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IN THIS ISSUE:
message from the head / celebration of learning / program spotlight / meet the staff / re-enrollment news / spread the word! / snapshots / health screening reminders / events
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From the Head of School
Dear Gardner School community,
As we experience our last week of school in 2022, I am taking time to reflect on the past year, and I am proud of what we've accomplished together. Our students are thriving, and we've continued to keep our community healthy, happy, and learning together. When students are running laps around the garden, finding praying mantis at recess, painting, playing math games, and more, mental and physical health is better for all of us. Academic successes happen every day at the Gardner School, as students work on and improve reading, writing, and math skills with engaging and thoughtful thematic learning.
Our students are making the most of their last few weeks of 2022! Last week, our sweet Tumtum students were thrilled to deeply explore the topic of welding, and our Mazama students amazed us with their volcano performance and sharing their incredible creations at their Celebration of Learning. A highlight of the for everyone was the unique visit from two special alpacas, Gold Flame and Shape Shifter. Thank you to the Glascock family for sharing such special visitors with us!
I am looking forward to welcoming and seeing many of you at our Celebration of Learning for our K-6th grade students on Thursday, December 15th at 2pm in our Great Room. All are welcome! Our students and teachers work hard, and it's exciting to share their beautiful accomplishments.
From my family to yours, I wish you a healthy and happy holiday season!
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It's wonderful to have families on campus for Celebrations of Learning. Last week, Mazama families were able to get a tour of the classroom projects from their Pre-K students, and we're looking forward to our K-6 students and their Celebration of Learning this Thursday, December 15th at 2:00 pm. All are welcome!
Families will meet in the gym for some schoolwide performances, then head to classrooms to check out their child(ren)'s work. After you've finished in your child's classroom, feel free to visit our other classrooms to see what learning looks like across the ages. This is a great time to look ahead to what classroom your child would be in next year, too.
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Parking Notes for Celebration of Learning
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We expect a big turnout on Thursday! If possible, please carpool with family members and park along 50th Avenue for overflow spots. Our staff will be parked off site, so the gravel parking lot is also available for visitor use.
Early Childhood families- come at 2:00 pm if you'd like to check out the K-6 Celebration! If you're planning on picking you child up to come with you, let their homeroom teacher know. For regular pick up time, caregivers can park in the loading zone if other parking spots are not available.
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Important Reminder- There is no aftercare this Friday, December 16th.
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Program Spotlight
Spanish Lessons Brought to Life
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Did you child come home last week asking for an alpaca? This might be why!
Our 5th and 6th graders have been learning about Peru, and last week they had a chance to discover more about one of the iconic animals from the country. Klickitat teacher, Greg, also raises alpacas and he brought in two of his animals to introduce to the class. Students asked questions and connected information they had learned in class to the real life experience of meeting and touching the animals. All of our students got to meet Gold Flame and Shape Shifter at recess time, too. Our students and staff enjoyed the visit!
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Meet the Staff
Millie Lang
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Millie was born in Honolulu, Hawaii but spent most of her youth in Valdez, Alaska, fishing, boating, and camping. While studying theatre at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, she spent every summer as Program Director for the farthest northern Girl Scout camp in America. Having Montessori teaching certifications for preschool and elementary she has taught general education and after school art classes in the private sector since 2013. She is currently working on obtaining her national teaching certification with a dual licensure in Elementary Education and Special Education.
Millie comes from a family of artists, who use natural and renewable resources in their work. Millie’s teaching style is to allow children to explore new techniques, and follow their own interests. She teaches art history, art theory, crafts, and fine arts. For Millie, art is about process not just product.
When Millie is not teaching, she enjoys traveling to the woods, beach, or mountains with her husband and two young children. Her personal hobbies include clay projects, furniture painting, and cooking. She is passionate about social justice, inclusion, and honoring the many cultures shared by our community.
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Re-Enrollment News
Continuing your child's education at the Gardner School
As we enter into the New Year, we begin looking forward to the 23-24 school year with re-enrollment plans for our families. We know our school community is strong, with dedicated parents who value a different type of education for their children. Each child brings something unique to his or her classroom, and our staff feels honored to watch them grow over many years. Some of our families have been with us for awhile, and are familiar with this process, but other families are new this year and may have questions. Please read below for important notes around re-enrollment, and don't hesitate to reach out if our administration team can be of any assistance.
Thank you for trusting the Gardner School with your child's education!
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Financial Aid Reminder
Affording the Gardner School
Our school is dedicated to supporting families with need-based tuition assistance, and last year awarded nearly $300,000 in aid. Families with children in kindergarten- 6th grade apply annually for financial aid, and the application is due by February 1st.
We encourage families to apply for tuition assistance if they feel it would make a Gardner education possible for their child. More information about the policy and process can be found online here, and any questions can be directed to Sheila FitzPatrick.
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Enrolling a Sibling Next Year?
Let us know!
Our current families get priority enrollment for siblings who are ready to join the Gardner School, too! All sibling applications are due by February 1st, and classroom visitations will be scheduled shortly after. There is a $100 application fee, and that can be paid online here.
If you are applying for your preschool or Pre-K student, please complete this Early Childhood Application.
If you are applying for a sibling in kindergarten through 6th grade, please use this K-6 Application.
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If you have any questions or updates about re-enrollment, reach out to Courtney Tomlinson to discusss your child's enrollment for the 23-24 school year.
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Invite a friend to check us out!
From our parent survey, we learned that the majority of our families found out about us through word of mouth recommendations. As you connect with friends and neighbors over the break, please share about your Gardner School experience!
Pick up some flyers in the lobby at the Celebration of Learning to hang up at your office, favorite gym, or staff room at work. Adding reviews to Google or Facebook is a wonderful way to help us connect with future families, too. |
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Campus snapshots
Last week started with snow, and included lots of imaginative play, editing and refining of projects, and practicing presentations. We're so proud of what your students have accomplished these first few months!
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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
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 17th
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.
Monday, December 19th- Tuesday, January 3rd
Winter Break, No School
The first day back is Wednesday, January 4th, 2023.
Thursday, January 26th
The Gardner School Snow Ball, 5:00- 7:00 pm
Previously known as the Yule Ball, we're bringing this fun kids-only event back to Gardner! More details to come soon!
Tuesday, 2/1
Tuition Assistance Applications for 23-24 School Year Due
All families currently receiving tuition assistance, or those interested in applying, need to complete the application by Tuesday, February 1st. Any questions about this process can be directed to Director of Business Operations, Sheila FitzPatrick. Sibling applications are also due by today.
To see and subscribe to our calendar of events, click below!
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