GES Families,

Kids Heart Challenge started Friday after a wonderful kick off Assembly and celebration of our two heart heros, Jonas and Willow Robinson! Our goal is to have 200 of our families join our team and raise $17,500 for the American Heart Association. As of right now, we have raised $4,950, have 62 students registered. In case you missed the email, you can download the AHA Schools app for iPhone or Android or CLICK HERE to register online.

Any student that raises $150 will get to pour a cup of Glitter Slime on Coach Basil or Principal Hale! 

Congratulations! These students have already earned GLITTER SLIME!

Lloux P, Elia M, Isabella B, Cadence W, Lily W, Abigail C, Lily P, Logan W, Madison G, Max R, Waylon P, Brady F

All my best,

Mrs. Hale and Coach Basil

No School Monday

Students and staff have a holiday weekend coming up! We hope you enjoy the extra day with your students. We will see everyone back on Tuesday, Oct. 10th. 

Wild Wednesdays

To go along with our school theme this year, we invite our students to join the staff in participating in Wild Wednesdays this year. They may choose to wear something with animal print or an animal on it. This is purely optional and just something fun for students and staff as we remember the importance of our school theme throughout the year: Wild about Engagement! 

Book Vending Machine

Last week we were able to call our 5th graders, as well as some of our 2nd and 4th grade students who met their Summer Challenge to the Book Vending Machine! Some teachers are still working on getting individual reading levels for all their students and hope to be completed this week! We want to give a shout-out to our PTA who helps fund the books that we're able to purchase for our machine. 

We had the following percentage of students who maintained their reading level over the summer:

• 5th Grade: 87/93 (95%) maintained reading level from end of 4th to 5th

October is Dyslexia Awareness Month

Students are encouraged to wear red on Friday, October 6. 

Did you know:

• dyslexia - it’s fairly common. 1 in 5 people have it.

• people who have dyslexia are smart and creative because they tend to be right-brained.

Myth vs Fact:

Myth #1:  Reading and writing letters backwards (such as the b and d) are the main signs of dyslexia.

Fact:  Some kids with dyslexia reverse letters...but some don’t. Letter reversal is NOT a sure sign of dyslexia. Letter reversals are actually developmentally appropriate until around 7-8 years old.

Myth #2:  Dyslexia can be outgrown.

Fact:  People with dyslexia will continue to face challenges throughout their lives. However, intervention and good multi-sensory instruction will go a long way in helping your child with reading issues.

October Character Quality & Star Student of the Month

In GCISD, and in alignment with the state, monthly character qualities are highlighted in guidance lessons. Homeroom students are also selected by homeroom teachers for each monthly character quality to have demonstrated that trait in a big way or having made a large amount of growth in demonstrating that trait. This month is RESPONSIBILITY! Families can partner with GES staff by reviewing connection ideas HERE! PreK through fifth grade newsletters are included; scroll through to find your Stars' grade level. Please let Mrs. Horn know if you have any questions at this time at angela.horn@gcisd.net or 817-251-5740.

Car Signs

Campus issued car signs must be present when you pick your child up in either car line after school. If you do not have a car sign, we will ask you to park and check-in with the front office so they can check your ID and ensure you are able to pick-up the student. IF you need to add an emergency contact for pick-up purposes please email candice.patton@gcisd.net with the first name, last name, email and phone number of the individual. 

IF you need additional car signs, please email regina.sharp@gcisd.net. 

Progress Reports post Wednesday

The first 6-weeks Progress Reports will post to Skyward on Wednesday, Sept. 27th. You will receive an email from Skyward when the progress reports are available. Thank you for taking the time to look through your child's progress. 

Lunch Visitors

Lunch guests will sign-in through our secure vestibule with a valid ID, stop by the front office to check-in and receive a visitor badge, and then meet their GES star at the entrance to the cafeteria. Families will have the option to sit outside in the picnic table area for lunch or in our cafeteria at an empty table near the windows. Parents are welcome to bring in outside food when having their lunch with their child. We ask that you please be courteous to the rest of the community and limit lunch visits with your child to no more than one per month so that all families have the opportunity to visit. We appreciate your cooperation. 

Each family needs only 1 slot reserved. For example, Mom, Dad, and sister may all come eat lunch with Nancy. Only Mom needs to be registered as 1 visitor to reserve 1 picnic table together. When it asks for quantity of visitors, please select just 1. Lunch visitors may only eat with their child or student. You may not invite friends to sit with you when coming for lunch. 

You can sign-up for lunch from August 28-September 29 HERE. 

You can sign-up for lunch from October 2-31 HERE. 

Volunteering

We LOVE our volunteers at GES! This year we are encouraging all families who plan to come to campus and interact with students to go ahead and complete the background check. Volunteers must complete this EACH YEAR beginning in August! It can take 1-2 weeks for your background check to clear. If you plan to be a guest reader, volunteer at a class party, chaperone a field trip, volunteer with PTA, open car doors with our Dad's Club, etc. you will need a completed Background Check!  

The following link takes you to the online Volunteer Handbook and background check: https://www.gcisd.net/o/gcisd/page/volunteer-background-check 

In order to volunteer at GES, or around GCISD, all volunteers must:

1. read the Volunteer Handbook (this replaces the previous face to face volunteer trainings held on campus)

2. watch the appropriate video included in the handbook

3. electronically sign the verification Google form for each campus you plan to volunteer

4. complete the volunteer background check. A link is included in the handbook.

When you are ready to volunteer at GES, feel free to call the front office at 817-251-5735 to verify that both of the required steps have been recorded as completed. We appreciate your support as you complete these steps and volunteer to work with our GES students.