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IN THIS ISSUE:
thematics / celebration of learning / question of the week / staff wellness / experiential learning / inclement weather / froggie hotel / snapshots / events
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Why Thematics?
Why do we use integrated thematic instruction at the Gardner School? We know that when students connect concepts across multiple disciplines, they develop deeper understanding, get to explore a wide range of approaches to learning, and get to see the real world connections to the topics covered. One of the important elements of this approach is the authentic audience that students share their learning with, and our Celebrations of Learning are the highlight of that experience.
Learn more in the video from Head of School Emily Davis where she highlights our thematics and the philosophy behind our Celebrations of Learning, and read below for the specific details on the dates and time. Mark your calendars and invite your family and friends!
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Watch this video to learn more about our approach to Thematics and the reason why we have Celebrations of Learning!
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K-6 Celebration of Learning
Thursday, Dec 14th at 2:30 pm
Meet us in the Great Room to get our K-6 Celebration of Learning started with some whole school performances, and then visit your child(ren)'s classrooms for more displays of learning and activities. Our Pahto students will not have their full celebration, but will perform for the whole school.
Family and friends are welcome to attend. Are you a parent of an early childhood student? We would love for you to join us so you can see the incredible learning opportunities that our elementary program offers.
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Pahto Celebration
Friday, Dec 1st at 3:00 pm
Our Pahto students are celebrating early, and we welcome family and friends to join them in their classroom to showcase their work.
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Mazama Celebration
Wed, Dec 13th at 12:00 pm
Join us to celebrate our Pre-K students as they share their learning with family and friends!
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Last week, our staff was treated to a wonderful wellness break from Mazama parents and owners of The Villa Health, Chet and Daniel. They offered their skills, specifically in acupuncture, and many of our staff members walked away feeling refreshed, calm, and happy. Practicing self care and learning to manage our own well-being is an important lesson we teach our children, and we also value this for our staff as well.
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Program Spotlight
Experiential Learning- Field Trips!
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One of the benefits of a Gardner School education is the focus on experiential learning, including field trips and guest speakers. As our students are studying thematic topics, our teachers find enrichment activities that make the learning come alive!
Teacher Cheris shared her enthusiasm over the Loowit 2nd grade field trip last week- "Our field trip was amazing! We got to be inside a fire truck and see all the equipment it carries before they had to leave to go to a fire. Then we got to go inside a Sheriff's vehicle and turn on the lights and see all the control buttons. We also got to see a drone go high in the sky and show us pictures of the earth. After that we had a tour of the precinct and met some of the other deputies, sergeants and volunteers that work there. It was so much fun!"
Our Kindergarten and 1st graders went on a joint field trip to Columbia Springs. Teacher Joyce shared, "We had a fantastic field trip. We learned so much about fish. We hiked. We pretended to be salmon returning to their stream of origin. We fed the fish in the pools. Each pool had about 10,000 fish. All of the Kalama students were amazing scientists. They dressed me up like a fish. I had scales, a slime coat, lateral lines, special eyes that don't blink, fins, and a special nose."
A big thank you to volunteers that make these experiences happen - from driving to chaperoning to passing along ideas for fun places to visit, we couldn't do it without our community!
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Inclement Weather Plans
Preparing for colder temps!
As temperatures drop, we get ready for inclement weather communication. Typically, our school follows recommendations for late start (2 hours) or closure based on the nearby public school districts of Evergreen, Battle Ground, and Vancouver. However, because our students and staff come from a variety of geographic areas, we take into account the safety of travel for those further out community members as well. We assess the situation early in the morning, typically around 6:00 am, and make a decision based on a variety of checkpoints around the area prior to 7:00 am.
If the Gardner School is going to be operating a late start schedule, school begins at 10:30 am, with drop off open at 10:15. There is no Before Care offered on late start days.
In the case of delays or closures, you will receive an automated email, text, and/or call through FACTS. Additionally, we post the closure message on social media (Facebook and Instagram). Please check these sources before leaving for school if snow or ice has occurred. If our school is not operating a late start or closure schedule, but it is unsafe to travel to school from your location, please email your homeroom teacher to report your child's absence.
Stay warm, and stay safe!
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Learning in Action
Reservations at the Froggy Hotel!
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Here at Gardner, we encourage exploration of natural elements and learning from living things. Our approach for our students is "Look. Learn. Let it Go." Another teaching strategy we utilize in the Mazama classroom is getting our curriculum and learning opportunities through emergent interests expressed by the kids. Lately, a recurring theme has been frogs! We started to hear more frog croaks which piqued our curiosities, and then we started to catch multiple frogs a day! The kids expressed some worries, such as, "Will we ever see them again? Will they be safe? Where is their home?" With Teacher Miranda, the students came up with the solution of the Froggy Hotel! Now, when we catch the frogs, we can "check them in" to the hotel. Other frogs can also come and go as they please and enjoy the amenities offered by the Froggy Hotel!
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Campus snapshots
We love seeing focused and happy students on campus!
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Upcoming Events
Friday, 11/17 at 2:30 pm
Ora Nui Dance Troupe Performance
To support Wy'East's Polynesian Island thematic, we have Ora Nui (a local Tahitian dance troupe) coming to visit us. They will be doing a short performance showcasing cultural dance from Tahiti and Hawaii. If you are interested in watching this performance, you can join us in the Great Room at 2:35 pm.
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
Friday, December 1st
Pahto Celebration of Learning, 3:00 pm
Join your Pahto student for their Fall Celebration of Learning event! Check classroom newsletters for more details.
Wednesday, December 13th
Mazama Celebration of Learning, 12:00 pm
Mazama students will have a presentation to share with families at the end of the school day on Wednesday, December 13th at 12:00. Stay tuned for upcoming classroom newsletters with more information!
Thursday, December 14th
Kalama, Loowit, Wy'East, and Klickitat Celebration of Learning 3:00 pm
Meet in the Great Room for schoolwide presentations before touring your students' classrooms for more examples of their work from the year so far.
Friday, December 15th
Pajamas, Pancakes, and Pizza!
This fun tradition continues, with the Triple P- It's Pajama Day, where we'll start the morning with a schoolwide pancake breakfast, followed by Pizza Friday as usual for lunch. Each classroom teacher will share plans for classroom activities or parties, and volunteers are welcome! Contact Assistant Head, Courtney Tomlinson, for more info.
Friday, December 15th
No Aftercare Available
Our staff will have their annual holiday party on this day, and no aftercare is available. *If you have a child in Tumtum or Mazama with an older sibling, they can stay up to the K-6 pickup time at 3:30.
Monday, December 18th through Tuesday, January 2nd
Winter Break, No School
We will see you back on campus in the New Year! Classes resume on Wednesday, January 3rd, 2024. Wednesday is an early release schedule.
To see and subscribe to our calendar of events, click below!
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