The Chameleon Connection: RISE
News for Families: Week 29: 2/26/24-3/1/24
When the lights came back on!!!
Problem solving!!!
Letting the natural light in, when we needed to pivot from not having electricity. Nice work, Mr. Edwards and Coach G!!!
Great work!
Ms. Tollock, one of our Reach Associates is doing some great work with students during their intervention and enrichment time!
RECESS RESEARCH
Five Benefits of Recess
- The American Academy of Pediatrics (2013) says that research has shown that any type of activity at recess “benefited cognitive performance afterward” (Murray & Ramstetter, 2013, p. 184).
- Children’s natural form of language and communication is play. Playing with others helps them mature in ways that are unlikely to happen in the classroom (Burson & Castelli, 2022).
- Recess provides a much-needed break (for students and teachers). It helps manage stress, promotes social skills, and allows for physical exercise. It also helps with creativity, and builds skills like cooperation, sharing, and problem-solving. (Murray & Ramstetter, 2013).
- It is well known that physical activity is important in staying healthy and fit; it also improves brain function, mood, and sleep.
- Time for free play benefits children inside and outside of the classroom. Recess has been linked to better classroom behavior (more attentive and productive) and can reduce bad behavior in the classroom (Blad, 2015; Burson & Castelli, 2022; Murray & Ramstetter, 2013).
Lost and Found
Please call our main office at 540-662-3575 if these items belong to your child. We recommend labeling your child's clothing for easy retrieval.
A Message from GQES Administration!
Chameleons RISE: Raising Intentionality Strengthening Expectations for students, teachers, administration, and families.
Week: 29: 2/26/24-3/1/24
Dear GQES Families,
Just a few shout outs! We want to make sure every GQES parent/guardian knows how grateful we were that our faculty and staff pulled together well last week at GQES on 2/21/24 when we had a brief outage of electricity. Students were safe and continued their learning, while the city worked to repair the transformers. All went well.
Another shout out----if you haven't thanked the folks who help make sure students are escorted home on the Chameleon Convoy or get across the crosswalks safely or welcomed when they get out of the car in the morning, or when they step off the bus, kindly remember these are individuals who brave the weather and conditions everyday to make sure students are safe. In this bus driver shortage, this is important. We all work together to make sure everyone is safe.
Last shout out---we are making some improvements on our attendance totals since the second semester. This is encouraging as we do not want to be a school with chronic absenteeism. Every parent and guardian can help us by having your child at school, on time, ready to learn, every day, please!!!
WE are super excited about our GQES Annual Talent Show which will be 5/23/24 at John Handley High School; more information to come! There's a tremendous amount of work and preparation to get ready for this fun, engaging, entertaining, and wonderful, community spirit event! Ms. Lindsay Edwards, our music teacher is our point of contact for this event. Here is some more information: Talent Show Audition Flyer!
You may have seen the Annual Panorama Survey posted on our Winchester Public School website:Panorama Survey Information
Please complete this survey for GQES: GQES Panorama Survey Link for FAMILIES by 3/8/24. If you have questions or need assistance, please call us at 540-662-3575. We enjoy partnering with our students' parents/guardians to help them thrive! Learning is not always easy and nor is it too hard. We have to teach students how to adapt and adjust while they are gaining skills or otherwise known as grit. Here is an article to possibly help: Developing Grit: Suggestions
Thank you for dressing your child appropriately for the winter weather: coats, gloves, scarves or hats, boots, etc. We will continue to monitor the weather/temperature with the full intention of going outside four times a day.
If you have questions or concerns, always feel free to contact 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)
4th Grade iFly Field Trip
Important deadline for families of 4th graders: Waivers for the iFly field trip are due on Wednesday, February 21st. Students may still attend the field trip if waivers are not signed (or completed) and participate in the lab activity but will not be able to participate in the 'flight' portion of the program. Attached are the directions for completing the waiver form. If you have any questions, please contact your childs' teacher.
Recess Research
It's time to register for Preschool and Kindergarten!
Do you have a child who will be 4 or 5 by September 30? Everything you need to know about registration is on our registration website: bit.ly/WPSregistration2024
-Registration and eligibility events start soon! Physicals and vaccinations will be offered as listed on the registration website.
-You must bring your required documents, including birth certificate, TWO proofs of residency, physical exam, immunization record, and income verification for PreK only
-We will be using a new system for online registration and an email address is required to register
We can't wait to welcome your student and family to Winchester Public Schools!
From CAO: Right At School
WPS Update: From the Central Administrative Office (CAO)
From our Central Administrative Office
Information
- From Ms. Jennifer Buckley, Director of Student Services
- From Ms. Maggie McCampbell Lien, PR for the division
- : Opt-In to School Texts
Info: Not receiving school-related text messages? You must OPT-IN to receive messages. Text "Subscribe" to 67587. You should receive confirmation that you are registered. Don't forget to ensure all of your contact information is correct at your student's school, too!
Attendance Information
ELA (Reading) and Math Supports for Parents to Help Students