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IN THIS ISSUE:
community events / virtual music night / celebration of learning / family spotlight / covid-19 updates / campus snapshots / upcoming events
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Program Spotlight
Community Events at Gardner
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Part of what makes the Gardner School unique is our regular opportunities for parents to connect with their child's learning. Inviting families onto campus for events and performances is an important way for parents to witness the joy of their children growing, playing, and thriving. We are excited about the prospect of returning to more regular in-person events in the upcoming months. After speaking with our teachers and looking over guidelines, we have two upcoming events for you to mark on your calendars.
Read below to find out how to participate in our upcoming Virtual K-6 Music Night and our in-person, classroom-specific Celebration of Learning.
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Virtual K-6 Music Night 11/18 at 6:30 pm
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We hope all Gardner families join us for our Virtual K-6 Music Night on Zoom at 6:30 pm, Thursday, November 18th. The students have been practicing and recording their performances based on traditional songs and dances from Latin America as part of their learning during Hispanic Heritage Month.
This is a great opportunity for our Early Childhood families to get a peek at our K-6 music program, including a chance to see the students using a variety of instruments. Come cheer them on!
We'll share the Zoom link in upcoming newsletters and please invite friends and family to join us!
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Learning in Action
Celebration of Learning- Campus Events
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We are so happy to welcome families to campus for our in-person Celebration of Learning! While in-person events during this time take extra planning and preparation, we can't wait to see our families on campus for classroom presentations in December. Read below for the dates and times for specific classes, and mark your calendars now! Presentations will last around 30-45 minutes per class.
Each student can bring up to two guests (siblings are welcome in addition to two adults). All visitors over two years of age must wear a mask, and we ask that all attending meet health screening requirements. Parking is available along 50th Street, around our garden, and along the field. Staff will be ready to help connect parents with their child's class when you arrive. Please do not arrive early, as teachers and children will be preparing for their presentations.
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Tumtum
Join Teacher Sarah in the Tahoma classroom to celebrate Tumtum on Thursday, December 9th at 9:00 am and Friday, December 10th at 9:00 am. Please attend the day your child would normally attend, and arrive with your child at 9:00 am.
Mazama
Mazama students will showcase their learning on Thursday, December 9th at 2:00 pm in the Imagination Playground and in their classroom. Please plan to bring your child home after the presentation.
Kalama
Kalama can't wait to share their learning with their families on Wednesday, December 15th at 1:00 pm in Great Room. Please note, Wednesday is an early release, and students can go home after the presentation.
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Pahto
Teacher Madeline and the Pahto students will be sharing their learning on Thursday, December 16th at 3:00 pm in Great Room.
Loowit
Join the Loowit students on Tuesday, December 14th at 9:00 am in Great Room for their Celebration of Learning presentations.
Wy'East
Depending on the weather, Wy'East students will be presenting in the Great Room or under the outdoor tents on Thursday, December 16th at 9:00 am.
Klickitat
Come check out the work of our 5th and 6th graders on Tuesday, December 14th at 3:00 pm in Great Room.
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Family Spotlight
The Avila Family
We chose the Gardner School after going through the wetlands and gathering all the information on social and emotional learning methods. The location and land were like finding a special gem. The garden was so inviting, and it is awesome to know our son will be learning how Mother Nature can grow and change.
The thought of having our son outdoors 3 times a day interacting with different age ranges was very intriguing to us. There was absolutely no doubt that this was the perfect fit for our Phoenix. Since school has started, Phoenix is just becoming more and more involved in reading, songs, and creating friendships. Almost every weekend Phoenix will ask to go to school. This just confirms that we have made the right choice by picking the Gardner School.
The staff has been so reassuring and helpful through our transition. We don’t know what path we would have taken if the Gardner School didn’t exist. We are very blessed to have our wonderful neighbor Maria share with us her in-depth knowledge and love for the Gardner School.
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COVID-19 Updates
The Gardner School understands the importance of vaccinations as part of the strategy to maintain in-person learning for our students. While the Covid-19 vaccine is not mandated at this time, it signals an important shift for families in our community, and vaccinations are a large step towards a return to normal.
In addition to creating a safer environment for all of our students and families, being fully vaccinated allows children who have a close contact to continue to attend school unless they are experiencing symptoms.
Ultimately, while vaccinations are strongly encouraged, we know that this is a decision each family must make in consultation with their doctor. Additionally, please continue to use safe practices and communicate with health@gardnerschool.org with any symptoms, whether or not your child is vaccinated.
Many members of our community are sharing their excitement about having already scheduled appointments, and several students got their first dose already. Read below to learn why some of our families are choosing to vaccinate their children.
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The Swedeen Family
We are Megan and Trevor Swedeen, parents of Oliver in the Wy’East class. We both work in healthcare and see the devastating effects of COVID-19 firsthand on individual patients and the healthcare system.
We feel strongly that vaccination against Covid is the right choice for Oliver, our family, and our greater community. We are looking forward to feeling safer going out in public, meeting with friends and family, and travelling. We also want to do our part in limiting the spread of Covid as we return to more of our regular activities in public. We know this isn’t possible until the majority of the community is vaccinated. It will take action from everyone to get this under control.
I’m including a link to an article on Slate.com by Malia Jones, Ph.D., MPH. It much more eloquently explains our feelings on the importance of vaccination.
Trevor Swedeen
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The Brown Family
"I got my vaccine! My Covid vaccine!"
-Nora, Pahto student, when hopping out of the car Monday morning
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The Rogalette Family
As a PA in the emergency room, I see and experience the effects of COVID-19 on patients, families, and our entire health care system. I review medical literature daily and understand the science and I wholeheartedly believe that vaccination is not only safe but is the key to getting life back to “normal.” An understanding of one’s role as a global citizen and acknowledgement of our own personal choices on other people, groups and systems is really at the heart of the Gardner School mission. We are getting our 6 and 8 year old vaccinated at the first opportunity not only for their safety, but because we believe that it’s our responsibility to keep our community safe. I sincerely hope other Gardner parents will join us in seeking vaccination for their young kiddos as well.
Emily Rogalette
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The Simons Family
I am choosing to vaccinate my children because I want them to be able to play freely without fears of getting sick, or spreading germs to others. By vaccinating, my hope is that my children will regain the social freedoms we once had, while also protecting our community, and preventing the virus from mutating.
Teacher Deborah
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We encourage our families to follow the safe gathering recommendations from the CDC this holiday season. This year, there is not a State of Washington requirement to quarantine after holiday travel. However, please continue to follow best practices around mask wearing and symptom screening for holiday celebrations to reduce risk to our school community.
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Campus snapshots
Even through the rain, our children bring their energy to play time, outdoor classes, and more. We started the week by learning about Día de los Muertos, and Klickitat ended the week with a hike to WSU-V. Thematic projects are underway, and students are beginning exciting activities that will be shared with families at the Celebration of Learning.
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Upcoming Events
Thursday, 11/11
Veteran's Day, No School
Thursday, 11/18
K-6 Music Night on Zoom, 6:30 pm
Keep your eyes out for an invite with the Zoom link to our Music Night. Invite friends and family to join us virtually!
Wednesday, 11/24- Friday, 11/26
Thanksgiving Break, No School
Tuesday, 11/30
Giving Tuesday
We hope you'll consider donating to the Gardner School as part of Giving Tuesday, a global generosity movement. As a non-profit school, all donations are tax-deductible.
Wednesday, 12/3
Monthly PTO Meeting on Zoom, 9:30 am
Tune in to help plan the schoolwide breakfast event on December 17th! For the link, or more information, email PTO Chair, Susan Melton, at ptochair@gardnerschool.org.
Thursday, 12/9-Thursday, 12/16
Celebration of Learning
Our teachers are excited to welcome families onto campus for individual class celebrations! Stay tuned for more information.
Friday, 12/17
Pajama Day and PTO School Breakfast
We want to restart a cozy tradition for our students with a Pajama Day and Pancake Breakfast! Our PTO will be planning a fun and festive morning meal for students on this day.
Monday, 12/20- Monday, 1/3
Winter Break, No School
We can't wait to see you in the New Year! Classes resume on Tuesday, January 4th, 2022.
To see and subscribe to our calendar of events, click below!
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