Distance Learning Update
We were so excited to see our students in their virtual classrooms all week! The students are doing a great job participating in their lessons and being good digital citizens. Now that the students know how to find their class BBCU links through their FCPS Gmail accounts, we are ready to begin live session for specials starting on Monday, May 4th. Classroom teachers will post a video to their google classroom that will guide students through finding each link to their specials (PE, Art, Music, Japanese, Band, Strings, Library and AAP). Each grade level has multiple links to different specials, so we created an organizer to help you keep track of the different class links. The video will also provide students with directions to save these links so they are easier to locate when needed. If you are having difficulty accessing specials Monday, please visit your teacher’s office hours for assistance that afternoon.
REMINDER: There are a variety of specials a day because we know that students’ availability differs in each household. Students are not expected to attend all special classes each day. We encourage students to look at the options for the day and choose which ones they will attend for that day. The sessions will be recorded so you can always view them at your own convenience.
Coming Soon:
Teacher Appreciation Week (May 4th- 8th)
Do you have a teacher who has gone above & beyond for you or your child - supporting them, encouraging them to do their best or being a listening ear when they need someone? Take a minute to write a note of thanks by sharing your appreciation with them. Notes will be shared with the recipients during Teacher Appreciation Week (May 4th - 8th). You may fill out this form as many times as you would like for different school personnel.
 Please use this LINK to share your digital thank you notes
Student Intention Forms for 2020-2021
We need your help in projecting our total enrollment for next school year. For families NOT returning to Gunston Elementary School in the fall of 2020-21, please complete and return the “Student’s Intention for the Next School Year” form by Monday May 4th, 2020.
You have two options to complete this form. Please choose ONE way to send the form!
- Complete the Intention Form. Please note that an individual form should be completed for each student in your household that attends Gunston Elementary School.
OR
- Complete the Intention Form on the FCPS Public website. A typed parent/guardian name on the Parent Signature line is acceptable. Student ID Number may be left blank. Save the completed form, attach it to an email and send to clbaltimore@fcps.edu.
Registration Process Update!
Registration is now open for all grade levels for the upcoming 2020 – 2021 school year. With the building closed, registration will happen virtually, with our registrar, Cassandra Baltimore, conducting enrollment interviews over the phone or via e-mail. If you need to register your child for school, please reach out to Ms. Baltimore at clbaltimore@fcps.edu.
Please note that once schools reopen to the public, parents will need to make an appointment to complete the registration and present all required original documentation (birth certificate, deed or lease, etc.).
Please share this information with friends or neighbors who also need to register!
Has or Will Your Address Be Changing?
If you have moved or will be moving before the end of the school year, please be sure to contact Ms.. Baltimore at clbaltimore@fcps.edu to let her know. This is to ensure that your family will get learning packets and other important information for the rest of the year. Please note that even if you have moved or do move out of the Gunston boundary before the end of the school year, your child(ren) can continue to access Gunston distance-learning resources through the last day of school.
Message from your Gunston Student Support Team
As we all navigate through these challenging times, the student support team has come together to share some resources you might find helpful when working with your children. These resources include, but are not limited to, stress relief tools, internet safety and student wellness. As always, we are here to support you and your family and know that we will all come out of this as stronger and more resilient citizens. We hope you find these tools helpful.
Visual Schedule
Most students are more comfortable knowing what is coming next in their day so a visual schedule can be a very helpful aid. We all know that flexibility is necessary as well, but it is still beneficial for kids to have a basic outline. This can be as easy as a chart you draw on a white board or paper that breaks up the day into chunks. Wake up time, breakfast, quiet reading, TV time, online school work, outside time, exercise, and lunch times are all examples of different categories to incorporate. You can work with your child to create this schedule and don’t worry about scheduling every minute, just use a broad approach to breaking up the day. The students are used to seeing their days broken up and it prepares them for transitions. Some students may even need a 5 minute warning before transitioning to the next activity. This may be particularly needed when a student is moving from a preferred activity (video games) to an non-preferred activity (reading). Some students benefit from doing a little school work then a break and then returning to school work while others may do best getting all the work done and then transitioning to activities they choose. Choose the system that you think will work for your child and let them know that you can work together to make changes if something isn’t working. Below are articles and examples of visual schedules:
Positive Behavior at Home Tip-sheet
Establishing Structure and Routine
Calm Corner
Creating a calm corner or "take a break" spot can be really beneficial for kids that are dealing with big feelings. This is not a punishment but an opportunity for a child to calm him or herself down so that they can discuss and work to solve whatever situation is causing the turmoil. There are a lot of different resources you could have at this space but it will differ for each child. Some may want his/her headphones with music, drawing tools and paper, or a stress ball and bubbles. Talk to your child about what works for him/her and then make a list of the options they came up with so they have some choices available. See this link for more ideas on creating a calming corner in your home.
 |
|
PTA News & Information |
 |
|
Health and Wellness Tips |
Practicing Self-Compassion can Improve Your Mental Well-Being
Extending kindness to others can be easy. But cultivating compassion for ourselves? Not so much.
Yet without self-directed empathy, our deepest fears and worries can take over, activating our worst inner-critics. One way to quiet these negative thoughts is to practice self-compassion.
Here’s one way to incorporate self-compassion into your well-being repertoire:
- Think of something that’s stressing you out.
- Notice the thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations that arise as you ponder this distress.
- Acknowledge your suffering.
- Place your hand on your heart and extend loving kindness by saying:
- May I give myself the compassion I need.
- May I learn to accept myself as I am.
- May I forgive myself.
- May I be strong.
- May I be patient.
Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/practice-self-compassion#1
On April 29,2020
Online Yearbook Sales Extended until May 4th
Lifetouch would like to ensure all students have the chance to order a yearbook despite the recent school closures.
Order your Yearbook online today at ybpay.lifetouch.com
Gunston's school code: 12465620
Price: $20.00 (plus additional online options)
Sales Deadline: May 4, 2020
Yearbook will be shipped in early June.
Yearbooks will be distributed upon school re-opening or the PTA will mail your yearbook, free of charge if you provide your mailing address to ptagunston@gmail.com.
Calling all 6th Graders!
The yearbook committee is asking for all 6th grade students to provide a baby picture for this years "Guess Who" section in the yearbook. Please send your photo to gunstonyearbooks@gmail.com
|
