Author: Amy Hoekstra

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Volunteers…We Thank You!



To All of Our Incredible, Wonderful, Invaluable Volunteers:

We, the entire Georgetown staff, want you to know that you are an essential part of our learning community.  Without you, we would not be able to…

• celebrate and honor our student artists with displays of their craft throughout the year.
• reach the ability levels of learners in reading, writing and math (Reading Counts, Baggie Books, Web  Reading, Project Learning and much more!)

• acknowledge birthdays each month  in the rotunda.

• safely offer field trips to varied destinations at each grade.

• support our learners in need of ole models for problem solving and decision making  (Kid’s Hope, Buddy Reading, Recess Games).

• offer parent/child activities that are safe, fun and full of memories.

And the list of student support goes on and on.  You help us with “behind the scenes” support of teaching and learning by running copies, stapling books, sorting projects and hanging posters — and much more!

We, the staff of Georgetown, believe that because of your support our students are better prepared to learn and we are then able to do more to reach tthe varied social, emotional and academic needs of all our students.

Our deepest thanks to each and everyone of you for the time you give to us and all the students at Georgetown!

You are invited to a VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION performance  at our Talent Shows on May 14, 2009 (10 am and repeated at 2 pm).  If you are unable to make this performance, you will be able to view this on our blog!

Many thanks, Mrs. Reagan and the entire Georgetown Staff!

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Weekly Events: 5/11/09

We have less than 18 days of school remaining, and many activities ahead.  The highlights of this week include the Georgetown’s Got Talent, the final Reading Counts Party, Popcorn Day and our School Carnival.  You child’s classroom also has many events taking place, so be sure to check their class blog regularly.  The links to the class blog are to the right–as well as our school google calendar, updated by Mrs. Nurenberg on a regular basis!

Mon 5/11 Day 1
Happy Monday!

Tues 5/12 Day 2
Music Therapy:  ECSE, CI in MPR 1:30-3:00 pm

Wed  5/13 Day 3

Thurs 5/14 Day 1
K Classes to Outdoor Discovery Center
Georgetown’s Got Talent Shows (and Volunteer Appreciation Performance):  10 am and 1  pm

Friday 5/15  Day 2
MW PreK/K
Reading Counts Party
Popcorn Day

Saturday 5/16
GEORGETOWN CARNIVAL, 1-4 pm

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I have something to say…

JUST WRITE WAS JUST PERFECT!

Many thanks to everyone who participated in this event!  Throughout the week, we had well over 1,000 family and friends tour the building to read our writing in books,  on lockers, and on the walls. In addition to writing tours, we hosted Shirley Neitzel, author of over 14 books for children. Our week ended with JUST WRITE SKITS–student writing performed by our Broadway bound staff! We have compiled a slide show that highlights all the activities of the past week. ENJOY…and remember this:

If you have something to say, JUST WRITE!

NOTE:  You can still purchase a copy of our  JUST WRITE story collections at our lulu storefront. You may also download a copy of for FREE.

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Spring Has Sprung!

Spring has sprung and there have been lots of questions about things with wheels and what is allowed on the playground, etc.  Please support us with the following procedures regarding “things with wheels!”

Students are allowed (with parent permission) to bike, skateboard or ripstick it to school.  Bikes are parked at the rack and students walk to playgrounds.  Skateboards and ripsticks can be used UP TO the playground entrance and then MUST BE CARRIED onto the playground —as well as all sidewalks on the play ground/bus loop area.  NO USE (including TRICKS) with these at school will be allowed….even while waiting for the bus.

Ripsticks/skateboards are stored inside lockers.   Thank you for your support!  Safety is our focus.

Let me know if you have questions!  Mrs. Reagan

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Recess Game Day

We trained our entire school on the Trouble Free Playground Games today!  We had this event planned for September of this year, however, the weather did not cooperate with us.  After rescheduling the event three times, we finally settled for holding this event in the spring.

This past summer, eight staff members took on the task of reading the book, TROUBLE FREE PLAYGROUND. We introduced four games today, and we will be introducing two more this spring.  In the fall of 2009, we will open the school year with a field day designed around these games and MORE new games.  Our hope is to have a playground with ALL types of games for children to play, year round.  We welcome your feedback!

Many thanks to Mrs. Jurewicz for her outstanding leadership and implementation of these games.

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Carnival Wrist Bands

Mark your calendars, our school carnival is Saturday, May 16 from 1-4 pm.  If you would like to pre-order your wrist band for this great event, complete this form WRIST BANDS and send it school with payment by Friday, May 8.  Wrist bands will also be available at the event for $10 each.

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Volunteer Help Is Needed

The Georgetown Elementary’s Reading Counts program helps to encourage students to read and awards students who achieved their reading goals with a celebration party. The Reading Counts Party is Friday, May 15th and volunteers are still needed for many open times. May is a very busy time of year for everyone, but if you could help with the 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade parties, please let me know.  A volunteer list with all open times can be found here:  ReadingCounts

The Reading Counts Parties are great way to show our students that they did an outstanding job in
reaching their reading goals; however, the parties are only successful with the help of many volunteers. Please contact Angie Roon if you or even a friend would be available to help with the last party of the school year!

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Reminder: Flu Symptoms

Dear Parents,

We have been advised by the Ottawa County Health Department and the Center for Disease Control that if your child has one or more of the following symptoms, you must keep them home from school AND:

1.  Contact your physician

2.  Contact the school and report the symptoms.  SYMPTOMS:  fever of over 100 degrees, cough, sore throat, body aches, chills and fatigue.

3.   Even if your child is ill with non-flu like symptoms, please inform the office of your child’s illness (for example:  stomach virus, cold, strep, allergies).

Schools are required to report the total number of absences with flu like symptoms to the health department, who in turn reports to the CDC.   To answer additional questions, the health department has a number of resources to our website at www.MiOttawa.org. You may also access our information hotline, at 616-494-5575.

Thank you for your support!  Mrs. Reagan

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A Perfectly PINK Week

Our students and staff embraced Pink Week and Pink Day in a positively perfect way!  The event was organized by Ashley Tiesman, a fourth grader at Georgetown.

Our Georgetown families (staff, students, and parents) contributed $1,000 by purchasing bracelets, backpacks, rings, teddy bears for loved ones.  What an incredible accomplishment–and all this money goes toward finding a cure for breast cancer!

Mrs. Kuieck and Mrs. McDonald were the PINKEST teachers…and we had a winning PINKEST student from each class. Thank you to everyone who participated.  This was a fantastic way to raise money for cancer research and welcome in the first day of May.  Enjoy this animoto slide show!