Dear Parents,

Happy New Year! The month of January brings a host of events at Gardiners Avenue School. We encourage all of you to attend the parent workshop for the Get A Voice training on the evening of January 10th at 7:00 PM. This program focuses on the encouragement of positive communications between children. It facilitates and supports students in the use of their “voices” to advocate for themselves and their peers through designated oral language experiences and behaviors. The overall purpose of the program is to prevent name-calling and bullying by empowering children. Specific strategies will be directly taught as Get A Voice commences in February. Children will be encouraged to take a pledge as they partake in the many activities and role-playing situations that will be implemented. During mid- January, many posters will appear throughout the school. A bulletin board in the form of a jigsaw puzzle will be displayed in the 300 hallway advertising and celebrating this initiative. Please note that our official kick-off will take place on February 6th with visitors from MacArthur High School assisting us with the festivities.

During late January, Internet Safety programs are planned for students in Grades Four and Five. In addition, the Maturation Program meeting for parents of Grade Five youngsters is scheduled for January 30th.

Culminating the month of January is our Winter Concert on the 23rd. We are awaiting some terrific performances from our budding musicians!

With Best Regards,
Susan Hendler