Gator Gazette

Home of the Gators - Gary L. Bates, Principal

Secretaries - Michele Klaas & Michele Lawson www.port-huron.k12.mi.us/Garfield Message from the Principal . . .
Dear Parents, November is here and the holiday season is just around the corner along with cold weather and snow. It is time to dig out those warm clothes, jackets, coats, mittens, gloves, hats and yes very soon the boots. The more comfortable they are the better they will do in class. I want to take this opportunity to thank all of the parents that are involved here at Garfield whether it is in the classroom, in the cafeteria, attend grade level parent nights, sold product for the school fundraiser or bringing your children to the special events such as the PTA Fall Family Dance. This truly helps to promote that Garfield Family atmosphere that is so important in making this the great school that it is. Continued parent support at all grade levels is extremely important if a child is to have a successful and positive experience while in school. Parent/teacher conferences are a key part of your role in your childs schooling. Conferences are being held November 8th thru the 11th and I encourage each and every parent to take advantage of this opportunity to meet with your childs teacher and find out just how they are doing and what you can do to help them during this school year. As we go through the cold and flu season, help us keep all Garfield students healthy, remind your children to frequently wash their hands and please, if your child is not feeling well, has a continuous cough or any fever, keep them home until they are felling better. Remember to call the school and let us know when they are ill. As always, turn off the TVs and video games and spend some quality time reading with your child, try at least 20 minutes a day, it is something they will always remember and help them in more ways than you know. Have a great Thanksgiving and remember GARFIELD GATORS ARERESPECTFUL, RESPONSIBLE, AND READY. Sincerely, 1

November 2011
PTA/Parent Advisory 6:00 pm Title I Annual Meeting 3 Picture Retakes 1:00-3:00 pm 4 End of 1st Marking Period 8-11 Parent/Teacher Conferences Half Days Dismissal @ 11:43 PTA BOOK FAIR - LIBRARY 14 PTA Fundraiser Begins Board of Ed. Mtg 7:00 23 No School Thanksgiving Break 24 Happy Thanksgiving 25 No School

December
McTeacher Night @ McDonalds PTA World Traditions Festival 6:00 9 PTA Candy Cane Shoppe 12 Board of Ed. Meeting 14 PTA Candy Cane Shop 5 6

Classes Resume January 3, 2011

Gary L. Bates Principal

Garfield Elementary School 1221 Garfield Street Port Huron, MI 48060 984-6509 Absence Line: 989-2741 Fax: 989-2743

Sign in At the Office PLEASE

Thank you to all of those parents and visitors who come directly to the office to sign in! We appreciate your help in keeping our school safe.

Parent/Teacher Conferences
Conferences are scheduled for Tuesday, November 8 thru Friday, November 11. Classes will be dismissed at 11:43. PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!!

NO SCHOOL
Thanksgiving Break is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 23rd, Thursday, Nov. 24th and, Friday, Nov. 25th. There will be NO SCHOOL on those days.

Student Council Election Results President Desirae Shimkus Vice-President Andrew MacLean Treasurer Kaylee Karvonen Secretary Shaylynn Smith
Congratulations to the 2011-2012 Student Council Officers & to all of those students who participated in the elections.

Important Information for Parents

School dismisses at 3:00 p.m. Parents who pick up students need to be here by that time. Please set up a spot to meet OUTSIDE the building so your child(ren) knows where to meet you after school. This will help eliminate last minute phone calls and interruptions to give students messages during the school day. Early dismissals also disrupt class. Every student who is requested early takes away from the entire classrooms learning. Interruptions cost instructional time. If at all possible, please wait for the end of the day to pick up your child.

IMPORTANT REMINDER
Phone calls will not be transferred to the classrooms during instructional time. Calls can be transferred to the classroom on teachers prep. Please find out from your childs teacher when their prep time is. Calls will be sent to the teachers voicemail during instructional time.

Accelerated Reader
(As of 11-2-11)
10 POINT CLUB Kindergarten Club
Kathryn Pittman Katherine Lee Cory Plotzke Ethan Stone Nicholas Cartmell Braden Darhower Natalie Friend Yasmina Kelly Christian Smith Malachi Mitchell

80 POINT CLUB
Jonah Mitchell

2011-2012 PHASD School Calendar

Parent/Teacher Conferences November 8, 9, 10 & 11 (Early Dismissal @ 11:43 am) Thanksgiving Break November 23, 24 & 25 Classes Resume November 28, 2011 Winter Break December 21 - January 2, 2012 Classes Resume January 3, 2012 Teachers Records Day January 27, 2012 Classes Resume January 30, 2012 Mid-Winter Break February 17 20, 2012 (Off Friday/Monday) Classes Resume February 21, 2012 Spring Break April 2 - April 9, 2012 Classes Resume April 10, 2012 Memorial Day Recess May 25 May 28, 2012 Classes Resume May 29, 2012 Last Day of School June 14, 2012

Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act

To qualify under Section 504 a child must have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more life activities. Life activities are skills necessary for daily living. Some of these skills include: Walking Seeing Hearing Speaking Breathing Learning Working Caring for ones self Performing Manual Tasks Concentrating Other Accommodations and Modifications

All students will be provided with high-quality instruction, frequent monitoring of progress, and lessons/activities that are designed to match student needs. Students on a Section 504 plan will be monitored to ensure accommodations/modifications are meeting their individual needs.

Summer Reading All Stars (CORRECTION FROM OCTOBER GAZETTE) The following students completed the requirements of the summer reading program for 2011. These students were rewarded to a special treat for their efforts. Congratulations summer readers! Ashlyn Albert Johnathan Kerstetter Jozelynn Albert Madison Kerstetter Courtney Bird-Little Colin LaBeau Stephany Boggs Avery Lashbrook Loren Brenske Jennie Li Arian Combs Mikayla Madley Serenity Dean Sierra Mehler Jamie Elliott Malachi Mitchell Abbigale Essenmacher Alexis Roman Hailee Fountain Tymora Shuler Natalie Friend Karissa Scott GaMaya Henley Gohan Smith Germaine Henley Samara Smith Lea Hill Jaden Stanley Kaylee Karvonen Lauren Swarts Riley Kearns Zoey Vos Wyatt Wright

Garfield PTA Page!!!!

Parent involvement is key to a childs success!! A great way to be involved as a parent is to join PTA! Come to a meeting and see what we are all about.

Reading is out of this world Book Fair: When: November 7th -10th What Time: Monday classes only Tuesday 9:00-11:00 & 5:00-8:00 Wednesday 12:00-3:30 Thursday 12:00-3:30 Where: Garfield Media Center
I cannot begin to thank all of the people who helped with our Fall Family Dance!!! It was a great success once and again. All of the kids had a great time! So, Thank you to all of you who were a part of this event!

2011 Officers: President: Sarah Driscoll Vice President: Susan Savedra Secretary: Pam Smith Treasurer: Brandy Smerer Membership: Jeff Smerer

Upcoming Events: Book Fair November 7th 10th World Traditions Festival December 6th Candy Cane Shoppe Friday, December 9th
HELP WANTED We are always in need of help doing lots of different tasks. If you are interested in helping with anything, please let us know!! You may contact Sarah at 810-887-9136

Parents,

Your help is needed!! Please do not double-park or block driveways when dropping off or picking up students from school. The police WILL issue tickets if this happens.

Please remember, parents need to be Respectful, Responsible and Ready as well.

Time Change FALL BACK Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011