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IN THIS ISSUE:
message from the head / question of the week / volunteer / family spotlight / gardner gear / farmhouse social / learning in action / snapshots / events
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From the Head of School
Dear Gardner community,
I just walked in from a rainy hike with our Klickitat students, and loved to watch how friendly and collaborative their group is together. Every one of our classrooms are building strong foundations right now, and it is always heartwarming to watch the effort and intention our teachers put into establishing connections, kindness, and a deep sense of belonging for all of our students.
While the weather is varying from wet to warm, our students and teachers are starting the experience Fall at Gardner! We are using our campus spaces all day for various classes to discover textures and elements for art from the wetlands, or to use our field for teamwork and cooperation games. Also, every classroom is gearing up for their upcoming field trips, and our teachers are planning these important experiential education opportunities for our students. Thank you to those that have offered to help transport students and chaperone!
Teachers in all of our classrooms have taken time to observe, assess, and get to know each unique child in their classrooms. We know that children thrive when there is a strong partnership between their school and their family, and teachers are looking forward to connecting at parent conferences. Together, we celebrate each child's successes and also work on problem solving through the challenges that are normal to happen as children grow, learn, and move through stages of development. At conferences, teachers will share assessment data, learning goals, and how each child is doing academically, socially, and emotionally. The extra care to detail is incredible, and I am thankful for each one of our teachers and their dedication to supporting every child on our campus.
Another exciting note is that we're starting to collect books for our Gardner School Book Swap event on Friday, October 13th. I hope you'll join me in collecting books from home to share with others, and please share the invitation to your friends and family. All are welcome for this new event to promote sustainability and literacy in the Clark County community.
With kindness,
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Volunteer Opportunity- Book Swap!
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We need helpers!
We're looking for bins to borrow (or boxes to give!) to sort the books ahead of the event, and helpers to set up the Great Room for the event. You can find all the opportunities listed on this sign up, and reach out to Zoie Elliott for any questions!
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Family Spotlight
The Buckner Family
Terica and Andrew are the proud parents of Emrys Buckner, a new student this year in the Kalama Kindergarten class. Emrys previously attended a French immersion preschool in Portland for the last 3 years. We chose Gardner for the small classes that individualize the learning per child and the offering of Spanish, music, art classes and the wetlands experience. We felt this was a great school community that we wanted to be a part of since the Gardner Gala that we attended in 2021. It has been fun getting to know the other families and teachers, everyone is very friendly.
Emrys is our only child, so we look for opportunities for her to play with other children as much as possible and are happy that all the children have been very welcoming. We live in the Orchards area with our two giant dogs, King David, a Great Pyrenees and Princess Leia, a Landseer Newfoundland. We have owned an automotive repair shop for the past 4 years in Portland that Terica has worked at for over 25 years. Previously we owned a BBQ food cart for 5 years in the Vancouver area where Andrew was the chef - people still crave his pulled pork tacos! The family loves adventures to Pacific City, Timbers games, Disneyland, traveling in general and trying new foods. We look forward to getting to know our new school family better this year!
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Time to get cozy!
Gardner Gear is the perfect way to represent your favorite school while staying cozy as our seasons change. Find this brand new beanie design, along with sweatshirts, tshirts, and more, at our school store HERE.
Use code GETCOZY for 10% off your orders in the month of October!
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Don't Forget!
First Friday Farmhouse Social, 8:15- 9:30 am
Stay for a little, or stay for the whole time! This is a chance to chat with parents, grandparents, and staff members over a hot beverage and some tasty treats. Thanks to Wy'East grandparent and baker extraordinaire, Muzi, for sharing her skills with us!
We'll use feedback from our Gardner Newsletter Questions share some resources and conversation starters, too.
Looking forward to seeing you there!
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Learning in Action
World Cultures Studies
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Sticking with the fall thematic of Polynesian Studies, Wy'East students each chose an island nation to recreate their flag. A point of interest for the students was the use of the Union Jack displayed on many of the flags including Hawaii, once an independent nation now part of the United States. Learning about the Polynesian Islands has been a tradition at Gardner for years, in part because the strong ties to the islands in the Greater Vancouver area. Opportunities to learn about world cultures and the connections in our local area help students to see themselves as global citizens, too.
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Campus snapshots
Last week we had lots of opportunities for students to work together. Math groups, wetlands critter observations and more!
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Upcoming Events
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. Volunteers needed- sign up here!
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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