Black History Month is an annual observance originating in the United States, where it is also known as African-American History Month. It has received official recognition from governments in the United States and Canada, and more recently has been observed in Ireland and the United Kingdom.

Significance: to remember important people and events in the history of the African diaspora

Date: Thu, Feb 1, 2024 – Fri, Mar 1, 2024

Ways you can and your children can together learn more about the important history of the Black experience in the United States throughout history:

• Smithsonian National Museum of African-American History and Culture
• Smithsonian Museum: Black History Month
• Los Angeles County Library
• PBS Kids: Celebrating Black Leaders
• Center for Racial Justice in Education: Black History Month Resource Guide for Educators & Families
• Common Sense Education: Black History Month
• Family Education: Black History Month
• Raising a Legacy

Lunar New Year is the beginning of the new year based on the lunar calendar or lunisolar calendar. Lunar calendars follow the lunar phase while lunisolar calendars follow both the lunar phase and the time of the solar year. The event is celebrated by numerous cultures in various ways at diverse dates.

The more well-known celebrations include New Year's Day (or week) in the Chinese calendar and Tibetan calendar of East Asia; the Buddhist and Hindu calendars of Southeast and South Asia; the Islamic calendar and the Jewish calendar that originated in the Middle East; and the Nisga'a calendar from Canada. The determination of the first month of a new lunar year varies by culture. - SOURCE: WIKIPEDIA

Please review these important dates:

FEBRUARY

• SMMUSD Climate and Culture Survey through February 29th (4th/5th, Staff, and Parents only; see info below)

• Monday, February 19th: NO SCHOOL - PRESIDENTS' DAY

• Wednesday, February 21st: PTA General Meeting @ 6:30 PM in the Library and on Zoom [https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5329339940]

• Friday, February 23rd: Talent Show Tech Rehearsal from 3:00 - 6:00 PM

• Monday, February 26th: JOGATHON KICK-OFF ASSEMBLY @ 8:45 AM

• Monday, February 26th: School Site Council Meeting at 3:15 PM on Zoom [link to meeting] Meeting ID: 822 1426 2051; Passcode: 789775

• Tuesday, February 27th: SMC Dance Performances for Parents: 5th Grade @ 8:35 AM; 4th Grade @ 2:10 PM: Both performances in the Auditorium

• Wednesday, February 28th: Coffee with Principal Fuhrer @ 8:45 AM in the Auditorium

• Thursday, February 29th: Talent Show Dress Rehearsal from 3:00 - 6:00 PM

• Friday, March 1st: Global Day of Unplugging: Click here to see ideas on how you and your family can take a break from technology!
• Friday, March 1st: Lockdown Drill @ 8:45 AM

• Friday, March 1st: Talent Show Night #1 @ 4:00 PM

• Saturday, March 2nd: Talent Show Night #2 @ 4:00 PM

• Tuesday, March 5th: SMMUSD Student Smarthphone Use Town Hall with Panel @ 6:00 PM - See Flyer Below - Childcare available (no infants or toddlers, please)
• Wednesday, March 6th: PTA Executive Board Meeting @ 6:30 PM on Zoom

• Monday, March 11th: Parents of Neurodiverse Students Resource & Support Group Meeting @ 8:45 AM in Room 75

• Tuesday, March 12th: JOGATHON DAY and HOLI CELEBRATION!
• Tuesday, March 12th: Incoming JAMS 6th grade students parent info meeting at JAMS @ 6:00 PM

• Wednesday, March 13th: Grant Career Day

• Thursday, March 14th: Info Meeting & Tour for Prospective Grant Families @ 9:00 AM - Auditorium
• Saturday, March 16th: Stairway of the Stars Concert at Samohi @ 4:00 PM

• Monday, March 18th: School Site Council Meeting at 3:15 PM on Zoom
  
• Wednesday, March 20th: 5th-Grade Students Walk to tour JAMS
• Wednesday, March 20th: PTA General Meeting @ 6:30 PM at Grant and on Zoom
• Thursday, March 21st: FIELD TRIP: 1st Grade to Morgan-Wixon Theater @ 8:45 AM
• Friday, March 22nd: Fire Drill #7 @ 2:10 PM

• SPRING BREAK: MARCH 25TH - APRIL 7TH
• CLASSES RESUME ON MONDAY, APRIL 8TH

APRIL

• Tuesday, April 9th: FIELD TRIP: 2nd-Grade: Murcia/Neumann to Topanga State Park
• Saturday, April 13th: Math Olympiad Competition
• Saturday, April 13th: STEAM Expo - More details to come

Please do not forget to send with your child every day:

• School materials including books, homework, projects, etc.
• Water bottle
• Snack and/or lunch (lunch available to all students free of charge for the 2023-24 school year.)
• Sunscreen (put on prior to arriving at school)
• Hat
• Layers of clothing (sweatshirt, windbreaker, etc.) Keep an eye on the weather.
• A growth mindset for a successful day!

Dear Grant Parents and Caregivers,

I hope you all have enjoyed this Presidents Day extended weekend! It's incredible how quickly the month of February is passing (even though we get one extra day this year with the February 29th Leap Day!). Soon we will be heading into a very busy March and before we know it, we will be on a much-needed and well-deserved Spring Break!

I would like to introduce Grant's Interim Assistant Principal LaDawna Hamilton! Starting tomorrow, Ms. Hamilton will be joining Ms. Ipina and me on our administrative team. We are both very excited for her to share her wealth of experience in education and her many years of dedicated service to the students of Santa Monica. You can read more about Ms. Hamilton in this week's Gazette.

Please take a moment to complete SMMUSD's annual Climate and Culture survey. The information we collect through this survey is an important tool for us to utilize when planning for the future of programs, expenditures, staffing, and policy changes. You can access this survey by clicking the following link in this message, the District's message to families, or this week's Gecko Gazette. [LINK: SMMUSD Climate & Culture Survey 2024] The survey will remain open until February 29th.

I hope you will join me on Wednesday, February 28th for "Coffee with the Principal" where I will review our programs, assessment data, and future plans for Grant School. We will have coffee and treats! The meeting will start at 8:45 AM in the Auditorium. I hope to see you there!

Finally, Grant will be hosting a town hall where the focus will be our students' use of smartphones on campus, District policies, and healthy practices for technology use for our children. I will be moderating this event which will feature a panel of experts in education, law, and digital wellness. This event is open to all of our SMMUSD families and childcare will be offered, if needed. Please do not bring infants and toddlers to the event or childcare.

As always, thank you for your continued partnership in creating a safe and engaging school for our students! Have a great week, Geckos!

GO GECKOS!

Christian Fuhrer

Principal

Grant School

Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District

cfuhrer@smmusd.org

LaDawna Yvonne Hamilton is a lifelong learner dedicated to teaching and learning. She is a California native who grew up in the Inglewood and Lennox communities of Los Angeles­­­. She attended Loyola Marymount University where she completed her Bachelor of Arts in History, Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, Institute of School Leadership and Administration certification and will complete a M.A. in Educational Leadership in 2025.

For the last 20 years, LaDawna has served the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School district as a teacher, mentor, and coach at various sites, most notably: Will Rogers Learning Community, John Muir Elementary and Lincoln Middle School. She currently serves as an Instructional Coach at the district level TK- 12. LaDawna is the proud parent of a Santa Monica-Malibu student who attends John Adams Middle School. Deep within her is a constant need to improve and build for a better tomorrow. We are incredibly fortunate to have her join us in the Gecko Nation as I am sure she will bring a wealth of knowledge, experience and heart to our students, staff, and families!

https://form.jotform.com/240494310912046

REGISTRATION STARTS TUESDAY FOR GECKO ACADEMY SPRING SESSION!

Gecko Academy after school classes are brought to you by our PTA and all proceeds go right back into our school.

Financial assistance is available. All classes are pay what you can; just select cash upon check-out and make arrangements with Florencia Rams. For more information, please contact geckoacademy@grantpta.org.

----

Hola Familias de Grant!

Como recordatorio,

LA REGISTRACION PARA GECKO ACADEMY ABRE EL MARTES!

Las clases de Gecko Academy son organizadas por Grant PTA y la matrícula se destina directamente al apoyo de nuestra escuela.

Hay ayuda financiera disponible. Comuníquese con geckoacademy@grantpta.org para obtener más información.

This event is Free, open to the public, has parking and snacks! Sponsored by the Tri Cities SEPLA representing Beverly Hills, Santa Moncia and Culver City school districts.

There will be speakers, resources, and information for special education families of all ages. This was a great event last year with so many incredible vendors and programs to learn about.

Hope you can join us March 9th 10 am - 2:00 pm Culver City Middle School Culver City Middle School, 4601 Elenda St, Culver City, CA 90230

For additional questions, contact Deanna Sinfield: deannasinfield@ccusd.org

Spanish and American Sign Language available upon request. Contact Mayra Romero: mayraromero@ccusd.org / (310) 842-4220 x 4310

Attendees can RSVP here: https://bit.ly/BAAPACBHM2024

or scan the QR Code:

Do you have clothes/things in good condition???

Assistance League of Santa Monica (ALSM) is a non-profit whose volunteers are dedicated to transforming the lives of children and adults through community programs. These programs include providing camp scholarships, backpacks with school supplies, eye examinations and glasses, and over $100,000 in college scholarships annually.

Many students at Grant Elementary School have been recipients of these programs. This year, for example, ALSM is sponsoring science camp for a number of Grant's 5th graders.

https://www.assistanceleague.org/santa-monica/

ALSM funds its programs through its Thrift Shop, which has consistently been voted the best in Santa Monica by the SM Daily Press. Please check out the shop at 1453 15th Street, Santa Monica, from 11-3 Thursday and Friday, and 10-2 Saturday. Stop by to find great bargains and help support Grant's students.

To review the Grant School policies and the SMMUSD Annual Notice Handbook please click the following links:

It is important that all students attend school every day. Exceptions may include if your child is ill. Please plan all family vacations during school vacation days. It is important to set your child up for success by ensuring they are in school. For a detailed look at the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District's attendance policies, please click this link > https://www.smmusd.org/Attendance

We realize some absences are for health or other reasons. But, when students are absent they can fall far behind in what they learn. Whether the absence is excused or unexcused It means your child is missing important classroom learning time.

Some Attendance Tips:

• Please notify the office within 72 hours to report your child's absence and the reason they were not in school.
• Illness, bereavement, and court hearings are the only reason for an "Excused" absence.
  
• Make sure your students keep a regular bedtime and establish a morning routine.
  
• Turn off all electronics including TVs, phones, and tablets at bedtime.
  
• Make sure clothes and pack backpacks are ready the night before.
  
• Check with our school nurse or office staff if you are not sure about when to keep your child at home due to illness.
  
• Avoid scheduling vacations or doctor’s appointments when school is in session.
  
• Talk to teachers and counselors for advice if your student feels anxious about going to school.
  
• Develop backup plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, neighbor, or another parent to take your student to school.
  

Please let us know how we can best support you and your student so that they can show up for school on time every day.

Grant School is known for being a “neighborhood school” and for its close-knit community. Our goal now is to maintain these special characteristics of our wonderful school. It is important to understand that with these procedures, we are not trying to remove our parents' and guardians’ access; we are merely trying to control who is accessing our campus and when they are visiting.

With this in mind, we will begin the drop-off and pick-up procedures outlined below beginning Monday, August 28th.

During the first two days of school, all parents were permitted to walk their children to their classrooms. Beginning Monday, August 28th, all students will be dropped off at the Pearl Street Gate (Main Gate) and the 24th Street Gate (rear of school) with the exception of our Preschool and Transitional Kindergarten students. See below.

DROP-OFF and PICK-UP PROCEDURES

Preschool and TK Drop-off: Due to State law, all Preschool and Transitional Kindergarten students must be dropped off to their teacher. Preschool parents will continue to enter the campus at the main gates after checking in with the Campus Monitor, proceed to Room 59, and sign their child in with Ms. Reed. TK parents will walk their children to the Transitional Kindergarten yard where Ms. Herman and Ms. Cedillo will greet them each day.

Preschool and TK Pick-up: All Preschool parents will meet Ms. Reed at the main gates for dismissal. Students whose parents have not picked up their child at dismissal will check into the main office and then proceed to Room 59 to check their child out from Ms. Reed.

Ms. Herman's TK parents will enter the Kindergarten playground from the Pearl Street entrance at dismissal time and students will be returned to their parents by Ms. Herman. Ms. Cedillo's TK class will be released at the Pearl Street Gate (Main Gate) at dismissal time.

Kindergarten Drop-off: Kindergarten students will be dropped off by their parent or guardian at the gate next to Room 2 beginning at 8:00 AM Mon - Fri. Students will walk to the Kindergarten playground where they will be met by a teacher or Campus Monitor. Students enrolled in SAP will be walked to their classrooms by SAP personnel.

Kindergarten Pick-up: Kindergarten students will be picked up at the Pearl Street Kinder Gate at dismissal at 1:45 PM. Teachers will be there to greet parents and guardians. No Kinder student will be released to anyone other than a parent, guardian, caregiver, or emergency contact. Students enrolled in SAP will be picked up from SAP personnel in their classrooms.

Grades 1 – 5 Drop-off: All students in grades 1 – 5 will be dropped off by their parent or guardian at the Pearl Street Main Gate in front of the school or at the 24th Street Gate each morning. Students will enter the school and walk to the playground where they will be supervised by a Grant School Teacher, Campus Monitor, or Administrator. Drop-off will begin at 8:00 AM every day.

The start-of-school warning bell will sound at 8:25 AM. The final bell will sound at 8:30 AM. Students in grade 1 will walk to their lineup on the big map on the playground where their teacher will meet them and walk them to the classroom.

Students in Grade 2 will walk to their lineup behind their classroom where their teacher will meet them.

Students in grades 3 – 5 will line up in front of their classroom where their teacher will meet them.

Grades 1 – 3 Pick-up: Students in Grades 1 – 3 will be dismissed at the following times: Grade 1 at 2:40; Grade 2 at 2:45; and Grade 3 at 2:50. Teachers will walk students to the main gate at the front of the school where parents will meet their children at this time. Students in Grades 1 – 3 who are enrolled in an afterschool program, such as CREST or PTA enrichment classes, or Playground Club, will walk or be walked to the lunch tables where their program teacher will meet them. Parents are not to enter the campus until after 3:00 PM and only if they have a Main Gate key card.

Grades 4 – 5 Pick-up: Students in Grades 4 and 5 will be dismissed each day at 3:00 PM. Students will exit the campus either from the Pearl Street Main Gate or the 24th Street Gate at the rear of the school. Students who are enrolled in an afterschool program, such as CREST or PTA enrichment classes, or Playground Club, will walk to the lunch tables where their program teacher will meet them. Parents are not to enter the campus until after 3:00 PM and only if they have a Main Gate key card.

After-Care Program Pickup Procedures: Parents of students in after-school care programs will receive or have already received a key card that will give them access to the Pearl Street Main Gate only. Please see the office if you have questions about this procedure or if you are having difficulty with your key card.

Early Dismissal Procedures: Wednesday drop-off and pick-up procedures are the same as those during regular school days but will follow the Wednesday bell schedule. Please see the bell schedule ABOVE.

SAP Drop-off: All students enrolled in SAP before-school care will be dropped off in Room 4. Drop-off begins at 7:00 AM. Please use your Pearl Street Main Gate key card for entrance.

Breakfast Club: Students who participate in the Grant Breakfast Club will still arrive at school under the same procedures as all students. Parents will drop their children off at the main gates by 8:00 AM so that there is ample time to eat and walk to their classrooms by 8:30 AM. Preschool, TK, and Kinder students will continue to be accompanied by a parent or guardian to Breakfast Club if the parent so chooses.

Raptor Security System

The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District will use the Raptor visitor management system to strengthen our campus safety programs for students and staff. All schools currently have this system installed.

An important aspect of keeping students and staff safe is for site staff to know who is on our campuses at all times. The Raptor system achieves this interest as it allows office staff to screen visitors, contractors, and volunteers, in our schools and provides us with a safer environment for students, staff, and approved volunteers.

Upon entering campus, visitors will be asked to present identification such as a driver’s license, which can either be scanned or manually entered into the system. If a parent or guardian does not have a US government-issued identification, for any reason, the visitor may submit an alternative form of identification for school staff to enter into the Raptor system.

The Raptor system checks the visitor's name and date of birth for comparison with a national database of registered sex offenders. The registered sex offender database is the only official database checked by the Raptor system. No other data from the identification is gathered or recorded and the information is not shared with any outside agency. The Raptor system will check to ensure that registered sexual offenders are not allowed on our campuses. Once entry is approved, Raptor will issue a badge that identifies the visitor, the date, and the purpose of his/her visit. A visitor’s badge will not be necessary for those who visit our schools simply to drop off an item at the front gate.

Show your Grant school spirit with Gecko Wear! Spirit Day is every Friday.

Purchase your spirit wear here and you will be notified when items are available for pickup in the front office.

GO GECKOS!

Your donation does so much for Grant!

Please consider donating to the two organizations that enhance education for all Grant students: the Santa Monica Education Foundation and Grant PTA. Your donations are so important. Check out the crucial staff, programs, technology, and materials funded by your donations in this chart!

Our goal is for 100% of Grant families to give to PTA and the Ed Foundation. ANY amount makes a difference to our kids. If you have already donated, thank you!

¡Su donación hace mucho por Grant!

Considere hacer una donación a las dos organizaciones que mejoran la educación de todos los estudiantes de Grant: la Fundación Educativa de Santa Mónica y la PTA de Grant. Sus donaciones siguen siendo muy importantes. ¡Consulte el personal, los programas, la tecnología y los materiales fundamentales financiados con sus donaciones en esta gráfica!

Nuestra meta es que el 100% de las familias de Grant den a la PTA y a la Fundación Ed. CUALQUIER cantidad hace la diferencia para nuestros hijos. Si ya ha donado, ¡gracias!

*Some events and resources not sponsored by or affiliated with the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District.

~ ¡NUEVA OPCIÓN DE TRADUCCIÓN A 100 IDIOMAS! ~

Para leer la Gaceta Gecko en otro idioma, mire a la derecha del boletín y haga clic en "TRADUCIR EL BOLETÍN". ¡Ahora puede elegir entre 100 idiomas!

~ በ 100 ቋንቋዎች ውስጥ አዲስ የትርጓሜ ምርጫ! ~

የጌኮ ጋዜጣ በሌላ ቋንቋ ለማንበብ እባክዎን በራሪ ወረቀቱ በስተቀኝ በኩል ይመልከቱ እና “የትርጉም ጽሑፍ” ን ጠቅ ያድርጉ ፡፡ አሁን ከ 100 ቋንቋዎች መምረጥ ይችላሉ!