GARRETTFORD GOOD NEWS

Mr. Brydges was recently notified that Mrs. Jesse, one of our Reading Specialists, had been selected to receive the Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union Excellence in Teaching Award. Both Mrs. Jesse and Garrettford will receive $1,000 each to be used for educational purposes. Mrs. Jesse will also be honored at an upcoming dinner where she will recieve a trophy.

Mrs. Jesse ’s commitment to the Garrettford community, its students and staff makes her an ideal candidate to be honored by this award. Her main responsibilities are guiding evidence-based reading practices, supporting curriculum alignment, and coaching teachers in effective strategies, but she does so much more!

Mrs. Jesse analyzes student literacy data to drive instruction, leads professional development, and fosters a school-wide culture that values reading and lifelong learning. She also serves as a mentor teacher to new staff. She guides and supports new teachers by sharing instructional strategies, modeling literacy practices, and providing coaching on classroom management, lesson planning, and assessment. Lisa has also served as a Pilot Program participant, where she collaborates with district and school leaders to test and implement new instructional programs, interventions, or resources. She then provides feedback and also models best practices for staff during the rollout phase.

Additionally, Mrs. Jesse is an instrumental member of our Literacy Night, PBIS and SST Teams. Her knowledge, resourcefulness, positive attitude and effective communication are the foundation of Lisa’s work. She is an integral part of so many key elements to the success of our school and she makes a difference in the lives of students and staff every day. Congratulations, Mrs. Jesse!

Upper Darby Township, Township Council, and the Community Engagement Committee held a Black History Month poetry contest. Two of Garrettford's students were presented awards for their poetry submissions and were honored at the February Township Council meeting. Congratulations to our winners:

3rd Place

"Chasing the North Star" by Faith Fafiolu

4th Grade

"If Only We're Brave Enough" by Faith Kojah

Three of our students were honored at the February Student of the Month Assembly because they are now published authors. They entered a writing contest offered through the company, YoungWriters USA. The students were to write a story told in the form of a mini saga, which is a story with 100 words or less. The stories could be funny or creepy, scary or mysterious. It was an awesome way to challenge and engage our students with writing and introduce the techniques of tension, suspense, and atmosphere.

The Students honored were Carter Mandia (grade 3), Amal Ghorfa (grade 3) and Liam Nazim (grade 4). Congratulations!

Congratulations to our amazing 3rd graders on a fantastic performance of their winter show, “FLAKES!” This heartwarming production used snowflakes as a reminder that each of us is unique, while also sharing many similarities that bring us together. Our students worked incredibly hard to learn their songs, lines, and stage directions, and their dedication truly shined on stage. We are so proud of their effort and teamwork! Thank you to our wonderful families for being such supportive audience members, and to our staff for all the time and care you gave to help make this show a success.

The month was very busy with special activities and theme days. The PBIS Committee had room 111 set up for Valentine's activities and teachers took time to stop in with the students to make cards and crafts. Spread kindness activities with theme days taught students to be kind and caring while having fun. Students came to school as super heroes and twinned one another, along with other special days. We also celebrated the Winter Olympics and one of the best days that week was when each grade dressed in a color of one of the olympic rings. The students and staff enjoyed the many fun activities which brightened up an otherwise cold and snowy month.

UDESPA Upper Darby School District's support staff union, is working to recognize Rare Disease Awareness Day, a global effort to raise awareness, build understanding, and support for the millions of individuals and families living with rare diseases. Rare Disease Day is officially observed on the last day of February. Since it falls on a Saturday this year, we acknowledgied it together throughout the week, culminating in a “Show Your Stripes” Day on Friday, when staff was encouraged to wear stripes to school in support of the rare disease community

The zebra is the symbol of rare disease awareness. In medicine, providers are trained to look for the most common diagnosis—“hear hoofbeats, think horses.” But for many individuals and families, those hoofbeats are actually zebras, reminding us that rare conditions deserve recognition and support. Rare is actionally not rare, as 1 in 10 Americans have a rare disease.

Garrettford Elementary School

3830 Garrett Road

Drexel Hill, PA 19026

(610) 626-9168

Allen Brydges, Principal

Kelly Mantzaridis, Assistant Principal