Geist Gazette
September 1, 2017
GEIST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Website: http://www.hse.k12.in.us/GES
Location: 14051 East 104th Street, Fishers, IN 46037
Phone: 317-915-4260
Twitter: @Geistgators
Dear Geist Families,
We have wrapped up our official Meet the Teacher Nights. As we move forward into the school year, please reach out to your child's teacher if you have a concern. The Geist faculty care deeply about your children, spend the day with your child, and want to work with you as a team. I recommend that you please contact your child's teacher first with any concerns so that they can partner with you. We are a team and want to assist in the academic, physical, emotional and social growth of your child.
Next week we will be hosting Chaucie's place in the evening at Geist for families in our district. I encourage you to come out on Wednesday night at 6:00PM to learn more about having the important conversation with your child about their body and respecting our bodies.
Our teachers have been working hard at implementing readers, writers and math workshop within the classroom. Teachers are using Everyday Math and the Units of Study for Reading in kindergarten through fourth grade. Our students are working hard on building stamina in our reading! A great activity for home is to have your children read each night. Help your child build stamina for reading. Ask your child questions about what they are reading and connections they are making to information within and beyond the text.
Finally, our PTO is gearing up for the Gator Gallop and the Fall Festival on September 22nd. I do hope that you will assist your child with signing up for the Gator Gallop Fun Run! Check out the Geist PTO newsletter within this SMORE to get involve in your school PTO.
Have a wonderful four day weekend,
Christi Thomas, Principal
Parent volunteers viewing the eclipse!
Students watching totality live streamed!
Class observing the eclipse!
BIRTHDAYS
Birthdays are a special time, but due to the number of Hamilton Southeastern students who have various food allergies, no birthday treats will be allowed at school. Birthday party invitations should be mailed and not handed out at school. The school will not accept flowers, balloons, or gift deliveries of any kind for students. They not only cause a disruption in the classroom, but they also cannot be taken on the bus because they may restrict the driver’s visual field. Instructional time cannot be used for birthday parties or celebrations.
Global Studies
A Global Studies Course will be offered to our elementary students at Geist, Lantern Road, and Thorpe Creek Elementary Schools this year as an extension to our related arts experience.
Our global studies teachers will celebrate language and culture. Students will enjoy learning more about Farsi, Mandarin and Spanish while comparing American traditions to other cultural experiences, gaining a 21st century global view and an enriched world sense.
Students will attend their global studies class about once a week for 12 weeks, rotating through this course just like their music, art and P.E. classes. They will enjoy all 3 global studies courses over a one year period. They will create name plaques, practice conversational vocabulary and greetings, develop geographical skills, sing songs, dance, retell stories learned in picture books and create a traditional recipe. Geist is currently enjoying exposure to Mandarin.
Our global studies teachers will collaborate with our (ENL) English as a New Language Teachers to further enhance the school wide experience and develop experiences for cultural celebrations at each school.
Students have been learning Chinese Greetings!
Thank you- xie xie
Wonderful presentation in PE for 2nd, 3rd and 4th on health and exercise!
Student in K working on his paintings in Art!
Art Room News
Our first days in art class for everyone included making a portfolio to keep in the art room. These will come home at the end of the school year with artwork inside. Also, each student has decorated a Post-It note to become a part of a large mural for the front hallway. It will continue to grow as all students have had a chance to participate!
Kindergarten: Our first project is centered around the book The Dot by Peter Reynolds. Students made a dot with crayon and we have been painting them with watercolor.
First: Students are being introduced to the seven elements of art. We are beginning with line, and have learned about the types of line. Our first line picture we used markers, and next we will use tempera paint. This way we can compare two different art media.
Second: After learning about Jasper Johns painting, Zero-Nine, students used stencils to create an artwork using letters and numbers. We will finish these with crayon and watercolor resist.
Third: We learned about graffiti art and looked at a piece by graffiti artist Bansky. His artwork uses graffiti but resembles a stained glass window. Students are creating a colorful or graffiti background. We will then add a cut paper on top to resemble the outlines of stained glass.
Fourth: The students examined the differences between realistic, abstract, and non-objective art. We have begun creating an abstract work using the letters of our name.
We will be finishing up our first projects soon and look for them to be posted to Artsonia!
Ms. Erin Green
Art Teacher
Geist Elementary
317-915-4260 ext. 1622
Friends of the Library
Thank you and congratulations to the August Friends of the Library members. Books have been donated by Arini T., Ian R., Gia M., Cameron M., Liam P. and Michael L.
News from the gym:
It was extremely exciting to have Dr. Jerome Adams talk to our 2nd, 3rd and 4th grades students about physical activity and nutrition last Friday! Best of luck with your new job as US Surgeon General.
We are continuing to work on the 5 components of fitness in grades 3 and 4. If your child has not had a quiz yet, they will be taking it next week.
In grades K-2 we are continuing to work on those movement skills and basic skill assessment.
Students in grades 3 and 4 have an opportunity to join Running Club. Please complete the running club form that is attached if your child is interested.
Please make the best of these early fall evenings to get out and go for a walk with your kids. We all need 30-60 minutes of exercise daily!!!
Rod Sutherlin
Geist Elementary
Physical Education
Mrs. K's Music Corner
Click here to read Mrs. K's Music Corner.
In this weeks Music Corner:
-3rd & 4th grade choir registration form DUE WEDNESDAY Sept. 6th
-Choir Information
-Family Survey
-Family Music Activities to do at home
-Performance Calendar
ENL Family Night
Join us for a district-wide English as a New Language (ENL) family night on September 13, from 5:45 - 7:15 p.m. at Fishers High School, 13000 Promise Road. Come and talk to your ENL teacher, Susie Jacocks, meet other families and community partners, and learn more about the ENL program. There will be guest speakers, refreshments and door prizes.
Keller’s Clips:
PBIS at Geist Elementary
PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) are in place at Geist Elementary!
PBIS helps to create a positive and nurturing climate and culture for all students in order to meet the social, emotional and academic needs of each student. It helps to support social competence and academic achievement.
Our staff is consistently on the ‘look out’ for students who are ‘meeting these expectations’: Great Choices, Effort and Safety! Our Gators are often spotted by staff meeting these expectations and are rewarded ‘Gator Tickets’ for their positive behavior. ‘Gator Tickets’ can be used to earn rewards in the classroom and each teacher picks a Gator of the Week from ‘a hat’. That student is allowed to choose from MANY fun rewards, like Helping another Staff Member, Helping with Morning Announcements, Sitting with a Friend….. and many more!!
Please ask your child(ren) about Gator Tickets and how they’ve earned them! The behavioral expectations are lifelong skills needed to build confidence, competence and citizenry. Our intention is to educate and value your child. The reinforcement from home is ALWAYS helpfulJ
We love our student successes!!!
Lisa Piatek Keller
What to do if you suspect a disability/Child Find
If your child is age 2 ½ through 21, attends any school within the Hamilton Southeastern Schools boundaries or you live in our community, and you suspect your child may have a disability, you should contact us for more information.
· For children at least two and a half years of age, but not yet age-eligible for kindergarten, you should contact the Preschool Coordinator at Brooks School Elementary School, 317-915-4250.
· For students who are eligible for kindergarten through age 21, you should contact your child’s teacher, school counselor or building administrator to discuss your concerns and explore the steps to be taken. If your child is not enrolled in public school, you should contact the counselor or building administrator in the building your child would attend if enrolled.
http://www.hse.k12.in.us/resources/pdf/ADM/academics/sped/suspect.pdf
Response-to-Instruction (RtI)
RtI is a general education initiative designed to provide high quality instruction and interventions matches to student needs, and using learning rate over time and level of performance to make important educational decisions. The RtI model is based on a three-tiered model of service delivery with a focus on early intervention and prevention of academic and behavioral concerns. Data collected during this process provides valuable information regarding students’ educational progress and response to interventions. Students who do not demonstrate a response to well-implemented, scientifically-based interventions at the Tier 3 level would be referred for an educational evaluation to determine eligibility for special education. RtI is a component of HSE’s Child Find Process.
School Dismissal Manager - UPDATE
As of Tuesday, September 5, your child's default setting in School Dismissal Manager will be locked. Parents can make daily changes and recurring exceptions. Changes to the default (the most frequent way your child goes home) can be made by calling the school office.
All parents are expected to use School Dismissal Manager exclusively as the way to notify us of a change in your student's dismissal plans. We will put your child on the assigned bus if we do not see any other instructions on SDM. Daily changes should be made by 1:45 each day. Visit www.schooldismissalmanager.com for a tutorial video.
Please call the office if you have questions. 317-915-4260.
School Pictures September 11
Picture Day for Geist Elementary School is scheduled for Monday, September 11, 2017.
Online orders may be placed at https://inter-state.com/FlyerEntry/19626QA . Order forms were sent home with students last week.
Calling All Library Volunteers!!
Mrs. Pidcock is creating the schedule for library helpers. If you worked previously and want to continue this year or have never helped but would like to give it a try, please contact Mrs. Pidcock by phone (317-915-4260, ext. 1691) or email (kpidcock@hse.k12.in.us). Volunteers are needed from 9:00 to 10:30, but you can work as little or as much as you like. Responsibilities include using the computer to check in books for the day and shelving the books back in the collection. Training is available. Classes run from Monday through Friday this year and will begin on Friday, the 18th.
Friends of the Library Club
We would love to help you celebrate your birthday or special event. Simply fill out the attached form and return it to school with payment. Your child will then choose a brand new book for our library during their celebration month. Your child's picture and name will be placed in the front of the book and they will be the first person to check out the new book. You may donate one book for each child or one book per family. Please contact Jennifer Watkins, 816-694-8862, jjmanda@comcast.net or Mrs. Pidcock, 317-915-4260, kpidcock@hse.k12.in.us with questions.
Lunch Menus and Visitors
Click here to see what's being served in the café.
Click here for the food services website.
We are practicing smooth transitions and procedures in the cafeteria as our students adjust to the school schedule. The cafeteria is not open to visitors at this time. We will open for visitors after Labor Day.
Geist Elementary PTO is the best!
Safe Visitor Badge and Visitors
Anyone intending to spend time in the school must have a SafeVisitor ID Badge. Please note this policy also applies to anyone wishing to join students for lunch (see below). If you have been approved as a volunteer with Hamilton Southeastern School Corporation and did not receive an email from info@safevisitorsolutions.com, please email Vicki Foutty (vfoutty@hse.k12.in.us). If you have not yet completed the background check, click here to get started.
Want to keep up on what's happening at school?
Follow @geistgators on twitter. We tweet throughout the day.
Check our website: hse.k12.in.us/GES
This newsletter, the Geist Gazette, goes out every other Friday (although it may be sent again next week). We will send it to you via email, and post it on our website under the News tab.
Click here to see our building calendar. This lists activities before, during and after hours.
Geist Running Club
Geist Running Club
What: Running Club
Who: Any 3rd or 4th Grade student at Geist Elementary
(Fine print – If you are in 2nd grade and have a brother or sister in 3rd or 4th grade in running club, you may also attend)
Why: Our goal is to train for upcoming races such as The Liger Mile, The Geist 5k, The Durbin Classic, or just to learn some of the basics about running. In addition, this will allow us to start training earlier for 4th grade track season.
When: 3rd grade Tuesday – Starts Sept. 12 - (come as often as you can )
4th grade Friday - Starts Sept. 15 - (come as often as you can)
Where: Gym (please do not use cafeteria doors to enter)
Time: 7:55 (please do not drop off before 7:50)
If you have any questions, please call or email Mr. Sutherlin.
rsutherlin@hse.k12.in.us 317-915-4260 (ext. 1690)
Please sign and return the permission slip if your child is interested. Click here for the permission slip.
See what the HSE Schools Foundation is up to this month.
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AT GEIST:
American Sign Language (ASL)
American Sign Language Club is open to students 1st thru 4th grade
The club meets on Wednesday after school, 3:45-4:45.
Students will learn the alphabet, greetings, seasonal words, food, animals, numbers, common phrases and high frequency words, along with aspects of Deaf Culture. Classes are taught by Tara Frieden, licensed teacher and Certified Signing Time Instructor.
Session dates: 9/20, 9/27, 10/4, 10/11, 10/25,11/1, 11/8, 11/15
Cost is $80
Cash Checks payable to Tara Frieden, PayPal: tara.frieden@yahoo.com
To Register: Return registration form with payment or email tarafrieden@signingtimeacademy.com . Click here for the registration form.
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS:
HSE Schools Community Bulletin Board
HSE Schools has created a Community Bulletin Board on its district website. This will serve as a central location to find information about activities and events promoted by organizations that serve our students and their families. This is where the Fishers Library, YMCA, S.P.O.R.T.S. and other groups' registration information will be located.