Hello GB Families

This weekend my husband and I enjoyed a docent-lead hike through the Pescadero Marsh.  We enjoyed seeing and learning about Egrets, Blue Herrings, Hawks, Coots, marsh vegetation, and even wood rat condominiums!  It was beautiful and relaxing.  For more information on such a hike for you and your family to enjoy visit their website here. Afterwards, you can make your way to the town of Pescadero to enjoy a made-to-order-delicious burrito from -a filling station believe it or not- on the corner of Pescadero and Stage.  Do not go home without heading to the local grocery store for the very famous and fresh artichoke, garlic, and herb bread!  A Gardner family just told us about an award-winning olallieberry pie that can be picked up at Duarte's Tavern. Oh my goodness...It is weekends like this that I appreciate our state of California so much!  

Site Council/ELAC

Our site council and ELAC meeting will be held Monday at 3:15 in the library. All are welcome to come. Agenda below.

1. Role call/Introductions/warm-up
2. Review norms
3. Review Purpose of School Site Council and Mission Statement
4. Update School-wide goals as needed
5. Review teacher survey regarding Growth Mindset and student goal setting
6. ELAC (English Language Acquisition Committee)
7. A day in the life of an English Learner at Gardner
   • EL needs
8. Other areas of our Mission Statement Focus:  Social Intelligence and Health for Students and Staff  (We provide a safe, welcoming and supportive environment…)
9. UPDATE on Mindfulness:   
   • UPDATE on Zones of Regulation
   • UPDATE on Student Council
   • UPDATE on SELFY
10. Sub Committees
    • Update: Tech Committee
11. Next steps/Next meeting ?

Mindfulness and the Zen Den

Our Zen Den is up and running and multiple classes are practicing mindfulness with Dr. Behnaz Shahid once a week. It is our belief that when students have the skills to identify their emotions and be mindful of their feelings, their mindset to learn improves.  The staff and I would not have been able to move forward with our mindfulness practice without the support of the PTA. They supported our intrigue last year and helped us put the plan in motion this year. Thank you very much GB parents!

PTA meeting

Speaking of the PTA, please join us this Friday after the morning assembly for our monthly PTA meeting.  Our very own literacy coach, Mrs. Schroeder, will be with us and walk parents through a Readers Workshop Lesson.  This will not be a presentation but an actual lesson just as your students experience in the classroom.  Afterwards, her and I will both be able to answer any questions you may have regarding our ELA program. 

SELFY

SELFY is back on Wednesdays at lunch!  Students are able to enjoy either an arts and crafts table or the upper field with SELFY Coaches there to assist.  Amanda Boschken is looking for parent volunteers on to help on Wednesdays.  Please sign up here.  

I wish you all an excellent week, 

Nadia Oskolkoff, Principal