Monday Messages January 30,2023 for GUSD Families

GRAVENSTEIN UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT Monday Message January 30, 2023       A MESSAGE FROM GUSD ADMINISTRATION   Don't Miss Anything Important in Monday Messages I have heard that some people are not seeing all of the articles in Monday Messages.  We have a lot of important information we don't want you  to miss out on so I wanted to let you know how to be sure you don't miss a thing.  At the bottom of your email from ParentSquare you may see the message in the picture to the right.  It is important to click on the "View entire message" .  This will take you to the entire message so that you don't miss a thing.  The below image is what you will see at the end of every Monday Messages, if you are not seeing this you need to click that  "View entire message".   Mark Your Calendars Wednesday, February 1 - Gravenstein Lost & Found items will be donated Wednesday, February 1, 9:30am-11:30am - HMS 8th Graders to tour Analy Friday, February 3 - HMS Twin Day Spirit Day Saturday, February 11 - Rotary Club of Sebastopol Annual Crab Feed Monday, February 13 - NO SCHOOL - Observe Lincoln's Birthday Tuesday, February 14 - GUSD Board Meeting Monday, February 20  - NO SCHOOL -  President's Day Saturday, February 25, 10am-11am - Gravenstein  TK/Kindergarten Open House Friday, May 26  - SCHOOL IN SESSION Important - School Calendar Change We hope that everyone made it through the recent storms with minimal impact . . . due to the rain and wind that created a power outage, we canceled school on January 5th.  When the 21/22 school year calendar was drafted, we inserted three non-school days in the calendar so that we would not lose this day of instruction as has happened in past years.  We will be using one of those days, Friday, May 26, 2023 as a make-up instructional day.  So please check your calendars and make sure you note that May 26 will be a school day with required attendance.   2023-2024 School Year Applications Applications for the 2023-2024 school year are available at the below links.   Only new incoming students need to fill these out.   Current students will have online registration during the summer, before school starts in August.  Applications will be accepted starting in January.  Only complete applications will be reviewed.  A complete application includes a copy of a birth certificate, immunization record, proof of residence, and for students with an IEP or 504, a copy of the current/most recent IEP/504 is required. Saturday, February 25, 10:00-11:00 - Open House for Prospective TK/K Families for 2023-2024 Click here for the  English Application  and here for the  Spanish Application .     Looking for a Crab Feed? The Rotary Club of Sebastopol will be holding their Annual Crab Feed on Saturday, February 11, 2023 at the Holy Ghost Hall.  All proceeds from the Crab Feed will be used to fund the Sebastopol Rotary's Mark Sell Teacher Grant Program. Click  here  to see a flyer with more information!       GUSD Open Board Seat The GUSD Board seeks a replacement to appoint to our current vacant seat. The application process is currently open and candidates may be interviewed during the December or January Board Meetings.  Interested candidates should be available on the second Tuesday of each month at 5:00pm for the regularly scheduled meetings, and some additional special board meetings each year too. Qualifications to Run for School Board (as set by the California Education Code): A school board candidate must be a registered voter. A school board candidate must be a resident of the Gravenstein Union School District. A school board candidate must have been awarded a minimum of a high school diploma or a certificate of high school equivalency. A school board candidate cannot have been convicted of a felony. A school board candidate cannot be a current employee of the district and/or be related to a current employee in that district. If you are interested in being a candidate for the appointment, please contact Melacha Quirke in the Gravenstein District Office to receive an application. mquirke@gusdschools.org (707) 823-7008 Or you can go to the District Website at   https://www.gusdschools.org/   and click on the link there to apply. The successful candidate will join the GUSD Board and serve until December 2024. If you have any questions, you can also contact Superintendent Dave Rose at  drose@gusdschools.org       Lunch Menu To view the entire January menu click here for  English  or  Spanish .  Fruits &/or Veggies are offered with all meals.  Meals are not offered a la carte  Menu items are subject to change.  All student meals are free of charge.  Vegetarian and vegan option are available upon request - Please send in a letter to the office if there are any dietary restrictions.    Mon 30 Tue 31  Wed 1 Thu 2  Fri 3 Cereal & Cheese Stick French Toast Croissant & Jam Breakfast Sandwich Frittata Chicken Fajita Taco Egg Roll Pizza Bean & Cheese Burrito   COVID Vaccination Clinics As part of efforts to make sure our schools are safe places that promote learning, SCOE is partnering again with the County of Sonoma and some districts on a limited number of COVID vaccination clinics this spring semester.  The next is set for Thursday, February 2, at Sheppard Accelerated Elementary School in Roseland.  These events are open to the public, and are not limited to the host school communities. Although the clinics' primary purpose will be to provide COVID vaccinations and boosters to adults and children, limited amounts of the flu vaccine will be available, and the Roseland clinic will feature staff from Safeway Pharmacy who can provide the standard childhood immunizations required to attend public schools.  Flyers (in English and Spanish) for these two clinics can be found here:   Casa Grande High School  and Sheppard Accelerated Elementary . A third clinic is planned for Taylor Mountain Elementary on February 9, but we do not yet have a flyer for that one.   Save the Date! Do you speak Spanish at home?  Then this free conference is for you!  It will be conducted 100% in Spanish and provides excellent information. Please contact Alicia Fernández if you need help with registration afernandez@gusdschools.org or (707) 823-5361 extension 266 . Sessions    Once a Student, Now a Teacher Vicente Sosa Alfaro, Special Day Class Teacher, Bellevue Union School District Born in the Mexican state of Michoacan, Vicente Sosa was brought to the United States of America at two years old.  While he faced many struggles in an education system that failed to see him both individually and culturally, he persevered.  Now an educator himself, Mr. Sosa will discuss how his academic experiences serve as a guide to supporting the students in his classroom. Culture Cures: The Importance of Cultural Identity Dr. Daniela Dominguez, Assistant Professor at the University of San Francisco and C.E.O. of On the Margins Grupo Folklorico Quetzalen Dr. Daniela Domínguez, in collaboration with Victor Ferrer and the Quetzalén group, will highlight the powerful ways in which culture has healing powers.  Parents will better understand the ways in which combining cultural music, dance and art provides an important outlet for healing. Creating a College-Going Mindset 10,000 Degrees This session will focus on creating a college-going mindset within your family while debunking common myths about college access.  We will discuss A-G requirements, Financial Aid, and how to best support your student(s) to achieve the future of their dreams! Reserva la Fecha ¿Habla español en casa? ¡Entonces esta conferencia es para usted!  Será 100% en español y brinda excelente información.   Favor de contactar a Alicia Fernández si necesita ayuda con la registración afernandez@gusdschools.org (707) 823-5361 extensión 266. Sesiones Una vez estudiante, ahora maestro Vicente Sosa Alfaro, Maestro de Clase Especial Diurna, Distrito Escolar Unido de Bellevue Nacido en el estado mexicano de Michoacán, Vicente Sosa fue traído a los Estados Unidos de América a los dos años. Enfrentó muchos retos en un sistema educativo que falló en respetar su cultura tanto como en verlo como un individuo, pero él perseveró. Ahora que él mismo es un educador, el Sr. Sosa discutirá cómo sus experiencias académicas sirven como guía para apoyar a los estudiantes en su salón de clases. Curas culturales: la importancia de la identidad cultural Dra. Daniela Domínguez, Profesora Asistente en la Universidad de San Francisco y C.E.O. de On the Margins Grupo Folklórico Quetzalén La Dra. Daniela Domínguez, en colaboración con Victor Ferrer y el grupo Quetzalén, destacará las formas poderosas en que la cultura tiene poderes curativos. Los padres comprenderán mejor las formas en que la combinación de la música cultural, la danza y el arte proporciona una salida importante para la curación. Crear una mentalidad de ir a la universidad 10.000 grados Esta sesión se centrará en crear una mentalidad de asistir a la universidad dentro de su familia mientras desacredita los mitos comunes sobre el acceso a la universidad. ¡Discutiremos los requisitos "A-G," la ayuda financiera y cómo apoyar mejor a su(s) estudiante(s) para lograr el futuro de sus sueños!   Dave Rose Keri Pugno Will Deeths drose@gusdschools.org kpugno@gusdschools.org wdeeths@gusdschools.org   GRAVENSTEIN PARENT ASSOCIATION   Hello fellow GUSD families, Did you know that over half of GPA's budget income comes from your donations?  Fundraisers and other income such as corporate matching programs make up the remainder of the income that GPA uses to fund the Enrichment program.  Without your support the amazing Enrichment classes that our children enjoy each week could not happen.  Art, Music, STEM, and Zero Period PE are possible because of your continued support.  GPA is a registered 501c(3).  Apart from making a personal donation, there are multiple ways to support GPA.  Corporate donations, employer matching programs, fundraiser participation and volunteering are all ways you can support the Enrich program at GUSD. Do you have questions or want to learn more?  You can email us at gravensteinparentassociation@gmail.com or better yet, please come to our board meetings.  All are welcome!  Every 3rd Tuesday of the month at 6PM at Hillcrest Middle School, room 5. Thank you for your support, Gravenstein Parent Association WeAreGPA.com   Upcoming Board Meeting: Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at 6:00pm Hillcrest Middle School in Room 5   Follow Us On Social Media Stay up to date in the quickest way by following us on Facebook and Instagram .  Tag your photos with #wearegpa to show your school pride!   WHAT'S NEW at GRAVENSTEIN ELEMENTARY?   TK/Kindergarten Saturday Open House - February 25 On Saturday, February 25, from 10:00-11:00 am, we will be hosting an Open House for new or interested TK/K families.   This is an opportunity for incoming students and parents to learn about our program, meet the teachers, and explore the classrooms.  Word of mouth is the best way for our Gravenstein Community to grow.  Please share this event with any of your friends that are looking for a TK/K school for next year.    Going, Going, Gone...on Wednesday This is the last call for students and parents to look through our current Lost & Found.   These photos were taken on Friday, January 27th.   All items will be bagged up and donated the morning of February 1.     Can you Help us Find? Our before and after school Beyond-the-Bell program does an amazing job coming up with craft projects and games for our students to enjoy.  As you prepare for spring cleaning, please know that Beyond-the-Bell is always looking for donations of gently used: Hot Wheels Legos Marble Run pieces Unused coloring books Perler bead supplies   Don’t Forget!  Gravenstein Elementary School is Now on Facebook and Twitter!  Facebook https://www.facebook.com/GravensteinElementary/ Twitter @GravElementary   WHAT'S NEW at HILLCREST MIDDLE SCHOOL?   Expanding Your Horizons Expanding Your Horizons Sonoma County holds an annual event to encourage girls to pursue science, technical, engineering and mathematics careers.  The students that attend are inspired by the women who lead the hands-on workshops and excited about their future possibilities.  This event has taken place for over 25 years, and  past participants have shared that it provided them guidance and motivation.  This year, our event will be held virtually, with 4 workshops on 4 successive Saturdays, at no charge.  While the event focus is for girls in 7th and 8th grade, we welcome other grades and boys.  Please see attached flyer for more information. Click here for the flyer in  English  or  Spanish   Twin Day Spirit Day This Friday February 3rd is Twin Day! Come in matching outfits with friends and earn House Points!   8th Grade Visit to Analy High School Analy High School is inviting our entire 8th grade class to join us for a tour of the campus on Wednesday, February 1st from 9:30am - 11:30am.  Our students will travel by bus to experience all that Analy has to offer!   Field Trip Reminders Any parents who are chaperoning / driving / attending any Field trip must fill out the volunteer form available in the HMS Main Office.  Parents who have not done so before with our District  will need to follow the instructions to receive their clear TB test and have their fingerprints taken. Please check in with Hillcrest Main Office for more information or with any questions.   Order Your Yearbook Today! Important reminders from the Hillcrest Yearbook team 1. Don't forget to order your yearbook!  Use the link provided below to order your yearbook today.   https://www.treering.com/purchase?PassCode=1014223911784613 2.  Yearbook needs your pictures, please.  If you have any pics you've taken from field trips or sports, please email them to either  tdeeths@gusdschools.org  or  gsotiras@gusdschools.org .  Thank you so much! 3. Attention 8th graders and parents :   We need your baby pics for the yearbook!  If you haven't done so yet, please email them to  tdeeths@gusdschools.org or gsotiras@gusdschools.org   Cell Phone Policy at School Reminder Cell phones are only to be used after school in the Duck Pond to contact parents or guardians. Cell phones should be off and put away from the moment you arrive on campus. Headphones and earbuds are not allowed at any time. Any violation of the cell phone policy can lead to disciplinary action.   Some fun photos from  "Anything But a Backpack" Day   Facebook Are you curious about what is happening at Hillcrest Middle School? Want to keep up to date on activities and events? Want a glimpse into the classroom and see what our teachers are teaching and what your students are learning? If so then make sure you go to Facebook and follow Hillcrest Middle School - Sebastopol !   COUNSELORS' CORNER     Financial Stress and Mental Health If you're worried about money, you're not alone. Money is a  common source of stress  for American adults. In fact,  according to the American Psychological Association  (APA), 72% of adults report feeling stressed about money, whether it's worrying about paying rent or feeling bogged down by debt. This is pretty significant given financial stress is linked to so many health issues (constant worry, lack of sleep, depression, and anxiety). Financial stress is emotional tension that is specifically related to money. Anyone can experience financial stress, but financial stress may occur more often in households with low incomes. Stress can result from not making enough money to not meeting your needs such as paying rent, paying the bills, and buying groceries. When kids pick up on financial stress in the family, they may be anxious about getting the items they need, feel guilty for needing things, or think that the problems are their fault. Younger children may show signs of physical distress, including stomachaches or trouble sleeping.  Other symptoms  can include anxiety, anger, or stubborn behavior. Parents play an important role in  teaching children  how to express their feelings. If you notice a physical, emotional, or behavioral change in your child, ask them about it. Then, listen to your child and allow them to share what they’re feeling without judgment. Parents can normalize the acceptance of all feelings by saying things like: “It’s OK to feel sad. It’s OK to be scared.” It may help to explain the problem and the plan. Research on stress in children suggests that positive, proactive framing can help put kids at ease. Start by calmly conveying the situation and explaining what action you’re taking: “We don’t have as much money as we’d like to, but we have a plan that will help.” For most types of stress, it is recommended to use active, engaged coping strategies, rather than ignoring the problem at hand. When money is tight, involving kids in a family’s financial plan can help them feel like they’re taking action. That may mean making  joint decisions  about spending and saving, including when it comes to holiday gifts, cutting out special snack foods, and vacations. On the other hand, when a problem is outside of a child’s control—which financial hardship can be—it also helps to get kids’ minds off their troubles. That might include enjoying nature, playing with a pet, taking a hot bath, or eating a favorite food.  Below is a list of local resources here in Sonoma County that provide support to families.  Assistance programs Sonoma County and Santa Rosa (needhelppayingbills.com)   Hillcrest Counseling Facebook Page Click on the link below to view all the resources available to you and your family on the Hillcrest Counseling Facebook page. Hillcrest Middle School Counseling Page   GRAVENSTEIN UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD   Gregory Appling, President - gappling@gusdschools.org Jeri McNeill, Clerk -   jmcneill@gusdschools.org Paula Braunschweig, Trustee -  pbraunschweig@gusdschools.org Patrick Lei, Trustee - plei@gusdschools.org   WEBSITE           ABOUT US           MENUS             SCHEDULES   Elementary School Website Middle School  Website Creative  Arts Program  

Sunday, Jan 29 2023

Monday Messages January 23,2023 for GUSD Families

GRAVENSTEIN UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT Monday Message January 23, 2023       A MESSAGE FROM GUSD ADMINISTRATION   Don't Miss Anything Important in Monday Messages I have heard that some people are not seeing all of the articles in Monday Messages.  We have a lot of important information we don't want you  to miss out on so I wanted to let you know how to be sure you don't miss a thing.  At the bottom of your email from ParentSquare you may see the message in the picture to the right.  It is important to click on the "View entire message" .  This will take you to the entire message so that you don't miss a thing.  The below image is what you will see at the end of every Monday Messages, if you are not seeing this you need to click that  "View entire message".   Mark Your Calendars Wednesday, January 25, 3:30pm - GUSD Site Council Meeting in the District Office   Wednesday, January 25 to Saturday, January 28 - Friends of the Sebastopol Library Winter Book Sale Friday, January 27 - Hillcrest - Anything But a Backpack Day Saturday, February 11 - Rotary Club of Sebastopol Annual Crab Feed Tuesday, February 14 - GUSD Board Meeting Friday, May 26  - SCHOOL IN SESSION Important - School Calendar Change We hope that everyone made it through the recent storms with minimal impact . . . due to the rain and wind that created a power outage, we canceled school on January 5th.  When the 21/22 school year calendar was drafted, we inserted three non-school days in the calendar so that we would not lose this day of instruction as has happened in past years.  We will be using one of those days, Friday, May 26, 2023 as a make-up instructional day.  So please check your calendars and make sure you note that May 26 will be a school day with required attendance.   2023-2024 School Year Applications Applications for the 2023-2024 school year are available at the below links.   Only new incoming students need to fill these out.   Current students will have online registration during the summer, before school starts in August.  Applications will be accepted starting in January.  Only complete applications will be reviewed.  A complete application includes a copy of a birth certificate, immunization record, proof of residence, and for students with an IEP or 504, a copy of the current/most recent IEP/504 is required. Saturday, February 25, 10:00-11:00 - Open House for Prospective TK/K Families for 2023-2024 Click here for the  English Application  and here for the  Spanish Application .     Looking for a Crab Feed? The Rotary Club of Sebastopol will be holding their Annual Crab Feed on Saturday, February 11, 2023 at the Holy Ghost Hall.  All proceeds from the Crab Feed will be used to fund the Sebastopol Rotary's Mark Sell Teacher Grant Program. Click  here  to see a flyer with more information!       Friends of Sebastopol Library Winter Book Sale This sale includes adult/children/teens' books.  Most books are bargain-priced at $1, even the newest fiction!  Most Children & Teen's books are 25-50 cents.  The sale is open to all.  No scanners allowed on Opening Night. Wednesday, January 25th - Opening Night - 5:00pm to 8:00pm Thursday, January 26th - 10:00am - 6:00pm Friday, January 27th - Half-Price Day - 10:00am to 6:00pm Saturday, January 8th - $5/Bag Day -- we provide the bag & you get extreme bargains! - 10:00am to 2:00pm Location:  Forum Room & Lobby of the Sebastopol Library 7140 Bodega Ave. Sebastopol, CA  95472 Phone:  (707) 823-7691     GUSD Open Board Seat The GUSD Board seeks a replacement to appoint to our current vacant seat. The application process is currently open and candidates may be interviewed during the December or January Board Meetings.  Interested candidates should be available on the second Tuesday of each month at 5:00pm for the regularly scheduled meetings, and some additional special board meetings each year too. Qualifications to Run for School Board (as set by the California Education Code): A school board candidate must be a registered voter. A school board candidate must be a resident of the Gravenstein Union School District. A school board candidate must have been awarded a minimum of a high school diploma or a certificate of high school equivalency. A school board candidate cannot have been convicted of a felony. A school board candidate cannot be a current employee of the district and/or be related to a current employee in that district. If you are interested in being a candidate for the appointment, please contact Melacha Quirke in the Gravenstein District Office to receive an application. mquirke@gusdschools.org (707) 823-7008 Or you can go to the District Website at   https://www.gusdschools.org/   and click on the link there to apply. The successful candidate will join the GUSD Board and serve until December 2024. If you have any questions, you can also contact Superintendent Dave Rose at  drose@gusdschools.org       Lunch Menu To view the entire January menu click here for  English  or  Spanish .  Fruits &/or Veggies are offered with all meals.  Meals are not offered a la carte  Menu items are subject to change.  All student meals are free of charge.  Vegetarian and vegan option are available upon request - Please send in a letter to the office if there are any dietary restrictions.    Mon 23 Tue 24  Wed 25 Thu 26  Fri 27 Cereal & Cheese Stick Bagel & Cream Cheese Muffin Danish Cheese Croissant Corn dog Sandwich Chicken Caesar Salad Chicken & Rice Bean & Cheese Burrito   COVID Vaccination Clinics As part of efforts to make sure our schools are safe places that promote learning, SCOE is partnering again with the County of Sonoma and some districts on a limited number of COVID vaccination clinics this spring semester.  The first of these once-a-week clinics will be held Wednesday, January 25, at Casa Grande High School in Petaluma.  Another is set for Thursday, February 2, at Sheppard Accelerated Elementary School in Roseland.  These events are open to the public, and are not limited to the host school communities. Although the clinics' primary purpose will be to provide COVID vaccinations and boosters to adults and children, limited amounts of the flu vaccine will be available, and the Roseland clinic will feature staff from Safeway Pharmacy who can provide the standard childhood immunizations required to attend public schools.  Flyers (in English and Spanish) for these two clinics can be found here:   Casa Grande High School  and Sheppard Accelerated Elementary . A third clinic is planned for Taylor Mountain Elementary on February 9, but we do not yet have a flyer for that one.   Save the Date! Do you speak Spanish at home?  Then this free conference is for you!  It will be conducted 100% in Spanish and provides excellent information. Please contact Alicia Fernández if you need help with registration afernandez@gusdschools.org or (707) 823-5361 extension 266 . Sessions    Once a Student, Now a Teacher Vicente Sosa Alfaro, Special Day Class Teacher, Bellevue Union School District Born in the Mexican state of Michoacan, Vicente Sosa was brought to the United States of America at two years old.  While he faced many struggles in an education system that failed to see him both individually and culturally, he persevered.  Now an educator himself, Mr. Sosa will discuss how his academic experiences serve as a guide to supporting the students in his classroom. Culture Cures: The Importance of Cultural Identity Dr. Daniela Dominguez, Assistant Professor at the University of San Francisco and C.E.O. of On the Margins Grupo Folklorico Quetzalen Dr. Daniela Domínguez, in collaboration with Victor Ferrer and the Quetzalén group, will highlight the powerful ways in which culture has healing powers.  Parents will better understand the ways in which combining cultural music, dance and art provides an important outlet for healing. Creating a College-Going Mindset 10,000 Degrees This session will focus on creating a college-going mindset within your family while debunking common myths about college access.  We will discuss A-G requirements, Financial Aid, and how to best support your student(s) to achieve the future of their dreams! Reserva la Fecha ¿Habla español en casa? ¡Entonces esta conferencia es para usted!  Será 100% en español y brinda excelente información.   Favor de contactar a Alicia Fernández si necesita ayuda con la registración afernandez@gusdschools.org (707) 823-5361 extensión 266. Sesiones Una vez estudiante, ahora maestro Vicente Sosa Alfaro, Maestro de Clase Especial Diurna, Distrito Escolar Unido de Bellevue Nacido en el estado mexicano de Michoacán, Vicente Sosa fue traído a los Estados Unidos de América a los dos años. Enfrentó muchos retos en un sistema educativo que falló en respetar su cultura tanto como en verlo como un individuo, pero él perseveró. Ahora que él mismo es un educador, el Sr. Sosa discutirá cómo sus experiencias académicas sirven como guía para apoyar a los estudiantes en su salón de clases. Curas culturales: la importancia de la identidad cultural Dra. Daniela Domínguez, Profesora Asistente en la Universidad de San Francisco y C.E.O. de On the Margins Grupo Folklórico Quetzalén La Dra. Daniela Domínguez, en colaboración con Victor Ferrer y el grupo Quetzalén, destacará las formas poderosas en que la cultura tiene poderes curativos. Los padres comprenderán mejor las formas en que la combinación de la música cultural, la danza y el arte proporciona una salida importante para la curación. Crear una mentalidad de ir a la universidad 10.000 grados Esta sesión se centrará en crear una mentalidad de asistir a la universidad dentro de su familia mientras desacredita los mitos comunes sobre el acceso a la universidad. ¡Discutiremos los requisitos "A-G," la ayuda financiera y cómo apoyar mejor a su(s) estudiante(s) para lograr el futuro de sus sueños!   Dave Rose Keri Pugno Will Deeths drose@gusdschools.org kpugno@gusdschools.org wdeeths@gusdschools.org   GRAVENSTEIN PARENT ASSOCIATION   GPA Upcoming Events GPA is happy to share our Spring Event Schedule! March 3rd -   Skate Night April 4th - Spring Pancake Breakfast April 25th through 27th at Open House we will run a Book Fair  May 1st - 5th Staff Appreciation Week May 2nd - Book Fair at Hillcrest's Open House May 5th - Hillcrest Color Run May 1st - 12th Gravenstein Elementary Read-a-thon June 2nd - Skate Night   Upcoming Board Meeting: Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at 6:00pm Hillcrest Middle School in Room 5   Follow Us On Social Media Stay up to date in the quickest way by following us on Facebook and Instagram .  Tag your photos with #wearegpa to show your school pride!   WHAT'S NEW at GRAVENSTEIN ELEMENTARY?   TK/Kindergarten Saturday Open House - February 25 On Saturday, February 25, from 10:00-11:00 am, we will be hosting an Open House for new or interested TK/K families.   This is an opportunity for incoming students and parents to learn about our program, meet the teachers, and explore the classrooms.  Word of mouth is the best way for our Gravenstein Community to grow.  Please share this event with any of your friends that are looking for a TK/K school for next year.    Lost and Found is Once Again Overflowing We will have all of our lost and found on display this week in the hopes that students can recognize missing items.  We will look for labels and names and do our best to reconnect items to owners.  If you know you are missing sweatshirts or jackets, you may want to encourage your child to visit our lost and found and reclaim their item.  Lost and found is in the courtyard hallway next to the MPR doors.      Don’t Forget!  Gravenstein Elementary School is Now on Facebook and Twitter!  Facebook https://www.facebook.com/GravensteinElementary/ Twitter @GravElementary   WHAT'S NEW at HILLCREST MIDDLE SCHOOL?   Expanding Your Horizons Expanding Your Horizons Sonoma County holds an annual event to encourage girls to pursue science, technical, engineering and mathematics careers.  The students that attend are inspired by the women who lead the hands-on workshops and excited about their future possibilities.  This event has taken place for over 25 years, and  past participants have shared that it provided them guidance and motivation.  This year, our event will be held virtually, with 4 workshops on 4 successive Saturdays, at no charge.  While the event focus is for girls in 7th and 8th grade, we welcome other grades and boys.  Please see attached flyer for more information. Click here for the flyer in  English  or  Spanish   Anything But a Backpack Day is this Friday, January 27th Microwaves, baby carriages, wagons, toy shopping carts, guitar cases, and luggage are some of the carriers taking the place of backpacks on  '' Anything But a Backpack Day.'   Show off your school spirit by bringing anything but a backpack to store your school supplies as a way to connect as a student body. The rules are simple:  Come to class carrying everything you need for the school day in anything but a normal backpack.  It must be school appropriate and it has to be able to carry all your textbooks, notebooks, binders, and other supplies.     Hillcrest Hawk Statue Ceremony On Monday morning January 23rd, we will have an unveiling ceremony for our new Hillcrest Hawk statue!  The Statue, created by Sebastopol’s own World renowned artist Patrick Amiot, is being placed in front of the office to welcome all current and future Hawk families to our campus!  Soar Hawks Soar!    Field Trip Reminders Any parents who are chaperoning / driving / attending any Field trip must fill out the volunteer form available in the HMS Main Office.  Parents who have not done so before with our District  will need to follow the instructions to receive their clear TB test and have their fingerprints taken.  Our school nurse will be available via Zoom next Tuesday January 24th to clear TB tests for parents.  Please use this link to join the Zoom -  Join Zoom Meeting Please check in with Hillcrest Main Office for more information or with any questions.   8th Grade Visit to Analy High School Analy High School is inviting our entire 8th grade class to join us for a tour of the campus on Wednesday, February 1st from 9:30am - 11:30am.  Our students will travel by bus to experience all that Analy has to offer!  Look for permission slips that went home last week!   Progress Report Envelope Please have your student return their signed Process Report envelope to their 1st period teacher or to the main office.   Order Your Yearbook Today! Important reminders from the Hillcrest Yearbook team 1. Don't forget to order your yearbook!  Use the link provided below to order your yearbook today.   https://www.treering.com/purchase?PassCode=1014223911784613 2.  Yearbook needs your pictures, please.  If you have any pics you've taken from field trips or sports, please email them to either  tdeeths@gusdschools.org  or  gsotiras@gusdschools.org .  Thank you so much! 3. Attention 8th graders and parents :   We need your baby pics for the yearbook!  If you haven't done so yet, please email them to  tdeeths@gusdschools.org or gsotiras@gusdschools.org   Cell Phone Policy at School Reminder Cell phones are only to be used after school in the Duck Pond to contact parents or guardians.  Cell phones should be off and put away from the moment you arrive on campus.  Any violation of the cell phone policy can lead to disciplinary action.   Facebook Are you curious about what is happening at Hillcrest Middle School? Want to keep up to date on activities and events? Want a glimpse into the classroom and see what our teachers are teaching and what your students are learning? If so then make sure you go to Facebook and follow Hillcrest Middle School - Sebastopol !   COUNSELORS' CORNER     January is Human Slavery and Trafficking Awareness Month January is human slavery and trafficking awareness month.  Human trafficking may seem like an unusual topic to bring up with a child.  The subject matter can be frightening, particularly for younger children, and educators and parents may be uncomfortable starting the conversation.  However, human trafficking happens in almost every country around the world, including the Uhnited States.  Traffickers represent every social, ethnic, and racial group.  Various organizational types exist in trafficking, including large nationwide gangs and criminal organizations, local street and motorcycle gangs , and individuals with no affiliation with any one group or organization.  Traffickers are not only men; women are also perpetrators.  Increasingly, traffickers are using fear tactics to lure children and youth into commercial sex acts and/or compelled labor.  The traffickers' goal is to exploit and enslave victims and to use coercive and deceptive practices to do so.  The majority of human trafficking victims are minors.  Certain groups of children are particularly vulnerable to being trafficked, such as; run away youth, homeless youth, foster children, LGBTQ youth, youth with behavioral problems or mental illness, low self-esteem, unaccompanied migrant youth, and low--income youth.  Below are lins that describe more in depth what is human trafficking and how to have discussions with your children to help educate and empower them. How to Talk to Youth About Human Trafficking: A Guide for Youth Caretakers and Individuals Working with Youth (dhs.gov) Home | National Human Trafficking Hotline   Hillcrest Counseling Facebook Page Click on the link below to view all the resources available to you and your family on the Hillcrest Counseling Facebook page. Hillcrest Middle School Counseling Page   GRAVENSTEIN UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD   Gregory Appling, President - gappling@gusdschools.org Jeri McNeill, Clerk -   jmcneill@gusdschools.org Paula Braunschweig, Trustee -  pbraunschweig@gusdschools.org Patrick Lei, Trustee - plei@gusdschools.org   WEBSITE           ABOUT US           MENUS             SCHEDULES   Elementary School Website Middle School  Website Creative  Arts Program  

Sunday, Jan 22 2023

Monday Messages January 16, 2023 for GUSD Families

GRAVENSTEIN UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT Monday Message January 16, 2023     A MESSAGE FROM GUSD ADMINISTRATION   Don't Miss Anything Important in Monday Messages I have heard that some people are not seeing all of the articles in Monday Messages.  We have a lot of important information we don't want you  to miss out on so I wanted to let you know how to be sure you don't miss a thing.  At the bottom of your email from ParentSquare you may see the message in the picture to the right.  It is important to click on the "View entire message" .  This will take you to the entire message so that you don't miss a thing.  The below image is what you will see at the end of every Monday Messages, if you are not seeing this you need to click that  "View entire message".   Mark Your Calendars Monday, January 16 - NO SCHOOL Tuesday, January 17, 6pm - GPA Meeting Wednesday, January 18, 3:30pm - GUSD Site Council Meeting via  Zoom Thursday, January 19, 5:00pm - GUSD Special Board Meeting Wednesday, January 25, 3:30pm - GUSD Site Council Meeting in the District Office   Wednesday, January 25 to Saturday, January 28 - Friends of the Sebastopol Library Winter Book Sale Saturday, February 11, 2023 - Rotary Club of Sebastopol Annual Crab Feed Tuesday, February 14, 2023 - GUSD Board Meeting   Lunch Menu To view the entire January menu click here for  English  or  Spanish .  Fruits &/or Veggies are offered with all meals.  Meals are not offered a la carte  Menu items are subject to change.  All student meals are free of charge.  Vegetarian and vegan option are available upon request - Please send in a letter to the office if there are any dietary restrictions.  Mon 16` Tue 17 Wed 18 Thu 19 Fri 20 NO SCHOOL Cereal & Cheese Stick Yogurt Waffle Pancake Taco CornDog Bean & Cheese Burrito Loaded Potatoes   GUSD Open Board Seat The GUSD Board seeks a replacement to appoint to our current vacant seat. The application process is currently open and candidates may be interviewed during the December or January Board Meetings.  Interested candidates should be available on the second Tuesday of each month at 5:00pm for the regularly scheduled meetings, and some additional special board meetings each year too. Qualifications to Run for School Board (as set by the California Education Code): A school board candidate must be a registered voter. A school board candidate must be a resident of the Gravenstein Union School District. A school board candidate must have been awarded a minimum of a high school diploma or a certificate of high school equivalency. A school board candidate cannot have been convicted of a felony. A school board candidate cannot be a current employee of the district and/or be related to a current employee in that district. If you are interested in being a candidate for the appointment, please contact Melacha Quirke in the Gravenstein District Office to receive an application. mquirke@gusdschools.org (707) 823-7008 Or you can go to the District Website at   https://www.gusdschools.org/   and click on the link there to apply. The successful candidate will join the GUSD Board and serve until December 2024. If you have any questions, you can also contact Superintendent Dave Rose at  drose@gusdschools.org   2023-2024 School Year Applications Applications for the 2023-2024 school year are available at the below links.  Applications will be accepted starting in January.  Only complete applications will be reviewed.  A complete application includes a copy of a birth certificate, immunization record, proof of residence, and for students with an IEP or 504, a copy of the current/most recent IEP/504 is required. Saturday, January 28, 10:00-11:00 - Open House for Prospective TK/K Families for 2023-2024 Click here for the  English Application  and here for the  Spanish Application .   Looking for a Crab Feed? The Rotary Club of Sebastopol will be holding their Annual Crab Feed on Saturday, February 11, 2023 at the Holy Ghost Hall.  All proceeds from the Crab Feed will be used to fund the Sebastopol Rotary's Mark Sell Teacher Grant Program. Click  here  to see a flyer with more information!     Friends of Sebastopol Library Winter Book Sale This sale includes adult/children/teens' books.  Most books are bargain-priced at $1, even the newest fiction!  Most Children & Teen's books are 25-50 cents.  The sale is open to all.  No scanners allowed on Opening Night. Wednesday, January 25th - Opening Night - 5:00pm to 8:00pm Thursday, January 26th - 10:00am - 6:00pm Friday, January 27th - Half-Price Day - 10:00am to 6:00pm Saturday, January 8th - $5/Bag Day -- we provide the bag & you get extreme bargains! - 10:00am to 2:00pm Location:  Forum Room & Lobby of the Sebastopol Library 7140 Bodega Ave. Sebastopol, CA  95472 Phone:  (707) 823-7691   Save the Date! Do you speak Spanish at home?  Then this free conference is for you!  It will be conducted 100% in Spanish and provides excellent information. Please contact Alicia Fernández if you need help with registration afernandez@gusdschools.org or (707) 823-5361 extension 266 . Sessions    Once a Student, Now a Teacher Vicente Sosa Alfaro, Special Day Class Teacher, Bellevue Union School District Born in the Mexican state of Michoacan, Vicente Sosa was brought to the United States of America at two years old.  While he faced many struggles in an education system that failed to see him both individually and culturally, he persevered.  Now an educator himself, Mr. Sosa will discuss how his academic experiences serve as a guide to supporting the students in his classroom. Culture Cures: The Importance of Cultural Identity Dr. Daniela Dominguez, Assistant Professor at the University of San Francisco and C.E.O. of On the Margins Grupo Folklorico Quetzalen Dr. Daniela Domínguez, in collaboration with Victor Ferrer and the Quetzalén group, will highlight the powerful ways in which culture has healing powers.  Parents will better understand the ways in which combining cultural music, dance and art provides an important outlet for healing. Creating a College-Going Mindset 10,000 Degrees This session will focus on creating a college-going mindset within your family while debunking common myths about college access.  We will discuss A-G requirements, Financial Aid, and how to best support your student(s) to achieve the future of their dreams! Reserva la Fecha ¿Habla español en casa? ¡Entonces esta conferencia es para usted!  Será 100% en español y brinda excelente información.   Favor de contactar a Alicia Fernández si necesita ayuda con la registración afernandez@gusdschools.org (707) 823-5361 extensión 266. Sesiones Una vez estudiante, ahora maestro Vicente Sosa Alfaro, Maestro de Clase Especial Diurna, Distrito Escolar Unido de Bellevue Nacido en el estado mexicano de Michoacán, Vicente Sosa fue traído a los Estados Unidos de América a los dos años. Enfrentó muchos retos en un sistema educativo que falló en respetar su cultura tanto como en verlo como un individuo, pero él perseveró. Ahora que él mismo es un educador, el Sr. Sosa discutirá cómo sus experiencias académicas sirven como guía para apoyar a los estudiantes en su salón de clases. Curas culturales: la importancia de la identidad cultural Dra. Daniela Domínguez, Profesora Asistente en la Universidad de San Francisco y C.E.O. de On the Margins Grupo Folklórico Quetzalén La Dra. Daniela Domínguez, en colaboración con Victor Ferrer y el grupo Quetzalén, destacará las formas poderosas en que la cultura tiene poderes curativos. Los padres comprenderán mejor las formas en que la combinación de la música cultural, la danza y el arte proporciona una salida importante para la curación. Crear una mentalidad de ir a la universidad 10.000 grados Esta sesión se centrará en crear una mentalidad de asistir a la universidad dentro de su familia mientras desacredita los mitos comunes sobre el acceso a la universidad. ¡Discutiremos los requisitos "A-G," la ayuda financiera y cómo apoyar mejor a su(s) estudiante(s) para lograr el futuro de sus sueños!   Dave Rose Keri Pugno Will Deeths drose@gusdschools.org kpugno@gusdschools.org wdeeths@gusdschools.org   GRAVENSTEIN PARENT ASSOCIATION   Corporate Matching Please consider looking into your company’s donation matching program to support GPA.  What is a company matching donation?  A company matching donation, or matching gift, is when a person makes a donation to a nonprofit organization and their employer donates an additional amount, often equal or greater than the employee’s donation.  To find out if your company does matching gifts, ask your Human Resources department for specific information on whether they have a matching program and how to request a matching donation.   GPA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.  Tax ID#: 20-8976996.   Upcoming Board Meeting: Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at 6:00pm Hillcrest Middle School in Room 5 GPA Board Meeting Zoom Link:   Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting     Follow Us On Social Media Stay up to date in the quickest way by following us on Facebook and Instagram .  Tag your photos with #wearegpa to show your school pride!   WHAT'S NEW at GRAVENSTEIN ELEMENTARY?   New Date for TK/Kindergarten Saturday Open House - February 25 On Saturday, February 25, from 10:00-11:00 am, we will be hosting an Open House for new or interested TK/K families.   This is an opportunity for incoming students and parents to learn about our program, meet the teachers, and explore the classrooms.  Word of mouth is the best way for our Gravenstein Community to grow.  Please share this event with any of your friends that are looking for a TK/K school for next year.    Tours 2023-2024! It is hard to believe that it is already time to start planning for the next school year.  If you know of a new family, please let them know that they can now sign up online for a campus tour. Click the below link to sign up today. Gravenstein Campus Tour   Don’t Forget!  Gravenstein Elementary School is Now on Facebook and Twitter!  Facebook https://www.facebook.com/GravensteinElementary/ Twitter @GravElementary   WHAT'S NEW at HILLCREST MIDDLE SCHOOL?   Afternoon Pick-Up - Important Reminders This is an important reminder that students are NOT to be picked up on Bloomfield Road.  Students may not walk up the stairs from Hillcrest to Bloomfield unless they are walking to their own home.   Students are required to have a Walking or Biking from School form on file in order to leave campus at the end of the day via Bloomfield road. When you pull into the parking lot, please use both lanes and then merge when you make the turn by the chain link fence. Please pull as far down the curb in front of Hillcrest Hall as possible to stop and pick up your student.  If possible, arrive 10 minutes after the dismissal time. We have found that by this time both Bloomfield Road and our parking lot  are much easier for our families to access.   Cell Phone Policy Reminders Cell phones are only to be used after school in the Duck Pond to contact parents or guardians.  Cell phones should be off and put away from the moment you arrive on campus.  Any violation of the cell phone policy can lead to disciplinary action.    Trimester 2 Progress Reports Trimester 2 Progress Reports will be sent home with students next Thursday, January 19th!   8th Grade Visit to Analy High School Analy High School is inviting our entire 8th grade class to join us for a tour of the campus on Wednesday, February 1st from 9:30am - 11:30am.  Our students will travel by bus to experience all that Analy has to offer!  Look for permission slips that went home last week!!   Yearbook - Important reminders for the Hillcrest Yearbook Team 1.  Don't forget to order your yearbook!  Use the link provided to order your yearbook today.   https://www.treering.com/purchase?PassCode=1014223911784613   2.  Yearbook needs your pictures, please.  If you have any pics you've taken from field trips or sports, please email them to either  tdeeths@gusdschools.org  or  gsotiras@gusdschools.org .    Thank you so much!   3.  Attention 8th graders and parents:  We need your baby pics for the yearbook!  If you haven't done so yet, please email them to tdeeths@gusdschools.org  or  gsotiras@gusdschools.org   Facebook Are you curious about what is happening at Hillcrest Middle School? Want to keep up to date on activities and events? Want a glimpse into the classroom and see what our teachers are teaching and what your students are learning? If so then make sure you go to Facebook and follow Hillcrest Middle School - Sebastopol !   COUNSELORS' CORNER     Rain, Rain Come Out and Play!! The past few weeks have felt like the rain is never going to stop!  When talking with many of the students, they have mentioned an increase of watching TV, playing video games, or arguments with siblings due to being cooped up in the house.  However, rain or shine there are many benefits of going outside.  The physical benefits of outdoor play are vast and important as kids need it to expend energy, for their cardiorespiratory health, sleep quality, and appetite.  Walking, running, jumping, and climbing builds muscles, improves spatial awareness, and strengthens kids' balance and coordination.  The benefits of natural vitamin D from the sun, is also important for bone health and improving moods.  Furthermore, being outside is relaxing, reduces stress, and can also reduce depression, improve your mood, and even help with focus.  Some people are inconvenienced with the idea of getting wet and the possible disruption to their outdoor plans (I personally love the rain!).  Yes, both may happen, but try not to think of it as an inconvenience.  Think of it as an experience.  Dress your kids in their rain gear and put yours on as well and join them for a little healthy, splashy, family fun!  I recommend having an old towel by the door to wipe down when you come back in. Benefits of Playing in the Rain Kids playing outdoors is good for their physical  and mental health.  In fact, when it comes to playing in the rain children improve balance and coordination when playing on slippery surfaces.  The rain challenges them to think about how to play safely.  Play is an important part of children's self-care.  This does not change when it's raining.  Being outdoors, no matter the weather, is good for regulating mood and improving sleep.  Also, it's important for kids to see what happens in the world around them.  When it rains, kids have a chance to experience another side of nature.  Different things happen in the rain.  For one thing, worms, typically hidden from sight in the soil, rise to the surface.  Slugs come out too.  This brings our the birds looking for a little snack.  And, if you think about it, without rain, there is no life.  It refreshes our crops, refills our water systems and makes the world around us more beautiful. Rain for Mental Health There must be a reason why the sound of rainfall is added to sound machines for babies and adults.  Take a look on  YouTube  and there are thousands of videos with rain as the background for sleep and meditation.  Why?  Rainfall is considered   pink noise .   The sound is soothing.  It’s calming without being intrusive or obstructive.  You can easily listen to the rain and be productive.  When it comes to children playing in the rain, releasing the energy that’s bottled up from being indoors  lifts their spirits .  Your children gain confidence playing in the rain.  They learn where their boundaries are, helping them feel more grounded and capable in their surroundings.  A little, wet weather doesn’t concern kids.  They aren’t bothered by wet hair and the inevitable wet footprints in the house.   Additional Benefits of Children Playing in the Rain   Limits Screen Time Exercise Sparks Creativity Builds Confidence Increases Self-Awareness Improves Problem Solving Helps Critical Thinking Risk Taking It's Fun!! Activities for Kids Playing in the Rain   Jumping in Puddles Dancing in the Rain Fun with Mud (mud pies, mud painting, mud warrior face paint) Nature Walk (listen to the sound the rain makes on different surfaces) Rain Art Activities Color Change Toys Leaf Boat Races  / Origami Boat Races Trail Riding (older kids) Rubber Duck Races (down streams of water) Taking the dogs for a walk When it is time to come inside, a nice mug of hot chocolate is the perfect drink to enjoy while talking with your children about their rainy day adventures.     Hillcrest Counseling Facebook Page Click on the link below to to view all the resources available to you and your family on the Hillcrest Counseling Facebook page. Hillcrest Middle School Counseling Page   GRAVENSTEIN UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD   Gregory Appling, President - gappling@gusdschools.org Jeri McNeill, Clerk -   jmcneill@gusdschools.org Paula Braunschweig, Trustee -  pbraunschweig@gusdschools.org Patrick Lei, Trustee - plei@gusdschools.org   WEBSITE           ABOUT US           MENUS             SCHEDULES   Elementary School Website Middle School  Website Creative  Arts Program  

Monday, Jan 16 2023

Monday Messages January 9, 2023 for GUSD Families

GRAVENSTEIN UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT Monday Message January 9, 2023     A MESSAGE FROM GUSD ADMINISTRATION   Don't Miss Anything Important in Monday Messages I have heard that some people are not seeing all of the articles in Monday Messages.  We have a lot of important information we don't want you  to miss out on so I wanted to let you know how to be sure you don't miss a thing.  At the bottom of your email from ParentSquare you may see the message in the picture to the right.  It is important to click on the "View entire message" .  This will take you to the entire message so that you don't miss a thing.  The below image is what you will see at the end of every Monday Messages, if you are not seeing this you need to click that  "View entire message".   Mark Your Calendars Monday, January 9, 5pm - DELAC Meeting in Gravenstein MPR Monday, January 9, 5pm - Racial Justice Committee Meeting via  Zoom Tuesday, January 10, 5pm - GUSD Board Meeting at HMS Room 18 or via Zoom Tuesday, January 17, 6pm - GPA Meeting Wednesday, January 18, 3:30pm - GUSD Site Council Meeting via  Zoom Wednesday, January 25, 3:30pm - GUSD Site Council Meeting in the District Office   Saturday, February 11, 2023 - Rotary Club of Sebastopol Annual Crab Feed   Lunch Menu To view the entire January menu click here for  English  or  Spanish .  Fruits &/or Veggies are offered with all meals.  Meals are not offered a la carte  Menu items are subject to change.  All student meals are free of charge.  Vegetarian and vegan option are available upon request - Please send in a letter to the office if there are any dietary restrictions.    Mon 9 Tue 10 Wed 11 Thu 12 Fri 13 Cereal & Cheese Stick French Toast Cereal & Cheese Stick Muffin & Cheese Stick Boiled Egg & Potatoes Chicken Tenders Veggie Chicken Salad Egg Roll Hamburger Meat & Marinara Sauce Pasta   GUSD Open Board Seat The GUSD Board seeks a replacement to appoint to our current vacant seat. The application process is currently open and candidates may be interviewed during the December or January Board Meetings.  Interested candidates should be available on the second Tuesday of each month at 5:00pm for the regularly scheduled meetings, and some additional special board meetings each year too. Qualifications to Run for School Board (as set by the California Education Code): A school board candidate must be a registered voter. A school board candidate must be a resident of the Gravenstein Union School District. A school board candidate must have been awarded a minimum of a high school diploma or a certificate of high school equivalency. A school board candidate cannot have been convicted of a felony. A school board candidate cannot be a current employee of the district and/or be related to a current employee in that district. If you are interested in being a candidate for the appointment, please contact Melacha Quirke in the Gravenstein District Office to receive an application. mquirke@gusdschools.org (707) 823-7008 Or you can go to the District Website at   https://www.gusdschools.org/   and click on the link there to apply. The successful candidate will join the GUSD Board and serve until December 2024. If you have any questions, you can also contact Superintendent Dave Rose at  drose@gusdschools.org   2023-2024 School Year Applications Applications for the 2023-2024 school year are available at the below links.  Applications will be accepted starting in January.  Only complete applications will be reviewed.  A complete application includes a copy of a birth certificate, immunization record, proof of residence, and for students with an IEP or 504, a copy of the current/most recent IEP/504 is required. Saturday, January 28, 10:00-11:00 - Open House for Prospective TK/K Families for 2023-2024 Click here for the  English Application  and here for the  Spanish Application .   Looking for a Crab Feed? The Rotary Club of Sebastopol will be holding their Annual Crab Feed on Saturday, February 11, 2023 at the Holy Ghost Hall.  All proceeds from the Crab Feed will be used to fund the Sebastopol Rotary's Mark Sell Teacher Grant Program. Click  here  to see a flyer with more information!     DELAC NEWS: notice of postponement   NOTICIAS DE DELAC: postergación de reunión The District English Language Advisory Committee (DELAC) meeting for January 9 is  postponed  until further notice due to the storms.  La reunión del 9 de enero del Comité Asesor del Distrito para Aprendices de Inglés (DELAC por sus siglas en inglés) se  posterga  hasta nuevo aviso por las tormentas.      Save the Date! Multilingual Learner and Migrant Parent Leadership Institute on Thursday, February 9th from 8:30am to 2:30pm.  Unfortunately, childcare will not be provided.   FREE! Presentations, resources, and materials in Spanish Breakfast and lunch included Held at: Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE) 5340 Skylane Blvd. Santa Rosa, CA Register at: https://bit.ly/2023institutodepadres Elsa Vera at (707) 524-8407 or evera@scoe.org If you have any questions, please contact Jenn Guerrero at (707) 524-2852 or jguerrero@scoe.org Reserva la Fecha Instituto de Liderazgo de Padres Migrantes y Estudiantes Multilingüe en jueves 9 de febrero.  8:30 am to 2:30 pm.  Desafortunadamente no habrá cuidado de niños disponible. Presentaciones, recursos, y materiales en español Desayuno y almuerzo incluido !Totalmente Gratis! En las oficinas de: SCOE Sonoma County Office of Education 5340 Skylane Blvd. Santa Rosa, CA Regístrase en: https://bit.ly/2023institutodepadres Si tienes alguna pregunta Elsa Vera at (707) 524-8407 o evera@scoe.org     Dave Rose Keri Pugno Will Deeths drose@gusdschools.org kpugno@gusdschools.org wdeeths@gusdschools.org   GRAVENSTEIN PARENT ASSOCIATION   Corporate Matching Please consider looking into your company’s donation matching program to support GPA.  What is a company matching donation?  A company matching donation, or matching gift, is when a person makes a donation to a nonprofit organization and their employer donates an additional amount, often equal or greater than the employee’s donation.  To find out if your company does matching gifts, ask your Human Resources department for specific information on whether they have a matching program and how to request a matching donation.   GPA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.  Tax ID#: 20-8976996.     Upcoming Board Meeting: Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at 6:00pm Hillcrest Middle School in Room 5 GPA Board Meeting Zoom Link:   Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting     Follow Us On Social Media Stay up to date in the quickest way by following us on Facebook and Instagram .  Tag your photos with #wearegpa to show your school pride   WHAT'S NEW at GRAVENSTEIN ELEMENTARY?   Lost and Found is Once Again Overflowing We will have all of our lost and found on display this week in the hopes that students can recognize missing items.  We will look for labels and names and do our best to reconnect items to owners.  If you know you are missing sweatshirts or jackets, you may want to encourage your child to visit our lost and found and reclaim their item.  Lost and found is in the courtyard hallway next to the MPR doors.       Tours 2023-2024! It is hard to believe that it is already time to start planning for the next school year.  If you know of a new family, please let them know that they can now sign up online for a campus tour. Click the below link to sign up today. Gravenstein Campus Tour   Don’t Forget!  Gravenstein Elementary School is Now on Facebook and Twitter!  Facebook https://www.facebook.com/GravensteinElementary/ Twitter @GravElementary   WHAT'S NEW at HILLCREST MIDDLE SCHOOL?   Winter Break Science Fair Projects Mr. Blanco's students did a class walk to view the Science Fair projects they built over Winter Break!  The top projects will go on to compete in the Sonoma County Science Fair!   8th Grade Visit to Analy High School Analy High School is inviting our entire 8th grade class to join us for a tour of the campus on Wednesday, February 1st from 9:30am - 11:30am.  Our students will travel by bus to experience all that Analy has to offer!  Look for permission slips the first week of the New Year!   Yearbook - Important reminders for the Hillcrest Yearbook Team 1.  Don't forget to order your yearbook!  Use the link provided to order your yearbook today.   https://www.treering.com/purchase?PassCode=1014223911784613   2.  Yearbook needs your pictures, please.  If you have any pics you've taken from field trips or sports, please email them to either  tdeeths@gusdschools.org  or  gsotiras@gusdschools.org .    Thank you so much!   3.  Attention 8th graders and parents:  We need your baby pics for the yearbook!  If you haven't done so yet, please email them to tdeeths@gusdschools.org  or  gsotiras@gusdschools.org   7th Grade Ashland Shakespeare Festival Trip Survey 7th Grade families, this week be on the lookout for a survey from the 7th Grade teaching staff regarding planning for the Ashland, Oregon Shakespeare Festival Field Trip!   Cell Phone Reminders Cell phones are only to be used after school in the Duck Pond to contact parents or guardians.  Cell phones should be off and put away from the moment you arrive on campus.  Any violation of the cell phone policy can lead to disciplinary action.    Facebook Are you curious about what is happening at Hillcrest Middle School? Want to keep up to date on activities and events? Want a glimpse into the classroom and see what our teachers are teaching and what your students are learning? If so then make sure you go to Facebook and follow Hillcrest Middle School - Sebastopol !   COUNSELORS' CORNER     Practicing Healthy Mantras for the New Year Most people start the new year with a lot of joy and enthusiasm.  Ready to make resolutions for positive changes, but two months into it and we are back to our old ways and have already given up. One way to ensure that you don’t give up on your new path in the new year is to remind yourself not to give up and to keep going every day, and that is why I am going to be writing about mantras for the new year.  Something you will tell yourself every day, to help remind you to keep working on your goals for the new year. When thinking of mantras, you might picture a group of people with their eyes closed repeating sounds like “om”. While “om” is, in fact, a mantra, it’s not the only one. Mantras can be any words or phrases used in mindfulness meditation to promote positive feelings or general well-being.  Often mantras, drive out distractions, quiet intrusive thoughts, and help ground you in the present moment.  Mantras can be an effective complement to traditional mental health treatments for anxiety, depression, and emotional challenges. To continue reading this article please click here for  English  or  Spanish   Hillcrest Counseling Facebook Page Click on the link below to to view all the resources available to you and your family on the Hillcrest Counseling Facebook page. Hillcrest Middle School Counseling Page   GRAVENSTEIN UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD   Gregory Appling, President - gappling@gusdschools.org Jeri McNeill, Clerk -   jmcneill@gusdschools.org Paula Braunschweig, Trustee -  pbraunschweig@gusdschools.org Patrick Lei, Trustee - plei@gusdschools.org   WEBSITE           ABOUT US           MENUS             SCHEDULES   Elementary School Website Middle School  Website Creative  Arts Program  

Sunday, Jan 08 2023

Monday Messages January 2, 2023 for GUSD Families

GRAVENSTEIN UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT Monday Message January 2, 2023     A MESSAGE FROM GUSD ADMINISTRATION   Don't Miss Anything Important in Monday Messages I have heard that some people are not seeing all of the articles in Monday Messages.  We have a lot of important information we don't want you  to miss out on so I wanted to let you know how to be sure you don't miss a thing.  At the bottom of your email from ParentSquare you may see the message in the picture to the right.  It is important to click on the "View entire message" .  This will take you to the entire message so that you don't miss a thing.  The below image is what you will see at the end of every Monday Messages, if you are not seeing this you need to click that  "View entire message".   Mark Your Calendars Monday, December 19 to Monday, January 2 - Winter Break - NO SCHOOL Saturday, January 28, 10:00-11:00 - Gravenstein Open House for Prospective TK/K Families for 2023-2024 Saturday, February 11, 2023 - Rotary Club of Sebastopol Annual Crab Feed Reminder - No School the weeks of December 19, 2022 to January 2, 2023 December 19th to January 2nd there will be no school.   We would like to ask that you test your students Monday before returning to school.     GUSD Open Board Seat The GUSD Board seeks a replacement to appoint to our current vacant seat. The application process is currently open and candidates may be interviewed during the December or January Board Meetings.  Interested candidates should be available on the second Tuesday of each month at 5:00pm for the regularly scheduled meetings, and some additional special board meetings each year too. Qualifications to Run for School Board (as set by the California Education Code): A school board candidate must be a registered voter. A school board candidate must be a resident of the Gravenstein Union School District. A school board candidate must have been awarded a minimum of a high school diploma or a certificate of high school equivalency. A school board candidate cannot have been convicted of a felony. A school board candidate cannot be a current employee of the district and/or be related to a current employee in that district. If you are interested in being a candidate for the appointment, please contact Melacha Quirke in the Gravenstein District Office to receive an application. mquirke@gusdschools.org (707) 823-7008 Or you can go to the District Website at   https://www.gusdschools.org/   and click on the link there to apply. The successful candidate will join the GUSD Board and serve until December 2024. If you have any questions, you can also contact Superintendent Dave Rose at  drose@gusdschools.org   2023-2024 School Year Applications Applications for the 2023-2024 school year are available at the below links.  Applications will be accepted starting in January.  Only complete applications will be reviewed.  A complete application includes a copy of a birth certificate, immunization record, proof of residence, and for students with an IEP or 504, a copy of the current/most recent IEP/504 is required. Saturday, January 28, 10:00-11:00 - Open House for Prospective TK/K Families for 2023-2024 Click here for the  English Application  and here for the  Spanish Application .   Looking for a Crab Feed? The Rotary Club of Sebastopol will be holding their Annual Crab Feed on Saturday, February 11, 2023 at the Holy Ghost Hall.  All proceeds from the Crab Feed will be used to fund the Sebastopol Rotary's Mark Sell Teacher Grant Program. Click here to see a flyer with more information!   Dave Rose Keri Pugno Will Deeths drose@gusdschools.org kpugno@gusdschools.org wdeeths@gusdschools.org   GRAVENSTEIN PARENT ASSOCIATION   New Meeting Time for GPA GPA will be moving our monthly board meetings to the third TUESDAY of each month.  Our next meeting is Tuesday, January 17th at 6 PM, Hillcrest Middle School.  All are welcome!   Wishing all a happy and safe new year!! GPA   Shop at Amazon?  Switch to AmazonSmile and Support the Enrich Program Don't6 forget you can support GPA through Amazon Smile!  Link your account to "Gravenstein Schools Magnet Program Foundation". Shop at smile.amazon.com You shop.  Amazon donates.  *Be sure to link your account to "Gravenstein Schools Magnet Program Foundation"   Upcoming Board Meeting: Tuesday, January 17, 2022 at 6:00pm Hillcrest Middle School in Room 5 GPA Board Meeting Zoom Link:   Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting     Follow Us On Social Media Stay up to date in the quickest way by following us on Facebook and Instagram .  Tag your photos with #wearegpa to show your school pride!   WHAT'S NEW at GRAVENSTEIN ELEMENTARY?   Open House for Prospective TK/K Families On Saturday, January 28, from 10:00-11:00, we will be hosting an Open House for new or interested TK/K families.   This is an opportunity for incoming students and parents to learn about our program, meet the teachers, and explore the classrooms.  Word of mouth is the best way for our Gravenstein Community to grow.  Please share this event with any of your friends that are looking for a TK/K school for next year.   Applications will be available at the open house, but if you would like to get started now click the appropriate link below. English Application  and  Spanish Application   Tours 2023-2024! It is hard to believe that it is already time to start planning for the next school year.  If you know of a new family, please let them know that they can now sign up online for a campus tour. Click the below link to sign up today. Gravenstein Campus Tour   Another Successful Service Project!   Each December, fourth graders in Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Sully's classes team up to make dog blankets to donate to a local animal shelter.  This year, they partnered with Ms. Cat, who volunteers with Compassion Without Borders.  Ms. Cat came into the classroom and presented to the students all about the animals she works with.  Parents donated fleece and students made over 50 blankets to donate to the organization!  Students were then invited to attend an optional field trip over winter break to meet some of the dogs they helped and deliver the blankets in persons.  This service project was a huge success. A big thanks to Ms. Cat for helping to organize this experience for the students. Ms. Cat also added "I delivered 150 towels and blankets and 39 toys from the holiday drive!!!  Gravenstein is the BEST!!!" Check out some of these great photos. Here the students are working hard on the blankets. Here the students are exploring the facilities after delivering all the blankets they made. Then the students got to play with some of the pups.  So much fun was had by all!   Below are some pictures from just before Winter Break.  The first collage is from our Enrichment Classes and the second Collage is just a sampling of some of the wonderful and amazing crazy hairdos on Crazy Hair Day.   Don’t Forget!  Gravenstein Elementary School is Now on Facebook and Twitter!  Facebook https://www.facebook.com/GravensteinElementary/ Twitter @GravElementary   WHAT'S NEW at HILLCREST MIDDLE SCHOOL?   8th Grade Visit to Analy High School Analy High School is inviting our entire 8th grade class to join us for a tour of the campus on Wednesday, February 1st from 9:30am - 11:30am.  Our students will travel by bus to experience all that Analy has to offer!  Look for permission slips the first week of the New Year!   Pictures Needed!! The Hillcrest Yearbook team needs your photos!  If you have pictures from extracurricular sports or Hillcrest activities, please email the photos to:  Ms. Deeths -  tdeeths@gusdschools.org   or  Mr. Sotiras -  gsotiras@gusdschools.org   7th Grade Ashland Shakespeare Festival Trip Survey 7th Grade families, in the New Year, be on the lookout for a survey from the 7th Grade teaching staff regarding planning for the Ashland, Oregon Shakespeare Festival Field Trip!   Cell Phones Reminder Cell phones are only to be used after school in the Duck Pond to contact parents or guardians.  Cell phones should be off and put away from the moment you arrive on campus.  Any violation of the cell phone policy can lead to disciplinary action.   Facebook Are you curious about what is happening at Hillcrest Middle School? Want to keep up to date on activities and events? Want a glimpse into the classroom and see what our teachers are teaching and what your students are learning? If so then make sure you go to Facebook and follow Hillcrest Middle School - Sebastopol !   COUNSELORS' CORNER     Eating a high intake of healthy fruits and vegetables helps children stabilize their moods, sharpen their minds, and avoid a variety of health problems.  A healthy diet can have a profound effect on your child’s sense of mental and emotional wellbeing, helping to prevent conditions such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and ADHD. Eating well not only supports your child’s healthy growth and development into adulthood, but it may even play a role in lowering their risk of suicide.  If your child has already been diagnosed with a mental health disorder, a healthy diet can help them to manage the symptoms and regain control of their health. It’s important to remember that your kids aren’t born with a craving for French fries and pizza and an aversion to broccoli and carrots.  This conditioning happens over time as they’re exposed to more and more unhealthy food choices.  However, it is possible to reprogram your children’s food preferences so that they crave healthier foods instead. The sooner you introduce wholesome, nutritious choices into your child’s diet, the easier they’ll be able to develop a healthy relationship with food that can last them a lifetime.  And it can be simpler and less time-consuming than you imagine.  With these tips, you can instill healthy eating habits without turning mealtimes into a war zone and give your kids the best opportunity to grow into healthy, well-balanced adults. Focus on overall diet rather than specific foods.   Kids should be eating more whole, minimally processed food—food that is as close to its natural form as possible—and less packaged and processed food. Be a role model.   The childhood impulse to imitate is strong so don’t ask your child to eat vegetables while you gorge on potato chips. Disguise the taste of healthier foods.   Add vegetables to a beef stew, for example, or shredded carrots to spaghetti sauce, or even shredded zucchini when making hamburger patties. Get kids involved  in shopping for groceries, growing their own vegetables, and preparing meals.  You can teach them about different foods and how to read food labels.  Bonus-You can also help them practice their math fractions when measuring food! Make healthy snacks available.   Keep plenty of fruit, vegetables, and healthy beverages (water, milk, pure fruit juice) on hand so kids avoid unhealthy snacks like soda, chips, and cookies. Don’t ban sweets entirely.   Having a no sweets rule is an invitation for cravings and overindulging when given the chance.  A child’s body gets all the sugar it needs from that naturally occurring in food.  Added sugar just means a lot of empty calories that contribute to hyperactivity, mood disorders, and increase the risk for obesity, type 2 diabetes, and even suicidal behaviors in teenagers. Making time to sit down as a family to eat a home-cooked meal not only sets a great example for kids about the importance of healthy food, it can bring a family together.  It is also a good time to monitor children who are showing symptoms of an eating disorder.   Hillcrest Counseling Facebook Page Click on the link below to to view all the resources available to you and your family on the Hillcrest Counseling Facebook page. Hillcrest Middle School Counseling Page     GRAVENSTEIN UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD   Gregory Appling, President - gappling@gusdschools.org Jeri McNeill, Clerk -   jmcneill@gusdschools.org Paula Braunschweig, Trustee -  pbraunschweig@gusdschools.org Patrick Lei, Trustee - plei@gusdschools.org   WEBSITE           ABOUT US           MENUS             SCHEDULES   Elementary School Website Middle School  Website Creative  Arts Program  

Sunday, Jan 01 2023

Monday Messages December 19, 2022 for GUSD Families

GRAVENSTEIN UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT Monday Message December 19, 2022     A MESSAGE FROM GUSD ADMINISTRATION   Don't Miss Anything Important in Monday Messages I have heard that some people are not seeing all of the articles in Monday Messages.  We have a lot of important information we don't want you  to miss out on so I wanted to let you know how to be sure you don't miss a thing.  At the bottom of your email from ParentSquare you may see the message in the picture to the right.  It is important to click on the "View entire message" .  This will take you to the entire message so that you don't miss a thing.  The below image is what you will see at the end of every Monday Messages, if you are not seeing this you need to click that  "View entire message".   Mark Your Calendars Monday, December 19 to Monday, January 2 - Winter Break - NO SCHOOL Saturday, January 28, 10:00-11:00 - Gravenstein Open House for Prospective TK/K Families for 2023-2024 Saturday, February 11, 2023 - Rotary Club of Sebastopol Annual Crab Feed Reminder - No School the weeks of December 19, 2022 to January 2, 2023 December 19th to January 2nd there will be no school.   We would like to ask that you test your students Monday before returning to school.     GUSD Open Board Seat The GUSD Board seeks a replacement to appoint to our current vacant seat. The application process is currently open and candidates may be interviewed during the December or January Board Meetings.  Interested candidates should be available on the second Tuesday of each month at 5:00pm for the regularly scheduled meetings, and some additional special board meetings each year too. Qualifications to Run for School Board (as set by the California Education Code): A school board candidate must be a registered voter. A school board candidate must be a resident of the Gravenstein Union School District. A school board candidate must have been awarded a minimum of a high school diploma or a certificate of high school equivalency. A school board candidate cannot have been convicted of a felony. A school board candidate cannot be a current employee of the district and/or be related to a current employee in that district. If you are interested in being a candidate for the appointment, please contact Melacha Quirke in the Gravenstein District Office to receive an application. mquirke@gusdschools.org (707) 823-7008 Or you can go to the District Website at   https://www.grav.k12.ca.us/   and click on the link there to apply. The successful candidate will join the GUSD Board and serve until December 2024. If you have any questions, you can also contact Superintendent Dave Rose at  drose@gusdschools.org   2023-2024 School Year Applications Applications for the 2023-2024 school year are available at the below links.  Applications will be accepted starting in January.  Only complete applications will be reviewed.  A complete application includes a copy of a birth certificate, immunization record, proof of residence, and for students with an IEP or 504, a copy of the current/most recent IEP/504 is required. Saturday, January 28, 10:00-11:00 - Open House for Prospective TK/K Families for 2023-2024 Click here for the  English Application  and here for the  Spanish Application .   Looking for a Crab Feed? The Rotary Club of Sebastopol will be holding their Annual Crab Feed on Saturday, February 11, 2023 at the Holy Ghost Hall.  All proceeds from the Crab Feed will be used to fund the Sebastopol Rotary's Mark Sell Teacher Grant Program. Click here to see a flyer with more information!   Dave Rose Keri Pugno Will Deeths drose@grav.k12.ca.us kpugno@grav.k12.ca.us wdeeths@grav.k12.ca.us   GRAVENSTEIN PARENT ASSOCIATION   Shop at Amazon?  Switch to AmazonSmile and Support the Enrich Program Support the Enrich program when you shop this holiday season! Buy your gifts and holiday essentials at smile.amazon.com You shop.  Amazon donates.  *Be sure to link your account to "Gravenstein Schools Magnet Program Foundation"   Upcoming Board Meeting: Thursday, January 19, 2022 at 6:00pm Hillcrest Middle School in Room 5   Follow Us On Social Media Stay up to date in the quickest way by following us on Facebook and Instagram .  Tag your photos with #wearegpa to show your school pride!   WHAT'S NEW at GRAVENSTEIN ELEMENTARY?   Open House for Prospective TK/K Families On Saturday, January 28, from 10:00-11:00, we will be hosting an Open House for new or interested TK/K families.   This is an opportunity for incoming students and parents to learn about our program, meet the teachers, and explore the classrooms.  Word of mouth is the best way for our Gravenstein Community to grow.  Please share this event with any of your friends that are looking for a TK/K school for next year.   Applications will be available at the open house, but if you would like to get started now click the appropriate link below. English Application  and  Spanish Application   Tours 2023-2024! It is hard to believe that it is already time to start planning for the next school year.  If you know of a new family, please let them know that they can now sign up online for a campus tour. Click the below link to sign up today. Gravenstein Campus Tour   Don’t Forget!  Gravenstein Elementary School is Now on Facebook and Twitter!  Facebook https://www.facebook.com/GravensteinElementary/ Twitter @GravElementary   WHAT'S NEW at HILLCREST MIDDLE SCHOOL?   Thank you!! As we head towards the end of the year, the Hillcrest Hawks would like to send a thank you to all of our families for their ongoing support of our staff, students and community!  We hope everyone has a restful and safe break and we look forward to seeing you in 2023! The Annual Canned Food Drive was a Success The annual Hillcrest canned food drive was a success with a total of 232 food items being donated to local families in need.  Thank you, Hawks, for all your generosity! Hillcrest Toy Drive for Gold Ridge Fire Department Hillcrest's Toy Drive working with the Gold Ridge Fire Department brought in over 75 toys for their annual Toy Drive.  Thank you, Hawks, for all your generosity!   8th Grade Visit to Analy High School Analy High School is inviting our entire 8th grade class to join us for a tour of the campus on Wednesday, February 1st from 9:30am - 11:30am.  Our students will travel by bus to experience all that Analy has to offer!  Look for permission slips the first week of the New Year!   Pictures Needed!! The Hillcrest Yearbook team needs your photos!  If you have pictures from extracurricular sports or Hillcrest activities, please email the photos to:  Ms. Deeths -  tdeeths@gusdschools.org   or  Mr. Sotiras -  gsotiras@gusdschools.org   7th Grade Ashland Shakespeare Festival Trip Survey 7th Grade families, in the New Year, be on the lookout for a survey from the 7th Grade teaching staff regarding planning for the Ashland, Oregon Shakespeare Festival Field Trip!   Cell Phones Reminder Cell phones are only to be used after school in the Duck Pond to contact parents or guardians.  Cell phones should be off and put away from the moment you arrive on campus.  Any violation of the cell phone policy can lead to disciplinary action.    Garden Enrichment Enjoys the Fruits of Their Labor The bottom row of photos is the Garden Enrichment class harvesting their winter greens.  The top three photos is the final product of the harvested lettuce.  Great job!!   The Jolly Volly staff vs student Volleyball game was so much fun.   After a two year break, the  Holiday   Door  Decorating  Contest  is BACK!   4th period classes decorated their classroom door and were judged on the 15th.  The winner was the Chemistree on Mrs. Deeths door.  No Mr. Deeths was not one of the judges. The Leadership class even came over do decorate one of the District Office Doors.  They planned it out and brought it over only to discover it matched Eva's sweater. ​   Facebook Are you curious about what is happening at Hillcrest Middle School? Want to keep up to date on activities and events? Want a glimpse into the classroom and see what our teachers are teaching and what your students are learning? If so then make sure you go to Facebook and follow Hillcrest Middle School - Sebastopol !   COUNSELORS' CORNER     Disappointment.  It can be a central theme of the Holiday Season for our children.  Often disappointment comes from high expectations that often go  unmet.  Many people have unrealistic expectations of how things need to occur.  Before you start banging your head against the wall trying to make everything just right, consider new ways to celebrate.  The holidays are about spending time with family and friends.  Setting realistic expectations can help to make the holiday more enjoyable. Here are some tips for parents with concerns about managing their children’s holiday expectations. Communicate your economic limitations:   Be honest about your family’s economic circumstances with children.  Decide how much you can spend on each child’s gifts.  Give the child that amount in play money to “shop” in a toy catalog.  This can help the child understand how difficult it is to make choices, as well as how far a certain amount of money goes in meeting expectations. Encourage the child to prioritize:   If a child’s wish list is lengthy, ask for an indication of the one or two top choices.  This is a good time to discuss why each toy is on the child’s list and gain an understanding of each one’s play value from the child’s perspective. Research alternatives for requested items:   Children often request certain items by brand name because they are more highly advertised, but often identical or similar items are available and will meet the same needs.  The child may experience momentary disappointment that the gift is not exactly what was requested, but if it’s an item that has a similar play value, the disappointment will be fleeting. Take advantage of the teachable moment disappointment offers:   If you can’t find or afford a requested toy and your child expresses disappointment, use the opportunity to teach a life lesson.  Share a time in your own life when you wanted something, but didn’t get it.  Describe how you dealt with the situation and reassure them they will recover from their loss, as you have. Promote problem solving:   Problem-solving skills are important to the development of resilience in children.  When children find out they aren’t going to receive something they want, encourage them to think about another gift that will make them happy or a later celebration for which they might request the same gift. Emphasize honest gratitude:   Even when children are disappointed in a gift, it’s important for them to learn how to be gracious recipients.  Expressing gratitude so others’ feelings don’t get hurt is an element of social competence that can be refined even during this emotionally charged season. Highlight the rewards of giving:   Nothing lifts a child’s disappointment more quickly than being able to give a heartfelt gift to someone else.  Shifting the emphasis from receiving to giving helps children see the exchange of presents from a new and different perspective. Involve Your Kids in Activities to Help the Less Fortunate:   Show your kids that there are ways that they can help out in your community.  You can purchase a gift for a child in need or your family can help serve meals at a local soup kitchen.  You can also donate items to your local food bank.  If your kids have too many toys, consider donating some to a local charity.  The holidays are a time of giving.  Not everyone is able to afford all of the things that you have.  This is a good way to demonstrate to your kids that helping those who are less fortunate can feel just as good as receiving gifts.  This is a good lesson that will teach your children how to be generous and grateful. Revive Your Holidays with New Traditions for your family:   This can be a good opportunity to have your kids tell you what the holiday season means to them.  Allowing your kids to express their thoughts lets them know that you care what they think.  Older members of the family can share past holiday traditions that they used to do when they were children.  Use this opportunity to allow your family to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. Here is a link to events in Sonoma County for the holidays The Ultimate Guide to Sonoma County Holiday Events in 2022 (somovillage.com) Call the  988   helpline  anytime you need emergency emotional support. It's free, confidential, and available 24/7.   Hillcrest Counseling Facebook Page Click on the link below to to view all the resources available to you and your family on the Hillcrest Counseling Facebook page. Hillcrest Middle School Counseling Page   GRAVENSTEIN UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD   Gregory Appling, President - gappling@grav.k12.ca.us Jeri McNeill, Clerk -   jmcneill@grav.k12.ca.us Paula Braunschweig, Trustee -  pbraunschweig@grav.k12.ca.us Patrick Lei, Trustee - plei@grav.k12.ca.us   WEBSITE           ABOUT US           MENUS             SCHEDULES   Elementary School Website Middle School  Website Creative  Arts Program  

Sunday, Dec 18 2022

Monday Messages December 12, 2022 for GUSD Families

GRAVENSTEIN UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT Monday Message December 12, 2022       A MESSAGE FROM GUSD ADMINISTRATION   Gravenstein Union - Classified Staff Relations December 2022 AGREEMENT REACHED We are pleased to announce that the Gravenstein Union School District (GUSD) and the Gravenstein Union Classified Employees (GUCE) have  signed a collective bargaining agreement that provides our employees with some of the highest pay and benefits of any classified employees in the county , while maintaining GUSD’s low class sizes, the Enrich! Program, student support services, and high staff-to-student ratios. Truly, this is a win for everyone.    The nature of negotiations is to pit one side against another, which runs counter to our preferred approach of co-creation. We are relieved to be done with the negotiating process and looking forward to diving into the work of implementing the contract. Details of the Agreement For all qualified classified employees working at the district as of July 1, 2022, here’s the breakdown. Salary Over the course of the three-year period from 2021-2024, each employee will receive a salary increase of $7.00 per hour.  2021-22 $4.00/hour increase (retroactive) 2022-23 $1.50/hour increase (retroactive to the beginning of the year and ongoing) Plus a one-time bonus of $1,500  2023-24 $1.50/hour increase  Health Insurance Classified employees will receive the following benefits, prorated: Dental Insurance GUSD will pay 100% of the dental premium (note: the premium is the monthly insurance subscription fee). Prior to the agreement, employees paid 20% of the premium. Medical Insurance  GUSD will pay an additional $300 per month toward the medical premium $1,000 per month toward the employee’s premium  $1250 per month for an employee and one dependent $1400 per month for an employee and two or more dependents The new contract is extensive and will take a few months to enact.  We need to calculate last year’s backpay for qualified employees, some of whom are no longer with the district. We need to calculate this year’s backpay for qualified employees, and we need to calculate new pay rates for our current qualified employees. We then need to enter all of this into our financial software, so we can assure that taxes and other withholdings are done properly. In addition, we need to complete the documentation required to activate the new insurance benefits. We plan to hire additional staff if needed to make this process as quick and accurate as possible.   This inaugural collective bargaining agreement (CBA) codifies our working conditions and makes it easier for classified employees to speak with a unified voice.  The CBA now becomes a dynamic document we can use to respond to the evolving needs of our employees.  To that end, we are in the process of incorporating changes to better recognize the contributions of our instructional aides in their work with our special-needs students. As a district, we are proud to have increased individual interventions that improve the ability of all students to access all services–and now we need to make sure we are appropriately compensating the hard-working employees who make this happen every day.   Because  we have always recognized the dedication and quality of our classified staff members , we were confident we would reach an agreement that satisfies everyone. When it comes down to it, we are all on the same side: the side of GUSD students.    Don't Miss Anything Important in Monday Messages I have heard that some people are not seeing all of the articles in Monday Messages.  We have a lot of important information we don't want you  to miss out on so I wanted to let you know how to be sure you don't miss a thing.  At the bottom of your email from ParentSquare you may see the message in the picture to the right.  It is important to click on the "View entire message" .  This will take you to the entire message so that you don't miss a thing.  The below image is what you will see at the end of every Monday Messages, if you are not seeing this you need to click that  "View entire message".   Online Safety Training for Parents In today's world with life on the internet, (new websites, apps, games and gadgets) it is so important to protect ourselves and our children from online predators.  There are risks every time someone opens a browser, starts a new chat, or downloads a new game.  Online safety is about educating children and teens to help navigate those risks and know when to talk to someone they trust.  Click this link for some great Online Safety Training.     Mark Your Calendars Monday, December 12 to Friday, December 16 - HMS Holiday Spirit Week & Toy Drive Monday, December 12, 5:00pm - GUSD Racial Justice Committee Meeting via Zoom Link Tuesday, December 13, 5:00pm - GUSD Board Meeting - Zoom Link Thursday, December 15, 6-7pm - Gravenstein Grades 4/5 Winter Concert Wednesday, December 14, 6:00pm - GPA Board Meeting Friday, December 16 - HMS Trimester 1 Awards Assembly Monday, December 19 to Monday, January 2 - Winter Break - NO SCHOOL Saturday, January 28, 10:00-11:00 - Gravenstein Open House for Prospective TK/K Families for 2023-2024 Reminder - No School the weeks of December 19, 2022 to January 2, 2023 December 19th to January 2nd there will be no school.   We would like to ask that you test your students Monday before returning to school.     Come Join the GUSD Racial Justice Committee Meeting The GUSD Racial Justice Committee will be meeting Monday, December 15th at 5pm via Zoom.  If you are interested in participating, please attend the meeting. Zoom Link   Lunch Menu To view the entire December menu click here for  English  or  Spanish .  Fruits &/or Veggies are offered with all meals.  Meals are not offered a la carte  Menu items are subject to change.  All student meals are free of charge.  Vegetarian and vegan option are available upon request - Please send in a letter to the office if there are any dietary restrictions.      Mon 12 Tue 13 Wed 14 Thu 15 Fri 16 Cereal & Cheese Stick Waffle Cook's Choice Frittata Egg & Potatoes Pozole Chicken & Veggie Salad Pupusa Pasta Cook's Choice Fruits & Veggies Fruits & Veggies Fruits & Veggies Fruits & Veggies Fruits & Veggies   GUSD Open Board Seat The GUSD Board seeks a replacement to appoint to our current vacant seat. The application process is currently open and candidates may be interviewed during the December or January Board Meetings.  Interested candidates should be available on the second Tuesday of each month at 5:00pm for the regularly scheduled meetings, and some additional special board meetings each year too. Qualifications to Run for School Board (as set by the California Education Code): A school board candidate must be a registered voter. A school board candidate must be a resident of the Gravenstein Union School District. A school board candidate must have been awarded a minimum of a high school diploma or a certificate of high school equivalency. A school board candidate cannot have been convicted of a felony. A school board candidate cannot be a current employee of the district and/or be related to a current employee in that district. If you are interested in being a candidate for the appointment, please contact Melacha Quirke in the Gravenstein District Office to receive an application. mquirke@gusdschools.org (707) 823-7008 Or you can go to the District Website at   https://www.grav.k12.ca.us/   and click on the link there to apply. The successful candidate will join the GUSD Board and serve until December 2024. If you have any questions, you can also contact Superintendent Dave Rose at  drose@gusdschools.org   2023-2024 School Year Applications Applications for the 2023-2024 school year will be available soon.  Applications will be accepted starting in January.  Only complete applications will be reviewed.  A complete application includes a copy of a birth certificate, immunization record, proof of residence, and for students with an IEP or 504, a copy of the current/most recent IEP/504 is required. Saturday, January 28, 10:00-11:00 - Open House for Prospective TK/K Families for 2023-2024   Compassion Without Borders  and GUSD GUSD will be working with our very own Ms. Cat, who volunteers at a local dog rescue, Compassion Without Borders, to collect items for our furry friends during the holiday season.  Please bring new toys, and or gently used clean towels and or blankets to the barrels by the front office at Gravenstein or Hillcrest.  Or Ms. Cat says you can give them to her at drop-off and or pick-up at Gravenstein.   The pups all thank you!!!! This is the last week of school before Winter Break.  If you have donations, please bring them in. “ Saving one dog will not change the world, but surely for that one dog, the world will change forever. ”   Dave Rose Keri Pugno Will Deeths drose@grav.k12.ca.us kpugno@grav.k12.ca.us wdeeths@grav.k12.ca.us   GRAVENSTEIN PARENT ASSOCIATION   Meeting Change!! Due to the scheduling conflict with the Gravenstein Winter Concert, this months GPA board meeting will meet on WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14 at 6PM, Hillcrest Middle School - Room 5.  All are welcome!   Wishing you and your family a joyous Holiday season from GPA   Upcoming Board Meeting: Wednesday, December 14, 2022 at 6:00pm Hillcrest Middle School in Room 5   Follow Us On Social Media Stay up to date in the quickest way by following us on Facebook and Instagram .  Tag your photos with #wearegpa to show your school pride.   WHAT'S NEW at GRAVENSTEIN ELEMENTARY?   Grades 4/5 Winter Concert On Thursday, 12/15/22, Mr. Pulley and Mr. Burrows will be hosting the grade 4 and 5 Winter Concert.  It will be held from 6:00-7:00pm at Hillcrest Middle School and feature both Band and Chorus performances.  We look forward to seeing grades 1-3 perform later in the Spring.   TK/Kindergarten Saturday Open House? On Saturday, January 28, from 10:00-11:00, we will be hosting an Open House for new or interested TK/K families.   This is an opportunity for incoming students and parents to learn about our program, meet the teachers, and explore the classrooms.  Word of mouth is the best way for our Gravenstein Community to grow.  Please share this event with any of your friends that are looking for a TK/K school for next year.   Tours 2023-2024! It is hard to believe that it is already time to start planning for the next school year.  If you know of a new family, please let them know that they can now sign up online for a campus tour. Click the below link to sign up today. Gravenstein Campus Tour   Hour of Code Last week , many Gravnestein classrooms participated in "THE HOUR OF CODE", an annu al  world wide event  that  encourages kids to explore computer programming.  While we begin keyboarding skills in grade 2 and utilize Chromebooks for many practical applications in the upper grades, the focus of The Hour of Code is to inspire and encourage students in the wide range of activities involved in computer science and coding.  We are thankful for Ms. Kasey Hillier’s leadership in bringing many ideas for The Hour of Code to Gravenstein this year.    Kindergarten Gingerbread Performance It was standing room only in our MPR for last Friday’s Kindergarten Gingerbread Performance.  Our four kindergarten classes worked together to present their amazing holiday performance.  Thank you to all of the parents and guests who were able to come and see this live performance.  Student volunteers form the Hillcrest Middle School AV Program recorded the show and will create a video that will soon be shared with all.   Don’t Forget!  Gravenstein Elementary School is Now on Facebook and Twitter!  Facebook https://www.facebook.com/GravensteinElementary/ Twitter @GravElementary   WHAT'S NEW at HILLCREST MIDDLE SCHOOL?   HMS Spirit gear has been restocked!!  Be sure to stop by the Hillcrest Main Office to get your gear and show off your Hillcrest Pride!!  Don't forget, as the video says, these make great presents.   Lost & Found The Hillcrest lost & found is again overflowing with items!  Please check to find anything that you may have left at Hillcrest.  Anything remaining in the lost & found on December 16th, 2022 will be donated!   12 Days of Blue Feathers is Here The annual December tradition – the 12 Days of Blue Feathers has begun.  We will be drawing Blue Feathers each school day starting December 1st until December 16th, the day before winter break!  On December 1st we will drew 12 Blue Feathers and those 12 students will won a prize.  On December 2nd we will drew 11 Blue Feathers and those 11 students each won and so on until December 16th where one student will win $50 in CASH!  Remember students can earn Blue Feathers for being caught doing something right or helping out around the Hillcrest campus! Check future Monday Messages for more information! Canned Food Drive for Hessel Church and House Points It is time for the annual food collection at Hillcrest Middle School.  Last year, we donated over 500 items to the Hessel Church Food Pantry helping many local families in need.     This year's food collection will run from Monday, December 5, to Friday, December 16.   This is a House Competition so each non-perishable box or can that is donated is worth 1 House point.  This is a great way to earn many House points while helping families in need within the community.     Large bins will be outside the Hillcrest office with House names.   Donations can be made during the school day.   Trimester 1 Awards Assembly The Trimester 1 Awards Ceremonies will take place in Hillcrest Hall on Friday, December 16th.  Students will be recognized for their Grade Point Average (if they earned a GPA of 3.0 or above on their Trimester 1 report card they will earn an award).  We will also be recognizing students for excelling in the different subject areas and for exemplifying lifeskills.  We will be holding individual ceremonies for 6 th , 7 th and 8 th grades.  Parents are welcome to attend. The schedule is as follows - please note that we will be going in reverse order from last year: 8 th grade- 8:30 7 th grade- 9:20 6 th grade- 10:25   Get Your Holiday Spirit Wear Ready!! Spirit Week is coming up 12/12 to 12/16 Monday 12/12 - Flannel Day Tuesday 12/13 - Wear your Crazy Holiday Socks Wednesday 12/14- Wear Holiday Headwear Thursday 12/15 - Wear an Ugly Holiday Sweater Friday 12/16 - Pajama Day    Toy Drive for Gold Ridge Fire Department Coming Soon During the week of 12/12-12/16, Hillcrest Middle school will be working in conjunction with Gold Ridge Fire Department's Annual Toy Drive. We are collecting  new, unwrapped toys.   Large bins will be outside the Hillcrest office labeled for the toy drive and each grade.   Donations can be made during the school day. This is a grade-level competition.  The grade that collects and donates the most toys will earn a special prize!   Knitting Club  is Temporarily the Arts & Crafts Club   The Knitting Club is temporarily turning into "Arts and Crafts Club" until Winter Break.  We will be focusing on making holiday gifts to give to the Ceres Project to put in with the meals that they deliver.  (Unfamiliar with Ceres?  Check out  www.ceresproject.org ) Any supply donations to the Arts and Crafts Club for this project would be greatly appreciated.  Suggestions: Sewing Supplies Fabric Dried Lavender Beeswax Sheets Tissue Paper Tie Dye Kits Wreath Molds Faux Foliage Glue Guns Old Magazine for Collage Pressed Flowers Small Canvases Acrylic Paint Paint Brushes Thank you!  Ms. Cole and Ms. Reed   8th Grade Baby Photos Needed 8th grade parents, the Hillcrest Yearbook needs baby photos of out graduating 8th graders!  Please look through those albums and shoeboxes and email the photos to Ms. Deeths -   tdeeths@grav.k12.ca.us  or Mr. Sotiras -   gsotiras@grav.k12.ca.us !   Cell Phones Reminder Cell phones are only to be used after school in the Duck Pond to contact parents or guardians.  Cell phones should be off and put away from the moment you arrive on campus.  Any violation of the cell phone policy can lead to disciplinary action.      Facebook   Are you curious about what is happening at Hillcrest Middle School? Want to keep up to date on activities and events? Want a glimpse into the classroom and see what our teachers are teaching and what your students are learning? If so then make sure you go to Facebook and follow Hillcrest Middle School - Sebastopol !   COUNSELORS' CORNER     ANXIETY COPING STATEMENTS This feeling is uncomfortable but normal I don't need to focus on this feeling or try to figure it out. I can choose to distract myself Anxiety is not the boss.  I am in control This feeling is a useful reminder to slow down & breathe I allow this feeling to be here, knowing that it will soon pass. @journey_to_wellness_ With the holidays and winter break approaching we would like to remind GUSD there is a mental health national hotline: 988 You may also find an array of local resources on our GUSD counseling website.   GUSD School Counseling (google.com)   Hillcrest Counseling Facebook Page Click on the link below to to view all the resources available to you and your family on the Hillcrest Counseling Facebook page. Hillcrest Middle School Counseling Page   GRAVENSTEIN UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD   Gregory Appling, President -   gappling@grav.k12.ca.us Jeri McNeill, Clerk -   jmcneill@grav.k12.ca.us Patrick Lei, Trustee -   plei@grav.k12.ca.us   WEBSITE           ABOUT US           MENUS             SCHEDULES   Elementary School Website Middle School  Website Creative  Arts Program  

Monday, Dec 12 2022

Monday Messages December 5, 2022 for GUSD Families

GRAVENSTEIN UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT Monday Message December 5, 2022       A MESSAGE FROM GUSD ADMINISTRATION   An update to the GUSD and GUCE contract negotiations.   The fact-finding report was published November 17, 2022, and having listened deeply to classified staff, teachers, parents, and community members,  the board agreed to accept all fact-finding recommendations.   Our offer to GUCE included all recommendations provided from the fact-finding “neutral” who was appointed by the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB), the agency that oversees public sector collective bargaining in California. GUSD presented the offer to the GUCE on November 18 and  to our surprise, it was rejected without discussion or counter-offer .  We want to provide our classified employees with a bargaining agreement that not only supports them but allows us to continue supporting our Enrich! Program for all students.   We believe we can do both.   When GUCE eventually provided a 36-page response to our offer, they not only put forth requests counter to the fact-finding recommendations, they also changed their position on items all parties had agreed to.   Now we feel like we are being asked to hit a moving target.   When we took a couple of days to review all the details in their response, we received an email asking for “the district’s position and plans because if not, I’m preparing to announce our strike date.”     No one wants to hear that resources are limited, but that’s the truth of it; however, by working together, we will figure it out.  After reviewing GUSD finances,  three independent sources agree with GUSD’s assessment of the funding available for staff salaries  while maintaining low class sizes, the Enrich! Program, student support services, and high staff-to-student ratios.  Those independent sources include a neutral fact-finding panel, an independent auditor, and the Sonoma County Office of Education.  GUCE disagrees with this assessment.   Since that November 18th meeting, we have met several times with GUCE.   We are still reviewing GUCE’s long and complex counteroffer, and we are working on another offer in response.  It is common for employees and school boards to agree on a common mission (i.e., we all want students to benefit from a wonderful education), while disagreeing on the details of how we get there (i.e., employment terms).  We remain optimistic that we will be able to reach an agreement.   We ask for the community’s patience as we work through this together.     Gregory Appling GUSD Board President   Don't Miss Anything Important in Monday Messages I have heard that some people are not seeing all of the articles in Monday Messages.  We have a lot of important information we don't want you  to miss out on so I wanted to let you know how to be sure you don't miss a thing.  At the bottom of your email from ParentSquare you may see the message in the picture to the right.  It is important to click on the "View entire message" .  This will take you to the entire message so that you don't miss a thing.  The below image is what you will see at the end of every Monday Messages, if you are not seeing this you need to click that  "View entire message".   Online Safety Training for Parents In today's world with life on the internet, (new websites, apps, games and gadgets) it is so important to protect ourselves and our children from online predators.  There are risks every time someone opens a browser, starts a new chat, or downloads a new game.  Online safety is about educating children and teens to help navigate those risks and know when to talk to someone they trust.  Click this link for some great Online Safety Training.     Mark Your Calendars Monday, December 5 thru Friday, December 16 - HMS Canned Food Drive Thursday, December 8, 5pm - HMS Winter Band Concert Friday, December 9, 6 to 8pm - HMS  Winter Dance Monday, December 12 to Friday, December 16 - HMS Holiday Spirit Week & Toy Drive Tuesday, December 13, 5:00pm - GUSD Board Meeting Thursday, December 15, 6-7pm - Gravenstein Grades 4/5 Winter Concert Thursday, December 15, 6:00pm - GPA Board Meeting Friday, December 16 - HMS Trimester 1 Awards Assembly Monday, December 19 to Monday, January 2 - Winter Break - NO SCHOOL Reminder - No School the weeks of December 19, 2022 to January 2, 2023 December 19th to January 2nd there will be no school.   We would like to ask that you test your students Monday before returning to school.     Lunch Menu To view the entire December menu click here for  English  or  Spanish .  Fruits &/or Veggies are offered with all meals.  Meals are not offered a la carte  Menu items are subject to change.  All student meals are free of charge.  Vegetarian and vegan option are available upon request - Please send in a letter to the office if there are any dietary restrictions.      Mon 5 Tue 6 Wed 7 Thu 8 Fri 9 Cereal & Cheese Stick Muffin French Toast Breakfast Burrito Croissant & Jam Chicken Tenders Nachos Egg Roll Pizza Bean & Cheese Burrito Fruits & Veggies Fruits & Veggies Fruits & Veggies Fruits & Veggies Fruits & Veggies   GUSD Open Board Seat The GUSD Board seeks a replacement to appoint to our current vacant seat. The application process is currently open and candidates may be interviewed during the December or January Board Meetings.  Interested candidates should be available on the second Tuesday of each month at 5:00pm for the regularly scheduled meetings, and some additional special board meetings each year too. Qualifications to Run for School Board (as set by the California Education Code): A school board candidate must be a registered voter. A school board candidate must be a resident of the Gravenstein Union School District. A school board candidate must have been awarded a minimum of a high school diploma or a certificate of high school equivalency. A school board candidate cannot have been convicted of a felony. A school board candidate cannot be a current employee of the district and/or be related to a current employee in that district. If you are interested in being a candidate for the appointment, please contact Melacha Quirke in the Gravenstein District Office to receive an application. mquirke@gusdschools.org (707) 823-7008 Or you can go to the District Website at   https://www.grav.k12.ca.us/   and click on the link there to apply. The successful candidate will join the GUSD Board and serve until December 2024. If you have any questions, you can also contact Superintendent Dave Rose at  drose@gusdschools.org   Compassion Without Borders  and GUSD GUSD will be working with our very own Ms. Cat, who volunteers at a local dog rescue, Compassion Without Borders, to collect items for our furry friends during the holiday season.  Please bring new toys, and or gently used clean towels and or blankets to the barrels by the front office at Gravenstein or Hillcrest.  Or Ms. Cat says you can give them to her at drop-off and or pick-up at Gravenstein.   The pups all thank you!!!! “ Saving one dog will not change the world, but surely for that one dog, the world will change forever. ”   Dave Rose Keri Pugno Will Deeths drose@grav.k12.ca.us kpugno@grav.k12.ca.us wdeeths@grav.k12.ca.us   GRAVENSTEIN PARENT ASSOCIATION   Santa Hits the Airwaves on KSVY The Gravenstein Parent Association in cooperation with KSVY Radio and Republic of Thrift (Sonoma Valley) Presents SANTA ON THE RADIO! On Tuesday December 6th, 2022 kids can call in to KSVY radio and talk live on the air to Santa Claus, Ms. Claus and Jingles the Elf!  Free Fun for kids of all ages! Tuesday December 6th, 2022 - 5:00-7:00 pm Call in to talk to Santa- 707-933-9133 KSVY radio- stream from their website - ksvy.org   HO! HO! HO!     GPA Holiday Skate Night kicks off December in style!  About 125 Gravenstein Grizzles and almost 50 Hillcrest Hawks came to have a jolly good time Friday night.  Thank you to all who were able to make it.     Upcoming Board Meeting: Thursday, December 15, 2022 at 6:00pm Hillcrest Middle School in Room 5   Follow Us On Social Media Stay up to date in the quickest way by following us on Facebook and Instagram .  Tag your photos with #wearegpa to show your school pride!   COUNSELORS' CORNER     While holidays fill the air with happiness and cheer, they can also carry stress and sadness for many people, especially those who deal with an underlying mental health condition.  According to a survey conducted by the National Alliance on Mental Illness, about 64% of people diagnosed with mental illness reported that holidays make their conditions worse and approximately 66% reported feeling lonely (National Alliance on Mental Illness, 2014).  The holiday blues can stem from a variety of factors such as preexisting mental health issues, seasonal affective disorder, a recent loss, the anniversary of the loss of a loved one, jam-packed social commitments, emotional and financial pressures from family and friends, and family strife. Social media can also be a major contributor to holiday-related stress.  For those already feeling more isolated,  lonely , or sad during the holiday season, social media interactions may intensify these negative feelings.  Time spent scrolling through social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok viewing posts, pictures, and videos of virtual friends or social influencers showcasing their holiday festivities can stir up feelings of envy,  shame , loss, and upward comparisons.  Upward comparisons are made when we compare ourselves to people we believe are better or superior to us.  Not surprisingly, upward comparisons tend to erode  self-esteem  and emotional well-being (this often happens with our middle schoolers). To continue reading click here for English or Spanish .   Hillcrest Counseling Facebook Page Click on the link below to to view all the resources available to you and your family on the Hillcrest Counseling Facebook page. Hillcrest Middle School Counseling Page   WHAT'S NEW at GRAVENSTEIN ELEMENTARY?     Grades 4/5 Winter Concert On Thursday, 12/15/22, Mr. Pulley and Mr. Burrows will be hosting the grade 4 and 5 Winter Concert.  It will be held from 6:00-7:00pm at Hillcrest Middle School and feature both Band and Chorus performances.  We look forward to seeing grades 1-3 perform later in the Spring.   It's Time to Plan for 2023-2024! It is hard to believe that it is already time to start planning for the next school year.  If you know of a new family, please let them know that they can now sign up online for a campus tour. Click the below link to sign up today. Gravenstein Campus Tour     Explorer Day was a Success! Thank you to all of the parents who were able to join us on campus last Tuesday for the Grade 5 Explorer Day presentations.  Students researched the life and journey(s) of one early European explorer and then portrayed that person at our Tuesday morning event.  Parents and other Gravenstein students had the opportunity to hear each student give a brief first-person account of their explorer’s life.     Don’t Forget!  Gravenstein Elementary School is Now on Facebook and Twitter!  Facebook https://www.facebook.com/GravensteinElementary/ Twitter @GravElementary   WHAT'S NEW at HILLCREST MIDDLE SCHOOL?   HMS Spirit gear has been restocked!!  Be sure to stop by the Hillcrest Main Office to get your gear and show off your Hillcrest Pride!!  Don't forget, as the video says, these make great presents.   Marin Headlands Field Trip Wrap Up 6th graders had a wonderful time hiking, exploring, and learning at Nature Bridge at Marin Headlands last week.     12 Days of Blue Feathers is Here The annual December tradition – the 12 Days of Blue Feathers has begun.  We will be drawing Blue Feathers each school day starting December 1st until December 16th, the day before winter break!  On December 1st we will drew 12 Blue Feathers and those 12 students will won a prize.  On December 2nd we will drew 11 Blue Feathers and those 11 students each won and so on until December 16th where one student will win $50 in CASH!  Remember students can earn Blue Feathers for being caught doing something right or helping out around the Hillcrest campus! Check future Monday Messages for more information!   Winter Band Concert Next Thursday December 8th is the Hillcrest Winter Band Concert!  Do not miss the fun - Thursday, December 8th, 2022 at 5:00 pm in Hillcrest Hall!   Winter Dance The Winter Dance will be held on Friday, December 9th, 2022 in Hillcrest Hall.   Tickets go on sale Monday, December 5th at lunch.  Tickets will be $5 at school, $8 at the door.   There are no refunds for not attending the dance. Reminder- school rules still apply at the Dance: The dance is only for current Hillcrest Students Cell phones are not to be used or seen during the dance  Students dropped off after 6:20 must be walked to the entrance of the dance by their own parent. Students may only be picked up  EARLY  from the dance by their own parent and the parent must come to the entrance of the dance to get their student.  All students must be picked up no later than 8:25 or they may not be able to attend the next dance.   Canned Food Drive for Hessel Church and House Points It is time for the annual food collection at Hillcrest Middle School.  Last year, we donated over 500 items to the Hessel Church Food Pantry helping many local families in need.     This year's food collection will run from Monday, December 5, to Friday, December 16.   This is a House Competition so each non-perishable box or can that is donated is worth 1 House point.  This is a great way to earn many House points while helping families in need within the community.     Large bins will be outside the Hillcrest office with House names.   Donations can be made during the school day.   Trimester 1 Awards Assembly The Trimester 1 Awards Ceremonies will take place in Hillcrest Hall on Friday, December 16th.  Students will be recognized for their Grade Point Average (if they earned a GPA of 3.0 or above on their Trimester 1 report card they will earn an award).  We will also be recognizing students for excelling in the different subject areas and for exemplifying lifeskills.  We will be holding individual ceremonies for 6 th , 7 th and 8 th grades.  Parents are welcome to attend. The schedule is as follows - please note that we will be going in reverse order from last year: 8 th grade- 8:30 7 th grade- 9:20 6 th grade- 10:25   Get Your Holiday Spirit Wear Ready!!  Spirit Week is coming up 12/12 to 12/16 Monday 12/12 - Flannel Day Tuesday 12/13 - Wear your Crazy Holiday Socks Wednesday 12/14- Wear Holiday Headwear Thursday 12/15 - Wear an Ugly Holiday Sweater Friday 12/16 - Pajama Day    Toy Drive for Gold Ridge Fire Department Coming Soon During the week of 12/12-12/16, Hillcrest Middle school will be working in conjunction with Gold Ridge Fire Department's Annual Toy Drive. We are collecting  new, unwrapped toys.   Large bins will be outside the Hillcrest office labeled for the toy drive and each grade.   Donations can be made during the school day. This is a grade-level competition.  The grade that collects and donates the most toys will earn a special prize!   Report Card Envelopes Please have your student(s) return their signed Report Card Envelope to their homeroom teacher or to the main office.   8th Grade Baby Photos Needed 8th grade parents, the Hillcrest Yearbook needs baby photos of out graduating 8th graders!  Please look through those albums and shoeboxes and email the photos to Ms. Deeths -   tdeeths@grav.k12.ca.us  or Mr. Sotiras -   gsotiras@grav.k12.ca.us !   Knitting Club  is Temporarily the Arts & Crafts Club   The Knitting Club is temporarily turning into "Arts and Crafts Club" until Winter Break.  We will be focusing on making holiday gifts to give to the Ceres Project to put in with the meals that they deliver.  (Unfamiliar with Ceres?  Check out  www.ceresproject.org ) Any supply donations to the Arts and Crafts Club for this project would be greatly appreciated.  Suggestions:  Sewing Supplies Fabric Dried Lavender Beeswax Sheets Tissue Paper Tie Dye Kits Wreath Molds Faux Foliage Glue Guns Old Magazine for Collage Pressed Flowers Small Canvases Acrylic Paint Paint Brushes Thank you!  Ms. Cole and Ms. Reed   Cell Phones Reminder Cell phones are only to be used after school in the Duck Pond to contact parents or guardians.  Cell phones should be off and put away from the moment you arrive on campus.  Any violation of the cell phone policy can lead to disciplinary action.        Facebook Are you curious about what is happening at Hillcrest Middle School? Want to keep up to date on activities and events? Want a glimpse into the classroom and see what our teachers are teaching and what your students are learning? If so then make sure you go to Facebook and follow Hillcrest Middle School - Sebastopol !   GRAVENSTEIN UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD   Gregory Appling, President -   gappling@grav.k12.ca.us Jeri McNeill, Clerk -   jmcneill@grav.k12.ca.us Patrick Lei, Trustee -   plei@grav.k12.ca.us   WEBSITE           ABOUT US           MENUS             SCHEDULES   Elementary School Website Middle School  Website Creative  Arts Program  

Sunday, Dec 04 2022

Monday Messages November 28, 2022 for GUSD Families

GRAVENSTEIN UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT Monday Message November 28, 2022       A MESSAGE FROM GUSD ADMINISTRATION   Don't Miss Anything Important in Monday Messages I have heard that some people are not seeing all of the articles in Monday Messages.  We have a lot of important information we don't want you  to miss out on so I wanted to let you know how to be sure you don't miss a thing.  At the bottom of your email from ParentSquare you may see the message in the picture to the right.  It is important to click on the "View entire message" .  This will take you to the entire message so that you don't miss a thing.  The below image is what you will see at the end of every Monday Messages, if you are not seeing this you need to click that "View entire message".   Mark Your Calendars Wednesday, November 30 - Reports Cards Sent Home Friday, December 2 - GPA Skate Night Friday, December 9, 6 to 8pm - HMS Thursday, December 15, 6:00pm - GPA Board Meeting Monday, December 19 to Monday, January 2 - Winter Break - NO SCHOOL   Lunch Menu To view the entire November menu click here for  English  or  Spanish .  To view the up coming December menu click here for  English  or  Spanish .  Fruits &/or Veggies are offered with all meals.  Meals are not offered a la carte  Menu items are subject to change.  All student meals are free of charge.  Vegetarian and vegan option are available upon request - Please send in a letter to the office if there are any dietary restrictions.    Mon 28 Tue 29 Wed 30 Thu 1 Fri 2 Cereal Muffin Manager's Choice Dutch Waffle Bagel & Cream cheese Chicken Patty & Rice Taco Manager's Choice Corn Dog Hamburger Fruit & Veggies Fruit & Veggies Fruit & Veggies Fruit & Veggies Fruit & Veggies   GUSD Open Board Seat The GUSD Board seeks a replacement to appoint to our current vacant seat. The application process is currently open and candidates may be interviewed during the December or January Board Meetings.  Interested candidates should be available on the second Tuesday of each month at 5:00pm for the regularly scheduled meetings, and some additional special board meetings each year too. Qualifications to Run for School Board: A school board candidate must be a registered voter. A school board candidate must be a resident of the Gravenstein Union School District. A school board candidate must have been awarded a minimum of a high school diploma or a certificate of high school equivalency. A school board candidate cannot have been convicted of a felony. A school board candidate cannot be a current employee of the district and/or be related to a current employee in that district. If you are interested in being a candidate for the appointment, please contact Melacha Quirke in the Gravenstein District Office to receive an application. mquirke@grav.k12.ca.us (707) 823-7008 Or you can go to the District Website at   https://www.grav.k12.ca.us/   and click on the link there to apply. The successful candidate will join the GUSD Board and serve until December 2024. If you have any questions, you can also contact Superintendent Dave Rose at  drose@grav.k12.ca.us     Online Safety Training for Parents In today's world with life on the internet, (new websites, apps, games and gadgets) it is so important to protect ourselves and our children from online predators.  There are risks every time someone opens a browser, starts a new chat, or downloads a new game.  Online safety is about educating children and teens to help navigate those risks and know when to talk to someone they trust.  Click this link for some great Online Safety Training.   Compassion Without Borders  and GUSD GUSD will be working with our very own Ms. Cat, who volunteers at a local dog rescue, Compassion Without Borders, to collect items for our furry friends during the holiday season.  Please bring new toys, and or gently used clean towels and or blankets to the barrels by the front office at Gravenstein or Hillcrest.  Or Ms. Cat says you can give them to her at drop-off and or pick-up at Gravenstein.   The pups all thank you!!!! “ Saving one dog will not change the world, but surely for that one dog, the world will change forever. ”   It was a pleasure to meet you! If you couldn’t come this time, we hope you’ll come to the next one. ¡Fue un gusto conocerlos! Si no pudieron venir esta vez, esperamos que puedan acompañarnos la próxima vez.   Dave Rose Keri Pugno Will Deeths drose@grav.k12.ca.us kpugno@grav.k12.ca.us wdeeths@grav.k12.ca.us   GRAVENSTEIN PARENT ASSOCIATION   Jog-A-Thon 2022 Success Thank you again to all who helped make our Jog a thon another successful fundraiser! Here are our top laps from each grade: TK- Greyson M. 22, Kora K. 19, Samantha F. 19 K- Tristan M. 19, Hunter A. 19, Javier B. 19, Nelle H. 19, Riley K. 19 1st- Eugene M. 29, Chloe S. 25 2nd- Harper C. 31, Alina M. 31, Wyatt V. 38 3rd- Emmitt R. 38, Kristen D. 28 4th- Shelby Z. 41, Jaxson B. 43 5th- Madeline P. 43, Kaison S. 40 Our lucky two bike winners are : Riley K. & Emmitt R.  Call the school office to set up a pick up time to get your new bike. Our top teachers tied at 31 laps, congrats Mrs. Grimm and Mrs. Brown Our top amount raised went to Alisha Walia bringing in $862.00 wow Congrats to you all, you can pick up your prizes in the office after Thanksgiving break! Our next Skate night it set for December 2nd with a Holiday theme, come with your festive cheer! Also all of the Charleston Wrap prizes have arrived they will be passed out the week we are back in school!   Upcoming Board Meeting: Thursday, December 15, 2022 at 6:00pm Hillcrest Middle School in Room 5   Follow Us On Social Media Stay up to date in the quickest way by following us on Facebook and Instagram .  Tag your photos with #wearegpa to show your school pride!   COUNSELORS' CORNER     As Thanksgiving approaches, many of us will ponder what we are grateful for and possibly share what we are thankful for during our holiday meal.  Giving thanks and expressing gratitude is an old and trusted concept.  What is gratitude?  It is the ability to recognize the goodness in both your life and in the actions of others.  Practicing gratitude helps you shift your focus from a glass half empty to a glass half full; or from what your life lacks to what it has.  Here are some benefits: ·        Feeling happy ·        Being  optimistic ·        Experiencing greater life satisfaction ·        Becoming emotionally resilient ·        Enjoying better physical and mental health Research shows that when we shift our attention from negative, toxic emotions to positive ones, we experience a greater sense of well-being Being grateful takes effort.   Practicing gratitude can take some work, especially at times when we are overloaded with  stress  in times of crisis.  But even when we don’t exactly feel grateful, we can still think about what we have and be grateful for it. One way to do this is to take time at least once a week to focus our attention on some of the good things we feel grateful for. These can range from big things, such as being healthy, to smaller, more momentary experiences, such as the cool fort the family built in the living room, a Zoom reunion, or a walk outside. The benefits of gratitude can take a few weeks to develop, but once established, they have lasting effects on the brain and on mental health overall. Here are some simple activities we can do with our children to cultivate gratitude.  Have them write letters/cards/emails to express their gratitude to important people in their lives. Encourage them to reminisce about pleasurable shared moments—a fun game of hide-and-seek or the delicious homemade chocolate chip cookies. Have each individual family member identify three reasons they are grateful for every other family member. Take turns naming five things each is grateful for that week during Sunday dinner. Thanksgiving Gratitude Activities to Try This Year – Sunny Home Creations   Hillcrest Counseling Facebook Page Click on the link below to to view all the resources available to you and your family on the Hillcrest Counseling Facebook page. Hillcrest Middle School Counseling Page   WHAT'S NEW at GRAVENSTEIN ELEMENTARY?   It's Time to Plan for 2023-2024! It is hard to believe that it is already time to start planning for the next school year.  If you know of a new family, please let them know that they can now sign up online for a campus tour.   Gravenstein Campus Tour   Don’t Forget!  Gravenstein Elementary School is Now on Facebook and Twitter!  Facebook https://www.facebook.com/GravensteinElementary/ Twitter @GravElementary   WHAT'S NEW at HILLCREST MIDDLE SCHOOL?   Turkey Bowl 2022 Ends in a Tie! The annual Turkey Bowl was fun for all involved!!  Both the staff and the 8th grade students played a close game and when the final whistle blew - the game ended on a 35-35 tie!  It was a great way for the Hawks to end the last day before Thanksgiving Break!  Congratulations to both teams!!   Trimester 1 Has Ended Trimester 1 ended on Monday, November 14th!  Report cards will be sent home on December 1st.   Don’t be surprised by Trimester 1 grades - check the Schoolwise Parent Portal on a regular basis! Trimester 1 Awards Assembly The Trimester 1 Awards Ceremonies will take place in Hillcrest Hall on Friday December 16th.  Students will be recognized for their Grade Point Average (if they earned above a GPA of 3.0 or above on their Trimester 1 report card they will earn a reward).  We will also be recognizing students for excelling in the different subject areas and for exemplifying lifeskills.  We will be holding individual ceremonies for 6th, 7th and 8th grades.  Parents are welcome to attend.  The schedule is as follows - please note that we will be going in reverse order from last year: 8th grade- 8:30 7th grade- 9:20 6th grade- 10:25   8th Grade Baby Photos Needed 8th grade parents, the Hillcrest Yearbook needs baby photos of our graduating 8th graders!   Please look through those albums and shoeboxes and email the photos to Ms. Deeths -  tdeeths@grav.k12.ca.us  or Mr. Sotiras -  gsotiras@grav.k12.ca.us !    Marin Headland Overnight Trip Information -  All 6th Grade Parents Please Read The 6th grade overnight trip is Monday, November 28 - Wednesday, November 30, after we return from Thanksgiving Break.  A packing list will be given to your 6th grader at school on Wednesday, November 16.  You can also find it here:   Packing List in  English  or  Spanish All trip participants (students, chaperones, and teachers) are required to take a Covid test on Sunday, November 27.  At home Covid test kits will be distributed to students on Wednesday, November 16.  Results of the Covid test must be emailed to Mrs. Baird on Sunday, November 27 -  Lbaird@grav.k12.ca.us Students will need to bring lunch on Monday, November 28.  School bag lunches can be ordered by the students on Wednesday, November 16. Donations are due:  if you indicated on the form that you can donate for this trip, please submit your donation to the Hillcrest Office this week.   Hawk on a Walk - It's Just Like Elf on a Shelf, but with a Hillcrest Twist! Pick up an answer sheet from outside Mr. Deeth's office. Find and record the location of Mo Hawk each day Submit your answer sheet by the end of the week to be entered to win a free item of HMS spirit wear!! 3 luck winners each week of November!!   Winter Dance Friday, December 9th The Winter Dance will be held on Friday December 9th, 2022 in Hillcrest Hall.   Tickets go on sale Tuesday, December 6th at lunch.  Tickets will be $5 at school, $8 at the door.   There are no refunds for not attending the dance. Reminder- school rules still apply at the Dance: The dance is only for current Hillcrest Students    Cell phones are not to be used or seen during the dance    Students dropped off after 6:20 must be walked to the entrance of the dance by their own parent.   Students may only be picked up  EARLY  from the dance by their own parent and the parent must come to the entrance of the dance to get their student.    All students must be picked up no later than 8:25 or they may not be able to attend the next dance.   12 Days of Blue Feathers is Almost Here The annual December tradition – the 12 Days of Blue Feathers will be here before you know it!  We will be drawing Blue Feathers each school day starting December 1st until December 16th, the day before winter break!  On December 1st we will draw 12 Blue Feathers and those 12 students will win a prize.  On December 2nd we will draw 11 Blue Feathers and those 11 students each win and so on until December 16th where one student will win $50 in CASH!  Remember students can earn Blue Feathers for being caught doing something right or helping out around the Hillcrest campus! Check future Monday Messages for more information!   After School Snack is Available to All Students In case you didn’t know, snacks are available for all students for the first fifteen minutes after school at the outside cafeteria window!   Spirit Wear Restock HMS Spirit gear has been restocked!!  Stop by the Main Office to get your gear and show off your Hillcrest Pride!!!!  Makes a for a great present.   Knitting Club  is Temporarily the Arts & Crafts Club   The Knitting Club is temporarily turning into "Arts and Crafts Club" until Winter Break.  We will be focusing on making holiday gifts to give to the Ceres Project to put in with the meals that they deliver.  (Unfamiliar with Ceres?  Check out  www.ceresproject.org ) Any supply donations to the Arts and Crafts Club for this project would be greatly appreciated.  Suggestions:  Sewing Supplies Fabric Dried Lavender Beeswax Sheets Tissue Paper Tie Dye Kits Wreath Molds Faux Foliage Glue Guns Old Magazine for Collage Pressed Flowers Small Canvases Acrylic Paint Paint Brushes Thank you!  Ms. Cole and Ms. Reed   Cell Phone Reminders Cell phones are only to be used after school in the Duck Pond to contact parents or guardians.  Cell phones should be off and put away from the moment you arrive on campus.  Any violation of the cell phone policy can lead to disciplinary action.     Facebook Are you curious about what is happening at Hillcrest Middle School? Want to keep up to date on activities and events? Want a glimpse into the classroom and see what our teachers are teaching and what your students are learning? If so then make sure you go to Facebook and follow Hillcrest Middle School - Sebastopol !   GRAVENSTEIN UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD   Gregory Appling, President - gappling@grav.k12.ca.us Jeri McNeill, Clerk -   jmcneill@grav.k12.ca.us Patrick Lei, Trustee - plei@grav.k12.ca.us   WEBSITE           ABOUT US           MENUS             SCHEDULES   Elementary School Website Middle School  Website Creative  Arts Program  

Sunday, Nov 27 2022

Monday Messages November 21`, 2022 for GUSD Families

GRAVENSTEIN UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT Monday Message November 21, 2022       A MESSAGE FROM GUSD ADMINISTRATION   Don't Miss Anything Important in Monday Messages I have heard that some people are not seeing all of the articles in Monday Messages.  We have a lot of important information we don't want you  to miss out on so I wanted to let you know how to be sure you don't miss a thing.  At the bottom of your email from ParentSquare you may see the message in the picture to the right.  It is important to click on the "View entire message" .  This will take you to the entire message so that you don't miss a thing.  The below image is what you will see at the end of every Monday Messages, if you are not seeing this you need to click that "View entire message".   Reminder - No School the week of November 21 to 25, 2022 November 21st to the 25th there will be no school.  Next week, the 14th to 18th, we will have available COVID tests to take home.   We would like to ask that you test your students Sunday before returning to school.   Mark Your Calendars Monday, November 21 to Friday, November 25 - NO SCHOOL Wednesday, November 30 - Reports Cards Sent Home Friday, December 2 - GPA Skate Night Friday, December 9, 6 to 8pm - HMS Thursday, December 15, 6:00pm - GPA Board Meeting Monday, December 19 to Monday, January 2 - Winter Break - NO SCHOOL   Lunch Menu To view the entire November menu click here for  English  or  Spanish .  To view the up coming December menu click here for  English  or  Spanish .  Fruits &/or Veggies are offered with all meals.  Meals are not offered a la carte  Menu items are subject to change.  All student meals are free of charge.  Vegetarian and vegan option are available upon request - Please send in a letter to the office if there are any dietary restrictions.    Mon 28 Tue 29 Wed 30 Thu 1 Fri 2 Cereal Muffin Manager's Choice Dutch Waffle Bagel & Cream cheese Chicken Patty & Rice Taco Manager's Choice Corn Dog Hamburger Fruit & Veggies Fruit & Veggies Fruit & Veggies Fruit & Veggies Fruit & Veggies   GUSD Open Board Seat The GUSD Board seeks a replacement to appoint to our current vacant seat. The application process is currently open and candidates may be interviewed during the December or January Board Meetings.  Interested candidates should be available on the second Tuesday of each month at 5:00pm for the regularly scheduled meetings, and some additional special board meetings each year too. Qualifications to Run for School Board: A school board candidate must be a registered voter. A school board candidate must be a resident of the Gravenstein Union School District. A school board candidate must have been awarded a minimum of a high school diploma or a certificate of high school equivalency. A school board candidate cannot have been convicted of a felony. A school board candidate cannot be a current employee of the district and/or be related to a current employee in that district. If you are interested in being a candidate for the appointment, please contact Melacha Quirke in the Gravenstein District Office to receive an application. mquirke@grav.k12.ca.us (707) 823-7008 Or you can go to the District Website at   https://www.grav.k12.ca.us/   and click on the link there to apply. The successful candidate will join the GUSD Board and serve until December 2024. If you have any questions, you can also contact Superintendent Dave Rose at  drose@grav.k12.ca.us     Online Safety Training for Parents In today's world with life on the internet, (new websites, apps, games and gadgets) it is so important to protect ourselves and our children from online predators.  There are risks every time someone opens a browser, starts a new chat, or downloads a new game.  Online safety is about educating children and teens to help navigate those risks and know when to talk to someone they trust.  Click this link for some great Online Safety Training.   Compassion Without Borders  and GUSD GUSD will be working with our very own Ms. Cat, who volunteers at a local dog rescue, Compassion Without Borders, to collect items for our furry friends during the holiday season.  Please bring new toys, and or gently used clean towels and or blankets to the barrels by the front office at Gravenstein or Hillcrest.  Or Ms. Cat says you can give them to her at drop-off and or pick-up at Gravenstein.   The pups all thank you!!!! “ Saving one dog will not change the world, but surely for that one dog, the world will change forever. ”   Dave Rose Keri Pugno Will Deeths drose@grav.k12.ca.us kpugno@grav.k12.ca.us wdeeths@grav.k12.ca.us   GRAVENSTEIN PARENT ASSOCIATION   Jog-A-Thon 2022 Success Thank you again to all who helped make our Jog a thon another successful fundraiser! Here are our top laps from each grade: TK- Greyson M. 22, Kora K. 19, Samantha F. 19 K- Tristan M. 19, Hunter A. 19, Javier B. 19, Nelle H. 19, Riley K. 19 1st- Eugene M. 29, Chloe S. 25 2nd- Harper C. 31, Alina M. 31, Wyatt V. 38 3rd- Emmitt R. 38, Kristen D. 28 4th- Shelby Z. 41, Jaxson B. 43 5th- Madeline P. 43, Kaison S. 40 Our lucky two bike winners are : Riley K. & Emmitt R.  Call the school office to set up a pick up time to get your new bike. Our top teachers tied at 31 laps, congrats Mrs. Grimm and Mrs. Brown Our top amount raised went to Alisha Walia bringing in $862.00 wow Congrats to you all, you can pick up your prizes in the office after Thanksgiving break! Our next Skate night it set for December 2nd with a Holiday theme, come with your festive cheer! Also all of the Charleston Wrap prizes have arrived they will be passed out the week we are back in school!   Upcoming Board Meeting: Thursday, December 15, 2022 at 6:00pm Hillcrest Middle School in Room 5   Follow Us On Social Media Stay up to date in the quickest way by following us on Facebook and Instagram .  Tag your photos with #wearegpa to show your school pride!   COUNSELORS' CORNER     As Thanksgiving approaches, many of us will ponder what we are grateful for and possibly share what we are thankful for during our holiday meal.  Giving thanks and expressing gratitude is an old and trusted concept.  What is gratitude?  It is the ability to recognize the goodness in both your life and in the actions of others.  Practicing gratitude helps you shift your focus from a glass half empty to a glass half full; or from what your life lacks to what it has.  Here are some benefits: ·        Feeling happy ·        Being  optimistic ·        Experiencing greater life satisfaction ·        Becoming emotionally resilient ·        Enjoying better physical and mental health Research shows that when we shift our attention from negative, toxic emotions to positive ones, we experience a greater sense of well-being Being grateful takes effort.   Practicing gratitude can take some work, especially at times when we are overloaded with  stress  in times of crisis.  But even when we don’t exactly feel grateful, we can still think about what we have and be grateful for it. One way to do this is to take time at least once a week to focus our attention on some of the good things we feel grateful for. These can range from big things, such as being healthy, to smaller, more momentary experiences, such as the cool fort the family built in the living room, a Zoom reunion, or a walk outside. The benefits of gratitude can take a few weeks to develop, but once established, they have lasting effects on the brain and on mental health overall. Here are some simple activities we can do with our children to cultivate gratitude.  Have them write letters/cards/emails to express their gratitude to important people in their lives. Encourage them to reminisce about pleasurable shared moments—a fun game of hide-and-seek or the delicious homemade chocolate chip cookies. Have each individual family member identify three reasons they are grateful for every other family member. Take turns naming five things each is grateful for that week during Sunday dinner. Thanksgiving Gratitude Activities to Try This Year – Sunny Home Creations   Hillcrest Counseling Facebook Page Click on the link below to to view all the resources available to you and your family on the Hillcrest Counseling Facebook page. Hillcrest Middle School Counseling Page   WHAT'S NEW at GRAVENSTEIN ELEMENTARY?   It's Time to Plan for 2023-2024! It is hard to believe that it is already time to start planning for the next school year.  If you know of a new family, please let them know that they can now sign up online for a campus tour.   Gravenstein Campus Tour   Don’t Forget!  Gravenstein Elementary School is Now on Facebook and Twitter!  Facebook https://www.facebook.com/GravensteinElementary/ Twitter @GravElementary   WHAT'S NEW at HILLCREST MIDDLE SCHOOL?   Turkey Bowl 2022 Ends in a Tie! The annual Turkey Bowl was fun for all involved!!  Both the staff and the 8th grade students played a close game and when the final whistle blew - the game ended on a 35-35 tie!  It was a great way for the Hawks to end the last day before Thanksgiving Break!  Congratulations to both teams!!   Trimester 1 Has Ended Trimester 1 ended on Monday, November 14th!  Report cards will be sent home on December 1st.   Don’t be surprised by Trimester 1 grades - check the Schoolwise Parent Portal on a regular basis! Trimester 1 Awards Assembly The Trimester 1 Awards Ceremonies will take place in Hillcrest Hall on Friday December 16th.  Students will be recognized for their Grade Point Average (if they earned above a GPA of 3.0 or above on their Trimester 1 report card they will earn a reward).  We will also be recognizing students for excelling in the different subject areas and for exemplifying lifeskills.  We will be holding individual ceremonies for 6th, 7th and 8th grades.  Parents are welcome to attend.  The schedule is as follows - please note that we will be going in reverse order from last year: 8th grade- 8:30 7th grade- 9:20 6th grade- 10:25   8th Grade Baby Photos Needed 8th grade parents, the Hillcrest Yearbook needs baby photos of our graduating 8th graders!   Please look through those albums and shoeboxes and email the photos to Ms. Deeths -  tdeeths@grav.k12.ca.us  or Mr. Sotiras -  gsotiras@grav.k12.ca.us !    Marin Headland Overnight Trip Information -  All 6th Grade Parents Please Read The 6th grade overnight trip is Monday, November 28 - Wednesday, November 30, after we return from Thanksgiving Break.  A packing list will be given to your 6th grader at school on Wednesday, November 16.  You can also find it here:   Packing List in  English  or  Spanish All trip participants (students, chaperones, and teachers) are required to take a Covid test on Sunday, November 27.  At home Covid test kits will be distributed to students on Wednesday, November 16.  Results of the Covid test must be emailed to Mrs. Baird on Sunday, November 27 -  Lbaird@grav.k12.ca.us Students will need to bring lunch on Monday, November 28.  School bag lunches can be ordered by the students on Wednesday, November 16. Donations are due:  if you indicated on the form that you can donate for this trip, please submit your donation to the Hillcrest Office this week.   Hawk on a Walk - It's Just Like Elf on a Shelf, but with a Hillcrest Twist! Pick up an answer sheet from outside Mr. Deeth's office. Find and record the location of Mo Hawk each day Submit your answer sheet by the end of the week to be entered to win a free item of HMS spirit wear!! 3 luck winners each week of November!!   Winter Dance Friday, December 9th The Winter Dance will be held on Friday December 9th, 2022 in Hillcrest Hall.   Tickets go on sale Tuesday, December 6th at lunch.  Tickets will be $5 at school, $8 at the door.   There are no refunds for not attending the dance. Reminder- school rules still apply at the Dance: The dance is only for current Hillcrest Students    Cell phones are not to be used or seen during the dance    Students dropped off after 6:20 must be walked to the entrance of the dance by their own parent.   Students may only be picked up  EARLY  from the dance by their own parent and the parent must come to the entrance of the dance to get their student.    All students must be picked up no later than 8:25 or they may not be able to attend the next dance.   12 Days of Blue Feathers is Almost Here The annual December tradition – the 12 Days of Blue Feathers will be here before you know it!  We will be drawing Blue Feathers each school day starting December 1st until December 16th, the day before winter break!  On December 1st we will draw 12 Blue Feathers and those 12 students will win a prize.  On December 2nd we will draw 11 Blue Feathers and those 11 students each win and so on until December 16th where one student will win $50 in CASH!  Remember students can earn Blue Feathers for being caught doing something right or helping out around the Hillcrest campus! Check future Monday Messages for more information!   After School Snack is Available to All Students In case you didn’t know, snacks are available for all students for the first fifteen minutes after school at the outside cafeteria window!   Spirit Wear Restock HMS Spirit gear has been restocked!!  Stop by the Main Office to get your gear and show off your Hillcrest Pride!!!!  Makes a for a great present.   Knitting Club  is Temporarily the Arts & Crafts Club   The Knitting Club is temporarily turning into "Arts and Crafts Club" until Winter Break.  We will be focusing on making holiday gifts to give to the Ceres Project to put in with the meals that they deliver.  (Unfamiliar with Ceres?  Check out  www.ceresproject.org ) Any supply donations to the Arts and Crafts Club for this project would be greatly appreciated.  Suggestions:  Sewing Supplies Fabric Dried Lavender Beeswax Sheets Tissue Paper Tie Dye Kits Wreath Molds Faux Foliage Glue Guns Old Magazine for Collage Pressed Flowers Small Canvases Acrylic Paint Paint Brushes Thank you!  Ms. Cole and Ms. Reed   Cell Phone Reminders Cell phones are only to be used after school in the Duck Pond to contact parents or guardians.  Cell phones should be off and put away from the moment you arrive on campus.  Any violation of the cell phone policy can lead to disciplinary action.     Facebook Are you curious about what is happening at Hillcrest Middle School? Want to keep up to date on activities and events? Want a glimpse into the classroom and see what our teachers are teaching and what your students are learning? If so then make sure you go to Facebook and follow Hillcrest Middle School - Sebastopol !   GRAVENSTEIN UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD   Gregory Appling, President - gappling@grav.k12.ca.us Jeri McNeill, Clerk -   jmcneill@grav.k12.ca.us Patrick Lei, Trustee - plei@grav.k12.ca.us   WEBSITE           ABOUT US           MENUS             SCHEDULES   Elementary School Website Middle School  Website Creative  Arts Program  

Sunday, Nov 20 2022