Dear GMES Families,

Thank you for your patience as we make adjustments to our after school pick-up procedures. We made the changes based on feedback from parents at our last Boosters and Bytes with the Principal meeting. Your voice matters! We want to be as responsive as we can be with your questions and concerns, so please consider attending our next meeting on Tuesday, October 7th at 6PM in the GMES Library. There will be food, childcare, option to join via Zoom, and an interpreter to make the meeting as accessible as possible. I'm looking forward to seeing you there!

Sincerely,

Dan Aragon

On Friday, October 31st, GMES will be participating in the all school dress up day called “Have It Your Way'' Day. As part of the fun, students will be parading through the gym showing what they have chosen to wear that day. This year, the parade will begin at 1:35. If you’d like to watch the parade, you need to check in at the office before heading down to the gym to watch the parade. 

If you plan to take your child home after the parade, please remember to get an Event Pick Up pass when you check in.

Students may dress up in a costume, a team jersey, fancy clothes, or whatever they choose when they come to school in the morning. Costumes that are inappropriate for school such as skimpy, violent, blood and guts, weapons or violent items, will not be allowed. Masks should not be worn. Appropriate costume expectations will be enforced by calling a parent for a change of clothes. 

On behalf of the staff and student body, we thank you for your help and cooperation in making this a fun day for our students.

In my work with kids over the last 35+ years there are certain things that have not changed. One is that kids thrive with routine and the other is that in reality you are raising adults not children. You want the end result of your child rearing efforts to be fully functioning human adults who can handle life’s challenges. You have to play the long game, thinking about what kind of adult you want your child to grow up to be.

One of the ways to develop responsibility in children is to give them meaningful tasks and chores to do around the house. Kids need to know how households are run and that it takes work and commitment from all to make living better for  the whole family. 

Kids should not be overwhelmed or burdened by adult responsibilities, however learning how to make lunch, being prepared for school in the morning, and cleaning tasks around the house are not too much. If a child can do something for themselves they should. A couple of hints for families.

1. Have kids carry their own belongings and keep track of their own possessions. Label coats and backpacks with their name so if they “goof” it can be rectified.

2. Teach children that if they borrow something it needs to be in the same (Or better) condition they received it in. This goes for toys, books etc.

3. Be willing to not have things be perfect as children learn new skills.

Having an adult come behind and “fix it” is very discouraging for kids

Raising kids is hard work and sometimes it feels like it is just easier “to do it myself”. Help your kids build confidence and self esteem through meaningful tasks that will serve them well into adulthood.

Thanks,

Michelle Fayette

mfayette@rochester.wednet.edu

360-858-1825

Rochester School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, the use of a trained guide dog or service animal, or any other basis prohibited by law. We also provide equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:

Civil Rights Coordinator: Jennifer Bethman (360) 273-9242, jbethman@rochester.wednet.edu; Title IX Coordinator: Kelsey Lincoln (360) 273-5534, klincoln@rochester.wednet.edu; 504/ADA Coordinator: Laura Staley (360) 273-5536, lstaley@rochester.wednet.edu. Gender-Inclusive Schools Coordinator: Jennifer Bethman (360) 273-9242, jbethman@rochester.wednet.edu Address: 10140 Highway 12 SW, Rochester, WA 98579.