From the Head of School
April has been a very exciting month, which we ended this morning with our monthly assembly. As we do at the end of every month, we recognize the importance of the IB Learner Profile. The Learner Profile is made up of ten attributes, or characteristics, that all IB schools promote on a daily basis. For the past month we have focused on the attribute of being a ‘Risk Taker’. As a Risk Taker, it is our goal to guide students to approach uncertainty with forethought and determination; we work independently and cooperatively to explore new ideas and innovative strategies. Risk Takers are resourceful and resilient in the face of challenges and change. This morning we recognized those students who exemplified this Learner Profile attribute.
Space has been a big topic in the news over the past month with much excitement over the latest exploration of the planet Mars and the Space X rockets sending astronauts up to the International Space Station. Our Preschoolers have also gotten the space bug with their latest unit on planets, rockets and the solar system. This morning the Yellow and Blue rooms got together in the garden for a countdown of our own rocket propulsion experiment. Congratulations to our teachers for a successful lift-off.
5th Grade Exhibition Presentation Today we had an important IB event that marks the end of the Primary Years Program for our 5th Graders. The PYP exhibition represents a significant event in the life of a PYP school and student, synthesizing the elements of the PYP and sharing them with the learning community. The exhibition, which took place this morning outdoors under the tent, was a powerful demonstration of student agency, as our 5th graders exercised voice, choice, and ownership by inquiring into local or global issues that are significant to them. This culminating experience was an opportunity for our students to exhibit the attributes of the IB learner profile that they have been developing throughout their engagement with the PYP. The class, which divided itself into six groups, conducted research and presented their findings to an audience of parents, teachers and fellow students. Needless to say, the quality of the presentations was outstanding.
With the month of April behind us, we now look forward to May and there are a number of events that will make this last full month school exciting. Our student council has declared that during the last week of May there will be a series of Student Council Fun Days. This coming Wednesday, the Grade 8 students will present their community projects at 1:30 under the tent. On Thursday, May 27th our Middle School will present the ‘Lion King Jr.’. This is open to the entire GPS community and will take place under the tent starting at 5:00 pm. Look for a special email announcement in the coming week.
COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Capital drugs free COVID-19 vaccination clinic is scheduled for Tuesday, May 4th 10 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. open to anyone 18 or older. Please look for an email from the school with a consent form and details.
Warm Weather Reminders As the weather has now moved from Spring to Summer, please remember to put sun screen on your children in the morning, make sure they have a full water bottle each day and consider sending them to school with a hat.