Gates Notes & News

Hello Gates Families,

It is hard to believe that we are down to the last three weeks of school. I would like to take this opportunity to express how grateful I am to be the principal at Gates Elementary. Thank you for sharing your child(ren) with me and our staff everyday. While not everyday may be perfect, there is something perfect in everyday. I have had the opportunity to watch students growth both academically and as people. My hope is that each of the students leaves Gates a better, stronger, more compassionate and kinder person than when they came. I know it may sound cliche', but the kids really are our future and I believe by working together, we can make sure these kids shine!

The next three weeks are jam packed with events and celebrations. Please be sure to read through this newsletter and all communication that comes home. We don't want anyone to miss anything.

If I do not have the opportunity to see or talk to you prior to the end of the school year, I hope that you have an amazing summer! I will miss our 4th graders as they move on to Hahn and I can't wait to see our 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders in the fall!

Most Sincerely,

Natalie Miller

Proud Gates Principal

Our PTO Spring Walk-a-Thon Fundraiser came to a close this past Friday, May 31st. All students participated in the Walk-a-Thon regardless of how much money they raised and boy did they have fun! Not only was the Walk-a-Thon a blast, but our Gates students and families blew our $20,000 goal out of the water and raised an astonishing $30,198.46. We can't wait to celebrate with the students again on Field Day with a foam party station for all students. Students/Classrooms that earned lunch, prizes or the additional foam party will receive a note with date information. Thank you to all who were able to participate!

The Amazing Shake is a high octane live competition that rallies leaders and role models

in our school’s community together to teach our students manners, discipline, respect, about

professional skills for success, how to let their personality shine, and how to think critically and

principally in different scenarios. Gates 4th Graders held this exciting event at the William's Property on May 28th. The top three winners were: Makayla Gartee, Danielle Allswede and Emma Jentzen.

Over the course of the last several weeks, we have witnessed an uptick in inappropriate language which is going beyond the use of swear words to include words of a vulgar and/or racist nature. Unfortunately, our students have been using derogatory terms to refer to others. While I have to believe that our students do not understand the gravity of these words, they do know that they are hurtful and wrong.

The use of such terms or any that aim to degrade or intimidate another based on color, culture, or orientation will not be tolerated. This week our 3rd and 4th grade teachers will be doing special Cardinal Code lessons to address the issue with our students. All of our teachers will continue to focus on kindness and building others up. I ask and encourage each of you to talk to your children and share your expectations for how you expect them to treat others. Together we can all make this world a better place!

On June 20th, the last day of school, we will hold our Annual Gates Elementary 4th Grade Farewell! Just prior to the end of the school day, all 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade students, along with staff, will line the hallways to cheer on our 4th grade students as they make one last lap around Gates Elementary. They will then parade through the parent drop off lane to be cheered on by their parents and families. Any family members that would like to attend should plan to arrive at Gates by 11:15 a.m. to line up. Following the parade, our 4th grade students will be allowed to leave with their parents. Congratulations to our amazing 4th graders! We wish you nothing but the best as you move on to Hahn!

Our Gates Field Day is just around the corner and will be held Thursday, June 13th! This is such a fun day for our students, but one that can not happen without parent volunteers. Thank you to all our parents who have signed up to volunteer. If you would like to volunteer, please be sure you are signed up by this Friday, June 7th. The classroom teachers will reach out to parents if they would like their volunteers to travel with respective classes to help in that capacity.

However, please note that all volunteers must have an approved volunteer form on file at Gates. If you are planning to volunteer and have not yet filled out an Volunteer Application (background check), please do so no less than two weeks prior to Field Day. Due to the number of volunteer applications that come in from around the District during this time of year, we cannot guarantee late volunteer applications will be processed in time.

Signing up to volunteer is easy, just scan the QR code in the right hand corner of this section.

If you are interested in donating a case of water for the students and volunteers,

they can be dropped off in the office.

As the weather continues to get warmer, please be mindful of the Davison Community Schools dress code. Students are allowed to wear flip flops or sandals as long as appropriate shoes are worn to gym and recess. No spaghetti straps, halter tops, camis or spandex allowed.

Angie Hendershot of ABC12 visited Gates last week to announce that we were one of the top 10 collecting schools in Genesee County! Gates actually placed 5th out of over forty schools that participated this year. Dimes for Diapers is also sponsored by ELGA Credit Union who provided funds to Gates so the classes who donated the highest amounts could enjoy a pizza party!

Our Gates students and their families donated over $1,500 to Dimes for Diapers! This money will stay right in our community to support babies. Thank you again so much for your generosity!

• Special Thanks to our amazing Gates PTO for providing the staff with an outstanding Staff Appreciation week! Gates truly has the most caring and generous families!
• Next PTO Meeting - Our next PTO meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 11th at 8:45 a.m. in the Gates Library. This is a special organizational meeting at a new time, but all are welcome.

It is never too late to join this very special and dedicated group of parents!

Please consider coming to a meeting to learn how you might become involved

and help to enrich the lives of the students!

It is hard to believe that the students have almost completed another school year! It sure seems like just the other day we were facing below zero temperatures while students enjoyed making snowmen. Thankfully the weather has finally turned to more agreeable temperatures and the sunshine is inspiring all of us. On that note, there are several end-of-the year items that will need to be taken care of prior to the last day of school.

Lunch Accounts – Any outstanding lunch accounts need to be brought up to date by June 13th. All unpaid balances will carry over to the Fall.

Library Books – need to be returned by June17th. Any overdue or unreturned books will be billed to the student.

Transportion Forms - Please make sure to complete your child's form for the 2024/25 school year.

If you have moved, please notify the office as soon as possible so that your address can be updated in your child’s record. You will need to provide a Michigan Driver’s License or photo ID with the new address, a utility bill and a purchase or lease agreement. Proofs are required for ALL address changes and must be provided no later than June 12th as we prepare for the 2024/25 school year. Report cards and back to school mailers will be sent soon. Students with incomplete residency after that date may be withdrawn. For further information please call 591-5001.

This year, student medication on file in the Gates office must be picked up by the parent or guardian on or before June 25th by 4:00pm.

Medication not picked up by June 25th will be given to our Resource Officer for destruction. Please note, new Authorization for Medication Administration forms signed by both doctor and parent are required each school year. Students currently taking medication at Gates will bring home the forms for completion during the summer. These forms can also be obtained in the office.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding medication pick up, please call

Gates at (810) 591-5001 or Student Services (810) 591-0913.

The racks and bench are stacked high with lost jackets, sweatshirts and other items! Parents are invited to visit the Lost & Found area to look for items their child may have lost at school this year. You might also encourage your child to check it out. It is very helpful if the student’s name is written on items brought from home so that if they are found they can be easily returned to the student. Please feel free to sign in at the office to browse and retrieve your missing items. Items will be available until June 17th. All items remaining after that date will be donated.

We are still in need of Playground/Lunch Monitors, Special Education Parapros, and a Title I Parapro. If you are interested in making connections and helping our wonderful Gates students during the school day, please call the office 810-591-5001.

• Monday, June 3rd - Field Trip-Rooms 18, 19, 20 to Lansing; Board of Ed Meeting, 6pm
• Wednesday, June 5th- Field Trip-rooms 10 & 14 to William's Property
• Friday, June 7th - NO SCHOOL
• Monday, June 10th- 4th Grade End of the Year Celebration at William's Property
• Tuesday, June 11th - Fund Raiser Dairy Queen Prize Luncheon
• Wednesday, June 12- Jimmy Johns "Wild About the Cardinal Code" Lunch
• Thursday, June 13th - Field Day!
• Friday, June 14th - NO SCHOOL
• Monday, June 17th - Kickball w/Dads- Rooms 24, 25 & 26
• Wednesday, June 19th - Kickball w/Dads- Rooms 22 & 23
• JUNE 18, 19 & 20 - 1/2 Days- dismissal is at 11:50
• Thursday, June 20th - Last day of school! 4th Grade Farewell to begin at approximately 11:15 p.m.

Attendance at school each day is important for the education of all children. Missed days in many cases results in lost learning. However, any child who is ill should stay home. If your child is going to be absent, please remember to call the attendance line at 591-5000. If they are not in school and we do not receive a call, students will be marked unexcused.

Team Gates

All for 1-1 for All!

And..

Where Kids Come First and Futures Begin!

Email: nmiller@davisonschools.org
Website: www.davisonschools.org
Location: 2359 S. Irish, Davison, MI, United States
Phone: 810-591-5001

Visit the DCS website www.davisonschools.org / Transportation: 810.591.0816 / Food Service: 810.591.0825