Gearity PDS
1.9.26 Family Message
Greetings Gearity Families:
It is hard to believe that we are halfway through the 25-26 school year. We have been reviewing student performance on the MAP assessments and generally are seeing a lot of growth. Our primary students are currently participating in Acadience testing which will let us know how well they are mastering their grade level reading skills. The intermediate students will take Interim assessments over the next two weeks to let us know how well they are mastering grade level content from quarter 2.
School Climate: I want to thank you all for reinforcing our PAWS expectations at home. Everyday we work with our students to ensure that they are giving us their Personal Best effort, Acting Responsibly by completing their work, Working and Playing safe, and Showing respect to all. When you have more than 400 students in a building things will happen, but generally we continue to have limited discipline issues. I also want to thank you for making sure your students come to school as our chronic absence rate has improved by almost 8% over the same time last year.
Family Survey: Our school staff members are working hard to provide your students with a safe a focused learning environment. We know that we have quality programs in place but are always looking for ways to improve how we serve our families. Please take a moment to complete the Family Feedback Survey HERE.
Read-a-thons Coming: The superintendent is sponsoring a book reading contest and the winner will get a brand new bike. You can have your children record the books they read on this reading log. The contest will run until the first week of March. Gearity will be hosting a Read-a-thon next month with school based incentives to read - more details to come soon!
Mark your calendar for the Gearity Family Dance: the family dance will be on January 23rd from 6:00 - 7:30. Mr. Sullivan professionally DJs and will create an amazing dance environment with lights and special effects in the gym for our families. We usually get a large turnout and hope you can join us as this is a great opportunity to meet your student's classmates and their families. The PTA will be selling food as a fundraiser. Please consider volunteering to help with concessions either with food sales or by donating to the cause. You can sign up using this link!
Mr. Mc Nichols
Principal, Gearity Professional Development School
Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District
Peek at the Week
Kindergarten
Reading – students are identifying key details in stories and retelling important events.
Writing – in writing, they are creating personal narratives using drawings and simple sentences.
Math – math instruction emphasizes addition, subtraction, and solving simple word problems.
Parent Tips
Ask your child to tell you who and what a story is about.
Encourage drawing and talking about a personal experience before writing.
Practice counting objects and solving simple “how many” questions during daily routines.
Grade 1
Reading – students completed Unit 2 assessments and demonstrated understanding of informational texts.
Writing – writing focuses on creating invitations or maps with clear information.
Math – math instruction builds place value understanding and measurement concepts.
Parent Tips
Read nonfiction texts and ask your child to share facts they learned.
Have your child explain directions or draw a simple map of a familiar place.
Practice counting by tens and ones using household items.
Grade 2
Reading – students are comparing story versions, and identifying text features.
Writing – students are writing personal narratives with clear beginnings, middles, and endings.
Math – focuses on shapes, equal shares, and strengthening fact fluency.
Parent Tips
Ask how two stories are alike or different.
Encourage storytelling about past events with details.
Look for shapes around the house and discuss their attributes.
Grade 3
Reading – students are identifying themes, character traits, and points of view.
Writing – emphasizes stating opinions with supporting reasons.
Math – instruction strengthens multiplication, division, and problem-solving skills.
Parent Tips
Discuss lessons learned from stories and character choices.
Ask your child to share an opinion and explain why.
Practice math facts using games or flashcards.
Grade 4
Reading – students are citing evidence, analyzing text structure, and comparing texts.
Writing – focuses on explaining topics clearly with facts and details.
Math – instruction emphasizes fraction understanding and operations.
Parent Tips
Ask your child to support answers with evidence from the text.
Encourage explaining how things work using steps or facts.
Practice fraction concepts during cooking or measuring activities.
Grade 5
Reading – students are analyzing themes, comparing texts, and understanding how text structure supports meaning.
Writing – emphasizes well-organized expository pieces.
Math – instruction deepens understanding of fraction operations and problem-solving.
Parent Tips
Discuss themes and how authors develop ideas.
Encourage writing explanations using clear organization.
Have your child explain how they solved a fraction problem step by step.
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
January 19th - No School for MLK Day
January 21 - Pre-K Vision and Hearing Screening
January 23rd - PAWS Assemblies
January 23rd - Family Dance from 6:00 - 7:30
January 26th - Professional Development Day (No Students)
January 27th - PTA Meeting
February 12th - School Market
February 13th - Teacher Independent Work Day (No Students)
February 16th - President's Day (No School)
