September 2019 
In This Issue
Message from Principal Langer
Welcome Back!  

GDS welcomed back students yesterday and the day went very well!  It is great to see students so excited to see each other.  There were high 5s, hugs between students and students and staff!  

GDS staff welcomed a few new staff members this year:  Tara Dahlberg joined our 7th grade team as a science teacher as Mr. Connor moved up to 8th grade science.  Marta Rocco joined our 8th grade team as a Social Studies and English teacher, Keenie Evenson joined our 8th grade team as an English teacher.  Jessica Buchmeier became our full time French teacher and Rachel Wenndt is teaching a section of French. We also welcomed part time Art teacher Ruth Vander Horck.  For support staff we welcome Shawn Peters, Sue Schmidt, and Angela Bickett.   GDS is focused on providing a student centered learning community, where students are challenged to be curious and hopeful.  We are starting each day with an advisory period in grades 6 through 8, where students will be a part of restorative justice circles and learn more about Character.  As a school we want for our students to be kind, respectful, safe and responsible. 5th grade students have advisory/wellness period in the middle of the day!

Please be involved in your child's education!  We welcome you to our building, we want you to ask questions and challenge us to be our best.  You know your child extremely well and sometimes we may need your help!  

Let us know if you need anything!  We are here to help.  
Here is to a strong 2019-2020 school year.

Ms. Langer
Office Hours
Monday through Thursday:  7:30 am - 4:00 pm
Friday:  7:30 am - 3:45 pm
2019-20 Calendar
GDS Student Hours
Supervision begins:  7:30 am
1st Bell:  7:53 am
2nd Bell:  8:00 am (class begins)
Grade 5 End Day:  2:50 pm
Grades 6-8 End Day:  3:20 pm
Chromebook Protection Plan - Grades 6-8
THE DEADLINE TO ENROLL IS SEPTEMBER 30TH. 
  
Pay for it on the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. Click on My Accounts to access the optional fees and add them to your cart.

Need to leave school early....
Please send a note with your student to drop off first thing in the morning to the school office.  We will issue them a pass.
Update personal information
Please update any personal information such as work phone, email, etc...through the Infinite Campus Portal.
 
Pay Fees Online
The MGSD  requests all families pay fees online via Infinite Campus.  Paying fees online is FREE.
 
School Nutrition Department
Breakfast and lunch menus are available HERE.
Click HERE for Free and Reduced application and FAQ.
 
Attendance
If your student will be absent from school for any reason, call the attendance line 24/7 at 608.839.8437 press 2.

If your child has a fever (>100 degrees), is vomiting, has diarrhea, has a rash you do not know the cause of, or has a communicable disease do not send them to school -  keep them home until they are 24 hours vomit/diarrhea/fever free without medication.  
 
Thank you GDS Custodians and IT Personnel
Custodial, grounds and IT personnel worked diligently throughout the summer preparing schools for students and staff return in the fall.  Thanks for all you do.  We appreciate YOU!!

GDS Visitors & Volunteers
If you are planning to  help in the classroom or accompany your child on a field trip, you must complete the Online Volunteer Form.  
 
If you are visiting GDS during regular school hours, please be prepared with your driver's license or state issued ID.  For more information on the district's Raptor Visitor Management System click HERE.  
Thank you Lions
Thank you to the Lions of Cottage Grove, local businesses and community members for their generous donation of school supplies.  
 
Bridging Brighter Smiles
Bridging Brighter Smiles provides quality preventative dental care for students 4K-12th grade at school.   Forward Health (BadgerCare) cards are accepted.   You can get enrollment information English HERE ;  Spanish HERE .
 
After School Classes/Clubs
Click HERE for Cottage Grove information/offerings.

Click HERE for Monona information/offerings.

datebook-header-purple.jpg
2019-20


September 3
1st Day of School

September 6
Picture Day

September 30
 No School

October 4
Picture Re-take Day

October 31
 No School

November 1
No School