Enriching and Encouraging EnGAGEment
By Pamela Rabin, First Grade Teacher

Encouraging parent involvement and increasing student achievement are top priorities that are not mutually exclusive. Recent events at Gage Elementary have served to strengthen the bonds between school, home and the larger community.

In early March, staff and students celebrated the life and birthday of beloved children's author, Theodor Seuss Geisel. Some classrooms engaged in author studies profiling the literary techniques and illustrations of Dr. Seuss. Students completed biographical reports about his life, discussed the positive messages portrayed in his books, created art projects and prepared for cross-age buddy reading. Parents and volunteers were invited to read their favorite Dr. Seuss stories in classrooms and with their children at home. On March 3rd, the entire school gathered to share some of their favorite Seuss memories, commemorate Dr. Seuss and confirm their commitment to becoming life-long readers.

Teacher Debra Skaar coordinated Science Night at Gage bringing together all grade levels to share in the excitement of scientific discovery. Students and their families explored hands on science relative to their daily lives. Some of the concepts discussed by parents and students were centrifugal force, momentum, potential energy, kinetic energy, resistance and lift. Gage teachers and fifth grade students acted as facilitators at each of the discovery centers, students in teacher Gary Hafner's classroom created and discussed science demonstrations with visitors. A fascinating time was guaranteed for all!

Gage students collected a total of $1170 for the Olive Garden's "Pasta for Pennies" fundraiser benefiting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's mission to cure leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and Hodgkin's disease. Through outstanding efforts students learned that their actions can enrich and improve the lives of patients and their families.

Finally, 4th grade student Natalie Stoklosa was honored at the San Carlos Branch library. Natalie entered an essay contest sponsored by the San Diego Public Library, the Friends of the San Diego Public Library and San Diego Unified School District.