End of May Newsletter

Hello Families,

Happy Summer! It’s been a super year and I’m so thankful
for the awesome kids we have at Gannett Peak. It’s difficult
to say goodbye to our third grade students, but they are ready
to spread their wings and enjoy the next adventure at Baldwin Creek.
So, with summer right around the corner, please continue to have your
child read every day or be read to by someone. Reading is important
because it develops our thoughts, gives us endless knowledge and lessons
to learn while keeping our minds active. The importance of a book to help
us learn and understand cannot be underestimated. In the world today where
information are abundant, reading is one of the best ways to be informed.
I’ve attached a summer reading log to track minutes each day, and then your
child can return this form in the fall to be recognized for a surprise.

Also, a great summer read for parents, How to Talk So Kids Will Listen &
Listen So Kids Will Talk. Although this book is almost 40 years old, it is a
classic on how to relate to children in a more positive and productive way.
Millions of copies of this book have been sold for good reason; it is incredibly
practical. The authors do three things extremely well: (1) identify the key issues
adults have in relating to children, (2) outline strategies to better relate to
children,and (3) illustrate those strategies with pictures and sample dialogue to use.
Another suggested parent read is Mindset by Carol Dweck.

This week your child’s report card will be sent home along with the STAR
assessment data showing your child’s growth. On the last page of the report
card, your child’s teacher for next year will be written. We will be having a
Back to School Open House on August 19, so you can meet your child’s teacher
before school starts on August 20.

I have great memories from the 2018-19 school year! I hope you have a safe,
happy and healthy summer. I look forward to meeting new and “old” faces in
August at Gannett Peak Elementary.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Voxland,

Gannett Peak Principal

Our mission and purpose, in kid-friendly terms, is “Working together, we will be a caring community dedicated to lifelong learning.” Students work hard to practice our Cougar Traits of “Respect, Responsibility, and Safety.” Positive Behavior Intervention Supports (PBIS) have given staff and students a common vocabulary and mutual understanding of expectations, supporting a culture of caring and active learning.

The values of our district are also our values. Our Cougar Traits require acceptance, accountability, integrity, and achievement. Our staff are members of Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) that work together to create common assessments and to teach the essential standards for each grade level. Grade level teams work with differentiated student group so that students receive appropriate challenges. The value of engagement is being reinforced through instruction and coaching in using Kagan cooperative learning structures.

We have an active and efficient process for getting students the assistance they need as quickly as possible. Response to Intervention (RTI) and the Building Intervention Team (BIT) are the tools we use. In addition, a social worker and school counselor provide non-academic supports for our students.

Regular communication with stakeholders occurs building-wide with our monthly newsletter. Classroom teachers communicate with parents in a variety of ways, from email to weekly newsletters. Parent may use the Parent Portal on Infinite Campus to communicate with teachers or to note student progress.

Our school hours are 8:00am to 3:05pm (with a 1pm early dismissal time on Wednesdays)