Bi-Weekly News from Garden Homes Lutheran School – OCTOBER 6, 2010
GHLS Update
Nurturing Souls for Life, Spreading the Word of Jesus Christ

Exclusion from Classes Begins Twice last month, several GHLS families were sent a Legal Notice from the school office indicating that their children were not in compliance with the Student Immunization Law. Families were given until October 7 to do 1, 2, or 3 below. Effective 3:30 p.m. tomorrow, October 7, GHLS students in non-compliance will be excluded from classes until 1, 2, or 3 below are done. Affected students will receive the exclusion notice to take home with them after classes on Thursday, October 7. The school days missed will be counted toward the 16 allowable absence days, and all missed work will need to be made up.

1) Provide GHLS with the date (month, day, and year) of the required immunization(s) either from your records or from a current immunization your child received from your doctor or health department. For varicella (chickenpox), an indication of disease is also acceptable, OR… 2) Provide written verification that you have scheduled an appointment to receive the required immunizations with your doctor or another health care provider, OR… 3) Claim a waiver indicating you do not want your child to have immunizations. Waiver forms are available from the GHLS office.

Again, we are not trying to be “tough guys.” We are merely following the law and caring for our dear students whose health is of utmost concern to us. Get the immunizations or sign the waiver and make all of our lives a little easier and healthier. Contact the school office with any questions: 414-444-9050. There are free walk-in immunization clinics on Saturday, October 9, from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. at Keenan Health Center, 3200 N. 36th Street, and Southside Health Center, 1639 S. 23rd Street. If you have clinic questions, call 414-286-8034.
G-House Reps Appointed
After submitting an application essay, being voted on by classmates, being evaluated by teachers, and then observed and sometimes interviewed by Dr. Nelson, the G-House of Representativeshas been appointed for the 2010-11 school year. The G-House of Representativesis the 12-student leadership group in the school, allowing 7th and 8th grade students to “share their voice” and “have a say” in certain aspects of the GHLSministry. The G-House of Representatives will meet from 2:45-3:20 p.m. every Monday, beginning September 27. This time is a study period for both 7th and 8th grade. 2010-11 members are (Back row L-R) Brooklyn Reed (7), Angelo Young (8), Quinton Reed (7), Eavary Dammond (8), Adam Paige (8), Charles Richard (7). (Front Row L-R) Brandon Gilbert (7), Janae Freeman (7), Jazmen Greer (7), Kyla Pitts (7), Diana Essoka (8), Israel Mitchell (8).
Apology from Lunch Company “Food for Thought,” the company that provides GHLS breakfasts and lunches, wishes to apologize to all of you for some September difficulties with menus. According to company owner, Tony Gatewood, unanticipated beginning-of-the-school-year increases in the number of meals requested by their six clients, resulted in food supply shortages. Ordered items to address these shortages did not arrive in time, so some menus needed to be changed at the last minute. Mr. Gatewood has assured us that the issue is being resolved and he thanks you for your understanding. Anyone wishing to speak with Mr. Gatewood personally, may contact him at 414-339-5148.    

A Terrifying Turtle Every week, new content is added to the GHLS Web site. You’ll enjoy the Classroom News Pages about our awesome students: Check out 7th grade’s October 1 canoe trip. You wouldn’t think a turtle would be that scary!
No School on Monday There will not be school on Monday, October 11, as teachers will be visiting other schools during the day. These visits give GHLS staff a chance to see how other high-performing, urban schools conduct their classes and lessons. Thanks for understanding and allowing us to become the best teachers we can be.
Extended Care ‘s Future The Garden Homes Lutheran School Board of Education is discussing whether or not our Extended Care (EC) can continue. At this time, GHLS’s EC has unpaid accounts of close to $8,000. Over 60 individual balances exist, ranging from $5.00 to over $600.00. The Board of Education has determined that if the financial position of EC does not improve significantly by January 1, 2011, it will be discontinued. If you have a balance, please a) pay it in full, or b) establish a regular payment plan with our Director of Operations (DOO), Mr. Wesenberg: 444-9050 ext. 121.
Student Writers Focus on Colors As part of Mr. Hosbach’s Language Arts classes, students have been doing more writing. After a story in 6th grade Literature concerning a girl who expressed her feelings through poetry, the class discussed how reading or listening to poetry arouses particular feelings like happiness, sadness, or peacefulness. These feelings create mood. Moods can be expressed by colors, drawings, or scenes.Students then selected their favorite colors and wrote poems about them following a color-poem template. Below are two great examples.You can read other6th grade poems and see more student work in the upper level halls.

Come to “G-House Got Talent! “ On Friday, October 22, 2010, GHLS will showcase some very talented students and staff in the 2nd Annual “G-House Got Talent” show. The evening begins with a fish and spaghetti dinner in the gym going from 5:30-6:30 p.m. At 6:00 p.m. in the gym, the show begins. You pay at the door for the evening: $2.00 for children 3 years-grade 8. Under 3 are free. $3.00 for high school-adults. Proceeds go to the school playground fund.
Meet Our Student Teachers For 10 weeks spanning the 1st and 2nd Quarters, GHLS is privileged to have joining our staff two seniors from Martin Luther College (MLC) in New Ulm, MN. The two students, Vanessa King (L) and Heather Korb (R), will be working with Mr. Kasten (Gr. 5) and Mrs. Herbert (Gr. 1), respectively, to do their student teaching. If they successfully complete their student teaching, they will be another step closer to graduating from MLC in the spring. Miss King is from St. Paul, MN and Miss Korb is from Indianapolis, IN.
Box Tops 4 Education This year we are again collecting box tops to receive money back to purchase non- budgetary items for the school.The allowed products are described on the attached sheet. Last year, the money obtained was used for school library books, pizza for the new familiesand Pathways’ pizza parties, and supplies for the faculty.
GHLS Reading Challenge From October 13 to December 8, GHLS students will have the chance to beat last year’s book-reading total (1,692 books).Watch for more details about this cool contest, coming soon.