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Tradition Character Excellence Service

Grace Notes

March 2015

A Note From Stephanie Kowald

Head Of School

Our 8K River Day Run last weekend was a huge success. Many thanks to our amazing volunteers and to all of the participants who braved the cold to run along River Road. I look forward to the race becoming a long standing tradition at GEDS.

Each day at GEDS your students are being taught in an environment that encourages critical thinking skills and collaborative learning. These are skills that are incorporated in STEM, or STEAM activities. STEM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. It is also seen as STEAM which incorporates art. You have likely seen STEAM mentioned in local papers, on the internet and in articles regarding education. It is the current trend in education and one that is being embraced by the GEDS teachers.

STEAM encourages a way of thinking; of incorporating several different subject areas together for greater depth and understanding of a subject. It is more than completing multiple choice tests or completing short answer questions. It often involves group learning, collaborative learning, and has students working together in small groups problem solving while developing the social skills necessary to complete a task together. There isn't always a form of assessment with STEAM. There may not be a quiz or test that is administered. Instead it is often the product or the end result of an experiment that brings together the knowledge that was learned for the particular unit.

Each class on the GEDS campus has STEAM projects incorporated into the curriculum. Kindergarten is just completing a unit on force and motion and are making marshmallow shooters to show push and pull. For Valentine's Day the fifth and sixth graders were challenged to build boxes out of 6 gum drops and 20 toothpicks to support candy hearts. Some of the student's boxes held more than 35 candy hearts with 55 being the record! In fourth grade, working in pairs, students just completed "mining" chocolate chip cookies with toothpicks. The students drew pictures of the mined land and earned points for every centimeter of "ore" they collected but lost points for areas of land that were destroyed and for the length of time it required to mine. After tallying their profits students worked together to come up with ways to minimize damage. This fun activity included Art, Math, Critical Thinking, Technology, Engineering and Social Skills!

These are just a few examples of the wonderful things that are happening at GEDS. A curriculum that encompasses STEM and STEAM is never stagnant and is constantly evolving. Robotics will be another facet of STEAM that will be incorporated next year. But most importantly STEAM comes from the teachers who are continuously stretching and re-evaluating how they can present and teach concepts in a way to improve your student's educational experience. Our students love integrating these fields to learn new concepts and hardly realize they are gaining valuable skills to be 21st century leaders.

Important Dates

Spring Book Fair

March 4th - 6th

Get ready for the Spring Book Fair, March 4th-6th. Visit the online book fair now.

Wednesday's hours are 8:00 am-7:30 pm. The Family Night starts at 5:00 pm. What's the Catch food truck returns with their excellent shrimp and fish tacos and hush puppies. The popular Cupcake truck will be there too. Additionally, preview live musical selections from the Shrek Jr cast.

Thursday's hours are 8:00 am-5:00 pm.

Friday's hours are 8:00 am-1:00 pm.

All are welcome to help set up on Tuesday at 1:00 pm and break down on Friday at 1:00 pm.

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Yearbook Dedications

Only One More Week

The deadline for Kindergarten & 8th grade yearbook dedications has been extended through next week. A digital photo & copy are due to our yearbook director, Shelli West on Friday, March 6th. The cost is $25.

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Moms and Masters Kingpin Duel

Saturday, March 7th 6:30 to 9:00 pm

Come split, spare and strike your way down the alley with a mother-son bowling event! All gentlemen of GEDS are invited and may bring your mother, grandmother, aunt or any other special friend! Pizza, drinks, shoe rentals and prizes included. Tickets are $20 per pair ($5 per additional male sibling.) Please return the form and payment to your child's teacher or the front office by Monday, March 2nd.

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Extended Day Open Spring Break

March 16th through March 20th

The Extended Day program is open during spring break. Reservations are required. Contact the director, Nancy Hobson to reserve a spot for your child.

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Grandparents Picnic

Monday, March 30th

The popular Spring Grandparents Picnic returns on Monday, March 30th from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm. Grandparents, make plans to join your grandchildren for a delightful picnic on the school campus. This will be a unique opportunity to enjoy fellowship with each other during a school day. Bring your favorite picnic fare and relax at a picnic table or on a blanket.

2015-2016 Enrollment

Re-Enrollment Has Begun

It is time to re-enroll for the 2015-2016 school year. Visit Grace Admissions to find all the information you need. This is also a great time to think about sharing Grace with your neighbors and friends. Be sure to tell them about our amazing school. If they enroll you can receive a $500 tuition credit. See all the details at our refer-a-family page. Contact our Admissions Director, Langdon Zimmer, for more information.

Grace Athletics

Join the Golden Eagles Track Team

The GEDS track team starts practice soon. It is time to join Coach Danny Berry for another great season.

Practices will begin March 23rd and run through mid-May. Practices will be held at Moosehaven on Mondays and Wednesdays at 4:15 pm. Track meet times are TBA...they are usually held on Friday or Saturday. The cost to participate is $100. Each athlete must have a sports physical (FHSAA EL2) and a liability form on file in the front office before practice begins. The deadline to sign up and pay for participation is March 5th. Contact our athletic director, Brenda Harbin, for more information.

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The Running Club

Join The Running Club next Tuesday and Thursday morning. Students meet with coach Brenda at the flag pole at 7:30 am.

Grace In The Classroom

Welcome Ms. Dunn

Please extend a warm welcome to Ms. Alice Dunn. Ms. Dunn will be our 3rd grade teacher while Mrs. Donnelly is on maternity leave. Ms. Dunn has many years of teaching experience at all elementary grade levels. She worked in elementary schools in Virginia and Alabama before moving to the area and starting her family. She has been working as a long term substitute teacher at Venetia Elementary and most recently Riverside Presbyterian Day School.

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Julius the Magician Visit

Grace recently hosted Julius the magician. Thank you so much Fun 4 First Coast Kids for having Julius Magic Magician spend the morning with the preschoolers and kindergarten. What a fun time! If you want to know about wonderful things going on around Northeast Florida go to Fun 4 First Coast Kids.

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Dress Code Reminder

Grace maintains high standards to provide the best education for the whole child. Kindergarten, elementary, and middle school uniforms are required on campus with the exception of birthdays and any special occasional activity announced by the teacher and/or Head of School. In cold weather, students may wear jackets or coats of their choice to be replaced with a regulation sweatshirt or sweater in the classroom. See the Student Handbook for the complete dress code.

Arts

Artist Of The Week

Congratulations to Madison our Artist of the Week. Madison studied Italian countryside and perspective techniques. She skillfully combined both in this beautiful display of wild poppies. We recognize our student artists each Tuesday at our morning Flag Assembly. Be sure to stop by the school office to see the original on display.

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Art For Hope T-Shirts

Earlier this year, 4th grader Josie's artwork was selected for the Art For Hope Battle of the Bands Competition's t-shirt. The shirts will be for sale at the event on Saturday, March 28 from 10:00 am-4:00 pm at Riverside Arts Market. The price is $15.00 each or 2 for $25.00. The shirts are 100% soft spun cotton with a removable tag and run a tad small. Sizes will be XS-3XL.

If you cannot make the event you can pre-order a shirt. Please contact Lauren Davis to request size and quantity. Pre-ordered shirts arrive at the school the week of March 23rd.

Grace In The Community

8K River Day 2015

The Second Annual Run A Huge Success .

This year's 8K River Day welcomed 655 runners plus hundreds of volunteers, guests and supporters. Perhaps most important of all is the opportunity to show-off our beautiful campus and hospitality to hundreds of guests in the community. Both recreational and competitive runners alike complimented the well-run, enjoyable event. You can relive the experience on the 8K Shutterfly page or on the 1st Place Sports' Facebook album. Special thanks to our race committee for making this year's race so special: Jeff Flanders, Walley Lastinger, Susan McInnis, Langdon Zimmer, Greg Holton, Mike Hall, and John Cooksey,

Growing In Grace

Box Tops Product Rewards

Support Grace through the Box Tops for Education Rewards program. Look for products with the Box Tops coupon and return them to Langdon Zimmer. We are also collecting the Labels for Education and Coke Rewards numbers. Thank you for supporting Grace.

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Grace Fund Classroom Challenge

Accept the challenge to reach 100% participation in the Grace Fund. Each classroom endeavors to achieve this milestone to demonstrate our love for Grace. Classrooms will enjoy a delicious pizza party or free-dress day when they achieve the 100% goal. A gift of any amount is all it takes. Visit The Grace Fund and show your support today!