April 11, 2014 Dear GVS Families, This week we have some surprising news to share. Kindergarten teacher Jackie Atherly has announced her resignation effective at the end of this year. Jackie has accepted a position at the Ray School in Hanover. I thought you might want to hear her words: “It has been an honor and a privilege to serve my home community of Grantham for the past fourteen years. The support and encouragement of the administration, staff, school board, and families of GVS has been wonderful. I will leave with many happy memories, and as a better educator, for all I have learned from the dedicated and talented individuals who make GVS the excellent school it is. I look forward to checking in with you all at school district meetings and 6th grade graduations in the coming years. As a resident of Grantham, GVS has a home in my heart for life!” I know that you will join me in wishing Jackie well, even though we secretly wish she would change her mind and stay! Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment: This week I reviewed all 243 GVS student report cards. I was delighted to see the number of students who earned all 4’s for “Work Habits” and “Citizenship.” Because student achievement is directly connected to a student’s attitude and approach toward work, these areas are extremely important to develop. I would like to recognize the following students who earned all 4’s in these categories: Grade K: Eden Ames Grade 1: Kaylee Felch, John Murphy, Hannah Paddock, Raiyah Babinsky, Brianna Hastings, Mackenzie Ray, and Zachary Taylor Grade 2: Nicholas Brill, Wesley Johnson, Matthew Neu, Ryan Neu, and Abigail Ripley; Kyah Bircher; Ayla Frye­Matte; Sydney Gallien; Samuel Trussell Grade 3: Olivia Britton, Raygan Duryee, Ella Gessner, Francesca McCarthy, and Brooke Weinman Grade 4: John Bieszczad, Helen Feldhaus, Emma Leute,Caitlyn Moeykens, and Erin Panella­Malley Grade 5: Sam Hanks, Karsten Hansen, Luna Pompei, and Andrea Rentel Grade 6: Kirsten Ask, Quinn Beek, Sophia Bloom, Caroline Borger, Felicity Breedlove, Allison Carl, Cody Davis, Isabelle Fabry, Caroline Laramie, Caitlin McHugh, Amalia Neu, Sam McFadden, Sofia Nowlan, Owen Ritz­Williamson, Kayleigh Trietsch, and Madeline Wolfe. Community Connections: Mr. Crutchfield’s third grade class is collecting can tabs for David's House. Please send them in whenever you can. We have collected close to 700 pounds since we began over ten years ago! We drop them off at David's House, where a volunteer brings them to a recycling facility for cash. The money is used

to help defray operating expenses. Let’s see if we can collect over 100 pounds between now and the beginning of the next school year. That would be a GVS record! Please read on to find out more about David’s House. DAVID'S HOUSE offers a comfortable home­away­from­home for children receiving treatment through Children's Hospital at Dartmouth­­CHaD­­at Dartmouth­Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. Children aren't medical patients or motel guests at David's House; they are part of their own family in a quality home­like atmosphere. When the child cannot leave the Medical Center, David's House is for the families of these children­­a retreat where they can stay to find, and give, support to their child and to each other. DAVID'S HOUSE is named in memory of a remarkable little boy­­David Cyr. He was just 22 months old and still in the process of being adopted by Dick and Gerry Cyr of Hartland, Vt., when doctors discovered he had acute lymphocytic leukemia. That news only strengthened the Cyrs' resolve to adopt this special little boy and increase the love they already felt so deeply for him. Cancer did little to stop David's love for life. He had a zest for living that touched all those around him. Because of his frequent visits to the Medical Center, David became friends with other children undergoing treatment there. When he went home, David dreamed of taking these children with him to his house ­­ his haven from pain and suffering. During David's treatments, the Cyrs met parents of these children ­­ people who sometimes had to sleep in waiting rooms or in their cars because they couldn't afford a motel room. The Cyrs also began dreaming about creating a haven ­­ one where these families could stay. DAVID'S HOUSE is that dream. When David died in 1984, the Cyrs dedicated their time to creating this haven. Destination Imagination: Just a reminder that the Gaming Broz are still working on fundraising in order for the team to go to the Global Finals in Tennessee! If you are interested in making a donation, please feel free to drop it off at school (any checks can be made payable to “GVS ­ DI.” Placement: Thank you very much to everyone who took the time to complete the parent questionnaire about student placement. The information you provided was really thoughtful and will certainly help us as we work through the placement process. Your comments will constitute one of the many factors which are considered in forming classes. Thank you for partnering with us for academic success! Reminder from the Grantham Police Department: Just a reminder that ALL of the stop signs within our school campus require a full stop. Thanks for helping to keep our staff and students safe!

Grantham Get Fit: Are you ready to GET FIT? Be sure to check out the links below for information about Grantham’s 3K walk/run on 5/10:

http://www.grantham.k12.nh.us/community/wellness_committee/2014_grantham_get_fit_3k

https://millenniumreg.com/2014­grantham­get­fit­3k

Follow Us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GVSHawks

C­Folder Handouts: Books and Beyond Session 2 GVS 6th Grade STEM Fair May lunch menu and order form Girl Scout Camp Open House Info

Attached

April Safety Education NH Health Flier Spring Fling Luncheon Dartmouth Field Hockey Free Clinic Hood Museum of Arts Flier

Upcoming Events:

Spring Break April 12­20 Best, Heather Cantagallo hcantagallo@gvshawks.org