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Gower West News
February 10, 2024
What a LOVELY Performance!
1st Grade Music Program was a Hit!
Another week at Gower West Elementary...another AMAZING music performance! This time by the 1st graders! The On Valentine's Day concert of songs about love, sung with LOTS of love. There's nothing better than watching a group of kiddos singing their hearts out with such energy, emotion, and enthusiasm! This groups' dance moves were pretty swift too. 😉 Thank you to Ms. Brinkley and the 1st grade team for their work with students in preparing them for the concert and congratulations to the 1st grade performers! Valentine's Day will be sweeter and lovelier because of YOU! 💗
Your Cooperation Please!
Keeping Students Safe at Recess
Recently, staff have noticed cars driving slowly through our parking lots and on Cherry Tree Lane during students' recess times. Oftentimes people in the cars (and those walking by) are yelling out to students, calling students over to them, or just standing and watching students play.
Our supervisors are vigilant and while watching students at recess, they are also watching for suspicious vehicles and individuals on and around our campus and have been directed to report such suspicions immediately to the office and to call 911 if necessary. The drivers and individuals walking through the neighborhood trying to gain the attention of our students may be parents, grandparents, other relatives or neighbors with no ill intent, BUT WE DON'T KNOW THAT. If you need to speak with your student during the school day, please contact or report to the office to sign in before engaging with students. Thank you for helping us keep our students safe.
Special Visitor at Gower West!
Award-winning picture book illustrator Jacqueline Alcantara visited Gower West Elementary students today! Students learned about Ms. Alcantara's books from Mrs. Lund, District Librarian, over the past few weeks.
Ms. Alcantara talked about storytelling through art. She showed students the tools and techniques that she uses and discussed the process for illustrating books. Ms. Alcantara likes to illustrate stories she loves to read, especially those books that have settings in the outdoor! She taught our students, and our students even had the chance to draw, the cow from her book The Field.
A huge THANK YOU to the Gower Foundation for sponsoring the cost of this event with funds from the Summer Read-A-Thon! We had a great time!
2nd graders learning about the techniques and tools Ms. Alcantara uses when illustrating books.
Ms. Alcantara demonstrating how she draws the cow in the book The Field.
2nd graders sharing their cow drawings.
Congratulations to This Week's W.O.W.s!!!
The Survey is Open!
Your School. Your Voice.
Help Gower West Elementary School be the best it can be by completing the 5Essentials Survey! We want to hear your opinion! The Illinois 5Essentials Survey provides a comprehensive picture of a school's organizational culture in an individualize report measuring five "essentials" critical for school success: Effective Leaders, Collaborative Teachers, involved Families, Supportive Environment and Ambitious Instruction. The Illinois 5Essentials Survey can be accessed through this link.
Please share your thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness. Help us reach our participation goal of 45%. Students will earn a reward before Spring Break if we meet our goal! Thank you in advance for your time and input.
As of today, we have 46 parent surveys completed out of 529 possible for 9% response rate! This is a great start! We appreciate YOU and your feedback!
GowerGrams are here!
The Gower Foundation and Gower PTO are sharing this project with students to reflect, celebrate and share positive thoughts and overall gratitude within our schools! We encourage students and families to make GowerGrams together and have students bring them back to school. The GowerGrams we have received are hanging in the main hallway and are decorating the building for Valentine's Day this week! It's not too late! Find the template for your Gower Gram in the Gower West Virtual Backpack!
If you would like to share your student's GowerGram on social media, please be sure to tag @TheGowerFoundation and @Gower62PTO on Instagram and Facebook!
Gower Grams designed by Gower West students!
4th grader Jose's Gower Gram sure shows lots of appreciation for Gower West
Gower Grams designed by Gower West students!
Gower's Annual Science Showcase & STEM Night!
THIS WEEK!
Thursday, February 15!
Gower 62 is hosting our annual Science Showcase and STEM Night on February 15th from 6:00-7:30 pm at Gower West Elementary School! This event is for all students in grades K-8 and their parents. Fourth - 8th grade students will share Science Showcase projects from 6:00-7:00 pm; and 4 Survivor Family STEM Challenges will take place from 6:00-7:30 pm. Join us for a great night of STEM learning and support our 4th-8th grade scientists and engineers!
Kids Heart Challenge Update!
Gower West Collection Raises - $10, 861.35!
The BIG Event is THURSDAY, 2/15!
Born with multiple heart defects, Finn spent the first eight months of his life in the hospital. he's had 18 heart related procedures and today is an energetic 3rd grader who loves to cheer others to learn hands-only CPR and the signs of a stroke through Finn's Mission. Finn's Mission can be done on our Kids' Heart Challenge website. Anyone who completes the 7 steps will become a LIFE SAVER and earn Finn's slow-rise ball as a thank you gift. You also get entered in a raffle for Superbowl 2025 tickets!!
For Superbowl LVIII Weekend our school will be competing against other Illinois schools to see who can get the MOST students signed up for the free challenge AND complete the 7 steps of Finn's Mission by Monday morning. The school that has the biggest increase WINS THE ILLINOIS LIFESAVER SUPERBOWL and every student will earn an extra thank you gift!
To help our school win, please complete BOTH steps:
1. Click HERE to sign your student up for the heart challenge if you haven't already.
2. Complete the 7 steps of Finn's Mission with your family and earn Finn's lifesaver ball. To learn more on Finn click HERE.
Winners will be announced on Monday, February 12th!
Ready...Set...Save Lives!!!
You have been at the heart of our KHC program, and your suppoort will continue to make a big difference in the fight against heart disease and stroke. Thank you for supporting our school and community through KHC!
Purchase GW Spirit Wear
The Gower West "Deal of the Week" is $10 off pajama pants! Don't wait! Get cozy and comfy in your Gower West pajama pants by February 12! Shop Now!
Your purchase of spirit wear supports Gower West Elementary School, specifically rewards for Gower Gladiators who are respectful, responsible, and kind! We appreciate your support!
Valentine's Day at Gower West
A few things to know about school activities on Wednesday, February 14:
- Wear Valentine colors on this day (red, white, pink, purple)
- We WILL share valentine cards. Please have cards for all students in your child's classroom
- If you choose to put a special treat with your valentine card, it must be NON-EDIBLE - No candy, gum or edible treat of any kind please!
- Our day will focus on kindness and doing something KIND.
- We will enjoy an assembly, "It's Cool To Be Kind" thanks to the Gower PTO!
- Gower West Staff is also working on ways to make Valentine's Day at school special and fun!
Thank you for your cooperation!
It's That Time of Year!
Registration is open for boys and girls ages 4-15 years old to play little league baseball through Burr Ridge-Willowbrook Little League. The season begins in April and runs through June. Early bird registration ends February 11, 2024. Sign up today on our website!
Upcoming Events at Gower West
Please Mark Your Calendars
Monday, February 12
2:25 4th grade Basketball Camp, Session 2
2:25 Chess Scholars
2:25 1st grade Daisies
Tuesday, February 13
2:25 Spanish Club
2:25 Kindergarten Daisies
Wednesday, February 14
Happy Valentine's Day!
Wear red, white, pink, and purple
7:10 4th grade Chorus
2:25 3rd grade Basketball Club, Session 2
2:25 Science Olympiad
2:25 Young Rembrandts
Thursday, February 15
7:10 3rd grade Chorus
Kids Heart Challenge
2:25 Beginner Band Rehearsal
6:00 Gower Science Showcase & STEM Night @ Gower West
Friday, February 16
Gower Gear Day
Early Release Day
11:00 Dismissal for Kindergarten - 4th grade
AM Preschool 8:00 - 9:15
PM Preschool 10:00 - 11:15
Help Us Make it a Success!
VOLUNTEER SIGNUP - We need to fill over 70 positions for the day of the event. To see what positions are available and sign up, CLICK HERE.
RAFFLE DONATIONS - Last year we had over 80 prizes! For a list of ideas and to donate, CLICK HERE.
To enter the Big Raffle, complete and submit the Raffle Tickets flier. Tickets will also be available for purchase at the event.
GOODIE GRAB DONATIONS - Approximately 50 treats are given out during our most popular game! CLICK HERE to to register your donation or complete and submit the Goodie Grab flier.
Proceeds from the Fun Fair are used to cover the cost of Teacher Wish List request!
Fun Fair fliers and links can also be found in the Gower West Virtual Backpack and posted on Gower PTO social media. Thank you for supporting the Gower PTO!
Looking for Parent Volunteers
We are looking for parent volunteers to help run the Junior Achievement program at Gower West! This is a great opportunity to work with students in your child’s classroom. K-3 GRADE CLASS sessions will run in APRIL-MAY.
Junior Achievement presents an age-appropriate curriculum that teaches financial literacy, community connectedness, and entrepreneurship. Parent volunteers will work with the teacher to set up a weekly 45-minute session for 5-6 weeks. All materials and training are provided. Minimal preparation is required.
Follow the link below to sign up. We can only accommodate a maximum of 2 parent volunteers per class, so first come first served! If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to Lynn at lsalahi@gmail.com. Thank you for your consideration!
SAVE THE DATE! 9/28/2024
The Gower Foundation is thrilled to be planning the 2024 Gower Gala and is looking for sponsors to help make this event a success. The first step is to offer sponsorship packages exclusively to businesses owned by Gower families, prior to making them available to the community on February 7th. Download the sponsorship details here.