GATE Gazette

Congratulations! Positive Office Notes for the Week

Crew, Caleb Z, Sam L, Nandini B., Edrich, Carolina, Chelsea

This week our school community focused on the character strength of Gratitude. Gratitude means you are aware of and thankful for good things that happen.

Gratitude is the quality of feelings and expressing thankfulness and appreciation. It is an affirmation that there is goodness in other people and the world and that we have received that goodness. People with the strength of gratitude have a readiness to show appreciation for kindness and also to return kindness. A leading expert, Robert Emmons, calls gratitude a “relationship-strengthening emotion because it requires us to see how we’ve been supported and affirmed by other people.”

Out of all 24 character strengths, gratitude is the single best predictor of individual well-being. It is correlated with increased energy, empathy, happiness and optimism. And, the great thing about gratitude is that it can be intentionally cultivated. Numerous studies have concluded that gratitude is like a muscle. The more you practice it, the stronger it gets -- and the more you’re able to reap its benefits.

Please visit the Positivity Project’s P2 for Families (password: P2), where together you and your child can watch a video, read a quote, and talk about the answers to three questions.

Skyhawks winter registration is OPEN and will CLOSE on November 29th. Please don’t delay!

Registering right away ensures classes will run and secures your space!

MultiGame and Ultimate Sports

This multi-sport program was developed to give children of all skill levels a chance to experience and improve in many different sports. The essentials of Basketball, Volleyball, Flag Football, Dodgeball, Capture the Flag, Ultimate Frisbee, and Futsal/Soccer, are taught in a safe, structured environment with lots of encouragement and a big focus on fun. Our Multi-Sport games and activities were designed to allow participants to explore balance, movement, hand/eye coordination, and skill development at their own pace. Skyhawks staff are trained to handle the specific needs of young athletes.

Grades 3-8

Tuesdays from 3:20-4:50

*PICK UP is from the middle school doors at Meadows.*

12/6, 12/13, 12/20, 1/10, 1/17, 1/24, 1/31, 2/7, 2/14

$125 - 8min/20max

Register here: https://www.skyhawks.com/activity/multi-sport/ultimate-multi-sport/avondale-gate-magnet-school/MI+rochester-hills+48309/118625/

Futsal

Grades 4-8

Whether you’re new to Futsal or returning from the last session, there is something for your student to learn at this fun indoor soccer class! Futsal is a rapidly growing game that teaches players to think fast and develop a higher technical ability. In this clinic, the kids will learn the rules of the game, improve their first touch, passing, 1v1 skills, as well as shooting.  In futsal, players receive many more touches of the ball and learn to think and act quickly due to the nature of the rules and the smaller court. Close control, decision making and all other facets of the game will improve at a much faster rate through playing futsal. Whether your child chooses to stay with futsal or use it to expedite their ability in soccer, they will gain invaluable experience to improve their game!

Wednesdays from 3:20-4:50

*PICK UP is from the middle school doors at Meadows.*

11/30, 12/7, 12/14, (SKIP 12/21 and 12/28), 1/4, 1/11, 1/18, 1/25, 2/1, 2/8

$125 - 8min/20max

Register here: https://www.skyhawks.com/activity/soccer/futsal/avondale-gate-magnet-school/MI+rochester-hills+48309/118626/

Ms. Nierman's 3rd grade class enjoyed their library time this week!

Ms. Gierman's 4th grade science students tested which objects conduct electricity. Ms. Gierman's class was led by Grace, Piper and Eli in making polymer creatures and taught about PVC chemistry!

Ms. Syme's ELA class collaborated to create the "narrative arc" for their novel The Crossover.

Middle School Life Skills classes took a field trip to visit a Rochester Hills Fire Department station!

The GATE elementary leadership team organized a short assembly so students can learn about how the Leader Dogs for the Blind, based on Rochester Hills, MI, help those with disabilities to be mobile! They will now organize a small fundraiser for the organization. See the flyer below. Way to go, leadership team!

A Message from the PTO:

As one of the Vice Presidents of the PTO, part of my position is to help plan and coordinate community events. It has been such a pleasure to work alongside other members of the PTO and make these things happen. We have such a great community of families, I thought we could all come together to do something good. I have been working with the organization Gift of Giving to coordinate and see what our community could do to give back this holiday season. For those unfamiliar with Gift of Giving, they are an organization with the mission to provide basic needs to children and families within the Avondale school district. This year they are in need of FAMILY SIZED boxes of cereal. They have a goal of collecting 400 boxes and I would love nothing more than to help make that happen. If you are able to donate a box (or several) please send it in with your child. We will be collecting the boxes now through December 2nd. Thank you for your help in making this happen!

Cathy

Check out the new PTO Website/Newsletter: https://sites.google.com/view/avondalegatepto/the-pto-post

If you are an in-district resident and then move out of district, please call Kate at 248-537-6499. We must have your child re-apply during our SOC window for the next school year.