A Note from Principal Tony Byers
When I was teaching, I spent one winter break building all new furniture for my classroom, with help from a well-tooled parent. It’s the kind of thing you do when you’re a new teacher. I finished work at around 4AM on Monday morning, only a few hours before students returned to school. Hear more from Tony >>



December Assembly:
Sharing Student Work
There's nothing like the look on a child's face when he or she feels proud. That look was rampant during our December Assembly! Read more >>



G&P Market
The G&P Market continues to be a great success! Once a month, we fill the front lobby with FREE fresh fruit and vegetables and lots of staples like cereal, pasta and beans. Please stop by and take advantage of this great opportunity! Big thanks as always to the Mayor’s Office, Food for Free and all of the staff and parent volunteers who helped out. The next market will be Thursday, January 14 from 2:30-5PM. All are welcome. Please stop by!



LAST CHANCE!
JK/Kindergarten Registration 
for G&P Siblings
Sibling registrations are DUE JANUARY 8.
In order to get sibling preference, you must register by contacting Lauren, the G&P Family Liaison. After January 8th, you will have to register at the Family Resource Center at CRLS. If your younger child will be 4.5 or older by August 31st, 2016, she or he is eligible for Junior Kindergarten or Kindergarten in 2016.



Teacher Spotlight: Liana Trail
Get to know our awesome art teacher! Read on >>



Teacher Spotlight: Karima Cherguaoui
Meet our wonderful ELL teacher! Read on >>



Improving Family/School
Communication at G&P
G&P Families – we hear you loud and clear. The Steering Committee has analyzed the results from the G&P Family/School Communication Survey conducted in the Spring of 2015. Hear all about the results >>                                      

Fostering Reading through Talk!
If you walk past the library around 1pm on any given Friday, you will see a group of eight to 15 students sitting in a circle eating their lunches and talking about books. They are participating in a Chat 'n' Chew. Learn more >>



Math & Technology Corner
This week G&P celebrated Hour of Code week with Jen Lavalle in the computer lab. Kids from K to 5 explored the world of beginning computer programming and had a blast.

On Wednesday, Kindergarten classes celebrated math with a family math curriculum breakfast and a parent meeting with math coach Claire Dahill to discuss ways to encourage mathematical thinking at home. Both coding and mathematical thinking activities encourage our students to become expert problem-solvers.

Here are just a few of our favorite technology resources for developing problem-solving skills in primary grade students:
–Code.org puzzles (All ages)
–Scratch Jr. iPad App (JK-2): http://apple.co/1JElWoQ
–Kodable on the iPad (JK-2): http://apple.co/1Jc4A81
–Native Numbers App (JK/K): http://apple.co/1PsXT2z
–Mathplayground.com (Grades 3-5)
–Bedtimemath.org (All ages)

Go Problem-Solving!
–Jen and Claire



Physical Education Corner
What’s Happening in January
K-3rd: This month students in PE in grades K-3 will be participating in creative and rhythmic movement activities. Students will be learning how to dance to a specific rhythmic sequence as well as create their own dance. 
4th Grade: The 4th graders will be participating in our 8 week swimming unit at the War Memorial Pool. Students will learn and practice swimming skills and how to be safe in and around a pool. 
5th Grade: The 5th graders will be participating in our ballroom dance unit. Students will learn how to dance five different ballroom styles and the unit will culminate with a dance showcase at the CRLS gym in March!

Start the New Year with an Active Life Style!
Try a few of these quick and simple exercises to keep you warm and fit during the cold winter months. Try them as a family – staying active together can help children build confidence and teach them the importance of physical activity to lead a healthy and happy life.
–Do jumping jacks for one minute, rest and repeat!
–Play catch with your child
–Make up a dance to your favorite song
–Jog in place during TV/radio commercials
–Go out for a brisk walk for 10 minutes with your family/friends



Get Involved at G&P!

Friends of G&P Update

Winter Family Fun Night 2016 
Friday, January 8, 5:30-7:30PM 
Friends of G&P invites you to a cozy night of winter themed crafts and games for all ages. We will be serving hot cocoa to warm you up. Please bring a dessert to share at our potluck dessert table. You can also bring a picnic dinner for your family to eat in the cafeteria. Come and meet other G&P families, share some winter cheer, and have fun!

Our first ever G&P Dance-a-thon!
Saturday, January 30, 2PM
Volunteers are needed to help transform our simple gym into a fun place to dance! Keep an eye out for our flyers.

FCEP Update

First Friday Coffee
Friday, January 8, 9:30AM
Family Cultural Exchange Program (FCEP) will be having another "First Friday Coffee" at Bourbon Coffee on Friday, January 8th immediately after the G&P Parent Coffee Talk, since we thought some of you would like to attend. We will meet in the school library at 9:30AM and walk over to Bourbon Coffee - 1815 Mass Ave. You can also meet us there if you prefer.

Save the Dates

Friday, February 26th: G&P Family Movie Night
Tuesday, March 1st: Election Day Volunteers Needed
Wednesday, March 16th: Staff Appreciation Lunch