GARDEN LAKES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
March 2017 Issue
Diamondback Community News
Dynamic Diamondbacks—Principal’s Message
Important Dates
3/1 Kindergarten Readiness—4:30-6:30 @
PCC
3/2 Read Across America Night—5-6:30
3/3 “The Little Mermaid” (play) - 6:00
3/4 “The Little Mermaid” (play) - 6:00
3/6 Diamondback of the Month
3/7 Spring Pictures
3/8-10 Outdoor Ed
3/9 Superintendent’s Lunch
3/10 Report Cards
When you think of March you
might picture leprechauns
and good luck shamrocks. I
love Thomas Jefferson’s quote
regarding luck, “I am a great
believer in luck, and I find
the harder I work, the more
luck I have.” Thank you for
your support and collaboration as we continue to work
hard and finish the spring
strong!
This year we are part of AZ
School Connect, which challenges us to increase our
partnerships with community
members, business and the
faith communities in our area.
We will be holding our first
“Faith Community Breakfast”
on Friday March 10 at 8:00
AM at the PLC. Please see the
invitation included. If you or
someone you know from your
faith community would like to
attend, please RSVP to the
front office at 623-772-2520.
As many of you know, Arizona Law ARS 15-701, which is
known as the “Move on
When Reading” policy, is
still in effect for our 3rd
grade students. Please read
the attached information
sheet which explains the
state law as well as tips on
what you can do at home to
help your child.
Thank you to everyone who
continues to help out with
parking lot safety! An updated parking lot drop off/pick
up map and procedures are
included. Please review the
procedures to help us keep
our community safe.
Continuing with increasing
safety, please remind your
children that only students who
are part of a club or sport, with
a signed permission slip, may
stay after school. All other students must leave campus after
dismissal due to safety and
supervision.
We are excited for our drama
students to perform the musical, The Little Mermaid on
March 3 and 4. We know this
will be a wonderful production
for the whole family! We also
hope you enjoy some quality
family time over Spring Break,
March 13—17.
As always, THANK YOU for ALL
you do as we work together to
help our students reach their
potential and goals!
Mrs. Helland
3/10 Faith Community Breakfast—8:00
3/13-17 Spring Break
3/21 PTA Meeting—4:15
3/24 Career Day
3/28 Dream Academy Promotion—6:00
We LOVE Reading and Writing Literacy Tips
Picture This! During
your next outing or
gathering, take actionpacked photos, then
have your child create
captions to go with
each picture. Assemble
the pictures and captions in a picture book
or album, and add
speech and thought
bubbles to create a personalized – and probably hysterical -- graphic
novel.
Help at Home
Students can access the following on-line programs at home
to support their leaning:
Achieve 3000
(for Reading and writing)
Dreambox
(for math)
Please see your child’s teacher
if you need log-on information.
Page 2
Math@Home
Diamondback Community News
Simple activities and games that parents and students can do together at home to reinforce students' math skills
Parent Pointers to Ponder
Communicating with the School Year-Round:
 Stay attuned to your child’s academic accomplishments on a weekly basis. Praise those
accomplishments appropriately.
 Communicate with the school regularly. When you have a question or a concern, write a
note or email or phone the teacher. We need you on our team. :-)
 Think ahead, at the end of the school year, schedule some time to discuss with the
teacher your child’s successes and challenges.
Copyright EducationWorld.com
Classroom Donations Needed
please give your donations to your child’s teacher & share with other content teachers

Kleenex boxes for classrooms (it’s cold season...achoo!)

Hand Sanitizer

Band-aids

Dry Erase Markers

Small items/prepackaged treats for treasure boxes—who doesn’t
love a prize?!?