Every Student, Every Day, Every Classroom November/December 2016 Important Date Reminders: 12/14 Special Board Meeting 12/15 HS Wrestling @ 7pm Erik Schmiesing for making All-State Concert Band in Winds and 12/16 Half Day Early Release Percussion Debra Howell- Congratulations on being a PUD Mini-Grant winner 12/16 HS Girls/Boys Basketball Games (starts @ 3:30pm) for the 2016-2017 school year and for receiving a second grant that will allow the multiage kids to go to the Bill and Melinda Gate Foundation in Seattle. The grant also covers the cost of bus 12/17 HS Girls Basketball (3:30pm) transportation. The multiage class will be attending on January 24. Congratulations to Kevin Proirier and wife on their new baby girl: 12/17-01/02 Winter Break, No School Claire Adeline Poirier was born on 11/19 at 12:35 AM. She is a beautiful and healthy 8 pounds, 6 ounces. 01/04 School Board Mtg. 01/09 MCE Literacy Night 1/13 MS MLK Assembly 01/13 MCE Movie Night 01/13 1-Hour Early Release 01/16 Martin Luther King Day, No School 01/23 MCE Literacy Night 01/24 MCE Band Concert 01/25 MCE Taproot Theatre 01/27 Half Day-Early Release 01/30 MWE Literacy Night
Generations of Teachers Kaitlan Howell, Debra Howell, and Mike Shireman were celebrated in an Article that the Everett Herald posted on Friday, November 25, 2016. The focus of the article was regarding three teachers being from the same family and teaching in the same school with generations of experience. Nice Work!! You can read the full article at: Grad s Program-Crossroads Two young ladies with two very different stories have been selected to share their story about how the Grads Program has helped them to find success after hardship. Jessianna King, a student from Crossroads HS and Allyson Nelson, Crossroads Para and McKinney Vento Success Coordinator have overcome some very difficult life experiences and found accomplishments within the goals they have set before them, with a little support and a lot of determination. Please read their story here: http://www.heraldnet.com/news/3-members-of-samefamily-teach-at-monte-cristo-elementary/ http://www.heraldnet.com/news/grads-giveteen-moms-support-they-need-to-stay-inschool/
Crossroads community Thanksgiving Dinner We have some wonderful and amazing things going on at Crossroads High School. On November 19 th, 2016 they put on the Thanksgiving Dinner which was Directed by the Crossroads Community. The event provided a meal for many members of the community, but especially to those who this may be the only hot meal they have this Thanksgiving holiday. The dinner was held in the Crossroads commons area. They served a total of 12 turkeys with many side dishes. All who came also enjoyed free movies, popcorn, games, and drinks. Thank you to all the hearts and hands that came together to make this event a blessing. Way to go Crossroads!
Veterans Day Assemblies The Monte Cristo Elementary Veterans Assembly was opened by GFHS student Kayla Arciniega performing a trumpet solo of Taps. The assembly itself was student-led with a narrative about the history and background of Veterans Day delivered by students of the multi-age classroom. The songs that were included were: The National Anthem, The Brave, and Taps sung by the two multi-age classes. All the classes participated in making cards or writing letters to the veterans and they were presented to them in a ceremony by members of each individual classroom. CRHS- Jessica Olson-Hernandez, a 10 th grade student at CRHS, led the Veterans Day assembly. Not only did Jessica lead the assembly, but she was able to show what kind of leader she is by piecing together the entire event in almost 24-48 hours. Jacob Kerst played an outstanding version of the Star Spangled Banner on his electric guitar and Ms. Stark, one of Crossroads outstanding staff, who happens to be a veteran, shared some of her experiences from the military and how it has helped shape her life.
Erin Howard has done an amazing job with the MS and HS bands. They both performed at the Veterans Day Assemblies at the Middle School and High School. The High school band performed Marches of the Armed Forces, America the Beautiful, and the Star Spangled Banner. The Middle School performed the Star Spangled Banner, Ocala March, and Legacy of Heroes. Granite Falls School District Food Drive Congratulations on all of the hard work that went into this years annual Food Drive and Giving Tree. They have provided for over 200 families and 500 children that will be getting food and gifts for this years holiday season. Eric Dinwiddie and his team of High School Students spend hours piecing together this wonderful program that blesses so many families in our community. It takes a lot of dedication and hard work. Thank you to everyone for helping out and coming together to make this year a success. Together we can do so much. Please take a moment to view the wonderful presentation that was done up by some of our Granite Falls High School students: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1wd6hnkfvc
Spotlight Theatre Presents A Christmas Carol - performances were held on December 9 th at 6:30pm and December 10 th at 1:30pm at the Granite Falls High School Performing Arts Center (PAC). Thank you to everyone who came out and supported the Spotlight Theatre for a night of action! They did a wonderful job and put on a great performance!! Community Survey The district has issued the semi-annual community survey. Please take a moment to complete the survey by going here. We desire to hear your opinion and get your feedback on how we are doing as a district so that we can improve our services and learning opportunities to the children of our community. The Survey will be open for a couple more weeks. January is School Board Appreciation Month If you see our board members in the month of January, please take the time to say thank you for their commitment to our schools. School Board members are responsible for approving the District's financial budget, including contracts for teachers and other employees, hiring the superintendent, setting policy, providing accountability, and advocating for students and staff. We have an outstanding group of dedicated folks working hard for our students, staff, and community. Thank you Rick Short, Tom Eadie, Carl Cary, Richard Panagos, Robert Butler, and student representative Aurora Denning!
Annual WSSDA Conference WSSDA Conference was held on Nov.16-Nov.19 in Spokane, WA. The School Board and Linda Hall with student Rep. Aurora Denning attended the annual WSSDA conference. The theme this year was Lead to Inspire focusing on the importance of alignment with the school board and the Superintendent. Interscholastic Committee School Board Director Rick Short was elected as the Area 1 Director for the Interscholastics Committee. Congratulations Director Short! School Board Approves School Bond Initiative to go on February 2017 Ballot Join Superintendent Hall and School Board Members for Coffee Chat. Superintendent Linda Hall and School Board Directors Rick Short, Robert Butler, Carl Cary, Richard Panagos and Tom Eadie invite interested citizens to attend open community chats. This is an opportunity to ask questions and receive more information regarding the bond initiative that will include school security enhancements, middle school STEAM/CTE modernization and a new high school grandstand. Save these dates for additional coffee chats and community forums with Superintendent Hall, Business Operations Jeff Balentine and members of the teacher's union coming up these next few months. Please be encouraged to spread the word throughout our community regarding these upcoming events as it is pertinent to get as much information out to the public as possible. January 10 th from 8-10am for coffee session at Buzz Inn January 23 rd from 3-5pm for coffee session at Buzz Inn January 25 th from 5-7pm for Community Meeting at District Office February 3 rd from 8-10am for coffee session at Buzz Inn NEED STAFF INFORMATION! Remember to send me any professional (personal or classroom) endeavors and/or accomplishments! As the Public Relations Officer for the District, I need this information from you so I can share the good work we are doing in the district. Also, remember to invite me to noteworthy events in or outside the classroom whenever you can I m happy to take pictures and come be a part of the activities! You can reach me at: mfreeman@gfalls.wednet.edu or Ext. 4010. Thank you- Melanie Freeman.