MELBOURNE A. GAUER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL January/February 2015 Anaheim City School District Scholars + Staff + Parents = Gauer Power! Principal: Kim Hadley ADDRESS: 810 N. GILBERT ST. Anaheim, CA 92801 PHONE: (714) 517-8908 FAX: (714) 517-9232 We’re on the Web! See us at: www.acsd.k12.ca.us Enrichment Opportunities Monday-Friday, Dismissal-6:00 p.m. Anaheim Achieves After-School Program for K-6 $35 per Month (Waiting List) Tuesday, 3:17-4:20 Dance Academy for Gr. 4-6 Thursday, 3:17-4:20 Art Colony for Gr. 4-6 Thursday, 3:17-4:20 Running Club for Gr. K-6 Tuesday/Friday, 3:17-4:20 Orchestra Program for Gr. 4-6: Brass, Woodwinds, Strings Vice Principal: Amy Krier Principal’s Message Happy New Year to our Gauer families! I hope each of you had a peaceful holiday season with your loved ones. It’s exciting to have our scholars back in school and focused on learning. During the months of January and February, Gauer school will focus on the VIA Character Strength of Humanity. Teachers will discuss this strength in the classrooms and read literature in which the characters exhibit this character strength. Humanity includes interpersonal strengths that involve caring for and befriending others:  Love- Valuing close relations with others, in particular those in which caring is reciprocated.  Kindness- Doing favors and good deeds for others; helping them; taking care of them.  Social Intelligence- Being aware of the motives and feelings of other people and oneself. District News 2015-2016 Spring Transfer Application Period The Anaheim City School District Spring Transfer Application Period will be from February 17- April 2. Parents wishing to apply to transfer their child to another school within our district for the 2015-16 school year, may obtain a transfer application in our school office or at the district office located at 1001 S. East Street, Anaheim, CA, 92805. Please note that students currently on a transfer MUST REAPPLY for the new school year. Transfers will be approved or denied based on space availability at the requested school. Due to high numbers of enrollment, the following schools are closed to new Intradistrict transfers: Barton, Franklin, Gauer, Jefferson, Juarez, Lincoln, Olive Street, Price, and Stoddard. Parents as Partners At our school, we have brought to life the motto “Scholars + Staff + Parents = Gauer Power!” It is never too late to join Gauer’s PTA and demonstrate that at our school, the parents, staff, and community care about our children. The cost is $10.00 per family, and the funds are used to provide enrichment and incentives to our scholars. Please drop by the Parent Center or School Office and join the PTA if you have not joined already. Also, we thank all those that supported the PTA Fall Fundraiser. The sale of cheesecake, specialty popcorn, magazines, and other items was high. The profit to the school was over $3,000. This will support our enrichment and incentive plans for this school year: including assemblies, field trips, I <3 Reading T-shirts, scooters, etc. We will be holding another school-wide fundraiser in the spring. Please feel free to contact Michelle Barragán, Gauer’s Community Liaison, if you are looking for a way to become involved in the Gauer School. Her phone number is 714-517-7716. Upcoming Parent Meetings/Trainings: January 27: PTA Association Meeting 3:30p.m. - 4:30p.m. February 6: Parent Internet Safety Class 9:00a.m. - 10:30a.m. February 13: Parent Internet Safety Class 9:00a.m. - 10:30a.m. February 25: Parent Google Training 8:50a.m. - 11:50a.m. School Attendance Benefits of punctual, daily attendance:  Achievement: Students, who attend school regularly, are more likely to attain proficiency in the standards and perform well on tests than students who don't attend school regularly. This includes arriving on time; ensuring your child receives the full day of instruction.  Being part of the school community: Just by being present at school, your child is learning how to be a good citizen by participating in the school community, learning valuable social skills, and developing a broader world view.  The importance of education: Your commitment to school attendance will also send a message to your child that education is a priority for your family, going to school every day is a critical part of educational success, and that it's important to take your responsibilities seriously — including going to school. When your child misses school:  Contact the school immediately. The absence needs to be excused, and talk with your child's teacher to make sure your child doesn't fall behind on any of the lessons that he/she missed.  Prevent unexcused absences. Mandatory student attendance is a policy that we take seriously. Unexcused absences will go on a student's permanent record; the consequences of your child missing class can include falling behind academically and poorer performance on quizzes and tests.  Keep in mind that public schools lose money when their students are absent. Public schools receive money based on the number of students who attend each day. When a student misses just one day of school, the school loses money — imagine how much a school loses when many students miss many days throughout the year. Make the Most of Your Public Library this Year Tips on Making the Most of Your Public Library: Get your child a library card. Show your child the joy of checking out books from his/her local library. At some libraries, kids can also check out videos and educational games. Teach your child to take care of the books and other items he/she checks out and to make sure the items get returned on time. Visit often. Make the library a routine place that you visit with your kids. Become regulars—get to know your way around your library, and get to know the librarians. Get a calendar of activities. Make it a habit to check your library’s event calendar each month. Some libraries host events such as family story times, book clubs, and opportunities to meet various authors. Consider your child’s interests. It’s important to help your child choose the right books, especially if he/she is a reluctant reader. Start with a favorite movie and see what books and media would complement it. If your child liked a movie about sharks, they may enjoy reading a book about sharks as well. Explore magazines. Kids who struggle with reading may be reluctant to pick up a chapter book. But they may love magazines, especially those about their favorite topics, such as sports or animals. Libraries often have a fantastic selection of magazines. Be a role model. Show your child how much you enjoy the library. Check out books for yourself and read them at home or while waiting for your child at soccer practice. Children follow the example of their parents and caregivers. Supporting and using public libraries as a source for lifelong learning can be one of the greatest gifts that parents give their children. Make the library a family priority. Though it may be difficult to squeeze in visits to the library, by doing so you’re letting your child know that reading is important—and that libraries are, too.