GATE Gazette

Principal: Anita.Steward@avondaleschools.org

Assistant Principal: Angela.Castaldi@avondaleschools.org

Secretary: Angela.Williams@avondaleschools.org

Attendance Clerk: Divya.Majjari@avondaleschools.org

Website: http://www.avondaleschools.org/gate-magnet-school
Location: 1435 W. Auburn Rd, Rochester Hills, MI 48309
Phone: (248) 537-6400

Hours: Full Day- 8:11a.m-3:11p.m

Half Day- 8:11a.m-11:25a.m

Early Pickup for your student and changes to dismissal ends at 2:45p.m.

Middle School Webpage: https://sites.google.com/avondaleschools.org/gatemiddleschool/home

If you have a question or to report your child's absence please email Mrs. Majjari at divya.majjari@avondaleschools.org.

Please review the attendance and dismissal procedures for GATE Magnet School to familiarize yourself with the process.

avondale.nutrislice.com

Hello Griffin Families,

I can't believe fall is already upon us, and we are two months into the school year! Fall is my favorite time of the year as the air becomes crisp and the leaves start to change colors. These last two months have flown by, filled with both educational and fun activities at GATE Magnet School.

As we approach the halfway mark of the first semester, please remember that the 1st quarter ends on Thursday, October 31st, which is a half-day for students. In the afternoon, staff will focus on student records and preparing for fall conferences, which are scheduled for November 7th - 13th. Please check the newsletter below for detailed information about conferences for your child’s class. Also included is important information from the district regarding report cards and grading, which will be helpful as you review your child’s progress in PowerSchool.

Additionally, many of our Classroom Ambassadors are preparing for fall festivities on the morning of October 31st. If you’d like to help with these festivities, please reach out to your Classroom Ambassador. If you’re unsure who that is, or if your child’s class doesn’t have one yet and you’re interested in volunteering, please contact your child’s teacher. Information about the role of a Classroom Ambassador can also be found below.

We hope you’ll consider volunteering on the 31st to create wonderful memories for your child during their educational journey!

Anita Steward, Principal

Wanted: Classroom Ambassadors!

What is a Classroom Ambassador?

Classroom Ambassadors are classroom parent helpers who:

• Assist teachers with classroom functions (special projects, classroom events, making copies, etc)

• Help coordinate parent helpers when needed or as requested by the teacher

• Help recruit helpers for IN-class events, such as classroom parties

• Attend PTO meetings – bring info/notes back to classroom parents

• Help recruit help for PTO events

If you are interested please contact your child's teacher.

10/28 - Avondale Gifted and Talented & Accelerated Pathway Tours for Prospective Students

10/29 - Picture Day

10/29- Middle School fun run movie incentive; Ratatouille from 12:30-2:15

10/31 - Half Day-Dismissal at 11:25am/Halloween/End of 1st Quarter/Teacher Records Day

11/1-11/5 - No School - Diwali & Fall Break

11/7-11/13 - Fall Conferences

11/25-11/29 - No School - Thanksgiving Break

This year the bus will depart from GATE-Magnet School on the GATE Middle School side. Families should arrive Tuesday, Nov, 5 at 11:40 P.M. and the Bus will depart Midnight Nov. 6, at 12:00 A.M. and return to Gate Magnet School on Saturday, Nov 9 at 7 AM.

Please see Slide Deck as well as the Suggested Packing List and the Emergency Contact Forms for families linked below.

Suggested Packing List

Emergency Contact Forms - Due Friday, Nov. 1st at 3:00 P.M.

Thank you so much!

Mr. Kaczanowski

All GATE staff will conduct Fall Parent-teacher conferences between 11/7-11/13.

2nd-5th grade staff will be sending out information for parents to sign up for a conference. Please sign up with your child's homeroom teacher only as they will have all the subject area information for your child.

Middle school families do not need to sign up as middle school staff will be set up in the cafeteria to meet with parents on 11/12 and 11/13 from 4:00-7:00pm.

Please click on the link for more information.

Thank you for your support!

Our lost and found has grown considerably in the last couple of weeks! Please be sure that your student's belongings are marked clearly with their name so that when things get lost we can return it to the owner. If you child is missing any items, please encourage them to look through the lost and found.

The Avondale School District believes that report cards are a communication tool between school and home and reflect the district's vision for communicating a student’s learning.

Vision: The Avondale School District will implement reporting practices that clearly communicate student growth and mastery. Student learning will be supported through consistent and clear expectations. Grading will be inclusive of self-evaluation, time for reflection, academic responsibility, and opportunity to advance understanding and mastery.

The Avondale School District has developed elementary report cards that are standards-based. In standards-based grading, students are evaluated on many assignments, assessments, and learning experiences around a learning standard that is given over a period of time. Instead of a letter grade or percentage judging student performance, for example, educators evaluate student skills against a “mastering a skill” continuum.

Students receive marks as numbers representing their progress on the learning continuum.

Grade Mark Legend

• 4- Ownership: The student is able to appropriately utilize the skill in an authentic situation without direction.

• 3- Understanding: The student demonstrates understanding independently.

• 2- Developing: The student’s evidence aligns with the end goal, but they require prompting through the process.

• 1- Engaging: The student lacks clarity and depth in relation to the end goal and requires step-by-step guidance.

• 0- Insufficient Evidence: There is a lack of sufficient data.

Report Card Schedule

November 2024-Progress Report with NWEA

January 2025-Semester 1 Report Card

April 2025-Progress Report

June 2025-Semester 2 Report Card with NWEA Final Report

Questions? Please contact Coleen Brunni Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction coleen.brunni@avondaleschools.org

After-school play rehearsals on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:20 to 5Pm in the GATE Art room.

Ms. Lowe

Attached is the information for After School Programs. Registration is open.

Update:

The technical difficulties with the registration link have been resolved. You can now register for the Fall 2, Winter, and Spring terms.

https://cp.mystudio.io/e/?=PKSA165/4241/619893//1725453293

Mad Science will begin on Monday, September 30th. The make-up from the canceled class on Monday, September 23rd will be a 2-hour class on the last day of the Fall term, Monday, December 16th.

Please join us for a fun evening of painting and conversation! The evening of November 15th, our wonderful art teacher, Ms. Lowe, will be hosting our first cookies and canvas event. She will lead a directed painting for those that purchase a ticket. All proceeds from these events will go directly back to the art room. We would love to see you there!

Being part of a committee is a wonderful opportunity to contribute to our school community, develop new skills, and collaborate with fellow parents, teachers, and students.

Important: Each individual can sign up for a maximum of two committee spots. This ensures that everyone has a chance to participate and contribute meaningfully.

Explore the different committees and find the ones that match your interests and strengths. We look forward to your involvement and the great ideas you'll bring to our school!

Thank you for your enthusiasm and commitment to making our school the best it can be!

To view and sign up for our PTO committees, click HERE

Please click to read Avondale's Weekly News & Notes.

Please see the most recent Avondale Athletics Newsletter.

Thanks!

Denise

Please use the Google doc link to sign up for the program.