|
January 5, 2025
Sunday Snapshot
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BAC Meeting @8:45
1/9/2025
|
|
|
|
AAC Meeting (virtual)
1/9/2025, 6 PM – 6 PM
|
|
|
|
|
|
MOY Testing Window Opens (iReady/ Star360)
1/13/2025
|
|
|
|
PTA Dine and Donate- Zabaadi Kebabs
1/13/2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional Notes
Outdoor Recess: Our daily schedule includes approximately 25 minutes of recess for all students in grades K-8. We will continue to venture outside, weather permitting, so we are asking that students be prepared for the winter elements by wearing boots, hats, gloves, and scarves to brave the weather.
We monitor the weather and will send students out if temperature and wind chill (feels like temps) are 20 degrees and higher. It is highly recommended that younger students (Grades K-1) have a change of clothes available in their lockers. If you have not sent clothes to school, please do so.
Garvy School Feedback Form: If you would like to provide any feedback, please feel free to use the following Google Form.
Staff Shout-out: Our staff shout out form is back! I want to provide a space for parents to show their gratitude for our hardworking staff. If you would like to give a shout out to a staff member, please fill out the following form. We will share all submissions with our staff. Parent to Staff Shout out Form
Level I & Level II Volunteer Application Process: All individuals who are interested in volunteering (includes chaperoning field trips) must be approved by CPS. Depending on the level of volunteering you plan to do, you will be asked to complete an application for either a “Level I” or “Level II” volunteer.
Steps to follow:
(Please note: It is a CPS requirement that you fall into one of these two levels to become a volunteer)
Step 1: Complete THIS volunteer form for CPS
This form is necessary for CPS to verify you have students in the system and that they attend the school you are requesting to volunteer at.
Step 2: Bring a government issued ID to the main office for verification. If you do not do this step, the process will not move forward.
For Level II, the process ends here.
For Level 1, you must also do the following:
Step 3: After you submit your ID, you will receive an email from CPS which will contain links and information for fingerprinting, background check and TB test. For fingerprinting, please fill out this form and take it to any Accurate Biometrics location. For the TB test, use this form. These tests can be completed at MercyWorks locations. Please note, there is a $20 TB test fee.
Step 4: Email copies of both the fingerprints and TB test to [email protected]. The sooner they receive these forms, the faster your application can be processed. Please note, fingerprints can take 2-5 weeks to process.
|
|
|
Happy Sunday Garvy!
Be Kind 🐾 Be Strong 🐾 Be Well 🐾 Be a Bulldog
Out of School Time- OST
We are excited to share the menu of Out of School Time (OST) programs we are providing this winter and spring. Please use the following form to sign your child up for the Winter OST programs. Remember that the programs have limited space and are first-come, first serve basis. Registration ends on January 17th.
Parents will receive a confirmation or waiting list email AFTER registration closes on the 17th. These programs will run from January 27th-May 23rd. Through the OST grant, all of these programs are free, except Young Rembrandts. Here is the flyer for Young Rembrandts.
If you have any questions, Contact OST Program Coordinator: Rebecca Cavanaugh ( [email protected])
Attendance Matters
Good attendance is necessary for student success both in and out of the classroom. Statistics show chronic absences are a leading indicator of a student dropping out of high school. We urge you to prioritize your child's attendance. Please try to avoid discretionary travel during regular school days and try to schedule vacations and trips during calendar breaks.
Here are some helpful tips to support your child to be healthy and ready to attend school.
- Establish routines (early bedtime, set alarms, layout clothes)
- Talk to your child about the importance of attending school daily
- Schedule vacation when school is not in session
- If your child seems anxious about school, let us know and we can support you
Current Attendance Percentages
December School-wide attendance: 93.2%
School-wide Overall Attendance (YTD): 94.4%
Goal for the Year: Above 95%
| Kdg: 93% |
3rd: 94% |
6th: 95% |
| 1st: 93% |
4th: 94% |
7th: 95% |
| 2nd: 94% |
5th: 94% |
8th: 93% |
Personal Health/Sexual Education
Every school year your child will receive Personal Health Education as part of the Chicago Public School Sexual Health Education Policy. CPS acknowledges that families are and should be the primary sexuality educators for their children. Garvy Elementary is committed to partnering with families to provide supplementary instruction to the students via the sexual health education lessons. These lessons will be taking place during part of your child’s physical education class with Mrs. Colon and Mr. DeWitt. Both teachers have been certified by the CPS Student Health and Wellness department to implement this curriculum.
The Sexual Health Education courses will start when students return after Winter break on January 6, 2025. An overview of the lessons that will be taught are on this link: Personal Health Letter. If you would like to opt your child/children out of the course, please send an email or written letter to Ms. Colon [email protected] and Mr. Dewitt [email protected]
Quarter 2 PAWs Pillars Breakfast
Spotlight Skills: Respect, Responsibility and Perseverance
Congratulations to our PAWs Pillars Spotlight Stars! We will celebrate the students who demonstrated Respect, Responsibility, and Perseverance at the Quarter 2 Spotlight Breakfast on Friday, January 31st at 9am in the MPR. Each Spotlight Star is welcome to invite one adult to the breakfast.
|
Respect Winners
|
|
Kindergarten
Alani A
Aleksandr K
Yoskar C S
|
3rd
Abigail P
Laila B
Scarlett G
|
6th
Chelsea J
Frank M
Veronika K
|
|
1st
Emerson M
Emilia T
Helena G
|
4th
Angelina S-M
Isabella G
Josephine G D
|
7th
Ricardo G-M
Victoria V M
Will M
|
|
2nd
Alexander A
Aviana C
Jovie M
|
5th
Aidan M
Luke A
Nicco M
|
8th
Isabella N
Isabella T
Kenny T
|
|
Responsibility Winners
|
|
Kindergarten
Ava W
Connor D
Mateo K
|
3rd
Leo A
Niyama P
Pilar M
|
6th
Greta W
Nina I
Thaovy T
|
|
1st
Emil S
Emilia P
Jack S
|
4th
Amelia A
Jett M
Sophie O
|
7th
Devika C
Kyler R
Prapti P
|
|
2nd
Eloise P
Emilia B
Guliana C
|
5th
Charlotte R
Francisco A
Noah H
|
8th
Angelina B
Lea A
Nevaeh F
|
AAC Updates
Join us at the Adopt-a-Classroom Meeting this Thursday, January 9th at 6pm. AAC meetings are held virtually on Zoom.
Meeting ID: 235 390 8281 Passcode: hess
BAC Updates
We would like to invite parents to our next BAC meeting on January 9th, 2025 at 8:45 a.m. We will answer questions about ACCESS Testing (Testing window: January 17- March 4, 2025). Mr. Ravury will provide training on: How to create a Parent Portal account on Aspen, how to log in and check grades, pay for field trips, or graduation fees, and how to do an E-absence.
Student Rep: Are you a current 6th or 7th grader who is interested in having a stronger voice in our school decisions? If so, you should run for the LSC Student Representative.
Application Period: January 27th to February 7th
Candidate Forum Video: Due by February 10th
Election Day: Thursday, February 13th
You can get a paper copy of the application in the Main Office.
Parent Rep: We are currently looking to fill one Parent Representative position on our Local School Council (LSC). We are looking for someone who are supportive of Garvy’s vision and will bring positive energy to help Garvy continue to grow. Please note that the LSC meets once a month at 5pm. If you are interested, please read the instructions below.
Step 1: Understand the criteria to make sure you are eligible before you apply.
- Parent Representative: Must have a child currently enrolled at Garvy. Also, you cannot be an employee of CPS.
Step 2: Please complete the forms attached and bring them to the school by Friday, January 10th. We are not allowed to accept any applications after this time. Also, we cannot accept electronic copies. You can find the necessary forms below.
Step 3: Included in the application is a personal statement that you will fill out explaining the qualities you possess to help Garvy’s LSC. You will have the opportunity to read this statement and share anything else you want with the LSC at the January 22nd meeting at 5:00 pm. Please be aware that making a statement at the meeting is optional.
Step 4: The LSC will go into closed session to review the applications. When they return to the public forum, they will state if they would like to fill the open position and vote on the applicants to join the LSC. They also have the opportunity to reopen the application window if they choose.
If you have any questions about the application process, please contact the LSC Chair, Janely Torres [email protected] or LSC member, Stephanie Bester [email protected].
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Portage Crain Counseling Center
Raising kids today is a roller coaster
NAMI Chicago and Lutheran Social Services of Illinois have teamed up to bring a monthly free peer support group for parents and caregivers to Portage Park and Belmont Cragin. Come meet other parents from the neighborhood to share experiences, advice, and even just lend an ear.
Read More...
|
|
|
|
|
New Aspen Parent Portal Feature: E-Absence - Absence Reporting Made Easy!
Aspen Parent Portal allows parents and guardians to submit and track student absences electronically.
Read More...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Go Bulldogs!!!
Love, Mrs. Bester 🐾 🐾
|
|
|
