Paper Airplane Contest

Mr. Pinkerton and Mr. Salalila did a great job! It's amazing that an 8 1/2 X 11 inch sheet of paper is all it takes to get kids all excited.

A Call For Help!

An extremely disturbing event happened recently. A student's cell phone was stolen on campus, and after days of worrying, was found destroyed and placed in a ziplock bag behind a bush. We could just give our obligatory warning that all cell phones, toys and monetary amounts over $5 are not allowed in school, but it will never changed the fact that a wrongdoing against a student has been committed. Rules are a means to prevent such offenses, but we are now faced with a call to react to this situation. Reminders are now in effect for all parents, students and teachers. A sad reality exists that items stolen are very seldom recovered and that the school is not able to compensate for items that should not be brought to school in the first place.

Class meetings should be held regularly to reinforce the rules and create a climate of respect among peers. All incidents must be reported in a timely manner. Should a theft or other wrongdoing occur, proper investigation is crucial. This is not the end of the cell phone story even though the cell phone is lost for good. I am asking anyone with knowledge about this to contact their teachers, counselors or administrators. My email address is gomezy@pss.cnmi.mp. I will keep all information confidential, within certain limits. You can also call the school cell phone at 237-3797. It does not have caller I.D. Please help us solve this problem and create a safer school environment.

A Very Full Plate For Students and Parents

Thank You Mr.s Tim Thornburgh, Walt Goodridge, Angelo Villagomez, Steven Nguyen and Floro Reyes for judging our Science Fair last Thursday. It took an hour and half, but gave the students a chance to show off their experimental skills and a feeling of satisfaction. Check out the articles on the Tribune and Variety! Winners will be announced at Monday's Flag Ceremony.

It was a very busy night last Thursday. At 5 O'clock, the 6th grade parents met to discuss the upcoming recognition ceremony, awards and transition to Jr. High. At 6pm, the PTA convened and had a very healthy discussion, much of which involved the fundraising efforts for our new playground equipment and the fast approaching Scripps Howard Spelling Bee on Guam. As a reward to our school-wide spelling champ, Ms. Arlrose Atienza and her coach, our parent's and teacher's association will be funding the trip. On behalf of GES, we thank the PTA for giving Arlrose this special opportunity to engage with her peers at a regional event.

Cub Scouts Have Their First Meeting

Students of the Week
February 12 - 16, 2007
Ms. Mendez's 1st grade - Ryan Rodillo
Mrs. Springer's 2nd grade - Jasmine Flora
Mr. Matagolai's 3rd Grade - Diana Lopera
Mr. Weimer's 4th grade - Eyun Ji Kim
Mr. Pinkerton's 5th grade - Marwah Al-Dohaish
Mr. Aldan's 6th grade - Jasmin Espina

Bulletin #29

Meetings and Events

Monday - Presidents Day Holiday
Tuesday - Pizza Hut Night 25% of all orders goes back to GES
Wednesday - Chairpersons' Meeting @2:30 pm
Thursday - Science Fair @2:30/6th Grade Parents' Mtg. @5:00/PTA Mtg. @6pm-Cafeteria
Friday - Counselors' Monthly Level Sharing
Saturday - Language Arts Learning Community Mtg. @8:00 am (Mrs. Gomez)

6th Grade Parents' Meeting Agenda

1. End of the Year Awards Criteria and Discussion
• Commissioner & Principal's Awards
• Mallard Award
  
• Top Ten Awards
• Club Awards
• Presidential Awards
  
2. Junior High School transition information
3. 6th Grade Recognition Ceremony

Appreciation / Congratulations

1. WASC Mtg. Attendees: Mr. Johnson, Mrs. Arriola and Ms. Barrineau
2. Math Champions: Erica Tubera, Jacob Canape, Roland Balajadia, Daenna Yamagishi, Guadalupe Santos, Nickles Salmon, Jonavelle Cuerdo and Alexis Devera!
3. GES National Junior Honor Society Advisors and Faculty Council for a successful induction ceremony
4. Girl Scout Leaders and Volunteers for a great camp out experience
5. Bilingual Instructors: Ms. San Nicolas, Ms. Trinidad, Ms. Kisa and Ms. Mareham
6. Administrative Office Representatives, Mr. Carl Dela Cruz, Mr. Juan Babauta, Mrs. Dorinda Salas and Mr. Al Sarapio for a very informative forum and a chance to air concerns and clarify issues.
   

Growing and Learning Together

Teachers get together with counselors to discuss student discipline at GES. Ms. Mendez shares her own experiences while colleagues listen.

StuCo's 1st Health Walk!

The Mallard Health Walk sponsored by the GES Student Council was a success. It was all thanks to the hardworking members, and their advisors: Ms. Tomokane, Mrs. Yumul, Ms. CC, Mrs. Cepeda and Mr. Ogumoro. Lots of teacher and staff volunteers also helped out: Mrs. Hosono, Mr. Kentaro, Mr. Guiao, Mr. Lieto, Mr. Larson, Mrs. Arriola and Mr. Budano!! Thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Howard Macaranas, Mr. and Mrs. Pacaliwagan, Mrs. Cuerdo, our active and involved (and healthy) parents! The Council earned more than $700.00 for the fundraising while flexing their MegaSkills!

Students of the Week for Feb. 5-9

Mrs. Ngewakl's Kinder AM - Leonardo Salalila
Mrs. Ngewakl's Kinder PM - Justine Kirby
Ms. Shryack's 1st grade - Hanley Montiveros
Mrs. Arriola's 2nd grade - Myron Andy
Mr. Salalila's 3rd grade - Christian Declaro
Ms. Barrineau's 4th grade - Melony David
Mrs. Cepeda's 5th grade - Jhoana Valencia
Mr. Bermudes' 6th grade - Brandon Anez

Mallard Health Walk Saturday

The GES Student Council will be sponsoring a Mallard Health Walk to raise funds on Saturday, February 10, from 8 am to 12 pm. There will be health related booths and our school nurse will be doing blood pressure and heart rate checks. If you want to come by and get your muscles moving, we will be glad to have you!

Thank you Mr. Tim Thornburgh and Angelo Villagomez for accepting to be judges in our Science Fair! We need two more volunteers for February 22nd, at 2:30 - 3:30 pm.

Students of the Week Jan. 29-Feb. 2

Mrs. Inaba's Kinder AM - Jayson Mariano
Mrs. Inaba's Kinder PM - Jeanny Peleno
Ms. Masga's 1st grade - Ryan Christian Relucio
Mrs. Demapan's 2nd grade - Diane Hermogenes
Mrs. Mendoza's 3rd grade - Anais Angeles
Ms. CC's 4th grade - Jacqueline Lepuach
Ms. Tualatai's 5th grade - Wynessa Jack
Mr. Maderal's 6th grade - Regina De Vero

Have you thanked your counselor today?

Happy National Counseling Week Mrs. Liela C. Yumul and Ms. Paulette Tomokane!
Everyday Paulette and Liela concern themselves with the hearts of children at GES. While most of us in the office are pre-occupied with the daily operations, and some of us are knee deep in mundane paperwork, they come face to face with our children. The emotionally fragile, the ones who just got their feelings hurt by best friends, the ones who just lashed out and even the ones who think they don't belong in school, are nurtured by our counselors.

They do the important work that rarely gets recognized because it is a job that most of us would wince at if we had to do it for 190 days in a row. Yet, day in and day out, they are the same: caring, attentive, and honestly concerned for the lives that are being shaped by their reactions. They seem to understand how crucial it is to reserve adult judgement and give themselves wholeheartedly to the task of being a safe harbor.

For this work, it is not just the administration, teachers and staff that are grateful. Though they may not be able to adequately put their feelings into words, our students will always carry special messages tucked within their spirits from counselors who took the time to show they really cared. For this, Liela and Paulette, I can't thank you enough.

Lets all take the time this week to recognize our school counselors. Let us also prioritize funding, materials, resources and time so that they can continue to grow professionally in the service of our students, which ultimately translates into the service of the families we welcome into our campuses.

Won't you help?

The February committee needs judges for our Science Fair on February 22, 2007 @2:30 pm. Call 237-3341 to volunteer.

Parent Newsletter

We are definitely back in the swing of things at GES! Aside from being Math & Science Awareness Month, it is Parent Leadership and Black History Month; as well as National Counselor’s Week! Please see the calendar above for important dates to remember. You can also access our blog at www.mallardpond.blogspot.com. Below is a detailed list of school activities:

February 2 4th-6th Spelling Bee 1:00 pm - Cafeteria
February 10 StuCo Mallard Health Walk 8:00 am - 12pm - GES Field
February 12 Grade Level Math Contest All Day - Classrooms
February 16 3rd Quarter Mid-Progress Report DayGiven to students
February 17 GES NJHS Induction 6:00 pm - Multi-Purpose Center
February 22 Science Fair Judging 2:30 - 3:30 - Cafeteria
6th Grade Parents Mtg. 5:00 - 6:00 - Cafeteria
PTA Meeting 6:00 pm - Cafeteria
February 28 Paper Airplane Contest 1:00 pm - Quad

Please ask your child’s teacher about the contest criteria for each activity and feel free to come in and lend a hand or share the day with us. We need more parents to help with ticket sales, set up and clean up for the Little Mr./Ms. Mallard event. We are also looking for volunteers to be Cub Scout Leader for our newly formed troop headed by Mr. Garon, our 4th grade teacher. Our Academic Challenge Bowl Team is beginning their practice sessions and will compete with public and private schools in the island-wide contest in March. The winner of this year’s spelling bee will be sent to Guam with his/her teacher to compete in the Scrippe-Howard Regional Bee, also in March. Last Year, GES came in 2nd in both these events. Monday and Tuesday are student holidays, but teachers will be attending professional development on campus. It is also National Counselor’s Week - a great time to help honor and thank our two counselors for all they do to help our students stay emotionally and socially healthy. Speaking of health, our softball coaches are looking for donations of gloves for the team this season. If you know someone who can help, please send them our way!

After the Science Fair, there will be a special meeting for all 6th grade parents to discuss the end of the year awards/ceremony. The science projects will remain in the cafeteria for parents to see during the PTA Mtg. As a reminder, we ask all visitors to sign in at the office and obtain a pass before proceeding to any classrooms/buldings. Please help us foster our MegaSkill and ESLR of the month by talking about these characteristics with your child. We have some MegaSkill materials that we can share with you, just give us a call or come by and visit.

Spell Check!!

Congratulations Arlrose Atienza!! Arlrose will represent GES in the Scripps Howard Regional Spelling Bee on Guam.