Cultivating hearts and minds through the pursuit of Truth, Goodness, and Beauty |
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- Letter from Headmaster Audelo
- Thanksgiving Break Nov. 23-27
- GHLO Spelling Bee
- Keeping Lunch Safe
- A Day in the life of a GHLO Teacher
- Charter School Lobby Week
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7.Winter MAP Testing
8. Uniform Refresh
9. Volunteer Opportunities
10. Important Dates
11. Quick Links
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Dear founding families,
Great Hearts often looks to the past for guidance and inspiration. Truly, we delight in a good quotation! In July, the faculty adopted the motto of Sir Ernest Shackleton, “By endurance we conquer.” Indeed, perseverance is on daily display at Great Hearts Live Oak. But today, as we approach Thanksgiving, our thoughts are on a different virtue: gratitude. Cicero reminds us that, “Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.” Cicero’s words ring true. The perseverance of our community is rooted in the daily disposition of gratitude for each other, our work, and the promise of our ambitious educational model. Thank you for standing with us during a year that, with all its twists and turns and surprises, has fulfilled our hopes for opening a thriving school.
As we look ahead to 2021 and to the start of the second semester, we are again asking families to commit to campus-based or distance learning. Barring any major disruptions to normal school operations, this will be the last time that distance learning families are invited to return to the building. At the beginning of semester 2, all students enrolled in distance learning will remain so for the entirety of the semester-long grading period. It is because of our desire to maximize stability and, inasmuch as it is in our power, to keep things regular and predictable for teachers and students in semester 2 that we are instituting this “freeze” once the new semester begins. As you weigh your decision, we want families to know that, as we continue to pursue measures to improve student learning and make teacher workload sustainable, there may be more modifications to distance learning in semester 2, possibly including changes to students’ daily schedules, class rosters, and modifications to teacher assignments.
After the Thanksgiving holiday, you will receive an electronic survey asking you to confirm your final choice for semester 2 learning. The survey will close on December 11. Any final changes to your child’s school schedule will then be communicated early in the new year.
Finally, please know that our fervent wish for a safe and joyful Thanksgiving holiday are matched only by our equally fervent wish for a safe and healthy return to school. We ask that you exercise caution in family and social gatherings so that we can limit potential impacts on our GHLO and broader communities. You may view our Great Hearts’ Holiday Travel notice here.
We wish you peace and health in the holiday week ahead!
With a full and grateful heart,
Headmaster Audelo
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Thanksgiving Break
November 23-27
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Thanksgiving Break is here! There will be no in-person or distance learning from Monday, November 23rd, to Friday, November 27th. We will see our Owls back on campus and online on Monday, November 30th!
We wish you a joyful Thanksgiving week!
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We are pleased to announce the first annual Great Hearts Live Oak Classroom Spelling Bee!
The competition will take place on Thursday, December 17th from 8:15-10:15 AM in each child's classroom. Only 1st-7th grade scholars are eligible to participate.
The classroom spelling bee champions in each section will be competing in the school wide Spelling Bee in January. Please look in your scholar’s Friday folder for the word list to study. Parents/guardians may stop by our front office to get an extra copy of the words after Thanksgiving break, if needed.
More information about the school-wide Spelling Bee coming soon!
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In order to keep our staff healthy, it is important that students are able to prepare and eat their lunches without assistance. The fewer surfaces teachers touch, the greater chance they remain in good health. Please ensure that everything you pack is something your child can open and eat without assistance. Some students may benefit from some practice at home--e.g., opening wrappers and inserting straws. Thanksgiving Break is a great time to practice opening lunch boxes, juice boxes, fruit snacks and water bottles!
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!
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A Day in the life of a GHLO teacher! |
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Have you ever wondered what it must be like to be a teacher in 2020? Well, today is your lucky day! Ms. Claire Longfellow is one of our amazing third grade lead teachers here at GHLO and she is taking us on a behind the scenes tour of what it is like teaching in the midst of a pandemic. Click the video above to see a vlog-style journey of Ms. Longfellow's daily routine! |
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Charter School Lobby Week |
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You are invited to attend Texas Charter School Lobby Week: a special virtual event to foster authentic relationships between the charter community and state lawmakers.
Lobby Week will take place from December 7- December 11, 2020. TPCSA will do a lot of the heavy lifting for you! We'll match you with your lawmaker, partner you with other charter advocates, schedule your virtual lawmaker visit, and provide you with all the information you need to have a successful week.
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When we return from Thanksgiving Break, we’ll be jumping into Winter MAP testing. Scholars in 2nd-7th grade will be taking the Winter MAP Assessment.
MAP Assessments are unique in that they adapt to your child’s level of learning. If your child answers a question correctly, the next question is more challenging. If they answer incorrectly, the next one is easier. This results in a detailed picture of what your child knows and is ready to learn—whether it is on, above, or below their grade level. Data from prior MAP testing shows us how students are growing academically, and teachers are able to use this information when planning lessons and academic support.
There is no need to study for the Winter MAP Assessment. However, it is important to make sure that your child is well rested on school days and especially the day of a test. Children who are tired are less able to pay attention in class or handle the demands of a test. In addition please give your child a well-rounded diet. A healthy body leads to a healthy, active mind.
Families of distance learners should have received an email with information about how distance learners will be taking the Winter MAP Assessment. If you have not received an email regarding Winter MAP testing, let Ms. Holland know.
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Fall break! A wonderful time to refresh, mend, and tidy up uniforms. When our scholars return they will be welcomed with a renewed emphasis on our dress code. The firm line with our dress code is part of our commitment to the development of the individual personalities and characters of your scholars. In short, we want them to stand out in the classroom for who they are, not for what they are wearing. Some parents comment that “I want them to express their individuality by wearing…” We believe who they really are shines through when they adhere to the dress code. By not relying on fad or fashion (which changes so fast no one can truly keep up) to define themselves, students learn to authentically represent themselves through their words and actions. To the community at large, we want GHLO scholars to be readily identifiable as members of the Great Hearts community of learners.
To view our mask aesthetic guidelines, click here.
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Requirements to Volunteer
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November 23-28th: Thanksgiving Break
November 30-Decemeber 11th: Winter MAP Testing
December 4th: Half-Day
December 7th: Professional Development Day: NO SCHOOL
December 11th: Full Day
December 14th-18th: 5 Days of Giving (Spirit Days)
December 18th: Half-Day & Spirit Day
December 21st-January 1st: Winter Break
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