Happy November, everyone! Can you believe how fast the year is flying by? The leaves are falling, the air is getting cooler, and our classrooms are full of cozy learning fun!

This month, we’re celebrating thankfulness, friendship, and all the wonderful things that make our school such a special place. With exciting fall projects, November is bursting with reasons to smile and learn together.

Let’s make this month a time to show kindness, try new things, and remember how much we have to be thankful for! 💛🍁

Dear GMES Families,

Thank you for taking the Family Engagement Survey during Conferences. Below are the results from 121 responses with the percentages of responses that answered 'agree' or 'strongly agree':

I feel welcome at school: 97.5%

The school is inviting and feels like a place I belong: 95%

My child connects to and trusts at least one caring adult at school: 99.2%

School leaders inspire families to be active participants in the school community: 92.6%

The school is safe: 96.7%

Although some schools might be satisfied with these results, I would really like for all of these percentages to be 100%! Please let me know if you have ideas about how we can improve any of these areas as we really do try to respond to your feedback. For example, we changed the ways in which we were having students picked up afterschool based on your feedback. Another idea that came from families was to return to having Family Bingo Night and we hope you can attend on Friday, November 21st from 5PM-7PM in our Cafeteria!

Sincerely,

Dan Aragon

🌈 Walking the Peace Path: Helping Students Solve Problems Respectfully

At Grand Mound, we know that learning how to solve conflicts peacefully is an important part of growing up. That’s why our 3rd–5th graders are learning to use something called the Peace Path — a simple, step-by-step way to talk through disagreements, take responsibility, and find solutions that feel fair to everyone involved.

The Peace Path is a visual guide (often marked on the floor or posted in the classroom) that helps students slow down and communicate respectfully when a conflict arises. Instead of blaming or arguing, students learn to use calm voices, listen to each other, and work toward understanding.

Here’s how it works:

1.🧘 Calm Down:
Students take a moment to breathe, cool off, and make sure they’re ready to talk respectfully.

2.💬 Share What Happened:
Each person gets a turn to explain what happened, using “I” statements (for example, “I felt upset when…”). This helps avoid blaming and focuses on feelings.

3.👂 Listen and Repeat:
Students practice listening to each other’s point of view, then repeat what they heard to make sure they understand correctly.

4.❤️ Think About Solutions:
Together, students brainstorm fair ways to make things right — such as an apology, compromise, or a plan for next time.

5.🤝 Agree and Move On:
Once both sides agree, they shake hands, bump fists, or give a thumbs up — a symbol that the problem has been peacefully resolved.

By practicing the Peace Path, students are learning valuable life skills: empathy, responsibility, and respectful communication. It also helps build a school culture where students feel heard, supported, and confident in solving small problems on their own before they become bigger ones.

You can encourage your child to use the same steps at home when disagreements come up with siblings or friends. Asking questions like “Did you use your ‘I’ statements?” or “What could be a fair solution?” reinforces what they’re learning at school — and shows that peaceful problem-solving works everywhere.

Michelle Fayette

mfayette@rochester.wednet.edu

360-858-1825

1) Mrs. Beesley’s burgers 393 Cowlitz Ridge Rd, Toledo WA 98591

Free grilled cheese meal to anyone needing food 

Now until benefits are restored

10:30 am to 8pm

2) McFiler’s 543 NW Pacific Ave. Chehalis WA 98532

Free slider burger with pickles and goop and side of fries to anyone needing food.

Now until benefits are restored

11am to 2 am

3) Centerville Cafe 111 N. Tower Ave Centralia WA 98531

Free SNAP meal

Until benefits restored

8:00am- 2 PM

4) The Hub 110 S Tower Ave. Centralia WA 98531 

Free slider burger with a side of fries for anyone in need

7am to 2 am

Are you looking for exciting sports or extracurricular activities for your child? Engaging in sports or other after-school activities provides children with more than just physical exercise—it boosts confidence, fosters teamwork, and helps them explore new interests. Whether they're interested in team sports like soccer or basketball, arts and music programs, or even STEM clubs, these activities provide valuable learning experiences outside the classroom. Not only do they promote social skills and resilience, but they also give kids a chance to develop lifelong passions. Start exploring options today at http://www.rochesteryouthsportsandrec.com/

Important Reminders:

• Please only pick students up in the office for emergencies or appointments at the end of the day.

• 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.edu Address: 10140 Highway 12 SW, Rochester, WA 98579.