GRE Family Gazette
October 15, 2018
Dear GRE Families,
Last week was a packed week of learning! I saw so many amazing things happening around the building. All of which was topped off with our second meeting in our Eagle's Nest. This month we are learning all about "Being a Safe Decision Maker". During our Nest time, students heard the story "What if Everybody Did That?" before working in pairs to create their own example of, "What if Everybody Did That?" to create a Nest book. We also shared a video created by our Kindergarten team showcasing what unsafe decisions looked like. The students loved seeing their teachers be silly and funny in the video.
This week we will have our second round of Parent Teacher Conferences on Thursday from 4:00-8:00 PM. Be sure you are scheduled for a Fall conference by connecting with your child's teacher. If you are not meeting this Thursday, we still have one more opportunity coming up in November to share your child's progress. As a reminder Grade Cards will not be sent home until December.
Also happening this week our staff will meet with Deputy Snyder to review our building's ALICE procedures. After that, we will hold our first Safety Drill as required by law. The purpose of the drill is to practice our procedures in the event that a dangerous person would come onto school grounds or enter the school building. Drills of this nature are never an easy topic to discuss with kids, especially our youngest children in elementary schools. However, we know that it is imperative for us to prepare our students for emergency events. Please know that we will handle this drill with careful consideration in how we approach this topic with your child. This drill will focus on evacuation and safety. As we practice safety drills in the future, we will continue to educate our students and staff on the steps to take within our District’s safety approach. Upon completion of any future safety drills, you will be notified.
Here's to a great week full of fun, friends and learning!
Kate Thoma
Principal, General Rosecrans Elementary
A Few Important Reminders:
1. This year GRE is participating in a unique fundraising program with Art to Remember that gives you the opportunity to purchase keepsake items with your child's artwork on them. Each student at GRE worked hard the first few weeks of school to create their piece of artwork. The best part is that every keepsake order supports our school!
Personalized order forms for Art to Remember were sent home Monday and are due back by Oct. 18th. There is also an online order option with even more items to choose from! To see available keepsake items like coffee mugs, key chains, and necklaces, visit: http://www.order.arttoremember.com
If you did not get order form on Monday, you can still create an account and search for your child's artwork online.
2. Our schools continually strive to maintain a safe, respectful, and welcoming learning environment for our students. With that in mind, it is important to remind our community that there are limitations to having animals on school property. Board Policy 8390 outlines permissions only to include animals being used for an educational purpose, which are prior approved by building administration, and certified service animals, in accordance with Federal and State law. Please help us maintain a safe environment by leaving family pets at home when attending school functions, athletic events, or visiting a school. Thank you for your cooperation.
3. Picture retakes are coming up on October 16th. If you were absent or would like to have a new photograph, be on the lookout for ordering information to come home. Keep in mind, if you ordered pictures and don't like them, you will need to turn in the photos to get your retake.
Specials Spotlight: STEM with Mrs. Keller
In STEM we are consistently working on growth mindset (We don’t say we can’t do it, we say we can’t do it yet!) and our 21st century skills. Collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, and communication are vital skills students need to be successful throughout life. Students also work on digital skills and the design process in class. All of these skills are worked on through a combination of digital and hands-on projects.
Fourth grade is currently working on passion projects. Students designed a poster with all of their passions, things they care about or think about often. They then had to chose one passion and design a problem to solve, which is the first step in the design process. Many students chose projects that are assisting them in solving a real-life or real-world problem.
Third grade is working on 3D designing. Students were able to chose what they were going to design from several different choices.
Second grade is wrapping up a project. With the recent hurricanes, students were asked to design a structure that could withstand high winds and keep a family safe.
First grade is currently working on their 21st century skills using digital tools. They recently learned how to communicate with families using Dojo. Next, they will be working on using Google Suite.
Kindergarten wrapped up growth mindset by completing a challenge and are now working 21st century skills. Students learn about different materials and challenges that are set up in the STEM Hub and then they are able to choose what station they would like to go to. Several of our stations right now are: sink or float challenges, circuits, building challenges, coding ozobots, OSMO (drawing an interactive digital story, Paper STEM challenges and balls and ramps.
Important Dates
Oct. 16: Picture Retakes & 4th Grade Photo
Oct. 18: Parent Teacher Conferences 4:00-8:00
Oct. 19: No School
Oct 23: OST ELA: Part 1 (3rd Grade)
Oct 24: OST ELA: Part 2 (3rd Grade)
Oct 26: K-4 Harvest Parties 2:30-3:15
Golden Spatula Award Winners
Kindergarten- Mrs. Rowe
First- Miss Thomas
Second- Mrs. Okoneski
Third- Mrs. Pharazyn
Fourth- Mrs. Heizer
Who will win the "Golden Spatula" this week?
Kate Thoma
Email: katethoma@bwls.net
Website: www.bwls.net
Location: 301 South Miller Drive, Sunbury, OH, USA
Phone: 740-965-8900
Facebook: facebook.com/GREeagles
Twitter: @GREeagles