Congratulations to Sheila (Kindergarten Co-Teacher) and Bobbie Walther on the birth of their first child, Payton Ann Walther who was born today January 6, 2011 weighing in at 6lbs 12oz and measuring 17" long.  Both Mom and baby girl are doing great!   

Auction Basket of the Week is............

 

If you would like to donate something for this basket or have a connection to a business that items could be procured from, please let Marci Hardy or Niki Vanderford know. You can drop your auction donation off at the front desk, fill out a procurement form, and record your donation in the binder so we avoid duplications! 

Check out our e-newsletter or the binder at the front desk for the entire basket wish list and what items have been donated to date!  We are featuring over 50 baskets that we hope to fill with wonderful items either donated from parents or businesses in the area.  We are also looking for families who are willing to take whole baskets on.  Would you be a prince and say that you will donate your own pre-loaded basket?

Thank you in advance for your participation. 

Gig Harbor Academy's third through fifth grade students participate in the Harbor WildWatch's Outreach Programs. Harbor WildWatch is committed to helping kids learn and appreciate the resources of Puget Sound through fun classroom workshops which compliment our science curriculum by engaging our students into exploring the opportunities of marine and environmental science and natural history. 

Welcome home to Tarak Patel who has been in Iraq for over six months on active duty.  Tarak and Kimberly (parents of Talia-Prekindergarten, Deven & Aiden-Childcare), both serve for the US Army. We are thrilled with Tarak's safe return and the family to be reunited. 

With the slow economy, businesses are being asked much, much more to donate to schools, sports groups, health foundations, and etc. We are experiencing that they want to hear from loyal customers, not just a general solicitation. If you are a loyal customer at any Tacoma, Seattle, Gig Harbor or surrounding area restaurants, bakeries, hair salons, spas, or other service businesses, please consider lending your signature to a personalized letter to that business pledging yourself a faithful customer and asking for them to consider making a donation. You do not have to do an in-person visit unless you want to. We just need your signature and experience at the business so we can personalize the letter! These procurements are essential to the success of the auction and the funding of the school. Thank you in advance.

For most of the month of December the second grade class studied Native Americans. This intensive unit consisted of each student researching a tribe, making a 3D model of the type of shelter that tribe would live

in, and present an oral report to the class.

As a group they built their own totem pole by painting characters inspired from real totem poles. Collectively the students wrote a story that depicted their characters.

The last day of school before the holiday break, the second grade class celebrated the culmination of their Native American Unit with a Potlatch.  Second grade families were invited to feast on cornbread, smoked salmon, and other culinary delights while being entertained by the second graders performing two Readers Theaters.  One, an Algonquin tale about how winter pushed away summer and how summer finally comes back.  The second Readers Theater was a Cherokee tale explaining how the sun came to the earth.

This Wednesday was Panda the rabbit's last visit to the fourth grade class as she will be officially adopted this Saturday.  The fourth grade students made a packet about caring for rabbits as pets.  This packet along with a letter about Panda specifically will be sent home with Panda's new family.  The Humane Society of Tacoma will use this packet of information to give out to other adoptive families of rabbits, as well.

Friday, January 7th

8:45 - 10:00 AM 

All parents and staff are invited to attend a baby shower in honor of our two expecting mothers, Lynn Swanson and Sheila Walther.  This Open House Forum Baby Shower hosted by School Family Network will be held in the library on Friday, January 7th from 8:45 - 10:00 AM.  There will be treats and School Family Network will be presenting the mothers-to-be (both babies will be girls) with a basket of goodies.  If you have any questions, please contact Cristina McDougall (SFN President) or Niki (in the office).  We look forward to seeing you all there! 

Tuesday, January 11th

5:00 PM

Thursday, January 13th - After School

Friday, January 14th

5:30 PM

Gig Harbor Academy

Monday, January 17th - MLK Jr. Day 

Thursday, January 20th

Hosted by SFN

For $1.00 you can purchase yummy treats provided by School Family Network of Gig Harbor Academy.  

Saturday, January 22nd

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Gig Harbor Academy Campus

Current and new families are welcome to attend this event where you can meet teachers, students, parents, and alumni.  To find out more, please contact Niki Vanderford in the office.   

Saturday, January 15th

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM 

Nasa Gymnastics

2905 Jahn Ave NW #11 Gig Harbor, WA  98335

Motion Evolution is a complete wellness and fitness program, designed to help kids build a healthy lifestyle at a young age. This program integrates physical literacy, nutritional education, and brain-body science and play, making it a complete wellness package.

On Saturday, January 15th from 2:30-3:30 PM there will be a Fit for Free Event kicking off the Motion Evolution program with cardiovascular exercise, strength training, a fun interactive nutrition workshop, games promoting teamwork, and building strength while focusing on personal bests.  This event is free for all children ages 6 to 13 who bring their favorite fruit or vegetable (parents must accompany children).