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IN THIS ISSUE:
message from the acting head / metropolitan performing arts/ gardner yearbooks / 2024-2025 calendar / loowit overnight / summer camps / campus snapshots / upcoming events
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Dear Gardner School community,
At Gardner, our mission is to cultivate authentic learning in a supportive community. I want to take a moment to thank our community for your notes of support - to our teachers, board, and myself - these past few days.
I’ve had the privilege of being the first to meet many of you while taking your family on a tour, hearing your hopes and dreams for a school for your child. You’ve told me you want a place where the curriculum is engaging and inspiring, and where the staff takes the time to notice who your child is and what they need. Whatever inspired you to first explore Gardner, what you’ve found is a school that is deeply invested in reimagining learning as a joyful pursuit.
I’m constantly amazed by what can be true for children when they are in an environment that centers their emotional well-being. When I joined the Gardner School in 2018, I had a chance to see that in action. It was reaffirmed just last Friday when I watched my 7th grade son, Noah, come back to Gardner with his acting troupe, singing and dancing his heart out to the cheers of the younger kids at a schoolwide assembly. The kindness and enthusiasm that our students share is noticeable to others, and is a hallmark of the Gardner School difference.
As we move into the end of the school year, our students will have opportunities to be brave, to ask questions, to think outside the box, and our community will have the chance to celebrate the incredible achievements of these young people.
Thank you for being on this path alongside our entire team of dedicated staff members as we look forward to Gardner School’s bright future.
With gratitude,
Courtney Tomlinson
Acting Head of School
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Metropolitan Performing Arts Visits Gardner!
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On Friday, May 17th, Gardner's K-6 students welcomed the Metropolitan Performing Arts MP Ambassadors for another fantastic performance. The MP Ambassadors are middle and high school students who attend MPA's classes and programs, and who take time from their schedules to tour around and perform for various schools and institutions. This year, the Ambassadors' showcase gave us a peek behind the curtains of a 1960's style teen variety show, with singing, dancing, and a little behind-the-scenes look at the lives of the performers.
As an added treat, the troupe featured Gardner alumnus Noah Tomlinson, who graduated from Gardner in 2023 and is now a 7th grader at Hockinson Middle School. Noah and several other current and former Gardner School students are regularly in shows at MPA.
A huge thank you to Metropolitan Performing Arts for providing a resource for students in Clark County to become involved in performing arts, and for bringing Gardner another enthusiastic and entertaining show!
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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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Loowit Overnight On Campus
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There's something extra magical about being on campus after everyone else has gone home, and having an empty campus to explore. Last Thursday, May 16, our Loowit second graders got to feel that magic for their spring overnight. First times away from home can be daunting, but our Loowit class exhibited courage and spent a lovely evening together!
They started with outdoor games including "Guards and Ninjas", led by Teacher Greg. After 90 minutes of exciting play, they retreated into the Great Room to set up their bed areas and settle in with a little popcorn to watch a showing of Back to the Outback, an animated tale about how much looks can be deceiving, and how family is more than just the people you are related to. After the movie, it was back on their feet for Loowit's Greatest Race, a race across campus to various locations, requiring teamwork to figure out the clues to the next location. Once all locations had been discovered, the class brushed their teeth and settled into bed to read silently for several minutes, before the lights were turned out on sleepy students.
The following morning, the students continued their adventure by picking up their own sleeping areas, getting ready for school together, and then having a special breakfast in the Farmhouse! Special thanks to the parents who arrived extra early to prepare a delicious spread of pancakes, fruit, cereal, bacon, and juice for the campers and chaperones!
As part of the natural progression of experiences here at Gardner, our second graders get to spend at least one night on campus, in a familiar environment close to home, to help prepare them (and their parents!) for the coming 3rd through 6th grade years. Our Wy'East and Klickitat classes spend multiple nights off campus at various wonderful outdoor schools, including the Portland Bird Society's Marmot Cabins, Mt. St. Helens, and OMSI's award-winning outdoor schools. These trips are an integral part of Gardner students' growth, as they venture into new biomes and experience new ways of looking at the world, sparking their curiosity and creativity, and forging new connections with each other.
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Summer Camps Begin July 8th!
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Our first week of camps this year runs from July 8th - July 12th, and includes "What's Up With That Bug?" led by Teacher Millie, "How It's Made: Fabric Objects of Art" led by Teacher Joyce, and "Big Chefs' Academy" led by Teacher Devon. We have a few spaces remaining in all of these camps, and we'd love to have your students join us!
If you are interested in signing up your child for summer camps this year, visit our Summer Camp webpage soon!
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Campus snapshots
What's happening on campus
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Upcoming Events
Tuesday, May 20th - Thursday, May 23rd
Mazama Parent Conference Days
Please watch Mazama's homeroom newsletters for information about scheduling a parent conference for one of these days! Conferences will be held in the afternoons.
Thursday, May 23rd
Loowit Visiting Bonneville Dam
Loowit will be heading out to visit the Bonneville Dam for part of the day. More information will come home from Teacher Cheris!
Friday, May 24th
In Service Day - No School
Monday, May 27th
Memorial Day - No School
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 10th
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!
To see and subscribe to our calendar of events, click below!
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