Happy Sunday, GIS Families!

I don't know about you, but I'm ready for routine! School breaks can be challenging for kids and adults alike. I hope your Fall break was precisely what your families needed, and I'm looking forward to returning to the building and seeing everyone.

This week, we welcome Mr. Mike, our new guidance counselor. Mr. Mike (Mike Kell) comes to us with decades of experience in various settings and roles. Some kids have already met him while he toured GIS, and he will be in the building on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays, providing guidance classes and times to connect with kids and staff. Mr. Mike will work closely with Mr. B and Ms. Marlowe to strengthen our student support net. We're excited to have him join our learning community.

In this newsletter, you'll find information about our health policy, Little Caesars pizza delivery, ski and ride, Trimester 2 family book club, the craft fair, Operation Happiness, and the book fair!

Our craft doesn't run without the kindness and generosity of volunteers and donations. I encourage you to attend the craft fair if you have never been. It takes months of planning and hard work from our PTA to pull off, and our vendors are lovely and talented.

We're seeking donations of time (1-2 hrs) and food to sell. All proceeds benefit GIS students and staff. Thank you to all the families who have signed up; it's a wonderful gift for a great event. We're also bringing back the chili cook-off, and a GIS family is making our 1st place swag! 🎖️ 🌶️ 🧑‍🍳

Thank you for considering a donation; again, here is the link to sign up for the gift of time or goods.

As always, my door and inbox are always open,

Mrs. H

We are entering into a stressful time of year with illness. You must keep your kids home if they are feeling unwell. If you medicate your kiddo before coming to school, chances are they need to feel better to attend. Medicine often wears off, and then kids are sent home and, depending on the nature of their sickness, may need to be out an additional day. One sick kiddo can significantly impact our classrooms, so please do the right thing and keep them home.

Please also note that we do our best to keep kids in school if they are not actively exhibiting symptoms, and we will call for a pick-up if they make several visits to the health office. They can't actively engage in learning if they are not feeling well, and we use several strategies before calling for a pick-up.

Our health policy is as follows and can be found in our Handbook starting on page 24. The Handbook is always linked in our newsletter and outlines essential family information.

ILLNESS

Students should not come to school if they have a fever of 100.4 degrees or higher, have experienced vomiting or diarrhea within the past 24 hours, have a persistent sore throat with fever or enlarged tonsils, have a constant upset stomach or headache, or have reddened and itchy eyes with discharge. Students on antibiotics must take them for 24 hours before returning to school, and students with vomiting, diarrhea, or fever must remain home for 24 hours after their symptoms end before returning to school. If these conditions occur at school, guardians will be contacted to take their child home.

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Morning drop off and afternoon pickup are the busiest times in our parking lot, and we want all kids and families to be safe. With winter weather coming, visibility and slippery conditions make safety during these times even more important. Please look twice before pulling around a car. Thanks, GIS families!

Pizza will be delivery on Thursday and will be available for pick-up starting at 11:30-12:30 and from 4:30- 6:00. If you need a time outside of this window, please let me know.

We were able to raise $800 dollars for our athletic program, which is simply astonishing. Thank you, thank you, thank you, for all of your support!

Our Fresh Fruit and Veggie Grant is back! Classrooms have access to fruit and veggies Tuesday through Thursday.

Learn More Here

November 30- Pizza pick up from 11:30-12:30 and 4:30-6:00

November 30- Early Release

December 2- Craft Fair at GIS and Chili Cook-Off

December 2- First Day of Our Scholastic Book Fair

December 22- January 2 - No School Winter Break

In our main lobby you will find a metal rack with bags; this is our growing family resource center. Currently, we have book bags out that contain our 50 book challenge. Bags do not need to be taken out in order, and there are sign out forms on the top rack. Please fill them out and drop them in the office.

Each week, I'll add more resources!

If we are missing medical forms for your kiddo, we will mail a paper copy home. These forms need to be returned to school or we will not be able to allow your student to attend field trips. Once you receive the form, please send it back to school with your student.

Please use this link to submit it online.

Operation Happiness brings support and joy to families in need this holiday season. In the link, you will find a contact if your family is in need, and you can also donate an unwrapped toy to support Operation Happiness. Please drop off all unwrapped toys to the main office.

The GIS Ski and Ride program is back and continued sponsorship from the Grand Isle Rec Committee is making this affordable for all families. Please see the informational link below.

Due to a very generous donation, ski and ride has never been more affordable for families! ❤️

📖 📖 📖 📖 📖

All meals are free to ALL students.

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