Gearity PDS

Greetings Gearity Families:

The week of May 4th - 8th is Teacher Appreciation Week. It's time to show our Gearity Teachers and Staff some love by treating them to a delicious and healthy mid-day treat! There are about 90 members of the faculty/staff to feed. Please sign up using this link to contribute ingredients for a yummy build-your-own yogurt parfait/power bowl bar! The brunch will be held on Tuesday, May 5th. Donations can be dropped off in the office on Monday up until 4:30 pm.

Our PBIS team wanted to include the students in the celebration of their teachers. We have spirit week themes each day of the week. The flyer with the themes is attached below so you can support your student in planning their outfits. On Friday, to celebrate the end of state testing we will host our annual Staff v. Students basketball game in the afternoon.

Spring Concerts will be Thursday @ 10:00 am and 6:00 pm in the gym. The Spring concert showcases our 3rd and 4th grade students. We will have limited seating for parents at the 10:00 am concert.

Attendance Matters: Take a moment to review the attendance incentive flyer from the District that is link below. All students who have a 95% or better attendance rate for the month of May will get a free pass to their local pool.

As a reminder: the last day of school is May 29th and we will be teaching right up to the last minute of the last day! Students will have final assessments and projects to present so missing any days will impact grades. Once End of Year assessments are completed, we will be previewing content for next school year. Please note the following:

Summer break is 11 and a half weeks long (81 days) so make sure your students come through May 29th since they do not need any extra time out of school.
Medical appointments should be scheduled outside of school hours when possible as your student's attendance is tracked by the hour.
Students who miss more than 10% of the school year are labeled chronically absent by the state. Students who missed 18 or more school days (2 per month) hit the threshold.
You can check how many days your student missed in Infinite Campus.
All absences, except for field trips, count toward the chronic absenteeism label.

OST Update: The 5th grade science exams will be taken on May 5th and 6th. Make sure your students are well rested, well fed and focused!

Kindergarten Readiness Camp: Families with incoming Kindergarten students will be offered the opportunity to participate in a 5 week Kindergarten Readiness Camp - see the flyer below for details.

PTA Needs Your Help! As we approach the end of the school year, we hope you have enjoyed attending all of our school community building events including the ice cream social, Father's Walk, Homecoming Parade, Family Glow Dance, and Ice Skating event. These activities, along with the book fairs, only happen because of the support of the PTA. We need volunteers to join our executive board so we can continue to sponsor these amazing events next year. The time commitment is limited as we share the planning responsibility and want to honor your time as working parents. Please see the flyer below and share your interest in helping as we need you!

Mr. Mc Nichols

Principal, Gearity Professional Development School

Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District

Peek at the Week

Dear Families,

Here is a snapshot of what students are learning across grade levels, along with simple ways you can support learning at home.

Kindergarten
Focus: Story Elements, Fantasy Writing, Geometry
Students are learning to retell stories by identifying characters, settings, and major events. They are also creating fantasy stories with a clear beginning, middle, and end. In math, students explore shapes and their positions.
At-Home Connection:
- Ask your child: Who was in the story? Where did it happen? What happened first/next?
- Encourage imaginative play and storytelling through drawing and dictating ideas.
- Look for shapes around your home and talk about their names and features.
Grade 1
Focus: Comparing Stories, Informational Writing, Data
Students are comparing characters’ experiences and perspectives across stories. Writing focuses on “how-to” pieces that explain steps clearly. In math, students are organizing and interpreting data.
At-Home Connection:
- Talk about how characters are alike and different.
- Ask your child to explain how to do something step-by-step.
- Create simple charts (favorite foods, colors) and discuss the results together.
Grade 2
Focus: Story Structure, Opinion Writing, Measurement
Students are identifying how stories are structured and understanding character perspectives. Writing focuses on opinion pieces supported with reasons. Math includes measuring and solving real-world problems.
At-Home Connection:
- Discuss how stories begin, develop, and end.
- Encourage your child to share opinions and explain their thinking.
- Practice measuring objects using rulers or everyday items.
Grade 3
Focus: Theme, Character Traits, Opinion Writing, Problem Solving
Students are determining the central message of texts and describing characters’ actions and motivations. Writing continues with opinion writing using evidence. Math focuses on solving measurement-based problems.
At-Home Connection:
- Ask: What lesson did the character learn?
- Encourage your child to support opinions with examples.
- Practice telling time and solving everyday math problems.
Grade 4
Focus: Summarizing, Narrative Writing, Measurement & Data
Students are summarizing texts and analyzing characters in depth. Writing focuses on fictional narratives with rich details. Math includes interpreting data and solving measurement problems.
At-Home Connection:
- Ask your child to summarize a story in a few sentences.
- Encourage detailed storytelling and creative writing.
- Read and discuss charts, graphs, and measurements in daily life.
Grade 5
Focus: Theme & Text Analysis, Informational Writing, Measurement
Students are analyzing theme, characters, and text structure. Writing focuses on informational/expository pieces. Math applies measurement concepts to real-world situations.
At-Home Connection:
- Discuss the theme or message of books your child reads.
- Encourage writing that explains ideas clearly and logically.
- Involve your child in cooking or building activities to practice measurement.
General Family Tips for Success
- Read together for 15–20 minutes daily.
- Ask open-ended questions to deepen understanding.
- Encourage writing through journals, lists, or storytelling.
- Connect math to everyday activities like shopping, cooking, and planning.

Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting student learning at home. Small, consistent conversations and activities can make a big difference!

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.

District Plan for Communications with Persons with Disabilities

The District has adopted a plan for communications with persons with disabilities, which is available at the following link: Communication Plan. The plan establishes procedures to ensure that the District's communications with persons with disabilities, including applicants, participants, members of the public, and companions with disabilities, are as effective as its communications with others.