What an excellent start up we’ve had at E. S. Gish School! Teachers and students are getting to know each other quite well and we’re very focused on teaching and learning. Thanks to all the parents who showed up for the first Gish Parents’ Association (GPA) Meeting on October 1. Their energy and enthusiasm will be much appreciated to raise funds to improve learning opportunities at Gish School. Thanks also for your support in purchasing the “Admazing Coupon Books.” We are already looking forward to the “Fall Ball” Family Dance on Friday, October 25. Students and parents at Gish School are very fortunate to have so many programs and activities. The first School Council Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 8 @ 6:00pm. All parents are welcome to attend.

Language Arts teachers have been particularly busy at E. S. Gish School this year, as we implement “Benchmark Assessments.” In all grades, Language Arts teachers are working with students individually and in small groups to determine their reading levels in terms of fluency and comprehension. Once the assessments are completed, areas of strength or specific remedial needs can be identified so that we can provide more targeted supports to improve students’ reading skills. Simply stated, reading is the foundation of ALL learning. In Kindergarten and Grade 1, students “learn to read.” For the rest of our lives, we “read to learn.” It is very important to help students improve their literacy skills early, to ensure success in the future. Parents: the single best activity that you can do with your children is to read together. Time and time again, research proves that reading is the most important skill in determining students’ success. Setting aside time each and every day for reading is paramount, whether it’s right after school, before supper, right after supper, or at bedtime.

Parent-Teacher Interviews have been intentionally scheduled to be earlier than usual this year, and significantly before the Interim Progress Reports are sent: Wednesday, October 16 and Thursday, October 17 from 5:00-8:00pm. Earlier interviews allow teachers to discuss your child as an individual learner, as opposed to the formal Progress Report as a document. Earlier interviews also provide an opportunity for students to change some work habits, or make adjustments to their strategies for studying, as well as general classroom behaviour.

We look forward to the brief fall break near Remembrance Day (Nov. 9-12), and to Interim Report Cards going home on Friday, November 15. We anticipate excellent teaching and learning up to the Christmas break. Please remember that December 20th is a half day of instruction.

Thanks for your overwhelming support for Gish staff and programs thus far. If you have any accolades or concerns, please communicate initially with the teacher(s) involved. Afterward, if you want to proceed to contact either one of us, please accept this as an offer to do so, either by phone or by email.

John Strembitsky

Principal

Krysta Wilson & Kris Horb

Assistant Principals

PTIs will be happening a bit earlier this year, being held on Wednesday, October 16 and Thursday, October 17 from 5pm to 8pm. Once again we will be using the online booking system where parents can go online at www.schoolinterviews.ca to book their interview times. More information will be sent at a later date regarding this booking system. Parents will only be able to go online starting Wednesday, October 9th at 9:30am. Look for an email next week with the instructions and access code.

.

Email: esg@spschools.org
Website: https://esgish.spschools.org/
Location: 75 Akins Drive, St. Albert, AB, Canada
Phone: 780-459-7766
Facebook: facebook.com/ElmerSGishSchool
Twitter: @GishEnergy