GARDNER GAZETTE

If your student is going to be absent or late to school please call the office at 618-939-3060 and leave a message on the attendance line. If you know ahead of time your child is going to be absent, please fill out a Planned Absence form. This form allows the teacher to get the homework together for your student ahead of time. The form can be found online at www.wcusd5.net under the “documents" tab, or a copy can also be obtained from the office.

Thank you to all of our parents/guardians for checking your student in each morning using the the Miinehealth app.

Quick Tips:

• We suggest having your student checked in by the time the first bell rings at 7:50 a.m.
• Remember to hit the "done" button after your student has been cleared, this completes the check in process.
• Don't hesitate to call the school office or nurse if you have a question about the app. Thank you for your continued patience and support.

Picture retake day will be on Tuesday, September 28th. Student's who were not at school for the original picture day should have their picture taken this day. Also, any student who did have their picture taken on the original picture day but would like it retaken, should bring with them the original set of pictures to turn into the photographer. More information/order forms will be sent out once we received them from Lifetouch.

There will be a TJs Pizza pop up on Thursday, September 30th from 4:00 -7:00 pm. Students will bring home flyers and order forms very soon! There are 2 options for ordering this year.

Option 1 - Parents/guardians can PREORDER by filling out the order form that comes home and send it back to school by Friday, September 24th. You do not need to pay until the night of pick up. All preorders will be packaged and ready for pick up the night of the pop up. All you have to do is drive up, pick up, pay and be on your way!

Option 2 - Drive on up to the pop up and decide that night what you'd like. You can bring your order form with you already filled out or fill one out when you arrive. Items will then be pulled right off the truck and put in your trunk!

***Each student who participates will have their name placed in a drawing to take place the next day at school. There will be 1 4th grade winner and 1 5th grade winner. Winner's will receive a $50.00 gift card to Walmart!

Some staff members have been having issues with incoming emails going to spam. If you email any staff member and do not hear back from them within a timely matter, please contact the office so the office can let the staff member know you are trying to reach them. The tech department is trying to resolve this issue, thank you.

It's too hot outside to run the oven! So order in and have family pizza night! Our next Papa John's night will be on Wednesday, September 8th. Coupons are at the bottom of this newsletter.

There may be some changes to the lunch menu due to supply issues that are being felt by our food distributor. Throughout the country there is a shortage of workers and drivers to package and deliver the food items needed to fulfill school lunch needs. Schools are being asked to simplify and reduce lunch menus. The cafeteria will try to notify our students of any changes as soon as they can. Once they receive their weekly deliveries they will adjust their menus according to what they may be short on. Last minute changes on the day of may have to be made, there may also not be a choice 2.

Message from Mrs. Notter (Head cook): I would like to give a shout out to the students at Gardner. They have been so understanding and patient about the menu changes since school started. Gardner is the best and the students are amazing!! Thank you for being you!!!

We will have Student Council elections the week of September 13th - 17th! Information regarding Student Council will be coming soon to your homerooms. I am looking forward to meeting all of our new representatives! Please contact Mrs. Hoffmann ahoffmann@wcusd5.net) if you have any questions.

The mission of the Kellsie’s Hope Foundation is “to provide hope to families that have children suffering from cancer by offering support for trips and gifts that might otherwise be unattainable". They are also dedicated to raising awareness and funds to support childhood cancer research and support the education of healthcare providers with an annual "nursing scholarship.”

The Kellsie’s Hope "Sock It To Childhood Cancer" campaign supports Kellsie’s mission to increase childhood cancer awareness and find a cure for childhood cancer. Starting September 3rd, yellow socks will be provided to students to collect spare change for a month and to decorate as they like (optional). The socks will be collected on September 30th. Prizes will be awarded to the class that collects the most, and the students with the best decorated socks. Remember to have your student clearly write their name on the sock.

September has 2 half days of school for students. Friday Sept. 3rd and Friday Sept. 17th. Town students will be dismissed at 11:10. Bus students will be dismissed at 11:25 or once traffic is clear.

All jr. high and grade school students must be accompanied to the home football games by a parent. Thank you!

If you have not already paid your school registration fee please do so as soon as possible. You can pay online by visiting the wcusd5.net website, click on the drop down tab "parents and students" then click on the WCUSD 5 web store link. Or you can stop by the office and pay by check or cash.

All of the 4th grade classrooms are utilizing paper packets that will need to be picked up from school and Google Classroom for students who are absent. A daily agenda will be posted, and students not in attendance will access this agenda to find the work for the day. Please keep in mind included videos were made last year and may not match up perfectly. If your student needs a Chromebook, please request one when you call in for homework or let your child’s teacher know. Most tests will be taken when the student returns to school. Thank you for your help in making this a successful year for your student!

The fifth grade has had a busy start to the school year! The students created an All About Me poster and have spent time getting to know their classmates. In reading and math classes, the students were asked to show what they know by taking placement assessments that will be used to set growth targets for the year. In math class, we started the first unit on area and volume, and during reading time we are exploring genres of literature. Social studies classes started the year off with a map skills unit, and in science we are exploring earth’s place in the universe. In addition to improving writing skills, language classes will be reviewing parts of speech. We are off to a great start!

All of the 5th grade classrooms are utilizing Google Classroom for students who are absent. A daily agenda will be posted, and students not in attendance will access this agenda to find the work for the day. This agenda includes videos created for last year’s remote learning, and while there are a few things that won’t match up perfectly, the instruction will be accurate for the in class curriculum taught that day at school. If your student needs a Chromebook, please request one when you call in for homework or let your child’s teacher know. Most tests will be taken when the student returns to school. Your child’s teacher will work to help catch your child up on any missed assignments when they return to the classroom. Thank you for your help in making this a successful year for your students!

The 5th grade band and chorus have begun rehearsing for the year. Concert Chorus practices on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 2:30 p.m. Chorus members need to have a folder for their music, and always wear a mask in class. Full band rehearsal is Tuesday and Thursday at 2:30 p.m. Weekly band lessons have also begun with Mr. Smith. Please check the lesson schedule so you don’t miss your day. Band students always need their instruments, books, playing masks, and bell covering for practices. Starting next week the students will have a practice log to complete each week.

Physical Education classes are in full swing! Students are having FUN and getting active with different movements and activities to increase their FITNESS level! Coach Hogan is anxious to introduce many different sports and exercise lessons throughout the year, and as always, is excited to plan another Kids Heart Challenge event later in the school year!

• Sept. 3rd - Half day for students- town dismissal 11:10. Bus Dismissal 11:25
• Sept. 6th - Labor Day - no school
• Sept. 7th - 30th - Kellsie's Hope sock collecting
• Sept. 8th - Papa John's Night
• Sept. 17th - Half day for students - town dismissal 11:10. Bus dismissal 11:25
• Sept. 28th - Picture retake day
• Sept. 30th - TJs pizza pop up 4:00-7:00

Each day is subject to change. Until further notice there will no longer be a second choice.