Week 7

Hi Galaxy families!

We've certainly had a busy first 6 weeks. Some highlights were our fantastic XC season, a trip to Cranberry Glades and The Falls of Hills Creek, nature journaling, learning about Monarch butterflies and classification, completing a powerpoint on Native Americans, learning to navigate Khan Academy math, attending a performance of "Julius Caesar" at GVT, just to name a few. Whew... no wonder I'm tired!

I've been enjoying our goal setting conferences and I'm pleased to see that we all seem to be on the same page concerning our hopes and dreams for our children. We want them to feel good about themselves and be an important part of the class and the GES community. We want them to graduate from GES with the tools needed for a seamless transition into a successful high school experience, and we want them to be respectful to teachers, to fellow students, and to not be a distraction to others as well as to themselves. Keri and I are dedicated to finding ways and structures to insure that all of these goals can and will be accomplished with the cooperation of the students, parents, and teachers.

With all that said, we'll be tightening up a bit and expecting that each student do their very best to follow the steps that they agree to in their goal setting conferences. We'll be in close communication with each student and their parents in order to assist them in accomplishing their goals.

One important instrument in this communication is our Google Classroom. It is crucial that both students and parents become familiar with this tool and look at it everyday. Parents, you have to see it with your student. There are individual classes as well as a homework thread. Keri and I will post all assignments and homework on these threads. Sometimes, your student will have an assignment that they actually do on Google Classroom. They should already understand this, but you need to understand it also. There are several posts right now, so take a look at it before we go back to school on Tuesday.

I'm committed to teaching organizational and study skills to the class. I'll have exact instructions so that (hopefully) we all know what the expectations are. These instructions and expectations will vary from student to student since we have such a varied group (and I love that we do).

I want to hear from you and am open to working with you and your child in anyway that will be helpful. I have many worthwhile projects to launch and we all need to work together in order for the class to have a year of growth both academically and behaviorally.

Coming up:

• Monday, 10/8 - no school. Goal setting conferences.
• GrabNGo menu this week - Corn dogs, fresh veggies, fruit, muffins, snacks
• Tuesday, Italian Night. Galaxy students need to be at school by 5:15, dressed nicely, and ready to serve.

• Wednesday, 10/31 - Halloween! Be thinking about your costume.
• Friday, 11/2 - Trip to Monticello. We'll leave school at 7:30 a.m. and return around 4:00 p.m. I need some drivers.

With XC over, the schedule is easing up a bit, but academically we're moving full speed ahead. I'm excited and looking forward to all that is ahead. 

Mrs. J

"Julius Caesar"