Garden Road Family Newsletter #4

September 1, 2024

Dear Garden Road Families,

This week, our students were getting familiar with the schedules and routines in their classes. We had our first VAPA Vision day, and Korean and Spanish were taught in various classrooms. We had our first fire drill on Friday, August 30, and everyone exited quickly and quietly. Looking ahead, we will hold our first Friday Flag this Friday, September 6 at 7:45 am. We will not be handing out awards due to the later start of school this year, but Eagle Awards will return at the October Friday Flag.

Fall Picture Day - September 4

Fall Picture Day will be Wednesday, September 4.

Leader in Me - Habit #1 - Be Proactive!

In September, we are celebrating and learning about Habit #1- Be Proactive! Be Proactive is about taking responsibility for your life. A proactive person uses proactive language—I can, I will, I prefer, etc. A reactive person uses reactive language—I can’t, I have to, if only. Reactive people believe they are not responsible for what they say and do—they have no choice.

Proactive people focus their efforts on their Circle of Influence®. They work on the things they can do something about: health, children, or problems at work. They don’t focus on things that are outside of their control. Please see the video linked below for Leader in Me - Habit #1.

TK/Kinder Workshops This Month - September 5, 12, 19, and 26

Our Counselor, Katie MacLeod, in partnership with Terri Gosen, retired TK teacher, is hosting a series of 4 parent workshops in September. Although these workshops will be somewhat tailored to TK and kindergarten students, all parents are encouraged to attend. Parents are welcome to come to one, two or all of the workshops and there is no need to RSVP. Classes begin at 8:00am but doors open at 7:45. Please come in, have a cup of coffee and relax!

Running Club Information

We are excited to start Running Club on September 9 for grades 1-5! Running Club is every morning at 7:20AM through the MPR gate. Running Club Registration Forms have been sent home from the teachers and are due by Wednesday, September 4. If you did not get a Registration Form and your child is interested in joining Running Club, please complete this Google Form ASAP. Your child will only receive a lanyard if they are registered for Running Club. Running Club prizes are awarded for mileage earned.

TK/Kindergarten Running Club is during school on Wednesday and Fridays with their classes. You do not need to register your TK/K runner for Running Club.

Please contact Bethany Wilde at bethanymwilde@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Country Fair September 12 - Volunteers are Needed!

We are so excited to Welcome everyone Back to School at the GRES Country Fair! Please join us on the GRES Blacktop, Thursday September 12, 2024 from 4-7pm. There will be Carnival Games w/prizes, 3 Bouncy Obstacle Courses, delicious food...And much, much more. We can't wait to see all your smiling faces; both old and new friends alike!

Of course, we cannot make this happen without YOUR help. We need volunteers to help run games, set-up/take down, and run the Cake Walk, among other things. Please visit the Signup genius link here below to sign up for your shift.

*Tickets will be sold before and after school 9/4 - 9/12 and at the gate as well. Wristbands already purchased for the 23-24 school year's postponed Country Fair will be honored along with the red "dunk bucket" tickets.

Playground Expectations

Playground Expectations were taught this week for grades K-5. Grades K and 1 learned how to use the playground equipment by actually using the equipment with adult guidance so that they will understand how to use the equipment and follow the rules. Grades 2 through 5 met in the MPR for assemblies. Each assembly included pictures demonstrating the correct way and incorrect way to use the equipment. School rules were also discussed.

Our schedule for t-shirts was discussed. Tuesdays are Positivi-tee days, and students are encouraged to wear t-shirts with positive messages. Fridays are Garden Road Spirit Wear days. Students can wear their Garden Road t-shirts on Fridays.

The assemblies ended with the Eagle Chant led by our fifth grade leaders! See the chant in action in the video below.

Restaurant Night at the Hop Stop on Wednesday, September 4, 5-8 pm

Enjoy dinner at The Hop Stop and also raise money for Garden Road Elementary School! Between 5 and 8 pm, if you mention Garden Road when dining in, 20% of the proceeds will go to our school! I will be attending and I hope to see you there!

I hope you enjoyed family time during this Labor Day weekend. I look forward to seeing you at The Hop Stop and at Friday Flag this week!

Sue Melnick

Principal