GGS Newsletter June 2011 - Gallatin Gateway School
Transcription
GGS Newsletter June 2011 - Gallatin Gateway School
june 2011 Gallatin Gateway School Volume 1I, Issue VI Principal Dr. DeBruycker Kindergarten Mrs. Krogstad 1st Grade Ms. Holzman 2nd Grade Mrs. Clark 3rd Grade Mrs. Stageman 4th Grade Mrs. Axtman 5th Grade Mrs. Wilson 6th Grade Mrs. Matthews 7th Grade Mrs. Haskins 8th Grade Mr. Vanderbeck Learning Lab Mrs. Thorn Library Miss Nora Counselor Dr. Christensen Music/PE/Title Mr. Mohr Tech/PE/Math/Title Mr. Coon Paraprofessionals Mr. Bassler Mrs. Davis Mr. Grutsch Mrs. Johnson Ms. Lorton Clerk Mrs. Fisher Business Manager Mr. Mosby Adult Education Mr. Coon Food Service Mr. Moore Mrs. Gunderson School Nurse Dr. Prescott, FNP Bus Drivers Mr. Jones Mr. Lee Library Clerk Mrs. Coon School Resource Officer Detective Paul Griffin Gallatin Valley Farm Fair: Hands-on Learning 2010-2011 Perfect A�endance Farm Fair 2011 was a success! Fourth-grade students enjoyed a beautiful day on the Brainard Ranch northwest of Belgrade. Each student had the opportunity to milk cows and goats, hayride through beautiful alfalfa fields, and learn firsthand about the role Montana agriculture plays in their everyday lives. Eighteeen stations, run by volunteers, included hands-on instruction of Montana agriculture and an understanding for the importance of Montana’s number one industry. Two Gallatin Gateway School students achieved perfect a�endance during the 2009-2010 school year. These students were not absent or tardy during the entire year! Congratulations and Great Job! Children crowed around 10-week old piglets at one station. During this station students learned about the social animals and how pigs are the fourth most intelligent creature besides humans. They also were informed of the different ways pigs are useful in their everyday lives. Byproducts from pigs are used for items like chalk, glue, medication, and pet food. Children were also interested in the important role pigs played in World War II, providing glycerin to create explosives and ammunition. Other stations included: Water cycle, bees/ pollination, weed identification, irrigation and soil conservation, forestry; beef ca�le, dairy and cow milking, dairy goats and cheese, sheep, farm safety, “tin can” ice cream making, horses, hogs, wheat, and 4-H. Stations where enhanced with hands-on activities and a hayride where children learned more about Tin Can Ice Cream a working irrigation system. 6 cups whipping cream 2 cups half and half Fourth-grade Gallatin Gateway students 2 cups sugar list the Farm Fair as one of their favorite 1 T vanilla fourth-grade activities. Students showed their appreciation to the supporters of the Mix all ingredients. Pour approximately 1 farm fair by sending thank-you le�ers and cup of mixture into small (1 lb) coffee can. hand-drawn pictures. Place small can in large (3 lb) coffee can. Surround small can with ice and rock salt ( we use water so�ener salt). Roll 10-15 minutes. You can also use quart and gallon size freezer bags instead of coffee cans. Makes 1⁄2 gallon. Brandon Greger Third Grade Tyler Bunkers First Grade 2011 Mile Run On Monday, May 23, 2011, Gallatin Gateway School held its annual mile run competition. The run is for all 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students. Congratulations to eighth graders Liam Keshishian and Kyra Fisher for achieving the fastest times for boys and girls! Liam Keshishian 5:42 Compliments of Gallatin Ca�lewomen www.gallatingatewayschool.com Kyra Fisher 5:51 Volume 11, Issue VI 2010-2011 Outstanding Math Achievement Ike Wessel 3rd Grade Angelle Diamond 3rd Grade Wesley Robbins 6th Grade Jordan Gosse� 7th Grade Thank you Volunteers! Kindergarten Kori Curry Debos Pawn First Grade Lori Davis Harvest House Farm Second Grade Kay Bright Farm Bureau Third Grade Paul Stouffer Korman Marketing Group Fourth Grade Ann Presco� Willow Bend Farms Fi�h Grade Lauri Olsen R & R Taylor Construction Middle School Becky Smith Blue Ocean Innovation Center Page 2 june 2011 Summer Reading Program The importance of summer reading has been demonstrated repeatedly in a variety of research studies. Over and over again, it has been shown that children who read during the summer do much be�er in school when it starts again in the fall. On the other hand, children who do not read during the summer demonstrate a significant loss over the summer. Helping your child to understand the importance of summer reading is a much more difficult task. When summer vacation rolls around, reading is o�en the furthest thing from most kids’ minds. How, then, do you help your child understand the importance of summer reading and encourage him/her to read during summer vacation? The best way to stress the importance of summer reading is to be actively involved in your child’s reading. If you are like most parents, however, you probably aren’t sure how to do this. Luckily, there are many both local and national summer reading motivation programs. A quick Internet search of the words “summer reading” will also bring up a multitude of recommended summer reading lists. Below is the information from the Bozeman Public Library Summer Reading Program. “educating the Future” 2011 Water Bottle Rocket Competition On the last day of school the 5th grade class had the opportunity to blast their water-bo�le rockets into the cloudy, rainy skies over Gallatin Gateway School. Several concepts were studied during water-bo�le rocket construction. One of these was stability and center of gravity. Students quickly learned that if their rocket did not have the correct center of gravity, the rocket would not launch properly. Another concept they learned was pressure. When students launched their rockets, they had a be�er understanding of the effect that water, air, and pressure had on their rocket; and the impact on the amount of time their rocket was in the air. The students were judged by “hang-time” of the rocket, or how long their rocket stayed in the air. Even though most of the rockets drew much applause from the audience, four of the rockets earned the hang-time honors. Coming in fourth place was Zander Fisher with a hang-time of 6.42 seconds; third place was Ryan Evenson with a time of 6.45 seconds, and coming in second place was Annika Noreus with a hang-time of 6.81 seconds. This year’s champion was Jonathan Downer with an overall hang-time of 10.00 seconds. Jonathan’s name will go on the water-bo�le rocket championship poster in the 5th grade room. Congratulations Jonathan! The theme for summer of 2011 is “One World, Many Stories!” The Library’s summer reading program begins immediately a�er school is out with a kick-off party. It is especially important that all school-age kids read over the summer, and one of the best ways to make that happen is to visit the Library! Research shows that kids who read six or more books over the summer see improvement in their reading achievement. Kids get a sticker for each visit to the Library to add to their Reading Log. . . it’s fun to keep track of all the books read over the summer! Call the Children’s Desk at 582-2404 for more information about summer programs. Summer Reading Lists http://www.pkwy.k12.mo.us/panda/subjectlinks/ midreading.html http://childrensbooks.about.com/od/forparents/tp/ summer_reading.htm Congratulations Jonathan! First day of school: August 24, 2011 Volume 1I, Issue VI june 2011 Second Graders End the Year by Giving Back and Having Fun In math, students began using standard mental math, standard algorithms, and estimation strategies to add and subtract three-digit numbers. Students reinforced concepts of place value and regrouping to solve problems. In the students’ daily math fluency review, second graders began to practice their multiplication facts in preparation for third grade. The students should continue to review addition, subtraction, and multiplication facts with their parents throughout the summer. Second graders discovered the wonder of the earth, weather, seasons, and solar system in science. They studied the makeup of rocks and soil, volcanoes and earthquakes, and the resources we receive from the earth. Students measured temperature and precipitation as they learned about the water cycle. They discovered what causes night and day and studied the phases of the moon. They identified the planets in our solar system and how each orbits around the sun. May is a month filled with end of the school year assessment. Second graders were assessed on reading levels, decoding skills, writing, math fluency, and reading and spelling of high frequency words. To celebrate the end of their assessments and the closing of the school year, the students a�ended a field trip to Spring Meadows Retirement Center where they performed their play, Arf! The students sang and danced in this musical story about canine courage followed by swimming at the Bozeman Swim Center. “Educating the Future” Eighth Grade Honor Students Karen Arness Christina Denny Kyra Fisher Liam Keshishian Hailee Olsen Maddie Pa�on Wya� Rabel Rachel Tuninga Caid Vaile Rachel Yager Congratulations eighth graders for achieving a 3.25 GPA or higher for the entire 2009-2010 school year! Thank you to all of the students, parents, staff, and volunteers who made second grade a phenomenal year! Keep reading and practicing those math facts for next fall! Second Grade Community Project: Li�le Bear Schoolhouse Second graders recently completed their annual community service project at the Li�le Bear Schoolhouse. The students planted a variety of flowers which were given a head start in the classroom. The flowers will be transplanted into outdoor planters on the Li�le Bear School grounds in early June. Students also visited the Schoolhouse Museum where they experienced a classroom from the past as they explored the one room schoolhouse. Wrapping up their tour, the students improved the museum grounds by picking up garbage. Lastly, they enjoyed a ride on the historic merry-go-round before walking back to GGS. Second graders recently completed their annual community service project at the Li�le Bear Schoolhouse. The students planted a variety of flowers which were given a head start in the classroom. The flowers will be transplanted into outdoor planters on the Li�le Bear School grounds in early June. Students also visited the Schoolhouse Museum where they experienced a classroom from the past as they explored the one room schoolhouse. Wrapping up their tour, the students improved the museum grounds by picking up garbage. Lastly, they enjoyed a ride on the historic merry-go-round before walking back to GGS. Grace Walkuski ENROLl NOW for all grades in 2011-2012! New to Gallatin Gateway? Will your child be 5 years old on or before September 10, 2011? Call 763-4415 to receive your enrollment packet! 2011-2012 School supply list available online and Local Retail Stores! Page 3 Volume 11, Issue VI Thank You... Thank you Gina Taylor & PIE for organizing the last day of school activities! Thank you JD Downer, Clay Morton, Susie Noreus, and Clarice Lien for chaperoning the 5th grade West Yellowstone trip. Thank you Boosters for supporting all GGS athletic programs! Thank you Lain Kay for your donation to the band program! Thank you Eric Becker & Geyser Whitewater for taking the seventh-grade class on a great scenic float trip down the Gallatin River and allowing them to use your climbing wall! Thank you PIE for providing funds for teachers to order classroom supplies and books for next school year! Thank you Russ Olsen, Steve Fisher & Cam Walkuski for chauffeuring the 8th graders in Washington DC! Thank you to Becky Smith Ed.D for coming to Business Economics I for Junior Achievement. Thank you to Diann Calvin, Sandy Palakovich, Mike Bechtold, Mike Coon and Dr. DeBruycker for driving the students to Laurel for the seventh-grade field trip. Thank you Jeff Wiencek for MCing the Gator Art Auction and Talent show this spring! “Educating the Future” june 2011 communication needs that come with survival but there are techniques to help support them. Those who are able or willing to verbally communicate usually show characteristics with the repetition of words, hand leading cues before speaking or inappropriate responses. Non-verbal people have characteristics of spinning, rocking, hand flapping and repetitive play. Research of people with Autism is still a relatively new study. Scientist, doctors and educators are just now finding the stepping stones of what Autism is and what it means. We have known for years the characteristics of Autism, but are now just starting to figure out the causes and how to educate these students. The severity of the dysfunction sets the variables on how to deal with each child as individuals and not how to deal with the disorder as a whole group. Causes of Autism is still in the analysis phase of the study. Scientists can not pin point the exact process that is going wrong with the function of the brain during development but they have many explanations as to what could be happening. The one thing that they do know is that people with Autism have abnormalities of brain function. When we are developing in our mother’s womb, we have neurons going all over the place to find their proper homes. It is believed that people with communication and sensory problems have these neurons going to the the wrong place and causing the brain to dysfunction. Studies have been done to test whether or not Autism is an inherited disorder, but scientists can not link it to a specific gene. They do know that if a parent has one child with Autism then they have a good chance of having another with the disorder. The also know that this disorder is four times more prevalent in boys than girls and 1 on 110 people have some sort of autistic trait. Children are usually diagnosed with Autism within their first three years of life. Students can be diagnosed a�er three years if the characteristics of communication, social skills and repetition are met. The characteristics of someone with Autism is evaluated under three areas: social skills, communication skills and their activities. The social skills abnormalities are seen under things like noneye contact, lack of interests in others, avoidance in physical contact and aggression toward others. These children live in two worlds; theirs and the outside world. It’s hard for them to sense emotions for other people or have the ability to understand emotional situations. Some may learn to laugh but when others are laughing but they have no idea why these people may feel happy. There are verbal and non-verbal autistic people. For the non-verbal it is harder to overcome the Page 4 The activities of someone with Autism is somewhat different of someone without Autism. They tend to have a�achments to objects and play with these objects in a repetitive manner. The social aspect of activities limits them in dealing with their peers. They may act out in a aggressive manners towards them or themselves. And, finally due to the communication problems they may not be able to adjust to an activity and what it entails. Did you know ... Education is key to helping these students succeed in self-care and self-sufficiency in developing. There are many techniques in how we educate these children. The most important thing for people with Autism is to have structure. Without an organized day, it will cause chaos in this child’s life and they may have temper tantrums when things are out of routine. • • • • • Autism now affects 1 in 110 children and 1 in 70 boys Autism prevalence figures are growing More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than with AIDS, diabetes & cancer combined Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the U.S. Autism costs the nation over $35 billion per year, a figure expected to significantly increase in the next decade Autism receives less than 5% of the research funding of many less prevalent childhood diseases Boys are four times more likely than girls to have autism There is no medical detection or cure for autism The next important thing in • educating; use the child’s strength. If they are creative, then work in a • structure with their creativity. These children see things in pictures so the • use of visual aides is imperative. If you want the child to learn the sound of “a” then use a flash care with the h�p://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism/facts-about-autism le�er on it and sound out the le�er as they are seeing it. This works with all words that the child will need to learn. You can also use concrete visual methods that will show the student how things will work. An example maybe a math problem that deals with subtraction. Take the child’s favorite toy and have three of them and then remove one to show you have two le�. All visual cues will help the child picture the correct response in their head and then they will be able to recall from memory. The se�ing in which the child learns is also very important. Autistic people have a hard time in dealing with loud noises, due to the inability to mesh the sensory system together. The distraction of flickering lights can also be a sensory problem, so replace lights or have the child placed correctly in the room away from those types of distractions. These distractions can really inhibit the child’s inability to focus. Just think how hard it is for a normal learning child to face distractions and understand the frustrations of autistic children when trying to learn something new and be severely bothered by their environment Autism is a disorder that can be dealt with but until we know the exact cause(s) we will not be able to cure it. This type of dysfunction of the brain can go from a mild case where the person can easily function on their own to severe cases where there is extra help is needed from the outside. There are many educational techniques that can help people with this disorder become self-sufficient in our society. Scientist, doctors , educators and parents will continue to search out information on Autism and what it is like to be in their world. ~wri�en by Mrs. Thorn Please pay all outstanding lunch balances, snack fees, & bus fees! JUne 2011 Volume 1I, Issue VI One Year Down... Eight More to Go! “Educating the Future” Technology Can Help Students Maintain Math and Reading Skills Throughout Summer As the dog days of summer approach, the last thing students have on their mind is school. Most kids are concerned with riding bikes, waterslides, and playing catch. Maintaining their math and reading aptitude, however, doesn’t have to be painful. Applications, or apps, which can be downloaded to your iPad, iPhone, or smartphone, can easily turn into a fun and beneficial summer activity. It is important to take advantage of the increased technological awareness that students are gaining as the 21st century progresses. A wide variety of educational apps are available for free or a nominal fee. Gallatin Gateway School graduated 8 kindergartners this year. Congratulations kindergartners! Good luck in first grade! Mr. Mohr Encourages Outdoor Activities Summertime is a time to relax and enjoy Montana. However, I see far too many of our students relaxing in front of a TV or computer screen. While there are some benefits to certain games, nothing can replace physical activity for its multi-faceted health benefits. Recent studies have shown that physical activity and fitness levels are associated with improved academic success, as well as social and self esteem. Our students at Gallatin Gateway have been monitoring their “personal best” scores and times throughout the school year. Parents, you can continue this throughout the summer months. You will find it a rewarding experience for the whole family. Activities such as jumping rope, dance, swimming, hiking, bike riding, running, or even making your own obstacle course can make a difference in a child’s summer experience. I would also like to encourage families to eat a sensible diet -- fresh foods and using the food pyramid with your child. One more summer tip I’d like to pass on is to please use sunscreen. We encourage all of the residents of the Gateway community to play hard and enjoy consistent exercise this summer. Seventh Graders Splash Into Summer On Tuesday May 31, the seventh-grade class went on a scenic, but not boring float trip on the Gallatin River. The float trip was donated and hosted by Geyser Whitewater Ra�ing Company. The students le� the school around 8:30 am and were floating on the river by 10:00 am. The students were extremely energetic and ready to get each other wet. A�er a brief discussion on the safety rules of the water and paddling, the guides were ready to go. The group was divided into four different ra�s. All of the ra�s were on the river for about two hours and students enjoyed splashing each other in the ra�s. There definitely was not a dry student, teacher, or guide on the trip. While on the float, the students had the opportunity to hear about other ra�ing experiences and myths of the area. About one hour into the float, ra�ers viewed a cow moose and her baby. The baby was so small that he had extremely wobbly legs as he was trying to run up the shore. When we arrived back at the Geyser facility, the students had the chance to do some rock climbing. As the students climbed, there were three different tracks they could climb. Almost all of the students a�empted and all of them definitely enjoyed it. We would like to thank Eric Becker from Geyser Whitewater Expeditions for donating the entire trip. We all had a wonderful time and greatly appreciate your generosity. ~wri�en by Mrs. Haskins What exactly is an app? An app is a program, game, or tool you can “tap” to interact with—check sports scores, learn to build a boat, or track stocks. Most importantly students can prepare for the school year by practicing math facts, reading iBooks, or reviewing spelling/vocabulary. One app, Math Games: Addition and Subtraction Edition, incorporates games where students target asteroids to blast with their spaceship to correctly answer a problem. The Bob Book #1 app allows students to improve phonological awareness by building words to complete sentences within a story. Other apps offer structured support to grade level curriculum such as the Teach Me series, available for preschool, kindergarteners, and first graders. These programs combine fun, adventure, technology, and most importantly…learning! Keep your student sharp, challenge them, compete with them, and reward their progress by incorporating these apps into their summer fun! Teach Me Kindergarten & Teach Me First Grade Cloud Math Free Math Games Bob Books #1 Natural Learning Concepts: Sort and Categorize Smart Kids: Fun Educational Learning Games for Kids Star Walk More at: www.bestkidsapps.com Regardless of whether or not you have an app-capable device, your student can benefit from educational technology this summer. Hundreds of websites are available that have math and reading/language based games. An o�en overlooked resource with academic games available for free use is the Bozeman Public Library. With computers available to play games such as Jump Start or Reader Rabbit, every student can have access to these games. The library also offers free internet access with thousands of educational websites at your fingertips. Have a great summer as you prepare for next school year! ~wri�en by Miss Nora “Would you like to have some fun and make a difference in a child’s life, too?” Please become a girlscout leader or even a co-leader… we need a few for school year 2011-2012 in order to continue with our Gateway Troops. Call Kelli Stanley for details at 406-284-9050. 2010-2011 School calendar available online! Page 5 Volume 11, Issue VI JUne 2011 Fourth Quarter Honor Roll Salesville Cemetery: Gallatin Gateway School middle school students who have achieved honor roll (3.25 GPA or higher) for fourth quarter of the 20102011 school year are: The seventh-grade class provides community service to the Salesville Cemetery. The students learn about the history of the local cemetery and help in the cleaning and beautification of this historical place in the community. Through this community project, the students learn more about where they are living and the history of their surroundings. Sixth Grade Madi Brenner Evynn Gibbs-Cook Elliot Guest Wesley Robbins Darby Seth On Friday May 13, 2011, the students spent their time cleaning up trash, pulling weeds, cleaning off muddy tombstones and learning about some of the people there. The students found some of the youngest and oldest people who are buried there. Each student placed bouquets of flowers on two different graves of their choosing. When the students finished, we discussed why they placed the flowers where they did and what that meant to them. ~wri�en by Mrs. Haskins Seventh Grade Julia Arnes Paul Barmore Danni Jo Bechtold Jennie Calvin Jennifer Ellio� Megan Fox* Jordan Gosse�* Brian Gramer* Kaitlin McCormack Luke Nagel Kyra Noreus* Ellie Palakovich Lexy Ryder Kelsey Thiem Gage Thomas Evan Vinger Eighth Grade Karen Arness Christina Denny* Kyra Fisher Liam Keshishian Hailee Olsen* Maddie Pa�on* Wya� Rabel Alex Smith Rachel Tuininga* Caid Vaile Grace Walkuski* Rachel Yager (*) denotes GPA of 4.0 Page 6 Gateway’s Historic Past “Educating the Future” Outstanding Academic Achievement 4.0 GPA for the entire 2010-2011 year! Hailee Olsen 8th Grade Grace Walkuski 8th Grade Rachel Tuininga 8th Grade Jordan Gossett 7th Grade How to Keep Your Children Engaged Over Summer A�er 180 days of school, first-grade students were looking forward to summer break. They have worked hard this year and have made great growth in knowledge and skills. Unfortunately, when the formal learning process ends on June 3 many students begin to lose some of these skills. Research shows that many students experience learning loss when they do not engage in educational activities during the summer (Cooper, 1996). This summer achievement loss is particularly evident in reading ability. Parents can help prevent summer setback in reading by making sure their child reads for at least 20-30 minutes daily. Public libraries are a great resource for summer reading materials. Local libraries sponsor summer reading programs for schoolaged children that are fun and motivating. A great website for keeping reading skills sharp is www.starfall.com. Summer travels and activities offer opportunities for children to practice their writing skills. Encourage your child to keep a journal on their summer vacation, write le�ers to grandparents, or write in a diary every day. Keep lots of paper, cards, envelopes, stamps, markers, pencils, and crayons in a box so your child can write whenever they feel like it. This spring first graders learned about pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters. They also learned how to tell time on an analog clock to the hour and to the halfhour. Help maintain these skills by giving them coins and asking them to give you different amounts of money. Ask them, “What time is it?” on the hour and the half-hour. Enjoy summer with your child and remember: learning happens all year round – even in summer! ~ wri�en by Ms. Holzman Have a Safe and enjoyable summer! see you August 24, 2011! JUne 2011 Volume 11, Issue VI Laurel Aviation and Technology Field Trip On Thursday May 12, 2011, the seventh-grade class, along with five chaperones a�ended the Laurel Aviation and Technology week. This aviation week began in 1991when a few middle school teachers wanted to create an educational workshop promoting and showcasing the latest technology and aviation development and now it is offered every three years. Recently, it has also become a way to honor our men and women serving in the military. The students witnessed a B-52, B-2, and a F/A18 flyover. As each pilot flew over, he answered questions. Most of the questions were about their schooling, extra-curricular activities, degree, and each pilot gave advice on how her or she had accomplished what they had so far in live. The most memorable event for students was when a HH-65B conducted a hoist demonstration. During the demonstration, Jason Morgan, the pilot explained the procedure as it was occurring. One person was lowered down to the ground, the helicopter flew around and when the flares were let off, the helicopter began the evacuation process. The cage was lowered; the person climbed in and was slowly raised up to safety. This field trip gave the students the opportunity to see how commitment to academics can motivate and inspire them to be what they want in life. By having this firsthand experience, the students explored and interacted with experts and aviators about their future endeavors. ~wri�en by Mrs. Haskins Third Graders are Ready for Fourth Grade! “Educating the Future” Sixth Grade Community Project: Gateway Tunnel & Trail 2010-2011 Honor Roll The sixth-grade class coordinates activities with the Gateway Youth Group, the Tunnel and Trail Commi�ee, and the state and federal road departments to clean the community trail and tunnel in Gallatin Gateway. Students can be seen picking up trash, painting over graffiti and looking for safety hazards along the trail system. Middle school students The sixth graders picked up trash five times during the school year. Every Friday a�er lunch, pairs of students walked to the tunnel to check for graffiti. Thank you to the SixthGrade class for helping the community. Sixth Grade Madi Brenner Elliot Guest Wesley Robbins Darby Seth And the Naert Award Goes to... Andy Guest Gallatin Gateway Athletics and the Gator Booster Club recognize and express sincere appreciation and thanks to Andy Guest and his family for their valuable support and tremendous dedication during the 2010-2011 athletic year. Andy is the 2010-2011 recipient of the Naert Award, which recognizes contributions to athletic and Booster functions. Andy has been a valuable asset to the Gator Wrestling Team and his assistance will be missed as he and his family are moving to Idaho. All of GGS athletic programs are dependent on help from parents, students and community members. Thank you Gallatin Gateway community for your continued support to GGS athletics and thank you Andy Guest and family. who have achieved honor roll (3.25 GPA or higher) for the entire 2010-2011 school year: Seventh Grade Danni Jo Bechtold Jennie Calvin Jennifer Ellio� Megan Fox Jordan Gosse�* Brian Gramer Luke Nagel Kyra Noreus Ellie Palakovich Lexy Ryder Evan Vinger Eighth Grade Karen Arness Christina Denny Kyra Fisher Liam Keshishian Hailee Olsen* Maddie Pa�on Wya� Rabel Rachel Tuininga* Caid Vaile Grace Walkuski* Rachel Yager (*) denotes GPA of 4.0 Did you receive your report card? Please mail outstanding lunch balances, bus fees, snack fees, and/or book fines! As the third graders said many times this year, “I can’t believe how fast this year went!” The students are very excited to meet their new teachers for next year. Congratulations to my outgoing students for a wonderful and busy year. You all worked very hard and will be successful in years to come. Elliot, Emma, and Graden accepted the award for their dad, Andy, at the assembly on the last day of school! REturn your 2011-2012 enrollment forms now! Thank you for your cooperation. Gallatin Gateway School PO Box 265 Gallatin Gateway, MT 59730 Page 7 June 2011 Volume 11, Issue VI Class of 2011 Karen Arness Christina Denny Kyra Fisher Hunter Hart Liam Keshishian Winter Madden-Pa�ison Hailee Olsen Maddie Pa�on Wya� Rabel Wynston Ryder Claudia Schmidt Alex Smith Rachel Tuininga Caid Vaile Mariah Vider Grace Walkuski Rachel Yager Shyla Zuniga “Educating the Future” Thank you Chef Moore and Mrs. Gunderson for preparing wonderfully delicious meals for us! Black Bean and Ham Soup 2 pureed Onions 2 cups shredded Carrots 2 cups diced Celery 1 diced Green Pepper 3 cups diced Ham 2 TBSP. Italian Spice 3 TBSP. Dry Cilantro 2 tsp. Black Pepper 1.5 tsp. Salt 1TBSP Garlic 2 TBSP Cumin 1⁄2 tsp. Red Pepper 2 quarts vegetable stock 1.5 quarts tomato sauce 2 cups black beans Saute all dry ingredients, vegetables, and ham in a bit of olive oil about 15 minutes. Add liquids and beans and simmer 1 hour. Add cornstarch and water to meet desired consistency. Cook 10 minutes. Outstanding Reading Achievement Madi Brenner 6th Grade Darby Seth 6th Grade First-Grade Super Spellers Congratulations Kieran Morton 1st Grade Super Speller Alliah Bockness 1st Grade Super Speller Mastered 100% of their spelling words for the entire school year! ENROLl NOW for all grades in 2011-2012! The following students mastered 100% of their spelling words for fourth quarter: Kieran Morton, Alliah Bockness, Davian Ouelle�e & Peyton Morton Page 8 Congratulations GGS class of 2011! New to Gallatin Gateway? Will your child be 5 years old on or before September 10, 2011? Call 763-4415 to receive your enrollment packet! june 2011 Volume 11, Issue VI “Educating the Future” D.C. WASHINGTON In Their Words The eighth-grade trip to Washington DC is in the books. It is fair to say that everyone learned something on the trip. The first day got us to DC, checked in, and to the National Mall to visit memorials and monuments. On Monday we visited Arlington National Cemetery, the Holocaust Museum, and saw a musical at Ford’s Theater. Day three covered two of the three branches of government with tours of the Supreme Court, Capitol Building and Library of Congress. We capped this day with a baseball game. On Wednesday we hit museums and the National Archives. The last day was our Civil War ba�lefield tour and trip home. The students kept journals to record the trip and capture their thoughts. Two common themes most students commented on: fatigue and fun. Some student comments from their journals follows. Arlington National Cemetery Kyra – “We all look sooo good in our fancy clothes.” Wya� – “…it reminded us that the cost of our freedom is someone else’s life.” Grace – “We heard three gunshots. Three rounds of 7. 21 total. They were part of a funeral…” Christina – “We just got done laying the wreath. It was terrifying and hot. I was scared I would mess up but I ended up doing well.” Rachel Y. – “Claudia, Christina, Wynston and I get to lay the wreath. I am honored and excited.” Capitol Tour Claudia – “We have finished walking through the Capitol Building and it was AWESOME!!” Wynston – “Found both Montana statues 1. Jeanne�e Rankin 2. Charlie Russell” Karen – “…it was 180 � and 3 in tall from the floor” Senator Tester Shyla – “…Senator Tester’s a cool cat.” Grace – “Did you know he goes back to Montana every weekend? That would be A LOT of traveling.” Mariah – “He was really nice and answered all our questions with good answers.” Flying to DC Hailee – “Since I woke up at 5:30 am words aren’t coming as easy as usual.” Claudia – “It is currently really cloudy, but I’m still really excited to fly on my FIRST public plane ride!” Anon. - “Mrs. Fisher got a pat down in security. Glad that wasn’t me.” Monument Tour Hailee – “We went to the Lincoln Memorial next. It was way bigger than I expected.” Wya� – (Lincoln Memorial) “I always knew it was big but until you experience it in person you can’t comprehend how big it is.” Grace – “The WWII Memorial was by far my favorite memorial today. Seeing it in person a�er doing my report on it is unreal.” Maddie – “We got lost on our way to the WW2 monument.” (Mr V’s fault)** Supreme Court Liam – “A woman then gave us a very Drawing by: Claudia interesting lecture on the court and what it does.” Rachel Y. – “Everything here is made out of marble. The floors, walls, ceilings, pillars, and stairs are all white marble. The architecture is amazing.” Holocaust Museum Wya� – “This, for most people, is a very emotional place.” Grace – “They had a giant tub of shoes. The actual shoes worn by the Jews that were killed in the concentration camps.” Kyra – “We heard stories about people and they went through so much!” Hard Rock Café Karen – “Hard Rock was delicious, it was basically The Game but nicer.” Ford’s Theater Hailee – “Overall the play was pre�y funny.” Maddie – “I saw A. L.’s bloody pillow.” Liam – “The play was hilarious and very good.” Have a Safe Summer! Library of Congress Rachel T. – “The ceilings were very pre�y.” Wynston – “Asked about National Treasure.” Rachel Y – “We saw the reading room. There were more books in that room than I have seen in my entire life.” Baseball Winter – “Last night we went to a baseball game. It was Orioles/Mariners. It had 13 innings. The O’s won. It was cool.” Caid – “We lost.” Grace – “4 EXTRA INNINGS! It was so exciting!” Read more. on page 11 See you in the Fall Page 9 June 2011 Volume 11, Issue VI Perfect A�endance Fourth Quarter - 2011 Kindergarten Aspen Evenson Karalyn Nagel Tenley Wade First Grade Logan Alsobrook Tyler Bunkers Second Grade Alex Bright Dylan Gray Rylie Moran Soren Wade Third Grade Emma Fox Brandon Greger Eva Horgan Lynsie Olsen Fourth Grade Connor Alsobrook Jack Bright Kayla Tuininga Fi�h Grade Max Austin Emma Crickmer Chanelle Diamond Kaia Gray Peytynne King Isaac Nagel Fi�h Grade GPS “Hide and Seek” Activity at Bar N Ranch in West Yellowstone Technology plays an important role in the education of our students and recently the fi�h-grade class of Gallatin Gateway School was able to put one form of technology to use by means of our Garmin GPS units. The fi�h-grade students were able to integrate the use of these GPS units into the math, science, and technology curriculum while on a “fly-fishing” field trip to West Yellowstone. Our students used the hand-held receiving units to gather information and data points received so they could apply it to a wide variety of real-world academic problems. While in West Yellowstone, one of the lessons the students completed was locating points within the boundaries of our camp site, The Bar-N Ranch. The activity was called “GPS Hide and Seek.” Students were given small flags and directions on how to hide their flags within a 500 x 500 �. area. Once the students’ flags were hidden, they used the GPS units to name the exact waypoint, and calculate the exact latitude, longitude and elevation. When they were finished, they recorded their data on a separate data sheet and gave it to their partner. The partners job was to find the flag using the information given to them and inpu�ing it into their GPS units. The activity was quite successful, as most of the students were able to locate a majority of their flags. When students analyze data received through the GPS unit they are required to utilize a wide variety of mathematical equations and scientific formulas in order to apply the information to situations that are useful. As educators we cannot imagine the technological, mathematical and scientific skills our students will need to succeed in the future. We do know that each advance in knowledge is based on a foundation of what we already know. Therefore, the more instruction and understanding our students have of today’s technology the be�er they will be able to apply it to technology available in the future. Sixth Grade Tanner Brown Seventh Grade Jordan Gosse� Gage Thomas Eighth Grade Rachel Tuininga Page 10 Dear Ms. Wright, I learned a lot about Safety Sam. I think staying awary from grain piles is a good idea. I enjoyed your speech about ABC on the farm. You are pre�y super with Safety Sam. Sincerely, Lane, grade 2 Dear Sunrise Rotary Club, I read the Junie B. Jones book. It was wonderful. Thank you for two books. I did not know what to pick. What is your favority book you like? Sincerely, Aerika, grade 2 “educating the Future” Kindergartners Wrap up Their First Year of Education Kindergarten came to a close with the same excitement and enthusiasm that started the year. For Student Appreciation Day students performed a play based on one of their favorite books, The PoutPout Fish. The students memorized their lines and used puppets to help tell the story. It was a stunning performance! Kindergartners studied seeds and plants. They learned that plants need air, water, and light to survive, and they know the parts of a plant: roots, seed, stem, leaves, and flower. Kindergartners filled out a science journal as we watched spider plant babies root in water. The students measured the root growth and observed as the large main roots began roots. We also planted our spider plants and take them home! We took a field trip on Tuesday, May 31st to the Montana Grizzly Encounter. It was fun watching Jacob and Maggie, two rescued grizzly bears, play in their enclosure. The students learned all about wild bears, the bears that are in captivity at the Montana Grizzly Encounter, and how to be safe in bear country. The rules when in bear country are: 1. Always talk out loud. 2. Never run from a bear. If a bear charges at you, play dead by lying on your stomach, face in the ground, hands clasped over your neck, and leg spread out. 3. Always keep a clean campsite. On Thursday, June 2nd Kindergarten students graduated and became First Graders! Each student wore a mortarboard complete with a tassel. A slide show with pictures from the school year was shown. Each child received a certificate of completion and had their picture taken with Mrs. Krogstad. Students and their parents then enjoyed a li�le snack to round out the celebration. 8th Grade Awards of Excellence Grace Walkuski Academic Award Rachel Tuininga Citizenship Award Watch for Middle School Class Registration forms in August! Volume 11, Issue VI Building Confidence in the Seventh Grade May 9 through 11, the seventh-grade class participated in a confidence building workshop entitled “YOU are the star of your life.” This workshop was instructed by Tina Buckingham, a casting director for movies filmed locally in Montana. She casts actors and actresses for movies such as, A Plumm Summer and A River Runs Through It. The workshop allowed the students to be themselves. They expressed and explained their personality traits, strengths and what their hopes are for the future. Each student had the opportunity to be a leader by playing different roles of movies. Through playing these roles, the students realized how they will be role models for their peers next year as eighth-grade students and how their decisions can influence others. The students were asked to fill out an evaluation of the workshop at the end of the three days and these are some of the questions and responses: What was the most worthwhile thing that you learned from taking this workshop? It is important to be who you are and take that with you everywhere. –Danni Jo What was the overall point or message that you got from taking this workshop? The overall message that I got was that you can be who you want to be. – Jordan june 2011 “educating the Future” WASHINGTON D. C . In Their Words American History Museum Hailee – “In the museum…my favorite thing was the Julia Child kitchen. I also liked the guns and hats.” Liam – “The museum was so interesting and even had Michael Jackson’s hat!” Karen – “The Star spangle Banner became famous at Baltimore’s Fort McHenry in the War of 1812.” Natural Science Museum Rachel T. – “My absolute favorite was the bu�erfly room.” Rachel Y – “My favorite part was seeing the Hope Diamond and the gems gallery.” Karen – “It was funny to go and see how fascinated the people were of the bison.” Drawing by: Maddie National Archives Claudia – “My favorite part about the Nat. Archives was the documents and their penmanship is really good.” Liam – “Apparently there was a giant ground sloth that only recently went extinct.” Rachel Y. – “Being able to see what made us a true nation was breathtaking.” Air & Space Liam – “They had interactive flight simulators that could spin 360 degrees. Caid and I got 5 kills!” Mariah – “I didn’t know that Russia launched a (satellite) before us.” Continued from page 9 Antietam Grace – “We learned how to load a cannon like they did back then. My job was to bring the cannon balls from the guy that stores them to the cannon to be loaded.” Liam – “Then the other Ranger Christie explained the ba�le and its 3 stages.” Wynston – “Taught how to load a cannon, and I tried it. (I operated the worm).” Kyra – “I was the person who kept it from not blowing up by pu�ing my leather thumb over the air hole. The ranger said I had the most important part!” Flying home Caid – “Tired, ready to go home.” Christina – “I am bummed that we are ending such a great trip.” I think the overall message was that everyone can do what they want in life. – Olivia That you are special just the way you are. –Luke How did this workshop relate to being eighthgrade students in the school next year? It shows how we can be a role model and have be�er a�itudes about school. –Kaitlin It reminded me to have a good personality, so when li�le kids look up to me, I am a good role model to look up to. –Lexy Pay your bus Fees, Lunch Account, Tuition & Snack Fees Online! Page 11 june 2010 Volume 11, Issue VI “educating the Future” 5th Graders Explore West Yellowstone Sixth Graders Spend a Week in Yellowstone The fi�h graders had a wonderful trip to the West Yellowstone area -- wind, snow, grizzly bears and all. The first morning was spent at Earthquake Lake Visitor Center where the students were intrigued by the magnitude of force that was created by the earthquake and landslide. We spent the rest of the a�ernoon in groups learning GPS, outdoor survival and river studies. Then off to West Yellowstone to hide food for the bears (they sure were hungry) and finally eat spaghe�i ourselves at the Gusher (we sure were hungry). The day was finished with s’mores, campfire stories, and a rousing game of capture the flag in the moonlight. During the week of May 9-13, the sixth-grade students participated in Expedition Yellowstone. Expedition Yellowstone teaches students about the natural and cultural history of Yellowstone National Park, investigates current issues affecting the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, and promotes stewardship and preservation in the park and in home communities. Emphasis is on learning through direct experience in the outdoors. A�er a windy yet restful sleep, we awoke to a winter wonderland and headed to Jacklyn’s fly shop to check out some casting techniques and ways to keep a catch alive with only a picture. We also went back to the Grizzly Discovery Center for a closer look at the bears and wolves and some important souvenir shopping. We caught the movie, Lewis and Clark, at the IMAX and a�ended a presentation about birds of prey. We sure packed in a lot of activities in a short amount of time. We would like to thank everyone that made this trip a huge success: all the chaperones who went along, the hosts at Bar N Ranch, the Gusher and McDonalds in West Yellowstone, Jacklyn’s fly shop, the IMAX, and Grizzly Discovery Center. Students participate with Ranger Michael, Ranger Trudy and parent chaperones in hikes, field investigations, discussions, creative dramatics, and journal writing. Some of the many activities that the students were involved in were: going to the Norris Geyser Basin and Mammoth Hot Springs to compare and contrast the different types of rocks and thermal features. At Norris and Mammoth, students were able to test the pH and temperature of the water at various locations, some that are even closed to the public! Also students went to Junction Bu�e to study the ecology of Yellowstone, the Beaver Pond Trail to study and see evidence of different animal markings from bear, elk and bison as well as learn about the human history in the Park. During the hike to Junction Bu�e, a group of big horn sheep followed the class in their hiking, which the students loved and took an excess of pictures. Students and chaperones were very lucky and excited to see a wide variety of animals that the Park has living in it. Some of the animals that were seen on this trip included three grizzly bears, a black bear, a pack of wolves, pronghorns, bison, elk, big horn sheep, coyotes, and a wide selection of birds. Business Economics I Welcomes Junior Achievement The fourth quarter Business Economics and Entrepreneurship I class welcomed Becky Smith into our classroom to teach six Junior Achievement (JA) lessons. Becky Smith, Ed.D. is the founder and CEO of Blue Ocean Innovation Center and the Vistage Chair for the Montana area. Blue Ocean Innovation Center makes ideas happen by combining workshops, creative ideas, and inspirational spaces together to create a business or product. Vistage is an organization that facilitates groups of CEOs. Each month the CEOs gather together to discuss their business issues, share their expertise, and help solve workplace situations. Eighth Graders Become First Aid, CPR, and AED Certified Congratulations! Rachel Tuininga, Maddie Pa�on, Hailee Olsen, Karen Arness, Grace Walkuski, Rachel Yager, Shyla Zuniga, and Kyra Fisher (not pictured: Liam Keshishain & Claudia Schmidt) Page 12 The six JA lessons centered on the business concept of “It’s My Business.” The students conducted activities to learn about the four elements of business. The students created a local teen club. They explored filling a need and being creative and innovative. They also participated in a live auction to buy companies. Through these different activities, Becky Smith added her personal touch by talking about her personal experiences and giving advice. ~wri�en by Mrs. Haskins School Begins: August 24, 2011 June 2011 Volume 11, Issue VI Gateway Students Compete in 62nd Annual County Declamation Contest Karen Arness 8th Grade The Founding of NASA Kyra Fisher 8th Grade The Three-Point Seatbelt Danni Jo Bechtold 7th Grade The Roots of Non-Violence in the 50’s Jordan Gosse� 7th Grade The Emme� Till Murder Jennie Calvin 7th Grade The Polio Vaccine Hailee Olsen 8th Grade The Interstate Highway System Christina Denny 8th Grade The Nautilus & the North Pole Wya� Rabel 8th Grade Adding Alaska and Hawaii Jennifer Ellio� 7th Grade Hebgen Lake and the Deadly Earthquake Grace Walkuski 8th Grade The Discovery of the Main Cause of Lung Cancer The Generosity and kindness Academic effort and achievement Tolerance and teamwork Organization and self-discipline Respect and responsibility Way “educating the Future” When you cook your meat, are you still safe? During my experimentation of bacterial growth on four different meat pa�ies I tested the bacterial growth on a raw, a lightly cooked, a medium-cooked, and a highly cooked meat pa�y a�er each type of pa�y was le� at room temperature for three days. I then observed any bacteria growth for nine days. I found that the uncooked pa�y grew the most bacteria. The highly cooked meat pa�y still had about a 20% growth rate. I found that the growth increased at an exponential rate. The highly cooked meat grew at a rate of about 3% a day, the Wri�en by uncooked grew at a rate of about 7%-9% a day, the lightly Christina Denny cooked pa�y grew at a rate of 6% a day, and the mediumcooked pa�y was about a 5%. If I were to experiment with bacterial growth on meat pa�ies again, I would change my cooking variable to only 30 seconds of cooking time. I would also test the growth on different types of meat, such as chicken, pork, or fish, and see if the growth rate would change. I have found that cooking meat, even thoroughly, doesn’t completely rid the food of all the bacteria. When you cook meat, be sure to thoroughly cook the pa�y in order to rid the meat of as much bacteria as possible. Remember to stay safe from food born illnesses by keeping your foods refrigerated. Leaving meat (cooked at any amount) unrefrigerated can increase the rate of bacterial growth. 2010-2011 GBS News Team Thank you for Keeeping Us Informed! Quarter 1 Christina Denny Kyra Fisher Chloe Price Wya� Rabel Wesley Robbins Wynston Ryder Cheyenne Sands Darby Seth Grace Walkuski Rachel Yager Quarter 2 Olivia Arnes Jo Bechtold Jennie Calvin Jennifer Ellio� Megan Fox Brian Gramer Kalten Johnston Liam Keshishian Kaitlin McCormack Alex Smith Quarter 3 Paul Barmore Brynn Gille�e Isaac Hargrove Ellie Palakovich Tanner Sanders Claudia Schmidt Kelsey Thiem Gage Thomas Caid Vaile Quarter 4 Julia Arnes Karen Arness Evynn Gibbs-Cook Elliot Guest Kalten Johnston Kayd McReynolds Luke Nagel Hailee Olsen Lexy Ryder Samina Thomas Pay your bus Fees, Lunch Account, Tuition & Snack Fees Online! Page 13 June 2011 Volume 11, Issue VI “educating the Future” Gallatin Gateway School Applies for Planning Grant The Gallatin Gateway School District has been discussing school facility needs and major repairs. The School Board has held facility need discussions at their community school board meetings during 2011 and they have also reviewed the recommendations defined by the school safety committee for the facility. Currently Gallatin Elementary School has several heating and ventilating deficiencies that are creating a substandard learning environment and wasting energy. The District is preparing an application for a planning project grant which would allow engineers to further investigate and develop a preliminary engineering report (PER) for the facility. It would include a project specific energy audit and create schematic level construction documents for pricing. Grill exhaust hood, with gas-fired unit heater. Presently no make-up air for grill exhaust hood. At the completion of the planning project, the District will have a defined project along with all documentation necessary for support of a Quality School Grant Application. The preliminary engineering report will help identify all the deficiencies in the school, help prioritize the deficiencies, and further develop known deficiencies in the following areas: Kitchen Ventilation, Classroom Air Quality, Gymnasium Heat and Ventilation, Computer Room HVAC Upgrade, Heating Upgrade in Original School, Boiler System Upgrade, and Crawl Space Ventilation. The Department of Commerce administers the Quality Schools Grant Program, created by HB 152 (Chapter 377, Laws 2009) and codified at Sections 90-6-801, et seq., MCA. The Quality Schools Grant Program provides a competitive grant program for (1) school facility and technology grants; (2) matching planning grants; and (3) emergency grants for public school districts in Montana (elementary districts and high school districts as defined in 20-6-101, MCA, or a K-12 school district as defined in 20-6-701, MCA). Classroom unit ventilator outdoor air intake louvers, located adjacent to vehicles in parking lot. Funding for Quality Schools grants comes from a school facility and technology special revenue account, which includes a combination o f revenue from the timber harvest on common school trust lands, mineral royalties transferred from the guarantee account in Section 20-9-622, MCA, and rental income received from power site leases as provided in Section 77-4-208, MCA. Quality Schools project grants are available on a competitive basis for: construction of a new school; major repairs or deferred maintenance to an existing school; major improvements or enhancements to a n existing school; or information technology infrastructure, including installations, upgrades, or improvements, to an existing school. If you are interested in more information, please contact Dr. Kimberly DeBruycker, Superintendent at 763-4415 or [email protected] Page 14 Computer room ceiling-mounted heating/ cooling equipment with non-operational heating coil Existing hallway heaters missing cabinet hardware, creating safety hazard. Have a safe and enjoyable summer! June 2011 Volume 11, Issue VI “educating the Future” Gator Art Showcase Ali, Grade 3 Angelle, Grade 3 Christina, Grade 8 Gracie, Grade 4 Alex, Grade 2 Claudia, Grade 8 Chanelle, Grade 5 Page 15 Sofia, Grade 3 Have a safe and enjoyable summer! June 2011 Volume 11, Issue VI “educating the Future” Claudia, Grade 8 Emma, Grade 3 Taylor, Grade 3 Tenley, Kindergarten Cole, Grade 3 Brandon, Grade 3 Gabe, Grade 3 Jack, Grade 4 Tenley, Kindergarten Ben, Grade 3 Kayla, Grade 4 Pay your bus Fees, Lunch Account, Tuition & Snack Fees Online! Page 16 Gallatin Gateway School PO Box 265 Gallatin Gateway, MT 59730 www.gallatingatewayschool.com NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 194 TO: POSTAL CUSTOMER GALLATIN GATEWAY, MT 59730 “The Gallatin Gateway School community is dedicated to enabling our students to be lifelong learners and Productive citizens by meeting their needs in a positive atmosphere in which diversity is valued.” Gallatin Gateway School