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IN THIS ISSUE:
re-enrollment reminders / calendar updates / summer camp sign up / snowball reschedule / kalama crayon drive / gardner market planning sheets due / snapshots / events
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Re-Enrollment Reminders
We are in our priority enrollment period with less than two weeks left until the first of our enrollment deadlines! We've got all the need to know information here. Whether this is your first year at Gardner or you're a long-time community member, your questions and feedback on your experience are welcome.
The most important date to remember is February 1st, 2024! If you are applying for financial aid or for a sibling to get priority enrollment, those applications are due by this day.
Here is what happens next:
- All financial aid applications are reviewed and award decisions are made.
- Family accounts are updated in FACTS with the correct tuition for number of days (Early Childhood) and to reflect any financial aid award.
- Families will be notified when the enrollment packet (including the enrollment contract) is available for review and signing in the FACTS Family Portal. The $1000 non-refundable enrollment fee (previously called the "enrollment deposit") will be collected electronically at this time. Families can expect this before Friday, February 15th.
- This packet needs to be completed by March 1st, 2024 in order to hold your child's spot for the upcoming school year. Contracts will be offered to newly applying families after this time.
Reach out directly to Sheila FitzPatrick, Director of Business Operations, to ask any questions about the financial details of the process.
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February 1st, 2024
Financial Aid Applications Due
We strive to support families with our tuition assistance program, and last year nearly $300,000 was given out in financial aid to our community. We encourage families to apply if they feel it can make a difference in their abilty to enroll their children. Each year, we ask families to provide updated information through the third-party system used, and needs-based awards are communicated at the time contracts are sent. Reach out to Director of Business Operations, Sheila FitzPatrick, for any questions.
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February 1st, 2024
Sibling Applications Due
Now is the time to submit an application for a little sibling, or consider switching an older student, too!
We want to support our youngest students with a great start at Gardner. Students are typically ready to enroll in Tumtum if they are 3 years old by September 1st, and potty-trained. More questions can be sent to Courtney to learn about placement options.
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What a wild winter week we just had! We started with a 3 hour early dismissal on Friday, January 12th. The winter weather continued past the Monday MLK Day holiday, and despite our hopes and efforts, school was out the rest of the week. Families have asked what this means for upcoming In Service days and end of school. Here are a few updates and reminders:
- We plan our calendar each year with significantly more hours of instruction than required by law, and closely monitor these whenever we need to make decisions about closing school. Gardner school days are longer than public school days, which gives us a buffer that other schools may not have.
- We remain well within the required number of school hours for 2023-2024, but to help offset some of the lost learning days, January 29th will be a regular school day.
- Our next In Service days are February 16th and March 18th.
- At this time, we have no plans to move the last day of school or to cancel any further in service dates. We will continue to monitor hours in the event of more inclement weather closures, but our buffer remains so large we do not anticipate needing to make any changes.
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Program Spotlight
Summer Camp Sign Up Coming Soon
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It's hard to believe after last week's winter blast, but summer will be here before you know it! We have another fun line up of Summer Camps this year, and registration will begin soon. From Robotics for our older students to rockets headed to outer space for our youngest, there's something to appeal to every camper.
Camps will take place from July 8th through August 9th (plus a special "School Preparedness" week from August 12th - 16th). Each camp is a week long, from 9am - 3pm.
Currently enrolled Gardner families will have the first chance to enroll during our initial enrollment period beginning February 1st. Stay tuned for links to camp descriptions and the registration form!
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SnowBall Rescheduled to February 2nd -
New RSVP Needed!
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The weather took us seriously when we said "SnowBall"! We have rescheduled the annual dinner and dance event to Friday, February 2nd, from 5:00pm - 8:00pm.
With the new date, we need a new headcount. Please RSVP here, and include any school-age non-Gardner siblings that may be attending. Hope to see everyone there!
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Volunteers Needed!
Kalama Crayon Drive
Our Kalama class is gearing up for Gardner Market! They are accepting donations of broken, old, unloved crayons to recycle into brand new crayon shapes to sell at the Market. (Bonus points if you remove the paper, but it's not necessary.)
Please drop off your crayons at the Front Office before February 15th for this eco-friendly entrepreneurial project!
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Action Needed!
Gardner Market Planning Sheets - Due Friday, January 26th
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Our Gardner Market planning is well underway! As a reminder, our Loowit through Klickitat students should be planning out their projects and working on them at home. Their project proposal sheets are due to Jared no later than Friday, January 26th. Any students who are entering the lottery to provide foods or beverages should have a second option in mind, in case they do not get their first choice.
Students will be deciding on the charitable organization for their profit-sharing at their next community meeting, so stay tuned!
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Upcoming Events
Tuesday, January 23rd
Tumtum Field Trip to Goodnight Moon, 10:00am
Tumtum students and parents are headed to the Oregon Children's Theater performance of Goodnight Moon on the morning of January 23rd. Students will go directly to their field trip with their adults instead of coming to school that morning. Teacher Sarah has details.
Thursday, February 1st
Financial Aid and Sibling Applications Due
Any questions about enrollment can be directed to Assistant Head of School, Courtney Tomlinson, and any financial aid questions can go to Director of Business Operations, Sheila FitzPatrick.
Friday, February 2nd
Gardner SnowBall (rescheduled), 5:00pm - 8:00pm
The Snow Must Go On! Our SnowBall has been moved to the 2nd of February, but all other details are the same. Food, fun, dancing, friends, and a special night out for our students and their school-aged siblings! Please RSVP for the new date here!
Wednesday, February 7th
Pahto Field Trip to Goodnight Moon, 12:15pm
Rescheduled from January 16th! Please note Pahto students may be slightly late for our Wednesday early release this day. Expect them back around 2pm.
Thursday, February 8th
Tumtum Celebration of Learning, 2:00 pm
The children have already started to make really special plans which will include a "performance" they are creating for you to share what they have learned about construction. You won't want to miss it!
Saturday, February 10th
Preschool Playdate Visitation, 8:30-12:00
If you have a younger sibling who will be applying for enrollment next year at Gardner, this is for you! Come join our team as children get a chance to play together with the teachers, and parents get a chance to connect. Specific times will be determined in early January and sent out as soon as possible. Have any questions? Reach out to Courtney Tomlinson for more information.
Monday, February 12th - Thursday, February 15th
Klickitat at Islandwood (Bainbridge Island, WA)
Friday, February 16th
No School, Teacher Inservice Day
Monday, February 19th
No School, President's Day
Tuesday, February 20th- Thursday, February 22nd
K-6 Parent Conferences
Stay tuned for information from your classroom teachers to schedule a parent/teacher conference.
Monday, February 26th
Gardner Market!
Look for the packet sent home with your child about preparing for Gardner Market!
Thursday, February 29th
Klickitat at Oregon Symphony
Teacher Greg will send home permission slips and more information about this classical music tie-in to the earlier Mythology thematic.
To see and subscribe to our calendar of events, click below!
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