|
IN THIS ISSUE:
message from the head / celebration of learning / outdoor school / summer camp sign-ups / meet the board / wet weather reminder / learning in action / snapshots / events
|
|
|
|
From the Head of School
Dear Gardner community,
Spring is finally here, and the daffodils are blooming. It's a beautiful and sunny day on campus, and students are happily playing and learning outside. I hope you enjoyed a longer weekend, and a big thanks to our teachers for their work preparing for and conducting conferences with our parents. I'm hearing great stories about how much growth students have made this year! We still have quite a few months left for even more experiences and opportunities for them to take risks, tackle something new, and work through a challenge.
A week ago, we co-hosted a Business After Hours with Kalama parent, Ben Petersen, and his business K&B Advisors. It was such a success, and I am thankful for the connections and conversations that will have an impact on our school for years to come. Our teachers put on amazing experiences - from visiting with alpacas to folding origami to singing songs - it was a unique, creative, and memorable event for all that attended!
I'm looking forward to seeing everyone on campus next week for our Celebrations of Learning! Our students have worked hard these past months and it's a wonderful time for family and friends to join us to celebrate their music, art, science, and academic creations.
Enjoy the sun!
|
|
|
Why Teacher Sarah, long time Gardner parent and Tumtum teacher, encourages you to attend the upcoming 2023 Gardner Auction:
"The event itself has evolved over the years in many ways, but the way that strikes me as most meaningful, is in having the event here on school campus. We are able to incorporate activities with teachers in our amazing classroom environments. The people and the spaces at Gardner work together to create a magical place of wonder and learning which instills a sense of belonging for our children. In my opinion, the auction gives parents, extended family/friends, and members of the greater community the opportunity to experience a little of that magic for themselves."
Find out more about tickets and sponsorships on our website, or by reaching out to auctionsponsor@gardnerschool.org.
|
|
|
|
Celebration of Learning Reminders
It's almost time! Our students are excited to share their work with you and we welcome you to invite friends and family to our Winter Celebration of Learning! We'll start in the Great Room for a whole school presentation, and then we invite you to tour the classrooms, your child's and others, in an open house format. At the end of the event, please make sure to confirm that you are bringing your child home with their Homeroom teacher, so we can account for dismissal of all of our students. After Care is available until 6:00 as usual, and if your child will be staying, please connect them directly with the homeroom teacher before leaving.
|
|
Wednesday, 3/29 12:00 pm
Mazama Presents!
The students can't wait to share their big production with their guests at 12:00 pm on Wednesday, March 29th. Families will meet in the Great Room before touring the classroom.
|
Thursday, 3/30 2:00 pm
K-6 Celebration of Learning
Join us in the Great Room for performances and introductions to the learning, and then visit the classrooms with your student(s) to see your child's work, and the learning that happens in all our classrooms!
|
|
|
|
Overnight Field Trips
Klickitat students are off for a week of outdoor school!
Our 5th and 6th graders are off on an adventure! As part of the culminating experience of being at Gardner School, students in our Klickitat classroom do a week of outdoor school. While at OMSI's Hancock Center in Fossil, OR, they will participate in science labs, go on hikes, and connect over campfires and cabin time. These overnight trips are a key opportunity for our Gardner students to build confidence and independence, and are the perfect extension to the creative and hands-on learning they do at school daily.
|
|
|
Don't miss your chance to sign up for summer camps!
|
|
We're seeing lots of interest in our summer camps, and we know they're filling fast! If you see a camp that shows as full now, it's still smart to submit a registration for the waitlist. We usually have some families that need to rearrange schedules, and Lisa Linderman will reach out first to those on the waitlist!
Go to our website to book your camps now!
|
|
|
|
Meet the Board
Susan Melton
|
|
|
If you've participated in any volunteer events in the last few years, chances are that you already know Susan Melton! Susan's involvement with Gardner School began in February of 2020 when her son Cole enrolled in our school. She quickly became an active member of the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) and quickly became an integral part of the Gardner School community. In October of 2022, Susan was invited to join the Board of Trustees and we are excited to have her insights and expertise as we work towards shaping the future of our school. Her son Cole is currently in the Wy'East class, and her daughter Karalyce is in the Loowit class.
Susan has lived in the Pacific Northwest since the age of 11, and she has called various places within Idaho, Oregon, and Washington home. In 2011, she moved to the Vancouver area and currently resides in Battle Ground, Washington with her husband Nathan. In her free time she enjoys camping, video games, Dungeons & Dragons, attending to her large animal collection, and reading. Susan brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our team, as she currently owns and operates a successful small business that designs, prints, and sells 3D printed items.
We are thrilled to have Susan on our Board of Trustees and look forward to the further contributions she will make to our school community!
|
|
|
Does your child have backup clothing at school still?
Gardner kids don't miss a chance to enjoy a good puddle when they find them! If you've had wet clothing come home lately, don't forget to send in a new round of back up clothes.
|
|
|
Learning in Action
Pahto in the Wild!
|
|
|
Last week, our Pahto students went to the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge to spot local animals and explore the habitat that provides them shelter and food. As part of their thematic study on food webs, this field trip is part of the learning they're doing to understand the interconnectedness of our environment.
|
|
Submit those baby pictures!
One of the more popular features of our yearbook is a "Guess Who?" section where students can have their baby picture in our yearbook. If you would like to have your child's baby picture in this year's yearbook please send a digital baby photo to Jared Renfro at jrenfro@gardnerchool.org by March 31st.
|
|
|
Campus snapshots
Lots of smiles and learning last week!
|
|
Upcoming Events
Thursday, March 30th
K-6 Celebrations of Learning, 2:00pm
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.
Thursday, April 20th
Earth Day
Stay tuned for plans for students and opportunities for volunteering!
Saturday, April 22nd
2023 Gardner Auction, 5:00- 9:00 pm
An evening of joyful activities, delicious food, and giving hearts. Join with other community members in supporting Gardner by purchasing your tickets today!
Friday, May 26th
No School- Teacher Inservice Day
Monday, May 29th
No School- Memorial Day
Thursday, June 1st
Early Childhood Wheels in School Day
Pack those scooters, bikes, and trikes along with all safety gear for some extra active outdoor play time!
Friday, June 2nd
K-6 Wheels in School Day
Pack those scooters, bikes, and trikes along with all safety gear for some extra active outdoor play time!
To see and subscribe to our calendar of events, click below!
|
|
|
|
|
