Into October!
It is hard to believe that we are already into October! As the students settle into the routines, it is fun to walk around the building and hear the buzz of learning. This is a busy month with the PTO Fundraiser, an Early Release Day, Parent-Teacher Conferences, Halloween Celebrations, and our first Intersession.
The PTO Fall Fundraiser is going on now! We have always been so lucky to have extremely supportive Gates families and PTO. Due to the success of past fundraisers, we have been able to provide our students, teachers, and the school with opportunities and items that add to the school experience in positive ways that would not be possible without fundraisers like this. I want to thank you in advance for any support you can provide.
Parent-Teacher Conferences are an important opportunity for teachers to share academic and behavioral information and progress with parents/guardians. When I was an classroom teacher, I always looked forward to getting to sit down with the loved ones of my students. I have always been proud of the partnerships that I have with students and parents and know that the teachers at Gates feel the exact same way. For only when we work together, can we ensure that our kids reach their highest potential.
Thank you for taking the time to read this edition of the Gates Notes & News!
Most Sincerely,
Natalie Miller
Proud Gates Principal
Count Day is Tomorrow!
Tomorrow...Wednesday, October 2nd is COUNT DAY!
This very important day marks the date each Public School District in the State of Michigan must report the number of students attending school in their buildings. The State then uses this student accounting for annual funding purposes. Please plan to have your child attend school on this very important day! If your student will be absent, please notify the office staff at 591-5001 so that they can be excused and the reason noted.
Upcoming Early Release Day
Wednesday, October 9th, is an Early Release Day for Grades DK-12.
Students will be released two hours earlier than normal. All students will continue to have a lunch period on these days. Gates' Early Release Dismissal is @ 1:43 P.M.
The Early Release days provide the district with opportunities to conduct three-hour sessions of professional development with teaching staff. This will directly impact our students in ensuring that our teachers have been given the tools, training and best practices to deliver the curriculum so all of our students can achieve success.
Other Early Release dates for the 2024-25 school year are:
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Book Fair is Coming!
Get ready—the Scholastic Book Fair is coming to our school! This is a great opportunity to connect with your child over the thrill of bringing home new books to dive into again and again. Studies show that kids read more when they choose books for themselves. Fostering a love of independent reading leads to a wide variety of benefits—including academic success and improved mental health.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Book Fair:
Dates: October 14th through 17th; The Book Fair will be open during Parent-Teacher Conferences and for the students to visit during their scheduled library times.
Location: Gates Elementary School Library Media Center
Family Event schedule and location: Open during Parent Teacher Conferences
There’s even more info on our school’s Book Fair homepage.
While you’re on the site, you are welcome to set up a Book Fair eWallet, the digital payment account that allows your child to shop for books at the Fair without cash. You are also able to share your eWallet link so friends and extended family can add funds if they wish.
When you fund an eWallet, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to a giving initiative called
Share the Fair™. Your contributions directly support our students who need help buying books
from the Fair.
Many of us still remember the rush of finding the perfect book at a Scholastic Book Fair. I hope you’ll consider visiting our school’s Fair during Parent Teacher Conferences and share a reading experience with your child they’ll remember forever.
PTO News!
PTO Meeting - Our next PTO Meeting will be held Tuesday, October 8, at 6:00 p.m. in the Gates Library. We hope you will join us!
Fall Fundraiser - Thank you to those families participating in our fall fundraiser! All fundraiser orders with payment are due on Friday, October 4th. Remember to complete and send in your child's snack popcorn slip. Students earn a snack size popcorn for every 3 items sold. Our goal of this fundraiser is to add to our Gates playground, specifically the students would love some sort of Ninja course. All items sold must be picked up by parents/guardians on Tuesday, October 22nd between 3:50 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
PTO Pals - Also, don't forget our first PTO Pals will be held on Wednesday, October 23rd. Please watch our PTO Facebook page for volunteer sign-up.
Halloween is Right Around the Corner!
We will celebrate Halloween with our students on Friday, October 25th. Students should to wear their costumes to school and might consider wearing their costume over their regular school clothes.
In consideration of student safety, enjoyment, and school district expectations, some reminders regarding costumes follow:
Toy weapons are not allowed: this includes guns, knives, swords, pitchforks, laser swords, martial arts weapons, etc.
Costumes depicting violence, blood, or scary creatures are not school appropriate.
Students must also take care not to wear Halloween masks at bus stops and on the bus. This would obstruct their vision and create a safety hazard.
Activities will be scheduled throughout the day and students will celebrate with their classmates. Volunteers will be limited, teachers will communicate if volunteers are needed for specific classroom activities! Any and all volunteers must have a completed and approved volunteer application on file.
Picture Day Retakes-October 16th!
Photo Factory will be at Gates on Wednesday, October 16th at 8:45am for picture retakes. This will be an opportunity for students who didn’t have their picture taken in September to have theirs taken for the yearbook. If you wish to have your child’s school pictures retaken, please send in the original packet that you ordered and it will be exchanged for the newer version. Any questions on previous orders should be directed to The Photo Factory at 653-3751.
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Parent-Teacher Conferences are Wednesday, October 16th and Thursday, October 17th. There is no school for students on Thursday, Oct. 17th and Friday, Oct. 18th. Please be sure that you have signed up for a conference time with your child's teacher if you have not already done so. We aim for 100% participation and look forward to meeting with our families to celebrate the academic and social emotional growth of your children!
Birthdays are Special Days!
Gates students and staff LOVE to celebrate birthdays! Due to ongoing concerns regarding food allergies, medical conditions and dietary restrictions, Davison Community Schools no longer allows food treats, including cake and cupcakes, to be sent in. Some birthday ideas include: Small non-food treat bags, an extra recess in honor of your child, or a guest reader. Please talk with your child’s teacher about alternate ideas for celebrating your child’s birthday.
There are still openings for our GSRP Preschool!
It's not too late to enroll your 4 year old child in our free preschool program! We still have 1/2 day spots available. Get started by filling out our intake form. Click here to begin: GSRP Intake Form. For further details, visit the Early Childhood Learning section on davisonschools.org and explore the GSRP webpage. Contact us at (810) 591-0922 for additional information.
Lost & Found
Quite a few items have been recovered from the playground that remain unclaimed. If you recognize anything in this photo or realize you are missing items, please send your student to the Lost & Found area to retrieve their item. It is helpful if jackets, hats, lunchboxes and waterbottles have student’s names written on them so they can be returned when lost.
Last spring we hung lost and found items on the fence and students were able to easily see if any of the items were theirs. By doing this, we were able to reunite several lost items with their owners. If we get a stretch of weather with no rain, we plan to do this again before Intersession. Parents are welcome to come look as well as the items stay outside for a few days. Watch your Remind for notification.
Attendance Matters!
Attendance at school each day is important for the education of all children. Missed days in many cases results in lost learning. However, any child who is ill should stay home. If your child is going to be absent, please remember to call the attendance line at 591-5000. If they are not in school and we do not receive a call, students will be marked unexcused.
Gates Elementary
Gates Elementary
Where Kids Come First and Futures Begin
and
Stars Are Made!
Email: nmiller@davisonschools.org
Website: www.davisonschools.org
Location: 2359 S. Irish, Davison, MI, United States
Phone: 810-591-5001