Monday Messages June 5, 2023 for GUSD Families

GRAVENSTEIN UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT Monday Message June 5, 2023   A MESSAGE FROM GUSD ADMINISTRATION   Mark Your Calendars Monday, June 5, 6 - 8 pm - Hillcrest - 8th Grade Graduation Ceremony Tuesday, June 6th - Hillcrest & Gravenstein - 8th Graders walks the halls of Gravenstein Elementary Wednesday, June 7, 8:30 - 10 am  - Hillcrest -  8th Grade Graduation Breakfast Tuesday, June 13, 5 pm - GUSD - Board Meeting Tuesday, June 20, 6 pm - GPA - Board Meeting Tuesday, July 11, 5 pm - GUSD - Board Meeting Tuesday, July 18, 6 pm - GPA - Board Meeting GUSD Bell Schedule for Last Week of School * Dismissal on the last two days of school is before the lunch period. Students ordering a school lunch on the last two days will be given a bag lunch to take home. Gravenstein Elementary School Monday (6/5/23) Tuesday (6/6/23) and Wednesday (6/7/23) TK and K 8:45-1:00 8:45-11:50* Grades 1 & 2 8:30-1:45 8:30-12:30* Grades 3-5 8:15-1:30 8:15-12:10* Hillcrest Middle School Monday (6/5/23) Tuesday (6/6/23) and Wednesday (6/7/23) Grades 6-8 8:30-1:55 8:30-12:15*   Lunch Menu To view the entire May 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 - Last Day of School Pancake Bowl Cook's Choice Cook's Choice Egg Roll & Rice Bagel & Cream Cheese Turkey & Cheese Sandwich   Summer JumpStart JumpStart Families, You should have received information regarding the program on Friday.  If you did not receive an email about JumpStart, please contact  jumpstart@gusdschools.org to verify your email address, child's enrollment and if enrolled, get the necessary information regarding program details. Thank you, JumpStart Administration   Beyond the Bell Contracts for 2023-24 School Year The Beyond the Bell (before and after school care) contracts are now available for the 2023-24 school year.  Please remember that all balances must be paid by June 15, 2023.  If you have a balance on your account, your contract will automatically be put on a waitlist until the balance is paid. This year we introduced the option of automated payment processing and we will be offering this again next year.  See page 7 of the contract. On the last page of the Contract there is a page that is to be used if you need to make any changes to your child's Beyond the Bell Contract.  In the past we have received emails and phone calls asking to change the number of days on existing contracts, but with the program growing so much we can't keep up with this process.  So we created the Contract Change form.  If you need to change or cancel your contract, please fill out Contract Change form.  We will  no longer accept change requests via phone call or email without the Contract Change form. 2023-24 Beyond the Bell Contract Contrato de Beyond the Bell de 2023-24     GRAVENSTEIN PARENT ASSOCIATION   Thank you!!! GPA would like to thank everyone for supporting the Enrichment program this school year with your pledges and participation in the various fundraisers.  This outstanding program is possible due to your donations!! You can reach GPA by email at GravensteinParentAssociation@gmail.com or come to our meeting on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 6pm in Room 5 of Hillcrest Middle School.  All are welcome!!   Upcoming Board Meeting: Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at 6:00pm Hillcrest Middle School in Room 5 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?   Field Day Fun Each grade level had a fabulous field day this past week.  Thank you to all of our staff & parent volunteers who helped make these events possible.  Below is a collage of the TK classes having fun, next week we will have pictures from some of the other grades.   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 Graduation Ceremony Graduation is Monday June 5th All 8th grade students received their Graduation gowns the afternoon of Friday June 2nd.  Graduation gowns MUST be worn for the ceremony. All 8th grade students participating in the Graduation Ceremony must attend school that day and participate in the Graduation practice.  Students should NOT wear their gowns for rehearsal. Early Release Day - Students will be dismissed at 1:55 Families  will need to provide their own lawn / camp chairs for graduation.  The blacktop / field will open at 4:00 pm on Graduation day for families to place their chairs.  Please do not bring any canopies, umbrellas or any other items that may block other guests' views. Graduation Ceremony starts at 6:00 pm on the Hillcrest Middle School Blacktop. All students participating in the ceremony must be in the Duck Pond no later than 5:30 pm. Students will receive their actual diplomas at the end of the school day on Wednesday June 7th.   Elective Forms Check your email Hillcrest families - Elective sign ups were emailed to all of our students who will be attending Hillcrest in the fall.  Get your requests in before it's too late!  As a reminder, students who do not turn in their form will have their electives selected for them!   Yearbooks Have Arrived! Yearbooks have arrived and will be distributed as follows: 8th graders will receive yearbooks before break on Friday, June 2.   6th and 7th graders will receive yearbooks on Monday, June 5 before break.   If you need to buy a yearbook, we do have some available for purchase for $20 (cash or check payable to GUSD (yearbook)).  Books may be purchased next Monday and Tuesday during lunch and after school.  We have a limited quantity, and it will be first come first served.   Soar. Hawks, Soar! Yearbook Staff     Girls Flag Football Girls flag football team, if you haven’t already, return your jersey to Mr. Sotiras.   Maecenas sed ante pellentesque, posuere leo id, eleifend dolor. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos. Praesent laoreet malesuada cursus. Maecenas scelerisque congue eros eu posuere. Praesent in felis ut velit pretium lobortis rhoncus ut erat. Monday, June 5th 8th Grade Graduation practice.   All 8th grade students participating in the Graduation Ceremony must attend school that day and participate in the Graduation practice. Graduation Ceremony - 6:00 pm - Hillcrest Middle School Blacktop - All students participating in the ceremony must be in Hillcrest Hall no later than 5:30 pm. Tuesday, June 6th 8th Grade students will wear their graduation gowns and take a bus to Gravenstein Elementary School.  The 8th grade students will walk the halls, high fiving the Gravenstein students and staff as a way to say “goodbye” to their elementary school.  Permission slips will be sent home in the next few days. Wednesday, June 7th 8th Grade Graduation Breakfast in the Duck Pond at 8:30 am.  Parents of graduating students may attend. All school Field Day will be held on the field.   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     Supporting Your Child While Away from Home on Vacation Many families will be going on vacation this summer, whether your family is camping locally, going abroad, or even taking a few days to visit grandparents, the shake-up in your child’s schedule can produce anxiety for some children who thrive on routine.  Prepping your child can be a positive way to get them excited for the change and reduce stress. Discuss Itinerary  - Help reduce anxiety by explaining where you are going and why.  Describe your destination in detail, such as how you will arrive by car or plane, what time you will get there, and the weather forecast.  What kind of noise will there be if it's a large city?  If you are going to the beach, review beach safety.  If you are going through TSA, discuss the screening process, we all know the process can be daunting. Help your child envision the trip - Show brochures of your destination.  Check out books at your local library and learn about the cultural differences and perhaps etiquette rules if you are traveling to another country.  If it is a new experience, show videos on YouTube such as riding a rollercoaster or how to kayak.  When I took my son to Disneyland for the first time, I showed him videos on YouTube, so he knew what to expect and would not be overstimulated when we arrived at the theme park. Make a list  - Make a list of clothing your children will need.  If your child is older, have them pack their own clothes.  If your child is younger, have them pack clothes in their suitcase with you, that way they know which items are coming with them. Pack a small backpack of comfort items - When we travel in my home, I provide a small backpack for my child to pack with toys to entertain himself.  I also have him choose books to read at night and I always have him pack a drawing tablet and markers. Snacks - It does not matter how old your children are, always pack snacks and water!  For kids with sensory-processing issues that limit their diet, it’s important to pack food you know they’ll eat.  This can be especially true if it is difficult to find the foods they like once you have reached your destination. Schedule decompression time - Children need downtime, just to chill out, snuggle, and do whatever relaxes them.  If they don’t get it, they really can’t be blamed for melting down when the over-stimulations get to them.  It can be difficult sometimes when you are away on vacation, but having some downtime at night and sticking to a bedtime routine can make all the difference when traveling with children.  While decompressing, throw in some extra snuggles to help your child feel safe in their new temporary surroundings.   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 Patrick Lei, Clerk - plei@gusdschools.org Paula Braunschweig, Trustee -  pbraunschweig@gusdschools.org Jeri McNeill, Trustee -   jmcneill@gusdschools.org Laura de la Roz, Trustee -  ldelaroz@gusdschools.org   WEBSITE           ABOUT US           MENUS             SCHEDULES   Elementary School  Website Middle School  Website Creative  Arts  Program   Will Deeths wdeeths@gusdschools.org Dave Rose drose@gusdschools.org Keri Pugno kpugno@gusdschools.org  

Sunday, Jun 04 2023

Monday Messages May 29, 2023 for GUSD Families

GRAVENSTEIN UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT Monday Message May 29, 2023   A MESSAGE FROM GUSD ADMINISTRATION   Mark Your Calendars Monday, May 29 -  GUSD  - No School - Memorial Day Tuesday, May 30 to Friday, June 2 - Hillcrest - 7th Grade Ashland Field Trip Thursday, June 1 (Tentative) - Hillcrest - 8th Grade Day Away Friday, June 2, 9:15 am - Gravenstein - Kindergarten Promotion Ceremony Friday, June 2, 1:00 pm - Gravenstein - Grade 5 Promotion Ceremony Friday, June 2, 5:30 pm - GUSD - Skate Night - Hawaiian Theme Monday, June 5, 6 - 8 pm - Hillcrest - 8th Grade Graduation Ceremony Tuesday, June 6th - Hillcrest & Gravenstein - 8th Graders walks the halls of Gravenstein Elementary Wednesday, June 7, 8:30 - 10 am  - Hillcrest -  8th Grade Graduation Breakfast Tuesday, June 13, 5 pm - GUSD - Board Meeting Tuesday, June 20, 6 pm - GPA - Board Meeting Tuesday, July 11, 5 pm - GUSD - Board Meeting Tuesday, July 18, 6 pm - GPA - Board Meeting GUSD Bell Schedule for Last Week of School * Dismissal on the last two days of school is before the lunch period. Students ordering a school lunch on the last two days will be given a bag lunch to take home. Gravenstein Elementary School Monday (6/5/23) Tuesday (6/6/23) and Wednesday (6/7/23) TK and K 8:45-1:00 8:45-11:50* Grades 1 & 2 8:30-1:45 8:30-12:30* Grades 3-5 8:15-1:30 8:15-12:10* Hillcrest Middle School Monday (6/5/23) Tuesday (6/6/23) and Wednesday (6/7/23) Grades 6-8 8:30-1:55 8:30-12:15*   Lunch Menu To view the entire May 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 29 Tue 30 Wed 31 Thu 1 Fri 2 NO SCHOOL Cereal & String Cheese Breakfast Pizza French Toast Bites Cook's Choice Pulled Pork Tacos Bean & Cheese Burrito Grilled Chicken Patty & Potatoes Chicken Nuggets Mon 5 Tue 6 Wed 7 - Last Day of School Pancake Bowl Cook's Choice Cook's Choice Egg Roll & Rice Bagel & Cream Cheese Turkey & Cheese Sandwich   Moving?? If your fami ly is relocating or will not be returning to Gravenstein or Hillcrest next year, please contact the school office.   Enroll for TK and Kinder now! Enrollment is open for next year, but already filling in some grades!  If you know of any families looking to enroll their child at Gravenstein in the fall, please encourage them to submit their student’s application ASAP.   (Current GUSD students do not need to reapply.)   The TK Birthdate window has been expanded to include students who will turn five between September 2 and April 30.      GRAVENSTEIN PARENT ASSOCIATION   Staff Appreciation Celebrations 2023 Staff Appreciation celebrations came to a close with a special Fiesta Friday luncheon at both campuses.  It was wonderful celebrating the staff of GUSD who work so hard for our kids. Thank you all for everything you do!   Hillcrest Annual Color Run Another successful Color Run is in the books at HMS. GPA looks forward to partnering with Hillcrest every year for this amazing event. Thank you Hawk families for supporting this fundraiser with your pledges.  Your generosity keeps Enrichments going at Hillcrest.   Upcoming Board Meeting: Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at 6:00pm Hillcrest Middle School in Room 5 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?   Please Drive with Caution We just have a few days of school left and we know there are many campus activities and events planned.  Please recognize this may increase traffic congestion and drive slowly and cautiously upon entering or exiting the school campus.  Please plan ahead, keep calm, and drive safely to protect our students, staff, and neighborhood pets.   It's Spirit Week at Gravenstein! The Gravenstein Student Council put together ideas for dress-up days to show school spirit.  Tuesday, 5/30 - Get Wacky! (mismatched socks, inside out/backwards clothes, clashing prints - it all goes on this crazy day!) Wednesday, 5/31 - Get Ready for Vacation!    (Break out the tourist or vacation clothes but please remember that flip-flops are not allowed at school.) Thursday, 6/1 - It’s the Gold Rush!   (Our 4th graders are celebrating the Gold Rush on this date and we will join them in dressing up as if we were from the 1800s.) Friday, 6/2 - Make it Formal!   To support the Kindergarten and Grade 5 Promotion ceremonies on this date, we are encouraging all students to put on their finest!      Send Them Ready for Field Day! Each of our students will participate in grade-level field day activities this week.  All activities will take place outside on the field and many of the stations involve water, so please:  Wear sunscreen or a hat Pack a full water bottle  Consider packing an extra set of clothes so students who get wet can change before returning to the classroom     Grades 4 and 5 Rocked Their Spring Concert! The fourth and fifth grade students impressed everyone with an incredible Spring Concert on Thursday, May 18.  Mr. Pulley led the Band students and Mr. Burrows led the Chorus students. We are truly fortunate to have such a strong Music program at Gravenstein Elementary School and we thank all of the encouragement parents give to their children and support given to GPA to help fund these opportunities.   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 Graduation Visit to Gravenstein Permission slips for our 8th Grade Graduate Walk at Gravenstein will be coming home on Tuesday, May 30th. In order for your student to participate, these permission slips will need to be signed and returned to the Main Office no later than 1st Period, Friday, June 2, 2023.  Please have your graduate bring their gown to school Tuesday, June 2, to wear for the walk.   Elective Forms Check your email Hillcrest families - Elective sign ups were emailed to all of our students who will be attending Hillcrest in the fall.  Get your requests in before it's too late!  As a reminder, students who do not turn in their form will have their electives selected for them!   Did You Order Your Child's House Shirt? Have you ordered your child's HOUSE shirt for next year?  It is NOT too late.  Fill out the  form  now! ( English  or  Spanish )  Every HMS student will have a House t-shirt for the 23/24 school year.  We will wear our House t-shirts to show House pride, earn House points, and for the bragging rights of the Color War. This House t-shirt should fit your child for all their years at Hillcrest so please choose the size appropriately.  Shirts will be passed out at the start of the 23/24 school year. You must fill out this  survey  ( English  or  Spanish ) by Wednesday, May 31 to ensure your child receives the proper size for their House t-shirt.    Accelerated ELA Hillcrest Middle School is proud to offer Accelerated Language Arts classes for eligible students in both 7th and 8th grades.  These are rigorous and fast-paced classes that will cover a multitude of topics in Language Arts.  All current Hillcrest students will take a placement test, which will be in two parts.  The test will take place during the respective Language Arts classes last week (7th graders) and this week (6th graders).   Interested students  will also need to submit a questionnaire and electronic letter of interest by Wednesday 5/31 (3:30PM).  Here is the link to the   Questionnaire & Letter of Interest .  This response is to be filled out by the applying student only. Accelerated Math    Click below for links to information regarding Accelerated Math: English - Accelerated Math Letter Spanish - Accelerated Math Letter   Hillcrest Leadership classes celebrated the end of a successful, spirit-filled school year at Hardcore Coffee.   Thank you, student leaders , for your hard work, dedication, and service to making Hillcrest and our community better!   8th Grade Last Trimester The following reminders for the last trimester of 8th grade were shared with our students last week. TO:                  Eighth Grade Students, Teachers, and Parents FROM:            William Deeths, Principal SUBJECT:      End of the Year Schedule & Code of Conduct   Hillcrest Middle School is an incredible learning environment that I am proud to be a part of.  Our students are kind, caring and courteous to all members of the Hillcrest community.  It is rare for our students to be involved in disciplinary incidents.  However, as we approach the end of the year and students get closer to ending their time at Hillcrest, it is very important to emphasize that a positive, safe learning environment must be maintained through the very last day of school.  The expectation is for all students to continue following all school rules and life skills.  For the end of the year, students could lose the privilege of participating in end-of-the-year eighth grade activities based on the following guidelines:   Discipline Any student suspended for more than one day or that has had three or more referrals during the last Trimester may not be able to attend the  Field Day and the 8 th grade Promotion trip to Six Flags .   Additionally, any student involved in extreme violations that lead to a multiple day suspension may also be excluded from participation in the Promotion Ceremony .   Grades Students who have any multiple D’s and / or one or more F’s during the last Trimester may not be able to attend the  Field Day and the 8 th grade Promotion Six Flags trip .   8th Grade End of the Year Schedule Monday, May 29th - NO School!!! Thursday, June 1st 8th Grade Graduation Field Trip to Six Flags Vallejo. For student attending Six Flags on Thursday, June 1, here are some reminders: Students arrive at school at 8:30 and go to their first period classes. Buses arrive by 9:30  and students will leave their 2nd period class to get on the bus. We will be at Six Flags from 11:00 am to 5 pm. The buses will return to campus by 6:30 pm. Students have meal tickets to get a snack, a meal, and a drink of their choice at most of the concession stands throughout the park,  so they do not need to bring lunch . Six Flags does not take cash , so if students want to purchase anything other than their meals, they can try to do so at the Cash to Card machines located in the park.  Also, if your student has a sibling who is graduating from Analy on Thursday, June 1, they are still able to attend the trip, but a parent would need to pick them up from Six Flags early.  Please email Ms. J at  hjohnson@gusdschools.org  if you have any questions. Monday, June 5th 8th Grade Graduation practice.   All 8th grade students participating in the Graduation Ceremony must attend school that day and participate in the Graduation practice. Graduation Ceremony - 6:00 pm - Hillcrest Middle School Blacktop - All students participating in the ceremony must be in Hillcrest Hall no later than 5:30 pm. Tuesday, June 6th 8th Grade students will wear their graduation gowns and take a bus to Gravenstein Elementary School.  The 8th grade students will walk the halls, high fiving the Gravenstein students and staff as a way to say “goodbye” to their elementary school.  Permission slips will be sent home in the next few days. Wednesday, June 7th 8th Grade Graduation Breakfast in the Duck Pond at 8:30 am.  Parents of graduating students may attend.  Watch Monday Messages for more information. All school Field Day will be held on the field.   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     For kids, summer break is usually a time to celebrate the end of school — and the beginning of lazy mornings sleeping in! Most kids look forward to their summer break every year. But for some kids, the change in routines can be challenging.  Children who suffer from mental disorders, such as anxiety or depression, may find that their summer break takes them away from the “safe zone” their school routines create.  These Children may actually experience a rise in anxiety when summer break begins. Parents can also struggle as they balance work and making sure their children are happy and fulfilled while at home. Here are some strategies to help children and their families during the summer. Create structure through schedules.  Most kids thrive with routine, particularly kids with mental disorders. Summertime means the end of their normal schedule, and these kids may struggle when they don’t know what to expect day by day. The key is consistency — whatever you do, make sure it stays consistent during the summer months. For example, keep the same wake-up and bedtimes every day, or coordinate a playdate outside with their friends every Friday. Plan fun activities.  Kids who might feel depressed because they can’t see their usual group of friends can highly benefit from new, fun activities, such as summer camps or swim lessons. Children who love to read can benefit from summer reading programs, usually provided for free at local libraries   https://sonomalibrary.org/summerreading2022  It can even be as simple as planning activities for the family, such as a weekly game night or a barbecue. Playing a part in the planning process can help kids feel less anxious while also empowering them — especially when taking a summer trip. Kids who are asked to take part in planning will feel secure in knowing what’s coming next and what issues might come up, such as a travel delay. Enjoy time outside.  While this can be hard when temperatures get hot, kids benefit greatly from physical activity and getting out of the house for a while. Going for a bike ride in the evening, swimming or even just a walk around the block will increase Vitamin D levels and ensure kids feel a little more cheerful. Getting out of the house also limits screen time — which many kids overindulge in during the summer months. There’s nothing wrong with a TV marathon here and there, but too much time in front of a screen may actually increase anxiety and depression. Turn the screen off for a while and enjoy the sunshine instead! Make family time a priority.  Summer break may mean school is over for kids, but most parents rarely find themselves with the same luxury. This change can be difficult for some children who might not know what to do at home during the hours they would typically be at school. Not all parents can get time off during the summer months, but kids don’t need a parent with a month off to have quality family time. Even just doing normal things together, such as cooking or a family movie night, can make a world of difference to kids. Find a balance.  Some kids with anxiety may find that summer is overwhelming if parents try to cram it too full with activities to keep them busy! While it’s important to find fun things for kids to do, it’s also important for kids to be able to relax and enjoy some downtime. The key is learning to find a balance between too much and too little. Learning how to balance work and play is a skill kids can use throughout their lifetimes. Please check out the GUSD website for mental health and community resources in case you are in need over the summer.  https://sites.google.com/grav.k12.ca.us/gusd-school-counseling/ The Sonoma County Library is partnering with the Redwood Empire Food Bank with a free summer lunch program. Free lunch is available at seven library locations for youth 0-18 years old.   https://sonomalibrary.org/content/lunch-at-the-library  Scroll to the end of the link to find the locations.   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 Patrick Lei, Clerk - plei@gusdschools.org Paula Braunschweig, Trustee -  pbraunschweig@gusdschools.org Jeri McNeill, Trustee -   jmcneill@gusdschools.org Laura de la Roz, Trustee -  ldelaroz@gusdschools.org   WEBSITE           ABOUT US           MENUS             SCHEDULES   Elementary School  Website Middle School  Website Creative  Arts  Program   Will Deeths wdeeths@gusdschools.org Dave Rose drose@gusdschools.org Keri Pugno kpugno@gusdschools.org  

Sunday, May 28 2023

Monday Messages May 22, 2023 for GUSD Families

GRAVENSTEIN UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT Monday Message May 22, 2023   A MESSAGE FROM GUSD ADMINISTRATION   Mark Your Calendars Thursday, May 25th, 5 pm - Hillcrest - Band Concert in Hillcrest Hall Friday, May 26  - SCHOOL IN SESSION Monday, May 29 -  GUSD  - No School - Memorial Day Tuesday, May 30 to Friday, June 2 - Hillcrest - 7th Grade Ashland Field Trip Thursday, June 1 (Tentative) - Hillcrest - 8th Grade Day Away Friday, June 2, 9:15 am - Gravenstein - Kindergarten Promotion Ceremony Friday, June 2, 1:00 pm - Gravenstein - Grade 5 Promotion Ceremony Friday, June 2, 5:30 pm - GUSD - Skate Night - Hawaiian Theme Monday, June 5, 6 - 8 pm - Hillcrest - 8th Grade Graduation Ceremony Tuesday, June 6th - Hillcrest & Gravenstein - 8th Graders walks the halls of Gravenstein Elementary Wednesday, June 7, 8:30 - 10 am  - Hillcrest -  8th Grade Graduation Breakfast Tuesday, June 13, 5 pm - GUSD - Board Meeting Tuesday, June 20, 6 pm - GPA - Board Meeting Tuesday, July 11, 5 pm - GUSD - Board Meeting Tuesday, July 18, 6 pm - GPA - Board Meeting Important - School Calendar Change 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. GUSD Bell Schedule for Last Week of School * Dismissal on the last two days of school is before the lunch period. Students ordering a school lunch on the last two days will be given a bag lunch to take home. Gravenstein Elementary School Monday (6/5/23) Tuesday (6/6/23) and Wednesday (6/7/23) TK and K 8:45-1:00 8:45-11:50* Grades 1 & 2 8:30-1:45 8:30-12:30* Grades 3-5 8:15-1:30 8:15-12:10* Hillcrest Middle School Monday (6/5/23) Tuesday (6/6/23) and Wednesday (6/7/23) Grades 6-8 8:30-1:55 8:30-12:15*   Lunch Menu To view the entire May 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 22 Tue 23 Wed 24 Thu 25 Fri 26 Cereal & String Cheese Pancake Bagel Cereal & String Cheese Cheese Croissant Pasta Chicken & Potato Soft Taco Corn Dog Pizza Cook's Choice Mon 29 Tue 30 Wed 31 Thu 1 Fri 2 Muffin & String Cheese Cereal & String Cheese Breakfast Pizza French Toast Bites Cook's Choice Hamburger Pulled Pork Tacos Bean & Cheese Burrito Grilled Chicken Patty & Potatoes Chicken Nuggets Mon 5 Tue 6 Wed 7 - Last Day of School Pancake Bowl Cook's Choice Cook's Choice Egg Roll & Rice Grilled Chicken Patty Turkey & Cheese Sandwich   Moving?? If your fami ly is relocating or will not be returning to Gravenstein or Hillcrest next year, please contact the school office.   Enroll for TK and Kinder now! Enrollment is open for next year, but already filling in some grades!  If you know of any families looking to enroll their child at Gravenstein in the fall, please encourage them to submit their student’s application ASAP.   (Current GUSD students do not need to reapply.)   The TK Birthdate window has been expanded to include students who will turn five between September 2 and April 30.      GRAVENSTEIN PARENT ASSOCIATION   Congratulations Read-A-Thon Winners! Top minutes read winner is Ellie from Mrs. Hanson's class with 1,470 minutes - way to go Ellie!  Top fundraising class was Mrs. Barrera's class and the class with the most minutes read was Mrs. Tomsky's class.    Prizes will be awarded this week.  Thank you to everyone for participating in the 2023 Read-A-Thon to support the Enrichment Program!   The Grad Swag Package Purchase your Grad a Swag Package full of fun items to help celebrate their graduation.  Packages can be purchased in the front office for $15 (Cash or Check made payable to GPA).  Want to help your fellow Hawks celebrate?  Make an extra donation in the front office.   Upcoming Board Meeting: Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at 6:00pm Hillcrest Middle School in Room 5 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?   Get Ready for Gravenstein Spirit Week The Gravenstein Student Council put together ideas for 5 dress-up days to show school spirit.  Friday, 5/26 - PJ Day (no slippers; regular shoes must be worn for recess/PE) Tuesday, 5/30 - Get Wacky! (mismatched socks, inside out/backwards clothes, clashing prints - it all goes on this crazy day!) Wednesday, 5/31 - Get ready for Vacation!   (Break out the tourist or vacation clothes but please remember that flip-flops are not allowed at school.) Thursday, 6/1 - It’s the Gold Rush!  (Our 4th graders are celebrating the Gold Rush on this date and we will join them in dressing up as if we were from the 1800s.) Friday, 6/2 - Make it Formal!   To support the Kindergarten and Grade 5 Promotion ceremonies on this date, we are encouraging all students to put on their finest!     May is Staff Appreciation Month! Our Enrichment Teachers are amazing!  During the month of May, we ask our Gravenstein families to help us celebrate and honor all of our school staff.  Our parent foundation, GPA, will be hosting three Staff Appreciation days during the month of May.  As you reflect on the amazing experiences your child has had this year, I encourage you to reach out and share your appreciation with the Staff that have helped make your child’s Gravenstein experience a success.  I will highlight a group of School Staff in each issue of May’s Monday Messages.   In the first week, I focused on the classroom teachers.  In the second week, I highlighted the Instructional Assistants and Beyond-the-Bell Staff.  For the third week, I recognized the staff members that make up our Office, Food Service, and Custodial Staff.  For this fourth week, I’d like to shine a light on our Incredible Enrichment Teachers.  The creativity, resourcefulness, and passion for their subjects inspire students and staff alike. Spanish :  Maestra Kim and Maestra Byrne Music/Band :  Nick Pulley and Spencer Burrows Art : Nancy Ricciardi and Kasey Hillier STEM : Mark Bradski (Mr. Science) and Mr. Mitchel (Mr. M) Movement : Paige Dumont (Coach Paige) and Mike Brady   It's Time for Field Day! Just one more week until we celebrate our Field Days!  Each grade level is going to come together during the last week of May to enjoy a variety of field day activities.  We would love to have parents/guardians volunteer to help run the stations in a few more grade levels (we have enough volunteers for grades TK/K, 1, and 2).  If you are able to join us and help with this event, please complete this form (adult volunteers only.)    Field Day Volunteer Sign-Up   Grades TK & K- Wednesday, 5/31, from 10:15-11:15  No more volunteers needed! Grade 1- Thursday, 6/1, from 1:05-2:20   No more volunteers needed! Grade 2- Wednesday, 5/31, from 11:30-12:45   No more volunteers needed! Grade 3- Thursday, 6/1, from 11:15-12:45 Grade 4- Tuesday, 5/30, from 10:50-12:20 Grade 5- Tuesday, 5/30, 12:45-2:15     Last Chance for Parent Input Forms! Our teachers will work together on the last few days of school to make classroom recommendations for the upcoming year.  There are many factors they will consider and they will strive to create balanced classrooms where each child can thrive.   We do not take specific teacher requests from parents, but if there is information that you would like your child’s teacher to consider when making placement recommendations, please complete this form:  Parent Input Form for Classroom Placements 2023-2024 The last day for forms to be submitted is Monday, 5/22/23.    Literacy Carnival a Huge Success! What an amazing evening!  Over 600 people came to the Gravenstein campus to celebrate literacy and enjoy the Gravenstein community.  Along with reading to goats, chickens, guinea pigs, and dogs, we had many literacy game stations and community partners throughout the campus.  The Sonoma County LIbrary Bibliobus helped hand out library cards and the Gold Ridge Fire Department was on hand for kids to explore a fire engine.  Ballet Folklorico provided amazing entertainment and the Gravenstein Kitchen Staff kept everyone well fed.  Thank you to all the GUSD Staff and Parents who volunteered to make this incredible event a reality!   Garden Enrichment Finishes the Year with a Bountiful Harvest The Garden Enrichment class had a bountiful harvest of fava beans from the school garden!  In celebration of their last enrichment class for this school year, students harvested, shelled and prepared the fava beans.  The beans were enjoyed by all - delicious & nutritious!!   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?   Hillcrest Band Concert Don't miss the Hillcrest Band Concert on Thursday, May 25th at 5 pm in the Hillcrest Hall.  You won't want to miss it!!   7th Grade Ashland Oregon Field Trip The 7th Grade Field Trip to the Ashland Oregon Shakespeare Festival is rapidly approaching!  The trip is from May 30th thru June 2nd.  The suggested donation for this trip is $650 that can be dropped off in the HMS Main Office any day this week (cash or checks made payable to GUSD).  Reminder  - students who do not attend the trip can avoid unexcused absences by applying for Independent Study.  Requests for Independent Study must be submitted before Thursday May 25th.   Electives for Fall 2023 Check your email Hillcrest families.  Elective sign ups were emailed to all of our students who will be attending Hillcrest in the fall.  Get your requests in before it's too late!  As a reminder, students who do not turn in their form will have their electives selected for them!   8th Grade Graduation Speech Auditions Would you like to speak at your 8th Grade Graduation Ceremony or the 8th Grade Breakfast?  Auditions will happen at lunch in Room 9.  See Ms. J with any questions.   House Rewards Trip Congratulations to our winning House for the 22-23 school year - Burbank / Byrd! As a reward on Wednesday May 24th, the winning House will board a bus and head to Scandia for the day!  If your student is in Burbank / Byrd fill out the permission slip and return it to the office by Monday!  Please make out Donation checks for the field trip to GUSD.   Ordering School Lunches Important reminder - If your student wants school lunch on a given day, please remind them to order it during 1st period.  Currently we are running low on lunches due to order numbers being off, please order it so we know how much to make!!   Turn In Those Uniforms All Sports Jerseys must be turned in on or (preferably) before May 26th!  Please be sure to wash them before turning them in.  They can be dropped off in the main office.   Order Your House Shirts for Next Year What:   Next year, every HMS student will have a House t-shirt Why:  To show House pride, earn House points, and bragging rights of the ColorWar When:   Order Your House t-shirt by Wednesday, May 10 How:   Return this order  form  to the HMS Office with a $10 donation.  If you are unable to donate $10 at this time, you will still receive a t-shirt.  Any donation is greatly appreciated so if you can only donate $5, please do so.  Additionally, you can donate more than $10 to cover the cost of t-shirts for other students. Sizes will be ordered in a Google Form separately. $10 due Wednesday, May 10, 2023, to the HMS Office   8th Grade Last Trimester The following reminders for the last trimester of 8th grade were shared with our students last week. TO:                  Eighth Grade Students, Teachers, and Parents FROM:            William Deeths, Principal SUBJECT:      End of the Year Schedule & Code of Conduct   Hillcrest Middle School is an incredible learning environment that I am proud to be a part of.  Our students are kind, caring and courteous to all members of the Hillcrest community.  It is rare for our students to be involved in disciplinary incidents.  However, as we approach the end of the year and students get closer to ending their time at Hillcrest, it is very important to emphasize that a positive, safe learning environment must be maintained through the very last day of school.  The expectation is for all students to continue following all school rules and life skills.  For the end of the year, students could lose the privilege of participating in end-of-the-year eighth grade activities based on the following guidelines:   Discipline Any student suspended for more than one day or that has had three or more referrals during the last Trimester may not be able to attend the  Field Day and the 8 th grade Promotion trip to Six Flags .   Additionally, any student involved in extreme violations that lead to a multiple day suspension may also be excluded from participation in the Promotion Ceremony .   Grades Students who have any multiple D’s and / or one or more F’s during the last Trimester may not be able to attend the  Field Day and the 8 th grade Promotion Six Flags trip .   8th Grade End of the Year Schedule Monday, May 29th - NO School!!! Thursday, June 1st 8th Grade Graduation Field Trip to Six Flags Vallejo. Monday, June 5th 8th Grade Graduation practice.   All 8th grade students participating in the Graduation Ceremony must attend school that day and participate in the Graduation practice. Graduation Ceremony - 6:00 pm - Hillcrest Middle School Blacktop - All students participating in the ceremony must be in Hillcrest Hall no later than 5:30 pm. Tuesday, June 6th 8th Grade students will wear their graduation gowns and take a bus to Gravenstein Elementary School.  The 8th grade students will walk the halls, high fiving the Gravenstein students and staff as a way to say “goodbye” to their elementary school.  Permission slips will be sent home in the next few days. Wednesday, June 7th 8th Grade Graduation Breakfast in the Duck Pond at 8:30 am.  Parents of graduating students may attend.  Watch Monday Messages for more information. All school Field Day will be held on the field.   CAASPP Testing Continues Continuing on Monday May 22nd, 8th Grade Hillcrest Middle School students will take the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) Science test.  We will be on regular bell schedule during testing and students will test with their Science teacher in their Science classroom.  We ask that in order for our students to perform to the best of their abilities during the CAASPP, all Hillcrest Hawks: Read the instructions  Make sure you understand what the question is asking for Go over your answers Any questions that you skip you MUST complete before you leave the testing session Get a good night's sleep Eat breakfast and drink water prior to school Arrive to school before the 8:30 bell   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     Summer is just around the corner and many of us are trying to think of activities to do with our children to keep them occupied, socialized, and away from electronics all at an affordable price.  Here is a small list of ideas to do with your children locally for those long summer days. Go to the River (Kayak or canoe).  Make sure to bring life jackets.  The River has a fast current this year due to all the rain. Build a Sand Castle on the beach. Have a picnic dinner at your favorite park or beach. Don’t forget to get classmate numbers to connect for playdates. Have a water balloon fight - I just discovered reusable water balloons.  They are so easy and good for the environment. Roast marshmallows in the backyard as a fun treat. Stay up late to star gaze. Pop a tent up in the backyard on hot nights and sleep under the stars. Explore Spring Lake Regional Park activities.   https://parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov/visit/find-a-park/spring-lake-regional-park Attend local farmers’ markets. Go check out the tide pools at the coast. Go for a hike.    https://sonomalandtrust.org/ Encourage your children to build their own fort in the backyard. Visit Train Town in Sonoma for younger children.    https://www.traintown.com/ Visit the local Swimming pool.    https://www.ivespool.org/ Adventure through the redwoods at Armstrong Woods.    http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=450 Explore all the recreational activities at Howarth Park (boating, train rides).    https://www.srcity.org/1271/Howarth-Park If you have a Sonoma County Library card check out their website.  They offer free tickets to local museums as well as events for youth.    https://sonomalibrary.org/ Windsor offers family-friendly events on the green.  Here is a link to their summer 2023 family movie night lineup. Don’t forget to check out their music lineup as well on their website.    https://www.townofwindsor.com/787/Family-Movies-on-the-Green Enjoy a free concert at the Barlow with Peacetown.  They have a family village that offers games and activities for youth.    Summer Concerts 2023 — Peacetown   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 Patrick Lei, Clerk - plei@gusdschools.org Paula Braunschweig, Trustee -  pbraunschweig@gusdschools.org Jeri McNeill, Trustee -   jmcneill@gusdschools.org Laura de la Roz, Trustee -  ldelaroz@gusdschools.org   WEBSITE           ABOUT US           MENUS             SCHEDULES   Elementary School  Website Middle School  Website Creative  Arts  Program   Will Deeths wdeeths@gusdschools.org Dave Rose drose@gusdschools.org Keri Pugno kpugno@gusdschools.org  

Sunday, May 21 2023

Monday Messages May 15, 2023 for GUSD Families

GRAVENSTEIN UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT Monday Message May 15, 2023   A MESSAGE FROM GUSD ADMINISTRATION   Mark Your Calendars Thursday, May 18 - Gravenstein - Spring Picture Day Thursday, May 18 - Gravenstein - Grades 4 & 5 Spring Musical Concert at HMS Friday, May 19 - Hillcrest - Annual Color Run Friday, May 19 - Hillcrest - Leadership Applications Due Friday, May 19, 6 - 8 pm - Hillcrest - Last School Dance of the year Friday, May 26  - SCHOOL IN SESSION Monday, May 29 -  GUSD  - No School - Memorial Day Tuesday, May 30 to Friday, June 2 - Hillcrest - 7th Grade Ashland Field Trip Thursday, June 1 (Tentative) - Hillcrest - 8th Grade Day Away Friday, June 2, 9:15 am - Gravenstein - Kindergarten Promotion Ceremony Friday, June 2, 1:00 pm - Gravenstein - Grade 5 Promotion Ceremony Monday, June 5 - Hillcrest - 8th Grade Graduation Practice and Ceremony Tuesday, June 6th - Hillcrest & Gravenstein - 8th Graders walks the halls of Gravenstein Elementary Wednesday, June 7  - Hillcrest -  8th Grade Graduation Breakfast ALL YEAR - Gravenstein -  See's Candy Fundraiser Monday, June 12 to Friday, June 30 - Session 1 Summer JumpStart Program Wednesday, July 12 to Wednesday, August 2 - Session 2 Summer JumpStart Program Important - School Calendar Change 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. GUSD Bell Schedule for Last Week of School * Dismissal on the last two days of school is before the lunch period. Students ordering a school lunch on the last two days will be given a bag lunch to take home. Gravenstein Elementary School Monday (6/5/23) Tuesday (6/6/23) and Wednesday (6/7/23) TK and K 8:45-1:00 8:45-11:50* Grades 1 & 2 8:30-1:45 8:30-12:30* Grades 3-5 8:15-1:30 8:15-12:10* Hillcrest Middle School Monday (6/5/23) Tuesday (6/6/23) and Wednesday (6/7/23) Grades 6-8 8:30-1:55 8:30-12:15*   Lunch Menu To view the entire May 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 15 Tue 16 Wed 17 Thu 18 Fri 19 Cereal & String Cheese Muffin Sweet Danish Breakfast Nachos Cook's Choice Minestrone Casserole Taco Tuesday BBQ Chicken Chicken Taco Salad Bar Hamburger   Parents - Check Your Voicemail!! When a student is sick or injured the school office calls the parents first.  If the parent doesn't answer, we attempt to leave a voicemail.  However, often we get a message that the mailbox is full and it cannot accept messages.  This happens to all of us, and it's hard to remember one more digital "thing" that needs to be done, but it goes a long way toward helping us efficiently contact parents and relay important messages. Also, on the subject of voicemails, school staff will always leave a voicemail (if possible) if they call and there is no answer.  If you miss a call, please take a moment to listen to the voicemail that was left before calling the school back.  Often, the person who answers the phone does not know where the call originated, and thus cannot easily help you.   Moving?? If your fami ly is relocating or will not be returning to Gravenstein or Hillcrest next year, please contact the school office.   GUSD Summer School - JumpStart 2023 This program is open for all GUSD students to participate in our Math and Language Arts Intensive Support Jumpstart Program.  Both programs target students who could significantly benefit from intensive instruction offered outside the regular school year.  There is  NO COST  for participating students!  The Jumpstart Program is broken into two sessions with a break in between.     Session 1 June 12th - June 30th 14 Days, 6/19 holiday break 7:30am - 5:30 pm Instructional Time 8:30 am - 1:30 pm Session 2 July 12 - August 2nd 16 days 7:30 am - 5:30 pm Instructional Time 8:30 am - 1:30 pm Location:  Hillcrest Middle School Campus Please click on the following link to let us know if you are or are not interested in the JumpStart program happening this Summer.  Please be sure to respond by Wednesday, May 10, 2023. JumpStart Interest - English JumpStart Interest - Spanish Specific questions should be directed to jumpstart@gusdschools.org , please do NOT contact the Schools or the District Office regarding JumpStart.   GRAVENSTEIN PARENT ASSOCIATION   The Gravenstein Read-A-Thon Ended on Friday Gravenstein had yet another successful Read-A-Thon.  Thank you to everyone who participated.  We will have the results next week.   Upcoming Board Meeting: Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at 6:00pm Hillcrest Middle School in Room 5 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?   Kindergarten and Grade 5 Promotion Ceremonies Kindergarten Promotion Ceremony will be Friday, June 2, at 9:15 AM Grade 5 Promotion Ceremony will be Friday, June 2, at 1:00 PM Both ceremonies will be held outside in the Courtyard.   Enroll for TK and Kinder now! Enrollment is open for next year, but already filling in some grades!  If you know of any families looking to enroll their child at Gravenstein in the fall, please encourage them to submit their student’s application ASAP.   (Current GUSD students do not need to reapply.)   The TK Birthdate window has been expanded to include students who will turn five between September 2 and April 30.    Did You Take Pictures at the Literacy Carnival? If you took some great pictures at last Friday’s Literacy Carnival, we would love to see them!  Please send them to kpugno@gusdschools.org .   It’s Time to Appreciate our School Staff! It is already May and, while that means the end of this school year may be in sight, it is also the time we ask our families to help us celebrate and honor all of our school staff.  Our parent foundation, GPA, will be hosting three Staff Appreciation days during the month of May.  As you reflect on the growth and progress your child has made this year, I encourage you to reach out and share your appreciation with the Staff that have helped make your child’s Gravenstein experience a success.  I will highlight a group of School Staff in each issue of May’s Monday Messages.    In the first week, I focused on the classroom teachers.  In the second week, I highlighted the Instructional Assistants and Beyond-the-Bell Staff.   For this third week of May, I’d like to recognize and appreciate the staff members that make up our School Office, our Food Service Program, and our Custodial Crew.  Each member of these teams demonstrates dependability, dedication, and a commitment to helping students that makes them invaluable to our Gravenstein community.  Thank you…you are very appreciated!   Spring Portraits We will be taking pictures this Thursday!  Every class will have their group photo taken and any individuals that recently enrolled or wish to purchase spring portraits will have an individual picture taken.  If you would like to purchase a spring portrait package, you must pre-register using this link:   Gravenstein Spring Portrait Sign-Up   It's Time for Field Day! The school year is almost over and it is time to celebrate all that our students have done this year!  Each grade level is going to come together during the last week of May to enjoy a variety of field day activities.  We would love to have parents/guardians volunteer to help run the stations.  If you are able to join us and help with this event, please complete this form (adult volunteers only.)    Field Day Volunteer Sign-Up   Grades TK & K- Wednesday, 5/31, from 10:15-11:15 Grade 1- Thursday, 6/1, from 1:05-2:20 Grade 2- Wednesday, 5/31, from 11:30-12:45 Grade 3- Thursday, 6/1, from 11:15-12:45 Grade 4- Tuesday, 5/30, from 10:50-12:20 Grade 5- Tuesday, 5/30, 12:45-2:15   Parent Input Forms for Class Placement With less than a month left of this school year, we have already begun our planning for the 2023-2024 school year.  Our teachers will work together on the last few days of school to make classroom recommendations for the upcoming year.  There are many factors they will consider and they will strive to create balanced classrooms where each child can thrive.   We do not take specific teacher requests from parents, but if there is information that you would like your child’s teacher to consider when making placement recommendations, please complete this form:  Parent Input Form for Classroom Placements 2023-2024     TK Hosted Donuts with Grown-ups Last Friday, our TK students continued an end-of-the-year tradition of inviting special grown-ups into the classroom to enjoy “Donuts with Grown-Ups”.  Students were able to share yummy treats and show some of their most recent special projects.   Fort Ross With Mrs. Martinez and her Fourth Grade Class Mrs. Martinez's fourth grade class spent two days at Fort Ross participating in the environmental living history program - taking on the roles of artisan, hunter, cook, and militia colonists for the early 1800s.   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?   Who is That We See at the Volleyball Game?? Mr. Rose, got to take a short break from his duties as Superintendent to have a little fun refereeing one of the Volleyball Games last week.   2023 Color Run The Color Run has been postponed to Friday May 19th!  Donations can be paid using the online link   https://wearegpa.com/hillcrest-colorrun/  or by sending in a check with the sponsor sheet.  For every $10 in sponsorship students will receive a raffle ticket.  The prizes are: A BBQ lunch for the student and 7 friends cooked by Mr. Deeths 10 students will win a entire Costco Pizza 6 students will win a Cereal Buffet at Break time Gift cards and more will be awarded! Color powder packs are $5 and will be sold at lunch all week.  Cash or check (made payable to GPA).  If you have any questions please see Mr. Deeths or Ms. Jones with questions! What is the Color Run? Check out the video below:                                         Last Dance of the Year The last school dance is on Friday, May 19, 2023, from 6-8 PM in Hillcrest Hall.   Tickets will be on sale in the duck pond at lunchtime Monday - Friday. $5 ahead of time, $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 parents. Students may only be picked up EARLY from the dance by their own parents 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.   8th Grade Graduation Speech Auditions Would you like to speak at your 8th Grade Graduation Ceremony or the 8th Grade Breakfast?  Auditions are Thursday at lunch in Room 9.  See Ms. J with any questions.   CAASPP Testing Continues Continuing on Monday May 15th, all Hillcrest Middle School students will take the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP).  We will be on a special bell schedule during testing.  We ask that in order for our students to perform to the best of their abilities during the CAASPP, all Hillcrest Hawks: Read the instructions  Make sure you understand what the question is asking for Go over your answers Any questions that you skip you MUST complete before you leave the testing session Get a good night's sleep Eat breakfast and drink water prior to school Arrive to school before the 8:30 bell   7th Grade Ashland Oregon Field Trip The 7th Grade Field Trip to the Ashland Oregon Shakespeare Festival is rapidly approaching!  The trip is from May 30th thru June 2nd.  The suggested donation for this trip is $650 that can be dropped off in the HMS Main Office any day this week (cash or checks made payable to GUSD).   Turn in Your Uniforms Please turn in your washed   Volleyball and Flag Football jerseys next week.   Order Your House Shirts for Next Year What:   Next year, every HMS student will have a House t-shirt Why:  To show House pride, earn House points, and bragging rights of the ColorWar When:   Order Your House t-shirt by Wednesday, May 10 How:   Return this order  form  to the HMS Office with a $10 donation.  If you are unable to donate $10 at this time, you will still receive a t-shirt.  Any donation is greatly appreciated so if you can only donate $5, please do so.  Additionally, you can donate more than $10 to cover the cost of t-shirts for other students. Sizes will be ordered in a Google Form separately. $10 due Wednesday, May 10, 2023, to the HMS Office   2023-2024 Leadership Application & Information Attention 6th and 7th graders!  Are you interested in learning more about team building, effective communication, and public speaking? Do you want to plan school activities like dances, rallies, lunchtime activities, and special events?  Become an active member of the Hillcrest student community by applying to be in the Leadership elective class next school year.  Pick up application information in the school office.   All applications are due by May 19, 2023. Email Mrs. Baird at  lbaird@gusdschools.org  with any questions.   8th Grade Graduation Breakfast A new tradition was started last year at Hillcrest - The 8th Grade Graduation Breakfast!  On the morning of the last day of school (Wednesday June 7th) our 8th graders and their families will join together in the Hillcrest Duck Pond for breakfast and a chance to spend their last morning at Hillcrest together.   Hillcrest’s Office Queen Ms. Parks will help with coordinating the event, but we are hoping to recruit 7th Grade parents to help with the planning of the day!  If you are interested in being a part of the planning and coordinating, please email Ms. Parks at  Jparks@GUSDschools.org   8th Grade Last Trimester The following reminders for the last trimester of 8th grade was shared with our students last week. TO:                  Eighth Grade Students, Teachers, and Parents FROM:            William Deeths, Principal SUBJECT:      End of the Year Schedule & Code of Conduct   Hillcrest Middle School is an incredible learning environment that I am proud to be a part of.  Our students are kind, caring and courteous to all members of the Hillcrest community.  It is rare for our students to be involved in disciplinary incidents.  However, as we approach the end of the year and students get closer to ending their time at Hillcrest, it is very important to emphasize that a positive, safe learning environment must be maintained through the very last day of school.  The expectation is for all students to continue following all school rules and life skills.  For the end of the year, students could lose the privilege of participating in end-of-the-year eighth grade activities based on the following guidelines:   Discipline Any student suspended for more than one day or that has had three or more referrals during the last Trimester may not be able to attend the  Field Day and the 8 th grade Promotion trip to Six Flags .   Additionally, any student involved in extreme violations that lead to a multiple day suspension may also be excluded from participation in the Promotion Ceremony .   Grades Students who have any multiple D’s and / or one or more F’s during the last Trimester may not be able to attend the  Field Day and the 8 th grade Promotion Six Flags trip .   8th Grade End of the Year Schedule Monday, May 29th - NO School!!! Thursday, June 1st 8th Grade Graduation Field Trip to Six Flags Vallejo. Monday, June 5th 8th Grade Graduation practice.   All 8th grade students participating in the Graduation Ceremony must attend school that day and participate in the Graduation practice. Graduation Ceremony - 6:00 pm - Hillcrest Middle School Blacktop - All students participating in the ceremony must be in Hillcrest Hall no later than 5:30 pm. Tuesday, June 6th 8th Grade students will wear their graduation gowns and take a bus to Gravenstein Elementary School.  The 8th grade students will walk the halls, high fiving the Gravenstein students and staff as a way to say “goodbye” to their elementary school.  Permission slips will be sent home in the next few days. Wednesday, June 7th 8th Grade Graduation Breakfast in the Duck Pond at 8:30 am.  Parents of graduating students may attend.  Watch Monday Messages for more information. All school Field Day will be held on the field.   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     5   tips to reduce TEST    ANXIETY   in  CHILDREN 1  PUT TESTS INTO PERSPECTIVE Encourage children to do their best, but remind them that one test won't make or break their future. Tell them they will be loved an valued no matter what test score they earn. Explain this test will provide helpful information about what they're great at and what they still need to practice. 2  HELP THEM PRACTICE If your child is nervous, start by asking why they fell nervous. Consider finding practice tests online you can disucss together. Don't push your child to study for the test; these tests are meant to measure what your child already knows. 3  PROVIDE USEFUL TEST-TAKING TIPS Answer the  easiest questions first , mark diffuicult questions and return to them later. Use  process of eliminination , crossing out the answer choice you know are wrong. Make an  educated guess  when needed. Read all the answer ch0oices before choosing one. If penalized for incorrect answers, don't guess  unless  you can eliminate some answer choices. If you aren't penalized for incorrect answer,  don't leave any question blank .  If time is about to run out, bubble something for each unanswered question. 4  TEACH CALMING STRATEGIES Experiment with calming strategies to find some go-to techniques. Remind them they won't know every single answer on the test, and that's okay Give them a plan for what they will do if they don't know an answer. Equip your child with a few strategies that effectively calm them.  Spend some time practicing these strategies before test day. 5  PROVIDE ENCOURAGEMENT If your child voices a negative statement, like, "I know I'm going to fail," acknowledge your child's feelings:   "I know you're feeling nervous about the test.  Tests can be scary." Counter with a positive and encouraging statement:   "You've practiced really hard and learned a lot this year.  You might know a lot of the answers and get a higher score than you're expecting." You can also leave your child encouraging messages in a backpack or on the mirror with dry-erase markers. HELP THEM FEEL   THEIR BEST ON  Choose movement and exercise Get plenty of rest Stick to your usual bedtime routine Avoiding excessive screen time Providing a protein-rich breakfast in the morning, like oatmeal or eggs TEST DAY Keeping conversation positive, encouraging, and lighthearted Share laughter and sing favorite songs on the way to school, if driving.  Listen to our Big Life Journal playlists on Spotify Leave your child with a big hug and words of encouragement. It's normal for students to feel nervous before or during a test.  But when test time consistently brings symptoms like a headache, shortness of breath, or difficulty concentrating, it may indicate something more serious: test anxiety. Researchers have  defined test anxiety  as "a physiological condition in which people experience extreme stress, anxiety, and discomfort during or before taking a test."  Children with test anxiety often have an irrational fear of failing their exams.   Test anxiety shows up in students of all ages at testing time.  Students can be 100 percent prepared and ready but then are debilitated when they sit down to take the test.  Test anxiety is not anxiety per se, though it is related to performance anxiety. And it’s not a learning disorder, though many kids with learning disorders have it. It would be easy to say we should have fewer tests, but unfortunately, that won’t solve the problem.  To better understand text anxiety here are a few tips for helping your students.   Understand and embrace the good parts of stress. Certain anxieties can actually help you do better on a test!  Things like a fast heartbeat, nervousness, and even sweaty palms can be a sign of anxiety, but when you understand them better, you realize they can actually help you.  For instance, let students know that a fast heartbeat can be a positive sign.  It can actually tell your brain that you’re excited, and it helps get you mentally prepared for the test.  Tip - have your student write about their worries down ahead of time. Give your Student an outlet through journaling Journaling and writing have been used for years to help us cope with and relieve stress.  Writing about your anxieties can help you gain insight into them.  It does not get rid of all of your anxieties, but it can help offload them.  Practice mindfulness regularly, not just during stressful times.     When you practice mindfulness every day, it actually helps train the prefrontal cortex of your brain to learn how to deal with anxiety and stress.  If you practice it regularly, even in stressful situations, it can help create a positive association instead of a negative one. Make it a daily activity.   Even a minute in the morning and a minute after lunch can go a long way in creating a good mindfulness practice for students.  Then they’ll start to understand how to do it on their own.  Make accommodations when necessary. Imagine you’re taking a test and suddenly your brain seems to freeze.  You can’t remember anything—you even struggle to understand the words you’re reading on the page.  This is a very real scenario, and when this happens, students can feel completely trapped by their surroundings. So what can a teacher do?  If an anxiety attack suddenly comes on, sitting in a quiet room and watching the seconds tick by doesn’t help. Work with your principal or teacher to give your students an option .   This is important.  Let them pause, get a drink, or go out to the hallway for a moment. Kids need more physical activity and sleep, especially before a big test. This area definitely needs the support of families.  Sleep, a good breakfast, and overall rest is a message worth repeating.   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 Patrick Lei, Clerk - plei@gusdschools.org Paula Braunschweig, Trustee -  pbraunschweig@gusdschools.org Jeri McNeill, Trustee -   jmcneill@gusdschools.org   WEBSITE           ABOUT US           MENUS             SCHEDULES   Elementary School  Website Middle School  Website Creative  Arts  Program   Will Deeths wdeeths@gusdschools.org Dave Rose drose@gusdschools.org Keri Pugno kpugno@gusdschools.org  

Monday, May 15 2023

Monday Messages May 8, 2023 for GUSD Families

GRAVENSTEIN UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT Monday Message May 8, 2023     A MESSAGE FROM GUSD ADMINISTRATION   Mark Your Calendars Monday, May 8 - GUSD - DELAC Meeting Tuesday, May 9, 5pm - GUSD - Board Meeting Friday, May 12, 5 to 7pm - GUSD - Literacy Carnival Thursday, May 18 - Gravenstein - Spring Picture Day Thursday, May 18 - Gravenstein - Grades 4 & 5 Spring Musical Concert at HMS Friday, May 19 - Hillcrest - Annual Color Run Friday, May 19 - Hillcrest - Leadership Applications Due Friday, May 26  - SCHOOL IN SESSION Monday, May 29 -  GUSD  - No School - Memorial Day Thursday, June 1 (Tentative) - Hillcrest - 8th Grade Day Away Monday, June 5 - Hillcrest - 8th Grade Graduation Practice and Ceremony Tuesday, June 6th - Hillcrest & Gravenstein - 8th Graders walks the halls of Gravenstein Elementary Wednesday, June 7  - Hillcrest -  8th Grade Graduation Breakfast ALL YEAR - Gravenstein -  See's Candy Fundraiser Monday, June 12 to Friday, June 30 - Session 1 Summer JumpStart Program Wednesday, July 12 to Wednesday, August 2 - Session 2 Summer JumpStart Program Important - School Calendar Change 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.   Come one!  Come all! Gravenstein Union School District's Literacy Carnival DATE:     Friday, May 12 TIME:     5:00 - 7:00 pm PLACE:  Gravenstein Elementary Join us for free food, Mexican folkloric dancing, read to a dog, and literacy-based games to celebrate the end of the school year and get ready for continued success during the summer months! Please contact Alicia Fernández at   afernandez@gusdschools.org or  (707) 823-7038, if you have any questions. See you there! Check out the below video!!                                     Got Books?? Spring cleaning?  Please bring gently used books to the school office for the Literacy Carnival's free books table.   Lunch Menu To view the entire May 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 8 Tue 9 Wed 10 Thu 11 Fri 12 Cereal & String Cheese Bagel Waffle Scrambled Eggs & Toast Veggie Frittata Pasta Beef & Cheese  Hard Taco Chicken Quesadilla Pizza Hot Dog   DELAC Meeting The DELAC Meeting will be on Monday, May 8 5:00-6:00pm.  There will be cake!   Parents - Check Your Voicemail!! When a student is sick or injured the school office calls the parents first.  If the parent doesn't answer, we attempt to leave a voicemail.  However, often we get a message that the mailbox is full and it cannot accept messages.  This happens to all of us, and it's hard to remember one more digital "thing" that needs to be done, but it goes a long way toward helping us efficiently contact parents and relay important messages. Also, on the subject of voicemails, school staff will always leave a voicemail (if possible) if they call and there is no answer.  If you miss a call, please take a moment to listen to the voicemail that was left before calling the school back.  Often, the person who answers the phone does not know where the call originated, and thus cannot easily help you.   Moving?? If your fami ly is relocating or will not be returning to Gravenstein or Hillcrest next year, please contact the school office.    GUSD Summer School - JumpStart 2023 This program is open for all GUSD students to participate in our Math and Language Arts Intensive Support Jumpstart Program.  Both programs target students who could significantly benefit from intensive instruction offered outside the regular school year.  There is  NO COST  for participating students!  The Jumpstart Program is broken into two sessions with a break in between.    Session 1 June 12th - June 30th 14 Days, 6/19 holiday break 7:30am - 5:30 pm Instructional Time 8:30 am - 1:30 pm Session 2 July 12 - August 2nd 16 days 7:30 am - 5:30 pm Instructional Time 8:30 am - 1:30 pm Location:  Hillcrest Middle School Campus Please click on the following link to let us know if you are or are not interested in the JumpStart program happening this Summer.  Please be sure to respond by Wednesday, May 10, 2023. JumpStart Interest - English JumpStart Interest - Spanish Specific questions should be directed to  jumpstart@gusdschools.org , please do  NOT  contact the Schools or the District Office regarding JumpStart.   Beyond the Bell Wishlist from Amazon   Ever wonder what Beyond the Bell might need to help entertain your kids?  Meggan has created a  wishlist  on Amazon.  Simply click the link and add to your cart.  Once received, bring them into the front office at Gravenstein.   GRAVENSTEIN PARENT ASSOCIATION   The Gravenstein Elementary Read-A-Thon is in Full Swing!! The 2023 Read-A-Thon is in full swing at Gravenstein Elementary!  It will run through next Friday, May 12th.  Top prizes will be awarded to the class and individual with the most minutes read and the most funds raised.      Staff Appreciation has Begun!! The month of May staff appreciation has begun!  Staff rooms at both campuses were decorated and every staff member was gifted with a special shirt.  Next Friday, May 12th in each staff room, GPA will set up a coffee and pastry bar that will include both gluten and vegan options to accommodate all of the amazing staff.   We look forward to continuing to show our appreciation for staff every Friday in May.  Part of your donations support these staff appreciation events, in this way we are all Gravenstein Parent Association!  We know many families like do something personal from their family for the staff that support their child each day, staff love those things too!      Upcoming Board Meeting: Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at 6:00pm - in person or via video - see below Hillcrest Middle School in Room 5 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?   It’s Time to Appreciate our School Staff! At Gravenstein, we often talk to the students about kindness by “filling someone’s bucket”.  You fill a bucket when you smile, make someone feel special and appreciated, or do something kind.  The Gravenstein Staff work hard every day to fill our students’ buckets.  The month of May is the time we ask families to help return that kindness by showing their appreciation for our school staff.  Please consider how simple acts can fill someone’s bucket: a thoughtful card, a flower picked from home, a few homemade cookies, or a dozen eggs from your chickens at home.  Your child’s personal comments and appreciations mean the world to our staff and can bring a smile that lasts throughout the day. With almost 70 staff members on the Gravenstein campus, I am highlighting a different group of School Staff in each of May’s Monday Messages.  Last week, I focused on our classroom teachers.  For this second week of May, I’d like to recognize and appreciate all that our Instructional Assistants do each and every day.  Gravenstein IAs support, encourage, and reassure our students throughout the day- whether it is at morning drop-off, classroom time, recess, or during Beyond-the-Bell daycare.  Our students thrive at Gravenstein due to their kindness, encouragement, and care.   Loved Seeing the Support for Mrs. Brown in the Apple Blossom Parade Congratulations to Mrs. Brown on being selected as the  2022-2023 Sebastopol Rotary  Career Teacher of the Year .  She garnered many cheers from the Gravenstein families who were at Saturday’s event.    Is Your Student Missing Their Prescription Eyeglasses? We currently have three pairs of prescription eyeglasses in the Gravenstein office.     Spring Picture Day is May 18th Class Photos along with Individual Portraits will be taken on May 18th.  You will need to sign up by pre-ordering online at    Gravenstein Spring Photos 2023  if you would like individual spring photos taken.  Please make sure to pre-order/sign-up for Individual Spring Portraits by  May 12th  so that Gravenstein Elementary School will know you would like an individual spring portrait taken of your student.  You will not have an individual spring portrait taken unless you pre-order/sign-up first.  Please have your child dressed and ready for picture day on May 18th. Attached is a flyer with more details about picture day.  Please reach out to Hawkes School Portraits at hawkesschools@yahoo.com or by calling 707-823-6537 if you have any questions.    It's Time for Field Day! The school year is almost over and it is time to celebrate all that our students have done this year!  Each grade level is going to come together during the last week of May to enjoy a variety of field day activities.  We would love to have parents/guardians volunteer to help run the stations.  If you are able to join us and help with this event, please complete this form (adult volunteers only.)    Field Day Volunteer Sign-Up   Grades TK & K- Wednesday, 5/31, from 10:15-11:15 Grade 1- Thursday, 6/1, from 1:05-2:20 Grade 2- Wednesday, 5/31, from 11:30-12:45 Grade 3- Thursday, 6/1, from 11:15-12:45 Grade 4- Tuesday, 5/30, from 10:50-12:20 Grade 5- Tuesday, 5/30, 12:45-2:15   We are Getting Ready for Next Year Although we still have 5 weeks of school left, we have already begun our planning for the 2023-2024 school year.  New students are applying and we are closely watching the enrollment numbers.  Our teachers will work together on the last few days of school to make classroom recommendations for the upcoming yea r.  There are many factors they will consider and while they know their students very well, there may be additional information you would like your child’s teacher to consider before completing their recommendation.  Our school does not accept specific teacher recommendations, but we do accept additional parent input.  Please consider filling out a Parent Input Form ONLY IF you feel that your child’s current teacher does not have a comprehensive understanding of what a successful classroom placement would be for your child.  These forms must be received by Friday, March 19. Parent Input Form for Classroom Placement 2023-2024     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?   The 2023 Hillcrest Color Run The Color Run has been postponed to Friday, May 19th! Donations can be paid using the online link   https://wearegpa.com/hillcrest-colorrun/   or by sending in a check with the sponsor sheet.  Color powder packs are $5 and  will be sold at break and lunch before the Color Run.  We accept cash or check (payable to GPA). If you have any questions please see Mr. Deeths or Ms. Jones with questions! What is the Color Run? Check out the video below -                                  CAASPP Start Thursday, May 4th Starting on Monday, May 8th,  all Hillcrest Middle School students will take the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP).  We will be on a special bell schedule during testing.  We ask that in order for our students to perform to the best of their abilities during the CAASPP, all Hillcrest Hawks - Read the Instructions Make sure you understand what the question is asking for Go over your answers Any questions that you skip, you MUST complete before you leave the testing session Get a good night's sleep Eat breakfast and drink water prior to school Arrive to school before the 8:30 bell Try to avoid scheduling any appointments before 10:00 am   NO Food Delivery Reminder Students may not have DoorDash / Uber Eats / non parent dropped off food delivered to them at school!!   7th & 8th Grade Accelerated Classes Check your email in the next few days for more information about placement testing for the Accelerated Classes for the 23-24 school year!   Order Your Hillcrest House T-shirt for Next School Year! What:   Next year, every HMS student will have a House t-shirt Why:  To show House pride, earn House points, and bragging rights of the ColorWar When:   Order Your House t-shirt by Wednesday, May 10 How:   Return this order  form to the HMS Office with a $10 donation.  If you are unable to donate $10 at this time, you will still receive a t-shirt.  Any donation is greatly appreciated so if you can only donate $5, please do so.  Additionally, you can donate more than $10 to cover the cost of t-shirts for other students. Sizes will be ordered in a Google Form separately. $10 due Wednesday, May 10, 2023, to the HMS Office   2023-2024 Leadership Application & Information Attention 6th and 7th graders!  Are you interested in learning more about team building, effective communication, and public speaking?  Do you want to plan school activities like dances, rallies, lunchtime activities, and special events?  Become an active member of the Hillcrest student community by applying to be in the Leadership elective class next school year.  Pick up application information in the school office.  All applications are due by Friday,  May 19, 2023 .  Email Mrs. Baird at  lbaird@gusdschools.org  with any questions.   Hillcrest Robotics Team The Hillcrest Robotics team competed in the 20th annual Sonoma County Robotics Challenge on May 6.  We have been working hard on our robots since early March.  We brought out a team of 6th, 7th, and 8th graders - some veterans, some beginners - who represented Hillcrest with pride.  We had nine robots entered in three different events: off-road racing, king of the hill, and sumo.  Our off-road racing team showed a strong effort, but was eliminated after the first round.  Our sumo team bested three opponents and advanced to the 4th round before finally being eliminated.  We had 6 different robots competing in king of the hill.  In all, our teams eliminated 8 opponents, with one team advancing to the 4th round before falling to the robot that went on to win first place.  Hillcrest took 5th place overall in that event - one win shy of a ribbon.  We have won a couple of individual events in years past, but it's safe to say this is the strongest team Hillcrest has ever had.  I could not be more proud of this group of students! - Mr. Collins   8th Grade Last Trimester The following reminders for the last trimester of 8th grade was shared with our students last week. TO:                  Eighth Grade Students, Teachers, and Parents FROM:            William Deeths, Principal SUBJECT:      End of the Year Schedule & Code of Conduct   Hillcrest Middle School is an incredible learning environment that I am proud to be a part of.  Our students are kind, caring and courteous to all members of the Hillcrest community.  It is rare for our students to be involved in disciplinary incidents.  However, as we approach the end of the year and students get closer to ending their time at Hillcrest, it is very important to emphasize that a positive, safe learning environment must be maintained through the very last day of school.  The expectation is for all students to continue following all school rules and life skills.  For the end of the year, students could lose the privilege of participating in end-of-the-year eighth grade activities based on the following guidelines:   Discipline Any student suspended for more than one day or that has had three or more referrals during the last Trimester may not be able to attend the  Field Day and the 8 th grade Promotion trip to Six Flags .   Additionally, any student involved in extreme violations that lead to a multiple day suspension may also be excluded from participation in the Promotion Ceremony .   Grades Students who have any multiple D’s and / or one or more F’s during the last Trimester may not be able to attend the  Field Day and the 8 th grade Promotion Six Flags trip .   8th Grade End of the Year Schedule Monday, May 29th - NO School!!! Thursday, June 1st (Tentative) 8th Grade Graduation Field Trip to Six Flags Vallejo. Monday, June 5th 8th Grade Graduation practice.   All 8th grade students participating in the Graduation Ceremony must attend school that day and participate in the Graduation practice. Early Release Day - Students will be dismissed at 1:55pm Graduation Ceremony - 6:00 pm - Hillcrest Middle School Blacktop - All students participating in the ceremony must be in Hillcrest Hall no later than 5:30 pm. Tuesday, June 6th 8th Grade students will wear their graduation gowns and take a bus to Gravenstein Elementary School.  The 8th grade students will walk the halls, high fiving the Gravenstein students and staff as a way to say “goodbye” to their elementary school.  Permission slips will be sent home in the next few days. Wednesday, June 7th 8th Grade Graduation Breakfast in the Duck Pond at 8:30 am.  Parents of graduating students may attend.  Watch Monday Messages for more information. All school Field Day will be held on the field.   8th Grade Graduation Breakfast A new tradition was started last year at Hillcrest - The 8th Grade Graduation Breakfast!  On the morning of the last day of school (Wednesday June 7th) our 8th graders and their families will join together in the Hillcrest Duck Pond for breakfast and a chance to spend their last morning at Hillcrest together.   Hillcrest’s Office Queen Ms. Parks will help with coordinating the event, but we are hoping to recruit 7th Grade parents to help with the planning of the day!  If you are interested in being a part of the planning and coordinating, please email Ms. Parks at  Jparks@GUSDschools.org   Yearbook - Don't Forget to Order Your Yearbook! 1. Don't forget to order your yearbook!  Use the link provided to order your yearbook today.   https://www.treering.com/purchase?PassCode=1014223911784613   Help Keep Our Students Safe and Engaged - Use the Stop It App Hillcrest Middle School is pleased to announce another tool to help to keep our students safe and engaged in school.   Stop It is an anonymous anti-bullying app that allows students and parents to report harmful, inappropriate or unsafe behavior that may be happening on campus.  Here are the steps:   Go to the App Store and download the Stop It app to any compatible device Enter the unique code for Hillcrest Middle School - HMSHawks725 That’s it!  You are now ready to report any incident that may occur - your identity will never be known.   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     Emotional Wellbeing Conversations with Your Child May is Mental Health Awareness Month and a recent CDC study has found that an increasing number of youth feel persistently sad or hopeless.   Many parents and caregivers play an important role in supporting their children’s emotional well-being.   Having an open and honest conversation, especially throughout adolescence and beyond is important in improving their well-being. Helping kids know how to identify and articulate what they’re feeling can help them develop coping skills that will serve them their whole life. The national  Sound It Out  campaign, is offering free tools and resources to help parents and caregivers have more meaningful conversations with their kids.  Please check out the link below. For resources for parents,  click here .     GRAVENSTEIN UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD   Gregory Appling, President - gappling@gusdschools.org Patrick Lei, Clerk - plei@gusdschools.org Paula Braunschweig, Trustee -  pbraunschweig@gusdschools.org Jeri McNeill, Trustee -   jmcneill@gusdschools.org   WEBSITE           ABOUT US           MENUS             SCHEDULES   Elementary School  Website Middle School  Website Creative  Arts  Program   Will Deeths wdeeths@gusdschools.org Dave Rose drose@gusdschools.org Keri Pugno kpugno@gusdschools.org  

Sunday, May 07 2023

Monday Messages May 1, 2023 for GUSD Families

GRAVENSTEIN UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT Monday Message May 1, 2023     A MESSAGE FROM GUSD ADMINISTRATION   Mark Your Calendars Monday, May 1 - Gravenstein - Last day to order yearbook Tuesday, May 2, 5 - 6pm - Hillcrest - Open House Tuesday, May 2 - GPA - Scholastic Book Fair Friday, May 5, 12:15 - 3:45 pm - Hillcrest - Color Run Monday, May 8 - GUSD - DELAC Meeting Tuesday, May 9, 5pm - GUSD - Board Meeting Friday, May 12, 5 to 7pm - GUSD - Literacy Carnival Thursday, May 18 - Gravenstein - Grades 4 & 5 Spring Musical Concert at HMS Friday, May 19 - HMS - Leadership Applications Due Friday, May 26  - SCHOOL IN SESSION Monday, May 29 -  GUSD  - No School - Memorial Day Thursday, June 1 (Tentative) - HMS - 8th Grade Day Away Monday, June 5 - HMS - 8th Grade Graduation Practice and Ceremony Tuesday, June 6th - HMS & Gravenstein - 8th Graders walks the halls of Gravenstein Elementary Wednesday, June 7  - HMS -  8th Grade Graduation Breakfast ALL YEAR - Gravenstein -  See's Candy Fundraiser Monday, June 12 to Friday, June 30 - Session 1 Summer JumpStart Program Wednesday, July 12 to Wednesday, August 2 - Session 2 Summer JumpStart Program Important - School Calendar Change 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.   Lunch Menu Unfortunately at this time we do not have a May Lunch Menu.  It will be coming soon and will be posted on the Gravenstein Union School District Website.  As soon as we get the new menu, I will edit this section of Monday Messages.  Please be sure to go to the ParentSquare App for updates.  We apologize for the delay. Mon 1 Tue 2 Wed 3 Thu 4 Fri 5 Cereal & String Cheese Yogurt & Granola Pancake French Toast Cook's Choice Chicken Nuggets Carnitas Soft Taco Burrito Turkey & Cheese Sandwich Bean & Cheese with Chips   GUSD Summer School - JumpStart 2023 This program is open for all GUSD students to participate in our Math and Language Arts Intensive Support Jumpstart Program.  Both programs target students who could significantly benefit from intensive instruction offered outside the regular school year.  There is  NO COST  for participating students!  The Jumpstart Program is broken into two sessions with a break in between.    Session 1 June 12th - June 30th 14 Days, 6/19 holiday break 7:30am - 5:30 pm Instructional Time 8:30 am - 1:30 pm Session 2 July 12 - August 2nd 16 days 7:30 am - 5:30 pm Instructional Time 8:30 am - 1:30 pm Location:  Hillcrest Middle School Campus Please click on the following link to let us know if you are or are not interested in the JumpStart program happening this Summer.  Please be sure to respond by Wednesday, May 10, 2023. JumpStart Interest - English JumpStart Interest - Spanish Specific questions should be directed to jumpstart@gusdschools.org , please do NOT contact the Schools or the District Office regarding JumpStart.   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     DELAC Meeting - Has Been Rescheduled for Monday, May 8th The DELAC Meeting has been rescheduled for Monday, May 8 5:00-6:00pm.  There will be cake!   Come one!  Come all! Gravenstein Union School District's Literacy Carnival DATE:     Friday, May 12 TIME:     5:00 - 7:00 pm PLACE:  Gravenstein Elementary Join us for free food, Mexican folkloric dancing, read to a dog, and literacy-based games to celebrate the end of the school year and get ready for continued success during the summer months! Please contact Alicia Fernández at   afernandez@gusdschools.org or  (707) 823-7038, if you have any questions. See you there! .         Got Books?? Spring cleaning?  Please bring gently used books to the school office for the Literacy Carnival's free books table.   Beyond the Bell Wishlist from Amazon   Ever wonder what Beyond the Bell might need to help entertain your kids?  Meggan has created a  wishlist  on Amazon.  Simply click the link and add to your cart.  Once received, bring them into the front office at Gravenstein.   Dave Rose Keri Pugno Will Deeths drose@gusdschools.org kpugno@gusdschools.org wdeeths@gusdschools.org   GRAVENSTEIN PARENT ASSOCIATION   Scholastic Book Fair - Gravenstein Elementary Success A HUGE thank you to all the GUSD families that supported the Book Fair at Gravenstein!  Thank you to all the volunteers who made it happen we can't do it without you.     Scholastic Book Fair - Now on to Hillcrest We are looking forward to bringing the Book Fair to Hillcrest Middle School this Tuesday.  It will be open during recess and lunch for students to shop and during the day for teachers to bring their classes through.  You can also stop in during Hillcrest open house on Tuesday evening!   Visit Hillcrest's Book Fair page to set up eWallet- no cash, no fuss.  It's the easiest way for kids to shop!   Click here to learn more:  It's Book Fair Time!       2023 Gravenstein Elementary Read-A-Thon Starts Now Now that everyone is stocked up with books we are ready for the 2023 Read-A-Thon at Gravenstein Elementary!  Read-A-Thon kicks off May 1st and runs through May 12.  Info will be coming home with students on Monday. GPA is looking forward to celebrating the amazing staff of GUSD in the month of May.  More info coming next week on how you can join with us  to show GUSD staff how much we appreciate them and all they do for our children every day!    Upcoming Board Meeting: Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at 6:00pm - in person or via video - see below Hillcrest Middle School in Room 5 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?   Order Your Gravenstein Yearbooks Today - Last Day to Order is May 1st! To purchase your Gravenstein Elementary Yearbook: Go to the website https://treering.com Enter passcode 1013806737444510 Last day to purchase is May 1, 2023 Any Questions?  email Mrs. Gorman at  mgorman@gusdschools.org     Help Us Appreciate Our Staff It is already May and, while that means the end of this school year may be in sight, it is also the time we ask our families to help us celebrate and honor all of our school staff.  Our parent foundation, GPA, will be hosting three Staff Appreciation days during the month of May.  As you reflect on the growth and progress your child has made this year, I encourage you to reach out and share your appreciation with the Staff that have helped make your child’s Gravenstein experience a success.  I will highlight a group of School Staff in each issue of May’s Monday Messages.  For the first week of May, I’d like to recognize and appreciate all that our Classroom Teachers do each and every day - our students thrive at Gravenstein due to their commitment, creativity, and compassion.  TK: Kate Crandall & Stephanie Tomsky Kindergarten: Crystal Friscia, Kelley Lannon, Sally Redfern, Beth Trivunovic 1st Grade: Kadie Clement, Michelle Dellosa, Amy Gloeckner, Heather Kleinschmidt 2nd Grade: Alicia Barrera, Nicole Basque, Aimee Otterson, Michelle Sprinkle 3rd Grade: Beth Haas, Suzi Mattish, Vanessa Nordstrom, Heather Sposato 4th Grade: Allie Brown, Lynn Martinez, Samara Stevens, Petria Sully 5th Grade: Megan Gorman, Alexis Grimm, Ani Hansen   Gravenstein Open House Events a Success Thank you to all of the Gravenstein families that were able to attend our recent open house evenings.  Each of the classrooms were full of students and parents as they looked over this year’s projects and activities.  Our teachers did an amazing job showcasing some of the highlighted activities in both their grade level curriculum and in enrichments.  Grades one, two, and three also combined their evening with a music performance, led by Music enrichment instructors Nick Pulley and Spencer Burrows. These nights are valuable evenings that help strengthen the home and school connection.  Thank you for continuing to support your child at Gravenstein School.     5th Graders did an amazing job presenting their science fair boards!   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?   Open House Tuesday, May 2nd Mark your calendars, Hillcrest’s Open House will be held this Tuesday, May 2nd  from 5:00-6:00 pm!  This is a great opportunity for both current and future students to visit the classrooms and meet our incredible teaching staff!   It's that Time of Year Again - 2023 Color Run The Color Run is this  Friday May 5th !   Donations can be paid using the online link   https://wearegpa.com/hillcrest-colorrun/  or by sending in a check with the sponsor sheet.  Color powder packs are $5 and will be sold at break and lunch each day next week.  We accept cash or check (payable to GPA).  If you have any questions please see Mr. Deeths or Ms. Jones with questions! What is the Color Run? Check out the video below.                                                 CAASPP Start Thursday, May 4th Starting on Thursday May 4th,  all Hillcrest Middle School students will take the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP).  We will be on a special bell schedule during testing.  We ask that in order for our students to perform to the best of their abilities during the CAASPP, all Hillcrest Hawks - Get a good night's sleep Eat breakfast and drink water prior to school Arrive to school before the 8:30 bell Try to avoid scheduling any appointments before 10:00 am   This Week is Spirit Week Monday, May 1 - Band/Music Group T-Shirt Tuesday, May 2 - Disney Day Wednesday, May 3 - House Color Wars Ruddee-Ballotti- Red Libby Masuoka-Green Rifo- O'Farrell - Orange Burbank-Byrd- Blue Thursday, May the Fourth be with You- Star Wars Day Friday, May 5 - Sunglasses   Hillcrest Talent Show Auditions Talent Show Auditions are Thursday,  5/4, at 3:30.  You MUST attend the auditions if you want to participate in this year’s Talent Show.  See Mrs. Rich with any questions.   NO Food Delivery Reminder Students may not have DoorDash / Uber Eats / non parent dropped off food delivered to them at school!!   6th Grade Basketball All 6th Grade Basketball jerseys need to be turned in ASAP! Return to the Hillcrest Main Office!   2023-2024 Leadership Application and Information Attention  6th and 7th graders!  Are you interested in learning more about team building, effective communication, and public speaking?  Do you want to plan school activities like dances, rallies, lunchtime activities, and special events?  Become an active member of the Hillcrest student community by applying to be in the Leadership elective class next school year.  Pick up application information in the school office.   All applications are due by May 19, 2023.   Email Mrs. Baird at  lbaird@gusdschools.org  with any questions.   Mr. Blanco with the Egg Drop Challenge!   8th Grade Last Trimester The following reminders for the last trimester of 8th grade was shared with our students last week. TO:                  Eighth Grade Students, Teachers, and Parents FROM:            William Deeths, Principal SUBJECT:      End of the Year Schedule & Code of Conduct   Hillcrest Middle School is an incredible learning environment that I am proud to be a part of. Our students are kind, caring and courteous to all members of the Hillcrest community. It is rare for our students to be involved in disciplinary incidents. However, as we approach the end of the year and students get closer to ending their time at Hillcrest,  it is very important to emphasize that a positive, safe learning environment must be maintained through the very last day of school.  The expectation is for all students to continue following all school rules and life skills.  For the end of the year, students could lose the privilege of participating in end-of-the-year eighth grade activities based on the following guidelines:   Discipline Any student suspended for more than one day or that has had three or more referrals during the last Trimester may not be able to attend the  Field Day and the 8 th grade Promotion trip to Six Flags .   Additionally, any student involved in extreme violations that lead to a multiple day suspension may also be excluded from participation in the Promotion Ceremony .   Grades Students who have any multiple D’s and / or one or more F’s during the last Trimester may not be able to attend the  Field Day and the 8 th grade Promotion Six Flags trip .     8th Grade Graduation Breakfast A new tradition was started last year at Hillcrest - The 8th Grade Graduation Breakfast!  On the morning of the last day of school (Wednesday June 7th) our 8th graders and their families will join together in the Hillcrest Duck Pond for breakfast and a chance to spend their last morning at Hillcrest together.   Hillcrest’s Office Queen Ms. Parks will help with coordinating the event, but we are hoping to recruit 7th Grade parents to help with the planning of the day!  If you are interested in being a part of the planning and coordinating, please email Ms. Parks at  Jparks@GUSDschools.org   8th Grade End of the Year Schedule Monday, May 29th  - NO School!! Thursday, June 1st (Tentative) 8th Grade Graduation Field Trip to Six Flags Vallejo. Monday, June 5th 8th Grade Graduation practice.   All 8th grade students participating in the Graduation Ceremony must attend school that day and participate in the Graduation practice. Early Release Day - Students will be dismissed at 1:55pm Graduation Ceremony - 6:00 pm - Hillcrest Middle School Blacktop - All students participating in the ceremony must be in Hillcrest Hall no later than 5:30 pm. Tuesday, June 6th 8th Grade students will wear their graduation gowns and take a bus to Gravenstein Elementary School.  The 8th grade students will walk the halls, high fiving the Gravenstein students and staff as a way to say “goodbye” to their elementary school.  Permission slips will be sent home in the next few days. Wednesday, June 7th 8th Grade Graduation Breakfast in the Duck Pond at 8:30 am.  Parents of graduating students may attend.  Watch Monday Messages for more information. All school Field Day will be held on the field.   Yearbook - Don't Forget to Order Your Yearbook! 1. Don't forget to order your yearbook!  Use the link provided to order your yearbook today.   https://www.treering.com/purchase?PassCode=1014223911784613   Help Keep Our Students Safe and Engaged - Use the Stop It App Hillcrest Middle School is pleased to announce another tool to help to keep our students safe and engaged in school.   Stop It is an anonymous anti-bullying app that allows students and parents to report harmful, inappropriate or unsafe behavior that may be happening on campus.  Here are the steps:   Go to the App Store and download the Stop It app to any compatible device Enter the unique code for Hillcrest Middle School - HMSHawks725 That’s it!  You are now ready to report any incident that may occur - your identity will never be known.   Hillcrest Middle School is on 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     Helping Your Child Strengthen Their Focus Concentration is like a muscle that requires regular exercise to strengthen.  Some kids are born “stronger” in this area than others, but all children can learn strategies and engage in practices that help improve their ability to focus and sustain their attention.  This is, after all, a very important skill for kids to acquire – school demands that students concentrate for long stretches of time, and as children get older they have extracurricular activities after school that require even more concentration.  Most children are able to concentrate on activities that are fun and enjoyable.  It’s the ones that tend to be boring, difficult or just less enjoyable that really challenge their focus.  Yet this ability to concentrate and sustain attention on all kinds of tasks is crucially important, because it helps children learn and improve, which leads to self-confidence and positive self-esteem. Concentration is a lot like mindfulness.  Mindfulness is basically the ability to pay attention to one thing, in the moment, and it has been shown to have innumerable mental health benefits, from increased happiness and stress management to improved academic and test performance.  For mindfulness to work, you have to focus. Here are some tips to help your child build their concentration muscles: Help get the wiggles out  - Moving the body motivates the brain.  Try having your child walk or bike, play outside after school, do chores around the house, or play on a sports team.  Make sure your child has had a chance to run, walk, or jump around  before  sitting down to homework. Turn off screens and cell phones -  Before your kid tackles homework or does anything that takes concentration, turn off the television.  Or if others are watching it, make sure your child is far enough away that he can’t be distracted by it.  Also, shut down or move him away from the computer, and if your child has a cell phone, make sure that’s off too. Limit directions to one or two at a time -  When kids struggle with focus, it can be hard for them to listen to, remember, and  follow through on directions .  So try not to overload your child with too many directions at once.  Let’s say it’s time for homework.  You might tell your child to check the assignment book, get out the right materials, and start working.  If that’s too much for your child to focus on and keep in mind, break it down into single steps.  Set a timer -  Knowing there’s a limit to how long they have to stay focused can make it easier for kids to hang in there.  Set a timer for how long your child needs to work before having a quick snack or taking a play break.  You can increase the amount of time little by little as your child gets better at focusing. Provide immediate positive feedback -  Each time your child completes a challenging task, provide immediate and positive feedback!  Something as simple as putting a check mark, star, or sticker on the work assignment can go a long way in helping to motivate your child.   Provide a Healthy Diet  - We all know what we consume for food and drink can have a direct impact on our ability to focus on tasks throughout the day.  This holds true for children too.  Try to provide your child with healthy snack options such as fruits, vegetables, and protein to help boost focus during their school day. Play Games  - Playing thinking games such as crossword puzzles or word searches are a great way to help your child strengthen their focus skills.  Memory is a card game that can help them with concentration skills that will also help your child focus better.  Consider including thinking games in your child’s day to day life. Using Mindfulness -  Mindfulness can also be used as a check on emotional reactions.  If your child is having a difficult time calming down and focusing, try the S.T.O.P. exercise. S top  what you are doing and pause for a moment. T ake  a breath.  Allow yourself to relax with some slow breaths. O bserve what is happening - good or bad - and acknowledge it without judgement P roceed with what you were doing, now with more awareness of your choices in how to respond.   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 Patrick Lei, Clerk - plei@gusdschools.org Paula Braunschweig, Trustee -  pbraunschweig@gusdschools.org Jeri McNeill, Trustee -   jmcneill@gusdschools.org   WEBSITE           ABOUT US           MENUS             SCHEDULES   Elementary School  Website Middle School  Website Creative  Arts  Program  

Sunday, Apr 30 2023

Monday Messages April 24, 2023 for GUSD Families

GRAVENSTEIN UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT Monday Message April 24, 2023     A MESSAGE FROM GUSD ADMINISTRATION   Mark Your Calendars Monday, April 24, 5 to 6pm - GUSD - DELAC Meeting - POSTPONED Tuesday, April 25, 5 to 6pm - Gravenstein - Grades K & 5 Open House Wednesday, April 26, 5 to 6pm - Gravenstein - Grades 2 & 3 Open House  Thursday, April 27, 5 to 6pm - Gravenstein - Grades 1 & 4 Open House Tuesday, April 25 to Thursday, April 27, 4:30 to 6:30pm - GPA - Scholastic Book Fair Monday, May 1 - Gravenstein - Last day to order yearbook Tuesday, May 2, 5 - 6pm - Hillcrest - Open House Tuesday, May 2 - GPA - Scholastic Book Fair Tuesday, May 9, 5pm - GUSD - Board Meeting Friday, May 12, 5 to 7pm - GUSD - Literacy Carnival Thursday, May 18 - Gravenstein - Grades 4 & 5 Spring Musical Concert at HMS Friday, May 19 - HMS - Leadership Applications Due Friday, May 26  - SCHOOL IN SESSION Monday, May 29 -  GUSD  - No School - Memorial Day Thursday, June 1 (Tentative) - HMS - 8th Grade Day Away Monday, June 5 - HMS - 8th Grade Graduation Practice and Ceremony Tuesday, June 6th - HMS & Gravenstein - 8th Graders walks the halls of Gravenstein Elementary Wednesday, June 7  - HMS -  8th Grade Graduation Breakfast ALL YEAR - Gravenstein -  See's Candy Fundraiser Monday, June 12 to Friday, June 30 - Session 1 Summer JumpStart Program Wednesday, July 12 to Wednesday, August 2 - Session 2 Summer JumpStart Program   Lunch Menu To view the entire April 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 24 Tue 25 Wed 26 Thu 27 Fri 28 Cereal & String Cheese French Toast Pancake Sausage on a Stick Cereal & String Cheese Cook's Choice Burrito Taco  Tuesday Chicken Nuggets Pizza Cook's Choice   GUSD Summer School - JumpStart 2023 This program is open for all GUSD students to participate in our Math and Language Arts Intensive Support Jumpstart Program.  Both programs target students who could significantly benefit from intensive instruction offered outside the regular school year.  There is  NO COST  for participating students!  The Jumpstart Program is broken into two sessions with a break in between.    Session 1 June 12th - June 30th 14 Days, 6/19 holiday break 7:30am - 5:30 pm Instructional Time 8:30 am - 1:30 pm Session 2 July 12 - August 2nd 16 days 7:30 am - 5:30 pm Instructional Time 8:30 am - 1:30 pm Location:  Hillcrest Middle School Campus Please click on the following link to let us know if you are or are not interested in the JumpStart program happening this Summer.  Please be sure to respond by Wednesday, May 10, 2023. JumpStart Interest - English JumpStart Interest - Spanish Specific questions should be directed to jumpstart@gusdschools.org , please do NOT contact the Schools or the District Office regarding JumpStart.   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     DELAC Meeting - POSTPONED The DELAC Meeting scheduled for Monday, April 24 has been postponed until further notice.  We will let you know when the new date has been scheduled.  We thank you for your understanding.  If you have any questions, please contact Alicia Fernández at  afernandez@gusdschools.org .   Come one!  Come all! Gravenstein Union School District's Literacy Carnival DATE:     Friday, May 12 TIME:     5:00 - 7:00 pm PLACE:  Gravenstein Elementary Join us for free food, Mexican folkloric dancing, read to a dog, and literacy-based games to celebrate the end of the school year and get ready for continued success during the summer months! Please contact Alicia Fernández at   afernandez@gusdschools.org or  (707) 823-7038, if you have any questions. See you there! .                 Beyond the Bell Wishlist from Amazon   Ever wonder what Beyond the Bell might need to help entertain your kids?  Meggan has created a  wishlist  on Amazon.  Simply click the link and add to your cart.  Once received, bring them into the front office at Gravenstein.   Dave Rose Keri Pugno Will Deeths drose@gusdschools.org kpugno@gusdschools.org wdeeths@gusdschools.org   GRAVENSTEIN PARENT ASSOCIATION   Scholastic Book Fair Coming Soon and We Need Volunteers GPA is still looking for volunteers to help with the Book Fair at both Hillcrest and Gravenstein.  Volunteers are needed to set up, help students and parents to find books they are looking for, assist with running the check-out register and packing away the books after.  Your support is greatly appreciated! See sign up sheet here to pick a time that works for you:  Scholastic Book Fair     Upcoming Board Meeting: Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at 6:00pm - in person or via video - see below Hillcrest Middle School in Room 5 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?   We Have Three Open House Events This Week! With so much to share with our families, we have slightly changed the format of Open House this year.  We welcome all current students and families to join.  For grades 1, 2, and 3, we are combining Open House with their grade-level Spring musical performance.  (These events will impact the afternoon Beyond-the-Bell pick-up location.  Specific information will be sent home to all families enrolled in Beyond-the-Bell.)  While on campus, please take a moment to look through the lost & found that has accumulated over the past two weeks.  The warm afternoons seem to leave a lot of unclaimed sweatshirts on our playgrounds!  If we can read the student’s name written on the item, we will do our best to return it to the owner.  Unclaimed items are donated to a local charity each month. Grades K and 5: Tuesday, 4/25, 5:00-6:00 (Scholastic Book Fair in MPR from 4:30-6:30) Grades 2 and 3: Wednesday, 4/26, 5:00-6:00 (Scholastic Book Fair in MPR from 4:30-6:30) Music Performances at 5:45, grade 2 on upper yard and grade 3 in courtyard Grades 1 and 4: Thursday, 4/27,  5:00-6:00 (Scholastic Book Fair in MPR from 4:30-6:30) Grade 1 Music Performance at 5:45 on upper yard   Halloween Costume Drive Although it’s months away, we are already preparing for next Halloween!  If you are cleaning out your closets and looking to turn out gently used Halloween costumes, bring them to any of our open house nights and donate them to our annual costume giveaway.  We will have a donation box in the courtyard each of our Open House nights.   Gravenstein Yearbooks - Last Day to Order is May 1st! To purchase your Gravenstein Elementary Yearbook: Go to the website https://treering.com Enter passcode 1013806737444510 Last day to purchase is May 1, 2023 Any Questions?  email Mrs. Gorman at  mgorman@gusdschools.org   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?   Open House Mark your calendars, Hillcrest’s Open House will be held on Tuesday, May 2nd  from 5:00-6:00 pm!  This is a great opportunity for both current and future students to visit the classrooms and meet our incredible teaching staff!   8th Grade Parents!! This is the last chance for 8th Grade Baby Pictures!! Please email any 8th grade Baby pics to  gsotiras@gusdschools.org  or   tdeeths@gusdschools.org     The Hillcrest Hawk Band, being directed by Martin Contreras, Mr. Pulley's Student Teacher from Sonoma State, recorded their music during class on Friday! Ms. Rich's Leadership class participated in student created and student led leadership activities during class!   Hillcrest Talent Show Auditions Friday, May 26, 2 - 3 PM.  Sign ups will be posted in HMS Student Body Google Classroom starting Monday, April 17.  Auditions will be after school on Thursday, May 5.   It's that Time of Year Again - 2023 Color Run Coming SOON!!!!!!  Check out this video!                                                       NO Food Delivery Reminder Reminder - Students may not have DoorDash / UberEats / Grubhub / non parent dropped off food delivered to them at school!!   2023-2024 Leadership Application and Information Attention  6th and 7th graders!  Are you interested in learning more about team building, effective communication, and public speaking?  Do you want to plan school activities like dances, rallies, lunchtime activities, and special events?  Become an active member of the Hillcrest student community by applying to be in the Leadership elective class next school year.  Pick up application information in the school office.   All applications are due by May 19, 2023.   Email Mrs. Baird at  lbaird@gusdschools.org  with any questions.   6th Grade Basketball All 6th Grade Basketball jerseys need to be turned in ASAP! Return to the Hillcrest Main Office!   8th Grade Graduation Breakfast A new tradition was started last year at Hillcrest - The 8th Grade Graduation Breakfast!  On the morning of the last day of school (Wednesday June 7th) our 8th graders and their families will join together in the Hillcrest Duck Pond for breakfast and a chance to spend their last morning at Hillcrest together.   Hillcrest’s Office Queen Ms. Parks will help with coordinating the event, but we are hoping to recruit 7th Grade parents to help with the planning of the day!  If you are interested in being a part of the planning and coordinating, please email Ms. Parks at  Jparks@GUSDschools.org   8th Grade Last Trimester The following reminders for the last trimester of 8th grade was shared with our students last week. TO:                  Eighth Grade Students, Teachers, and Parents FROM:            William Deeths, Principal SUBJECT:      End of the Year Schedule & Code of Conduct   Hillcrest Middle School is an incredible learning environment that I am proud to be a part of. Our students are kind, caring and courteous to all members of the Hillcrest community. It is rare for our students to be involved in disciplinary incidents. However, as we approach the end of the year and students get closer to ending their time at Hillcrest,  it is very important to emphasize that a positive, safe learning environment must be maintained through the very last day of school.  The expectation is for all students to continue following all school rules and life skills.  For the end of the year, students could lose the privilege of participating in end-of-the-year eighth grade activities based on the following guidelines:   Discipline Any student suspended for more than one day or that has had three or more referrals during the last Trimester may not be able to attend the  Field Day and the 8 th grade Promotion trip to Six Flags .   Additionally, any student involved in extreme violations that lead to a multiple day suspension may also be excluded from participation in the Promotion Ceremony .   Grades Students who have any multiple D’s and / or one or more F’s during the last Trimester may not be able to attend the  Field Day and the 8 th grade Promotion Six Flags trip .     8th Grade End of the Year Schedule Thursday, June 1st (Tentative) 8th Grade Graduation Field Trip to Six Flags Vallejo. Monday, June 5th 8th Grade Graduation practice.   All 8th grade students participating in the Graduation Ceremony must attend school that day and participate in the Graduation practice. Graduation Ceremony - 6:00 pm - Hillcrest Middle School Blacktop - All students participating in the ceremony must be in Hillcrest Hall no later than 5:30 pm. Tuesday, June 6th 8th Grade students will wear their graduation gowns and take a bus to Gravenstein Elementary School.  The 8th grade students will walk the halls, high fiving the Gravenstein students and staff as a way to say “goodbye” to their elementary school.  Permission slips will be sent home in the next few days. Wednesday, June 7th 8th Grade Graduation Breakfast in the Duck Pond at 8:30 am.  Parents of graduating students may attend.  Watch Monday Messages for more information. All school Field Day will be held on the field.   Yearbook - Important Reminders from the Hillcrest Yearbook Team Important reminders from 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   Help Keep Our Students Safe and Engaged - Use the Stop It App Hillcrest Middle School is pleased to announce another tool to help to keep our students safe and engaged in school.   Stop It is an anonymous anti-bullying app that allows students and parents to report harmful, inappropriate or unsafe behavior that may be happening on campus.  Here are the steps:   Go to the App Store and download the Stop It app to any compatible device Enter the unique code for Hillcrest Middle School - HMSHawks725 That’s it!  You are now ready to report any incident that may occur - your identity will never be known.   Hillcrest Middle School is on 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     POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS FOR KIDS HERE, YOU ARE SAFE AND PROTECTED I'M SO GLAD  YOU'RE HERE WHAT YOU  THINK AND HOW YOU  FEEL WILL ALWAYS MATTER TO ME YOUR DIFFERENCES ARE WHAT MAKE YOU THE AMAZING PERSON YOU ARE YOU'RE SO SMART, YOU CAN LEARN NEW THINGS EVERY SINGLE DAY YOU BEING PROUD OF YOU MATTERS MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE DIFFICULT DOES NOT MEAN IMPOSSIBLE IT'S OKAY TO MAKE MISTAKES YOU CAN DO ANYTHING YOU SET YOUR MIND TO, EVEN IF IT TAKES A LITTLE PRACTICE YOU WILL ALWAYS HAVE MY SUPPORT   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 Patrick Lei, Clerk - plei@gusdschools.org Paula Braunschweig, Trustee -  pbraunschweig@gusdschools.org Jeri McNeill, Trustee -   jmcneill@gusdschools.org   WEBSITE           ABOUT US           MENUS             SCHEDULES   Elementary School  Website Middle School  Website Creative  Arts  Program  

Sunday, Apr 23 2023

Monday Messages April 17, 2023 for GUSD Families

GRAVENSTEIN UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT Monday Message April 17, 2023     A MESSAGE FROM GUSD ADMINISTRATION   Parent Survey Results The GUSD staff and School Board would like to thank all of the families that responded to our recent parent survey.  We received responses from 301 of our 562 families, a response rate of 53.6%! Here are the final results of our grade level competition:   Grade Level Percent of Families Responding K 74.0 1st 73.4 2nd 71.6 4th 71.1 TK 68.6 3rd 60.8 5th 50.7 6th 47.7 7th 43.2 8th 32.0 The teachers and students from grades K, 1, and 2 will be letting Ms. Pugno know what prize they would like to receive.  Thanks again to everyone that responded. The responses to the multiple choice questions have been summarized and shared with administration and the Board.  This data by itself is more than 20 pages of data tables, and with the comments that you all provided, the summary report for this survey will be over 100 pages long!  We want to recognize again the work of the members of our Parent Survey Committee for their efforts in putting this survey together.  The summary reports will be shared with the Board and program area staff so that we can review our current work and use your comments to help us continually improve. As a district, we are very proud of the feedback that we have received; there are many, many positive data results and comments that lead us to the continued allocation of resources to maintain many of our programs.  Additionally, the data also gives us specific areas where we can focus more resources and make improvements.  We will also be using the comments provided to create a Q & A document for our parents based on questions and comments provided in the responses.   We will not be sharing the comments publicly, but we are pleased to present the data we collected based on your responses.   Please click on this link  to view the survey data.   Mark Your Calendars Monday, April 17th, 6:00pm - GUSD DEI Committee Meeting with Equity First Consulting - Open to school community Monday, April 17th - Sonoma County Office of Education - 5 Minute Film Festival Showing Tuesday, April 18, 6pm - GPA - Board Meeting Thursday, April 20, 4 to 5pm - Gravenstein - Grade TK Open House Monday, April 24, 5 to 6pm - GUSD - DELAC Meeting Tuesday, April 25, 5 to 6pm - Gravenstein - Grades K & 5 Open House Wednesday, April 26, 5 to 6pm - Gravenstein - Grades 2 & 3 Open House  Thursday, April 27, 5 to 6pm - Gravenstein - Grades 1 & 4 Open House Tuesday, April 25 to Thursday, April 27, 4:30 to 6:30pm - GPA - Scholastic Book Fair Monday, May 1 - Gravenstein - Last day to order yearbook Tuesday, May 2, 5 - 6pm - Hillcrest - Open House Tuesday, May 2 - GPA - Scholastic Book Fair Tuesday, May 9, 5pm - GUSD - Board Meeting Friday, May 12, 5 to 7pm - GUSD - Literacy Carnival Friday, May 19 - HMS - Leadership Applications Due Friday, May 26  - SCHOOL IN SESSION Monday, May 29 -  GUSD  - No School - Memorial Day Thursday, June 1 (Tentative) - HMS - 8th Grade Day Away Monday, June 5 - HMS - 8th Grade Graduation Practice and Ceremony Tuesday, June 6th - HMS & Gravenstein - 8th Graders walks the halls of Gravenstein Elementary Wednesday, June 7  - HMS -  8th Grade Graduation Breakfast ALL YEAR - Gravenstein -  See's Candy Fundraiser Monday, June 12 to Friday, June 30 - Session 1 Summer JumpStart Program Wednesday, July 12 to Wednesday, August 2 - Session 2 Summer JumpStart Program   Lunch Menu To view the entire April 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 17 Tue 18 Wed 19 Thu 20 Fri 21 Cereal & String Cheese Muffin Waffle Sweet Danish or Cereal Yogurt & Granola Chicken & Rice Taco  Tuesday Turkey & Cheese Sandwich Eggroll & Brown Rice Hotdog   GUSD Summer School - JumpStart 2023 This program is open for all GUSD students to participate in our Math and Language Arts Intensive Support Jumpstart Program.  Both programs target students who could significantly benefit from intensive instruction offered outside the regular school year.  There is  NO COST  for participating students!  The Jumpstart Program is broken into two sessions with a break in between.    Session 1 June 12th - June 30th 14 Days, 6/19 holiday break 7:30am - 5:30 pm Instructional Time 8:30 am - 1:30 pm Session 2 July 12 - August 2nd 16 days 7:30 am - 5:30 pm Instructional Time 8:30 am - 1:30 pm Location:  Hillcrest Middle School Campus Please click on the following link to let us know if you are or are not interested in the JumpStart program happening this Summer.  Please be sure to respond by Wednesday, May 10, 2023. JumpStart Interest - English JumpStart Interest - Spanish Specific questions should be directed to jumpstart@gusdschools.org , please do NOT contact the Schools or the District Office regarding JumpStart.   GUSD DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) Committee Meeting Please join the GUSD DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion ) Committee for our last meeting with Equity First Consulting .  They will be reviewing the results of the focus group meetings they have conducted, presenting their findings, and making some recommendations.   All interested members of our school community  who would like to attend  are invited.  The meeting will take place on  Zoom at 6:00 pm on Monday, April 17th . Here is the  Zoom Link .   DELAC Meeting Join us for cake and a discussion of our English Learner reclassification policy! DATE:   Monday, April 24 TIME:    5:00-6:00 pm PLACE:  Gravenstein Elementary Please contact Alicia Fernández at   afernandez@gusdschools.org or  (707) 823-7038, if you have any questions. See you there!   Come one!  Come all! Gravenstein Union School District's Literacy Carnival DATE:     Friday, May 12 TIME:     5:00 - 7:00 pm PLACE:  Gravenstein Elementary Join us for free food, Mexican folkloric dancing, read to a dog, and literacy-based games to celebrate the end of the school year and get ready for continued success during the summer months! Please contact Alicia Fernández at   afernandez@gusdschools.org or  (707) 823-7038, if you have any questions. See you there!   Beyond the Bell Wishlist from Amazon   Ever wonder what Beyond the Bell might need to help entertain your kids?  Meggan has created a  wishlist  on Amazon.  Simply click the link and add to your cart.  Once received, bring them into the front office at Gravenstein.   Dave Rose Keri Pugno Will Deeths drose@gusdschools.org kpugno@gusdschools.org wdeeths@gusdschools.org   GRAVENSTEIN PARENT ASSOCIATION   Scholastic Book Fair Coming Soon and We Need Volunteers No matter how old you are, some of the happiest memories of elementary and middle school revolve around Book Fairs.  It's easy to forget just how influential - and how much fun - it was to be able to buy books you chose yourself!  Be a part of making those memories happen for GUSD Students.  Volunteer to help at the Book Fair!! We need volunteers for both Gravenstein and Hillcrest Book Fairs.  Use the link to sign up here:   Scholastic Book Fair   Upcoming Board Meeting: Tuesday, April 18, 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?   Welcome to the Gravenstein Teaching Team, Kate Standish! On Tuesday, 4/11/2023, Kate Standish joined the Gravenstein Teaching Family as our second Special Education teacher.  She is filling the position left when Mrs. Verporter resigned.  We are incredibly excited to welcome Kate as she brings her passion for teaching, her dedication to finding ways to support students that struggle, and her extensive experience in Special Education.  She has been teaching in Special Education for the last ten years in the Rincon Valley District with a focus on supporting younger students.  She is passionate about teaching reading and has experience working with SIPPS, ZooPhonics, LindaMood, and Language Live!, some of the programs that we currently use.   Open House Events We invite all current students and families to join us for the grade level open house evenings.  We have a lot to share!   TK: Thursday, 4/20, 4:00-5:00 Grades K and 5: Tuesday, 4/25, 5:00-6:00 (Scholastic Book Fair in MPR from 4:30-6:30) Grades 2 and 3: Wednesday, 4/26, 5:00-6:00 (Scholastic Book Fair in MPR from 4:30-6:30) Music Performances at 5:45, grade 2 on upper yard and grade 3 in courtyard Grades 1 and 4: Thursday, 4/27,  5:00-6:00 (Scholastic Book Fair in MPR from 4:30-6:30) Grade 1 Music Performance at 5:45 on upper yard   Halloween Costume Drive Although it’s months away, we are already preparing for next Halloween!  If you are cleaning out your closets and looking to turn out gently used Halloween costumes, bring them to any of our open house nights and donate them to our annual costume giveaway.  We will have a donation box in the courtyard each of our Open House nights.   Mrs. Brown is the Sebastopol Rotary Career Teacher of the Year! Congratulations to our very own grade 4 teacher, Allie Brown, on being selected as the  2022-2023 Sebastopol Rotary  Career Teacher of the Year !  Mrs. Brown absolutely is deserving of this award and we are so proud to have her on the Gravenstein Teaching Team!  Last Friday, the Sebastopol Rotary hosted a luncheon where Mrs. Brown was recognized for dedication to her students and the profession.  She was honored to have received so many nominations from the community and feels truly fortunate to be a part of so many students’ lives.   It's Time to Purchase Your Yearbook To purchase your Gravenstein Elementary Yearbook: Go to the website https://treering.com Enter passcode 1013806737444510 Last day to purchase is May 1, 2023 Any Questions?  email Mrs. Gorman at  mgorman@gusdschools.org   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?   Open House Mark your calendars, Hillcrest’s Open House will be held on Tuesday, May 2nd  from 5:00-6:00 pm!  This is a great opportunity for both current and future students to visit the classrooms and meet our incredible teaching staff!   5 Minute Film Festival Congratulations to Briana Engstrom, Lulu Nolan and Abby Pugno, there film was one of 12 accepted into the Sonoma County Office of Education 5 Minute Film Festival!  Their film, along with the other submissions from students around the county, will be shown on the big screen at the Rialto Theater in Sebastopol on Monday, April 17th!   Lost & Found is Overflowing Again The Hillcrest Lost & Found is OVERFLOWING with items forgotten by HMS students!  Please check the Lost and Found - located outside the backdoor of the HMS Main Office - for any misplaced items.  Anything not claimed by the end of lunch on Friday April 21st will be donated!   Bridge Breaking Day in Maker Class!! Students build the strongest bridges they could using only 100 craft sticks and glue.  The winner held 50.2 pounds!!   Hillcrest Talent Show Auditions Friday, May 26, 2 - 3 PM.  Sign ups will be posted in HMS Student Body Google Classroom starting Monday, April 17.  Auditions will be after school on Thursday, May 5.   It's that Time of Year Again - 2023 Color Run Coming SOON!!!!!!  Check out this video!                 NO Food Delivery Reminder Reminder - Students may not have DoorDash / UberEats / Grubhub / non parent dropped off food delivered to them at school!!   2023-2024 Leadership Application and Information Attention  6th and 7th graders!  Are you interested in learning more about team building, effective communication, and public speaking?  Do you want to plan school activities like dances, rallies, lunchtime activities, and special events?  Become an active member of the Hillcrest student community by applying to be in the Leadership elective class next school year.  Pick up application information in the school office.   All applications are due by May 19, 2023.   Email Mrs. Baird at  lbaird@gusdschools.org  with any questions.   8th Grade Graduation Breakfast A new tradition was started last year at Hillcrest - The 8th Grade Graduation Breakfast!  On the morning of the last day of school (Wednesday June 7th) our 8th graders and their families will join together in the Hillcrest Duck Pond for breakfast and a chance to spend their last morning at Hillcrest together.   Hillcrest’s Office Queen Ms. Parks will help with coordinating the event, but we are hoping to recruit 7th Grade parents to help with the planning of the day!  If you are interested in being a part of the planning and coordinating, please email Ms. Parks at  Jparks@GUSDschools.org   8th Grade Last Trimester The following reminders for the last trimester of 8th grade was shared with our students last week. TO:                  Eighth Grade Students, Teachers, and Parents FROM:            William Deeths, Principal SUBJECT:      End of the Year Schedule & Code of Conduct   Hillcrest Middle School is an incredible learning environment that I am proud to be a part of. Our students are kind, caring and courteous to all members of the Hillcrest community. It is rare for our students to be involved in disciplinary incidents. However, as we approach the end of the year and students get closer to ending their time at Hillcrest,  it is very important to emphasize that a positive, safe learning environment must be maintained through the very last day of school.  The expectation is for all students to continue following all school rules and life skills.  For the end of the year, students could lose the privilege of participating in end-of-the-year eighth grade activities based on the following guidelines:   Discipline Any student suspended for more than one day or that has had three or more referrals during the last Trimester may not be able to attend the  Field Day and the 8 th grade Promotion trip to Six Flags .   Additionally, any student involved in extreme violations that lead to a multiple day suspension may also be excluded from participation in the Promotion Ceremony .   Grades Students who have any multiple D’s and / or one or more F’s during the last Trimester may not be able to attend the  Field Day and the 8 th grade Promotion Six Flags trip .     8th Grade End of the Year Schedule Thursday, June 1st (Tentative) 8th Grade Graduation Field Trip to Six Flags Vallejo. Monday, June 5th 8th Grade Graduation practice.   All 8th grade students participating in the Graduation Ceremony must attend school that day and participate in the Graduation practice. Graduation Ceremony - 6:00 pm - Hillcrest Middle School Blacktop - All students participating in the ceremony must be in Hillcrest Hall no later than 5:30 pm. Tuesday, June 6th 8th Grade students will wear their graduation gowns and take a bus to Gravenstein Elementary School.  The 8th grade students will walk the halls, high fiving the Gravenstein students and staff as a way to say “goodbye” to their elementary school.  Permission slips will be sent home in the next few days. Wednesday, June 7th 8th Grade Graduation Breakfast in the Duck Pond at 8:30 am.  Parents of graduating students may attend.  Watch Monday Messages for more information. All school Field Day will be held on the field.   Yearbook - Important Reminders from the Hillcrest Yearbook Team Important reminders from 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   Help Keep Our Students Safe and Engaged - Use the Stop It App Hillcrest Middle School is pleased to announce another tool to help to keep our students safe and engaged in school.   Stop It is an anonymous anti-bullying app that allows students and parents to report harmful, inappropriate or unsafe behavior that may be happening on campus.  Here are the steps:   Go to the App Store and download the Stop It app to any compatible device Enter the unique code for Hillcrest Middle School - HMSHawks725 That’s it!  You are now ready to report any incident that may occur - your identity will never be known.   Cell Phones - Turned Off and Put Away 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.   Hillcrest Middle School is on 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     Choosing the Right Summer Camp for your Child Summer is right around the corner and many of us parents are starting to think about what we are going to do for our children's days to stay busy with fun and educational activities.  As much as I love to promote healthy downtime such as lying in the grass and looking at clouds or having a picnic under your favorite tree, it is also important for kids to continue to socialize and experience new activities in the summer.  If you are considering summer camp for your child, you may be wondering if it is the right fit for your child's personality.  Perhaps your child has never spent much time away from you besides going to school, or maybe your child has special interests, and you are worried they will feel out of place at camp. Summer camp has many benefits no matter  what your child's interests are.  Camp helps children develop important social, emotional and cognitive skills. Best of all, children create memories that last a lifetime at camp.  To help you decide if summer camp is right for your child, I have copied an article link below from the Sonoma Family Life Magazine to help you make the right choice for your child. What to Ask a Camp Before You Enroll Your Kid | Sonoma Family Life Magazine   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 Patrick Lei, Clerk - plei@gusdschools.org Paula Braunschweig, Trustee -  pbraunschweig@gusdschools.org Jeri McNeill, Trustee -   jmcneill@gusdschools.org   WEBSITE           ABOUT US           MENUS             SCHEDULES   Elementary School  Website Middle School  Website Creative  Arts  Program  

Sunday, Apr 16 2023

Monday Messages April 10, 2023 for GUSD Families

GRAVENSTEIN UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT Monday Message April 10, 2023     A MESSAGE FROM GUSD ADMINISTRATION   Mark Your Calendars Monday, April 10 - GUSD - NO SCHOOL - Emergency Day Tuesday, April 11, 5pm - GUSD - Board Meeting - Zoom Link Friday, April 14 - Hillcrest - Trimester 2 Awards Assembly Saturday, April 15 - Sonoma State University - Latino Family Educational Summit at SSU Monday, April 17th, 6:00pm - GUSD DEI Committee Meeting with Equity First Consulting - Open to school community Monday, April 17th - Sonoma County Office of Education - 5 Minute Film Festival Showing Tuesday, April 18, 6pm - GPA - Board Meeting Thursday, April 20, 4 to 5pm - Gravenstein - Grade TK Open House Monday, April 24, 5 to 6pm - GUSD - DELAC Meeting Tuesday, April 25, 5 to 6pm - Gravenstein - Grades K & 5 Open House Wednesday, April 26, 5 to 6pm - Gravenstein - Grades 2 & 3 Open House  Thursday, April 27, 5 to 6pm - Gravenstein - Grades 1 & 4 Open House Tuesday, April 25 to Thursday, April 27, 4:30 to 6:30pm - GPA - Scholastic Book Fair Monday, May 1 - Gravenstein - Last day to order yearbook Tuesday, May 2, 5 - 6pm - Hillcrest - Open House Tuesday, May 2 - GPA - Scholastic Book Fair Tuesday, May 9, 5pm - GUSD - Board Meeting Friday, May 12, 5 to 7pm - GUSD - Literacy Carnival Friday, May 19 - HMS - Leadership Applications Due Friday, May 26  - SCHOOL IN SESSION Thursday, June 1 (Tentative) - HMS - 8th Grade Day Away Monday, June 5 - HMS - 8th Grade Graduation Practice and Ceremony Tuesday, June 6th - HMS & Gravenstein - 8th Graders walks the halls of Gravenstein Elementary Wednesday, June 7  - HMS -  8th Grade Graduation Breakfast ALL YEAR - Gravenstein -  See's Candy Fundraiser As a Reminder, school will be closed Monday, April 10, 2023.  This was a scheduled Emergency Day to cover a possible closure earlier in the year.  We will, however, be open on Friday, May 26, 2023 to make up for the school closure on January 5, 2023.   Lunch Menu To view the entire April 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 10 Tue 11 Wed 12 Thu 13 Fri 14 NO SCHOOL Bagel Muffin Oatmeal  or Cereal Frittata Taco  Tuesday Burrito Chicken Fajita Chicken Burger   Latino Family Educational Summit at SSU Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc. is hosting workshops for parents, high schoolers, and middle schoolers who want to learn how to prepare for college.  The event, called the Latino Family Educational Summit, will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on April 15 on the SSU campus and is free to attend.  Click this link for more information.   GUSD DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) Committee Meeting Please join the GUSD DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion ) Committee for our last meeting with Equity First Consulting .  They will be reviewing the results of the focus group meetings they have conducted, presenting their findings, and making some recommendations.   All interested members of our school community  who would like to attend  are invited.  The meeting will take place on  Zoom at 6:00 pm on Monday, April 17th . Here is the  Zoom Link .   DELAC Meeting Join us for cake and a discussion of our English Learner reclassification policy! DATE:   Monday, April 24 TIME:    5:00-6:00 pm PLACE:  Gravenstein Elementary Please contact Alicia Fernández at   afernandez@gusdschools.org or  (707) 823-7038, if you have any questions. See you there!   Come one!  Come all! Gravenstein Union School District's Literacy Carnival DATE:     Friday, May 12 TIME:     5:00 - 7:00 pm PLACE:  Gravenstein Elementary Join us for free food, Mexican folkloric dancing, read to a dog, and literacy-based games to celebrate the end of the school year and get ready for continued success during the summer months! Please contact Alicia Fernández at   afernandez@gusdschools.org or  (707) 823-7038, if you have any questions. See you there!   Beyond the Bell Wishlist from Amazon   Ever wonder what Beyond the Bell might need to help entertain your kids?  Meggan has created a  wishlist  on Amazon.  Simply click the link and add to your cart.  Once received, bring them into the front office at Gravenstein.     Summer Jumpstart Program - Employment Opportunities This Summer we will once again have our Summer Jumpstart Program.  There will be two sessions: Session One will be June 12 to June 30th (14 days, 6/19 will be a holiday) Session Two will be July 12 to August 2 (16 days) We are looking for people who would be interested in working the program.  Check out this  List  for available positions and rates of pay. If you are interested in working the Summer Jumpstart Program please contact Matt McDowell at  mmcdowell@gusdschools.org Parents:  Please be on the lookout, information regarding enrollment will be coming out soon.   Dave Rose Keri Pugno Will Deeths drose@gusdschools.org kpugno@gusdschools.org wdeeths@gusdschools.org   GRAVENSTEIN PARENT ASSOCIATION   Pancake Breakfast Success GPA would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to all the volunteers who partnered with us to make the Pancake Breakfast a success.  It was wonderful to come together as a community.  Due to your generosity $8,000 was raised for the Enrichment program!   Scholastic Book Fair Coming Soon and We Need Volunteers Please be on the look out next week for a sign up link, if you would like to volunteer to help with the book fair.  A reminder that book fair will be operating during Open House at both Gravenstein and Hillcrest campuses.    Upcoming Board Meeting: Tuesday, April 18, 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?   Welcome to the Gravenstein Teaching Team, Kate Standish! On Tuesday, 4/11/2023, Kate Standish joins the Gravenstein Teaching Family as our second Special Education teacher.  She is filling the position left when Mrs. Verporter resigned.  We are incredibly excited to welcome Kate as she brings her passion for teaching, her dedication to finding ways to support students that struggle, and her extensive experience in Special Education.  She has been teaching in Special Education for the last ten years in the Rincon Valley District with a focus on supporting younger students.  She is passionate about teaching reading and has experience working with SIPPS, ZooPhonics, LindaMood, and Language Live!, some of the programs that we currently use.   Open House Events We invite all current students and families to join us for the grade level open house evenings.  We have a lot to share!   TK: Thursday, 4/20, 4:00-5:00 Grades K and 5: Tuesday, 4/25, 5:00-6:00 (Scholastic Book Fair in MPR from 4:30-6:30) Grades 2 and 3: Wednesday, 4/26, 5:00-6:00 (Scholastic Book Fair in MPR from 4:30-6:30) Music Performances at 5:45, grade 2 on upper yard and grade 3 in courtyard Grades 1 and 4: Thursday, 4/27,  5:00-6:00 (Scholastic Book Fair in MPR from 4:30-6:30) Grade 1 Music Performance at 5:45 on upper yard   And the Winner is....Allie Brown! Congratulations to our very own grade 4 teacher, Allie Brown, on being selected as the  2022-2023 Sebastopol Rotary  Career Teacher of the Year !  Wow!  This award is given to someone who has taught a minimum of 5 years and demonstrates excellence in the areas of meeting student needs, communication, maintaining a positive environment, being creative and encouraging, supports colleagues, and contributes to good morale in the classroom, school, and community.   Mrs. Brown absolutely is deserving of this award and we are so proud to have her on the Gravenstein Teaching Team!  Last Tuesday, members of the Sebastopol Rotary came to the Gravenstein campus to surprise Mrs. Brown with the announcement, flowers, and an invitation to a special luncheon.  She was honored to have received so many nominations from the community and feels truly fortunate to be a part of so many students’ lives.   It's Time to Purchase Your Yearbook To purchase your Gravenstein Elementary Yearbook: Go to the website https://treering.com Enter passcode 1013806737444510 Last day to purchase is May 1, 2023 Any Questions?  email Mrs. Gorman at  mgorman@gusdschools.org   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?   Trimester 2 Awards Assembly The Trimester 2 Awards Ceremonies will take place in Hillcrest Hall on Friday, April 14th.  Students will be recognized for their Grade Point Average (if they earned a GPA of 3.0 or above on their Trimester 2 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 6th, 7th and 8 th grades.  Parents are welcome to attend.   The schedule is as follows: 6th Grade - 8:30 am 7th Grade - 9:20 am 8th Grade - 10:25 am   Open House Mark your calendars, Hillcrest’s Open House will be held on Tuesday, May 2nd  from 5:00-6:00 pm!  This is a great opportunity for both current and future students to visit the classrooms and meet our incredible teaching staff!   5 Minute Film Festival Congratulations to Briana Engstrom, Lulu Nolan and Abby Pugno, there film was one of 12 accepted into the Sonoma County Office of Education 5 Minute Film Festival!  There film, along with the other submissions from students around the county, will be shown on the big screen at the Rialto Theater in Sebastopol on Monday, April 17th!   Hilcrest News Check out the Hillcrest News produced by the Advanced Video Production class! Click on the Hillcrest Hawk to the right.  Or click on this link Hillcrest News!   From the 6th Grade Field trip to the Academy of Sciences in San Francisco!   8th Grade Graduation Breakfast A new tradition was started last year at Hillcrest - The 8th Grade Graduation Breakfast!  On the morning of the last day of school (Wednesday June 7th) our 8th graders and their families will join together in the Hillcrest Duck Pond for breakfast and a chance to spend their last morning at Hillcrest together.   Hillcrest’s Office Queen Ms. Parks will help with coordinating the event, but we are hoping to recruit 7th Grade parents to help with the planning of the day!  If you are interested in being a part of the planning and coordinating, please email Ms. Parks at  Jparks@GUSDschools.org   2023-2024 Leadership Application and Information Attention  6th and 7th graders!  Are you interested in learning more about team building, effective communication, and public speaking?  Do you want to plan school activities like dances, rallies, lunchtime activities, and special events?  Become an active member of the Hillcrest student community by applying to be in the Leadership elective class next school year.  Pick up application information in the school office.   All applications are due by May 19, 2023.   Email Mrs. Baird at  lbaird@gusdschools.org  with any questions.   8th Grade End of the Year Schedule Thursday, June 1st (Tentative) 8th Grade Graduation Field Trip to Six Flags Vallejo. Monday, June 5th 8th Grade Graduation practice.   All 8th grade students participating in the Graduation Ceremony must attend school that day and participate in the Graduation practice. Graduation Ceremony - 6:00 pm - Hillcrest Middle School Blacktop - All students participating in the ceremony must be in Hillcrest Hall no later than 5:30 pm. Tuesday, June 6th 8th Grade students will wear their graduation gowns and take a bus to Gravenstein Elementary School.  The 8th grade students will walk the halls, high fiving the Gravenstein students and staff as a way to say “goodbye” to their elementary school.  Permission slips will be sent home in the next few days. Wednesday, June 7th 8th Grade Graduation Breakfast in the Duck Pond at 8:30 am.  Parents of graduating students may attend.  Watch Monday Messages for more information. All school Field Day will be held on the field.   Yearbook - Important Reminders from the Hillcrest Yearbook Team Important reminders from 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   Help Keep Our Students Safe and Engaged - Use the Stop It App Hillcrest Middle School is pleased to announce another tool to help to keep our students safe and engaged in school.   Stop It is an anonymous anti-bullying app that allows students and parents to report harmful, inappropriate or unsafe behavior that may be happening on campus.  Here are the steps:   Go to the App Store and download the Stop It app to any compatible device Enter the unique code for Hillcrest Middle School - HMSHawks725 That’s it!  You are now ready to report any incident that may occur - your identity will never be known.   Cell Phones - Turned Off and Put Away 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.   Hillcrest Middle School is on 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     Self-harm The Mental Health Foundation reports that 10% of young individuals self-harm.   Self-harm has increased in the last few years due to the significantly increased rates of depression and anxiety among teens, as well as social media exposure.   For most who do it,  cutting  or other self-harm is an attempt to interrupt strong emotions and pressures that seem impossible to tolerate.  It can be related to broader emotional issues that need attention.  Most of the time, it's not a suicide attempt. Here are a few of the warning signs of self-harm to look out for, especially in teens: Scars Frequent cuts, burns, bruises, scratches, or other physical injuries Making excuses for new injuries Wearing long pants and long sleeves even in hot weather Signs of blood on towels or clothes or unexpectedly doing their own laundry Taking out their own trash Razor seeking Withdrawal from friends, family, or social activities What does self-harm look like? Self-harm, also known as  self-mutilation , self-injury, or non- suicidal  self-injury (NSSI), occurs when someone deliberately harms themselves.  The most common forms of self-injury are skin cutting, head banging or hitting, and burning.   Of the many types of self-harm , cutting is the most common, making up about  70-90 percent  of self-injuries. Cutting often (though not always) occurs on the arms, legs, genital region, or abdomen.  Young people may use a variety of objects and methods to self-harm, including razor blades, scissors, pens, or even bottle tops.  Though some teens who self-harm may leave their wounds visible to draw  attention  as a cry for help, most people who cut themselves conceal their marks or scars or give false explanations for how they happened (blaming their scratches on a pet or a fall, for example). Other forms of self-harm include: Scratching Pulling out hair (also known as trichotillomania) Picking at existing wounds Carving symbols or words into the skin Piercing the skin with sharp objects such as needles or hairpins Drinking toxic substances like bleach or detergent If you suspect that your child is self-harming, or if they tell you they are, it's important not to panic. What your child needs now is compassion - and help.  Validate their emotions and let them know you understand that they're feeling overwhelmed.  But make it clear that there are better ways to deal with it and you'll help them figure them out. The next step is to get your teen some professional help.  Look for a mental health professional who has experience treating adolescents who self-harm.  If you're not sure where to start, talk to your pediatrician first.   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 Patrick Lei, Clerk - plei@gusdschools.org Paula Braunschweig, Trustee -  pbraunschweig@gusdschools.org Jeri McNeill, Trustee -   jmcneill@gusdschools.org   WEBSITE           ABOUT US           MENUS             SCHEDULES   Elementary School  Website Middle School  Website Creative  Arts  Program  

Sunday, Apr 09 2023

Monday Messages April 3, 2023 for GUSD Families

GRAVENSTEIN UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT Monday Message April 3, 2023       A MESSAGE FROM GUSD ADMINISTRATION   Mark Your Calendars Monday, April 10 - GUSD - NO SCHOOL - Emergency Day Monday, April 17th, 6:30pm - GUSD DEI Committee Meeting with Equity First Consulting - Open to school community Tuesday, April 18, 6pm - GPA - Board Meeting Thursday, April 20, 4 to 5pm - Gravenstein - Grade TK Open House Tuesday, April 25, 5 to 6pm - Gravenstein - Grades K & 5 Open House Wednesday, April 26, 5 to 6pm - Gravenstein - Grades 2 & 3 Open House Thursday, April 27, 5 to 6pm - Gravenstein - Grades 1 & 4 Open House Friday, May 26  - SCHOOL IN SESSION ALL YEAR - Gravenstein -  See's Candy Fundraiser Reminder - No School Monday, April 10th - This is a scheduled Emergency Day   Lunch Menu To view the entire April 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 3 Tue 4 Wed 5 Thu 6 Fri 7 Cereal & String Cheese Waffle Yogurt & Granola French Toast Pancake Chicken Tenders Taco Tuesday Corn Dog Pasta Hamburger   Beyond the Bell Wishlist from Amazon   Ever wonder what Beyond the Bell might need to help entertain your kids?  Meggan has created a  wishlist  on Amazon.  Simply click the link and add to your cart.  Once received, bring them into the front office at Gravenstein.     GUSD DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) Committee Meeting Please join the GUSD DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion ) Committee for our last meeting with Equity First Consulting .  They will be reviewing the results of the focus group meetings they have conducted, presenting their findings, and making some recommendations.   All interested members of our school community  who would like to attend  are invited. The meeting will take place on  Zoom at 6:00 pm on Monday, April 17th . Here is the  Zoom Link .   Latino Family Educational Summit at SSU Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc. is hosting workshops for parents, high schoolers, and middle schoolers who want to learn how to prepare for college.  The event, called the Lantino Family Educational Summit, will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on April 15 on the SSU campus and is free to attend.  Click this link for more information.   Summer Jumpstart Program - Employment Opportunities This Summer we will once again have our Summer Jumpstart Program.  There will be two sessions: Session One will be June 12 to June 30th (14 days, 6/19 will be a holiday) Session Two will be July 12 to August 2 (16 days) We are looking for people who would be interested in working the program.  Check out this  List for available positions and rates of pay. If you are interested in working the Summer Jumpstart Program please contact Matt McDowell at  mmcdowell@gusdschools.org Parents:  Please be on the lookout, information regarding enrollment will be coming out soon.   Dave Rose Keri Pugno Will Deeths drose@gusdschools.org kpugno@gusdschools.org wdeeths@gusdschools.org   GRAVENSTEIN PARENT ASSOCIATION   Scholastic Book Fair Coming Soon!! GPA is proud to host a Scholastic Book Fair for Gravenstein and Hillcrest schools.  This year's Book Fair will take place during the K - 8 Open Houses at each school.  Stop by on your student's designated Open House night.  You can purchase some amazing books, while supporting the Enrichment program for our district- double win!    Upcoming Board Meeting: Tuesday, April 18, 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?   Open House Schedule Please mark your calendars so that you can join us for our Spring Grade Level Open House Nights.  These nights are designed for our current students to show off their classrooms and projects to their families.   Grade TK - Thursday, 4/20, from 4:00-5:00 Grades K and 5 - Tuesday, 4/25, from 5:00-6:00 Grades 2 and 3 - Wednesday, 4/26, from 5:00-6:00 Grades 1 and 4 - Thursday, 4/27, from 5:00-6:00 GPA Scholastic Book Fair During Open Houses GPA is proud to host a Scholastic Book Fair during the Gravenstein K - 5th Open Houses.  Stop by on your student's designated Open House night (see above schedule).  You can purchase some amazing books, while supporting the Enrichment program for our district- double win!  The Book Fair will start at 4:30pm and end at 6:30pm on April 25th, 26th and 27th.   It's Time to Purchase Your Yearbook To purchase your Gravenstein Elementary Yearbook: Go to the website  https://treering.com Enter passcode 1013806737444510 Last day to purchase is May 1, 2023 Any Questions?  email Mrs. Gorman at  mgorman@gusdschools.org   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?   Trimester 2 Awards Assembly The Trimester 2 Awards Ceremonies will take place in Hillcrest Hall on Friday April 14th.  Students will be recognized for their Grade Point Average (if they earned a GPA of 3.0 or above on their Trimester 2 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 6th, 7th and 8 th grades.  Parents are welcome to attend.   The schedule is as follows: 6th Grade - 8:30 am 7th Grade - 9:20 am 8th Grade - 10:25 am   8th Grade Graduation Breakfast A new tradition was started last year at Hillcrest - The 8th Grade Graduation Breakfast! On the morning of the last day of school (Wednesday June 7th) our 8th graders and their families will join together in the Hillcrest Duck Pond for breakfast and a chance to spend their last morning at Hillcrest together.  Hillcrest’s Office Queen Ms. Parks will help with coordinating the event, but we are hoping to recruit  7th Grade  parents to help with the planning of the day!  If you are interested in being a part of the planning and coordinating, please email  Jparks@GUSDschools.org   Mr. Pulley is Officially a Published Wind Ensemble Composer!! Mr. Pulley is officially a published wind ensemble composer!  He recently self-published his 6 pieces, including his 2023 premiere “Soar Hawks Soar!”, through the international distributor J.W. Pepper.   Yearbook - Important Reminders from the Hillcrest Yearbook Team Important reminders from 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   Report Card Envelopes Please return signed Report Card envelopes to your 1st period teacher or the main office. Cell Phones - Turned Off and Put Away 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.   Help Keep Our Students Safe and Engaged - Use the Stop It App Hillcrest Middle School is pleased to announce another tool to help to keep our students safe and engaged in school.   Stop It is an anonymous anti-bullying app that allows students and parents to report harmful, inappropriate or unsafe behavior that may be happening on campus.  Here are the steps:   Go to the App Store and download the Stop It app to any compatible device Enter the unique code for Hillcrest Middle School - HMSHawks725 That’s it!  You are now ready to report any incident that may occur - your identity will never be known.   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     Fostering Your Child’s Friendships By Rosie Steen-Larsen, LMFT, GUSD Mental Health Coordinator As our children’s social worlds begin to expand and return to a new normal after so many unknowns, many parents are wondering how to best prepare their children to reconnect or make friends outside the home.  Below, I am going to include tips on how to navigate nerves, ease anxieties, and empower our children as we ease into more social situations. Tips for helping kids make friends and build social resilience in this transition time: Be ready to provide extra support. There’s going to be an extra layer of support needed.  As we’re coming out of this unprecedented time, a little more hand-holding in the beginning is warranted.  Be a safe space for your child to be able to deal with those feelings.  Sharing our experiences and emotions normalizes the feelings our kids might be holding.  Offer your children a time that you felt the same way, so they know it’s common.  You can say something such as, ‘I remember how I felt when I had to go back to work’ or ‘I remember when I moved to a new school’ — normalize those feelings for them. Stay positive.   The more we can teach them about  the power of friendship  in a positive way is important.  Making friends is a vital part of growing up and an important part of a child's social and emotional development.  Friendships help kids build self-esteem and confidence.  Positive friendships also may provide a protective barrier against bullying.  Friendship also teaches empathy and compassion, how to trust, and how to be vulnerable.  It teaches them how to treat others, how to trust, how to be open-hearted, and how to create safe boundaries for themselves, too. Be proactive.   When approaching a big change, like entering the school building after doing remote learning or joining a new playgroup for the first time.  Be proactive in trying to create small circles or spaces for them to socialize, or try to arrange more one-on-one playdates or outings.  Have conversations with your older children.  Role model social skills when out in public at the grocery store. With younger children you can read books about friendships and role play different scenarios.  Act out different situations that may arise when your child interacts with peers.  Pretend to be a new friend asking to play or have one of your characters be nervous about not knowing anyone.  Going through these roles and scenarios in their mind can help them feel relaxed. Build Conversation Skills.   From taking turns while talking to asking questions about others, learning how to start and maintain conversations with others is a skill that your child may need to refine.  Until your child learns how to naturally take cues from others when having a conversation, equip them with questions they can ask like "What do you do for fun?" or "Do you have any pets?"  You also can use television shows as illustrations of how people have friendly conversations.  Point out things like body language, tone of voice, eye contact, and pauses in the conversation—all of which are important cues when talking with others.  Role-playing conversations can help them get the practice they need. Work on Listening.   Part of being a good friend is having solid social skills and knowing how to show interest in another person.  For this reason, you may want to work on your child's ability to listen to and empathize with others.  Showing compassion and concern for other people in a healthy way can open the door to friendship.  This skill is especially relevant after the stresses of the pandemic. Have your child identify ways they can show compassion toward other kids their age.  Talk to your child about recognizing when someone is going through a tough time.  Coach them on how to offer some extra kindness.  For instance, your child could make cookies for a friend whose pet is sick or send a card to someone who lost a loved one.  Taking time to show someone that you care is a great way to show empathy to a potential new friend. Remember your people.   It’s normal for kids (and grown-ups!) to feel anxious when experiencing big life transitions or forging new relationships.  If your child is feeling nervous about heading back to school, remind them who their support system is.  ‘If you're feeling anxious, who are the people you can talk to?’”  Those people may be parents, grandparents, siblings, teachers, counselors, or even a new friend. Make a plan.   What can your child say or do if they’re feeling left out?  What will they do if they’re in a new space where they don’t know anyone?  Have a plan to help navigate a safe space for them to go to.  Help them brainstorm ideas about what to say or do when situations are hard. If you aren't sure if your child has friends, talk to their teachers to see how they interact with other kids at school.  You can also ask your child about their friendships to get a better idea of how well they're making friends. Additionally, if they're comfortable with the number of friends they have, avoid turning the concept of making friends into a bigger issue than it needs to be.  Remember that while some kids seem to have scores of friends, for others just a few good friends are enough.  Please avoid pushing shy children to make friends or force them into social situations if it causes too much anxiety or if they aren't ready.  Be patient and let your child's readiness and interest level serve as a guide. Childhood friendships are full of ups and downs and ins and outs.  So, if your child is going through a friendship slump, try not to be too worried.  Remember, making friends and being a good friend are skills that need to be learned.  So, focus on helping your children build and practice their friendship skills.  Eventually, everything will fall into place. Also, be sure to keep the lines of communication open.  Talking about how to be a good friend is just as important as learning how to make friends.  These types of conversations will help your children learn to identify who is a good friend and who might not have their best interest at heart.  Having this skill can end up saving them a lot of heartache in the end—and help them find the right friends for them.   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 Patrick Lei, Clerk - plei@gusdschools.org Paula Braunschweig, Trustee -  pbraunschweig@gusdschools.org Jeri McNeill, Trustee -   jmcneill@gusdschools.org   WEBSITE           ABOUT US           MENUS             SCHEDULES   Elementary School  Website Middle School  Website Creative  Arts  Program  

Sunday, Apr 02 2023