7:50 and the playground/

blacktop area opens up at

8:00. Before those times, we

do not have supervision

available for students to be in

the common areas.

Please help make before

school and after school safe

and efficient by following our

procedures. These can be

found in your Garfield

calendar on the adjacent

page to the month of

September.

We launched our new

Garfield website at

www.davenportschools.org/

garfield! This will be the go-

to place for essential Garfield

information and

communication. It will

include up-to-date

information about

happenings at school, an

event calendar, and more.

Garfield parent, Ann McGlynn

and para-educator Bev Meyer

have been vital in developing

this site.

Mike Orfitelli is Garfield’s

principal. He can be reached

at

orfitellim@davenportschools.

org.

Looking ahead at the month

of November, it seems as

though a big challenge ahead

is the variance in our school

schedule and the weekly

change in routine for our

students. The entire Garfield

staff works hard to maintain

consistent procedures on a

daily basis. This helps

students know what is

coming next and what

expectations we have for

them. With at least one day

off every week in November, I

can anticipate challenges not

only in the classroom but at

your homes as well. Routine

can help ease stress and

anxiety our students may

have. We are all components

of our students’ academic

progress and success.

The month of November

reminds us all to stop, take a

deep breath and remember

what each of us is thankful

for. I am thankful for our

outstanding Garfield faculty

and staff. I assure you they

face many challenges every

day, but they continue to

focus on each individual

student and the success of

Garfield Elementary. In

addition, I am thankful for all

of the opportunities granted

to me every day resulting

from those who have been

and are a part of my life. My

deepest thanks goes out to

my parents. They were able

to provide endless teachings,

opportunities and love that I

continue to draw on as I learn

and grow every day. As a

parent, our jobs are

challenging, discouraging,

joyful, and rewarding. Take

several opportunities this

month to share with your kids

what you’re thankful for and

encourage them to share

with you. Garfield’s families,

faculty and staff are what

make us special!

Gator Chomps:

The weather has officially

turned colder, it is important

that your students are

dressed appropriately. We

do go outside for recess

whenever the weather

allows; coats, hats, gloves,

boots, snow-pants may all be

necessary!

A reminder breakfast starts at

Principal’s Note: Thankfulness

Garfield Gazette N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 2

New school

website live

The new Garfield

website is now up

and running!

It includes all

sorts of fabulous

information that

will be updated

regularly. It has a

snappy calendar,

contact

information, and

blog posts that

will keep families

up-to-date about

all that is

happening. Visit

www.davenport

schools.org/

garfield.

Gator Gear

See the cool Gator gear

around campus? Thought you

were too late to get a cool T-shirt

or sweatshirt? Think again!

Orders will be taken through Nov. 15. Order forms can be found at the entrance to school or at

www.davenport schools.org/

garfield.

Rebate Update

13,372 General Mills Box Tops were collected by Garfield students. Keep clipping and sending them into your child’s classroom, as it really adds up.

P A G E 2

Fifth-grade students experience play In October, a group of Garfield fifth-grade TAG students attended the play I Never Saw Another Butterfly by Celeste Raspanti at the Holzworth Performing Arts Center at North High School. The play (also a book) is based on a true story that focuses on Raja, one of the children who survived in Terezin, and her family and friends. Students journeyed with Raja and the cast to learn how companionship helped her survive during the Holocaust.

Cub Scouts Pack 19 has gotten off to a very busy start this year! In addition to all the den activities the popcorn sale is wrapping up and we've already been trick or treating for canned goods too.

Our next pack event is the Thanksgiving Dinner and Egg Drop on Tuesday, Nov. 13 at 6 p.m.

The Pack will provide drinks, beverages, and tableware. Families please bring to share:

Tigers: Desserts; Wolves: Desserts; Bears: Cold sides; Webelos: Hot sides.

We can't wait to see your egg drop contraptions! Remember, your container cannot exceed one foot in length or width and it must be possible to put our egg in it at drop time. Get out your thinking caps!

Strings of Success:

Orchestra Happenings

The fourth- and fifth– grade area orchestra

concert is set for Thursday, November 29, at 7 p.m. in the

Garfield Gym. Students will go to the

cafeteria to unpack, warm up and get

tuned before finding their seat in the gym.

Fifth-graders will be on the stage and fourth-graders will be on the

floor in front of the stage. This concert

includes students from Eisenhower, Garfield,

McKinley and Washington.

The fifth-grade area orchestra continues

each Tuesday at Sudlow Intermediate from 3:15-4 p.m. This is our group practice

and attendance is essential for preparing

for our concerts.

Scout News! Girl Scouts

Garfield Girl Scout Troop 8343 went to Conestoga camp on Oct. 27-28 to attend the Spooky Camp Creepy. The girls heard haunted tales from a great storyteller/balloon maker. After that we were off to decorate pumpkins and then to a haunted hay rack ride. The festivities ended with making s’mores around a campfire with girls from other troops. On Sunday before heading back to Davenport, the girls packed up their gear, and we headed off to do archery.

Our girls will be attending events at the Outing Club and St. Ambrose in November and December.

P A G E 3

The issue of bullying is in the news so there is increased interest in the schools to make sure our students are all safe. When you send your child to school, you can be sure we are very serious about safety at Garfield School. Harassment and bullying shall be construed to mean any electronic, written, verbal or physical act or conduct toward a student which is based on any actual or perceived trait or characteristic of the student AND which creates an objectively hostile school environment that meets one or more of the following conditions:

Places the student in reasonable fear of harm to the student’s person or property.

Has a substantially detrimental effect on the student’s physical or mental health.

Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s academic performance.

Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s ability to participate in or benefit from services, activities or privileges provided by a school.

Bullying is a repeated behavior of one person who is stronger than the other and causes the student to miss school or perform poorly in their studies. If you have concerns about a bully issue with your child or children, please call us and let us know. We do want to act to keep our school safe.

Garfield students know what to do if they feel like they are being bullied. All of the adults at school and at home need to be listening and responding to the students concerns. Come and join us at our monthly assemblies when we talk about positive, appropriate behavior at our school. Check the school calendar for the dates and times.

Candy Reed is the school counselor. She can be reached at reedc@davenportschools.org.

School Counselor Corner: Bullying

Intramurals – Due to the high number of fourth-grade students attending intramurals on Thursdays, I have split the students into two groups. Group A is comprised of students not in Science Club. They come to intramurals on Mondays. Group B is the Science Club students and they can come to intramurals on Thursdays. Fifth-grade students can attend on Tuesdays. Activity calendars are available in the gym. Please remind your child to pick one up each month. Intramurals end at 3:35 p.m. and students need to exit and be picked up at the Arlington Street side of the building. Please call the school with any questions.

Mileage Club – Students had the opportunity to run laps around the playground during recess on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the months of September, October and early November. Students were given a clothespin for each lap completed. After recess, the students turned in the clothespins and the classroom teacher recorded laps. Approximately five laps around the soccer fields equals one mile. Awards will be given at the end of the year for students running five or more miles for the year. The kids sure enjoyed running laps and I loved seeing their excitement on mileage club days. Mileage club will return in the spring. Please encourage your child to participate.

Scarecrow Scramble – More than 225 students participated in the Scarecrow Scramble on October 5. The PTA purchased participation ribbons for all students. Even though the weather was a bit chilly, everyone had a great time!

Ann Schultz is a physical education teacher at Garfield. Email her at schultza@davenportschools.org.

Teaching Like a Rock Star!

Mrs. Shultz is sporting a new voice amplifier these days, thanks to a special allowance from PTA. The headset is wireless with a portable speaker that she can take anywhere.

Mrs. Schultz can now use her “speaking voice” instead of yelling over the fun and games often associated with gym class. Mrs. Shultz was able to take the speaker outside during the recent Scarecrow Scramble, allowing runners and parents alike to hear her at all corners of the track.

“After 22 years of teaching, I haven’t lost my voice yet this year thanks to our awesome Gator PTA!” said Mrs. Schultz.

Top of Our Game: Physical Education News

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