GBR November 2026 Newsletter

Hello, November!

November is a wonderful time to reflect on all the good happening around us, and there is certainly a lot to celebrate at GBR! Each day, our Kernels are learning that being part of a strong school community means more than doing their best in the classroom. It also means taking care of one another and making choices that help everyone feel safe, respected, and supported.

During October, we spent time talking about respect and what it looks like in action. Our Student Council helped bring this message to life during our October assembly, and our students continued practicing respectful choices in classrooms, hallways, the lunchroom, playground, and beyond.

This November, we are taking that learning one step further by challenging our students to look for ways to make a positive difference for others. Kindness does not have to be a grand gesture! It can be inviting someone to play, helping a classmate, giving a compliment, cheering someone on, saying thank you, or noticing when someone could use a friend. Those small choices add up and help make GBR a place where everyone belongs.

At home, consider asking your child, “Who did you help today?” “What is something kind someone did for you?” or “What is one thing you are grateful for today?” These simple conversations are a great way to connect what we are practicing at school with life outside of GBR.

As we head into a season centered around gratitude, I am especially thankful for our students, staff, and families who make GBR such a special place. Thank you for continuing to partner with us as we help our Kernels Be Safe, Be Respectful, and Be Responsible while also learning how much their words and actions can positively impact others.

Here’s to a November filled with kindness, gratitude, and plenty of Kernel pride! 💛

With gratitude,

Mrs. Pierson

A HUGE thank you to everyone who helped make our GBR Fun Run fundraiser a success! Whether you shared donation links, contributed financially, encouraged our students, or joined us at Joe Quintal Field to cheer on our Kernels, we are so grateful for your support!

Together, we raised an incredible $8,600 for GBR! These funds will help us continue celebrating positive behaviors through PBIS incentives and celebrations, as well as refresh our Makerspace resources to support hands-on STEM learning.

We are so fortunate to have such a supportive school community. Thank you for investing in our students and helping make GBR an even better place to learn and grow!

The Caring Kernel Award is given monthly to teacher nominated students who have shown to go above and beyond. Students are chosen for showing kindness to other at school or within the community, showing true Kernel spirit, having a positive attitude, demonstrating great sportsmanship at school activities, and overcoming hardships in school or at home.

The October 2026 student recipients are:

• K: Ireleigh
• 1: Ethan
• 2: Brea
• 3: Leah
• 4: Avery
• 5: Channing

Thank you to the Kiwanis Club of Mitchell for sponsoring this honor!

The Attendance Award is given to the class with the BEST attendance each and every month. Both daily attendance and tardies are taken into consideration.

Congratulations to 5F!

We're bringing some FUN to our PBIS expectations with four new common area awards! These awards will recognize classes that go above and beyond to show what it means to Be Safe, Be Respectful, and Be Responsible throughout our school!

• 🥄 Golden Spoon: Awarded for outstanding lunchroom behavior, including being respectful in line, while eating, and when cleaning up. Congrats to 1AB for winning this month!

• 🚽 Golden Toilet: Awarded for excellent restroom behavior, including keeping restrooms clean and always picking up after themselves. Congrats to BK for winning this month!

• 📣 Golden Whistle: Awarded for fantastic recess behavior, including playing safely, showing sportsmanship, and lining up appropriately. Congrats to 3U for winning this month!

• 🐐 The GOAT (Greatest of All Time): Awarded to classes ROCKING our hallway expectations by walking safely, using quiet voices, and respecting others' learning. Congrats to 2P for winning this month!

These fun awards are another way to celebrate our Kernels for making positive choices and showing their Kernel PRIDE in every area of our school!

Congratulations to our October PBIS prize winners! Throughout the month, students earn PBIS tickets for demonstrating our school-wide expectations of Be Safe, Be Respectful, and Be Responsible! All tickets are collected throughout the month, and 10 lucky Kernels have their names drawn at our monthly assembly.

These students get to visit our PBIS Prize Closet and choose a special prize! We love celebrating our Kernels for making positive choices and showing great character each day!

The weather is getting cooler, which means it is very important that your learner(s) come to school with weather appropriate gear! We go outside unless it is raining, or the wind chill drops below zero.

All students are expected to go outside during recess. We have a very limited supply of mittens, hats, and coats for students to borrow. if you are in need of assistance obtaining such items, please reach out to The Caring Closet.

If you have had any changes in your contact information (mailing address, phone number, etc.) please be sure to update this on the Parent Portal, or reach out to the GBR Office if you are unsure how to do so.

It is very important that we have the most up to date information available, including alternative contacts for your child(ren), in the event we need to reach you via phone or mail. Thank you! 😁

Families are encouraged to complete a Free and Reduced Meal Application at any time during the school year — when in doubt, fill it out! If you haven’t submitted a new application for this school year, please do so as soon as possible. Families who have already completed the 2025–2026 application should have received notification of their eligibility status.

You can create an online account to easily monitor your child(ren)’s meal balance, view account activity, and add funds. Simply visit the district website, go to the "Child Nutrition" tab, and select “Access My MealTime Online” — or click the link below!

If you’re unable to print the online Free & Reduced Application, stop by the school office — we’re happy to provide you with a paper copy!

GBR was excited to welcome Firefighter Tiffany, Firefighter Shannon, and Firefighter Mike to our school in celebration of Fire Prevention Week! Students participated in a successful schoolwide fire drill and then had the opportunity to learn more about fire safety from our local firefighters.

We are thankful for their time and for helping our Kernels learn how to stay safe at school and at home!

Congratulations to the following GBR Students for their award-winning coloring pages!

Kindergarten:

Jaxxynn - 1st Place

1st Grade:

Kinsley - 1st Place

Ethan - 3rd Place

Way to go, GBR! We are so proud of you.

November

1st – Daylight Saving Time Ends – Clocks Fall Back
3rd – 3rd & 4th Grade Concert at the PAC
6th – No School
11th – No School
25th–27th – No School – Thanksgiving Break

December

17th – 1st Grade Concert @ GBR

22nd – End of 2nd Quarter
December 23rd–January 4th – No School – Winter Break

January

18th – No School

February

12th – No School
15th – No School

March

10th – End of 3rd Quarter
11th–15th – No School
22nd – District Show Choir Concert, Grades 5–12
26th–29th – No School

30th – Young Band Festival at the PAC

April

13th – 2nd Grade Concert @ GBR

16th – No School
19th – Grades 5–12 Band Concert at the MHS Gym

29th – Kindergarten Concert @ GBR

May

3rd–7th – Teacher Appreciation Week
11th – 5th Grade District Band Concert at the PAC
17th – 5th Grade Graduation at the PAC - 6:30 PM
21st – Last Day of School!