Here at Grand Mound Elementary we had a fun filled couple of weeks, we did the Fund Run last week and celebrated our "Have it Your Way Day" Today.

Dear GMES Families,

As we wrap up the first quarter of school, it has been amazing to see the academic and emotional growth of our students in such a short amount of time! 

We are opening up our school store to reward positive behavior at school! Once per month, students will be able to buy items with their Warrior Pride tickets that they earn for being safe, respectful, and responsible. If you are able, we would love donations of new or gently used items that students could purchase. Please take them to the main office.

If you know anyone that is looking for a job, we have openings for Educational Assistants as daily and/or long-term substitutes.  

Sincerely,

Dan Aragon

 When I was the parent of school age kids, it seemed the holidays were wonderful but also stressful. Financially, I always wanted to stretch a little bit more than was comfortable for our budget. I always wanted to get one more incredible memory, whether it be going to three different places for Thanksgiving or a   mountain train ride with singing and hot cocoa. I always wanted to push for more. What I ended up doing was stressing myself and my family to the breaking point. 

I was  wanting our blended family to have the ultimate family holiday memories that I forgot to just sit back and enjoy our time together. For some families and kids holidays are not especially joyous. They may bring back painful times or the realization that family may not be what you hope for. It is OK to not have the perfect holiday season. 

Kids feel the intensity of the sadness or excitement that can result in stress. They need time to relax and wind down as well. We sometimes forget that kids get caught up in the whirlwind as well. They may not be responsible for preparing special meals, shopping for gifts or scheduling visits with friends and family but they are in the midst of all of it.  They may not even have the insight to know they are actually stressed and toss it off as excitement but it is, in fact, stress. Kids may have outbursts, not sleep well, be moody and irritable, withdraw, have struggles here at school, have headaches/stomach aches or increased defiance. These are all signs that a child needs down time. 

 I am happy to report that I learned how to manage the holidays a bit better. My kids still talk about the time we ended up with hotdogs for the French holiday, All Saints Day instead of the enormous luncheon we usually have- A tree fell through our roof and we lost power for two days. It actually was quite funny and now we always add hotdogs to the usual French dishes we serve. Get rest, eat well and have fun during your special times, that is what everyone will remember.

Mrs. Fayette

mfayette@rochester.wednet.edu

360-858-1825

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• The gate to student drop off will open at 8:30

• Parents that will be doing parent drop-off/pick-up that have children at both RPS and GMES will drop-off/pick-up their RPS student first, then continue onto the GMES pick up area.

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.eduAddress: 10140 Highway 12 SW, Rochester, WA 98579.