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Gower West News
February 3, 2024
Beginner Band & Chorus Concert
3rd & 4th grade Musical Talent on Display Thursday Night!
As a "music loving" but not a "music producing" person I am ALWAYS amazed at how much our 3rd and 4th grade students learn in just FOUR months! A packed house was treated to the result of hard work and dedication of the students participating in Beginner Band and Chorus...some students participated in BOTH! Congratulations to these fine young musicians and singers for a fabulous performance and to our very own Ms. Brinkley and Mrs. Hoff for their guidance and instruction of these special students!
4th grade chorus
Beginner Band members tell the audience about their journey as new musicians.
3rd grade chorus
Congratulations to This Week's W.O.W.s!!!
Celebrating Black History Month @ Gower West
Over the next month, Gower West Elementary School will celebrate Black History Month. Daily announcements, special activities, building displays, an classroom experiences, will focus attention on the contributions of African Americans to the United States. It honors all Black people from all periods of U.S. history, from the enslaved people first brought over from Africa in the early 17th century to African Americans living in the United States today. Be sure to ask your students about what they are learning during this special month!
The Survey is Open!
Your School. Your Voice.
Help Gower West Elementary School be the best it can be by completing the 5Essentials Survey! We want to hear your opinion! The Illinois 5Essentials Survey provides a comprehensive picture of a school's organizational culture in an individualize report measuring five "essentials" critical for school success: Effective Leaders, Collaborative Teachers, involved Families, Supportive Environment and Ambitious Instruction. The Illinois 5Essentials Survey can be accessed through this link.
Please share your thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness. Help us reach our participation goal of 45%. Students will earn a reward before Spring Break if we meet our goal! Thank you in advance for your time and input. We appreciate you and your feedback!
GowerGrams are here!
The Gower Foundation and Gower PTO are sharing this project with students to reflect, celebrate and share positive thoughts and overall gratitude within our schools! We encourage students and families to make GowerGrams together and have students bring them back the week of February 5th. The GowerGrams will be hung in the entrance hallways of each school as a way to decorate the buildings and celebrate Valentine's Day together. Find the template for your Gower Gram in the Gower West Virtual Backpack!
If you would like to share your student's GowerGram on social media, please be sure to tag @TheGowerFoundation and @Gower62PTO on Instagram and Facebook!
Gower's Annual Science Showcase & STEM Night!
Sign up today!
Gower 62 is hosting our annual Science Showcase and STEM Night on February 15th from 6:00-7:30 pm at Gower West Elementary School! This event is for all students in grades K-8 and their parents. Fourth - 8th grade students will share Science Showcase projects from 6:00-7:00 pm; and 4 Survivor Family STEM Challenges will take place from 6:00-7:30 pm (click HERE to register). Join us for a great night of STEM learning and support our 4th-8th grade scientists and engineers!
Kids Heart Challenge Update!
Thank you for your generosity!
We are half-way through our Kids Heart Challenge Adventure, and if you haven’t already, the time is now to join the celebration! As of this date, Gower West families have raised over $9,000!
CLICK HERE to sign up! Our goal is to have 100% of our students register for Kids Heart Challenge and learn about Hands-Only CPR through Finn’s Mission.
Once you are signed up, become a LIFESAVER and help your student complete Finn’s Mission.
In doing so, you and your family will learn Hands-Only CPR and the warning signs of a stroke. Then, you’ll earn your very own Finn’s Lifesaver Award!
Check out Phil’s story where he shares how completing Finn’s Mission helped him save a life!
CONGRATULATIONS to the families who have already completed Finn’s Mission!
Purchase GW Spirit Wear
This week only, all Gower West crewneck sweatshirts are $10 off! This includes Champion and Bella+Canvas! Plus, you'll get FREE shipping on orders over $75 and $5 shipping on orders under $75. Don't wait, the Gower West Flash Sale ends Sunday! Shop Crewnecks Now!
Your purchase of spirit wear supports Gower West Elementary School, specifically rewards for Gower Gladiators who are respectful, responsible, and kind! We appreciate your support!
It's That Time of Year!
Registration is open for boys and girls ages 4-15 years old to play little league baseball through Burr Ridge-Willowbrook Little League. The season begins in April and runs through June. Early bird registration ends February 11, 2024. Sign up today on our website!
Thanks to our Donors!
We would like to thank our school community for supporting a blood drive at Gower. The drive was a huge success! The Red Cross set our goal of 30 units of blood collected and we surpassed that with an amazing 39 units! Of the 41 donors that day, 37 were 1st time donors!
Thanks to Mrs. Reich and Mrs. Toth and the 4th grade Service Club members who created stickers and posters that touched everyone. The leader from the Red Cross at the Gower drive commented that the Red Cross staff said their hearts "grew 2 sizes that day" as they have never seen these personal touches done before! THAT is a great example of doing things the Gower Way!
Thank you too, to Mrs. Jankowski and Mrs. Mosconi for bringing us this opportunity! We look forward to the next time!
Valentine's Day at Gower West
A few things to know about school activities on Wednesday, February 14:
- Wear Valentine colors on this day (red, white, pink, purple)
- We WILL share valentine cards. Please have cards for all students in your child's classroom
- If you choose to put a special treat with your valentine card, it must be NON-EDIBLE - No candy, gum or edible treat of any kind please!
- Our day will focus on kindness and doing something KIND.
- We will enjoy an assembly, "It's Cool To Be Kind" thanks to the Gower PTO!
- Gower West Staff is also working on ways to make Valentine's Day at school special and fun!
Thank you for your cooperation!
Upcoming Events at Gower West
Please Mark Your Calendars
Monday, February 5
2:25 4th grade Basketball Camp, Session 2
2:25 Chess Scholars
Tuesday, February 6
2:25 Spanish Club
Wednesday, February 7
7:10 4th grade Chorus
2:25 3rd grade Basketball Club, Session 2
2:25 Science Olympiad
2:25 Young Rembrandts
Thursday, February 8
7:10 3rd grade Chorus
2:25 Beginner Band Rehearsal
2:25 4th grade Service Club
6:30 1st grade Music Program
Friday, February 9
Football Frenzy Day
9:45 Fun Family Cafe (Preschool Parent Group)
Help Us Make it a Success!
VOLUNTEER SIGNUP - We need to fill over 70 positions for the day of the event. To see what positions are available and sign up, CLICK HERE.
RAFFLE DONATIONS - Last year we had over 80 prizes! For a list of ideas and to donate, CLICK HERE.
To enter the Big Raffle, complete and submit the Raffle Tickets flier. Tickets will also be available for purchase at the event.
GOODIE GRAB DONATIONS - Approximately 50 treats are given out during our most popular game! CLICK HERE to to register your donation or complete and submit the Goodie Grab flier.
Proceeds from the Fun Fair are used to cover the cost of Teacher Wish List request!
Fun Fair fliers and links can also be found in the Gower West Virtual Backpack and posted on Gower PTO social media. Thank you for supporting the Gower PTO!
Looking for Parent Volunteers
We are looking for parent volunteers to help run the Junior Achievement program at Gower West! This is a great opportunity to work with students in your child’s classroom. K-3 GRADE CLASS sessions will run in APRIL-MAY.
Junior Achievement presents an age-appropriate curriculum that teaches financial literacy, community connectedness, and entrepreneurship. Parent volunteers will work with the teacher to set up a weekly 45-minute session for 5-6 weeks. All materials and training are provided. Minimal preparation is required.
Follow the link below to sign up. We can only accommodate a maximum of 2 parent volunteers per class, so first come first served! If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to Lynn at lsalahi@gmail.com. Thank you for your consideration!
SAVE THE DATE! 9/28/2024
The Gower Foundation is thrilled to be planning the 2024 Gower Gala and is looking for sponsors to help make this event a success. The first step is to offer sponsorship packages exclusively to businesses owned by Gower families, prior to making them available to the community on February 7th. Download the sponsorship details here.