GW Pulse

Dear Families,

It has been about 6-7 weeks that we have been in school with our students at George Washington this school year. This time is a such a special time because it is a benchmark moment when educators reflect on the transition into the school year. By this time our students should be able to know their teachers and classmates names fluidly. They should be able to identify 1-3 close friends that they appreciate within the community. They also should be able to independently participate within the school routines and procedures with ease because they have been practiced each and every day. What I have noticed in my role is that these four goals above have been met for a large majority of our students. As anything in life, sometimes others need a little bit more time and that is okay. At the same time, my hope is that you have had a smooth transition into the school year in supporting your child because we continue to need you as our partners in this work. If you have any questions or need any additional support with that transition, please do not hesitate to reach out directly to me.

This time of year is also an important one because as educators we have gathered enough information to guide our instructional focus for the year. Our current instructional focus is to ensure that our lessons have a clear learning target/objective that includes the following:

• the "what" of the lesson: concrete skill that we will model and practice with students
• the "how" of the lesson: 1-3 steps that we will take together to show we know how to do this skill
• they "why" of the lesson: the purpose behind the skill and how it helps us in our lives - this is the transferable part of learning

I am working in partnership to ensure that this instructional goal becomes a lived reality throughout our school building by conducting short walk throughs of our learning spaces and also checking in with students 1:1 to assess whether they can share with me what they learned each day with all three components. I encourage you to do the same with your student at home. Our joint commitment to this work will ensure that our GW Rams are growing in a purposeful way every day. Thank you for continuing to hold our hands and we promise to continue to support you with our hands and hearts!

In partnership,

Ms. Robyn Milliner

Proud Principal of George Washington Intermediate School

Friendly Reminders for Arrival

• Breakfast - Breakfast is served from 8:30-8:50 every day for students using our Cafeteria parking lot entrance.
• Main Entrance Doors - the Main Entrance Door opens everyday at 8:55 to ensure that students can start their day with proper supervision.
• Traffic Flow - please make sure you are following the guidance below to ensure that the traffic Flow is safe and steady for morning arrival
• Please do not double park on any of the streets that surround the school building.
• Please do not let your students out from the opposite side on the street on William Street.
• Please keep the traffic Flow moving on William Street as you drop off your student and remain vigilant of other cars and students.

Your feedback and partnership is greatly appreciated and I look forward to us working together to continue to make this routine a smooth and great way to start our day at George Washington.

We have implemented many successful safety drills thus far this school year. You will also notice that you received a backpacked letter home about our drills that are upcoming.

• You will continue to receive ongoing communication (via a backpacked family letter) about the dates of our upcoming evacuation (fire) and lock down drills.
• Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions about our ongoing safety drill implementation and practice.

We have launched our clubs and Before Sports program and there are so many of our students who are actively participating week to week.

We have also launched our district wide 21st Century Program for students - if you have any questions about this program, please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly.

Please make sure you know which date your student is participating in any of these before/after school events so that you can make appropriate plans for their pick up. In order to remain appropriate supervision of your child it is very important that they are picked up on time from these special activities.

Friday Spirit Days

• Every Friday we welcome students to join us in wearing their WH Ram Pride Swag or black and gold clothing.

Upcoming Spirit Days

• Red Ribbon Week - this upcoming week (Week of October 21st)
• We will be celebrating this district wide in collaboration with our other schools in the district.
• Monday 10/21 - wear red
• Tuesday 10/22 - wear your thinking cap (wear a hat)
• Wednesday 10/23 - wear team jersey/sports paraphernalia
• Thursday 10/24 - wear your pajamas
• Friday 10/25 - WH Ram Pride (black and gold)

Pumpkin Decorating Contest

• We will continue with our tradition of our GW Pumpkin Contest.
• The pumpkin should be dressed up/decorated like book characters.
• Pumpkins should be brought in on this Monday or Tuesday and will be judged by the end of the week 10/25.

Book Character Parade - October 31st

• In GW tradition, we will continue to celebrate Book Character Day on October 31st!
• We encourage students to dress up in a costume that aligns with a book character.
• There shouldn't be any swords/ scary accessory items such as masks worn on this day.
• If you do not want your child to participate, please write a note to the teacher so we can have your child participate in an alternate activity during the Book Character Day Parade.
• Book Character Day Parade - 1:45 pm
• Please reach out with any questions that you may have.

We have so many exciting upcoming events, please join in on the fun!!

• Soon you will receive a MAP Assessment Family Report that will share your student's score in Reading and Math.
• The score will show you their achievement score as well as their growth score.
• I will be hosting an upcoming Parent Family Engagement Program soon to explain how to understand your child's NWEA MAP Family Report - stay tuned for the flyer!

• We will have our Fire Department come on 10/25 for our annual Smokehouse Fire Safety Presentation.
• Please make sure that you have signed and submitted the permission slip for this on site field trip.
• There is no fee for this presentation.
• If you do not want your student to participate, please send a letter to the teacher.

We are looking forward to meet with you for Parent/Family Teacher Conferences on November 4th and 5th.

• You have to sign up on Teacher Reacher for your appointment with your child's teacher/s.
• If you need support with sign up, please reach out to your child's teacher.
• We look forward to seeing all families in person on these days.