Better Together

New Year, New School, New Vision

It is clear to see that Geist Montessori Academy has such a bright future as one, united, school family: Better Together!

The entire GMA staff is so very appreciative for all of the closet creators! Thank you to the many parents and students who volunteered to build these shelving units throughout our new school. It was beautiful to witness the collaborative spirit between the school and families. Your time and support in helping to get the new campus up and running has been unbelievable, and we are so grateful for ALL that you do!

We are so excited to welcome all of our students back on Thursday, January 9, at the new campus! We look forward to our new school, where all students will be on the same schedule: 8:30-3:30 p.m.

Car line will begin at 8:15 a.m. for arrival, and it will begin at 3:30 for dismissal, with teachers gathering car rider numbers at 3:15. Prior to 3:00 p.m., the car line area will be blocked, so please plan accordingly.

All cars will need the car rider number prominently displayed in the window. If you are in need of a new number, please contact the office as soon as possible, and your number will be ready at the Sneak Peek on Wednesday, January 8.

For more car line information, please refer to the attached car line map and procedures.

If you haven’t packed them away yet, or if they are pretty handy, please bring in white, small strands of lights or snowflakes, battery operated or electric. Please be sure to label each strand with your name and contact number, and bring them to the gym during the Sneak Peek. We will be in need of these at the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony~ thanks!

The Robotics Team has been busy preparing for their first competition on January 11 at Immanuel Lutheran School in Seymour, Indiana. Their creativity, ingenuity, and passion is contagious!

Pictured here are Chloe, Devon, Joy, Eliza, Bentley, Caleigh, and Ellen. Molly and Cameron, not pictured, also serve on this incredible team.

We extend our gratitude to Jonny Sweeney for all of his efforts with the team, as well as to Ms. Kathy, Robotics Team Sponsor, and wish them the best of luck this season!

Are you in need of a filing cabinet, chair, or bookcase? Many items that are no longer needed at the new campus are available for FREE.

Please stop by the gym on Wednesday, January 8, during the Sneak Peek from 6-7:00 p.m., to see if there is something that you, or someone you know, could use. Crock-pots, bowls, and other items left from PTO luncheons are also there. All items not claimed will be donated on Thursday, January 9, so please take a moment to peruse the items and see what might be just right for you!

We are elated to have two, incredible, new staff members: Shari McMahon and Joy Sterrett join our school family. Shari will begin on Monday as a Middle School assistant with Ms. Kathy, and Joy will begin Tuesday as our school nurse. Please welcome them into the GMA family.

There are four of us that make-up the Parker family: Dad and Mom are Andrew and Kim, Cora is the oldest child in 6th grade, Molly is the youngest in 4th grade, and of course we cannot forget our beloved dog, Bella. We live in Noblesville and joined the GMA family at the start of Cora’s kindergarten year, which was fall 2013 and have remained ever since.

We like being a part of GMA due to the family-like feel. Likewise, Cora and Molly are proud members of Ms. Abby’s class because of their love of Ms. Abby, which is another reason why we like being a part of GMA.

The talent and passion of the teachers at GMA daily forms a love of learning in our girls, which is a gift we hope lasts a lifetime. When not at school, you can find both girls on the soccer field. Cora is also an avid reader, while Molly loves sewing and all things artistic. We enjoy going on family walks, bike rides, snuggling up for family movie nights.

The lockers arrived early, and the GMA school family came to the rescue! The love and care of the school family is truly breathtaking. Thank you to the volunteers who assisted in unloading 210 lockers. Your time and dedication is commendable and so appreciated!

As inclement weather approaches, please watch local news’ stations and check your emails for delays and cancellations. We will post all 2-hour delays and cancellations on local news’ stations, email, Facebook, and Geist Montessori Academy's website.

Warm your hearts with a special gathering at the new campus on Wednesday, January 8, from 6:00-7:00 p.m. This open house format will allow students to see their new classrooms before coming to school on Thursday, January 9. Be sure to check out the gym and enjoy some Cookies and Cocoa with the PTO.

In order to keep our students safe and best meet their needs during the day, the only entrance that will be open during the school day is the one closest to Olio Road on the east-side. This will allow students to utilize the blacktop area on the north-side of the building as extra play space during the day.

Along with this, due to the car line dismissal time of 3:30, there will be no student dismissals permitted after 2:45 p.m. Therefore, please make all appointments for your children before 2:45 p.m. In order to properly manage the flow of car line dismissal traffic, any student needing to be picked up beyond 2:45 p.m. will have to join the rest of the students in the regular car line procedures.

Come be a part of the new campus ribbon cutting ceremony!

We are looking forward to an exciting evening of gratitude, friends, and fellowship on Friday, January 31, from 6-7:30 p.m.! To help celebrate our grand opening, we are looking to showcase our children's, families', staff's, and community's gifts and talents. Please complete this form if you or a family member is interested in performing, planning, or helping to prepare for this event.

Better Together: Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

With the transition and move into the new GMA building, there will be two eLearning Days in January: Tuesday, January 7 and Wednesday, January 8.

Per Indiana Department of Education, "eLearning Days have given the option for continuing an instructional day away from traditional time limits and brick and mortar setting. This innovative program has evolved into an engaging instructional model used in many Indiana schools to keep the sequence of learning going in spite of weather and other challenges. More importantly, it has provided teachers and students the opportunity to engage with digital resources, to collaborate virtually, and to develop digital skills that are used and valued beyond K-12."

Please enjoy the eLearning PowerPoint Presentation by Mr. Logan, presented on October 3 to explain the process: http://gmacademy.org/e-learning-day-november-1st/

Additionally, please find the attached board policy pertaining to eLearning Days. Students should have received their eLearning day work before leaving for winter break.

BOARD MEMBERS

Nick Wright – President | Kirby Durham – Secretary | Uriah Ellis – Treasurer

Lacey Willard – At-Large Member | Andrew Cavallaro – At-Large Member

January 7-8: eLearning Days

January 8: Sneak Peek, 6:00-7:00 p.m., Cookies and Cocoa

January 9: First Day for the GMA staff and students to be together: Better Together!

January 14: PTO Meeting

January 17: eLearning Day, Professional Development

January 20: MLK holiday or eLearning Day

January 21: School Board Meeting, 5:30 p.m., gym

January 31: Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, 6-7:30 p.m.

February 13: Skating Party, 5:30 Learn to Skate, 6-8 p.m.

February 14: eLearning Day, Professional Development

February 21: Family Dance, 6-8 p.m.

Email: Cschuler@gma.k12.in.us
Website: gmacademy.org
Phone: (317)335-1158
Twitter: @GeistAcademy