Gator Gossip
Gearing Elementary School Newsletter, October 2024
Letter from the Principal
Gearing Families,
Wow, September flew by, and we are off to a great start. We have wrapped up our NWEA testing and Acadience testing, and we are putting that data to good use. The teachers have met and are forming groups for our Walk to WIN program (What I Need). For approximately 45 minutes a day, teachers, interventionists, and our academic Title support staff will be pushing in to classes or pulling out small groups to offer either intervention or enrichment opportunities to all students.
In other news, the kids are very excited about our new PBIS program that encourages positive behavior, and we are using that in conjunction with the Positivity Project, a character education program. Every day students can earn tickets for displaying the trait we have selected for each month. Students are learning about these positive qualities almost every day, and they are reinforced in our morning announcements. Every month at our PBIS Assemblies, we will honor students that earned an award from each teacher for being a student who modeled that trait in an exceptional manner, as well as students that have earned a reward for reaching a certain amount of tickets. These tickets do not go away. We will keep track of their positive tickets, and each time they hit the next benchmark, they will be recognized at the next assembly. On top of that, we are also giving out classroom rewards as well. Classes, as a whole, can earn them by showing positive traits at specials, assemblies, hallways, recess, and lunch. Classroom rewards are determined by the teacher and often their students as well. One special classroom award is the Cleanest Classroom award that will be given out by our head custodian, Mr. Ian. These students will receive a free pizza coupon thanks to our partners at Hungry Howies.
Finally, Wednesday, October 2nd is Count Day. We hope to have every healthy student in school and on time for a full day.
Sincerely,
Mr. Zimmer
ECSD Sinking Fund Informational Link
Education Benefits Form
If you have not yet completed the Education Benefits Form, could you please do so as soon as possible, and send it back in to school with your child. You only have to fill out one per household. Many people do not fill them out because every student already receives free breakfast or lunch, or they think they will not qualify. The completion of these forms is directly related to the amount of supports we can offer our students, not just breakfast and lunch, including our Title Support Staff. The more forms we get back, the more students we can help. The link to this form is attached for your convenience.
thank you,
Congratulations to our September Character winners for modeling what is means to be a great Teammate!
Bryson Bubel
Jett Treat
Colton Raska
Gabriella Prize
Jocelyn Edsall
Lillian Hill
Oliver Menzies
Blake Papuga
Elaina Stempowski
Luciana Peterson
Romeo Baldwin
Eliza Dietlin
RJ Roshak
Reese Fiscelli
Dillyn Cyplik
Henrik Martin
Congratulations to Logan Stachler, Caden Prize, and Luke Sheedy for being the first Gators to hit the 25 PBIS ticket milestone.
Congratulations to Cole Francek for winning the Electric Scooter by turning in a completed Benefits Form!
Events
Walk to School Day
Wednesday, October 2nd is National Walk to School Day! This day promotes movement and exercise. Being active every day is just one way to promote healthy families. By focusing on walkers, Walk to School Day shows our cities just how important safe pedestrian pathways are.
Parents, guardians and families are welcome to join our Gearing Gators on Wednesday, October 2nd in the parking lot behind the school building. Classes will meet in the parking lot at 9:00 a.m. 4th grade classes will lead the way this year. As your student walks by, you are welcome to join alongside and walk with them.
Our route this year will follow Adams Street. to 9th Street. We will head north on 9th Street and walk to Vine Street. We will then turn west and walk to Carney Drive. At Carney Drive, classes will head south on the bike path, walking back to Gearing.
Halloween
We have a half-day on October 31st with a 12:08 dismissal, and just like the last couple years, the elementary schools will not be having a parade. Teachers will be planning their own Halloween parties and classroom activities, and the need for volunteers vary greatly between the grade levels. The teachers will reach out to you if they are in need of classroom party volunteers.
Classrooms will celebrate Halloween on Thursday, October 31st.
Normal instruction, teaching, and learning will be occurring in the classroom most of the school day. In addition, students are expected to participate in normal school activities and classes (i.e. recess, physical education, art, etc.).
Students may come to school in costume for the day. These costumes must be simple and comfortable for the students to wear the entire day. Costumes cannot be changed at school.
Costumes cannot be too scary, gory, or violent in any way. This includes any accessory item.
Toy guns, knives, arrows, swords, chains, or any other toy weapon accessories CANNOT be brought to school.
For safety and accountability reasons, masks that fully cover the face cannot be worn at school.
Light makeup and/or hair color are allowed, but must be applied before school, not during the school day.
Teachers will send information about volunteer opportunities for parents if they need assistance in the classroom for Halloween activities.
Please DO NOT send in treats to pass out to the class with your child. Each classroom teacher will communicate their party needs and requests.
Art Fundraiser
Greetings!
I am excited to announce that we will be participating in the Art To Remember fundraising event. Students are currently creating their masterpieces and soon you will have the opportunity to purchase items with their artwork on it!
Students will receive their personal order forms in a few weeks. There will be a link to conveniently order and pay for your items online. (Order deadline is Nov 15 for Christmas!)
Your items are scheduled to arrive at the school the week of Dec. 9th and will be sent home with your student. (Your students' original artwork will be returned as well, after the event closes.)
Thank you so much for your support!
Mrs. Wayt
Elementary Art Teacher
(Gearing, Pine River and SCMS 5th Grade)
National Custodian's Day
Thank you to Ian, May, and Laura (not pictured) for all that you do to help make Gearing a clean and safe place to learn.
Montly Calendar
Breakfast Menu
Lunch Menu
PTO News
Our PTO is "gearing" up for another Great Gator Dash Fundraiser. Please review the picture of the flyer below because it kicks off tomorrow!
Drop Off and Pick Up
The Adams Street entrance is currently CLOSED. We hope to have it reopened soon. Please note the merging of traffic (the red and blue arrows). If you are going to park and walk your child up to the building please use the crosswalk.
A few other bulleted items regarding Drop Off and Pick Up
- Use the Crosswak, do not walk in between cars.
- No Parking/Standing in this area. Parents should stay in the car, or park their car in the lot.
- No Cars in the bus loop from 8:15 - 8:45 and 3:15 - 3:45.
- If your student arrives after 8:45, an adult MUST walk them in the building and they will need to be signed in at the office.
NUT-FREE SCHOOL
Please remember that we are a Nut-Free School. We know that peanut butter and jelly is a popular item for young kids, but we cannot put some of our kids at risk. A healthy and delicious alternative is SunButter.
General Information
Principal: Michael Zimmer
Office Staff: Administrative Secretary – Mrs. Sara Distelrath
Office Paraprofessional – Mrs. Pam Kaminski
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL –Tuesday, September 3 (Half Day of School, Dismissal at 12:08 p.m.)
SCHOOL HOURS - The school day begins at 8:45 a.m. and ends at 3:39 p.m.
HALF DAYS FOR STUDENTS - Dismissal at 12:08 p.m.
PLC DELAYED START WEDNESDAYS – School begins at 9:45 a.m. Please refer to the school calendar for dates.
PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES - Monday and Tuesday, November 25 and November 26, 2024.
ARRIVAL PROCEDURE – BEGINNING OF THE DAY
Students are asked not to arrive at the building prior to 8:35 a.m., as supervision is unavailable.
Latchkey is available for students who need to arrive before 8:35 a.m.
Kindergarten and 1st Grade students line outside their hallway doors.
2nd, 3rd, and 4th Grade students line up at and enter the building through the Main doors at 8:40 a.m.
Classes begin at 8:45 a.m. when the second bell rings.
If you drive your child to school, the designated “Student Drop-Off Area” location must be used when dropping off your student. Please follow the directional arrows. For safety reasons, do not drop your child off at the crosswalk. The circle drive is for buses only. Students enter the building through classroom doors.
DISMISSAL PROCEDURE – END OF THE DAY
All students are dismissed out of the same doors they entered.
If someone other than a parent is picking up a child and is not on the emergency card, a signed note must be provided by the parent authorizing this release.
Students will not be released to persons on the emergency card before dismissal time, unless prior arrangements have been made with the parent/guardian.
CHARTWELLS FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM
Breakfast and lunch will be free for all students.
SKYWARD
Skyward is our student database. You can access your child’s information through Skyward Family Access. If you do not know your Skyward username and password, please contact East China School District Administration Office at (810) 676-1000.
Methods of Communication
- ECSD Website www.ecsd.us
- Gearing Elementary School Website
- Gearing Elementary School Facebook Page "Like this page to stay up to date on current events.
- Classroom newsletters, emails, apps, etc
- Phone
- Skylert phone calls
- Monthly Newsletters
Methods of Communication from Parent to School
- In-Person
- Phone
- Written Notes
- **We do not monitor our Facebook page as a form of two-way communication.
ABSENCE PROCEDURE
If your child is absent from school due to illness or other reasons, you must notify our attendance line at (810) 676-1666 (24-hour hotline) by 9:30 a.m. All absences must be called in with the reason for the absence. Absences are verified by the office each morning.
EARLY DISMISSAL PROCEDURE
Parents will be notified in advance if an early dismissal is scheduled. If early dismissal is required due to weather conditions or emergency situations, every effort will be made to notify parents. Please keep emergency phone numbers on your child’s emergency card current.
LATCHKEY PROGRAM
A latchkey program is available at Gearing Elementary for parents who require supervision for their children before and after school. Latchkey hours are 6:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. and 3:39 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Latchkey is also available on half days. For additional information and to make latchkey arrangements, please go to the Latchkey information page on the ECSD website.
SUPPLIES
All students will be supplied with basic classroom supplies. A suggested list of additional classroom supplies was sent to families with classroom placement letters. For safety reasons, gym shoes are required to participate in physical education class.
PEANUT FREE School
**Sun butter is the only allowing substitute for peanut butter.
SNACKS
**healthy snacks for classroom
**no dessert type snacks ie: cookies, candy, chocolate,
Give examples of health snacks
BIRTHDAY TREATS
**at the discretion and approval of the classroom teacher
**purchased with nutritional label- NUT FREE
**no visitors
IMPORTANT: A large white envelope labeled “Important Information Enclosed” was given to you at Open House or will be sent home with your child on the first day of school. It is important that the Emergency Card be updated for each child and returned by Thursday, September 5, 2024.
Friendly Reminder ~ Friday, September 20th is Picture Day!
Picture Retakes will be November 12th.
Thank you for your cooperation in creating a safe, organized school for our students.
ECSD Transportation
Skyward Family Access
Using Skyward to Access Your Student's Information
Using a secure Login ID and password, you can log into Skyward Family Access and view your students’ data, such as progress reports, attendance records, report cards, transcripts, lunch information and more. Your one login to Family Access allows you to view data on all your enrolled students in the district, even if there are multiple school sites.
How to log into to Skyward Family Access:
- Go to the district home web page at www.ecsd.us.
- Click on the Parents link, then Family Access link.
- Enter your Login ID and Password on the Skyward Family Access login screen.
👋 Need more help? Reach out to support@smore.com