GVES Weekly Update
March 1, 2019
Upcoming Events
3/4-3/8: 5th Grade Growth & Development Lessons
3/4: John Marciano Author Visit for 3rd & 4th Grades
3/6: 2nd Grade Parent Night 7pm
3/7: Spring Picture Day
3/8: GVES Spirit Day
3/8: HSA Committee Meeting 9am
Student Placement Process
As we near spring conferences, we naturally start to think about next school year. We have an extensive placement process that uses student assessment and observation data to help us place each student into next year’s classes. Our teachers collect this information, and it goes to our placement team. The team creates mixed-ability homerooms that are well-balanced by student gender, background, personality, and development. As part of this process, we do not accept requests for specific teachers. Such requests are not sent to the team that makes the classes.
On some occasions, there may be information specific to your child beyond what will be shared at spring conferences. If you believe there are circumstances that may not be addressed within the comprehensive placement process, please complete this form by May 1, 2019 for students who will be attending GVES in the fall. Teacher requests should not be included in these letters. The information you provide will go directly to the GVES principals in lieu of letters or emails regarding student placement.
Thank you for your understanding and confidence in our process to place all of our students.
“Momo Challenge” - Social Media Internet Hoax
Many news agencies have recently reported on a social media hoax called the “Momo Challenge.” This viral ghost story has been found embedded in children’s media on several platforms including Facebook, YouTube and YouTube Kids. Children might see it when clips are embedded by hackers and might also see popular YouTube stars talking about this challenge in reaction to what has been embedded.
Some of our students have been talking about the “Momo Challenge.” We encourage them to speak with adults at home and school when they have questions about what they see online. However, it is not expected for them to talk about this hoax to scare other students. We do not know if students have actually seen any videos or are talking about what has been in the news. We have not received any reports of students engaging in dangerous activities related to this.
This is, again, another opportunity to talk with our students about internet safety. We always want to remind our students to not share any personal information on the internet, to only accept messages from people they know, and to be sure they understand their parents’ expectations when connected online.
Here are additional resources about the “Momo Challenge”:
CNN Article
https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/28/health/momo-challenge-youtube-trnd/index.html
Forbes Article
National (UK) Online Safety
https://nationalonlinesafety.com/resources/platform-guides/momo-online-safety-guide-for-parents/
Additional tips that we share with students when we discuss digital citizenship are below:
Treat people the way you hope to be treated.
Communicate responsibly & kindly with one another
Keep private information private
Respect others’ privacy
Stand up and speak up against cyberbullying
Think about the future…
Thank you for your support as we help our students navigate this digital world.
Nurse's Office Note
Please be on the lookout for letters coming home with your student..
All 5th graders will receive a note regarding upcoming physicals that are needed for 6th grade.
Also coming home this week will be letters of non-compliance for any student missing a State mandated Physical or Dental examination. If you do not receive a note--then your student's health file is up to date. Dentals are required for all 3rd graders and Physicals are required for all 6th graders.
THANK YOU for your attention to this concern. If you should have any questions or concerns please contact the nurse's office.
Jaguar Jog Time Again
Get ready, Get Set, REGISTER!
Registration for the 5th Annual Jaguar Jog is now open.The afternoon of Family Fun will be held on April 28, 2019 from 1-4 pm. We will have the 5K and 1 mile races, along with entertainment by Charismatic Entertainment, field day games, Kona Ice and new this year - John Williams of RE/MAX Excellence will be raffling off a laptop computer! All who register and are in attendance are eligible to WIN the laptop! Other prizes include: a chance to win an iFLY gift card for all GVES students who run the 5K and water ice parties for the classes with the most participation!
Go to the website for more information and to register.
If you are interested in sponsoring the event, please contact Jennifer Connolly. We are thrilled to have John Williams as our presenting sponsor and Charismatic Entertainment as our entertainment for the day! But we have plenty of room for more businesses to get involved.
Home and School Update
HSA Committee Work Group Meeting – Friday, March 8th
Always wanted to help out with HSA events but don’t know how to get involved? Join us for our Committee Work Group Meeting and get to know us/get looped in! Friday, March 8th – 9 am in the GVE LGI Room
School Store – Tuesday, March 12th
Our next school store is Tuesday March 12th! Students can shop at recess for items ranging from 50 cents to $3.00.
3rd Grade Fun Time – Wednesday, March 13th, Registration coming soon!
4th Grade Science Night – Wednesday, March 20th
The GVES Home and School Association is excited to sponsor the 4th grade Science Night. The event will take place in the GVES Cafeteria on Wednesday, March 20th from 7:00-8:00pm.
This event is intended to encourage the love of science with our students by allowing them to participate in hands-on science experiments at 5 different stations. There will be raffle prizes given away during the event as well.
Space is limited to the first 50 students who register. Others will be placed on a waiting list and will be contacted if space becomes available. This is not a drop off event, each student must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Given space constraints, siblings cannot attend.
We are also looking for parent volunteers for the night of the event, so if you are interested please indicate that on your registration form or contact Laurie Harding at psunittanylionfan@yahoo.com or Kris Thomson at kxd170@gmail.com.
To register, please use this link: bit.ly/gvesciencenight2019
Your registration will be confirmed in a future email. If you have questions, please contact Laurie Harding at psunittanylionfan@yahoo.com or Kris Thomson at kxd170@gmail.com. Be sure to register early before the 50 spots fill up.
Lunch Buddies – Wednesday, March 20th
Our next GVE Lunch Buddies day will be Wednesday, March 20th. If you have signed up for that day, we’ll look forward to having you here to have lunch with your child. Any questions, please contact Rene Kabakoff (rkabakoff@ymail.com ) or Stacy Schneeweis (seschneeweis@gmail.com)
Box Tops Thank You!
School News Winter Finale
GV STEAM Night
Garnet Valley STEAM Night: Thursday, March 21st at Garnet Valley High School
(5:15 to 5:45 arrive and sign in, 5:45 - 8:30 welcome and activities)
Garnet Valley STEAM Club is hosting STEAM night to introduce students across the district to STEAM and its related fields and topics. STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math; This event will also introduce students to STEAM thought process. Both parents and children are welcome to attend, but prior sign up is necessary. Space is the theme for the event and people who sign-up will be able to attend the Expo Center and a corresponding activity track. The Expo Center will have student and company presentations such as Mathnasium and Boeing. Let's shoot for the stars together at STEAM night 2019.
For more detailed information regarding the event including information about the activities, as well as, the signing-up information, visit our website linked here.
For the sign-up link for the event click here. Prior registration by March 18 is required and walk ins are strongly discouraged.
Delaware County Poetry Contest
GVPAA Presents Annie
Leapin’ Lizards! The irrepressible comic strip heroine takes center stage at Garnet Valley Performing Arts Association March 7-9. Based on Harold Gray’s popular comic strip, Annie has become a worldwide phenomenon and was the winner of 7 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Little orphan Annie charms everyone’s hearts with a can-do attitude, providing hope that tomorrow is only a day away with her tenacious spirit and infectious optimism. Through one small child persevering to find her family, she experiences the magic of New York City, makes friends with a President, and finds somewhere she can finally call home.
Come support the 200 students in grades K-12 on stage and the 50 plus students and staff in the crew and pit.
Our Annies are middle schooler Neala Carroll and GVE student Lauren Cusick and your GVHS seniors Annie Tunstall, Megan and Kelly McGarrey, Janice Argo, Jared Lynch, Tori Travetti, Abbey DiGravio, Jack Cervino, Mike Noone, Camille Bautista, Kiera Adams, Julia Kinnee, Kate Santangelo, Ryan Armani, Emma Rolecki, Corey Manzano, Sara Cripps, Daniel Avicolli, Sara Gigl, and Joey Rice will be starring and crewing their final show. Come out and support the performing arts!
As an added bonus there will be a Mamma Mia preview featuring the middle school chorus and some of your favorite staff and community actors. Join in the fun.
Tickets available at www.gvpaa.com
Parent Workshops
Girls Softball Clinic Cancelled
Garnet Valley CTC Quick Tip #27
The results are back from the 2017 Pennsylvania Youth Survey for Garnet Valley’s 6th, 8th, 10th, and 12th graders. We also have results from 2013 and 2015.
The results of this anonymous survey are self-reported and represent 83.9% of our students.
Did you know? Come out on March 4th and learn about the positive influence parent/guardians can have on their children’s technology use. Middle school students will hear from Dr. Hinduja during the day.
Call to action… Come to Stress Less about Tech with Dr. Sameer Hinduja on Monday, March 4th ( snow date 3/5/19), 6:15 pm at Garnet Valley Middle School. The research is clear—the most protective factor for youth is a positive relationship with caring adults where open, honest conversations about tough topics lead to guidance and support. You will benefit from expert help with your child’s technology use. In addition, Mr. Sivo our new School Resource Officer will be introduced and available. There will also be a mini behavioral health fair with providers form Delaware County. Don’t miss it! Find out more about Dr. Hinduja below.
Mindfulness Workshops
Jaguarmax Radio Podcast
Want a chance to be on the podcast? Students can submit a book review here and you might get to read it and be on iTunes!
Jaguarmax Radio Podcast on iTunes
Important Links
After School Activity Dismissal Procedures - Dismissal Locations
VEFLS - Foreign Language Contact Person, kgardler@yahoo.com or 610-717-2755
Cafeteria Information - Menus and Payments
GVES Yearly Calendar - Important Dates
Safe Arrival - Attendance Reporting App
GVSD App - Download app here
MySchoolBucks - Online Payments
District Text Messaging Opt-In - Registration Info
Parent Right to Know Information
Connect with GVES! Now Podcasting!
Garnet Valley Elementary School
"A Caring Community of Learners"
Est. 1997
The mission of our learning community is to maximize the potential of all students by empowering them to do their personal best.
Website: gves.garnetvalleyschools.com
Location: 599 Smithbridge Rd
Phone: (610) 579-4150
Facebook: facebook.com/GarnetValleyES
Twitter: @GarnetValleyES