Hello, April!

As we step into a new month, April brings us another chance to grow, connect, and spread kindness! Spring is (soon to be) in full bloom, and just as the world around us blossoms, so can our relationships with one another.

Last month, we focused on creating a bully-free environment, and it was inspiring to see so many students and families embrace kindness, inclusion, and respect. Your efforts make our community stronger every day!

This month, our theme is "Love Your Passengers"—a reminder to be kind, patient, and supportive of those around us. Whether on the bus, in the classroom, or at home, small acts of kindness can make a big difference in someone's day.

Here are some simple ways we can show love and kindness to our fellow passengers:

💙 Be a good listener—Take time to hear others and show that you care.
💙 Use kind words—A simple “thank you” or “great job” can brighten someone’s day.
💙 Help where you can—Offer a helping hand, share a smile, or check in on a friend.

Thank you for continuing to foster a community where kindness leads the way. Let’s make April a month filled with compassion, friendship, and positivity!

Warm Regards,
Mrs. Pierson

🎉BIG NEWS! 🎉 Our GBR Fun Run fundraiser kicks off soon! We’re raising $11,000 for new indoor/outdoor recess equipment and new makerspace items for STEAM education and we need your help. Save the date 📅 and stay tuned for more details on how you can support our cause.

💻 Sign up online at MyBooster.com – Teachers will send home info by Wednesday, April 9!

*Need help signing up? Video instructions HERE.

🎉 Fundraiser Kickoff in school – 04/14/2025

👟 Event Day – 04/25/2025

This year, when students get donations and share their donation link they will earn POINTS! The more donations, the more points they can earn! Families can redeem their points through the ONLINE REWARD STORE! There will be more options than ever to pick from! Sign up on Mybooster.com and view the reward store from your dashboard to see this year’s prize options!

Parent Information Video to share:
VIMEO LINK HERE

• Monday, April 7, 2025 - PTA Meeting, 6:15pm @ GBR
• Tuesday, April 8, 2025 - Fine Arts Night, 6:00pm to 7:00pm @ GBR
• Friday, April 18, 2025 - No School/Good Friday
• Monday, April 21, 2025 - No School/Easter Monday
• Thursday, April 24, 2025 - 1st & 2nd Grade Concert, 6:30pm @ GBR

Parents of 4th grade girls & 5th grade boys - please be on the lookout for letters from our nurse, Marlett Snoozy, about the upcoming "Always Changing, Growing Up" chat.

The Caring Kernel Award is given monthly to teacher nominated students who have shown to go above and beyond. Students are chosen for showing kindness to other at school or within the community, showing true Kernel spirit, having a positive attitude, demonstrating great sportsmanship at school activities, and overcoming hardships in school or at home.

The March 2025 student recipients are:

• K: Angela F.
• 1: Lucy C.
• 2: Nova A.
• 3: Ensley A.
• 4: Sofia A.
• 5: Lola H. (not pictured)

Thank you to the Kiwanis Club of Mitchell for sponsoring this honor!

The Attendance Award is given to the class with the BEST attendance each and every month. The March 2025 recipient is 5E. They won a pajama party from Mrs. Kapfer!

With spring weather finally approaching, please make sure your child comes to school dressed appropriately for the day. The temperatures can fluctuate each day. Please make sure your child comes to school with a spring jacket or a warm sweatshirt, as they will still be required to go outside for recess.

Attention parents: it is time to complete the annual update for your student(s). Please click below for further information on how to complete this necessary step in your child(ren)'s education!

Spring testing for our 3rd-5th grade students will be conducted through the month of April. These tests are mandatory for all students in grades 3 through 5 and are taken yearly. Here are some tips for your family if you have a student taking tests this year:

1. PERSPECTIVE

While these tests are important to assist in gauging the growth of learners, putting too much emphasis on your child's test scores can make them feel pressure that could negatively affect the outcome. No single test provides a clear picture of a learner.

2. SUPPORT HEALTHY HABITS

Sleep and nutrition can have a huge impact on your learner! One of the most helpful things you can do as a family is support these healthy habits to set learners up for success. Well-rounded meals and a healthy sleep routine will help to maximize your learner's potential!

3. TALK TO YOUR CHILD ABOUT TEST TAKING

Ask your child about taking tests. How do they feel about taking them? Help them to realize that this is a challenge to step up to, and not a contest. Talk to your child about the importance of doing their very best and representing themselves in the best possible way!

Did you know that Earth Day is on April 22nd? Find some fun activities to do on this day by clicking the link below!

In April we also celebrate Arbor Day! Often, Earth Day and Arbor Day are celebrated interchangeably. Below is an image that shows the differences between the two days.

Youth Art Month (YAM),an annual event traditionally celebrated in March, is a nationwide program that emphasizes the value of art education for all children and encourages support for quality K-12 visual art programs. Some artworks from GBR students are submitted to be in a competition and online gallery for the State South Dakota created by the organization South Dakota Art Educators Association.

Please check out the link below for the most recent school entries for Youth Art Month!

Congratulations to GBR's Haley H and Paetyn S for each earning Honorable Mention!

Yearbook order forms were previously sent home with your child(ren). If you are interested in ordering, please return your completed order form to the GBR school office no later than April 9, 2025.

Please see the fliers below for additional ordering information!

Toward the end of the year, students will have the opportunity to attend a field trip with their classmates. This is a privilege for each student and must be earned by being a positive and respectful leader at GBR. To determine which students are allowed to attend the field trip, we will review the individual student discipline referral, academic progress, and behavior actions. Again, this expectation was shared with all students at the beginning of the school year. Certainly, we want all students to represent our school in a positive manner if they earn the privilege to attend the field trip.

The following field trip dates have been scheduled:

Begindergarten - Monday, May 19, 2025 - Dodd Farm

Kindergarten - Wednesday, May 14, 2025 - SF Washington Pavilion

1st Grade - Thursday, May 22, 2025 - Brookings Children's Museum

2nd Grade - Monday, May 5, 2025 - Laura Ingalls Wilder in DeSmet

3rd Grade - Monday, April 28, 2025 - Sioux Falls Outdoor Campus

4th Grade - Monday, May 19, 2025 - Sioux Falls Air Madness and Picnic

5th Grade - Friday, May 9, 2025 - Sioux Falls Outdoor Campus

As the dates of the field trip get closer, your child's teacher(s) will send information home.

PLEASE review folders/backpacks/communication apps for this! 🎒

The room buzzed with excitement as Gertie Belle Rogers fourth graders learned the fundamentals of electricity and electrical safety on March 12.

Co-ops in the Classroom is an interactive program offered to area schools by Central Electric Cooperative and its wholesale power provider, East River Electric Power Cooperative. Protons, neutrons and electrons were a major topic of discussion as students took an educational journey into the exciting world of electricity.

Tara Miller of Central Electric taught the kids about the history of electricity and electric cooperatives. Jennifer Gross of East River Electric engaged students in hands-on demonstrations.

Children learned about electrical safety, generation, conservation and economics. A Van de Graaff generator demonstrated the movement of electrons with some hair-raising results.

"Playing with static electricity can be fun and educational," Gross said. "The Van de Graaff generator shows how electricity travels. Students get a kick out of seeing their hair stand up and shocking their friends."

Another device that invokes a lot of excitement is the pedal-power bicycle generator. Students become power plants as they provided energy for lights and small household devices.

"The pedal power turns the concept of electricity from something abstract into something tangible," Gross said. "By providing the energy needed to turn on a light bulb, the students are able to quantify how much more energy an incandescent light bulb requires compared to an LED."

Kids also learned about electrical safety in town and on the farm. By the end of the presentation, students developed a new understanding and appreciation for electricity.