Walk-A-Thon:
Pledge Sheets due: October 8th
Walk-A-Thon: October 10th
Pledges due: October 17th
Winners announced: October 19th
- Information for the PTC Fall Fest on Friday, October 19th, at 6pm was sent home today with the students. Please let us know how many will be attending in your family.
- The Election Day Bake Sale on Tuesday, November 6th, is coming up quickly. We are asking for donation to sell to the voters at the Community House. More details to come .
A Reminder of the Morning Drop-Off Procedure
By now many of you have seen our new STOP sign and crosswalk sign on the school property. Thank you for helping keep our students safe.
- If you are dropping your child(ren) off at the main entrance door, please have your child(ren) exit the car on the curb side. If your child needs assistance or needs extra time to exit the car, then we ask that you use the front circle after 7:45 a.m. If the parent needs to exit the car then he/she must also use the front circle and not exit the car by the main entrance door.
- You are not permitted to pass cars that are dropping their child(ren) off at the main entrance door. Please wait patiently in line as you proceed around the back parking lot to exit the school grounds.
- Remember it is a school parking lot, so please drive slowly when entering and exiting and be aware of pedestrians.
Information Regarding Reporting Student Absences
- Call the school office at 995-7500 before 8:15 am. The school voice mail is always available.
- Clearly state your name, your student's name, teacher's name, reason for absence and date(s) the student will be absent.
- For student safety all students must be called in absent.
Visitors and Volunteers at Gates Mills
All visitors and volunteers must be buzzed into the building to sign in at the office before entering our hallways.
- If you are arriving to volunteer, you must first sign in and receive a visitor's badge. This keeps us aware of adults who are in the building for security purposes. Be sure to stop back in the office to sign out.
- If you are dropping off classroom materials or lunch for your child, we will see that they are delivered for you and eliminate classroom disruptions.
- If you are picking up your child for an appointment, you must come to the office to sign him/her out and we will get your child for you.
Important Links
Attendance Matters: House Bill 410
School Website: Gates Mills Elementary
Drop Off & Dismissal Procedures
District Parent Mentor Information
School Lunch Information: Food Services
Mayfield City Schools App: Visit the App Store to download for Android or Apple device.
Dates to Remember
October 6 - District Fall Family Festival: GM Environmental Center, Noon - 4pm
October 10 - Gates Mills Walk-A-Thon
October 10 - Elementary Evening Conferences: 3-9pm
October 11 - NO ELEMENTARY CLASSES - Elementary Conferences; 7:30am - 3pm
October 12 - NEOEA Day: NO SCHOOL