Gator Tales
Grace Episcopal School Vol. 23 (2017-2018)
Introducing Grae C. Gator, our mascot!
Next Week at a "Gator Glance"
Monday, April 9
- K-5th Grade Chapel @ 8:00 am (Grace Church)
- ITBS Testing
Tuesday, April 10
- 6th - 8th Grade Chapel @ 8:00 AM (Middle School Commons)
- ITBS Testing
Wednesday, April 11
- Holy Eucharist Grades 1-8, Parents Welcome @ 8:00 am (Students may wear regular uniform)
- ITBS Testing
Thursday, April 12
- ITBS Testing
Friday, April 13
- ITBS Testing
FYI
Save the Date
STUDENT ART SHOW & DINNER TO GO
Come see our students art, grab dinner from Kitchen Masala and buy your child's one-of-a-kind art piece.
-Thursday, April 19th from 5:00-7:00 pm @ GES Middle School
-Friday, April 20th from 10:00 am- 2:00 pm (during Parent Lunch)
*Look for flyers and more info
ATHLETIC BANQUETS
Lower School - Tuesday, April 24th 1:30 p.m. Kilbourne Hall
Middle School - Tuesday, May 1st 6:30 p.m. Bayou DeSiard Country Club
*Look for flyers and more info
From the desk of Dr. Ricks
Parents and Friends,
It was a busy spring week at Grace. Between spring sports pictures, bake sales, play practices, and ITBS prep, our students are working and playing hard. Speaking of spring sports, our golf clinic kicked off this week. Many thanks to Mr. Jim and Mr. John Pruitt at Bayou DeSiard Country Club for working with our students. We are off to such a good start that there is strong support of looking into forming a golf team. Also, mark your calendars for our Spring Sports Banquets...Lower School Banquet is Tuesday, April 24th at 1:30 p.m. in Kilbourne Hall and the Middle School Banquet is Tuesday, May 1st at 6:30 p.m. at Bayou DeSiard Country Club. It is hard to believe that our end of the year celebrations and traditions are upon us.
And in line with sharing the good news of Grace, I’d like to encourage everyone to "Speak positive Grace" and to refrain from voicing criticism or negative comments about our school in public settings. It is natural to be frustrated and concerned about school matters, and it is natural to want to share thoughts--whether it be teacher, student, or even fellow-parent related. But sharing those thoughts at a birthday
party or soccer game doesn’t actually address the concern, and it can hinder our recruitment efforts. Please let me know anytime you have a concern so that we can work to address it. I am always happy to discuss your concerns and consider problem-solving to be my most important duty. I love that Grace parents are passionate about our school and our children's education, and I want to make sure that you find the solutions that you need so that you can continue to be our best cheerleaders.
Standardized testing begins on Monday for students. As most of you know, I believe standardized testing is an important and useful tool in assessing both student learning and school curriculum, but it is one tool among many and not in any way a measure of a child’s worth. We want our students to do their best, but we do not want them to be fearful. A good night’s sleep, a good breakfast, and on-time arrival to school are all you really need to be worrying about. Testing normally begins first thing in the morning and ends before lunch. We will schedule make-up testing if necessary. The students have been practicing and are prepared. We also got a great spirit send off at yesterday's Academic Pep Rally. How wonderful to see so many MS cheerleaders leading the Spirit Stick cheers, and what about our new mascot?! That spirited Gator was the most buzzed about event for our little Gators!
Have a wonderful weekend,
Dr. Ricks
Don't forget to turn in your contracts for the 18/19 school year.
Great Gators!
GES Track Team finishes season STRONG!
Congratulations to Chandler, Jalen, Elliott, Scout, Adeline, Georgia & Mary Lu!
Middle School News
7th Grade Annual Frog Dissection in Life Science
*Only Grades K through 8th participate in Field Day.
Gracious Gators!
GES Community Outreach
We would like to send a BIG THANKS to Tammy LaGrone, Dr. Beth Ricks, Wendy Napoli, Ella Napoli and Stephanie Bryant for making that day a huge success.
Here a few tips:
-Gently worn shoes
-We need shoes in all sizes from the whole family
-Rubber band each pair of shoes and put them in bags
-Put your child/children names on the bags