Dear GCS Families,
We are in the final countdown as we approach the last of activities, gatherings, and special events that this school year has to bring. There are so many moments to reflect on how far your children have come and all of the growth and joy still to come their way. I hope you enjoyed reading about the many steps of development they have made in the year end Children’s Observation Forms. Your children’s teachers worked very hard to assess and share this information with you and I know how proud you all must be.
KINDNESS, COMPASSION & UNDERSTANDING
It is always a goal here at GCS to help the children in our care gain a better understanding of kindness, compassion, and understanding. We had two amazing experiences this month that did just that:
First, help me in thanking a special guest, Master Sergeant Michael Kennedy, for his service and for helping us learn more about what Memorial Day is all about. He joined us with his daughter, Kelly, and wife Jean (who also happens to be a GCS Teacher in the Purple and Big Rooms), for a Remembrance Ceremony as the children shared special music, and Mike helped us to place flags in our Memory Garden.
Secondly, and WOW – our entire GCS Community certainly came through in supporting the Kindergarten Kindness Bake Sale and giant “B” bank collection that was in the front lobby for “Be Like Brit”. Thank you for purchasing bake goods and for encouraging your children to do extra helpful things at home to earn change to add to the “B”ank. It was great fun watching children proudly climb up the steps and listen to their coins as they slowly clanked along the mental chambers. After sorting, counting, and adding, the total collection amounted to $1179.50 for both endeavors. Please see the display in the front lobby for the items the Kindergarten Class selected to purchase with their earnings. We are so grateful that Cherylann Gengel (Executive Director), came to GCS for two separate visits to meet with the children and share the foundation’s mission and inspirational work. The entire school gathered in the lobby to greet her with song on her final trip to collect the “giant” check. Please check out their website at www.Belikebrit.org for more information on how you can be part of this amazing and heartfelt story.
SPRING SPRUCE-UP
We are truly grateful to those board members, families and staff who gathered in early May to help with some much-needed playground work during our Spring Spruce-Up. We were able to accomplish so much together, including spreading mulch for safety (and aesthetics), planting grass seed, and repairing the playhouses. Thank you to Building & Grounds Co-Chairs, Jess Barie & Jesi Clinton for organizing this year’s Spruce-Up, and to those who also volunteered their time and skills: Ryan Bell, Jason Lambert, Brian Simakauskas, Lisa Stafford, Melissa Sulprizio, Andy Tirella, Seth West and Mac Wishart. Thank you to Jess and Jesi, as well, for to putting together the playground fairy and construction site gardens!
COMMMUNITY ROOM
The big news that we have to share is that our long-awaited Community Room is almost complete –complete enough to be used in these last two weeks of the school year. Our amazing GCS Staff, Board of Directors, and Trustees had a celebratory gathering last Friday evening to share the beautiful space, as well as to honor milestone longevity years of some of GCS finest staff. This year, staff honorees included Jean Kennedy (5 years), Inga Nuccio (20 years), Terri Martin & Lisa Stafford (30 years each), and Linda Kosinski (40 years). Our staff is what GCS is made of, so please join us in congratulating the commitment of these fine ladies. While we will have a special Open House in the fall for the Community Room, for now we will have some movement classes there this week, along with some year-end gatherings as we finish up details of staging, cabinetry, and AV equipment. Summer Camp will also benefit from its use with the hot summer days upon us.
CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to the Ellis family on the birth of their son, Chase (sister, Jayna, is in the MWF AM Blue Room), and to the O’Hare family on the birth of their son, Luke (sister, June, is also in the MWF AM Blue Room).
THANK YOU!
We are always grateful for our Stock the Staff Room volunteers each month. Thank you to Jaime Doucette, Jillian Doyle, Meagan Doyle, Kara Dumont, Kristina Hepburn, Kristen Lampros, Erica Tamlyn and Catherine West for May contributions.
Thank you to the following families who made donations to the school in May: The Fiori family for art supplies & a game, Princess Hernandez for a cake for the Staff, the Beckwith family for lots of Legos, and to the Lampros family for Dunkin Donuts, also for the Staff.
Until next time,
Linda Kosinski, GCS Director
DATES TO REMEMBER
Friday, June 6th
GCS Family Picnic, 5:00 PM
Monday, June 9th
Board Meeting, 7:30 PM
Wednesday, June 11th
Last Day of School
Tuesday, June 17th
Full Day Camp Begins
Tuesday, July 8th
Session 1 Begins
Tuesday, July 22nd
Session 2 Begins
Thursday, August 14th
Full Day Camp Ends