Count down to summer calendar

Thursday: Kindergarten AM and PM combined in the afternoon
Kindergarten Movie Night 2:30 - 4:00 pm, cafeteria
Career Day at GES 7:30 - 11:00 am
PTA Meeting @6:00 pm, Cafeteria
6th grade parents mtg. immediately after PTA Mtg.
Friday: Kindergarten "Goodbye...Hello" Program @5:30 pm, Stage


Monday 6/4: 6th Grade Retreat @7:30 - 1:30, Fiesta Resort

Tuesday: 6th Grade Beautification

Wednesday: 6th Grade Promotion @8:30 am, World Resort
Half-day and last day of school for K-5th grade students

Thursday: School Professional Development @7:30 am, Aqua Resort (staff & teachers)

GES National Junior Honor Society

School is almost out and what better way to end the year together than cleaning up our island. Here are some photos of the NJHS clean-up last Sunday in Garapan.

Bulletin #42

Really important dates:
Monday - No School, Memorial Day
Thursday - Career Day @8 - 11 am
Kinder Movie Night @2:30 pm, Cafeteria
PTA Meeting @6:00 pm, Cafeteria
Friday - Kindergarten "Goodbye...Hello" Program

Fire Drill

The Fire Department conducted a fire drill at GES on Wednesday. It took all of our over 900 teachers and staff 3 minutes to clear the building and 9 minutes to account for all people. We would like to remind all parents, staff, visitors and anyone on campus that during a fire drill/acutal emergency it is important that everyone vacates the campus. This helps the fire department get an accurate count of everybody and makes it easier for them to rescue any potential victims. They didn't provide a mock smoke screen this time, but that's just evidence that even the fire deparment is hurting for materials. For more information on GES' emergency procedures, please visit the school and pick up a handbook.

Important Announcements

G.E.S. Promotion Dates

Kindergarten "Goodbye - Hello" Program: June 1, 2007
Venue: School Stage
Time: 5:30 pm

Please bring your child to the school at 5:00 pm to prepare for the end of the year program. Students should wear their "Sunday Best".

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6th Grade Celebration: June 6, 2007
Venue: World Resort
Time: 7:30 am - 2:20 pm

Please bring your child to World Resort at 7:30 am. The attire is swim wear such as board shorts, suits with sundresses/shorts and shirts on. The distribution of recognition certificates and announcement of awards will begin promptly at 8:30 am. Following the short ceremony, students will enjoy the water park. Parents may stay for lunch, but are required to pay the lunch fee of $10.00. It is a regular "school day" and there will be chaperones available for students. Students will not be allowed to stay in hotel rooms without their parents/guardians supervision, and only until they are dismissed.

For more information on these events, please call the school cell phone at 287-3797 or email Mrs. Gomez at gomezy@pss.cnmi.mp.

Bulletin #41 and Students of the Week

Americorps Appreciation Week

Rose, Diana, Rachel, Jarlene and Jolene got on stage and shared their Glows and Grows with their fellow Americorps tutors. These included what they've learned about themselves and working with young students, and how they've enjoyed their time at Garapan School. Ms. Liela and Ms. Paulette presented them with appreciation certificates. Jolene treated us to the GES School Song while everyone sang along. It was beautiful. Here are some photos of the celebration!

Troops to Teachers Receive Resolution

The Troops to Teachers and their Coordinator, Ms. Geri Willis, receive House Resolutions on Wednesday, May 16. Representative Cinta Kaipat shared her thoughts, which included gratitude to the program, a federally funded endeavor, for providing an avenue for soldiers to earn their Education degrees and move into the teaching profession. Most of the soldiers and Marines are returning veterans of the Iraq War. They are now engaged in the battles against illiteracy and child neglect. GES currently has four TtTs : Jonathon Babauta, Rosa Camacho, Isaac Aguon and Norman Deleon Guerrero. Congratulations on the much deserved honor!

Books on Parade 2007

The Rotary Club sponsored the Book on Parade last Saturday, which showcased 6 of our Public Schools. GES 2nd grade team, led by Mrs. Lorraine Arriola gave a wonderful performance of Tim Myers' "Let's call him lau-wiliwili-humhumu-nukunuku-nukunuku-apua'a-oi'oi"! The props were just the right size for the multi-purpose stage, and the 2nd graders did a great job of moving them around for effect and performing their pieces. Much thanks goes to Mrs. Arriola and her team: Ms. Terre, Mr. Buniag, Mrs. Demapan, Mrs. Pagapular, Mr. Buniag, Mrs. Springer and Mr. Larson. Appreciation also goes to her husband, Mr. Arriola and her sister, Ms. Taisacan who not only supported, but assisted in the whole production! PSS bagged the competition with Oleai holding on to it's 1st place trophy. Congratulations, OES, SVES, GTC, and KES. There's always next year for us:)

A Look Back At Teacher Week '07

Here are the last of GES's Teacher Appreciation Week photos! The Variety did an article last week too! We couldn't have done it without the support of our parents (Char's Restaurant), community supporters (Java Joe's, Naked Fish, YCO), school supporters (Barney's Pizza) and PTA! Thank you to the girls from Thai Massage for the most wonderful stress reliever and to the office staff, including Mr. Roberts who put it all together! Way to go Mallards!!

Principal & Program Managers Mtg. May

Principals and Program Managers met last Thursday to discuss the 15.6% reduction for School Year 2007-2008. Governor Benigno Fitial recently vetoed House Bill 15-255. The PSS, without hesitation, has begun the important and serious task of streamlining it's services in order to meet the needs of the CNMI's student population. Here are a few pictures of the day's work.

This year, schools will have to spend their own money for the Commissioner's Awards and have already planned less costly promotion ceremonies. Some ironically joke that fundraising has become part of our curriculum in lieu of support from our local government. We look forward to the House's response to the governor's veto and enlist the support of our parents, community and local leaders.

Mallard Bulletin #40

(Click on the Bulletin to enlarge)

Important dates to remember this week:
1. SBA Testing for the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th graders will be going on all week

Wednesday: Staff Mtg. @2:30 pm, cafeteria
Saturday: Americorps Celebration @Aqua Resort, 9 - 11 am

Congratulations to the GES Boys and Girls Softball Team for their win last Wednesday!

Students of the Week May 7-11

Teachers Celebrate

Happy National Teacher Day Mallards!

The GES Mallard Team- The Best Teachers In The World

It is Teacher Day across our nation we're all reminded to "appreciate" the person who teaches our child her ABCs, the person who helps our child memorize his times table. Next week, next month, and until next year comes around again, most of us will forget to be grateful while they go on caring, teaching and loving our children.

Indeed, they are not just teacher, but nurse, confidant, defense attorney, advocate, coach, philosopher and role model. They will continue to reach into their pockets when the system and parents cannot provide enough change for lunch and crayons for projects; reach into their hearts when we forget to encourage and listen; they will be tired, but not defeated - even when we are.

So, thank a teacher this week - but sometime next week, next month, and don't wait until next year rolls around again- thank an unsuspecting teacher for all that they do every day of the year!

A Message From Our Commissioner

To all teachers,

Thank you for all that you do in a normal day that makes the daily learning activities of our students meaningful and with purpose.

Today, Tuesday May 8, 2007 is National Teacher's Day! Please celebrate today with our students!

06-07 Honor Student Council Excellence Award

Congratulations to the GES Student Council and advisors for being recognized through the NAESP's Honor Student Council Excellence Award! We got a letter from Margaret Evans, the Associative Executive Director of Community and Student Services commending the StuCo on the "dedication of your staff and community volunteers to ensuring our future leaders have every opportunity to fully realize their potential." This is a National distinction that we are very proud of you for accomplishing. Way to go Student Council!!

Bilingual Champions

Way to go Mallards!!
2nd grader, Dominic Romolor - 1st Runner Up, Carolinain
4th grader, Donavan M. Castro - 1st Runner Up, Carolinian
5th grader, Paula Castro - Champion, Chamorro

Congratulations to our Bilingual Challenge Bowl winners, participants, parents and coaches! Thank you Mrs. Hosono, Ms. Tenorio, Mrs. Camacho, Ms. Trinidad, Ms. Kisa, Ms. Mareham and Ms. San Nicolas for all your hard work with our students and for continuing to instruct our kids in the local tongue!!

Students of the Week: April 30 - May 4, 2007

Teacher Appreciation Week May 6 - 12, 2007

Tuesday, May 8, 2007, is National Teacher Day. Thank a teacher for making public schools great!

Teachers in the CNMI and in communities across the nation will be in the spotlight on Tuesday, May 8, as students, parents, school administrators and the general public learn how teachers are making Great Public Schools for every child.

Few other professionals touch as many people as teachers do. National Teacher Day is a good time to learn about the contributions educators make to our community every day. We recognize we are role models. That brings satisfaction. It also brings responsibility. We want to take it to the next step.

We believe we all have to work together to make our schools even better. That means everyone in the community. Parents, business owners, retirees, other workers, local government, and yes students. Public schools are at the heart of any community. When there are problems, we address them. When there are kudos, we share them.

Community involvement brings learning to life. This is an opportunity for all of us to reach out to each other. I ask the community to learn about how we advocate for high standards for students, fair and meaningful evaluations of their work, and resources that go directly to the classroom. Better than an apple or a thank you card, a community’s active support of the work we mutually do to teach and care for the community’s students would be ample reward for all of us.

Visit www.nea.org and www.nea.org/teacherday to learn more about the issues educators are facing as they do their work and meet the requirements of many laws and regulations.

The Week At A Glance

Reflections from the Pond:
"When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on"

Monday: 4th Quarter Mid-Progress Report distribution
Tuesday: National Teacher Day
Wednesday: Staff Mtg. @2:30 pm, cafeteria
Thursday: Principal's Mtg. @8:30 am, Cha Cha Oceanview Jr. High
Friday: Have a great weekend!

For detailed information on Mallard Bulletin #39, please click on the image below

(click image to enlarge)