Gananda Blue Panther Gazette

February 6, 2019

********************************************************************************************

********************************************************************************************

********************************************************************************************

The safety of our students and staff is a top priority. As such, we are launching a link on our website entitled: See Something, Say Something. If you see or hear of something that would impact the safety of students, staff, or community members, please report it to SaySomething@gananda.org or go to our website and click on the See Something, Say Something button on the left-hand side of the page. If it is an urgent matter, please remember to call 9-1-1.

********************************************************************************************

Join Superintendent Dr. Van Scoy, Director of Facilities Lori Brown, and Local Law Enforcement for a special discussion about school safety in Gananda's schools on Tuesday, February 26 from 6:30-7:30pm at Ruben A. Cirillo High School. At this special forum we will discuss current practices, safety updates to expect with the Road to 2020 capital improvement project construction, and there will also be a Q & A session to answer all of your questions.

********************************************************************************************

This year the fair begins on Wednesday, March 6th and runs through Wednesday, March 13th. There is a Family Day event planned for Saturday, March 9th 9:00am-12:00pm, and a Family Night event planned for Tuesday, March 12th 5:00pm-7:00pm.

In order to have a successful book fair we need many volunteers. Most volunteers act as shopping assistants for our students during their class visits to the fair. We also need volunteers to help run the cash register during family events and to help set up and take down the fair.

If you're able to volunteer to help out in any way, please visit the book fair homepage to sign up. It can be found at this link: http://www.scholastic.com/bf/richardmannelementaryschool .

********************************************************************************************

Gananda Central School District is nearing the halfway mark for the 5-year strategic plan which will conclude in June of 2021. As such, we will be sending out survey questions to all of our students, staff, parents, and community members to gather input as to the progress we have made so far. Be on the look out for emails in the coming weeks about participation in the surveys.

********************************************************************************************

Don't be left in the cold waiting for the bus! Be sure to download the Here Comes The Bus app today! You can find out more information on our website.

********************************************************************************************

Keep your middle school memories forever

and order a yearbook today!

To order your 2018-2019 Gananda Middle School yearbook:

1. Visit https://yearbooks.lifetouch.com/

2. Click the green “Order a Yearbook” button

3. Enter the Yearbook ID code: 12624419

4. Enter your information and select your yearbook package

5. Contact Mrs. Mereness or Mrs. Campbell with questions

Yearbook packages start at $21.60

********************************************************************************************

We are excited to announce the creation of a Gananda PTO 2019 Calendar. Student artwork was submitted by the art teachers at

each of our three buildings, and one winning piece was voted on to represent each of the different grade levels.

The calendars are $10.00 each and can be ordered by downloading the order form.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the calendars will be donated to the art department in each of our three buildings to help supplement their materials & supplies budget for the 2018-2019 school year.

Please visit the PTO webpage for more information.

********************************************************************************************

Gananda Central School District has been selected to participate in the 2019 Evalumetrics Youth Survey (EYS) in early February. This survey of 6th, 8th, 10th, and 12th graders is designed to improve our understanding of the risk and protective factors impacting the environment around our young people. The survey is sponsored by the Wayne County Partnership for Strengthening Families (www.wcpsf.org), a group with which we are working to build healthier communities. Additional information about the survey can be found on our website at www.gananda.org.

********************************************************************************************

Please visit www.ganandalax.com to register for the 2019 Spring Season. All boys and girls, K-6 and from all zip codes are welcome! Plus – the first 10 new league players will receive brand-new sticks!

The club offers co-ed teams at all levels as well as a team for 4th-6th grade girls. The season begins in March and runs through June. Practices are typically held twice per week and games are usually played on Saturday mornings.

Please contact the league at gylacrosse@gmail.com with any questions.

********************************************************************************************

********************************************************************************************

Please be advised the letter day schedule for Ruben A. Cirillo High School has changed. Starting January 29, the letter day schedule has been updated through the remainder of the school year. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. The new schedule can be found online .

********************************************************************************************

As a reminder, elementary students will no longer be able to be in the bus loop in the front of Richard Mann Elementary at any time when school is in session. Due to the number of busses we have going in and out of the bus loop with the addition of UPK, cars are no longer be able to pick up or drop off students in the main bus loop. As you face the main entrance of Richard Mann Elementary, the small bus loop to the left of the building's main entrance can be used for student pick up and drop off. We have staff assisting students in the small bus loop at arrival and dismissal for those not utilizing bus transportation.

********************************************************************************************

Winter is rough for everyone, but especially those without a home to turn to. There are many people here in Rochester that don't have a warm place to turn to all winter. We could make a difference for them with the simplest things: a pair of gloves, a scarf, or even a blanket. These things would provide them with warmth this winter. But most importantly, it would let them know that someone cares. Our plan as Rachel's Challenge Club is to collect donations to bring to Open Door Mission. From there, Chris Scribani and his team will transport our donations to ¨Tent City¨ and distribute them to those who need it. If you want to help, please bring any of the items below to the Main Office at the High School.

Requested Items for Donations:

Hot Hands, Hats, Gloves, Scarves, Small Blankets, Backpacks, Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Hair Brush, Granola Bars, Trail Mixes, Emergency Foil Blanket, Mini First Aid Kit, Thermal Socks, Lip Balm, Non-Perishable Food Items, Hair Ties, Notebook, Writing Utensils, Deck of Cards, $5 Gift cards to Fast Food Places, Deodorant

********************************************************************************************

The Gananda PTO will be meeting the first Wednesday of every month at 7pm. The next meeting is scheduled for tonight, February 6. This meeting will be a special event - Bring your family for a Valentine's Day activity and cookies!

The meeting will be located at the middle school cafeteria from 7:00pm-8:00pm..

Discussions will include fundraisers and volunteer/committee opportunities.

All interested parents, administrators, faculty, and staff are welcome.

********************************************************************************************

Flu season is now upon us. Please look over The Flu: A Guide for Parents for information regarding this illness.

********************************************************************************************

We are keeping Mr. Flansburg and his family in our thoughts as he begins his courageous battle with lung cancer. A gofundme page has been set up to help with his medical costs if anyone is interested in offering support.

********************************************************************************************

Please consider joining the Gananda Education Foundation in their upcoming meetings. Meetings are held at 6:30pm in the Middle School Library. The dates for upcoming meetings are as follows:

February 12, 2019

March 12, 2019

April 9, 2019

May 14, 2019

June 18, 2019

********************************************************************************************

It's a new shopping season! Did you know that you can help GDFS by shopping online? If you use Amazon, you can help raise money for scholarships! Simply start off by going to AmazonSmile, and select Scholarship America, Gananda Dollars for Scholars as the organization you want to support. From then on, you just go to AmazonSmile to shop and you have access to the same site as Amazon or Amazon Prime. That's it! About 0.5% of your purchase before tax will be donated to GDFS.

Gananda Dollars for Scholars, Rewarding Achievement, Supporting Potential

********************************************************************************************

********************************************************************************************

********************************************************************************************

********************************************************************************************

Email: ganandapr@gananda.org
Website: www.gananda.org
Location: 1500 Dayspring Ridge, Walworth, NY, USA
Phone: (315)986-3521
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GanandaSchools/
Twitter: @WeAreGananda