Dear Families,

School is almost ready for everyone! Our parking lot is being paved, which is exciting, and the inside of our building is looking better every day.

As August 26th approaches, it's normal for both kids and families to have strong feelings. You might feel excited about going back to school, sad that summer is ending, or even a bit nervous. All of these feelings are important, and teachers have them too! If you think the start of the year might be hard for your child, please reach out to their teacher or me so we can make a plan together. Having a routine helps everyone feel better.

Our newsletters have a lot of important information, so make sure to check your email on Sunday. I was without power all weekend (thanks to the wind!), so this letter finds you a bit late.

Remember, no question is too small! If you have a question, it's important. You can email, call, or stop by to get your question answered.

Please check below for more information, and we look forward to seeing you in a few weeks!

<3 Mrs. H

⭐Welcome Letter⭐

• Send me photos of your summer adventures! ahanlon@gisu.org
• GIS Goal: support character development (read more about it in the newsletter).
• GIS Goal: Implement student-led conferences (read more about it in the newsletter)
• New calendar format
• New attendance form

Aug 20- Kindergarten Watermelon Welcome 3:30-4:30 at GIS

Aug 26- First day of school

Aug 28- Soccer practice (4th-6th) 3:15-4:30

Aug 29- Soccer practice (4th-6th) 3:15-4:30

Sep 2- No School

Sep 4: Soccer practice (4th-6th) 3:15-4:30

Sep 5: Soccer practice (4th-6th) 3:15-4:30

• Register your kiddo(s) in Alma.

• Send us health forms. (need a form, see below)

• Be on the lookout for Y After School Registration.

• Label EVERYTHING with your kiddo's name.

• School opens at 7AM, dismissal starts at 2:45 PM with Kindergarten

• We can not support an earlier drop off. Please do not arrive before 7 AM.

• Breakfast and lunch are FREE for all students.

• We still need you to fill out our Free and Reduced Lunch Form. This will go home in September.

• Please let me know if you have accommodations you need me to implement to ensure you have access to all of our information.

• Let us know about t-shirt sizes (form included below).

• See the important links at the end of this newsletter.

• Bus routes are not finalized, and I will send them out as soon as they are.

We have several nut, tree-nut, and peanut-free classrooms. Due to this, we ask that families talk with their kiddos about not sharing snacks. Please communicate with the teacher if you're concerned about snack time.

Dear GIS Families,

The start of school can be an emotional time for both children and parents. It brings excitement about new friends, hopes for fun learning, and sometimes worries about adjusting. Whether your child is returning to Grand Isle School or coming for the first time, they might feel separation anxiety. This is when children feel scared or uncomfortable being away from familiar people. It’s a normal feeling that everyone experiences at some point. Just like adults feel anxious when they leave home to face new places and experiences, children can feel the same way.

Young children may express their worries in different ways. Some may cry loudly at school or complain at home. Others might say they have aches or pains. Some children might even feel upset weeks after school starts when the excitement has faded. It’s important to remember that feeling nervous about new situations is a part of growing up.

To help your child during this transition, here are some suggestions:

1. Prepare Your Child: Talk about what will happen each day at school. If your child is returning, mention that there will be new kids as well as old friends.

2. Create a Goodbye Ritual: Establish a simple routine for saying goodbye. This could be reading a story together, sharing a wave at the window, or spending a few minutes together at breakfast. The teachers can help you come up with a good plan if needed.

3. Stick to Your Plan: Be consistent with your goodbye routine. If your child is upset, adding extra time or stories at the last minute might make things harder.

4. Talk to the Teachers: If your child continues to have a tough time, discuss your concerns with their teachers. They have experience helping other children and can share ideas on how to support your child after you leave.

5. Acknowledge Feelings: Let your child know it’s okay to feel sad or angry when you leave. Use calm words to express understanding, like “It’s tough to say goodbye. I know you feel sad.”

6. Be Confident: Show confidence in your child’s ability to adjust. Always say goodbye as planned, and avoid sneaking away, as this can make your child distrustful of the process.

Following these tips can help make the transition smoother for both you and your child. If you need more support with separation issues, please feel free to reach out to the teachers. We are here to help.

For Teachers and Parents with Students Facing Greater Challenges:

Signs to Look For:

• Frequent unexcused absences or tardiness
• Missing school on important days (like tests or presentations)
• Regularly asking to go to the nurse with no signs of illness
• Asking to call home or go home during the day
• Signs of stress at home, such as sleep difficulties or irritability
• Difficulty getting out of bed in the morning for school

Interventions:

• Encourage parents to establish regular morning and evening routines and to praise positive behaviors while ignoring minor complaints.
• Assist parents in bringing a reluctant child to school and work together to ensure the child attends.
• Welcome anxious students when they arrive and help them get organized for the day. Assign them special tasks to encourage involvement.
• Set up reward systems for attending school.
• Pair anxious students with buddies during recess or lunch to help them feel more comfortable.
• Provide tutoring for students struggling academically.
• Create a safe space where students can go if they feel overwhelmed, like the counselor’s office.
• Address bullying and violence to ensure students feel safe at school.

By working together, we can support our children through this important transition.

August Breakfast- Free for all families

August Lunch- Free for all families

September Breakfast- Free to all families

September Lunch- Free to all families

Email: ahanlon@gisu.org
Website: https://www.grandisleschool.org/
Location: 224 U.S. Rte 2, Grand Isle, VT, USA
Phone: 802-372-6913
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grandisleschool.org

Attendance Form: https://forms.gle/ABSvVURCxvqbMfXw7