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IN THIS ISSUE:
message from the head / health updates / thank you, pto! / picture make up day / family spotlight / lost and found / sibling enrollment / progress reports / campus snapshots / events
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From the Head of School
Dear Gardner families,
Last week held a lot of excitement with a fun-filled Spirit Week that culminated in an exciting Costume Day. If you were on campus, you likely laughed with us at the funny unicorn running around campus, and shared in our joy as students and staff dressed up and had fun together. Our PTO parent volunteers did an amazing job putting together crafts, treats, and more for our classrooms to enjoy. We are so grateful for positive partnerships with parents, and rely on these important relationships to work to support every child on our campus.
While Fall has beautiful leaves and fun holidays, it also includes increased rainy, darker days, and a settling into the routines of school. This means that every child is being asked to work through their challenges, as teachers provide opportunities for them to learn and grow academically, socially and emotionally. In the many years that I have spent working in schools, I know that this time of year has unique challenges that arise. This follows the typical patterns in a school year that we come to expect. While we have a wonderful, enjoyable experiences for children daily, we also know it is normal for children to not like all the things they are asked to do, to face social concerns or annoyances, and to work to overcome academic struggles at times. This is our work as a school, and the work that our team of teachers and administrators are highly skilled at supporting. When challenges arise, we partner with our parents, students, and teachers to support our children to learn and grow from these experiences.
As we enter November, we're looking forward to sharing our practices of gratitude in our community. Feeling thankful, showing appreciation, and communicating gratitude is an important tool to build friendships and positive relationships. I hope your relationship to the Gardner School is something you are grateful for, as we are thankful for every member of our community.
With care,
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COVID-19 Updates
Last week, the FDA gave approval for use of the Pfizer vaccine for children 5 years and older. The research showed the vaccine was safe, and 90.7% effective for preventing serious illness. It is highly likely the vaccine will be available for children within the next couple of weeks. We encourage you to talk to your family doctor to answer your questions about this vaccine.
Children being able to receive the Covid-19 vaccine may impact statewide health guidelines, and we will continue to update our community as any changes occur. At this time, fully vaccinated individuals do not need to quarantine when they are a close contact to a Covid-19 positive person. This applies to fully vaccinated students, as well, and it will allow them to continue learning in person in the event that an exposure occurs.
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Vaccine Information
What Parents Should Know
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has created a page to answer parent questions about the Covid-19 vaccine. In the coming weeks, there will be more information about the vaccine for children 5-11, too.
You can learn more about the vaccines and how they work here on the CDC's website.
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Vaccine Town Hall
CDC Vaccine Education
The Black Coalition Against COVID and the We Can Do This campaign are hosting a town hall to answer important questions around COVID-19 vaccination to help you make decisions for your family. The town hall will feature school community advocates and childhood health experts.
You can tune in at 4:00-5:45 p.m. PT (7:00 - 8:45 p.m. ET)
Thursday, November 4, 2021. Watch on Facebook or on YouTube.
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Our PTO volunteers put together spook-tacular classroom party experiences for our students last week! There was a cookie decorating activity, crafts, goody bags, and more! This was the first big PTO project of the year, and it took many volunteers planning, organizing, and preparing to be successful. Thank you to everyone who helped, and we look forward to our upcoming school events around teacher appreciation and thankfulness for the month of November.
Want to get involved? The next PTO meeting is this Thursday, November 4th, at 9:30 am on Zoom. Email ptochair@gardnerschool.org for more info.
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Picture Make Up Day
Friday, November 5th
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Did your child miss Picture Day on September 30th and October 1st? Paul Quackenbush Photography will be here to capture photos for any children and their siblings who were absent those days.
If you've already submitted your photo packet, we still have it ready to go! If your family needs to double check, or if you need an additional packet, reach out to Lisa Linderman in the Main Office at llinderman@gardnerschool.org.
For those students who had their pictures taken already, they will receive their photos very soon to bring home!
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Community Spotlight
The Wiley Family
We are the Wiley family- Mandi (Mom), Darren (Dad), Everett (7), Harper (5). We moved from the Portland/Hillsboro area to Vancouver almost 7 years ago. We love exploring Vancouver and escaping to the beach any chance we get. Everett loves being outside, science, hands-on learning and friends. Harper loves art, being outside, hands-on learning and friends. Harper is in the Kalama class and Everett is in the Loowit class. We are so thankful for the opportunity to be here.
When I heard about The Gardner School a few years ago, it sounded like the perfect fit for our kids, but we didn't think we'd be able to make it work. After a wild Covid year and the need for consistency, movement and hands-on-learning, we decided to look into it. We are so glad we did! The kids are happy to go to school, rave about the friendships they've made and oftentimes say they didn't even "do school" (love that hidden learning!). We are so appreciative of the amazing teachers, staff and community. We know our kids are in good hands and growing their minds, while having fun doing it!
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Missing something?
Don't forget to check the Online Lost and Found page!
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It's not too soon to plan!
Have a sibling to enroll for 2022-2023?
We are getting early interest in our early childhood program for the 2022-2023 school year. Currently enrolled families get priority enrollment for siblings.
Are you interested in learning more about enrolling a younger child? Reach out to admissions@gardnerschool.org for the next steps! |
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Learning in Action
Alma Progress Reports
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For our October parent conferences, teachers met with families to share assessments, goals, and observations. Teachers also worked to complete our first round of reports in our student information system, Alma. Next week, you will receive a copy of the report from our system. These reports align with the conversations from the conferences, and do not include new updates about progress. If you have any questions about the reports, please feel free to contact the teacher directly for more information.
Thank you for your patience as we learn a new system!
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Campus snapshots
Spirit Week was so much fun! We loved all the creative costumes from our students and staff, and it brought some extra brightness to a rainy week.
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Upcoming Events
Wednesday, 11/3
PTO Meeting on Zoom, 9:30 am
Join other parents as we discuss the fun, upcoming events for teachers, students and families, and learn how you can help! Email Susan Melton, PTO Chair, at ptochair@gardnerschool.org for the Zoom link or for more information.
Friday, 11/5
School Photo Make-Up Day
Paul Quackenbush Photography will be back in the morning of Friday, November 5th to take pictures for any students who were absent at our first photo day, including sibling photos. If you have already turned in your picture packet, you don't need to do anything else! If you need a new picture packet, reach out to Lisa Linderman, llinderman@gardnerschool.org.
Thursday, 11/11
Veteran's Day, No School
Wednesday, 11/24- Friday, 11/26
Thankgiving Break, No School
Thursday, 12/16
Fall Thematic Celebration of Learning
Stay tuned for details about this opportunity to see the learning from our Earth Science Thematic!
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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