Yearbook Deadline December 15

Hey Gilbert Gators!

Just wanted to remind everyone that the yearbook deadline is quickly approaching (December 15). Please don't miss the opportunity to order one. The yearbooks will arrive at the end of April. We only order 150 copies. We are all out of order forms. If you still need to order one, you can send a note along with payment. Be sure to include your child's name and homeroom teacher. Softcover yearbooks are $20 each. Hardcover yearbooks are $25 each. Thanks for supporting our school!

Red Ribbon Week October 23-27, 2017

We will be observing our annual “Red Ribbon Week” celebration during the week of October 23 – October 27, 2017. In observance of Red Ribbon Week, we will have dress up theme days Monday – Friday of that week. These theme days are as follows:

• Monday, October 23 = “Team Up Against Drugs” – dress in your team attire
• Tuesday, October 24 = "Put a Cap on Drugs" - wear your favorite or silliest hat
• Wednesday, October 25= “Don’t Let Drugs Ruin Your Dreams” – wear your pajamas to school
• Thursday, October 26 = “Say Boo To Drugs” – dress as your favorite book character
• Friday, October 27 = “Wear Red Day” – dress in red to support Red Ribbon Week

What is Red Ribbon Week?

The Red Ribbon Week Celebration is a drug and alcohol abuse awareness campaign observed annually throughout the nation during the last full week in October each year. It is meant to promote awareness of and, hopefully, reduce illegal drug/substance use and abuse in our country. Red Ribbon Week is also a week that honors the life of DEA Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena who spent his adult life fighting the war on drugs and the Mexican drug cartel. Unfortunately, he lost his life in the line of duty and Red Ribbon Week originally began in his community as a remembrance of the ultimate sacrifice he made for this cause.

This Year’s Red Ribbon Week Theme: “Your Future is Key, So Stay Drug Free”

The Red Ribbon Pledge: “ No use of illegal drugs, no illegal use of legal drugs!”

LHS Homecoming @ GES

Helping Hands Ending Hunger

Dear Gilbert Families,

We are excited to tell you about a new food distribution program at Gilbert Elementary School called Helping Hands Ending Hunger.℠ 

Helping Hands Ending Hunger is a program facilitated by kids to "pay it forward" and help other kids who need nutritional food to eat when they are not in school. Kids help kids recover uneaten food items from the school cafeteria and distribute it, along with other nutritional food, to students and their families who may need a little extra help. The goal is to help all students have an equal opportunity to apply themselves, learn and prosper in school, and to make the earth a greener place to live along the way. In the end, everyone will benefit.

Here's why we think this program is an awesome addition to our school:

• It feeds school children and their families healthy, vitamin-rich, nutritious food items that otherwise may not be affordable such as milk, fresh produce, vegetables, peanut butter, tuna, canned/boxed dinners on a weekly basis.
• It presents an opportunity for students to excel in sports because their bodies have needed calories and nutrition.
• It reduces food waste from the school cafeteria.
• It teaches empathy, compassion and the importance of helping others without any stigma to those in need.
• It helps our school do our part in taking care of the environment and making the earth a greener place to live. 
• It gives community businesses and organizations a chance to be involved in children's lives as a Community Ambassador, joining forces to provide even more food for Helping Hands families. 

Commencing next week, students will start collecting milk, juice, fruit, and prepackaged food items left over from the school cafeteria. 

If you are interested in helping out, please visit the Helping Hands Ending Hunger website by clicking here. You can learn more about the program and even make donations. You may request that your donation goes toward Gilbert Elementary! :) 

We ask for your patience as we get this program off the ground and running. Wish us luck! :) 

So long, Irma!

So long, Irma! We're glad all our Gilbert Gators weathered the storm safely! We will be going back to school tomorrow. Expect a few days of indoor recess as our playground recovers from all the rain. 

A couple of quick notes:

• The 5th grade parent meeting will be rescheduled. 
• The drama production at LHS that was scheduled for Monday for our 5th grades is now schedule for Friday, September 15th.
• The members of the Jr. Beta Club and several teachers will be going to visit Trion Schools on Thursday. We are beginning a new program here at Gilbert called Helping Hands Ending Hunger. Our purpose for traveling to Trion is to observe this program in action and bring back ideas for implementation here at our school. 

School Closed

Based on the extended State of Emergency declaration by the Governor, and the current forecast, we will be closed on Monday and Tuesday, September 11 & 12.

Gilbert Gators, stay safe! 

September is Attendance Month

DID YOU KNOW? • Starting in kindergarten, too many absences can cause children to fall behind in school. 

• Missing 10 percent (or about 18 days) can make it harder to learn to read. 
• Students can still fall behind if they miss just a day or two days every few weeks. 
• Being late to school may lead to poor attendance. 
• Absences can affect the whole classroom if the teacher has to slow down learning to help children catch up. 

Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school—and themselves. Start building this habit in preschool so they learn right away that going to school on time, every day is important. Good attendance will help children do well in high school, college, and at work.

WHAT YOU CAN DO 

• Set a regular bed time and morning routine. 
• Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
• Find out what day school starts and make sure your child has the required shots.
• Introduce your child to her teachers and classmates before school starts to help her transition. 
• Don’t let your child stay home unless she is truly sick. Keep in mind complaints of a stomach ache or headache can be a sign of anxiety and not a reason to stay home. 
• If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make her feel comfortable and excited about learning. 
• Develop back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent. Avoid medical appointments and extended trips when school is in session.

For more information on why attendance matters click here.

5th Grade - Coming Up Soon!

5th Grade will travel to LHS on Monday, September 11 to attend a production from the drama department. 

There will be a parent meeting on Monday, September 11 at 5:00 p.m. in the iHub to discuss the details of Camp River Ridge. See you there!

PBIS Pep Rally!

What is PBIS? 

Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is a proactive approach to establishing the behavioral supports and social culture and needed for all students in a school to achieve social, emotional and academic success.

At Gilbert Elementary School:

G Great Behavior
E Excellent Work Habits
S Successful Students

Gilbert Gators enjoyed a pep rally last Friday to kick off another successful year with our PBIS program. The school mascot was there pumping up the crowd, showering us with confetti and dancing with students! Some very energetic teacher demonstrated the right way to do things at Gilbert and unfortunately the wrong things as well. Who knew teachers could act that way?? 

Teachers misbehaving on the bus! Poor bus driver!

A great time was had by all! We even enjoyed a special TREE-t (a.k.a. treat Little Debbie Tree Cakes). 

Shout out to our PBIS team of teachers who made it all possible and have such wonderful things planned for our Gilbert Gators!

It's almost time!

Students and teachers alike are excited for Monday's Solar Eclipse! Here's a video with more information about the eclipse.

See you on Monday, Gators!