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IN THIS ISSUE:
message from the board / picnic success! / first day tips /pick up and drop off / coffee truck on campus friday / meet the staff / community spotlight / volunteers needed! / facilities updates / upcoming events
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Dear Gardner Community,
On behalf of the Board of Trustees at the Gardner School, we welcome you to a new school year!
Much like for families, a new school year for the Board means new projects, new conversations, and new adventures as we continue to foster the Gardner School’s growth and development. We look forward to sharing updates about our work throughout the coming months, and can’t wait to see the school’s hallways, classrooms, and outside spaces filled once again with the sounds of children at play!
This year, you can expect to hear or see us most prominently in the following ways:
1. In your inbox unveiling our Strategic Plan and the exciting goals that will drive our collective work for the next few years.
2. At school events where you’ll be able to volunteer for one of our committees to help support planning for upkeep of our facilities, events for fundraising, and more.
3. At monthly board meetings where we shape, discuss and vote on the strategic elements that support the school.
We wish you all a fun-filled start to the new school year and thank you for being a part of this unique, vibrant community. We hope to connect with each of you at some point this year!
Sincerely,
Ana María Bambarén Call, Co-Chair
Lori Cohen, Co-Chair
Peter Bryant, Secretary
Brian Gilstrap, Treasurer
Sarah Grenert-Funk, Trustee
Susan Melton, Trustee
Ben Petersen, Trustee
Adriana Baer, Trustee
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Thank you for attending today's 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 catching frogs and playing with bubbles. We are looking forward to an amazing year ahead!
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.
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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.
- 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. Walking in? Park and head to the blacktop area to pick up your child from their teacher. Driving through? Stop in the yellow pick up area and we will supervise your child getting to you.
Make sure to make contact with the homeroom teacher for check out, and once students are picked up, parents are responsible for their supervision.
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 9/1
The Bluum Coffee Truck is back!
Join other parents to celebrate the first week of school with a beverage (caffeinated or otherwise!) from 7:30- 9:30 am. Drinks are provided for adults free of charge, but donations are appreciated to allow us to do more of these events in the future. Stay for a little, or for a lot, and we look forward to seeing you!
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Staff Introduction
Sheila FitzPatrick
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Sheila has her B.A. in Accounting from Brandman University, and joined the Gardner team after two years as the Business Manager of the Rose Festival, and ten years in the construction industry as an accountant. A native of Washington, Sheila has also lived all over the world—and was a Russian Linguist in the Air Force.
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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 Assistant 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 8th 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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A Busy Summer!
Facilities Updates Around Campus
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Over the past few months, our school has gone through a major makeover! Next time you are on campus, check out just a few of the improvements:
- New carpets and new hard floors throughout the entire school!
- Updated security cameras and monitoring system
- New septic installation for the Farmhouse
- A second gazebo with picnic tables to keep our students shaded in the sun and dry in the rain
- New tables and seating options in almost every classroom
- Improved walkways for better accessibility
- New and safer fencing around the garden
- A bright yellow Farmhouse and a welcoming seating area on the porch
There's even more exciting additions, like PE equipment, a drum kit, pottery wheel, updated reading curriculum, and more! Our teachers are thrilled to incorporate the updated items in our improved spaces for our students to learn and thrive this school year.
Thank you to our staff and team of volunteers who worked hard to get the campus ready!
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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, 8/30
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.
Friday, 9/1
Parent Coffee Social 7:30- 9:30 am
We're welcoming the Bluum Coffee Truck back on campus! Come a little early to pick up a cup, and stick around to chat if you're able! Drinks are free, but donations are welcome to help us host more events like this throughout the year. Beverages are for grownups only, please.
Monday, 9/4
Labor Day, No School
Thursday, 9/7
Early Childhood Field Day
Students will have a blast playing extra outside today! Stay tuned for newsletters from your child's classroom with more details.
Friday, 9/8
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, 9/15
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.
Monday, 9/18- Friday, 9/22
Back to School Parent Meetings, 3:00 pm (EC) and 4:00 pm (K-6)
Each class will have a scheduled in-person meeting to review curriculum, meet other families, and connect with your child's homeroom teacher. Free extended care is provided for the meeting time!
Monday, 9/18- Klickitat and Wy'East (4:00 pm)
Tuesday, 9/19- Mazama and Tumtum T/Th class (3:00 pm)
Thursday, 9/21- Loowit and Pahto (4:00 pm)
Friday, 9/22- Tumtum M/W/F (3:00 pm) and Kalama (4:00 pm)
Thursday, 9/28 and Friday, 9/29
Picture Day
Paul Quackenbush Photography will be here to take pictures of individual students, classes, and siblings! More information and ordering packets will be sent home from your child's homeroom teacher.
To see and subscribe to our calendar of events, click below!
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Art Teacher Millie created the perfect photo opt for your first day of school photos! Visit the garden to capture the special moment.
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