My lovely blank newsletter
December 2024
Message from the Office:
As the weather begins to get colder, we want to remind everyone to please send your child to school dressed appropriately for the changing temperatures. It’s important for students to wear warm clothing, such as jackets, hats, gloves, and scarves, so they can stay comfortable during outdoor activities and recess. We also recommend labeling your child's items with their name to avoid lost clothing. With that we want to remind you that our Lost and Found collection is growing! If your child has misplaced any clothing or personal items, please encourage them to check the Lost and Found area located in the lobby. We even encourage parents to check it out as well.
Reminder: Warning bell is 8:35am, Late bell is 8:40am
Car riders dismissed at 3:10pm, Bus riders dismissed at 3:15pm
First grade is having fun with Sam Labs, a part of our science curriculum that allows students to code systems and build models.
We are learning about light and sound this month. Students loved creating models of a bicycle and testing different materials to make reflectors.
The library has been a busy place since the start of school! In October, we started a life cycle project that will last all year. We read the book Pumpkin Jack. We carved our own Pumpkin Jack, put it in a container and will watch it decompose over the winter, and sprout in the spring. Careful observation and keeping track of changes is an important part of learning.
The fifth grade students enjoyed the book Balloons Over Broadway, about the Macy’s Day Parade. They designed and created their own balloons. In their homeroom class, using SAMs Labs, they coded a car, attached their balloon to the car and had a parade. Collaborating with classroom teachers helps students connect their learning!
Finally, the tank is all set up for us to participate in Trout in the Classroom again this year! The trout eggs will come in January. We will watch them hatch and grow until release day in April.
The new playground equipment from the 2023 Strides for Students donations has been underway since Spring of 2024. The new pieces of equipment added for James Gettys students to be healthy, active and engaged during outdoor recess include:
On the K-2 playground, one Merry-go-cycle, and many blacktop pathways and game stencils that will be complete during Spring of 2025. On the 3-5th playground, one GaGa Pit, a volleyball net and standards, two basketball backboards, nets and rims, and lines for games are to be complete by Spring 2025.
Two green recycled plastic benches "Buddy Benches" are also new for our students on the playground:)
Thank you for your patience as we are looking forward to celebrating the completion of our new playground equipment and stencils and dedication of the benches during Field Days 2025!
Wishing you happy and healthy holidays!
Mrs. Pecaitis
Students have the opportunity to earn a “Warrior Card” for going above and beyond in demonstrating the Warrior Way (#Be Here #Be Committed #Be Involved #Be Kind). Each student who receives a Warrior Card also get to choose a prize from the bin and an Amazing Warrior Sticker to take home.
NEW: Warrior Card winners will be able to enjoy an activity bi-monthly (i.e., bingo, extended recess, craft, etc.). As a way to further recognize the positive behaviors of these students, all students earning a Warrior card in the months of August, September, and October earned an Extra Recess. Students who earn a Warrior Card in November and December will get to participate in a special activity in January. We are so proud of all of our students and their outstanding behaviors. Keep being Amazing Warriors!!
One way we would like to recognize students who have earned a Warrior Card is with a Bingo Activity. In order to make this event successful, we need some help from you!! We are looking for prize donations that can be used for our Bingo winners. These donations can be made in the following ways:
Purchase items (at a cost of no more than $5.00 per item) at some local retail stores, such as, Five Below, Marshalls, Dollar General, Walmart, etc. Some examples of these prizes are small stuffed animals, Squishmallows, sports balls, board games, art supplies, fidgets, Colorful pens, sticker packs, cool erasers, mini notebooks, trinket toys, glow in the dark sticks/bracelets, squishies, small slime, playdoh, etc.
Purchase $5.00 gift cards to some of the local chain restaurants or stores (Subway, McDonald’s, Taco Bell, Dairy Queen, Walmart, Dollar Tree/General, Five Below, etc.).
Give James Gettys PBIS team a monetary or gift card donation which allows us to make the purchases for this activity.
If you are able to help us in anyway to make this event happen, we ask that all donations be sent in to school by Friday, December 20th. Please write PBIS on the donation so they get to the PBIS team.
Thank you for all your support in helping us to recognize our Amazing Warriors at James Gettys
Families came to join their students for a Thanksgiving feast with special guest servers. Some incredible staff and administrative employees joined us and helped us serve our amazing warriors at James Gettys, our yearly traditional Thanksgiving meal.
We wanted to remind you that you are welcome to join your child for lunch at school anyday. If you plan to come, please let our office know in advance by calling 717-334-6254 ext. 1229 or 1232. If you plan to eat a school lunch, please let us know what lunch choice you would like to purchase and bring exact change.
Adult Lunch - $4.65
Child Lunch - $2.50 (not student)
