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IN THIS ISSUE:
message from the board / giving thanks / pancake breakfast / experiential learning / save the date! / parking lot note / snapshots / health reminders / events
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Dear Gardner Community,
On Tuesday, November 15, the Board of Trustees meeting engaged in an array of generative conversations around strategic planning, why they give to the Gardner School, what it means to be the Board of a small school, and which of their values show up as board members. This type of work will allow the board to make thoughtful decisions that take into account the realities of a leading a small, dynamic independent school.
At the meeting, the Board of Trustees:
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Received updates about strategic planning and discussed the institutional identify of a small school
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Compiled/shared statements about why they give to the Gardner School
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Engaged in DEI work as it relates to values–increasing the board’s collective cultural compassion
The Board of Trustees voted on the following:
At our next meeting, the Board of Trustees will:
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Review where we are in our tuition and compensation conversations
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Explore financial models for the year ahead
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Celebrate the end of the calendar year
We're grateful for all the parents who completed the recent survey, and we're taking time now to review the responses as we move ahead in our strategic planning. At the Gardner School, we value the community that is built here by parents, staff, volunteers, and children. Your feedback is valuable as we explore how to grow and strengthen our school as we continue to cultivate authentic learning through integrated experiences in a supportive community.
Lori Cohen, Board Chair
Anamaria Bambaren Call, Vice Chair
Peter Bryant, Secretary
Jaimie Eck, Treasurer
Juna Kim McDaid, Trustee
Sarah Grenert-Funk, Trustee
Susan Melton, Trustee
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Giving Thanks for our Community
As we get ready to head into this extended break, we hope you all find time to give thanks for what matters most to you. Our school is grateful for all the work that families do to support their children, and we're grateful for the dedication of our staff and faculty to provide an exceptionally special place for children to learn.
Please visit our lobby this week to read why others are grateful for the Gardner School community, and add your message of thanks as well. All family members, students and community members are welcome to contribute!
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Pajamas and Pancakes December 16th
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The day after the K-6 Celebration of Learning, our students enjoy a Pajama Day and Pancake Breakfast, courtesy of our parent volunteers. A sign up will come out soon for opportunities to donate food items or help with the cooking and distributing of breakfast items. Our planning includes offerings for students with special food needs, so all can be included.
Want to help in the planning? Reach out to Susan Melton at smelton@gardnerschool.org.
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After Care Note
There will be no after care for early childhood or K-6 students on Friday, December 16th to allow all our staff members to participate in a gathering with one another.
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Program Spotlight
Real World Learning Opportunties
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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!
Last week, our 3rd and 4th grade students got to visit the End of the Oregon Trail Interpretative Center in Oregon City. Thanks to parent chaperone drivers, our students had a chance to work together to pack a lifesize wagon. They also watched a short video showcasing the many different perspectives of people who were traveling on the trail or those who lived nearby and had encounters with the emigrants. These opportunities to hear stories of all of the people affected by westward expansion allows our students to create more accurate and nuanced understanding of the historical events.
Our oldest students, Klickitat, welcomed local historian, author, and reenactor of the Continental Army, Jeff Dacus. This visit from Mr. Dacus provided hands-on, experiential learning in a 250-year travel back in time, where students got to try on a Continental Army soldier uniform with the shift, breeches, vest, jacket, haversack, canteen, and all of the other bags to carry gear. Students saw playing cards, dice, spoons made of antlers, two-pring forks, a hatchet, stockings, and even were able to safely handle a musket and bayonet. For our students, this ability to see and experience stories from the Revolutionary War lets them connect with the history in a way readings or lectures alone couldn't.
In the Mazama classroom, their mailroom dramatic play set up was a hit. The Mazama kids spent a lot of time sorting mail, weighing packages, and checking the map to see where their packages are going. This opportunity supported their development of math skills, problem solving, communication, and much more.
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Did you watch Head of School Emily Davis's last video about thematics and integrated learning? Click above to hear more about how this approach benefits our Gardner School students. Mark your calendars and invite family & friends for our K-6 Celebration of Learning on Thursday, December 15th at 2pm.
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Save the Date!
Spotlighting the Gardner School
As part of the Clark County community, we value our connection to the Greater Vancouver Chamber. We are excited to host local business owners and professionals from around the region for the March Business After Hours event, sponsored by K&B Benefits at the Gardner School! You are invited to join us at the Gardner School on Tuesday, March 14th from 5:00- 7:00 pm. This is a great time to grow your network and to highlight what you love about the Gardner School to members of the greater community.
Admissions is complimentary, and food, drinks, and fun "Gardner-style" activities will be shared. If you'd like to learn more about how to support this event or to volunteer your time, reach out to Emily at edavis@gardnerschool.org.
Registration is open! Click here to reserve your spot. |
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Safety Note
Parking Lot Reminders
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As a reminder, we ask all grownups and children to use the pathways and crosswalks for navigating the parking lot. We want to model safe practices for the students, and using these spaces allows for more visibility for pedestrians.
For families dropping off and picking up, remember the space by the swingset is for quick loading and unloading, for children who are independent in that process. All students should exit their vehicle to the right as to avoid walking into the parking lot area. For children who need assistance with loading or unloading, please park along the main field or around the garden and supervise and assist children in using the pathways and crosswalk.
Thank you for keeping our students safe!
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Campus snapshots
Kids are bundling up and exploring the outside spaces, and taking advantage of these dry and sunny days! Opportunities for connection and sharing abound!
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Winter Health Reminders
Medical professionals are seeing an increase in the following illnesses across the country and in our region, and we encourage families to learn more about them below.
As a reminder, children with symptoms need to be cleared through our Health email at health@gardnerschoool.org, and any child who is not feeling well enough to be at school or who is exhibiting new symptoms will be sent home.
Preventing the spread of illness on our school campus helps all children and protects our more vulnerable community members.
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Keeping all of our students in school depends on our families following the requests below for screening for symptoms.
1. In the last 72 hours, has your child had one or more of the following symptoms: fever > 100.4 F, cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, chills, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea and/or vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of smell/taste?
2. Has your child been in close contact with anyone with confirmed COVID-19 or has a public health or medical professional told your child to self isolate or self-quarantine because of concerns about COVID-19 infection?
3. If any of the answers to these questions are yes, have you emailed health@gardnerschool.org and been cleared to be on campus? If not, please remain off campus until cleared.
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Upcoming Events
Wednesday- Friday 11/23- 11/25
Thanksgiving Break, No School
Tuesday, November 29th
Giving Tuesday
Giving Tuesday is a global generosity movement, unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. As a small nonprofit, we invite our community to choose the Gardner School to donate to on this important day.
Saturday, December 3rd
Campus Tours for New Families
Do you know someone who would benefit from learning more about the Gardner School? We have many tour spots available still for this Saturday tour day, and individual tours for this and other days can be scheduled here. Share this opportunity with your community!
Wednesday, December 7th
Mazama Celebration of Learning, 12:00 pm
The Mazama students are "erupting" with excitement to share their learning with their families! Stay tuned for more details in the class newsletter.
Thursday, December 15th
K-6 Celebration of Learning, 2:00 pm
Join us for a display of learning from our kindergarten through 6th grade students, with presentations, artwork, and more!
Friday, December 16th
Pancake Breakfast and Pajama Day
Students love this tradition, and we will be serving a pancake breakfast along with other items in the morning on Friday, December 16th. It's also Pajama Day, and children are welcome to wear cozy items to school.
Friday, December 16th
No After Care Available for Early Childhood and K-6 Students
There will be no after care on this day to allow for our staff to celebrate together.
To see and subscribe to our calendar of events, click below!
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Thank you to our handyman, Tom, for knowing our Mazama students would appreciate the big pile of leaves on the playground that he made for them!
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