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IN THIS ISSUE:
picnic success! / early release reminder / first day tips /pick up and drop off / first fridays in the farmhouse / community spotlight / volunteers needed! / lost and found / upcoming events
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Thank you for attending the Family Picnic!
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We loved having our students and families, new and returning, on campus for our Family Orientation Picnic. It was a wonderful way to welcome back our community - from seeing classrooms and teachers to learning more about FROGS (Friends and Relatives of Gardner School), it was a success!
Any follow up questions you have about your child's classroom can be sent directly to your homeroom teacher. Email addresses can be found on their staff bio page on our website. Couldn't make the picnic? Homeroom teachers will share the folder and any additional information with you so you don't miss out!
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All Wednesdays (including the first day 8/28!) are early release, with Early Childhood students picked up at 1:00 pm and K-6 students picked up at 1:45 pm.
After Care is available for all ages until 6:00 pm.
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First Day of School Tips
Heading back to school can be an exciting time, and we know those feelings of anticipation can also raise some feelings for children and grownups alike. You can read more tips from local company Slumberkins, which our school uses in our early grades to support social-emotional learning. Here are a few tips about how to make the first day of school the best for your child.
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Preparing Students
What to Expect
When you arrive to drop off your child on Wednesday, here are a few reminders.
- Any children dropped off before 8:15 will need to be checked into Before Care in the lobby. All Early Childhood student drop offs required a signature, but older students can be checked in by our teacher.
- At 8:15, our students can head to their classrooms! Our staff will be on hand to supervise students getting from the front door to their classroom. Our Early Childhood students will be brought into the classroom by our staff, and our admin team is here to welcome K-2 students at the front doors and help walk our 3-6 grade students to their classrooms as needed.
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Supporting Transitions
Smooth Drop Off
Parents help set the tone for drop off with a positive attitude and a plan in place!
- A quick drop off with a reassuring message will help children transition as smoothly as possible. Particularly for our early learners, we see kids do best when parents drop off with a staff member without entering the classroom. For our big kids, transitioning on the blacktop or inside the lobby is best, and our staff will be there to help if needed.
- A big hug, a reminder that they'll be picked up at the end of the day, and encouraging them to have fun sets the tone for them and students will transition quickly to the fun of the day ahead.
- Saying "see you later" instead of "good bye" can be a helpful choice of words for you to use.
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Parking Lot Safety
Pick Up and Drop Off
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The area by the swing set is for quick drop off and pick up only of our K-6 students. If you child can unbuckle or buckle themselves and exit the car on the passenger side quickly, this space is for you!
The parking spaces by the field are ONLY for parking and walking in. Please park in a spot and assist your child in getting out of the car and walking to the path alongside the field. Students should walk in on the path alongside the field, never through the parking lot. All EC families and those K-6 families who need more time should park here.
Parents should bring their Preschool and Pre-K student to the classroom doors inside the Imagination Playground to sign their student in for the day. K-6 parents can say "see you later" at the car or walk their children to the blacktop area and say goodbye as our staff helps students get into the buildings and to their teachers.
For pick up at the end of the school day, Early Childhood students will be signed out from the Imagination Playground classroom doors. K-6 students will be waiting outside on the blacktop and picnic table areas for their families. Park and head to the blacktop area to pick up your child from their teacher.
Make sure to make contact with the homeroom teacher for check out (check with your homeroom teacher for the procedure for your child's age), and once students are picked up, parents are responsible for their supervision. If you stay to play on campus, please move away from the pickup areas and have your child stay with you while on campus.
Please be extra cautious in the parking lot for everyone's safety. Drive slowly and carefully, please!
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First Friday Parent Social 9/6
Save the date!
Join other parents to celebrate the first week of school with a beverage (caffeinated or otherwise!) from 8:15- 9:30 am. We'll have drinks and treats in the Farmhouse, and it's a great time to chat with other families and visit with the admin team!
We host this every First Friday of the month- see you then!
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Community Spotlight
We'd love to feature your family!
One of the wonderful things about being part of a small school is getting to know the other families who make up our community. We'd love to feature your family in a future newsletter!
If you're interested in sharing a short story about who you are, and why your family chose Gardner, send an email to Interim Head of School, Courtney Tomlinson, for more info.
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Volunteer Interest Survey
Volunteers Needed!
Don't forget, please fill out this Volunteer Interest Survey by September 9th so we can learn more about the talents and interests of our community. Feel free to share it with grandparents, aunts and uncles, or anyone who helps support your child and who would like to give back to the Gardner School. |
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Want to avoid losing jackets, hats, and water bottles to the lost and found bins? Please make sure to label your child's items with their name!
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Upcoming Events
Wednesday, 8/28
First Day of School!
We can't wait to see you all! Plan on a little extra time for first day transitions. Details on what drop off looks like will be shared at Parent Orientation, and we'll see you at 7:30 for Before Care and at 8:15 for normal drop off. Don't forget- Wednesdays are early release with pickup for Early Childhood students at 1:00 pm and K-6 students at 1:45 pm. After Care is available for all ages until 6:00 pm.
Monday, 9/2
Labor Day, No School
Friday, 9/6
First Friday in the Farmhouse, 8:30- 9:30 am
Come join us in the Farmhouse for drinks and treats to chat with other parents and admin team members. Mark your calendars- we host this each month on the first Friday!
Friday, 9/6
K-6 Field Day
It's going to be an afternoon of outdoor play for our kindergarten through 6th grade students! Expect kids to get a little extra messy, and an extra set of clothes and a towel should be sent from home.
Friday, 9/13
Wheels in School
Wheels in Schools is a favorite event at the Gardner School! Your child can bring their non-motorized bike or scooter, along with any safety gear for fun at recess time. Helmets are required to ride. Please allow for some extra time at drop off and pick up for loading.
To see and subscribe to our calendar of events, click below!
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