Laternlein #17: From Kindergarten to Middle School: January Updates at GIS
Exploring the Next Step: Kindergarten & Grade 1 Classroom Visit
Thursday January 15, 4:00–5:00 PM
Families with children heading into Kindergarten or Grade 1 next year are invited to stop by for a relaxed, drop-in classroom visit. Teachers will be in their classrooms to answer questions, share curriculum highlights, and help families understand what to expect in the next grade level. Children are welcome and encouraged to attend with you.
Parent Talk: Communication with Pre-Teens & Teens
Thursday, January 15, 6:30–7:30 PM in The Fox Den
Parenting pre-teens and teens can feel like walking a fine line between staying connected and managing growing independence. This evening event with Austin Pritchard, LMFT is designed for parents who want connection, not combat.
The conversation will cover practical tools for communication, healthy boundaries, navigating collective anxieties, and supporting your child through this developmental stage.
Financial Aid Applications Opening Soon
Applications Open: Wednesday, January 20
Financial aid applications for the 2026–2027 school year will open on January 20. Families are encouraged to review the financial aid packet available in the Parent Portal under Resource Documents.
Application deadline: February 23
This deadline applies to the first round of awards
Hands-On Sustainability in German Kindergarten
German Kindergarten is collecting materials for an upcoming recycling project and would appreciate community support.
They are looking for:
Gently used clean pizza boxes
Colorful plastic bottle tops
Items may be dropped off in the Kindergarten classrooms (preferred) or at the front desk. Thank you for supporting hands-on, creative learning.
4th Grade Middle School Visitation Day
Tuesday, January 21
Fourth grade students will spend a full day experiencing life in Middle School through academic mini-classes and special activities. This visit helps students feel confident and prepared for the transition ahead.
Logistics to note:
Drop-off and pick-up at the Brigadoon campus (SW 141st Ave entrance)
Extended Care students will be escorted to Murray at 3:00 PM
Students should bring lunch, snack, and a water bottle
Hot lunch will be served at Brigadoon
Medications typically handled at Murray will be available at Brigadoon
For questions, families may contact Nancy Teskey or Anja Konrad.
EP Early Dismissal In-Service Day: Registration Open
Don’t forget, Friday, January 16 is a Staff Development Day
Registration is now open for EP Early Dismissal In-Service Day. Please be sure to register by Thursday, January 15 to ensure coverage.
Middle School Parent Coffee Gathering
Join the middle school directors for coffee, tea and cookies while you chat about Inquiry, Agency and Choice in the Middle School.
January 21 at 7:40am at the Fox Hideout at Brigadoon. Grade School families welcomed!
Interest Survey: 3rd/4th Grade Interscholastic Basketball (Spring)
GIS is exploring the possibility of offering 3rd/4th Grade Interscholastic Basketball this spring and would like to gauge family interest.
Potential team options include:
Boys team
Girls team
Coed team (depending on interest)
Tentative timeline:
Practices begin approximately two weeks before games
Games begin about four weeks prior to Spring Break
Families with interested students are encouraged to reach out directly to help with planning.
Email Louis Rivera with interest or questions.
Open Library Starts Next Week!
Starting next week, the Grade School library (bottom floor) will be open to parents/guardians during drop off time (7:40-8:15am) every Thursday. They can check out books on their students' accounts. Parents wishing to visit the Early Elementary Library should come to the Grade School library first and ask for assistance, since we won't always have staffing upstairs the whole time. We will try this for 4 weeks; and continue if there is good interest!
