GEIST GAZETTE
December 11, 2020
GEIST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Website: https://ges.hseschools.org/
Location: 14051 East 104th Street, Fishers, IN 46037
Phone: 317-915-4260
Twitter: @Geistgators
Principal's Note
I hope you are each staying healthy and safe during this challenging time. We have three more scheduled weeks of virtual instruction. I know some grade levels have reached out to families to pick up additional materials. We are offering extended access to the vestibule (Door 1-Flagpole) on Monday, December 14th from 8:00AM- 6:30PM to better accommodate schedules. In addition, ALL next week the vestibule (Door 1- Flagpole) ONLY will open at 8:00AM for a morning pick up option. The office will continue to open at 9:15. Not all grade levels have additional materials for pick up at this time, so this only applies to classes or grade levels that have reached out to Gator Families.
We know that virtual instruction is a different challenge in the home. Our house has two virtual learners and just recently, due to isolation and quarantine, we had four people trying to work and live from home and a dog with her own agenda. Please know we understand each home space is different but you do what you can to implement some of the basics to allow for a structured learning space at home:
- individual work stations
- headphones when possible
- visual schedules/marker board/paper
- set timers on the IPAD/microwave/phone
- keep the TV off and no phone at the desk if possible
If your child is having struggles, please reach out to your child's teacher or the front office. We are here to assist! This year we will not be having parent teacher conferences; however, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child's teacher for an update. The contractual time allocated for parent teacher conferences was moved to professional development at the beginning of the year to improve from eLearning to Virtual instruction. We appreciate your understanding. Grade cards will be coming out Jan 6th. Again, don't hesitate to reach out to your child's teacher with any questions.
We hope that each of you has a wonderful winter break and is able to enjoy some quiet time with your family.
Wishing you health and joy this holiday season,
Christi Thomas, Principal
News from the Gym
Please have your students check their PE assignments to make sure they have them all complete by Dec. 18th. You can do this by going to my Canvas page and hitting the Assignments tab in the upper left corner. If you have any questions, please let me know by email (rsutherlin@hse.k12.in.us).
Also, If your student is scheduled to have PE, please check the Announcements tab in Canvas for information.
I hope you are all able to stay active during these crazy times.
Mr. Sutherlin
NWEA Winter Testing Window
Winter NWEA testing will run from February 8-26, 2020.
Teachers use this information to help plan for students’ instructional needs. This testing will also be used in part to identify students in need of high ability services. More information about identification for high ability services can be found at https://www.hseschools.org/academics/intervention-acceleration/high-ability Your child’s teacher will be happy to answer any questions you may have about NWEA testing.
School Lunch during 100% Virtual Instruction K-12 : Meal Order Program
Meals will be picked up on Tuesday, December 15th at the school location of your choice between 4:00pm - 6:00pm. There will be three pick up locations: Fishers High School (door #18), Hamilton Southeastern High School (door #1) and Riverside Intermediate (door #17). If you need assistance with transportation, please call Lynn Wolfe at 317-594-4100 or email lwolfe@hse.k12.in.us.
Families must place the order weekly. The order form is sent via email through HSE Skylert. Please check your Skyward Family Access account to ensure your email address and communication preferences are set correctly.
HSE Online Self-Reporting Form
Food Drive
Mrs. Dobbins' class has decided they want to do a service project for their Winter Celebration and after reading Maddi's Fridge, they want to donate to a local food pantry.
Donations will go to the “Come-To-Me” Food Pantry of Fishers United Methodist Church.: https://fishersumc.org/foodpantry/
A box for donations next will be next to Mrs. Dobbins' pickup box in the vestibule on Monday, Dec 14. We will take collections through Wednesday, Dec. 16th.
Report Cards
Our quarter ends on Friday 12/18. Report cards will be available on January 6th for grades 5-12 and on January 7th for grades PK-4.
You can view your student’s report card by logging into Skyward Family Access, opening the portfolio section, and opening your PDF.
This year is a bit different for us as we navigate assessments and reporting in a virtual setting.
- Any indicators left blank have not yet been assessed. These will be assessed in Quarters 3 or 4.
- Indicators that are marked with a grade or score represent opportunities for a follow up conversation with your student. Celebrating and setting goals helps your student develop more ownership when talking through the various indicators on their report card.
- The Personal Behavior and Work Habits section of the report card represents study skills or social skills. Some of these have been assessed but a few are more difficult to determine in a virtual setting.
- The Speaking and Listening section of the report card may also contain skills that are a bit more difficult to assess in a virtual setting.
School Picture Retakes
YMCA ELearning Childcare for HSE Students
Food Pantry Assistance During the Break
Mudsock Sports - Spring Registration
Mark Your Calendars! Spring program registration will open on January 1st and run through the 31st for baseball, softball, soccer, boys and girls lacrosse, rugby and track. Visit myathletics.com for the most updated season information and to register your child for a league.