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IN THIS ISSUE:
from the head of school/ celebration of learning/ covid-19 updates / book fair thanks / loose parts donations / lost and found / pancake breakfast / gift giving / snapshots / events
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From the Head of School
Dear Gardner community,
One of the things that I love about working in a school is the predictable patterns the occur with the schedules, seasons, and events in a community. Right now, when I walk through classrooms, I observe that our students and teachers are deeply engaged in project mode and showcasing their learning. It's one of my favorite times because it's when our individualized approach is easiest to clearly see. Not one project looks like another, and each child has added their own interests, talents, and excitement to their individual work as well as the collaborative group work.
I'm thrilled to welcome families to campus this week and next for the classroom Celebration of Learnings. In the past, we would have one big event at the school. With Covid-19 restrictions, we're planning events over the next two weeks for each classroom so our families still have a chance to see their child's work in person and connect with other parents and students.
At the Gardner School, sharing student work with our parents and community members is an important part of our approach. With an authentic audience, our students take pride in showcasing their projects and practice their speaking and presenting skills. For some students, this area of growth can be as valuable as the academics on display.
When you come on campus, you'll see our belief in action- that children can grow and strengthen the various area of intelligence, and that there isn't just one way of learning. A student's math learning may be evident in their art project, or their writing skills may be on display with their science work. All these approaches together benefit the students, and allow them to see themselves as capable and creative learners.
Looking forward to celebrating our students with you!
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Celebrations of Learning Start This Week!
Students are busy finalizing projects, and our school is making plans to welcome families onto campus for a series of Celebrations of Learning!
Each child can bring two adult guests (siblings are welcome in addition). Please plan on arriving as close to your child's scheduled time as possible, and park around the garden or along 50th Avenue. Following health protocols, please do not attend if you have any symptoms listed in the Remini app as part of our normal screening, and remember that masks will be required for all visitors over 2 years old.
We can't wait to share this beautiful work your children have been creating as they learn and grow at the Gardner School!
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Tumtum (Preschool)
Thursday, 12/9 at 9:00 am,
Friday, 12/10 at 9:00 am
Please attend the day your child would normally attend, and arrive with your child at 9:00 am.
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Mazama (Pre-K)
Thursday, 10/9 at 2:00 pm
Please plan to bring your child home after the presentation.
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Kalama (Kindergarten)
Wednesday, 12/15 at 1:00 pm
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Pahto (1st grade)
Thursday, 12/16 at 3:00 pm
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Loowit (2nd grade)
Friday, 12/10 at 3:00 pm
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Wy'East (3rd and 4th grades)
Thursday, 12/16 at 9:00 am
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Klickitat (5th and 6th grades)
Tuesday, December 14th at 3:00 pm
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COVID-19 Updates
At the Gardner School, we actively monitor health news around the Covid-19 pandemic. As you might know, the past week has brought new developments with the identification of the Omicron variant. Researchers and public health experts are moving quickly to study the variant and learn what its spread might mean for public health. We are monitoring these new developments closely, and will continue to follow all public health guidelines to keep our school community safe. At this time, no new guidelines have been released from the Department of Health or the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. We are confident in our current approach, and we are thankful for so many students getting vaccinated! We'll share an update in early January once our immunization records get caught up in the system.
We will also continue taking the mitigation measures we have been taking, including daily health screenings, hand washing, mask wearing, ventilation, and more. We will share any new developments as they arise.
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Your shopping during the Scholastic Book Fair in September helped raise funds for our teachers to order new, inspiring, and fun books for their classrooms! Book purchases around the topics of diversity, social emotional learning, music, and art enrich our classrooms, from preschool to 6th grade.
Thank you to everyone who helped us in putting on the event, and thank you to everyone who made it such a success!
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Loose Parts Collection
With so many opportunities for hands-on activities at the Gardner School, we utilize our Loose Parts cabinet regularly! You may have noticed creative projects coming home with interesting recycled materials, natural objects, and more. This approach of using open-ended, out of the box materials has been studied by educational researchers, and the benefits are multi-faceted.
Do you have interesting collections of small items, like shells, packaging materials, old puzzle pieces, buttons, beads, or something else that could be inspiring to our learners? If you would like to donate items, you can drop them off with your student and we'll get them into our classrooms!
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Missing something?
Don't forget to check the Online Lost and Found page!
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Pajamas and Pancakes
Sign up to contribute!
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Our PTO has planned a delicious, safely prepared meal for students on Friday, December 17th.
We need your help! If you would like to volunteer for a shift, please email Susan Melton, PTO Chair, at ptochair@gardnerschool.org.
Can't volunteer, but would like to contribute to the feast? Sign up to bring in an item on our list here. Any questions can be directed to the PTO Chair email.
Thank you for helping the PTO bring this tradition back to Gardner!
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Community Note
Gift Giving in Classrooms
As we enter into the holiday season, we want to encourage families to be mindful of gift giving to other students in a classroom. Our teachers and PTO have plans in place for a relaxing and special way to celebrate the end of the term, and extra items in the classroom can be a distraction. In the hopes of creating a classroom space that feels equitable to all families, we're asking for no gifts to be brought in for distribution to other children.
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There will be no After Care on Friday, December 17th so our staff can celebrate together before the Winter Break.
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Campus snapshots
Class elections were held in Klickitat, with each student giving a speech and sharing what would make them a good leader. Leadership is demonstrated by students across the campus, from when our older students share a playground moment with younger students, or when a peer helps another classmate with a task. We're proud of the way our students treat one another on campus!
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Upcoming Events
Thursday, 12/9 -Thursday, 12/16
Thematic Celebrations of Learning
Our teachers are excited to welcome families onto campus for individual class celebrations!
Tumtum: 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: 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: 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: Thursday, December 16th at 3:00 pm in Great Room
Loowit: Friday, December 10th at 3:00 in Great Room
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: Tuesday, December 14th at 3:00 pm in Great Room
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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. More info to come about ways to participate!
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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