|
IN THIS ISSUE:
message from the head / gardner's new website / gardner market / valentine's day / art around campus / news around campus/ summer camp links / learning spotlight / campus snapshots / health screening reminders / events
|
|
|
|
From the Head of School
Dear Gardner community,
I'm thrilled to unveil and celebrate our new website! We've been working diligently behind the scenes to update our brand to better match who we are and what we do. This website is a big step in clearly communicating the joy and brightness that children experience daily on campus!
Have you wondered about the story behind our classroom names? Or, interested in learning more about our curriculum model? You can sign up for Auction tickets here! The new website has a lot of exciting photos and details for our current and prospective families. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do.
Just like our students have goals each year, the Gardner School is constantly reflecting and improving with a growth mindset approach. I'm working closely with the Strategic Planning committee to create the pieces of our three Strategic Initiatives - Institutional Identity, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), and Financial Sustainability. Our committee is on track with progress, and we'll be communicating details towards the end of the school year. It's been a smooth and inspiring process to think big picture for the Gardner School's future.
I hope you are enjoying the continually longer days, and the beautiful sunshine lately!
|
|
|
|
Check out our new website!
|
|
|
|
Our new website has been months in the making, and we're excited to reveal it to our community! This new visual better communicates and shares what we do, and the uniqueness of Gardner School. Click here to explore, and please share with your friends and family!
|
|
Remember there is no school this Friday, February 17th and Monday, February 20th.
|
|
|
Gardner Market Reminder
This morning, families received this invitation to the Gardner Market with some extra tips and reminders about supporting kids as they're finishing their products. We are happy to announce we are donating our profits to Second Chance Companions, a local non-profit helping pets and their owners in SW Washington and the Portland Metro area. This is our second year supporting this organization, and last year our students were able to donate over $1,300 to them! Invite friends and family to come to the event!
|
|
|
Re-enrollment contracts will be sent out from Sheila FitzPatrick, Director of Business Operations, to parent emails by Friday, 2/17. Signed contracts, along with the $1000 non-refundable deposit, are due back to Sheila by Wednesday, March 1st.
Reach out at (360) 574-5752, option 3, with any questions.
|
|
Valentine's Day Plans
Check Teacher Newsletters for Party Plans
Each classroom has made plans that work best for the ages of the students. Teachers have shared plans in classroom newsletters, including any notes about treats.
|
|
|
|
Program Spotlight
Art Around Campus
|
|
|
Our kindergarten- 6th grade students express their artistic selves during their twice weekly art classes. An arts education has been shown to support students across the disciplines, enhancing math and literacy skills, and also supporting their social-emotional development, and we often see kids shine in different ways up in the Art room! They try out new techniques, experiment with materials, and learn about famous artists from around the world.
Students in our art classes problem solve, overcome challenges, cheer on their peers, and persist in their work. The reminder that the process is as valuable as the product helps students move forward when feeling stuck. Our students get to see themselves as artists, sharing their talents with one another and their school community. It is hands-on, often messy, and always a place for kids to express themselves throgh art.
Looking ahead to the 2023 Auction, you can expect to see some of the beautiful collaborative work from our Gardner student artists. Each classroom is creating a beautiful work to be auctioned off. Stay tuned for more details!
|
|
|
News Around Campus
Blue Bike's Retirement Party
|
|
Sometimes, campus toys become favorites for students. The Blue Bike in the Imagination Playground has been a go-to vehicle for a few years now, but recently teachers noticed it was worn out and it was time to say goodbye, and the students wanted to do something special!
The Blue Bike's retirement ceremony was a success this week. Tumtum, Kalama, and Mazama all came together to say goodbye to our beloved trike. Some friends shared memories and others shared what they liked about the blue bike. We sang the "Goodbye Song" together as a final send off. It was a wonderful way to say our farewell as it transitions to being a planter- a whole new life for our faithful Blue Bike!
|
|
|
Summer Camp Priority Registration
Registration for summer camps is now open for our curenttly enrolled families! You can find a list of all available summer camps here, and sign into our registration form here to secure your spot.
|
|
|
Learning in Action
Water Analysis and New Microscopes
|
|
Klickitat will be joining up with the Pahto class for a hiking trip to WSU-V for collecting water samples on February 14th, and Klickitat students will be teaching the Pahto class how to use the microscopes to check out their samples on February 15th. The classrooms will also partner up together for a water filtration engineering challenge using natural materials that they collect.
Last week, students went through the introduction to the microscopes (identification of parts and practice). Next week they will collect some
water samples in the wetlands to look at under the microscope, as well as water collected down at the WSU campus in Mill Creek. Once students get the hang of using the compound microscopes with specimens, they will try out Gardner School’s new digital microscopes!
Continuing to update our technology, curriculum, and materials are an important aspect of our School's dedication to providing the optimal learning environment for our students and teachers.
|
|
Campus snapshots
Collaboration and kindness, laughter and play. All in a week's work at the Gardner School!
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
Upcoming Events
Friday, February 17th
No School, Teacher In-Service Day
Monday, February 20th
No School, President's Day
Thursday, February 23rd
Drinks and Donuts, 8:15- 9:45 am
Come join other parents, grandparents, and staff for a treat in the Farmhouse and a chance for some good conversation!
Monday, February 27th
Gardner Market 1:00 pm- 3:00 pm
Students in our 2nd-6th grade classes create items individually or with a partner to sell, and our Kalama and Pahto classes work collaboratively to create and sell items. We set up booths in our portables and Great Room and students practice customer service, making change, and speaking with guests. Our students choose a charity to donate the proceeds of the event to, and families and guests come and shop the market on the day of the event.
Tuesday, February 28th
Photo Retake Day
Did you child miss the original photo day at the end of September? Today's the day for makeups! Note- no new class pictures will be taken at this time.
Wednesday, March 1st
Re-Enrollment Contracts Due
Make sure to submit your child's re-enrollment contract and $1000 non-refundable deposit by this date. After this time, spaces will be offered to newly applying families.
Tuesday, March 14th
No After Care Today
There will be no after care available for Early Childhood past 4:00 pm, and no after care available for K-6 students after school today due to our evening event.
Tuesday, March 14th
March Business After Hours Event 5:00- 7:00 pm
Join us from 5:00- 7:00 pm as K & B Benefit Advisors sponsors a Greater Vancouver Chamber Business After Hours at The Gardner School of Arts & Sciences! We are excited to host this event and welcome interested parents to attend, also. You can learn more and sign up here.
Friday, March 17th- Monday, March 20th
No School- Teacher Inservice Days
Stay tuned for classroom newsletters as teachers schedule parent conference times with families.
Tuesday, March 14th
No After Care Today
There will be no after care available for Early Childhood past 4:00 pm, and no after care available for K-6 students after school today due to our evening event.
Thursday, March 30th
K-6 Celebrations of Learning, 2:00- 4:00 pm
Join us to celebrate the hard work of our students over the last few months!
Monday, April 3rd- Monday, April 10th
No School- Spring Break!
Enjoy your break! We will resume school on Tuesday, April 11th.
To see and subscribe to our calendar of events, click below!
|
|
|
|
|
