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IN THIS ISSUE:
message from the head / gardner strategic plan / first friday / question of the week / pumpkinpalooza / squeeze pouch recycling / learning in action / social-emotional tips / 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 and that joy will continue tomorrow with students and staff dressed up for Costume Day. These days can be silly, but community building is always a worthwhile endeavor. As a school rooted in the traditions of progressive education, we provide opportunities for students and staff to create the kind of community where everyone feels heard, valued, and safe. This is our work as a school, and the work that our team of teachers and administrators are highly skilled at creating and supporting with intention.
Each one of us chose the Gardner School for a specific reason, but together, those reasons are why the Gardner School is the unique school that it is, and why it is an important place for children in Clark County. Last year, I worked in collaboration with our Board of Trustees with input from our parent community and our staff to outline our Strategic Plan. I'm proud to share it and to begin the action steps to move this plan forward to guide Gardner into the future. As a community, we promote life long learning for our students, and similarly, the Gardner School is also on a path of continued improvements and growth. Check out our website to read our Strategic Plan.
As we enter November, we're looking forward to sharing our practices of gratitude in our community. I hope your relationship to the Gardner School is something you are grateful for, as I am thankful for every member of our community. I hope to see you this Friday in the Farmhouse, and if you can't make it, please know you can always reach out via email or phone to talk with me.
With care,
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One of the important functions of the Board of Trustees at Gardner School is to think about the future- what decisions now will impact our school community in the future, and how can we continue the work we do in Clark County for years to come? This work is shaped by our Strategic Plan, a process the Board and Head of School, Emily Davis, went through over the course of the last 18 months. You can find out more about our plan by clicking the button below.
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Costume Reminders for Tuesday
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Students are allowed to wear their costumes to school, but please keep props (such as fake weapons) at home.
Also remember, no scary or gory elements, and students should be able to manage getting in and out of their costumes without assistance (not including EC!).
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It's Almost Time!
First Friday in the Farmhouse
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We're excited to welcome families back for another morning social in the Farmhouse! We'll have delicious treats provided again, tea and coffee, and fresh-pressed hot apple cider. Come by for a quick chat, or stay for longer.
Looking ahead to our First Friday on December 1st, we will start our Parent Education Series with a visit from Columbia Pediatric Therapy, who will be addressing some of the child development topics that parents asked to learn more about in our beginning of the year series. Stay tuned for more details, and save the date!
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We're considering adding this option for families! If this is something that would be of interest, please click below to share your thoughts!
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A Gardner-Style Halloween Party
PumpkinPalooza!
On Friday, K-6 students had a chance to visit areas on campus for various stations during PumpkinPalooza! This included extra recess, a pajama dance party in the gym, temporary tattoos in the Art Room (thanks to older student helpers!), and a hot apple cider station. Additionally, throughout the day, Mazama-6th grade students collected and painted pumpkins they picked from throughout the wetlands. These pumpkins were sourced from Bark Ranch, but hidden in the wetlands by the Wy'East students when they had their overnight on campus Thursday. Community and collaboration were on display and kids and staff had a great time!
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Recycling Hub at Gardner
Squeeze Pouch Recycling
Did you know Gardner participates in a program through TERRACYCLE to recycle puree pouches like the ones shown below? Our classrooms collect these pouches from lunches and snacks, and feel free to send empty pouches from home to add to our school collection. The pouches do not need to be cleaned, but please empty as much food as possible and replace the lids. Any brand accepted |
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Learning in Action
Real-World Connections to History
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On Wednesday, Klickitat students visited the Hellenic-American Cultural Center and Museum in Portland, a great way to get some context for
Greek culture. There were some nice connections to ancient Greek studies that we have already covered, and their priest was a former high school history teacher, so there was a lot of great information about the process from Polytheism to Monotheism and the impact the Romans have made on the Greeks. The students were also surprised with authentic Greek food to taste before we headed back to Gardner School!
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Building Confidence
During parent conferences, our teachers often talk about how we work here at school to build confidence with kids. Whether that's confidence to work through a challenging math problem, confidence to make some messy mistakes in Art, or confidence talking to classmates, it's an important life skill.
Teacher Cheris, Loowit Homeroom Teacher, shares the following ideas for supporting this social emotional skill at home, too. Let us know how they work for your family!
Confidence Building Practices
* model confidence yourself so your child sees what it looks and sounds like
* encourage your child to try new things, even something a little outside his/her comfort zone
* embrace imperfection--being less than perfect is human nature and totally okay
* set your child up for success, start with small activities and then try harder activities over time
* show your love for your child no matter what happens
* help your child find something to be excited about learning or being involved in
* praise your child when he/she keeps going and doesn't quit
* set a goal with your child and check in on how it is going
* allow your child to fail and then work through what to do differently next time
* accept mistakes and move on without getting upset
* have your child contribute to taking care of things at home, select an age-appropriate job for your child to do and check off when done, try to see if your child
can complete the task without being reminded
* celebrate your child's efforts and progress
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Campus snapshots
Spirit Week is always a fun time! Lots of opportunities for smiles, connection, and laughter!
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Upcoming Events
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, 11/3
Tumtum Celebration of Learning, 2:00 pm
Tumtum families are invited to the Celebration of Learning for this first cycle of presentations. The children are excited to share!
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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