As we begin planning for the upcoming school year, we want to share an important reminder regarding class placements. At this time, we have not yet made decisions about class splits for Kindergarten, 1st grade, 5th grade, or 6th grade. Please know that a great deal of time, care, and professional thought goes into how students are grouped. Our goal is always to create balanced classroom communities that support both academic and social growth for every child. We will share class placement information with students on Step Up Day, which is typically held in June.

We also want to acknowledge that maintaining a balance between supporting students and protecting confidentiality is a critical part of our work. At times, situations at school may prompt understandable questions or concerns from families. While we always strive to be as transparent as possible, there are instances where we cannot share specific details due to privacy laws and policies that we are required to follow.

Please know that all staff are committed to adhering to these policies, even when emotions run high or when it may feel like more information should be shared. One area where this often comes up is around the use of the term “bullying.” While all unkind behavior is taken seriously, it is important to understand that not all negative interactions meet the legal definition of bullying.

Bullying is defined as repeated, targeted behavior intended to cause harm, often involving a real or perceived imbalance of power. This is different from isolated incidents of unkind or mean behavior, which, while still important to address, may not meet the criteria for bullying. Our staff works carefully to investigate situations, apply these definitions consistently, and respond in ways that support all students involved.

We understand that families naturally want swift and clear answers, especially when their child is impacted. At the same time, the laws and policies we follow require us to approach each situation thoughtfully, ensuring fairness, accuracy, and confidentiality. We appreciate your understanding as we work to support students while also upholding these important responsibilities.

Morning Arrival
Please remind your children to come straight into the cafeteria when they arrive at school. This helps us ensure everyone is safe, accounted for, and starting the day on the right foot.

Lost and Found
Our lost and found is currently full of winter items. If your child is missing anything, we encourage you to take a moment to check it out. We would love to return these items to their rightful owners.

Yearbook Photo Request 📸
As we begin working on this year’s yearbook, we would greatly appreciate your help. If you have photos from school events, field trips, sports, or other school activities, please consider sharing them with Mrs. Larson at clarson@gisu.org.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership.

As always, my door and inbox are always open.

Mrs. H 💛