|
|
GHA NOW! Annual Fund Update | |
 We are off to a great start in the Annual Fund after week one!
- Over $10,000 in donations/pledges to date, which is over 20% of our goal of $50,000
- Over 75% of donors to date are either new donors or have increased their gift amount from last year
Be a part of funding something great - opportunities for our children!
Please make your gift or pledge soon so that we can minimize follow-up mailings and phone calls. Once GHA has received your donation, you will not receive any other mailings or calls about the Annual Fund.
Questions? Please check the school's web site, the Annual Fund brochure mailed to each family, or ask your Class Captain:
T/Th Preschool - Kristin West
M/W/F Preschool - Jodie Ehler or Elizabeth Gray
Prekindergarten - Kristin West
Kindergarten - Jessica Akins
First Grade - Jeannine McCurrie, Helen Javid or Jodie Ehler
Second Grade - John Hagmann or Mary Wotherspoon
Third Grade - John Golden
Fourth Grade - Helen Javid
Fifth Grade - John Golden |
|
|
Donna Hanenburg |  For two and a half years, Donna Hanenburg has been the warm and welcoming voice and face of GHA. She has spent numerous hours with your children comforting them when they were sick or injured and has had plenty of motherly advice and words of wisdom to all who crossed by her desk. Donna's love for the school, parents, and children is evident in everything that she does. That is why, it is with a heavy heart, that I announce that Donna will be leaving her position at Gig Harbor Academy. Our loss will definitely be her new employers gain. We wish Donna all the best in this new chapter of her life. She promises to keep in touch and we plan to hold her to it! |
|
School Closures and Postponements | |
 There seems to be a buzz going around that this winter is going to be particularly harsh. Information on late starts and school closures for Gig Harbor Academy can be found several ways:
- Go to schoolreport.org where GHA posts its information. Every attempt will be made to post this information by 6:30 AM at the latest, but ideally families will be informed earlier. You may sign up for an email notification through schoolreport.org which will allow you to receive school closure information directly to your inbox. Click on above snowflakes to register. For your convenience there is always a quick link on the left side of all Thursday newsletters that takes you directly to the GHA page on schoolreport.org.
- Schoolreport.org will share closure/postponement information with the local TV stations who run a reader board announcement at the bottom of the screen starting as early as 5:30 AM.
- The information will also be posted on the home page of our website.
- If circumstances are such that there are major power outages and staff is unable to update information and parents are unable to access a computer or TV, we will put in effect a phone tree where you will receive a phone call from your School Family Network Class Representative.
- If a storm develops during the school day, plan to pick up your child early to avoid potential problems. Although early dismissal is unusual, we do encourage you to anticipate the local situation and do what is best for you, your child, and/or your child's carpool. No child will be released to an unknown person or anybody not listed on the Student Profile. When inclement weather threatens and you are at a phone number other than those you have listed with the school office, please contact the office immediately and tell us where you may be reached.
As safety is always a priority, we realize that weather and road conditions in your area may be different than at school and encourage you not to make the drive to campus if you feel it is unsafe, even if school is open.
The above information can also be found on page 12 of the GHA School Handbook. |
|
Did You Know?
| |
National Mix IT Up Day is Tuesday, November 9, 2010. Teaching Tolerance's Mix It Up program is a national campaign that helps K-12 teachers develop inclusive school communities. Students thrive-socially and academically-in schools that are inclusive. Yet, for far too many students, schools are hotbeds of exclusion. Social scientists have long maintained that contact between diverse groups helps alleviate tensions and reduce prejudice. Mix It Up seeks to break down the barriers between students and improve intergroup relations so there are fewer misunderstandings that can lead to conflicts, bullying and harassment.
Number of schools committed to Mix It Up at Lunch Day is 2,416 (so far).....and we are one of them! Click Here for more information on The Teaching Tolerance Mix It Up National Program.
Click on the logo above for information on GHA's Mix It Up at Lunch Day
hosted by Sheila Walther (Kindergarten Teacher)
Back To The Top |
|
GHA is Proud of Our Parents |  Welcome home to Kristofer Radcliffe who has been in Afghanistan for the last six months on active duty. Kris and Andrea have two kids in Gig Harbor Academy, Hayden (fifth grade) and Charlotte (kindergarten). Andrea is a very active member of the GHA community with her huge role as SFN Snack Sale Coordinator and anything else we ask of her! We are thrilled with Kris' safe return and the family to be reunited. |
|
Third Grade - Invention Convention | |
 On Tuesday, October 26th, the third grade class held their "Invention Convention". By applying the process of creative problem solving, the third graders developed their own inventions. The first step, of course, was to list their ideas in their inventor's logs. Their inventions didn't need to change the world, but it did need to be creative and useful. The prototype did not have to work and could be made of things around the house that they were no longer using. To finish off the project, the students presented their prototypes with visual aid posters to the class and explained what their invention was, how it works, why it is useful, and what gave them the idea to begin with. Come see their finished products in front of the third grade classroom.
Thank you to Darin Brekke (father of Nathan in second grade) for sharing his expertise on inventions to the class to kick off this fun project. He is an engineer for Boeing and has received several patents (the class even got to see one). He helped the third graders understand the inventive process and then the students used their brainstorming skills to project and land a vehicle on Mars. The students were most impressed with the prototype he shared of a flying car! |
|
Fourth Grade Nutrition Presentations | |
 Fourth grade students have been studying food and nutrition. They have tested how much fat was in foods and how much sugar was in their favorite cereals. Students researched the answer to questions related to food and presented their findings to the class. Examples of questions were: What do astronauts eat in space? Why do athletes carbo load? What foods traditionally are eaten in other countries? Is there nutritional value in chocolate?
|
|
Scholastic Book Fair | |
Monday, October 25 - Friday, October 29
Fall Book Fair will be here next week! The fair will be open every day  including before and after school and we will have special hours the night of Pumpkin Carve (Friday, October 29th). Thank you for your support. Reading is fun and sharing a good book with your child is always a great experience.
Click on the image for all the details including information on volunteering. |
|
Pumpkin Carve Night
| |
Friday, October 29
6:00-8:00 PM
See Updated Info in Orange
Enjoy an evening of carving pumpkins into jack-O- lanterns, pizza, face painting, bake sale, book fair, and fun with the entire school. Adults and children alike are encouraged to dress up in costume. Please, no scary outfits or masks. Special entertainment for the evening includes more than just your carving skills! Kindergarten will sing their right of passage and Mrs. J. will read a magical story. The Scholastic Book Fair will be open to purchase items and the Book Fair Raffle Winner will be announced that evening.
What To Bring: Your own pre-scooped
pumpkin(s), carving tools, food for dinner if you didn't order pizza, beverages (even people who ordered pizza will need to bring drinks), money for bake sale and book fair (to buy yummy treats and get fun books), a candle or glow stick for your jack-a-lantern, a lighter, and a smile!
Schedule of Events:
6:00 - 6:45 Pizza and pumpkin carving in the rooms. It is recommended for those of you with more than one child in the school to carve your pumpkins in the oldest child's classroom. Hint: Pre-gutting your pumpkin will give your child more time to carve. Please no wandering children.
6:45 - 7:15 Pumpkin lighting, bake sale, face painting and book sale.
(Face painting will end at 7:30 and the Bake Sale will continue until 8:00 or until out of treats.)
7:15 - 8:00 Entertainment from Kindergarten, Mrs. J and Book Sale Raffle.
|
|
No School | |
 Monday, November 1st &
Tuesday, November 2nd
Parent/Teacher Conferences
|
|
School Family Network Meeting | |
 Wednesday, November 3rd
9:05 AM in the GHA Library
The School Family Network (SFN) is an informal, yet energetic group of parents who meet once a month to organize numerous school-wide events. With the intent of supporting and enhancing GHA through communication and commitment, SFN hosts family fun events such as bowling nights, the annual pumpkin carve, weekly hot lunches for the students, teacher appreciation activities, as well as the bi-monthly snack sales. In addition, SFN reaches outside of the Academy with varying community service projects throughout the year. All parents are welcome to attend. |
|
SFN Snack Sale | |
Thursday, November 4th
Hosted by Second Grade
For $1.00 you can purchase yummy treats provided by the Second Grade Class
Click on image to see all snack sale dates and a printable order form to purchase a $20.00 punch card |
|
Board Meeting | |
Tuesday, November 9th
5:00 PM |
|
No School | |
Thursday, November 11th
Veteran's Day |
|
SFN Family Fun Night - Bowling | |
Friday, November 12
6:30 - 8:30 PM
SAVE THE DATE!
Meet other families in the GHA community while having a great time bowling. School Family Network will be hosting a Family Fun Night at Chalet Bowl in Tacoma on Friday, November 12, from 6:30-8:30 PM. No need to sign up....just show up ready to have fantastic fun! The cost is $10 per person and includes shoes and two hours of cosmic bowling. Come early and enjoy dinner in Chalet Bowl's cafe'. This is a fun family event for all ages. We look forward to seeing you there!
For directions and more information about Chalet Bowl please click on image above. For printable flyer and detailed information please click here.
Back To The Top |
|
No School | |
 Wednesday, November 24th
Thursday, November 25th
Friday, November 26th
Thanksgiving Break
|
|
Pumpkin Carve Night - Friday, October 29 | It's not too late. Don't be afraid to volunteer the night of Pumpkin Carve......there is nothing scary about it! We need people to help pass out pizzas, face paint, clean up classrooms, bake sale, etc. If interested, there will be a sign up sheet in the GHA office. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Mary Wotherspoon, by email.
|
|
Auction Help | |
 Want to be part of coordinating the party of the year?!? We are looking for people that are interested in helping plan the Annual Auction set to take place on Saturday, March 19, 2011. We need core people to join the planning committee and behind the scenes people that are interested in committing their time to one designated project. There are job positions ranging from committee chairs to clean up! If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Niki Vanderford by email or phone at 253-265-2150. Look for a general auction meeting to be planned in December. We would love to see you there.
Back To The Top
|
|
Upward Sports | |
 Basketball and Cheer for Grades K-6th! Kids have the opportunity to develop sport and life skills in a fun, positive and encouraging environment. Come join the fun. Sign up by November 1st. Brochures are located in the GHA office or you can stop by Chapel Hill Church, entrance C, to register.
Click on the above logo to be directed to the Upward Sports website. |
|
Woodland Park Zoo |  |
|
Halloween on Harborview | |
Sunday, October 31 
4:00 PM
Little ghosts and goblins come from all around town for a safe "Trick or Treat" event. Downtown merchants give out treats, while families have a Happy Halloween.
Back To The Top |
|
School | |
6820 32nd St. NW
Gig Harbor, WA 98335
Phone: 253-265-2150
Fax: 253-265-8124
Childcare: 253-265-8773 |
|
Administration | |
Each name is a link to that person's email.
Bruce Shoup
Head of School
Paul Hoover
Business Officer
Niki Vanderford
Director of Admissions & Marketing
Donna Hanenburg
Adminstrative Assistant |
|
Join Us On Facebook | 
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Updates on fun activities, reminders on important dates, and more.  |
|
Comments or Suggestions? | | To give any comments or suggestions about this newsletter or if you have an idea for an article, please contact Niki Vanderford by phone (253-265-2150), e-mail, or come see her in person in the office. Thank you very much. |
|
|
|
|
