All GHA students learned the importance of fire safety from Nanette Tatom, Prevention Specialist at Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One. During their normal P.E. time, students learned about planning and practicing for a possible fire emergency.  

Kindergarten students practiced what they would do if they were sleeping and heard the fire alarm. You see them practicing their fire safety drills in the photo above.

Sheila Walther, Kindergarten co-teacher has returned to school on a part-time basis after taking time for maternity leave. 

We're so happy to have her back! A special thanks goes to Heidi Estano for her help substitute teaching while Sheila was out.  

Chess Club Meeting

February 11, 2011 3:45PM

5th Grade Classroom

Chess4Life representatives will be at GHA to discuss the 10-week chess club that is set to begin soon. The program is open to students K-5. Please plan on attending the meeting to learn more about this exciting opportunity. 

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Look for re-enrollment packets in the mail this week. As a current family, you have until Feb. 28th to turn in the contract along with the deposit to reserve a spot for your child. Starting March 1st, GHA will be offering contracts to new families who have already turned in applications.

If you have a sibling that you would like to enroll for next year, please pick up an application from Niki in the office. Current and prior families of GHA are given first priority as long as applications are received by March 1st.

If you know of a family that is interested in applying, please let them know that a tour can be arranged and that GHA is accepting applications now.

Please contact Niki, Director of Admissions and Marketing, in the office with any questions.

Do you have photos of GHA activities from this school year that you can share? 

We are putting together a slide show for the auction and would love to showcase all of the exciting things that happen at GHA!

If you have photos to share, please email them to Niki in the office.

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Would you like us to invite a family member or friend to this year's auction? We've included the grandparents whose addresses we had, but if you have someone else in mind that you'd like to invite, please send their address to Leigh Ann, GHA Administrative Assistant, or call the office: 253.265.2150.

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Auction Basket of the Week is...

Are you able to help with this basket? We are looking for families who are willing to donate an entire basket, but if you have items that could fill this one, please let us know right away.
 

Contact: Marci Hardy or Niki Vanderford.

You can drop your auction donation off at the front desk! When you do, please fill out a procurement form and record your donation in the binder so we avoid duplications! 

We are featuring over 50 baskets that we hope to fill with wonderful items either donated from parents or businesses in the area.   

Thank you in advance for your participation!  

GHA needs volunteers to help with the Auction on March 19th. We encourage families and friends to get involved with the auction any way that they can! 

Here is a short list of things we need your help with:

• Special projects to prepare for the event 
• Set-up & Tear-down at the event
• Runners

 If you are interested in volunteering, contact Niki Vanderford in the office.

Please note that all volunteers must be at least 18 years old to help at the event.

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Third through fifth grade hosted Rachel from Harbor WildWatch on Thursday to learn about "Sound Responsibility" and the importance of watershed protection.

Students participated in an activity that helped them understand how to keep our waterways healthy. Each student took on the role of a community member who lived near a stream then they were given a plastic egg that represented certain kinds of pollution like; pesticides, farm waste, industrial pollution and household chemicals. Students passed their eggs to each other-"downstream"-and they quickly learned that what happens upstream doesn't get cleaned up when it washes into the Sound...it accumulates!  

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The third grade class enjoyed an "Open Throw" at the Open Arts Studio in North Tacoma this Tuesday due to a generous donation from the Kelly family at last year's auction.

Students learned basic pottery wheel techniques at their 2-hour, hands-on experience. Each student got to make a clay piece on the pottery wheel and another piece of pottery inspired by Ancient Egyptian artifacts-connecting their art experience to the cultures they just learned about.

The pieces will be fired in a kiln and will be ready in less than two weeks. Once they are finished, the pottery will be displayed in the hallway outside of Ms. Perry's classroom.   

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Val-o-grams are Valentines that you can order and have delivered to your children, their entire class or anyone at school! The 4th grade class will deliver the Val-o-grams during classroom Valentine's Day parties or as directed by the teacher.

Beginning Monday, February 7th you can purchase a Val-o-gram during drop-off and pick-up times. Children can also purchase

Val-o-grams during lunch/recess times on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Proceeds of the Val-o-grams sales will go to support the Salmon in the Classroom program where students will get to learn about  Pacific Salmon, raise them and release them in the wild.

Tuesday, February 8th

5:00 PM  

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Thursday, February 10th

Afterschool

Proceeds of the popcorn sale support GHA!

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Thursday, February 17th

Hosted by 4th Grade

For $1.00 you can purchase yummy treats provided by the 4th Grade of Gig Harbor Academy. Proceeds go to support GHA! 

Click the image above to download the Snack Sale Schedule

and Punch Card Purchasing Form.

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Thursday, February 17th

6:00 - 7:30 PM

All students (K-5) participate in the GHA science fair as they learn about the scientific method. K-2 conduct their experiments as a class and 3-5 conduct individual experiments and present them at the annual science fair.

Please join them as they present their findings at the GHA Science Fair.

 
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February 21st - 25th

President's Day Break

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Saturday May 21

Save-the-date for Gig Harbor Academy night with 2010 PCL Champions, the Tacoma Rainiers, at their newly remodeled stadium.

 Game starts at 7:05PM 

Tacoma Rainiers vs. Memphis Redbirds

GHA is looking to plan another fun-filled exciting summer program and would like your help in developing the schedule.  

Tuesday, February 8, 2011 

6:30 - 7:45 PM 

Discovery Village

4835 Borgen Blvd #1, Gig Harbor 98332 

Jeannine McCurrie, GHA Parent, Speaker and Author of My Plan B Handbook  will be speaking at Discovery Village during the "My Life, My Plan" workshop on Tuesday, February 8 at 6:30 PM.

Hosted by Thrivent Financial the workshop will help you learn how to protect what you value most, reduce your worry over the unexpected and develop a solid financial strategy.

RSVP required by

February 3, 2011 to 

(253) 851-6161

The first 20 households will receive a free copy of Jeannine's book My Plan B Handbook. Free childcare for the first 30 children!