Green Acres Gazette
Green Acres Elementary School
Letter From The Principal
Greetings Green Acres Families!
Thank you for opening our new "Green Acres Gazette!" In addition to our school website, parent bulletin board, flyers, and periodic phone messages, I am hoping you feel informed, included and valued as an important Green Acres partner in the education of your child. So much has happened and continues to happen here at our wonderful school, so I hope you are filled with pride as you read all the wonderful tidbits of information.
At the beginning of the school year, I invited all students to attend a Lion Culture Climate Assembly in which I explained: the purposes of coming to school, behavioral expectations, setting academic goals, and encouraging social-emotional behaviors that contribute to the overall positive culture of our school. I explained the rule of five for attendance (do not miss more than five days of school for the year) and put them in charge of helping to create and maintain a happy school. I shared that we each play an important part in helping others feel safe to learn and feel valued as members of our learning community. Well, I am so proud to report that students were listening! The first trimester here at Green Acres has been full of successes. Several students have met their first-trimester academic goals, several students have earned perfect attendance bracelets, and several classrooms have had 97% attendance rates! Students have collectively been awarded hundreds of Poga Paws for displaying wanted behaviors and many have been awarded certificates of honor at our monthly Lion Pride Assemblies. Goals matter and we make sure students know this because it empowers them and increases their self-efficacy. I will continue this messaging at our next Culture Climate Assembly and offer continued encouragement to establish goals, check them periodically and help students realize them. We are in the business of creating a champion mentality in which all kids believe that they can. Go Lions!
Below I will share more on attendance, our school governance, and important updates that impact our school. Please check our website regularly for calendar dates and events.
I hope you enjoy the newsletter and I look forward to your continued support as we enter the second trimester of school. See you on campus!
Respectfully,
Ms. Taylor, Proud Principal
English Learner Advisory Council (ELAC)
This year, they will launch our Language Ambassadors program on December 18, 2019, from 5:30-7:00 with an event titled "Hispanic Holidays or Fiestas Navidenas". Please read the calendar event below and look for our reservation flyer sent home for more information and registration. Everyone interested in learning more about multilingualism is encouraged to participate.

"Hispanic Holidays" An Intro to Language Ambassadors / Noche Navidenas
Wednesday, Dec. 18th 2019 at 5:30-7pm
Green Acres
ELAC is sponsoring a cultural look at Hispanic traditions to share with the Green Acres Families. This event is an introduction to Language Ambassadors, a program we participate in to promote multilingualism and encourages students to obtain the Biliteracy Seal upon high school graduation. We encourage all students and adults to learn something new about the languages and traditions of others in our community. We will also share ideas about possible projects to consider for Language Ambassadors. Students will have an opportunity to create a craft, dinner will be sold, and free Mexican Hot Chocolate and cookies will be shared. Please RSVP by returning the printed invitation sent home so we can be sure to have enough food and materials for all.
School Site Council
Theresa Ruiz Decker - Parent/Chairman, Jen Campagnolo - Parent /Vice Chairman,
K Starr Simon - Parent, Ben Kennedy - Parent,
Lisa Rispaud 1st Grade Teacher - Secretary, Stacy Arista 3rd Grade Teacher,
Katie Orlando 5th Grade Teacher, Erica Sowder- Speech Therapist,
and Rebecca Taylor - Principal.
They are a highly effective group of individuals and make valuable contributions to the intricate details of our school. Thank you, SSC!
Attendance Corner - Facts and Data
Here on campus, we have made a lot of changes to help parents get students here for example; we have supervision in the cafeteria and the playground at 7:30 am to encourage breakfast at school and early drop-offs. We have created recognition programs to encourage attendance; perfect attendance bracelets, pizza parties, kinder chocolate kisses for parents and parades for kinder students. Teachers and office staff make daily phone calls when students are absent and every effort is made to let students know that when they are not here, they are missed. Our efforts have shown great improvements!
DATA: Period #1 = 97%, Period #2 = 96.46%, Period #3 = 96. 64%
It's important that everyone understand that these efforts are to prevent academic gaps, student disconnectedness, and to protect our valuable and costly resources. I would like to thank all parents that have made efforts to avoid taking students out of school for unexcusable reasons and for getting students here on time, as well as avoiding early checkouts. As many of you have heard me say; the 180 days of school have been planned and the curriculum is set. We just need our students here! Every minute counts as we work to deliver a high-quality education to all students every day and all day! Do not underestimate the power of your influence in helping Green Acres meet our attendance goals. You matter too! Let's continue to work together to help students achieve!
Parking and Our Drop Off Zones
1) Please avoid parking in areas marked in red, labeled NO PARKING, or marked STAFF.
2) Please do not park or stay more than 45 seconds in the DROP OFF ZONE. Be courteous.
3) Please do not leave your car unattended in the DROP OFF ZONE. Respect that everyone
has a schedule to keep.
4) Follow the arrows painted on the ground. See pictures.
Thank you for your part in keeping students safe, helping our school run efficiently, and supporting our drop off procedures. We want everyone to start and end the day with a smile so let's all continue to model timely planning for the children and to avoid unnecessary stress/rushing for ourselves and others.