GEIST GAZETTE
February 5, 2021
GEIST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Website: https://ges.hseschools.org/
Location: 14051 East 104th Street, Fishers, IN 46037
Phone: 317-915-4260
Twitter: @Geistgators
Note from the Principal
We are quickly moving through the second semester! Your children are working hard and I hope you will take time at dinner to ask them questions about what they are learning. I always find asking what the best part of their day was and their worst to be insightful into their perspectives!
Please see below about our Acts of Kindness efforts for the Month of February as well as our Animal Shelter Drive! The students voted and want to help the local animal shelter. Join in the efforts and in lieu of Valentines day cards help support the shelter or do a random act of kindness for someone. Send your Act of Kindness picture to ecross@hse.k12.in.us! Our Gators have HUGE hearts and we can't wait to document the journey. Classrooms will be focusing on friendship and caring activities through our reading and writing workshop!
Please continue to reach out to your child's teacher if you have any questions about how your child is progressing. We are here to work together to help your child grow academically, socially and emotionally!
Thank you for your continued support-
Christi
Acts of Kindness- Spreading Love
A Huge thank you GES Families for supporting our drive to support an Animal Shelter!
Of everything we want to teach the youth of our world, the importance of kindness is one of the most valuable. Science has even shown numerous health benefits including an improved immune system, decreased stress levels, feelings of purpose and a sense of connectedness.
During the month of February, our teachers, staff, and students will focus on Spreading Acts of Kindness, Appreciating Themselves and Others and Sharing Joy.
Spreading kindness at home and in our community is highlighted as we help to support a local animal shelter.
The following can be implemented at home, as well.
Ideas for Families
- Create a Kindness Calendar - Providing children ideas and a framework for practicing kindness helps ingrain kindness as a way of life. Week one may include such simple tasks as smiling at the grumpy neighbor or holding the door open at the grocery store.
- Choose Secret Helpers - Draw among your family’s names to decide who gets extra doses of kindness that week, such as taking on an extra chore or giving special compliments.
- Cook for a Neighbor - Involve the kids in preparing and delivering a meal for a sick or elderly neighbor.
- Start a Coin Fund - As a family, choose a nonprofit you will donate the extra change you collect in a large jar. Set a goal and timeline.
- Call Your Extended Family - Surprise a new member each week, especially older or homebound relatives who could use extra family support.
- Share Positive Experiences - Whether around the dinner table or on the way to school, make sure children are exposed to good things that happen during our week, as well as some positive news item
- Leave an Online Review - When you receive excellent service at a restaurant or other place of business, show your children the value of positive praise and feedback.
- Mail a Care Package to the Grandparents - Let the grandchildren decide on unique favorites they think grandma or grandpa will enjoy and include notes and drawings.
- Bring Gifts to Children’s Hospital Patients - Have family members think of inexpensive toys or books they would like if they were stuck in a hospital room, then deliver some joy.
- Help out Anonymously - Make someone smile with no strings attached — rake the neighbor’s leaves, shovel their snow or leave a basket of goodies just because, no thanks needed.
Another great resource for how to spread kindness in our community can be found here: Pennies of Time.
Lisa Piatek Keller, M.S.
GES Counselor
HSEF’s 9th Annual Game Day
Game Day is going virtual! While we will miss hosting Game Day at Conner Prairie this year, HSEF looks forward to providing a new opportunity to support public education while engaging in a little friendly competition. HSEF’s 9th annual Game Day will be a fun, interactive Virtual Trivia Competition with five customized rounds for HSE Schools on Friday, February 19, 2021, at 6:30 pm. HSEF encourages you to gather (safely) your trivia savvy friends and fans of HSE schools to support the largest annual fundraising event for all Hamilton Southeastern schools. Please visit www.hsefoundation.org/events/game-day/ to learn more and register your team today!
Texting To and From Your Child During the Day
We are equipped and happy to get messages to your student about forgotten items, changes in dismissal plans and more. Likewise, if your student needs something from home they can ask their teacher for help. If your student is not feeling well they can ask their teacher to see the nurse.
Please help us in this effort.
- When your student is leaving during the school day for an appointment the best way to communicate is to send a note or email to the teacher before the appointment, letting us know the plans. If you give us advance notice it will speed up the process to get the student to the office.
- Explain to your child that they are not to report to the office until their teacher or other staff directs them.
- If your child contacts you that they want to come home because they don't feel well, please encourage them to ask to visit the clinic. They will be attended to and you will be contacted as warranted.
- Talk with your child at home and explain that texting during the day is not acceptable. Again, encourage them to ask their teacher for help if needed.
Artist of the Week
Artist of the Week for Feb. 1:
K: Ford H. in Ms. Dawdy's class and Simon B. in Mrs. Many's class
1st: Lilliana M. and Bruce H. in Mr. Savin's class
2nd: Emma B. and Lucille Y. in Ms. Dahl's class
3rd: Gavin D. in Ms. Harvey's class and Mason M. in Mrs. Beck's class
News from the Gym
Welcome to February! Winter is upon us and that brings out boot weather. If you send your child to school in boots, please send a pair of tennis shoes for the days when they have PE. Thanks for helping your child be able to exercise safely.
Here is a quick rundown of how things will work on Friday E-learning days:
If your child is a Virtual Only learner, they will Zoom with us on Friday at the directed time.
If your child is an in class student, they will complete the assignments that were given to the Virtual Only students. There will be an Announcement in Canvas with those directions. If they have questions, they can join us on Zoom.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Mr. Sutherlin and Miss Sarah
STUDENT COUNCIL SPIRIT DAY FEBRUARY 11
Examples include characters from a book, movie, tv show. Be sure the character and costume are school-appropriate.
Thank you for supporting GES Student Council and Make A Wish!
Thank You Geist Families
Remember the Mask...Starting with the Bus
Yearbook Sale !!!!!!!!
Geist Elementary School
YEARBOOKS ARE NOW ON SALE
Online Yearbook Sales Only
Ordering available until:
March 15, 2021
Full-Color Yearbook...................$15
To order your yearbook visit:
and enter code: 55224F
Thank you for your order!
Head Lice Information
From time to time, we may see a case of head lice in our school building and wanted to pass along some information to help answer your questions regarding head lice. Feel free to contact the school nurses with further questions regarding head lice and the treatment suggestions.
Head Lice Information
- Head Lice are small parasitic insects that can be found on the heads of people.
- Head lice feed on human blood several times a day and live close to the human scalp.
- Head lice and head lice nits are found on the scalp, around and behind the ears and near the neckline at the back of the head.
- Head lice cannot fly or jump; they can only crawl
- Head lice are spread by direct head-to-head contact
- Head lice are rarely spread by contact with clothing or personal items (such as combs, brushes, hats or coats}
- Head lice are not a sign of uncleanliness
- Head lice are not known to spread disease.
Signs and symptoms of head lice infestation
- Tickling feeling of something moving in the hair
- Itching, caused by an allergic reaction to the bites of the head louse
- Irritability and difficulty sleeping; head lice are most active in the dark
- Sores on the head caused by scratching
If your child exhibits signs and symptoms of head lice infestation, you should examine your child's head (especially behind the ears and at the nape of the neck} for crawling lice and nits. If crawling lice and/or nits have been found, all household members should be examined for head lice and/or nits every 3-4 days. Persons with live (crawling} lice or nits within ¼ inch or less of the scalp should be treated.
For more information on head lice and treatment go to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC} web site at http://www.cdc.gov
2021 Winter and Spring Assessment Window Dates
WIDA (ENL): Monday, January 11, 2021 – Friday, February 26, 2021
NWEA (Grades K-4): Monday, February 8 – Friday, February 26
CogAT (Grades K and 2): Monday, March 1 – Friday, March 12
IREAD (Grade 3): Monday, March 8 – Friday, March 19
I AM (Exceptional Learners): Monday, April 5 – Friday, May 14
ILEARN (Grades 3 and 4): Monday, April 19 – Friday, May 14
{Additional detailed information will be communicated closer to each assessment window.}
The podcast is called Raising HSE and can be found on Apple Podcasts or the link above.