Gretna Public Schools – Palisades Elementary - 16820 Chutney Dr. - Omaha, NE. 68136 - 402.895.2194

Visit the Gretna District Website and links to all the schools at https://www.gpsne.org/home

Gretna Public Schools

The mission of Gretna Public Schools is to accept all students

unconditionally and maximize their potential.

Goals

1. To develop a positive educational environment that accepts all students and emphasizes their intellectual, physical, emotional and social development.

2. To adopt financial policies that ensure quality educational facilities, equipment, and materials to aid in the accomplishment of the district’s educational goals.

3. To attract and retain highly qualified personnel and promote opportunities for their professional growth and development.

4. To develop students’ knowledge and values so they will be effective participants in our democratic society.

5. To develop academic skills in the areas of reading, writing, computing, listening, and speaking so students may effectively interact in our society.

6. To provide opportunities for students to gain an appreciation for the fine and performing arts.

7. To provide educational programs, which allow students to identify and achieve their career goals and emphasize the value of hard work.

8. To introduce students to a variety of activities which encourage them to develop morally, physically, socially, academically, emotionally and spiritually.

School Day Hours

8:00am – 3:00pm Monday - Friday

Activities Calendar

October 18 NO SCHOOL 21 Bus Driver Appreciation Week 21 Club Calm 3:00-3:45pm 22 Grade 3 Gretna Bus Tour 24 Picture Retake Day (A.M.) 24 PTO Meeting 3:15pm 25 School Spirit Day 28-31 Red Ribbon Week (see below for details) 31 Fall Class Party & Costume Parade (1:30pm Parade with party to follow) November 1 NO SCHOOL

No School Friday, October 18th

#BeKind

10/17/19

Principal’s Corner

Guiding your children through the process of making healthy choices will teach him or her how to put their values into action. The end result is a child who feels good about his or herself and stands strong in his or her convictions, even in the face of peer pressure.

Each day, our children are presented with many choices. Each choice reveals their values, defines their character and acts as a foundation for making future choices. It is important to teach young children how healthy choices make a difference in the quality of their lives.

If we want our children to think before they act, we must give them the opportunity to practice. We must teach them how to think about the consequences of their choices.

Have a wonderful long weekend!

Student pictures were sent home today. We know that some students were not present on picture day or parents may need a retake done. Picture retakes are scheduled for Thursday, October 24th. For retakes, please be sure to follow the instruction on the portrait envelope.

SAVE THE DATE!

PTO Lancers Hockey Family Night Friday, November 22nd

Stay connected to school events and the community. Be sure to check out what’s

new under the “Printable Flyers” link!

2020 Gretna Youth Wrestling Hy-Vee Fall Festival Lift Up Sarpy Flyer

Battin 4 Batten Softball Tournament (Will be using the rainout date 10/20)

Gretna Public Library Activities Calendar Post Prom Trunk or Treat

GBA 2019 Basketball Programs Gretna Community Gym Use Guidelines & App

Gretna Public Schools Mobile App 2019-2020 School Calendar

2019-2020 Preschool Calendar

Red Ribbon Week

October 28-31, 2019 We will be celebrating Red Ribbon Week October 28th-31st. Please take a moment to read about our drug-free activities for the week. MONDAY – BE KIND TO YOUR BODY (wear Kindness shirts)

TUESDAY – COLOR YOUR WORLD DRUG FREE (wear your assigned color)

Kindergarten – Green

1st Grade – Yellow

2nd Grade – Orange

3rd Grade – Red

4th Grade-Violet

5th Grade-Blue

Specialists-Any color

WEDNESDAY – PUT A CAP ON DRUGS (wear your favorite cap/hat)

THURSDAY – SAY BOO TO DRUGS (wear Halloween costume to scare away drugs)

Palisades School Counselor, Amy Mullenberg

The Red

Ribbon

symbolizes a

commitment

to a healthy

lifestyle…free

from drugs.

Say BOO to Drugs! Don’t be tricked – drugs are NO treat!

O ur theme this year:

As the temperatures begin to drop it is very important that the children come to school properly dressed. All students will be going outside for recess. This means that pants, not shorts, along with coats, hats, and mittens should be worn as the weather dictates. It is also helpful to mark items with your child’s name.

Fall collection deadline for Box Tops is October 25th! Keep clipping and scanning for our Spring collection!!

From the Guidance Department…

Arguing How sad it is that so many young people in our world have come to believe that constant manipulation is the best way to get what you want! Love and Logic offers a very powerful way of breaking kids of this damaging habit. The first step involves reminding ourselves that it is okay if our kids get upset about a limit we have set. Sometimes we have to allow our kids to be upset in the short term so that they can become responsible and happy in the long term. The second step requires going "brain dead." The less we think about what an arguing child is saying, the more energy we'll have at the end of the day. The third step involves calmly repeating the very same "one-liner,” regardless of what the child says. Examples include: ü What did I say? ü I love you too much to argue. ü That's a good argument, but your last

one was better. ü I argue at 6 a.m. on Saturdays. ü I know.

To learn more about parenting kids who love to argue, read our book, Love and Logic Magic When Kids Leave You Speechless.

Kind words can be short and easy

to speak

but their echoes are truly endless.

~ Mother Teresa

Halloween Party Guidelines

1. Children will be allowed to change into their costumes at 1:15pm and the parade will start at 1:30pm. 2. All visitors are asked to stop and get a green visitor sticker before going to the gym for the parade. 3. After the parade, all students will return to their classrooms for activities and treats. 4. Costumes should come to school in a bag or sack. Children should not wear costumes to school in the morning. Parents and teachers will help students put on their costumes prior to the parade. 5. Costumes should be age appropriate, NO WEAPONS PLEASE. 6. No face makeup will be used for the school party. It is too uncomfortable and disruptive to wear all day. Students will not be allowed to apply face paint or hairspray at school. 7. Be aware, parking will be difficult. We ask that parents use the Northwest parking lot by the playground area. Please do not park in posted fire lanes, or on the East side of the building. This area is reserved for staff, school buses, and daycare vans. Please be courteous to our Palisades neighbors by not blocking, or parking in, private driveways. 8. We do not have enough bathroom space for all the students to change into costumes in private. Students should be able to put on their costumes in their classrooms. 9. Children do not have to wear costumes. Everyone will be able to join in the fun and games. 10. The party is optional. Parents may ask to have their children excused from the party (please send a noteor email). If the child leaves for just the party, no absence will be recorded. If a child does not come to school at all, a full day absence will be recorded. 11. A lot of planning and preparation goes into these parties. We thank our parents for their hard work and effort in making this a successful and fun time!