Dear GES Families,

As the beautiful colors of autumn deepen and November begins, our thoughts naturally turn toward gratitude and thankfulness. This month gives us a wonderful opportunity to pause and reflect on the many blessings we share in our lives and in our school community.

In the midst of busy schedules and daily demands, it can be easy to overlook the small, meaningful moments. But those small moments — a student's breakthrough, a helpful hand from a staff member, or a thoughtful note from a parent — are the foundation of our vibrant school environment.

Practicing gratitude has a powerful, positive impact on our psychological, physical, and emotional well-being. It helps us shift our focus from what we lack to what we have, reminding us to appreciate the positives that surround us every day.

This November, I encourage every family member to take a few moments each day to name one thing you are truly grateful for. You might be surprised by how this simple act can change your perspective!

On behalf of the entire staff, I want to express my deepest gratitude for your partnership. Your commitment to your children's education and your incredible support of our school make all the difference.

We wish you a safe, restful, and joyful Thanksgiving holiday later this month. Thank you for being the heart of our GES community.

Warmly,

Mrs.Dunlap

Parking Lot Safety Reminder

Please SLOW DOWN in the parking lot and watch for students. Safety matters- Let's keep everyone safe!

Thank you all for your support with our first fundraiser of the year!

The next PTO meeting is Wednesday, November 19, at 8:15 - 9:15 in the library. Here is the Zoom link if you cannot make it in person.

Recess reminder

Students go outside for recess every day - rain, shine, or snow! The cutoff for outdoor recess is 20°F (including wind chill)

Please make sure your child is dressed appropriately for the weather each day.

Children should arrive at school dressed and ready to go outside with all necessary winter gear. Be sure to label coats, hats, gloves, and boots with your child's name and remind them not to leave items on the playground. Thank you for helping keep our students warm and ready for fun.

Volunteer

To ensure the safety of all students, anyone interested in volunteering at the school must complete a background check. All information will be kept confidential. Please note: this process needs to be completed each new school year and can take up to a week to process. Please come to the GES office to fill out the form!!

Thursday, November 6, 2025

Picture packets will be in the office if you are in need of a new one! If you missed picture day, you can also get your picture taken at this time.

Thanksgiving Break

No School

NOVEMBER 25-28, 2025

Understanding Social Media and Its Impacts on Children

In our digitally connected world, social media is an ever-present part of everyday life, including for children. While social media offers valuable ways to stay connected, share experiences, and learn, it also comes with potential challenges and risks, especially for young minds still developing emotional and social skills. As parents, understanding these issues can help us guide our children to make positive choices and stay safe online.

1. Mental Health Concerns

Social media can sometimes contribute to anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem in children and teens. As kids scroll through endless images and posts, they may compare themselves to what they see online. Often, these posts are filtered or curated to show only the best parts of someone's life, which can lead to unrealistic standards. This "highlight reel" effect can be particularly challenging for kids, as they may feel pressured to measure up to these standards, affecting their self-esteem

How parents can help:

• Encourage open discussions about social media. Remind your children that online posts are often edited and may not represent real life.
• Promote offline activities that nurture their self-worth, like hobbies, sports, or other creative pursuits where they can gain confidence outside of social media.

2. Cyberbullying

One of the most pressing issues with social media is cyberbullying, where children might experience harassment, teasing, or threats online. Unfortunately, cyberbullying can feel relentless because, unlike traditional bullying, it can happen at any time, even outside of school hours.

How parents can help:

• Establish a safe space where your child feels comfortable discussing their online experiences.
• Teach children the importance of treating others respectfully online and reinforce the idea that they can come to you or another trusted adult if they encounter cyberbullying.
• Familiarize yourself with the social media platforms your child uses, including how to report and block accounts that may be problematic.

3. Privacy and Digital Footprint

Children and teens may not fully understand he implications of sharing personal information online. Information such as location, school details, or even seemingly innocent posts can reveal more about them than they might realize. This could lead to privacy concerns or, in some cases, make them vulnerable to online predators.

How parents can help:

• Set ground rules about what personal information should not be shared online.
• Talk to your child about the concept of a "digital footprint"_ the lasting trace that their posts, comments, and interactions leave online. Help them understand that their online actions have consequences and that some things are better kept private.

4. Sleep Disruption and Screen Time

The constant pull to check notifications, respond to messages, or keep up with friends' posts can lead to increased screen time and in some cases, affect sleep. Excessive screen time, especially before bed, has been linked to disrupted sleep patterns, which can impact mood, attention, and academic performance.

How Parents Can Help:

• Set up tech-free times, particularly before bedtime. This can include keeping phones and other devices outside the bedroom at night.
• Encourage activities that help your child unwind, like reading a book, practicing a hobby, or spending time with family.

5. Academic Distractions

For students, social media can be a significant distraction. Notifications, chats, and browsing can easily interfere with schoolwork and homework, potentially impacting academic performance. Over time, this can lead to a habit of multitasking that reduces focus and comprehension.

How Parents Can Help:

• Create designated homework times where social media use is limited or discouraged.
• Help Children recognize the importance of focusing on one task at a time to promote better learning and productivity.

Social media is a powerful tool, and needs guidance and healthy boundaries. By staying informed and fostering open communication, parents can help their children navigate social media in a way that prioritizes well-being and safety. Together, we can empower the next generation to make smart, healthy choices in the digital world.

Principal's News

Hello October!

Wow, can you believe it? The school year is absolutely flying by! We've already completed the first eight weeks, and it's wonderful to see how well our students have settled into their routines and are working so hard.

Key Traits for Success

As we reflect on their progress, a few things really stand out as essential for student success:

• Responsibility & Accountability: These traits are a powerful foundation for great things here at school. Taking ownership of their learning and actions helps our students thrive!
• Resilience: Learning can be tough, and not knowing an answer or making a mistake is a huge opportunity to learn and grow. We encourage our students to be resilient - to bounce back, try again, and see challenges as a change to get stronger.

With these three things -responsibility, accountability, and resilience - working together, there's no limit to what our amazing students can accomplish!

5th Grade Outdoor Education Adventures

Our 5th graders are back on campus after their long-awaited Outdoor Education trip! They worked incredibly hard to earn this experience, and we are so excited to hear all about their adventures and everything they learned outside of the classroom. A huge thank you to all the parents who also put in so much effort to make this memorable trip a reality for our students!

Mark Your Calendars:

Parent/Teacher conferences

Our first Parent/Teacher Conferences are just around the corner! We look forward ot meeting with you to discuss your students' progress and celebrate their achievements since the beginning of the year.

Tuesday, Oct 21- Thursday, Oct 23

Please check your sign-up or communication from your child's teacher regarding your scheduled time.

I hope you have a wonderful October filled with crisp weather and great learning!

Respectfully yours,

Mrs. Dunlap

Reminders

Please make sure your child has the appropriate outdoor wear for the weather. We will go outside every day unless it is below 20 degrees, with wind chill, or if it is too wet.

Call the office by 9 am each day your child will be home from school.

School Hours

7:30 - Breakfast starts in cafeteria

7:45 - Students may enter the classroom

8:00 - Start of school day

8:05 - Tardy Bell

3:30 - Earl bus dismissal

3:40 - End of school day

A word from Mrs. Dunlap

The first few weeks of school are always a special time, full of new beginnings, friendships, and learning adventures. Our teachers have been working hard to create engaging and supportive environments where every child can thrive. This year, we'll be focusing on building a strong sense of community and fostering a love for learning in all our students.

This newsletter is just one of the many ways we'll be communicating with you throughout the year. Please be sure to read it each month for important dates, school news, and highlights of all the great things happening in our school.

We believe that a strong partnership between home and school is essential for student success. Encourage you to get involved, whether it's through volunteering, attending school events, or simply staying in touch with your child's teacher.

I'm looking forward to a fantastic school year filled with growth, discovery, and lots of smiles. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or just want to say hello.

After School Activities

Fall activities have begun!

Please check the district events calendar to see all of the exciting things happening throughout the district.

Please support our district by attending events!!

Please remember you represent GES in all that you do! Please be on your best behavior!!

Reminders

Labeling student Items - It is extremely helpful to get lost items returned to students if their names are located somewhere on that item. Please be sure to include names on lunchboxes, water bottles, and jackets- in years past, our lost and found grew rapidly as the year progressed.

New Staff Spotlight

We are happy to announce our new staff at GES!

• Mrs. Tammy Stinar - 1st Grade
• Miss Mekenzi Robinson - 3rd Grade
• Mrs. Emily Fry - 6th Grade
• Mr. Jason Cell - 6th Grade
• Mr. Davin Vialpando- PE Teacher and Middle School Co-Athletic Director
• Miss Kristen Greer - Counselor

Staff Changes:

• Mrs. Aprili Clark - ML Teacher
• Mr. Sam Rubley - .5 4th Grade/.5 Art Teacher

Gilcrest Elementary Parent and Teacher Organization (PTO)

We are looking forward to another great year with our wonderful PTO!

Thank you to those of you who signed up to join our PTO at our Back to School night. More information on meeting dates and times to come!

School Picture Day is Coming on Wednesday, September 3!

Breakfast & Lunch Information

• Breakfast is offered from 7:30 to 7:50
• Academic instruction will begin at 8:00
• Lunch times will be as follows:
  • Kindergarten 11:35-12:00
  • Grade 11:40-12:05
  • Grade 2 11:45-12:10
  • Grade 3 11:50-12:15
  • Grade 4 11:55-12:20
  • Grade 5 12:00-12:25
  • Grade 6 12:05-12:30

Breakfast and lunch continue to be free of charge for ALL students.

It's that time of year again! Get your student's best smile ready because School Picture Day is coming up on Wednesday, September 3rd.

Look for the picture order forms in your student's folder this Friday 8/22. You'll find all the details you need there.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to call or stop by the main office—we're happy to help!

Join me for Principal's Coffee on Wednesday, Sept.3rd, 2025

8:15 am in the GES Library.

The purpose will be:

• To hear from you about what GES can do to serve our students and families better. Also, we'd like a chance to address any questions or concerns you may have about GES or Weld RE-1.
• To pass on critical information to you.

Date: Saturday Sept 6, 2025

Time: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Location: PGFPD Station 2: 14679 CR 42, Gilcrest

Contact for Questions: 970-785-2232

Community Car Seat/booster Checkup

Are you considering progressing your child to a different seat or booster, wondering if the car seat or booster fit is still correct. This event is for you!

Come by our Station 2 in Gilcrest between the hours of 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. to get a free car seat or booster checkup to ensure the correct size and safe installation of your child's seat. Checks last approximately 30 minutes. If there is a line, it might take longer.

Car Seat/Booster Giveaway

Are you in need of a car seat or booster? The Rotary Club of Platteville and Mead is partnering with PGFPD to give away free car seats or boosters to families in need. Due to limited quanities, one car seat/booster per family please. If we receive more requests that we have car seats/boosters, we will put you on a wait list for consideration.

In order to be considered, please register below. Those receiving a free car seat will participate in a class prior to the install. Class starts at 9 a.m. and with install plan on 1 to 1.5 hours being at the event. We will have staff available to help with childcare.

We will notify you of successful receipt or if you are on a wait list to receive a free car seat or booster.

Registration will close 8/31 to allow us time to purchase the quantity needed. Only those that live within the PGFPD Fire District boundries will be considered for a free car seat or booster.

Here are some reasons you might need a new car seat or booster:

• New baby
• Replace an old (expired) car seat/booster
• Replace a damaged car seat/booster
• Child is growing out of current car seat and progressing to a new size
• Car Seat or Booster for secondary care giver (family member, care taker, nannie)