Parsons Pirate Update

Hello Pirates Family,

We have been working so hard and are ready for our Autumn Break! This is a reminder that we have NO SCHOOL on Monday or Tuesday. We will see everyone's smiles back in class on Wednesday, October 23rd! I hope everyone has their costumes ready for our Trunk or Treat on Thursday, October 24th from 6:00-7:30. Have a great long weekend!

Sincerely,

Sarah Aherne

Gibraltar School District has placed a non-homestead operating millage renewal and a sinking fund renewal and restoration on the November 5 ballot. These millages are essential for maintaining and enhancing the quality of education and facilities in our school district.

The Non-Homestead Millage Renewal quick facts:

• The non-homestead millage is not levied on primary residences (a homeowner's primary residence).

• This millage has been in place since 1994.

• Michigan law requires all Michigan school districts to levy a non-homestead millage to receive their full share of state aid.

• The non-homestead operating millage renewal will generate approximately $3.6 million annually for GSD.

The Sinking Fund Renewal and Restoration quick facts:

• The sinking fund millage is essential for the continued upkeep and improvement of our school buildings and infrastructure.

• Revenue from the sinking fund will cover needs such as roof replacements, heating and cooling system updates, and upgrading technology.

• The sinking fund millage will generate approximately $415,000 annually for GSD.

• Due to Headlee rollbacks per the Michigan Constitution, the sinking fund has been reduced from the original amount of 0.5 to 0.4817.

• Restoring the sinking fund to the original 0.5 mills will cost the average homeowner living in a home with a $200,000 market value ($100,000 taxable value) $1.83 per year.

To learn more about the ballot proposals, click HERE

Don’t forget to vote on November 5 or by absentee ballot after September 26.

Just a reminder...we think your pets are cute too but we cannot have animals (dogs, cats, ferrets, hedgehogs, etc) at arrival or dismissal. Please leave your animals at home or in your car. Thank you!

It seems far away but December will be here before we know it! Our annual Holiday Concert will take place on December 11th at Carlson High School auditorium. K-2 students will begin at 6:00 and 3-5 students will start at 7:30. A big thank you to Mrs. Ardnt and Mrs. Monticello for preparing our students.

Families we want to make sure that you communicate and have all of your answers from teachers. However, teachers are extremely busy in the day teaching and taking care of their students. They cannot always read and respond to messages during the school day.

• Please refrain from emailing teachers during the day for questions that need immediate attention. You should always call the office to let Ms. Veronica know of changes to pick up and dismissal plans.
• We do want our teachers to respond in a timely manner but teachers have at least 24 hours to respond to families.
• Teachers have families too! Please respect their time outside of school hours.

WatchDOGS is going well! Thank you for your service! Here is the sign up again for those who might need it.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084FADA92AABFBC07-50155930-watch#/

This week 215 students received Perfect Attendance certificates and a special prize. Students have an opportunity to earn a reward for every month they earn Perfect Attendance.

Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports...

1. Creates and maintains a safe and effective learning environment

2. Ensures all students have social skills needed for success at school and beyond.

3. Provides a proactive system-wide framework for implementation

The purpose of PBIS is to establish a climate in which appropriate behaviors are the norm.

School pictures are ready!

To order, log in to your account on mylifetouch.com or create an account using your student's student ID number.

All families can also log on and order a FREE Digital SmileSafe card.

More about the Smilesafe program here.

Our school hours are from 8:38am-3:33 pm. Our school doors will open at 8:33 am. Our half day hours are 8:38 am-11:55 am. The first day of school is a half day and dismissal will be 11:55. Our front doors will open at 8:38 for students to enter the building. School dismissal is staggered so younger grades will come out first.

Kindergarten: 11:45 am-12:10 pm

1st grade: 11:55 am-12:20 pm

2nd grade: 12:05 pm-12:30 pm

3rd grade: 12:15 pm-12:40 pm

4th grade: 12:25 pm-12:50 pm

5th grade: 12:35 pm-1:00 pm

A full lunch is FREE.

If your child, wants to just get a milk, they must purchase one. There must be money in their account prior to purchasing. Milk is 50 cents.

I know this sounds so confusing. This is a government rule because they want to encourage full healthy lunches.

All this to say...if your child wants a milk, you probably just want to encourage them to get a full lumch.

Although we love to have visitors, we remain committed to your children’s safety. Students must enter the building themselves in the morning. Parents and guests must always check in the front office.

As we start to have volunteers in the classroom, please remember that you must have a background check prior to your volunteer date. You can fill out the form and bring a copy of your license to Ms. Veronica. Once approved, you may volunteer. We do background checks twice a year. If you have a felony, you may not volunteer for WatchDogs, field trips, or volunteer in the classroom.

All doors are locked during the school day. If you come to school, you will be buzzed into the foyer area. You will be asked to show identification before your child is released. All visitors/volunteers in the building must report and sign in at the office. Visitors must wear a badge in the school building. All volunteers in the classroom and for field trips must have a background check on file each year. If you have a felony, you may not volunteer for WatchDogs, field trips, or volunteer in the classroom.

We have a new company for Parsons spirit wear this year. The great news is that you can order Parsons or Carlson gear throughout the year. They also have many sales and specials. Check out the link here and the flyer for the weekly ad below.

If you would like to access your Parent Portal on your smart phone or tablet, we offer a free mobile application. It is quick and easy to get started. Click on the PDF below to view Mobile App Installation Instructions.

Download the Parent Square App today! Use your email and phone number you used when you registered to log in.

We use ParentSquare at the District, school and classroom level to communicate with families.

What is ParentSquare?

ParentSquare is a simple-to-use platform that provides a safe way for everyone at a school to connect. With ParentSquare, you'll be able to:

• Receive messages from the district and school via email, text or app notification
• Communicate in your preferred language
• Comment on school postings to engage in your school community
• Direct message teachers, staff and other parents
• Participate in group messages
• Sign up for parent-teacher conferences
• Sign forms & permission slips
• And more all from your phone or web portal!

October 24th-Trunk or Treat 6:00-7:30 pm

October 31st-Halloween Parade 1:30

November 1: Half Day Dismissal 11:55 pm, End of 1st Quarter

November 5th: No School for Students, Professional Development Day for Staff, Election Day

November 6th: Picture Re-Takes

November 7th: Parent Teacher Conferences, Half Day Dismissal 11:55 pm

November 8th: Parent Teacher Conferences, Half Day Dismissal 11:55 pm

November 11th: Veteran's Day Assembly

November 12th: 5th Grade Field Trip, PTO 6:00 pm

November 13th: NED Assembly

November 14th: Board Meeting 7:00 pm

November 26th: Turkey Trot

November 27th-November 29th: Thanksgiving Break

December 7th: Gibraltar Christmas Parade

December 10th: PTO 6:00 pm

December 11th: Christmas Concert at CHS, K-2 6:00, 3-5 7:30

December 12th: Board Meeting 7:00 pm

December 20th: Last Day Before Winter Break

December 23rd-January 3rd: No School

January 6th: Welcome Back!