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IN THIS ISSUE:
message from the board / question of the week / experiential learning / picture days / program spotlight / hiring substitutes / covid-19 tests available / learning in action / snapshots / events
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Hello, Gardner Community!
On Thursday, September 14, 2023 the Board of Trustees met in person in the farmhouse on our beautiful campus.
At the meeting, the Board of Trustees:
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Began with a connector question where they all shared their favorite thing about the “going-back-to-school” season
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Reviewed the 2023-24 Budget and the 2023-24 Development calendar
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Received an update on Enrollment from Assistant Head of School Courtney Tomlinson
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Ratified the electronic votes of Brian Gilstrap as treasurer, Ben Petersen as a new trustee, and board designated funds
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Voted to approve the 2023-24 budget and the new Board of Trustees Handbook
We are especially proud of our new Gardner Board of Trustees Handbook and grateful for the board members who contributed to this document which should ease the onboarding of new board members going forward. We also celebrated Emily and Lori being asked to join the next NWAIS Building Better Boards meeting where they will be interviewed on the topic of creating a healthy board of trustrees culture.
At our next meeting, the Board of Trustees will:
If you are interested in learning more about our Board and its committees, please contact Emily Davis at edavis@gardnerschool.org and Lori Cohen at boardchair@gardnerschool.org for further information. We'd love to talk with you!
With care,
Lori Cohen, Board Chair
Anamaria Bambaren Call, Vice Chair
Peter Bryant, Secretary
Brian Gilstrap, Treasurer
Sarah Grenert-Funk, Trustee
Susan Melton, Trustee
Adriana Baer, Trustee
Ben Petersen, Trustee
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Experiential Learning
Mt. Saint Helens Overnight Trip
Our 5th and 6th grade students had a blast at the Mt. Saint Helen's Institute last week for the first overnight field trip of the year. Learning about the geology of the eruption site, the flora and fauna on the area, and experiencing the gorgeous views all made for a memorable time. These trips set a foundation for teamwork and connection for the year, in addition to enhancing the content students are learning about in thematics.
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We're excited for Paul Quackenbush Photography to be on campus this Thursday and Friday. Our K-6 students will have their photos taken on Thursday 9/28, along with all of our EC students who are enrolled for Thursday classes. For students who aren't present on Thursdays, Friday 9/29 they will have their pictures taken, and have class pictures taken for their group, too.
Need an extra picture packet for your child or for sibling pictures? Login to FACTS Family Portal, go to Resource Documents, and find the 2023 Photo Packet form there!
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Program Spotlight
Authentic Assessments
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The first few weeks are full of opportunities to connect with each other and form friendships, but they're also very important times for our teachers to assess where each child is on a variety of skills. Our teachers find a variety of age appropriate ways to check for understanding. For our younger children, that might be observation through play, or games that demonstrate the academic skills of decoding text, spelling, or math. For older students, they use tools from the math curriculum to check for areas of strength and areas of growth in the standards. By finding out reading levels and math levels early in the year, we can tailor the learning to meet kids where they are and to help them get to the next goal.
This approach is in line with the values at the Gardner School, finding ways to understand a child as a whole learner, not just as a test taker. Our teachers are gathering this information and beginning to form plans for individual and group teaching opportunities, and they will be sharing with families at the upcoming parent conferences in October.
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Health and Testing Reminders
COVID-19 Test Kits Available!
Medical professionals are expecting a rise in respiratory illness as usual this time of year, and you may notice more staff and students choosing to wear masks to prevent spread of illness. We follow all the guidelines from the Department of Health regarding when a student or staff members needs to stay home, and we rely on our families to make good decisions with their healthcare professionals, too.
Beginning today, every U.S. household can again order four free COVID-19 rapid tests delivered directly to their home. You can order yours at https://www.covid.gov/tests. Need some ahead of time, or to restock your stash? We receive tests from the local ESD 112, and they are available for our families and staff in the Farmhouse. Reach out if you need some, or stop by to grab a few boxes!
A reminder- before throwing out "Expired" tests, check if your COVID-19 kits' expiration dates have been extended.
Any questions? Reach out to our safety expert admin, Lisa Linderman, for more details.
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Learning in Action
All About Us
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Mazama students, along with our other classes, got a special visit from Teacher Jared to learn more about how he hears differently with his cochlear implant. The students love learning more about how Jared uses this and other tools to connect with students, staff, and families. These kinds of conversations help connect us all at Gardner, and help show care and understanding of one another.
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Campus snapshots
Students were especially focused last week during individual and partner work!
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Upcoming Events
Thursday, 9/28 and Friday, 9/29
Picture Day
Paul Quackenbush Photography will be here to take pictures of individual students, classes, and siblings! Remember to have one packet completed for each child, with an additional packet for sibling photos. More packets can be requested by emailing us at office@gardnerschool.org.
Friday, 10/6
First Friday Parent Social, 8:15 am- 9:30 am
Come join other parents and staff in the Farmhouse after drop off for baked treats and hot beverages for conversation, questions, and connections!
Friday, 10/13
Teacher In-Service Day, No School
Our teachers will be preparing for parent conferences, no student attendance.
Friday, 10/13
Gardner School Community Book Swap, 10:00 am- 1:00 pm
Our second annual Book Swap event will be held on Friday, October 13th from 10:00 am- 1:00 pm. This event promotes reading while supporting a greener way to recycle and share books. This event is open to all in the community, no need to be enrolled at Gardner to attend, and all guests leave with new-to-them books! Used book collection is starting now and are being accepted in the Farmhouse.
Tuesday, 10/17- Thursday, 10/19
Parent Conferences
Parents are invited on campus to meet with their child(ren)'s homeroom teacher for parent conferences. Stay tuned for more information in classroom newsletters!
Thursday, 10/19
The Great ShakeOut
The Gardner School participates in the nationwide earthquake drill day, The Great ShakeOut. Learn more here, including how you can check your home for earthquake preparedness.
Monday 10/23- Friday 10/27
Spirit Week
A fun week of special dress up days and activities. Every year, students and staff get excited to share their school spirit and their individual personalities during Spirit Week! This is an optional activity, but participation is encouraged. Note that our Early Childhood teachers will send out what best fits for the younger students' schedules in their weekly newsletters.
Tuesday, 10/31
Costume Day
Students who wish to wear costumes to school can, but they are required to be able to get in and out of them on their own. All props should be left at home (including fake weapons), and no scary or gory elements, please.
Wednesday, 11/1
Día de los Muertos
Students learn about the tradition of Día de los Muertos in their Spanish classes and in presentations.
Friday, 11/3
First Friday Parent Social, 8:15 am- 9:30 am
Come join other parents and staff in the Farmhouse after drop off for baked treats and hot beverages for conversation, questions, and connections!
Friday, 11/10
Veteran's Day, No School
Monday, 11/20- Tuesday, 11/21
Teacher In-Service Days, No School
This year, in response to past attendance trends, our teachers will have in-service meetings on Monday 11/20 and Tuesday 11/21. Important topics around assessment, support of neurodiversity and learning differences, and NWAIS accreditation work will be covered. No student attendance these days.
Wednesday- Friday 11/22-24
Thanksgiving Break, No School
To see and subscribe to our calendar of events, click below!
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Teacher Peter's dog, Maple, makes a guest appearance at recess last week.
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