Please join me in congratulating Gary D. Wright Elementary School Fifth Grade Teacher, Mrs. Swiney, on her retirement. Mrs. Swiney has made significant contributions to our learning community and left a tremendous impact on the many students she's taught throughout her incredible career. Thank you, Mrs. Swiney! We wish you all the best in your retirement!
Thank you to our GDW PTO and Wildcat Families for our new picnic tables and outdoor seating area! What an incredible addition to our campus! We can't wait to utilize this wonderful outdoor space!
This week, we have been recognizing a few of our kindergarten students who have been demonstrating kindness. Please join me in congratulating the following GDW Kindergarten Students who have been recognized by their classroom teacher for exemplifying kindness throughout their school days:
This week, we have been recognizing a few of our first grade students who have been demonstrating kindness. Please join me in congratulating the following GDW First Graders who have been recognized by their classroom teacher for exemplifying kindness throughout their school days:
This week, we have been recognizing a few of our second grade students who have been demonstrating kindness. Please join me in congratulating the following GDW Second Graders who have been recognized by their classroom teacher for exemplifying kindness throughout their school days:
Today, on November 13, as we celebrate World Kindness Day, I would like to recognize the efforts to two of our Wildcats who just happen to be brothers - Lincoln (fourth grade student in Miss Minster's class) and Badger (first grade student in Mrs. Driscoll's class). Together, and with the support of their family, Lincoln and Badger accepted GDW's October Kindness Challenge, where they demonstrated over 100 acts of kindness! Lincoln and Badger worked with their family to write a letter and then deliver it to 115 homes in our community, asking for donations to support the D300 Food Pantry, the Anderson Animal Shelter, the Community Crisis Center, and PADS of Elgin. In total, they collected:
This week, we have been recognizing a few of our third grade students who have been demonstrating kindness. Please join me in congratulating the following GDW Third Graders who have been recognized by their classroom teacher for exemplifying kindness throughout their school days:
The Gary D. Wright Elementary School learning community is incredibly special. As we prepare to transition students to in-person learning or the District 300 Virtual Academy either tomorrow for students in grades K-3 or November 2 for students in grades 4-5, there are so many reminders of just how special our learning community really is. To begin, our incredible PTO has created beautiful displays in our school's main lobby. The first display reminds us that "together or apart, we are Wildcats at heart". The hearts displayed were made by our students and contain heartfelt messages that show just how special the relationships are between our students, staff, and families. This display also reminds us that regardless of which option students will be engaged in, we will continue to remain united as one learning community. The second display promotes our school-wide focus on Kindness throughout the month of October. Another very special part of our learning community is having the ability to connect with Mr. Gary D. Wright. Mr. Wright sent me a message today and shared that he continues to think of the teachers/faculty, staff, students, and families each day. Mr. Wright is a bright light and I am grateful for his support and encouragement as well as that of our PTO, families, students, staff, and community. We are excited to begin welcoming students back to our school for the first time tomorrow since March 13!
This week, we have been recognizing a few of our fourth grade students who have been demonstrating kindness. Please join me in congratulating the following GDW Fourth Graders who have been recognized by their classroom teacher for exemplifying kindness throughout their school days:
This week, we have been recognizing a few of our fifth grade students who have been demonstrating kindness. Please join me in congratulating the following GDW Fifth Graders who have been recognized by their classroom teacher for exemplifying kindness throughout their school days:
We hope all of our Wildcats enjoyed participating in GDW's Start With Hello School Spirit Week! We will continue our theme of showing kindness as we head into the month of October and observe Bullying Prevention Awareness Month. Choose kind, Wildcats!
Thank you to our GDW Families and Goebbert's Pumpkin Patch & Apple Orchard for your generous donations of apple cider donuts and caramel apples for our staff! We enjoyed these extra special and amazingly delicious fall treats! Our hearts are full knowing that we belong to such an amazing and supportive community!
On behalf of the staff at Gary D. Wright Elementary School, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our parents and guardians who participated in our Virtual Open House! We appreciate your time, your partnership, and your support!
