The Fall 2007 Newsletter contains some news and notes from the first few months of the school year.

• Postcard Winners
• Parent Conferences
• Christmas Shoppe
• Christmas Programs

Just to list a few!

Postcard Winners

First received: The Hunter Family
Farthest: Shaunessy Hanrahan
Most Interesting: Sean Sherwin
Thank you to all who sent in postcards.

Enrollment Update

The number of students enrolled, including homeschoolers, stands at 427! Thank you for your involvement here at GCCS.

T-Shirts for the Troops

The eighth grade class is collecting new T-shirts for the wounded at Walter Reed Medical Hospital.  Please send in Large or XL T-shirts by November 3^rd.  Thank you for supporting our troops.

Christmas Concert Information

GCCS will be having two Christmas concerts this year.  Please make note of these dates and times:

• Thursday, December 13, 2007 7:00 pm in the school gym for PreK - 3rd Grades and the Junior/Senior High choirs.
• Friday, December 14, 2007 7:00pm in the school gym for 4^th-6^th grades and the Junior/Senior High choirs.

Academic Day Judges Needed

GCCS is hosting the Junior High Academic and Fine Arts Competitions again.  We are always in need of judges so this plea is starting earlier than usual.  The categories include:  art, music, speech and Bible Teaching/Preaching.  If you are able or know someone who is able to judge please contact the office.

Soccer Update

Our fall soccer teams are doing well.  The combined record of all four teams is 36 wins, 10 losses, and 3 ties.  Both varsity teams will be in the league playoffs.  Come out and support your teams.

Nurse's Note

The HIPAA laws have been designed to ensure privacy of your medical history.  The jurisdiction of the laws effects what information I, as the school nurse, can/cannot discuss regarding each student.  I have all medical information confidentially kept in my office, BUT these laws prevent me from sharing any medical conditions with the students' teachers.

Therefore, if your child has a pre-existing medical condition or a chronic problem (e.g. severe allergic reactions, diabetes, asthma, migraines, etc.) PLEASE inform your child's teacher, gym teacher, etc. of such.  Please keep this in mind especially for birthday parties, extra curricular activities, sports, field trips, cultural days, etc.  Your cooperation in this is greatly appreciated.  If you have any questions or concerns, please call Mrs. Haines at school (Monday-Friday, 11:30 AM to 3 PM).

Aftercare/After Hours Guidelines

• Parents who have children in the Aftercare program should write a note to the child's teacher if Aftercare plans change. The teacher should be made aware if the child will not be staying and who is picking them up.
• Students on campus after school (3:30 p.m.) are not to be wandering around on campus. They are to be in Aftercare or a specific place, (ie. brother's soccer game, at the "waiting benches", working with a teacher, etc.) Please make sure your child knows where he/she is to go.

Parent Conferences

Parent/Teacher conferences will be held on Monday, November 26^th from 12:30-8:00 and Tuesday, November 27^th from 3:30-7:00.  Students will be dismissed at 12:00 on Monday.  Parents of 7^th-12^th grade students are given the option of scheduling an appointment to meet with the teacher.  The teacher will indicate on the report card if a conference is required.  Conferences are required for  parents of PreK- 6^th grade students.  You can call the school office to set up an appointment.

Christmas Shoppe

The GCCS Christmas Shoppe will be held Tuesday-Thursday, December 4^th-6^th in the C-Building all purpose room.  Please continue to send in items.  We can use individually wrapped candy and cookies, toys, jewelry, teas, coffees, hot chocolate, stationary, men's and women's gift items, etc.  We appreciate your help.  More information will be coming home soon.

Upcoming Dates

Nov 1-2              Teacher's Convention (No School)
Nov 9                 Teacher In-Service Dismiss at Noon (NO AFTERCARE)
Nov 8                 End of 1^st Marking Period
Nov 12-15          Student Leadership Conference
Nov 16               Report cards issued
Nov 21               Grandparent's Day Noon dismissal
                              Report Cards returned
Nov 22-23          Thanksgiving (No School)
Nov 26                Parent Conferences (12:30-8:00)
Nov 27                Parent Conferences (3:30-7:00)

Keep sending  in Campbell Soup UPC'S and Box Tops Squares.  We appreciate your help.

In-Service Date Added

Faculty and staff will have a special In-Service meeting Friday, November 9th.  School will be dismissed at 12 noon.  There is no after-care that day.  We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.