Gearity PDS

Greetings Gearity Families:

School will be closed April 3rd and April 6th for Good Friday and the Compensatory Day for elementary conferences!

OST Testing Starts April 14th! All 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students across the state of Ohio take reading and math assessments each Spring. 5th grade students also take a science exam. Our students will take their reading exams on April 14th and 16th. The math exam will be given April 28th and 30th. The science exams will be given on May 5th and 6th.

The Ohio State Tests provide an opportunity to determine if students are proficient with their grade level's state standards. Students perform best when they are well rested so an early bedtime is recommended prior to each exam. We also encourage students to have a healthy breakfast either at home or from the cafeteria the morning of their assessments. 3rd grade students are subject to the 3rd grade reading guarantee which can affect promotion to 4th grade - learn more by clicking here.

Your students have been working diligently all year to master their grade level content and skills. Please encourage them to do their best as their performance is a reflection of all the hard work they have put in this school year. Also, reinforce the need to take their time as some students will rush to be done instead of taking their time to really understand what they are being asked to answer. We will have some fun incentives for the students as we want to acknowledge their hard work. Thank you in advance for your support!

3rd quarter grades will be available after April 2nd! We will send report cards home in the mail but you will be able to see grades in Infinite Campus.

See Something, Say Something: I will be reviewing our safety policy with students at their PAWS assemblies on April 2nd along with Title IX reminders.

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!

We are always looking for volunteers to assist with specific events. Click on this link if you are able to help with the Spring Book Fair. We will also be requesting donations for our Teacher Appreciation events in May - more details to come. The PTA will be meeting April 28th to discuss Teacher Appreciation and our officer positions for next year - you can join the meeting with this link.

Mr. Mc Nichols

Principal, Gearity Professional Development School

Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District

5th Grade End of Year Activities Info:

As the end of the school year quickly approaches, we wanted to touch base about the special activities we have planned for the fifth graders.

On Wednesday, May 27th the 5th grade students will get a class shirt that will be signed by their classmates. Afterwards, the students will have a grade level party to celebrate their time together. We will also rehearse for the 5th Grade Sendoff.

On Thursday, May 28th at 2:00 we will celebrate the fifth graders’ time at Gearity by having a promotion event. After a few short remarks, students will be called up to the stage one by one to receive a certificate and any awards. After the ceremony, families will have the opportunity to take photos and celebrate. The promotion event will be held in the gym. Due to the size of the gym, each student will only be allowed to have four guests attend the promotion ceremony, tickets will be issued to each student for their families. Please stop by the office during school hours to pick up your tickets - pickup dates will be announced by mid-May.

On Friday, May 29th students can stay home or assist with cleaning out their desks.

If you have any questions please contact Mr. McNichols at p_mcnichols@chuh.org. The fifth grade team looks forward to an end of the year celebration that celebrates the successes of the entire fifth grade!

Emily Elliott Kristin Schultz Marilyn Bruening Patrick McNichols

Peek at the Week - Next Update When We Return from Spring Break!

Kindergarten

Reading – Students are identifying characters, settings, and key details in stories while practicing answering questions through writing.
Writing – Students write realistic fiction with a clear event sequence.
Math – focuses on counting, number recognition, and describing measurable attributes.

Parent Tips

Ask your child to name characters and retell stories in order.
Encourage drawing and writing simple responses to questions about books.
Practice counting objects at home (toys, snacks).

Grade 1

Reading – Students are asking and answering questions about informational texts and identifying main ideas.
Writing – Writing focuses on poetry and informational pieces.
Math – Math emphasizes basic addition concepts.

Parent Tips

Ask “who, what, where” questions after reading.
Encourage your child to explain how they solved a problem.
Practice simple addition using everyday items.

Grade 2

Reading – Students are determining central messages, understanding vocabulary, and describing story structure.
Writing – Writing includes poetry with attention to organization.
Math – Math focuses on data representation and interpretation.

Parent Tips

Ask your child to explain the lesson or message of a story.
Encourage writing a short story with a beginning, middle, and end.
Use charts or graphs at home (e.g., favorite foods) to discuss data.

Grade 3

Reading – Students are asking and answering questions about informational texts, understanding text structure, and identifying author’s points.
Writing – Writing focuses on opinion pieces with supporting reasons.
Math – Math includes measurement and data.

Parent Tips

Ask your child to support answers using details from the text.
Encourage writing an informational paragraph about a topic of interest.
Measure items at home and compare lengths or weights.

Grade 4

Reading – Students are analyzing story elements, vocabulary, and key ideas in both literature and informational texts.
Writing – focuses on narrative development.
Math – Math includes geometry and measurement concepts.

Parent Tips

Discuss character actions and how they impact the story.
Encourage detailed storytelling with clear beginnings, middles, and ends.
Identify shapes and angles in everyday environments.

Grade 5

Reading – Students are analyzing themes, text structures, and point of view.
Writing – Writing emphasizes clear, organized informational texts.
Math – Math focuses on multi-digit operations and measurement/data.

Parent Tips

Ask your child to explain the theme or lesson of a text.
Practice real-world math (time, measurement, budgeting).
Encourage your child to form an opinion on a topic and support it with evidence.

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.