East Shore North on the 4th of September will be closed do to road construction.

Buses will not be able to travel down this road.

*From Mountain Transit*

• When a driver misses a stop, the first step is to call the school. We can radio the buses and figure out what happened.
• Mrs. H then communicates the challenge to the bus company.
• The school follows up with the driver the next time they see them.
• The bus company follows up with the driver.
• If the challenge continues, call the school and let them know. The bus company is now responsible for resolving the issue.
• If the issue persists, the principal elevates the concern to the Superintendent.

Hi Families,

Well, we did it! We made it through the first 5-day week of school. Kids were settling into routines by the end of the week, and staff reported a great (albeit tiring) week.

A few things came to my attention this week, and I have some updates below with the next steps.

September kicks off our month-long intensive focus on Cooperation. In guidance, kids will focus on what cooperation is and build skills to help them find success. Our school will celebrate on Monday, September 30th, at 2:30 to honor all kids in our building for their hard work on this skill and honor student-nominated peers who demonstrated outstanding Cooperation in their learning spaces. We welcome families to join! Families also play an essential role in building and fostering cooperation skills. You'll find some tools and talking points below!

Check out the updated family calendar for new events and soccer times.

See everyone tomorrow,

Mrs. H

• Email wildcats@gisu.org with important dismissal information. Submit all changes to dismissal plans by 2 PM- this ensures we see the change and get kids where they need to be.

• Be sure to check your kiddos' backpacks. Folders typically go home on Fridays and have lots of information in them.

• Everyone has respected the flexible drop-off rules, and I can't thank you enough. This is the last week we will have parents entering the cafeteria or hallways before school. If you feel like you need an alternate plan, don't hesitate to get in touch with your kiddo's teacher to brainstorm. Teachers will loop me in as needed.

We still have about 40 immunization and health records to collect. Students will not be allowed to participate in field trips without records submitted, and it is state law to provide immunization records or exempt forms. Please email wildcats@gisu.org if you need a copy of an exempt form if it applies.

You can have your health care provider fax records to:

Julie Elkins

802-372-5292

You can also email records to:

Julie Elkins

jelkins@gisu.org

or

wildcats@gisu.org

What are some ways that you can teach cooperation at home? The following tips may seem like common sense, but by deliberately modeling these skills in front of your child, you are teaching behaviors that will ultimately help your child succeed — and make you proud when your child imitates you on the playground:

• Listen carefully to others so you can understand what they are saying.
• Share or take turns when more than one person wants the same thing.
• Compromise when you have a serious conflict.
• Do your part of a shared task and do the very best that you can.
• Show appreciation to people for what they contribute to a group or team.
• Encourage others to do their best.
• Include everyone and make everyone feel needed. Help your child recognize that everybody has something valuable to offer in a group.

In addition to serving as a role model, it’s important to be intentional about teaching cooperation to your child. Every day, there are boundless opportunities to point out what cooperation looks like:

• Verbalize cooperative actions when they happen in everyday life: “We cooperated on this art project together, and I love how many colors you added!”
• Point out examples of characters working together in books and other media. Talk about how the characters feel and how much easier it is to accomplish the task when they work together.
• Plan a family project that includes a task for each person to complete, even the youngest member of the family. You can start a vegetable or flower garden, cook a special meal, clean the house or play a game. Talk about how much fun it was to work together and the important role each person played.
• Complete household chores as a family. Praise your child for their attempts to help, and refrain from redoing the chore when they’re finished — at least not in their presence. Explain that cooperating on chores allows for more time to have fun as a family.
• “Catch” your child sharing or helping someone and show your appreciation. Encourage the behavior, but refrain from giving material rewards; they are not necessary. Children should learn the joy of helping others without expecting something in return. This ties to our Primrose value of giving without expectation.

Our picture day will be 9/13.

Lifetouch packets went home with kids on Friday, please check their backpacks. If you did not receive a packet, please contact the classroom teacher.

These packets have important information for viewing and ordering pictures online.

Helpful tip: take picture of the code so it's saved in my phone.

This is a no cost event for families. Learn about the PTA while kids are entertained with a painting activity!

Sep 2: No School

Sep 3: Girls Soccer Practice 3:15 - 4:30 - Boys Soccer Practice 5 - 6:15

Sep 5: Girls Soccer Practice 3:15 - 4:30 - Boys Soccer Practice 5 - 6:15

Sep 9: After School Starts

Sep 9: Soccer Game- AWAY @ Fairfield G-4:30 B-5:30

Sep 9- 27: Grades 1-6 Universal Testing opens

Sep 10: Girls Soccer Practice 3:15 - 4:30 - Boys Soccer Practice 5 - 6:15

Sep 12: Soccer Game- HOME V. St. Albans Town G-4:30 B-5:30

Sep 13: Picture Day

Sep 13: Paint and Create PTA Event 6pm

Sep 23- Oct 4: Kindergarten Universal Testing (more information below for Kinder families)

Sep 30: Cooperation Celebration 2:30 in the gym. Families are welcome!

You can find the GISU calendar below in the Links section

Universal testing is the administration of an assessment to all students in the classroom. The purpose of this assessment is to determine which students may be struggling in the areas of reading and math.

In GISU, we believe in using frequent cycles of data and assessment to make instructional decisions that ensure all students learn at high levels. We know that different types of assessment give us a more holistic picture of student learning and well-being.

Attendance is so important to students' success in school. If getting your kiddo to school becomes challenging (and we've all been there in some way shape or form) please reach out. We want kids in school and we know it can be hard sometimes.

We take into account excused absences (illness or family emergency). We will ask for a doctor's note after 3 consecutive days of absence.

September Breakfast- Free to all families

September Lunch- Free to all families

Email: ahanlon@gisu.org
Website: https://www.grandisleschool.org/
Location: 224 U.S. Rte 2, Grand Isle, VT, USA
Phone: 802-372-6913
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grandisleschool.org

Attendance Form: https://forms.gle/ABSvVURCxvqbMfXw7