JGE MAY 2026

The last day of school is just around the corner, and it’s hard to believe how quickly the year has flown by! Our students have worked so hard and learned so much. Thank you to our amazing staff, students, and families for making this year so special. We hope everyone has a fantastic summer break, you’ve earned it!

Please ask your child to check the lost & found. There is a clothing rack located in the lobby and another located in the cafeteria. Parents and Guardians are more than welcome to also come in and look through it. After the last day of school what is left will be donated.

Return all Library books & payments for lost books by Friday May 22nd.

Please check Skyward Fees to pay any obligations on your student's account.

You may also update your child's attendance on Skyward, as long as it is within 10 days.

**Download the Skyward app on any mobile device for easy access**

📌NEW Next Year 26/27

As we prepare for the upcoming school year, please note that teacher requests

cannot be accommodated.

Please know that class placements are carefully developed using a variety of factors, including academic needs, learning styles, social dynamics, and overall class balance. Our goal is to create well-rounded classrooms that support the success of all students.

Because of this comprehensive process, we are not able to accommodate requests for specific teachers. We are confident that every member of our teaching staff is dedicated to providing a positive and effective learning experience for all students.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support.

It's time for our annual Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week! We will be celebrating Monday, May 4th through Friday May 8th. Our theme this year is " TEACHERS, THEY'LL BE THERE FOR YOU." This is our time to show our teachers and staff how grateful we are for all they do for our children every day.

SPIRIT DAYS

Monday: Mis-Match - Wear your wackiest outfit

Tuesday: Twinning Tuesday - Find a friend and partner up!

Wednesday: Hat day

Thursday: PJ Day - Wear your pajamas to school

Friday: James Gettys / Warrior Gear

Our PTO sent out a Sign Up Genius to parents and Guardians to their email. We encourage families and students to join us in

recognizing their efforts and showing appreciation throughout the week!

Make sure to check the correct grade and the correct day.

You are welcome to attend grades K-2 Field Day on Tuesday, May 5 from 9:00-11:00. Rain date: May 7.

Field day will take place on the grassy area behind the primary playground. The students will participate and travel nine stations with their class throughout the morning.

Please have your child wear athletic sneakers, comfortable sports/play shorts and any James Gettys School t-shirt or our school colors maroon and white. It may be a sunny day so wear sunscreen, sunglasses, and bring a water bottle. Please no swimsuits.

Please go directly to the sign-in table on the primary playground/blacktop area when you arrive. You must sign in at that table and obtain a Field Day Visitor badge to participate. All Visitors must wear a Visitor Badge and it must be visible on your shirt. Please do not enter field day in any other area. Those areas will be monitored. There will be signs to direct you to Field Day. If you need to enter the building for any reason, you will need to check in through the main office.

You are welcome to attend grades 3-5 Field Day on Thursday, May 7 from 1:00-3:00. Rain date: May 8.

Field Day will be held behind the school on the fields. The students will be traveling to a variety of nine different stations.

Please remind your student to wear athletic sneakers, comfortable sports/play shorts and any James Gettys School t-shirt or our school colors maroon and white. It may be a sunny day so wear sunscreen, sunglasses, and bring a water bottle. Please no swimsuits.

Please go directly to the sign-in table on the primary playground/blacktop area when you arrive. You must sign in and obtain a Field Day Visitor badge in order to participate. All Visitors must wear a Visitor Badge and it must be visible on your shirt. Please do not enter field day in any other area. There will be signs to direct you to Field Day. If you need to enter the building for any reason, you will need to check in through the office.

If you will be taking your student home after field day, please read the following directions.

• At the end of field day, please make your way to the tables located near Door 7 (near modular). There will be a table for each grade. Please sign your student out at the appropriate table. If you have younger siblings that will also be going home with you, please note their name(s) when signing out your 3-5 student.
• After signing out your student, a staff member will get your student and have them come out to you.

**Please note there is no entry into the school without being checked in by the office

Our last fundraiser for this school year is happening now!

The R&K Subs fundraiser has started and orders are due Monday, May 11th.

Delivery pick-up will be Wednesday, May 20th from 3:45pm-5:30pm in our school cafeteria. Parents/Guardians will pick up their entire order and distribute accordingly, please.

Cash or Check made payable to James Gettys Elementary PTO. Please submit ONE check per order, and please include an adult contact for the student with phone number or email address.

If you have any questions, please contact Jennie Harrison at J_Harrison167@yahoo.com.

We warmly invite all families to become part of our school’s Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)! The PTO plays an important role in supporting our students, staff, and school community through fun events, helpful programs, and meaningful volunteer opportunities. Joining the PTO is a great way to stay informed, share your ideas, and make a positive impact, whether you can give a little time or a lot.

Please reach out to Jennie Harrison at J_Harrison167@yahoo.com

May 2026-

As we approach the end of the school year, we want to express our gratitude for the time you’ve shared with us. It’s been a privilege to serve as your GASD Family Navigators, and we truly appreciate the connections we’ve made this school year.

Before summer begins, we hope you’ll join us one (or more) last time—whether to share feedback, ask a question, or simply say hello. We’d love to see you to tie up any loose ends and, of course, celebrate a great year together! Meet us here →

Wednesday, May 6
9:30–11:30 AM
Gettysburg Dunkin’

Wednesday, May 20
9:30–11:30 AM
Adams County Library (basement)

Fun Family Event Opportunity!

Join us for a fun, free, family-friendly "Salamander" hike, hosted at the beautiful Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve (info below). This slow-paced, short walk is led by an expert education director and naturalist. This event is a perfect way for families to get outdoors, enjoy nature, and spot some local wildlife together! We hope to see you there! Space is limited, so please be sure to register using this sign-up link : https://square.link/u/AZTyqWAX

Saturday, May 2

10:00 AM–12:00 PM

Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve

1537 Mt. Hope Rd. Fairfield, PA 17320

*If you or someone you know needs support with food, clothing, or any other resources, please don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re here to help.

Hello families,

Now that it is Spring we have been working hard in the garden.

We transplanted strawberries from our old garden in the fall. We did not think that they would survive over the winter but they surprised us. We also planted pumpkins from the kindergarten classes. Mrs. Daniels was doing a project with the classes and let us use the pumpkin and we just planted the pumpkin so the seeds can do their thing and hopefully get us some pumpkins for next fall!

We transplanted broccoli and cauliflower. The broccoli did better than the cauliflower. Only one cauliflower was successful. Also broccoli got eaten by some sort of animal. So we are going to build and fence or some sort of netting.

Mrs. Peterman`s dad delivered mulch and Blocks 1 and 2 mulched to the garden bed with roses / daffodils . We laid down a newspaper and poured water on it so the newspaper would blow away. We put the newspaper down so the weeds could not come up.

Mrs. Stone also came in to plant red pack tree seedlings around the playground with Block 3. Some of the college soccer team came in to help!

I hope you enjoyed reading my update and stay tuned for more information.

At the end of this school year, we will be saying a heartfelt goodbye to two wonderful educators who are retiring, our Reading Specialist, Mrs. Cooley, and Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Becker. If your child has had either of these amazing teachers, or you know of anyone who has, we invite you to help us celebrate their impact by writing them a heartfelt note or message of appreciation. Notes can be turned in to the main office to Beckie or Brandy, and we will present them to the teachers on the last day of school as a special send-off. Thank you for helping us honor their years of dedication and care!

Feel free to email with any questions to rcarroll@gasd-pa.org.

You may also email a written letter if that is easier and it can be printed.

Thank you!

GASD's Seamless Summer Food Service Program is returning this summer, providing FREE breakfast and lunch to children throughout the community. Kids up to age 18 and GASD-enrolled students with disabilities up to age 21 can enjoy free meals, regardless of economic status or school district.

DATES & TIMES:

Monday through Thursday from June 17 through August 6

In-Person Lunch: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Closed: Fridays

LOCATION:

Gettysburg Area Middle School Cafeteria

37 Lefever St., Gettysburg PA 17325

Please remember, parents and coaches must stay and supervise. Breakfast will be available as grab-n-go, but all other meals must be eaten on site.