The Gayman Gazette
"What Will Your Beautiful Hands Do Today?"
May 1, 2017
Important Upcoming Dates
- May 1st - 5th - Teacher Appreciation Week
- May 2nd - Band Rehearsal @ 7:45 AM (Woodwind Section Only)
- May 3rd - 6th Grade Field Trip to Peace Valley Nature Center @ 9:15 AM
- May 4th - Spotlight on Music - Grade 1 @ 9:00 AM; Grade 4 @ 10:00 AM
- May 6th - Mulchfest from 7:00 - 11:00 AM
- May 8th-11th - Book Fair
- May 9th - Band Rehearsal @ 2:15 PM
- May 9th - 1st Grade Field Trip (Mrs. Klebba's class) to Graeme Park @ 8:45 AM
- May 9th - 3rd Grade Field Trip to Franklin Institute @ 8:45 AM
- May 10th - Home & School General Membership Meeting @ 7:00 PM
- May 11th - 1st Grade Field Trip (Miss Gallen/Mrs. Trout's classes) to Graeme Park @ 8:45 AM
- May 12th - 5th Grade Field Trip to Constitution Center @ 7:45 AM
- May 15th - 18th - Clothing Drive
- May 16th - Band Rehearsal @ 7:45 AM
- May 16th - Kindergarten to Peace Valley (AM @ 8:55 AM; PM @ 12:25 PM)
- May 22nd - 4th Grade PEN Convention @ Cold Spring
- May 23rd - Spirit Assembly @ 9:00 AM
- May 24th - Band Rehearsal @ 7:45 AM
- May 24th - 6th Grade Field Trip to Tohickon Middle School
- May 24th - Band & Orchestra Concert @ 2:00 PM
- May 24th - Spring Instrument Concert @ Tohickon Middle School @ 7:00 PM
- May 25th - Kids Care Club event @ 3:15 PM
- May 26th - Field Day
- May 29th - Memorial Day - No School
- May 30th - 2nd Grade PEN Field Trip Bridge Tour @ 9:00 AM
- May 31st - Student Council Adopt-A-Road @ 1:00 PM
Message From New Principal
Dear Gayman Elementary School Families,
It is with great honor and enthusiasm that I introduce myself to you as the new Principal of Gayman Elementary School. In January, I briefly filled the role as Interim Principal. During that time, I quickly grew to appreciate Gayman’s rich history of student academic success and the strong collaborative relationship between parents and teachers. I look forward to continuing this partnership towards a successful learning experience for our students.
My career has included two prestigious school districts: Princeton Regional Schools, where I began my teaching career, and the Central Bucks School District. During my years in the Central Bucks School District, I have had the privilege of working in a variety of teaching and educational leadership roles including Supervisor of Reading and Federal Programs, and Assistant Principal at Bridge Valley and Mill Creek Elementary Schools. With each professional experience, my appreciation for the work of our distinguished teachers grew. Over the last several years, I worked with teachers as we refined our instructional practices to include technological and critical thinking goals, knowing that these are necessary skills for the next generation.
Just like you, my family is important to me. My husband, Steve, and I have two children. Our daughter Megan is a junior at Central Bucks South High School, while our son Henry is a fifth-grade student at Butler Elementary School. Megan is focused on academics and has begun the college search, while Henry is more content to play outside. My children are remarkably different from one another. As I watch them grow, I consistently see education through their eyes and know we must do things differently for every child. I recognize that it is the school’s role to foster the talent and creativity that is uniquely inside each child.
Gayman students, please know that my door will always be open. My favorite moments are the times you stop by the office to say hello and share something new. I will want to hear about your new favorite book, how your sports team did over the weekend, or the game that you just learned. When I stop by your classroom, feel free to share your latest discovery, and don’t be surprised if I sit down next to you and ask a lot of questions.
Gayman parents, in the coming weeks, I look forward to working with Mr. Testani, as we make this transition a seamless one. I plan on attending spring events like the next Home and School meeting. More information about this will be forthcoming. In the meantime, thank you for the opportunity to get to know you, your children, and your teachers. I look forward to being a permanent part of the Gayman community.
Sincerely,
Kelly Carter
Children & Anxiety
We would like to share another article as part of this multi-edition series on Anxiety & Children. This "Children & Anxiety" focused series of resources is in response to an increasing population of children, nation-wide, who experience significant anxiety. We encourage you to please read over the resource below to learn more about anxiety in children.
Sincerely,
Mike Testani & Suzanne Vass
HSA General Membership Meeting
Come meet your child's new Principal, Mrs. Kelly Carter, at the next Home & School meeting on Wednesday, May 10 at 7:00 pm. We will also hold our board elections for 2017-2018 school year as well as vote on next year's budget.
Camp Read S'more Book Fair Is Coming
The Gayman Scholastic Spring “BUY ONE, GET ONE” Camp Read S’more Book Fair is fast approaching! This year, we will be running a full Spring Book Fair from May 10-12, 2017 in room 6.
Campers will have an opportunity to shop with their Camp Counselor during their scheduled time. In addition, there will be a Family Night event on Thursday, May 11th from 3:30-7:00pm in room 6 to give our camp families an opportunity to shop together!
Join Gayman's Roxy Reading dogs during the family night:
3:30-4:30 - Bud and Cody
4:30-5:30 - Maggie Doodle
5:30-6:30 - Mila and Anya
The Library staff and the Art teacher will each be hosting a special event that night - stay tuned!
For complete details and to see the class schedule click here.
Spotlight On Music
Please mark your calendars for this year's final "Spotlight on Music" performances.
- Thursday, May 4th - Grade 1 at 9:00 AM; Grade 4 at 10:00 AM
Buddy Bench Dedication
This past Friday Gayman held a dedication ceremony for the “Buddy Bench” located underneath a tree on the playground. The Buddy Bench was dedicated in memory of Sharon Merkel. Sharon worked as a night custodian at Gayman for many years, and was a kind, warm person with an infectious laugh. Through contributions made by her family and friends, and with the assistance of the HSA, the bench was purchased and a plaque dedicated in her honor. The Buddy Bench is a simple idea to eliminate loneliness and foster friendship on the playground.
Gayman Art Show
Gayman Elementary Art Show
Where: Gayman Elementary School
When: Thursday, May 11th, 4:00pm- 7:00pm
Save The Date
Thursday, May 11 is….
Book Fair Family Night
Gayman Elementary Art Show
Camp Out with a Great Book!
It’s all happens after school from 4:00-7pm!
What is Camp Out with A Great Book!?
It’s a chance to celebrate the joy of reading together as a family (May is Families and Reading Month).
Camp Out Events:
Literary Picnic—
Connect to your favorite stories, by, well….. EATING THEM!
Even better: Connect with your family and school by creating a snack to share at our community picnic table.
Ideas, Information, and Sign-Up at:
Storytime at the “Campfire”—
Interested in sharing 15 minutes of your time as a guest reader?
Ideas, Information, and Sign-Up at:
http://bit.ly/2pAKuPo (or use the link in the Gayman Gazette)
Family Campsites—
Stop by one of the campsites we have set up around the building and read together as a family! Books will be supplied.
Questions? Contact Mrs. Thomas: hthomas@cbsd.org or 267-893-4358
The 2017 Gayman Yearbook Has Gone Off to Print - Have You Ordered One Yet?
The Yearbook co-chairs want to thank and recognize all the fabulous photography volunteers including Pamela Blake, Laurie Mirsky, Sue Bauer, Michele McNeil, Sari Dominczyk, Megan Monforte, and anyone else who contributed photos! Special thanks to Pamela Blake for coordinating this year’s cover contest and 6th grade baby photo collection, and to the Gayman staff and faculty for your continued patience and support.
THANK YOU ALL!
The Yearbook Committee
Time To Clear Out The Closets
Gayman’s Spring Clothing Drive is coming!
Our annual spring clothing drive will be May 15th through 10am on May 19th. We are collecting clothes and accessories, household fabric items, shoes, plush toys and stuffed animals! Gayman receives money per pound of donations. Please bring your donated items to the stage.
Please click here for details. Contact Carolyn Jurbala (carolyn@introspect.net) or Lori Zapf (palkadot@comcast.net) with any questions. Thank you!
April Gayman Gala Winners
Kids Had A Great Time At Kids Care Club
The kids had a GREAT time at the Kids Care Club on April 20th. They loved hearing from Good Stuff Thrift about thrift shops and the Girl Scouts about Reduce/Reuse/Recycle! After the presentations the kids had a chance to make reusable bags out of t-shirts, posters for Earth Day to be hung around the school and clean up the grounds of Gayman.
Thanks again for the Girl Scouts for their amazing presentation.
If you have any items to donate, please consider bringing them to Good Stuff Thrift on Old Easton Road. All the proceeds go to kids in need in our very own community!
Good Stuff Thrift - Bucks County PA
Good Stuff Thrift Store is a non-profit charity-based thrift store organization with locations in Buckingham.
Upcoming Kids Care Club Event
The Kids Care Club is looking for paper towel tubes and new or used board books for our next event in May. If you have any of these items, please put them in the Kids Care bin located outside the old office. They will be used for a chimp refuge.
Also if you are interested in signing up for the next Kids Care Club, please use the link below:
Last 6th Grade Club Event
Please join your classmates & your future classmates of Tohickon for a fun night! Groveland & Pine Run students will be joining us. We will have a BBQ picnic dinner with hamburgers, hot dogs, veggie burgers, drinks & dessert. Lots of fun activities including DJ, mini golf, basketball, gaga, fields for soccer, football, t-ball, softball etc. We will end the night with a bonfire cooking smores.
Chaperones are welcome to attend and join in on dinner, the cost is $8 for an adult. Please enter across the bridge & there will be sign in tables for each school. Please check-in and arrive @ 6:15p.m., we will have a sign for Gayman. Dinner will start @ 6:30, please arrive on time.
Check in Time: 6:15p.m.
Place: Briarwood 1380 Creek Road, Furlong PA
Cost: $18 Student/ $8 Adult - checks made out to GHSA - Gayman Home & School
Deadline: May 18th please sign up by this date - need to give Briarwood amount of kids for planning food & staff
Check out Time: 8:30pm., please remember to sign your child out with Sara Herbine @ the end of the night.
This event is for 6th graders only.
Please sign up using the link below:
School Vaccination Requirements For Attendance In Pennsylvania Schools
As of August 2017, a parent must have all immunizations completed within the first 5 days of school.
If the student is in the middle of a series and it is too soon for the next dose, the parents must provide the school nurse with a plan for immunizations (signed by a health care provider) within the first 5 days. If the student has incomplete immunizations and no medical plan, the student will be excluded from school.
You may check your child’s school immunization record by logging onto the parent portal through the district website at www.cbsd.org or by consulting with your child’s physician.
Come Meet the Philly Phanatic At The For Pete's Sake Cancer Color 5K Race/Walk
Boomerang Award
This year, Gayman will continue to accept nominations for the Boomerang Award, which is our way of honoring students who best demonstrate their own developmental assets. What are Developmental Assets? Students possessing a combination of “40 Assets” are typically most successful in school and in life. These assets have the power to influence choices young people make and help them become caring, responsible adults. For a complete listing of the 40 Developmental Assets visit: www. Search-institute.org.
May #37. Personal Power. Young person has a healthy sense of personal power. He/she believes they can effect change and make a difference in their school and/or community. They believe they have some control over things that happen in their world, that things just don't happen to them. Boomerang nominations may be emailed to Suzanne Vass at svass@cbsd.org, or printed out and sent into the office.