GIS School Newsletter
May/June 2021
Mission Statement
School Calendar Information
May 3-7........................................................................................................6th Grade MSTEP Window
May 31...........................................................................................................Memorial Day, No School
June 8..........................................................Last Day Of School For Students, Dismissal 11:40 A.M. June 8......................................................................................Report Cards Go Home With Students
Message from the Principals
Dear Parents:
On behalf of Gaylord Intermediate School we would like to thank you for your support and understanding for a challenging school year. This year saw many adjustments to our students’ school day. The changes that were made in the interest of safety and health for our school community had our students experience an academic year like no other. We know that some of our return to learn policies created some challenges for families and appreciate the resiliency you showed. The cooperation and support allowed school doors to be open for a majority of our students to attend face to face instruction. Throughout history we often see crises bringing out the best in people. The COVID 19 Pandemic is no exception. We saw families adapting to our “new normal” and show understanding with quarantines, unintended shutdowns, procedural changes, and many other unforeseen impacts. Our students this year have shown great perseverance and their joy of being in school has been overwhelmingly positive. The strong partnership of school and parents helped us navigate a stressful school year. We thank you for making this school year work in the face of all the unforeseen external challenges we encountered. As we get closer to the end of the 2020-21 school year we are happy to have students in the classrooms and look forward to the 2021-22 academic year. We anticipate there will still be challenges down the road, but have great comfort knowing that as a learning community we will weather the storms ahead and be able to provide a nurturing environment for each and every student.
Virtual Art Show
Scholastic Book Fair - Online
Dear Parents and Families,
We are working hard to keep kids reading and raise critical funds for our school with our Scholastic Online-Only Book Fair from May 3 – May 16, 2021.
The Fair will connect your kids to notable books and inspiring characters — helping them become lifelong readers. And you’ll love the new option to shop for Book Fair exclusives — directly from the interactive booklist.
Plus, enjoy these special online shopping features:
- Access to over 6,000 products
- All orders ship direct to home
- FREE shipping on book-only orders over $25*
- All purchases support our school and earn 25% in rewards
- Use Promo Code: SHARE10 at checkout and receive 10% off your purchase
Visit our Book Fair homepage to learn more and get started with online shopping:
https://www.scholastic.com/bf/gis2019
Thank you for continuing to support our school.
Happy reading,
Mrs. Deborah Putnam
Principal
Gaylord Intermediate School
Last Day of School
Important Information for 6th Grade Parents
COUNSELOR'S CORNER
The Digital Age and Children
Kate Martell, GIS Counselor
Parents and caregivers play an important role in teaching children how to make healthy choices regarding digital use and citizenship. It’s important to remember that our children’s brains are still developing, specifically their prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for critical thinking, judgement, problem solving, and impulse control. When a child or adolescent views content that shows violence harmful stereotypes, or not age appropriate it has an impact on their own ideas, behaviors and feelings. As our children are “growing up digital”, the following tips may be helpful to them and to you:
· Limit the amount of screen time to 1-2 hours a day (or less if you notice it is negatively impacting your child).
· Keep your child’s bedrooms free of screen media, including tv, game systems, laptops, iPads, cell phones, etc.)
· Preview media that your child is interested in before you allow them to view/play it.
· Co-view media (if appropriate) with them to discuss the content. This will help them to develop critical thinking skills.
· Create a family media plan that everyone follows. This plan will ensure that media does not displace many important activities, such as, face to face interaction, outdoor activities, exercise and sleep.
The benefits of media and digital devices, if used in moderation and in an appropriate way can enhance our children’s experiences. Research shows that face to face time, with family, friends and teachers, plays a more important role in promoting our children’s learning and healthy development. We all have to do our best to make sure our children have a healthy balance of both.
Summer Feeding Program
SUMMER FEEDING PROGRAM
THROUGH GAYLORD COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
The Gaylord Community School District is participating in the Summer Food Service Program for children. At no charge, meals will be made available to children 18 years of age and under or persons up to age 26 who are enrolled in an educational program for the mentally or physically disabled that is recognized by a state or local pubic educational agency. The meals will be provided without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, or disability. Meals will be provided at the site and time listed below:
Where: Gaylord Intermediate School
240 E. Fourth Street, Gaylord, MI 49735
When: June 9 – August 25, 2021
**Wednesdays only**
Breakfast/Lunch available 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Due to current conditions, there will be no congregate feeding. Bagged meals will be available for pick up at the site listed above. Five (5) breakfasts and five (5) lunches will be provided. Pick up will be every Wednesday between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. USDA is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.
Few Reminders
- Morning Procedures - In an effort to keep everyone safe , we are still asking that students do not get out of their vehicles until 8:25 A.M. We appreciate your cooperation!
- Facial Coverings - Due to the new Emergency Order that MDHHS announced on October 29, 2020, students and staff are required to wear their masks at all times, except during meals.
- Health Screener - Please remember to screen your child every day before sending them to school. We ask that you do not send your child to school if they are sick.
- Hygiene and Social Distancing - Please remind your child the importance of proper hand washing and sanitizing. We will be practicing proper hygiene at school, along with social distancing.
- Contact Tracing - We work closely with the Health Department of Northwest Michigan to determine the need for contact tracing. If the school or Health Department notifies you that your child has been in close contact with a positive or probable case, we ask for your patience and understanding with this process. We will error on the side of caution to keep each and every one of our students and staff safe and healthy.
- School Hours -8:25 A.M.-2:40 P.M
Summer Camp Offerings
Marshall Plan Manufacturing Summer Camps for students going into grades 7-9.
For students in COP-ESD
Please check out the linked flyer for more information and registration.
Virtual Summer Space Camps
Hosted by Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum
Deep Space Adventure
Living on Mars
Wings Arcade
Art of Aerospace
3D Printing
FPV Drone Racing
Open for students in grades 3 - 11
Please see the flyer for details and registration information. 2021 Summer Space Camp
Ferris State University presents Summer Cyber Security Camp
June 20-23
Ferris State University, Big Rapids, MI
Students ages 15-18
Many scholarships that may cover part or all of the cost of the camp are available.
Here is a promotional video as well https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zJhhRjo4zw
There are many seats still available but registration is limited.
More information including how to apply for scholarships and links to registration can be found at https://fsuisi.org/summer-camp Students and parents can also email me directly with questions. Thank you for passing this along to your students.
Please contact me if you have any questions,
Laura
Laura Percival
MiSTEM Region 12 Director
Email: percival@copesd.org
Phone 517-819-3437 cell
GIS Contact Information
Sean Byram, Assistant Principal
Email: rowleyl@gaylord.k12.mi.us
Website: gaylordschools.com
Location: 240 East 4th Street, Gaylord, MI, USA
Phone: 989.731.0856