Gearity PDS
1.30.26 Family Message
Greetings Gearity Families:
Teachers put their professional development day to good use analyzing your student's mid-year data. They have developed focused support plans for students who need assistance and can share progress on those plans when we have Parent Teacher Conferences at the end of the 3rd quarter. If you have any concerns about your student's performance, remember that you can schedule a conference at any time by either contacting the teacher or the office.
I know the weather has been a challenge, but a warm-up is on the way. As a reminder, the school is warm, safe and dry. Students will only go outside for recess if the temperature is above 28 degrees. Please make sure your student is attending school daily so they can continue to work on mastering their grade level standards.
PAWS Assembly: today, all grade levels had their PAWS assembly. We reviewed expectations for doing their Personal Best each day, Acting Responsible by completing all school work, Working and Playing Safe, and Showing Respect to all students and staff. We also recognized students who have exhibited the Character Strong trait of perseverance. The February Character Strong trait is Honesty and I am sharing some at home tips for reinforcing this expectation at home.
A few weeks ago, I shared a District parent survey. If you have not had a chance to complete the survey please do so by accessing the link HERE.
The Kalahari Fundraiser is Back! the school will once again be offering reduced price Kalahari tickets starting February 2nd. By purchasing the tickets through the school, you will be able to save $10 per ticket and you will be supporting school programming. Please note that there are blackout dates. We hope you will participate as this is a great way to reward your students for working hard at school. (Flyer is linked below for details)
Mr. Mc Nichols
Principal, Gearity Professional Development School
Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District
Peek at the Week
Kindergarten
Reading – Students are learning to identify the main topic and key details in informational texts.
Writing – Writing focuses on personal narratives using pictures and simple sentences.
Math – instruction emphasizes addition and subtraction within 10.
Parent Tips
Ask your child to tell one or two important facts from a book.
Encourage drawing and talking about a personal experience.
Practice adding and taking away small groups of objects at home.
Grade 1
Reading – Students are retelling stories and comparing characters’ experiences across texts.
Writing – emphasizes nonfiction pieces that share information.
Math – focuses on understanding place value concepts and solving simple word problems.
Parent Tips
Have your child retell a story using beginning, middle, and end.
Encourage writing facts about a topic of interest.
Use everyday numbers (prices, addresses) to talk about tens and ones.
Grade 2
Reading – Students are using text features and visuals to locate information and explain how authors support ideas.
Writing – focuses on expository pieces with clear facts.
Math – instruction strengthens place value understanding and number relationships.
Parent Tips
Ask how a character responds to events in a story.
Encourage explaining a topic using facts and details.
Practice grouping numbers and comparing values.
Grade 3
Reading – Students are analyzing characters, themes, and text structures in both fiction and nonfiction.
Writing – emphasizes opinion pieces supported with reasons and evidence.
Math – instruction continues to build multiplication, division, and problem-solving skills.
Parent Tips
Discuss how events connect in stories and what words mean in context.
Encourage explaining how something works step by step.
Use food or measuring activities to explore fractions.
Grade 4
Reading – Students are citing evidence from informational texts and analyzing text structure.
Writing – focuses on clear explanations using facts and details.
Math – instruction strengthens fraction concepts and problem solving.
Parent Tips
Ask your child to find evidence in the text to support answers.
Encourage organizing writing with clear sections.
Practice fractions through real-life examples like recipes.
Grade 5
Reading – Students are comparing points of view and analyzing how themes are developed across texts.
Writing – focuses on argumentative pieces with clear claims and evidence.
Math – instruction emphasizes place value understanding and applying math to problem solving.
Parent Tips
Discuss how different perspectives shape a story’s meaning.
Encourage supporting opinions with reasons and evidence.
Practice working with large numbers and explaining math thinking aloud.
Important Links!
School Supply Lists: Gearity Elementary
Food Service: You can see the monthly menus by clicking on this link.
Registration Information: New student registration can be completed online or in person. Find instructions, required documents, and contact information here. Please share the registration link with new neighbors or friends who may need help getting their children registered for the start of the school year.
Student Code of Conduct: Link to the Student Code of Conduct and Anti-Bully forms.
Upcoming Events
February 6 - Gearity Reading Challenge Starts
February 12th - School Market
February 13th - Teacher Independent Work Day (No Students)
February 16th - President's Day (No School)
February 17th - PTA Meeting (Meeting Link)
February 23rd - 27th Black History Month Spirit Week
February 27th - PAWS Assembly
