Happy Long Weekend, GIS Families,

I hope everyone was safe with the wind this weekend. We're heading into some chilly weather, please make sure kids have their winter gear every day.

This past week kicked off our second testing window and initial data looks wonderful! Once the window closes, I will send out a Google Form so you can request your student's scores.

Another important update is a change to the traffic flow pattern in the parking lot. There have been multiple reports of cars going around the buses, cars driving up past parked cars to get closer to the door, and speed concerns near drop-off points. This is more of a concern in the morning than in the afternoon, and to help increase student and adult safety in the parking lots, the bus lane will be closed to drop off in the mornings.

Our parking lot will be getting repaved, and upon repaving, there will be painted zones designated for buses and cars. To ease into this transition, starting Monday January 22nd, cars will not be allowed to use the bus lane during the hours of 7 AM-8 AM. Please park your car and walk students up to the door. During this transition week, please be patient at drop off and do not go around cars or buses. I appreciate your help with this and recognize it will be an adjustment.

Our 100th day of school is already right around the corner. February 9th looks like it'll be the day. I'm still collecting pictures, notes, and other fun things for teachers and staff.

As always, my door and inbox are always open,

Mrs. H

January 15- No Wrestling Practice

January 22- No Cars in Bus Lane- AM Only

January 24- Winter Concert, 6:00 PM in the cafeteria. All grades. ASL interpretation will be available for the concert.

January 25- Early Release- 11:30 AM, no CARES

February 13- Ski and Ride Day

February 20- Ski and Ride Day

February 26- March 4- February Break, kids return March 5th

March 5- Ski and Ride Day

March 12- Ski and Ride Day

March 15- Trimester 2 Ends

March 19- Ski and Ride Day

March 22- Parent/Family Conferences

Hi Wildcat Families,

The Student Council will be hosting a raffle fundraiser for the next few home basketball games. Raffle tickets will be sold for $1 each or 6 for $5 and the winning ticket will be pulled on the last home game. The prize is a $25 gift card to Dunkin Donuts! Money raised will go to the Student Council to fund our school store, dances, and other events that benefit Grand Isle students.

Thanks for your support!

Grand Isle Student Council

The boys and girls 5/6 basketball teams are off to a great start! The girls are 3-3 with some tough, close games and the boys are undefeated at 6-0. This week's home game is on Tuesday against Alburgh. Games start at 4:30 for the girls and 5:30 for the boys. Away games at Swanton and Fairfax round out the week (schedule here). Concessions to support the PTA and a raffle to support the student council are available to purchase at all home games. Please come out and support the teams!

*This has been going very well and I appreciate the students in following through with expectations.*

Cell phones have become a massive distraction to our older grades. Time spent out of the classroom to use the bathroom or go to lockers to check phones results in less time in the classroom and more distraction.

We want our students to be successful.

As a staff, we met to discuss the next steps. We agree that it's essential for students to learn how to manage cell phones, and research shows kids in elementary school benefit from support around expectations and boundaries of cell phone use.

• The Plan

• All 5th and 6th graders will turn their cell phones in to their homeroom teacher.
• If other grades begin to struggle with cell phone use, the expectation will be the same for them too.
• If students need to connect with their families, they can come to the office, and I would be happy to have them call you.
• Students will get their phones returned to them at the end of the day.

I will be working to draft a cell phone policy for GIS which will be written into the parent and family handbook.

Thank you for your support.

Challenge your family to spend at least 100 hours outside before the first day of Spring. Take pictures of your adventures and email them in. (Once our computers are fixed in the lobby, I hope to post them up there!). Each paw on the sheet below is worth 1-hour of outside time. Cross off paws as you complete hours!

It's unbelievable, but the 100th day of school is right around the corner on February 9th (pending no snow days).

I'm working on creating something and need your help- again! Each teacher will get an "explosion box" (picture below). The box has various layers that you can attach photos, notes, drawings, etc. Please send photos, notes, or trinkets your kiddo would like to be put in their teacher's box. Kids can contribute photographs and messages to as many teachers as they would like; you must let me know which teacher's box things go to. Start sending in items ASAP.

*I can print photos for you if you email them to me.

Email: ahanlon@gisu.org
Website: https://www.grandisleschool.org/
Location: 224 U.S. Rte 2, Grand Isle, VT, USA
Phone: 802-372-6913
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grandisleschool.org

Attendance Form: https://forms.gle/ABSvVURCxvqbMfXw7