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IN THIS ISSUE:
loowit visits bonneville dam / new summer camp / klickitat canoe trip / gardner yearbooks / 2024-2025 calendar / campus snapshots / upcoming events
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Loowit Visits Bonneville Dam
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On Thursday, May 23rd, our Loowit class went on an adventure to explore both the Washington and Oregon sides of Bonneville Dam. They began with the Washington side and a self-tour of the visitor center located there. They explored the dam, saw fish swim up the ladders, watched a nice video about how the dam was built, and read about the dam at various displays. After they finished with the Washington side, they crossed over to Oregon using the Bridge of the Gods, then visited the Oregon side of the dam. There was a small park and playground, so they had lunch and some extra time to play. At 12:30 they began a guided tour with Ranger Meg. The ranger took them around to show them the dam, and explained things to the students so that they could understand what they were seeing. Though they did not have the chance to see Herman, the famous sturgeon, they did get a chance to see the lock system in operation, which was quite exciting!
Gardner's experiential model means students get many opportunities to venture out and see places like Bonneville Dam, to help them make more concrete connections between the world around them and their in-class reading and learning about animals, engineering, the local ecosystems, Native American tribes, and more. The trip made for a very full and very fun day as we near the end of this school year!
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New Summer Camp - Calligraphy, Cursive, and Bubble Writing!
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We have opened a new camp the week of July 22nd - July 26th - "Calligraphy, Cursive, and Bubble Writing"! Taught by our Kindergarten teacher, Joyce, this camp will explore fun ways of writing. Students will learn about special pens and pencils, art paper, and what can be done with varying fonts. Students will have plenty of time to practice their work, and also to play outside. This camp is open to Kindergarten through 6th Grade, so no matter what your child's handwriting skill level, they are sure to learn something fun.
If you are interested in signing up your child for summer camps this year, visit our Summer Camp webpage soon!
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Klickitat Gives Back, Enjoys Canoe Trip
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Klickitat had a fantastic opportunity to do a day of stewardship and get out into Salmon Creek estuary on Monday, May 20th. First, they met with the Salmon Creek Estuary Partnership along the Salmon Creek trail not far from Gardner, where they helped remove invasive reed canary grass. This grass can overwhelm and outcompete native plants that are being re-established in the wetland space, so it's important for the health of the estuary that it be removed whenever it's found. The students learned that the health of Salmon Creek depends on three C's: Cold, Clean, and Clear. As they trimmed around plants, they came across a bird's nest with four eggs in it, many burrows, numerous white egrets, a great blue heron, and plentiful signs of beaver slides.
After their morning of service was complete, they reconvened at Vancouver Lake for lunch, and an afternoon of paddling one very large canoe - all 15 paddlers in one canoe! They paddled around an island, spotted bald eagles along with the more common Canada geese and their goslings, and heard signs of many more birds and native wildlife.
Trips like these, combining exciting adventures with education and service are a valuable part of the Gardner experience. Students have the opportunity to form connections with local agencies, and to find the courage to overcome hesitations around new and uncertain activities. Thank you to Klickitat for their hard work for the Salmon Creek Estuary Partnership and congratulations on a successful canoe trip!
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Yearbooks Now On Sale!
2024 Gardner Yearbooks
Once again, the Gardner staff has put together a lovely yearbook with photos and memories from the school year! Each classroom has a page with class and individual photos, and a number of our important annual events are highlighted on their own pages. There's a "guess that baby picture" section towards the back, and each page contains memories of the school year that parents and students will treasure for years to come.
Books are $35 each, and can be ordered through our online form. We will be distributing books by homerooms directly to teachers in June, so students will be able to get their books signed by peers at the end of the school year.
We only have limited quantities available, so get yours soon before they are gone!
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2024-2025 School Year
Calendar Available
The 2024-2025 academic calendar has been finalized! Our first day of school this fall will be Wednesday, August 28th, with a normal Wednesday schedule of 8:30am to 1:45pm for K-6, and 8:30am to 1:00pm for Early Childhood. This calendar includes all holidays, breaks, and In-Service (non-attendance) days for the 2024-2025 school year.
We will continue to post the daily events such as field trips, school events, Celebrations of Learning, First Friday Farmhouse chats, and other pertinent information both at the bottom of our weekly newsletters and through the Facts Family Portal calendar and announcements. You may also subscribe to the Gardner Community Google Calendar to keep up on the latest changes to school events and schedules.
The 2024-2025 School Calendar is available online now.
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No After Care Wednesday, June 12th
Important reminder- there is no after care on the last day of school. Tumtum or Mazama students with siblings enrolled in K-6 can stay until pick up time at 3:30.
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Campus snapshots
What's happening on campus
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Upcoming Events
Monday, May 28th-Thursday, May 30th
Tumtum Parent Conference Days
Please watch Tumtum's homeroom newsletters for information about scheduling a parent conference for one of these days! Conferences will be held primarily in the afternoons, or other times upon request.
Thursday, May 30th
Wheels in School
The day has arrived to bring your bicycles, tricycles, and scooters to school to ride around the central garden during recess! Students must bring helmets to participate. "Wheels" can be dropped off at the beginning of school, and picked up at the end of the day.
Tuesday, June 4th
Loowit at the Zoo
Loowit found time to take one final field trip this year! They will be visiting the Oregon Zoo on Tuesday, June 4th, from 11am until the end of the day.
Tuesday, June 4th
Tumtum Celebration of Learning
Tumtum's Celebration of Learning will be in the Imagination Playground and Tumtum, from 2:00pm - 3:00pm. Families welcome!
Wednesday, June 5th
Mazama Celebration of Learning
Mazama's Celebration of Learning will begin in the Great Room and transition to Mazama, from 12:00pm to 1:00pm. Families welcome!
Thursday, June 6th
K-6 Celebration of Learning
Our K-6 Celebration of Learning will begin with a brief program in the Great Room at 2:00pm, then transition to individual classes, ending at 3:00pm. Families welcome!
Friday, June 7th
EC Field Day
Tumtum and Mazama have their spring field day! They will have outdoor games and sprinkler time (weather permitting), plus popsicles!
Monday, June 10th
Klickitat Commencement
Our 6th graders who are graduating and our 5th graders who are not returning in the fall will have their Commencement program at 2:00pm. Families are welcome to attend.
Wednesday, June 12th
K-6 Field Day and Last Day of School
Our K-6 students will have their Spring Field Day, with water activities, a tug of war, the popular shaving cream station, and popsicles. This is also our last day of school for everyone. Have a lovely summer, and we hope to see you at one or more of our Summer Camps!
Wednesday, June 12th
No After Care
There is no after care on the last day of school. Tumtum or Mazama students with siblings enrolled in K-6 can stay until pick up time at 3:30.
To see and subscribe to our calendar of events, click below!
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