A Message from GQES Administration!
GQES Vision: Thriving Literacy Community in a STEM School
GQES Mission: Chameleons RISE (Raising Intentionality by Strengthening Expectations)
GQES Belief: Chameleons Got HOPE!
Week 5: 9/9/24-9/13/24
Dear GQES Families,
We are safe at GQES.
Ms. Kate Yost, our school counselor recently shared the following:
Recent events in the Winchester area and threats on social media have given many students some anxiety about returning to school.
Here are some tips for helping children after traumatic events/stressful circumstances:
Make your students feel safe. Offer age-appropriate facts, knowledge can be empowering and helps to relieve anxiety; however, keep it brief, answer questions honestly, address any misinformation, and move on to other topics.
Limit exposure to online sources, TV, radio, etc. The more bad news kids are exposed to the more they may worry.
Continue routines, keep kids busy and things as normal as possible. Routines help kids feel safe and secure.
Encourage kids to help others. Kids may feel helpless and if we are able to foster a sense of accomplishment and purpose this can help manage those feelings.
Always encourage your students to share their thoughts/feelings with trusted adults, and of course to let an adult know if they need help or witness any concerning behavior.
Updates:
#1: Here is an excellent example of UPLIFTING! See: https://youuplift.com/garland-r-quarles-elementary-kindness-wall/. Please add and uplift each other and/or students!!!
#2: Picture Day is 9/12/24. Make-ups will be later this fall.
#3: Now, that we have a new morning routine in place for every classroom K-4, we wanted to let you know we have seen it is working because of your cooperation! THANK YOU! We want our children to come in, early and/or on time, eat their breakfast in the classroom, complete a small task, and then, head outside the first recess of the day at 7:40-7:55! We want to say thank you for cooperating with us! Our purpose is to maximize every minute we have with students including before school starts, to help them learn, grow, and thrive! Just a reminder:
- Official Start Time: The school day officially begins at 7:50 a.m.
- Official End Time: The school day officially ends at 2:30pm
- We need parents to line up: NOT before 2:20 pm; as we need to have access to our awning at anytime for safety.
- Arrival: Students are encouraged to arrive at school between 7:20 and 7:40 a.m.
- Dismissal: Students are to be picked up between 2:30 and 2:40 pm(signed out students whose parents come to school may line up at 2:20pm; not before; with A-L last names on one side of the awning and last names M-Z on the other side of the awning.). This is a supervised process daily.
- Check-In and Classroom Routine: Upon arrival, all students (K-4) will check in with their teacher and begin their classroom routine, which includes organizing students' belongings and completing a small task while eating breakfast (if they choose to eat breakfast at school) to help them transition into the school day.
- First Recess: From 7:40 to 7:55 a.m., K-4 students will have their first recess of the day, allowing them to engage in physical activity and socialize with their peers before classes begin.
#4: It has gone well with our parents as car drivers who are TURNING RIGHT ONLY out of our parking lot, from 7:20-7:50am in the morning, at arrival. This avoids long lines, rushed drivers, or adults' road rage while we focus on KEEPING OUR STUDENTS and STAFF SAFE. Due to the crosswalk on Southwark, we are strongly encouraging car drivers to turn RIGHT out of our parking lot. Parents can travel up one block onto Kent Street and go left, right, straight, etc. without any hesitation.
#5: Please know your child needs to have their name labeled on their belongings including coats, jackets, hoods, backpacks, etc. This way, if it's left behind, we know who the owner is.
#6: We will invite parents and/or guardians in for lunch after 9/9/24 after we have had enough time to teach our students the routines and expectations at school for lunch. Thank you for your patience.
On a personal note, my mother, Dot Baker's obituary is here:
https://www.valleyfs.com/obituaries/Dot-Baker/
At GQES, we are family and we take care of each other. I wish to express my appreciation for our team at GQES (faculty and staff), WPS leadership, and our wonderful students for acknowledging a difficult time for me and my family.
If you have any questions or concerns, please each out to us at 540-662-3575. Thank you for partnering with us to help your child thrive!
Sincerely,
Joanie Hovatter
Principal, Garland R. Quarles Elementary School
(540) 662-3575 (Phone)
(540) 662-8449 (Fax)
