From the Head of School
This week Public Health Department Director, Barbara Ferrer, said that Elementary school campuses in Los Angeles County could be eligible to reopen in two to three weeks if countywide coronavirus infection rates continue to drop. This has been picked up by local news sources and you may have seen this in the LA Times or on TV. This is, of course, good news and we hope that this trend continues and the authorization to re-open all elementary grades by the county is granted. In the meantime, GPS has a plan in place, has already received its waiver and thus would be able to move quickly on a re-opening process. To this end, we have completed and filed the newly required California State COVID-19 Safety Plan (CPS) and posted this on our website. We are also encouraged by the push, both at the state as well as national level, to accelerate COVID vaccinations for teachers. Although I am immensely proud of the quality of our distance learning program, I eagerly await the return to normal, or at least somewhat normal, school life in the near future.
Today, at our end of month assembly, we presented Learner Profile Awards to a number of students across all the grade levels. The learner profile is made up of ten attributes, or characteristics, that all IB schools promote on a daily basis. In all of our classes this month we have been focusing on the attribute of being ’Balanced’. It is our goal to guide students to understand the importance of balancing different aspects of our lives, such as the intellectual, physical, and emotional. Our program and activities are designed to help students to achieve well-being for themselves and others and to recognize their interdependence with other people and with the world in which they live. At today’s assembly we recognized some students who in the past month have exemplified the characteristic of being balanced.
For more information on what being balanced means as an IB Learner Profile, I encourage you to watch this short video:
The following link will take you to a website where you can explore illustrated balanced books for children to see characters struggling with a balanced life but also learning how to bring this balance in their life. 32 of the Best Books for Balanced Children
GPS Memory Book for 2020-21 – Cover Competition
This year we will not be producing the traditional yearbook. Instead we will be commemorating this unusual school year with a memory book, which we will produce as a collaborative effort. Each student will be asked to collaborate (some with parental help) with photos, poems, artwork or written statements/reflections. More details on what, when and where will be sent out in the weeks ahead.
To start with we are looking for a cover design. Themes for design could be anything related to the COVID pandemic, distance learning, safer at home, social distancing and masks, etc.. Students are asked to create their own original artwork to be used as the cover of the publication. I suggest using 8.5 X 11 paper size, however, a larger size will work as we will be working from a jpeg.
Students of any grade level can submit their designs as a jpeg attachment to gmitas@gpsschool.org by February 28th.
Get Your GPS Logo Apparel
Show your school spirit and improve your wardrobe with our official GPS logo apparel. To order yours go to this website.
GPS Cares
Sweet Treats
In February we will be sharing how members of the GPS Community are making a difference, both big and small. If you are looking for a way to participate we found something sweet you can do right here in Granada Hills.
Just around the corner from GPS you will find a delightful candy shop called AusSam Candy. They have partnered with Maiden Community to collect handmade Valentine Cards and socks to deliver to Senior Centers all over the Valley. Cards and socks can be dropped off at AusSam Candy (17812 Chatsworth St.) until February 5th. And while you are there you can support their small business by purchasing the sweetest Valentine treats for your special someone or yourself!
What can you do to make the world a better place?
Create a free neighborhood library
Write positive chalkboard messages on your sidewalk
Put up a sign with an inspiring message on your window
Send needed items to a shelter
Put out snacks for delivery people
Write letters to those in need or to thank front line workers
Donate toys, books or clothing
Send cards or letters to family that you cannot be with
Bake cookies for a neighbor
We are looking for stories from anyone in our community that shows us taking action, big or small. A photo and a brief description can be emailed to gmitas@gpsschool.org.
Student Council News
Faculty Spotlight
Meet Gina Boulanger
This week we would like to showcase Gina Boulanger, who joined us this fall to support our Language Arts and Math programs in grades K-3. Gina Boulanger (aka Ms. Gina & Mrs. B) grew up in Bakersfield, CA, but moved to Northridge to attend CSUN for music education and never left the Valley. She has been in the education field for nearly her entire adult, and even teen years.
Prior to GPS, Gina taught at a local preschool where she later became the director and administrator. Her credentials include certificates in Early Childhood Education & Administration from UCLA. She has also owned a small virtual assistant business and worked with clients in several industries.
Gina is married to Coach B and they have two daughters: Faith, age 17 (CHA '17) and Rubimae aged 11. Her hobbies include watching and coaching softball and volleyball, watching Faith play basketball (soon to be a CSUSB 'Yote), playing guitar and ukulele, and various crafts such as crochet, baking, and making natural lotions and lip balms. She says that she “looks forward to being in the classroom with my students soon and I can't wait to see everyone in person!”
We at GPS are fortunate to have Gina Boulanger on our team!
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