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Boreal Community Media

Great Expectations School News - October 1, 2021

Oct 01, 2021 04:15PM ● By Editor
October 1, 2021

October Greetings Families!  

Classrooms have been taking advantage of the recent glorious fall days to take their learning outdoors as much as possible.  As the days get cooler, be sure to send extra layers to school with your children, as outdoor learning continues through all weather!  

Public Health Update


Covid-19
Locally we are experiencing limited same-day testing.  For youth tests that have been sent out recently the turnaround time has been 3-4 days, which creates a challenge for Public Health staff to perform contract tracing.

General
The American Academy of Pediatrics has an online health resource for parents:
https://healthychildren.org/english/tips-tools/webinars/pages/default.aspx
 

Important Dates & Events


SAVE THE DATE:  The Annual GES Self Portrait Fair will take place on  November 16th and 17th.  Watch for more details to come!

REMINDER:  Students should not arrive at school before 7:50 am.  There is not staff available before this time to supervise students.  Thanks for your help with this.

FIRE SAFETY WEEK:  K-4 classrooms will have a fire fighter visit and tour a fire truck next Wednesday, October 6.  This is a great time to review your family's fire safety plans, as well!

CHANGES IN GES HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS:  It seems that the email sent last week with this information ended up in some families' junk or spam mail.  Please click on this LINK to read the letter.

A note from Director Rachael


Butterflies emerged from their chrysalises in the Fawns’ classroom this morning.  The Fawns were focused on watching the butterflies, but I was focused on watching the Fawns.  The sense of wonder and anticipation on their faces is what teaching and learning is all about at Great Expectations.  Students in all our classrooms are making authentic connections to their learning because of the dedication and creativity of GES staff. What a fantastic way to learn! 

We have been able to bring back some pre-pandemic activities (some classes eating in the Great Room and in person All School Gatherings outdoors).  Writing Buddies was launched as a Covid-19 safe alternative to the traditional Reading Buddies program.  Writing Buddies will be “pen pals” between classes and help foster more connections between students.  These activities are only possible because EVERYONE in the GES community is following our Covid-19 layered mitigation strategies.  THANK YOU!
Thank you for allowing us to be part of your child’s learning adventure!
Rachael

Great Lunch


Thank you to our lunch volunteers this week:  Drew Olson and Kay Costello!  Your help is much appreciated!

Paid opportunities are available to assist 1-5 days per week with Great Lunch!  10:00 am - 2:00 pm.

For more information, contact:
Andrea Orest [email protected]
Judi Barsness  [email protected]
We are pleased to welcome Emma Adams as one of our new staff members at GES! Emma is joining the GES team both as a paraprofessional and as our new Environmental Educator. With a background in Environmental Education & Interpretation, Emma moved to Cook County this summer to work at Chik Wauk Museum & Nature Center. She is looking forward to continuing the Environmental Education programming at GES - some recent activities have included visiting the apple orchard with the Bear Cubs and planting lettuce with the Beavers. We are glad to have Emma as part of our team! 
As always, please call the office if you have any questions on school related items.  I am glad to assist you!
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