November 3, 2020
Bears on Parade!
We had lots of fun getting ready for Halloween this year. We tie dyed T-shirts and masks, painted our hands to make prints of spooky ghosts and pumpkins and crafted headbands to look like some of our favorite animals. Bonus: Tr. Chris dressed up as a banana! Click here to see a video mash-up of our parades last Thursday and Friday. 

DATES TO REMEMBER:

  • Monday, November 9 - GPC Meeting via Zoom, 8:15pm (get the link in GPC section below)
  • Wednesday, November 18 - Restaurant Night at Freddy's in West Chester
  • November 25-27 - Thanksgiving Break - School closed
  • Monday, December 7 - GPC Meeting via Zoom, 8:15pm
  • December 23 - January 1 - Winter Break - School closed
Health and Safety Update

Goshen Friends School is following the rise of coronavirus infection rates in our area. As part of our ongoing efforts to understand the impacts of the pandemic on school communities, members of the school staff stay informed through communications from the Chester County Health Department, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) Policy Lab and through connections with a variety of schools in our region. We are also attuned to developments in the West Chester Area School District.
 
As we head into the winter months, there is a lot of uncertainty as to how we as a school will be able to proceed. We do know, however, that we will continue to be vigilant with our health and safety protocols, layering in additional measures as needed to help keep our community healthy. The school-home partnership is going to become even more crucial in the coming weeks.
 
Later this week, please look for a Health and Safety update from the school. Until then, and always, please continue to follow public health recommendations for stopping the spread of Covid-19: wear a mask, have your children wear a mask, avoid indoor gatherings, avoid unnecessary travel, wash your hands frequently and practice social distancing. Without a vaccine, these measures are our greatest defense and will go a long way toward keeping school open.
 
Thank you for your support!
Mimi Ackers, Head of School, Pandemic Coordinator
Karen Andiario, Business Officer 
From the Head of School:

Dear Goshen families,
 
The faculty and staff met for our monthly meeting after school yesterday. It was productive as always, but it was made a little sweeter by a delicious lunch from Oriental Pearl in West Chester.

We came by this treat on two counts of generosity: one from the restaurant, which donated a $100 gift certificate to the school, and two from Froggies mom and GPC treasurer Alissa Cannon, who received the certificate on the school’s behalf.
 
Thank you, Oriental Pearl for the delicious lunch and kindness to our school and Alissa for your thoughtfulness and care of the staff. We appreciate you!
 
Finally, I wanted to pass along a note from Mary Parnell of Pickelpuss Photography:
 
“It was such a pleasure to be back on campus with all my happy friends. I love coming back to Goshen every year. This community is so full of kind people.  
 
Since everything is a little different this year, I wanted to express my appreciation for your patience with the online photo galleries and the challenges with email delivery and website orders. Due to these difficulties, I have extended the order deadline until today, November 3rd. Digital files which were ordered will be emailed out over the next couple of days. The print photos will arrive at school the week of the 16th.”
 
I you have questions or need assistance, you can contact Mary at 484-354-1638 via email at maryparnell@picklepussphoto.com.  
 
In Friendship,
Tr. Mimi
Join us for Lunch Bunch!
 
Come join us after school to have lunch, play with friends AND get creative with Tr. Patrice!
 
Now through December, we are excited to announce that Patrice is firing up her workshop, just in time for the holidays! She and her friends will be making pretty fall crafts and holiday-themed treasures from 2 to 3 pm on designated days. Answer your child's pleas to stay for lunch, use the time to check a few items off your to-do list, and grow your collection of hand-made keepsakes. It's a win-win-win!
 
If you can only stay for lunch, that's OK too! Customize your child's afternoon so it works for you. Click on your class link below to make your reservation.
 
 
Goshen Parent Community
 
Dear Families,
 
Thanks to all of you for supporting our last two fundraisers! The GPC earned $80 from our October Restaurant Night at Panera Bread and a whopping $265 from the Taste of Puebla Taco Kit fundraiser! All of these proceeds help benefit the school, so thank you for your participation and support of Goshen!
 
Our next Restaurant Night will be Wednesday, November 18 at Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers in West Chester. Be on the lookout for more details coming soon!

In the meantime, we are looking forward to our next meeting coming up Monday, November 9 at 8:15pm. We meet via Zoom and all are welcome. Meeting link and details are below:

Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 741 908 0681
Passcode: 766915
 
Thanks, everyone!!
 
In Friendship,
Marne Repetto, Clerk
 
Support our School!
An important function of the GPC is to raise funds for the school. In the past, our contributions have helped buy books for the library, make playground improvements and purchase items for the outdoor classroom.
 
You can help raise money for the school while you shop by making purchases through the vendors listed below. Set up these apps on your phone, shop for yourself and your family, and help earn money for Goshen Friends all year long! 
Amazon Smile

  1. Join Amazon Smile. If you are not already an AmazonSmile member: Log in to your existing Amazon account at http://smile.amazon.com and enter Goshen Friends as your charitable organization.
  2. Get the App. Download or update to the latest version of the Amazon shopping app on your phone. You can find it in the App Store for iPhone, or Google Play for Android.
  3. Turn on AmazonSmile. Open the app and find “Settings” in the main menu (=). Tap on “AmazonSmile” and follow the on-screen instructions to turn on AmazonSmile on your phone.
BoxTops for Education App

Download the BoxTops app to your phone. Sign in or create an account and register Goshen Friends School as your school. Purchase items that have the Box Top logo at your local grocery store. Then scan your receipts to earn money.

Click here for instructions.  
Oliver's Labels 

Get prepared for school and activities with these personalized labels for all your kids' gear. Dishwasher, microwave and washing machine safe, these labels are a must have!

Shop using the link: 
In Other News... 

The Bears harvested lots of turnips from our raised beds last week. And believe it or not, our peppers are still growing!

Since July, we have donated 188 lbs of vegetables grown right here at Goshen to the Chester County Food Bank. We could not have done it without the work of the students who have helped plant, water and harvest our crops of tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, beans and turnips. There are many lessons in our garden, from the science of growing things to the value of hard work to the importance of helping neighbors in our own community.

While our gardens will be taking a rest for the winter, we will continue to support the Chester County Food Bank. Be on the lookout this week for more information on a community-wide collection of healthy cereals for Food Bank this month.

Together, we can make a difference!