|
IN THIS ISSUE:
message from the head of school / COVID-19 information / back to school registration forms / community handbook / classroom supply lists / extended care / pizza friday / parent orientation and student visit day / family interest survey / spread the word! / calendar
|
|
|
|
From the Head of School
Dear Gardner Community,
With great excitement, I welcome our new and returning families to our 2021-2022 school year. I hope this email finds you fully enjoying your summer- with sunny days, family time, and doing what brings joy to your children. Our teachers and staff are finding balance by taking time off while still preparing for the upcoming school year.
At the Gardner School, our mission is to cultivate authentic learning through integrated experiences in a supportive community. This year, we're excited to provide our students an excellent academic experience while integrating thematic studies with our specialist classes; art, science, physical education, Spanish, and music. Children at the Gardner School develop a love for learning because of the engaging lessons in our classrooms, wetlands, and school garden. They are challenged, supported, and seen by our caring staff, and they make deep friendships with peers while exploring the world around them.
Last year, we successfully operated fully in person with zero Covid-19 transmission. Our small community joined each other to support what we know is best for students- being on the Gardner School's campus with classmates and teachers. We are thankful that our students thrived, learned, grew, and stayed healthy and happy. As we plan for the year ahead, we are confident in our ability to handle the ups and downs ahead of us because our community is supportive, flexible, gives grace, and acts with integrity and kindness to one another. Like last year, we will follow the guidelines, and provide regular updates as inevitable changes occur. It's going to be another amazing year, and I am looking forward to watching our students grow academically, socially, and emotionally.
I am thankful that you've chosen the Gardner School for your child(ren)'s education, and am looking forward to leading this kind, creative, and growing community through another fantastic school year.
See you in a few weeks!
|
|
|
|
COVID-19 Updates
On Monday, we will send a separate email with an overview of our Covid-19 health and safety plans for the 2021-2022 school year based on the Washington State's DOH guidelines. Any questions can be emailed to Assistant Head of School, Courtney Tomlinson, at ctomlinson@gardnerschool.org.
|
|
- Complete Back to School Registration forms in Alma Start
- Read our Community Handbook
- Purchase School Supplies
- Choose an Extended Care Option (if needed)
- Sign Up and Submit Payment for Pizza Friday
- Attend Parent Orientation on Monday, 8/30
- Complete Family Interest Form
- Download School Calendar
|
|
|
|
Back to School Registration Forms
The Gardner School uses Alma, a student information system, to manage student records and to collect registration forms. To login, go to https://gardnerschool.getalma.com/. Your login is your firstname.lastname.
1. If you are a new to Gardner family, or have forgotten your password, select "Forgot Password" from the login screen to complete the sign-in.
2. After logging in, your dashboard will list all enrolled children. Click on the "Alma Start Forms and Tasks" button to see all assigned registration forms.
3. Don't forget to hit "Submit" when you've finished your forms!
Having any trouble accessing your account or completing the forms? Contact our Office Manager, Lisa Linderman, at llinderman@gardnerschool.org or call the Main Office at (360) 574-5752. |
|
Thank you for purchasing school supplies for your child! You can bring the supplies in during our Parent Orientation on Monday, August 30th.
If you have questions, please email your child's teacher. Teacher email addresses can be found on our website here. Please note, response times may be delayed during the summer.
|
|
|
|
Extended Care
Before Care and After Care are available for our students that need care outside of our normal school hours. Drop off begins at 8:15 am daily for all students, but families in our K-6 program can attend Before Care starting at 7:30 am. We do not have Before Care for our Early Childhood students.
Pick up for Early Childhood is 3:00 pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, and 1:15 pm on early release Wednesday. After Care is available until 6:00 pm daily for all Early Childhood students. If you also have a child in our K-6 program, After Care is provided free of charge until the K-6 pick up time.
Pick up for our K-6 students is 3:30 pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, and 1:45 pm on early release Wednesday. After Care is available until 6:00 pm daily for all K-6 students.
After Care costs $9.50/hour and is billed on a monthly basis unless you purchase an Extended Care Contract. If you would like to learn more about the options for an Extended Care contract, contact our Director of Business Operations, Sheila Hughes, at shughes@gardnerschool.org.
|
|
A Gardner Tradition
Pizza Friday!
When you complete registration forms in Alma Start, you can choose to sign up for Pizza Friday, our weekly pizza lunch delivery. Parents love taking a day off from packing lunches! The cost for the whole year is $150 per student, and the payment can be submitted online here.
We can accomodate most food allergies (with an additional cost), but please contact our Office Manager, Lisa Linderman, at llinderman@gardnerschool.org with any questions. |
|
|
Monday, August 30th
Parent Orientation and Student Visit Day
|
|
Orientation is an important day for both parents and students to be prepared for the start of the school year. Parents will be welcomed in the Great Room for a meeting with Head of School, Emily Davis, and Assistant Head of School, Courtney Tomlinson. Students will join their teacher for an interactive activity to help them feel excited and ready for the first day of school.
We'll see you on Monday, August 30th at your child's class time below!
9:00 am - Tumtum
10:00 am - Mazama
11:00 am - Kalama
12:30 pm - Pahto
1:30 pm - Loowit and Wy'East
2:30 pm - Klickitat
|
|
|
Community Support
Family Survey
|
|
Families are an integral part of the Gardner School community. The school relies on family volunteers to build community, share their expertise and talents, and give their time for a wide range of events and activities.
Please complete this Family Survey to share more information about your family. This is not a firm commitment, but an indication of your interest. Your response to this survey will be used as a resource for our school throughout the year.
We will share volunteer opportunities throughout the year, and will also contact you individually if there's a need that arises that matches your skills or experience. Many parents share that volunteering allows them to get to know other parents, teachers, and students more as well as gives them a better sense of our wonderful school community.
|
|
|
We still have limited spaces in some classes, and it's not too late to join!
Do you know a child who would benefit from a Gardner education? Share about your experiences and ask them to complete this inquiry form to get more information and to schedule a tour!
|
|
|
|
Don't forget to add these upcoming dates to your calendar, and download the latest school calendar HERE !
|
|
|
Upcoming Events
Monday, 8/30
Parent Orientation and Student Visits
Parents will have a chance to meet with our admin team to learn more about the school year, while students will be meeting with classmates and their teacher for a fun activity!
9:00 am - Tumtum
10:00 am - Mazama
11:00 am - Kalama
12:30 pm - Pahto
1:30 pm - Loowit and Wy'East
2:30 pm - Klickitat
Wednesday, 9/1
First Day of School!
We can't wait to see you all! Plan on a little extra time for first day transitions. Details on what drop off looks like will be shared at Parent Orientation, and we'll see you at 7:30 for Before Care and at 8:15 for normal drop off.
Monday, 9/6
Labor Day, No School
Thursday, 9/16
Wheels in School
Wheels in Schools is a favorite event at the Gardner School! Your child can bring their non-motorized bike, along with any safety gear for fun at recess time. Helmets are required to ride. Please allow for some extra time at drop off and pick up for loading.
Monday, 9/13- 9/20
Back to School Nights, 6:30 pm
Each class will have a scheduled Zoom meeting to review curriculum, meet other families, and connect with your child's homeroom teacher. Watch for the links and more information in the classroom newsletters.
Monday, 9/13- Pahto and Kalama
Tuesday, 9/14- Loowit
Wednesday, 9/15- Wy'East
Thursday, 9/16- Klickitat
Monday, 9/20- Tumtum and Mazama
Friday, 9/24- Friday, 10/1
Scholastic Book Fair
Stay tuned for more details about our Books Bring Us Together school book fair! Interested in volunteering? Let us know by contacting our PTO at ptochair@gardnerschool.org.
Friday, 10/8
Teacher In-Service Day, No School
To see and subscribe to our calendar of events, click below!
|
|
|
|
|
