Mr. Graves' Weekly Update

Greetings Goshen Lane Families,

As a learning institution we are always challenging and encouraging our students to be their best, to do their best, and to learn as much as they can. As a staff it is important for us to also show that even as adults we are continuously learning. Recently I learned something new about the month of November that I will share with our students, I also thought it may be something you find interesting and perhaps may find value in, especially as we enter the "Thanksgiving" holiday season where many will spend time with family and loved ones. What I learned is that November is Family Story Month.

Families come in all shapes and sizes: big families, small families, foster families, adoptive families, divorced families, extended families, and more. Each family is as different as its family members. As different as they are, most families have stories they share around the dinner table or during family gatherings or maybe just traveling to and from school. Some family stories are sweet, some are sad, and some make us laugh 'til we hurt. Some are tales of romance, while others are stories of challenging times in a family's history. Family stories are important because they are personal. They give families a sense of history and belonging. This month take some time to consider your favorite family stories, and gather a few more of these family treasures. I think our students would enjoy what you share, and perhaps someday they can pass those stories on to future generations.

With something to think about...

CommUNITY University is an opportunity for our GJPS adult community to come together and learn tools and resources for supporting our students' success in school and beyond. Mark your calendar for our first event on Nov. 9 at Clark Hall starting at 6 p.m. You can browse the GJPS CommUNITY University Course Catalog and then please register for the sessions you would like to attend by Wednesday, Nov. 1.

FROM THE DISTRICT

Gifted Visual and Performing Arts Referral Process

Each year school districts in Ohio are required to offer an opportunity for students in grades K-12 to be identified as gifted in the area of Visual and Performing Arts. The identified areas of giftedness for Visual and Performing Arts include Visual Arts, Vocal Music, Instrumental Music, Drama/Theater, and Dance. If you know of a student that may be gifted in an area of the Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) and would like for them to be screened for possible gifted identification in that particular area, please complete the Visual and Performing Arts Nomination Form.

Click here to learn more about the two-phase VPA gifted identification process.

Nominations will be accepted until noon on Monday, November 20, 2023, and will only be accepted using the Google link above.

If you have any questions, please contact Colleen Boyle at gjpsgifted@gjps.org.

• November 9: Veteran's Day Assembly
• November 13: Staff Professional Development Day (no school for students)
• November 14: PTA Meeting at 7:00 p.m.
• November 15: We Are the World
• November 22-24: Thanksgiving Break