Gig Harbor Academy Newsletter 9-08-11

The Common Link

9/08/11

In This Newsletter

School Notes

Class Notes

Upcoming Events

Volunteer Opportunities

Contact Information

Facebook/Twitter

School Links

The Bridge - School Magazine

Archived Newsletters

GHA Website

Calendar

Driving Record Request

School Report.Org

Math Connects

Gig Harbor Area Activity Links

Key Pen. Little League

School Notes

Welcome Back!

Welcome to the first official e-newsletter of the 2011-2012 school year. Here you will be informed and kept up-to-date on happenings in the GHA Community. There are many different people that make up a school...parents, teachers, grandparents, board members, and administration, but the students are the common focus for us all. There are boundless learning opportunities at GHA and this weekly newsletter will be the gateway to and documentation of GHA Common Link

those experiences. We look forward to providing you with many weeks of fun stories, event information, links to local community happenings, and much more. This newsletter will keep constant connections open between home and school, which will in turn create better experiences for the students, who are...The Common Link.

Future So Bright

Many fifth graders are not even thinking about the Future So Bright SB

future and what they want to be when they grow up. However, Sophie in fifth grade, not only already knows, but has her career path mapped out and traveled. Sophie wants to be a fashion designer and has been learning how to design and sew her own clothes. Here she is pictured in a shirt that she made with a little help with mom. For all you Project Runway fans out there, she definitely "Made it Work"!

Class Spotlight

GHA Buddy Program

GHA's buddy program includes on-going projects where older students and younger students learn from one another and create nurturing relationships. Research shows that a student retains 90% more information if they teach what they learn to somebody else. The pictures below are second graders teaching prekindergarten a math program with the iPad2's.

Prek

Junior Great Books

Junior Great Books is a professional development program designed to help teachers develop inquiry-based instructional strategies in reading, literary analysis, and critical thinking. The shared inquiry method develops students' reading, communication, and thinking skills.

Below is a group of fourth graders taking turns reading a story in their Junior Great Books and implementing the shared inquiry process, which engages students in lively, structured discussion of authentic literature.

At most schools Junior Great Books is used to engage advanced/proficient students in reading, but at GHA Junior Great Books is part of the core curriculum for all 2nd through 5th grade students.

Upcoming Events

Back To School Picnic

Friday, September 9th
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Join us for a back to school celebration filled with fun activities, socializing and food. GHA will provide hot dogs with condiments and drinks. Families with last name's starting with A-M please bring a dessert and families with last name's starting with N-Z please bring a side dish. DON'T FORGET YOUR PICNIC BLANKETS TO SIT ON THE FIELD. See you there.

Board Meeting

Tuesday, September 13th

6:30 PM

Snack Sale Hosted By School Family Network

Thursday, September 15th

For $1.00 you can purchase yummy treats provided

by School Family Network. Proceeds go to support GHA! Snack sale is available during lunch for Prekindergarten through 5th grade and after school. You may send a dollar to school with your child or buy a $20.00 snack card that can be used towards purchases.

Click on the above image to fill out a snack card form.

Please email form to the office.

School Pictures

Tuesday, September 20th

Wednesday, September 21st

picture day

School pictures will once again be taken by Molly Finnell within the picturesque setting of GHA. If you would like siblings to have pictures taken together please let the office know so we can make sure that it is scheduled. Look for order forms and a schedule coming out next week.

Popcorn Sales

Thursday, September 22nd

Enjoy an after school treat of popcorn and lemonade provided by the kindergarten class for only $1! Proceeds from their popcorn sales help support GHA.

What's New?

Family Businesses

At GHA we realize that we are more than just a school we are a community and we all benefit from community support. In the spirit of community support we would like to provide a way for GHA families to connect with other GHA families that have businesses or work in a service industry. Starting next week GHA will have a tab on our website called Family Businesses. This page will give families opportunities to support GHA family businesses. If you are interested in advertising please send a pdf or jpg to Niki in the office for approval. We will also highlight your business for one week on the weekly e-newsletter.

Thank you to Mary Wotherspoon for this fantastic idea. Her ad will be featured this week below and then will live on the website under the "travel" category starting next week. A link will be provided in next week's newsletter.

Volunteer Opportunities

Family Connect Program
BE A MENTOR FAMILY FOR A NEW GHA FAMILY The Family Connect Program was created to connect new families of GHA with experienced families. This is a great opportunity to make a new family feel welcome and be a contact person where you will answer questions or provide important information. If you are interested in being a mentor family please contact Cristina or Kim to sign up. BACK TO TOP

Picture Day
RUNNERS NEEDED FOR PICTURE DAY We are in need of runners for our two picture days on September 20th and 21st. If you are able to spend time at the school on those days and would like to help out please contact the office.