

Second grade ice cream social!
Thank you Mrs. Greene, Mrs. Katz and all the parents who signed up their kids for the "after school party with GUFS 2nd grade teachers". This was a very popular auction item at Spring Thaw in March, and this cute picture shows a good time was had by all! Many of our teachers generously donate their time and talents to help raise money at Spring Thaw to fund programs at our school. GUFS teachers: you are incredible and we appreciate all you do to support our kids. Thank you!


NEW ideas and programs at GUFS!
Did you know, during this school year, GCEF committed $29,000 to support 16 programs! Half of these grants brought new and innovative programs and hands on learning opportunities to all GUFS students for the first time. New programs included: Maker Space: This grant, with a matching grant from the Tormey family for an additional $2,400, was used to introduce a Maker Space at school. GUFS Art Teacher Coulter Young implemented a six-week STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering,


Math! Science! Technology!
Thank you GCEF donors and thank you to the following teachers for submitting a grant for the New York Hall of Science: Robin Waters, Jennifer Kirkpatrick, Amy Kuchera, and Debbie Earle To enhance the studies of the third, fourth, and fifth grade students in math, science, and technology, the grade 3-5 teachers scheduled a joint trip to the NYSCI - New York Hall of Science in Queens, New York in April. Students were given the opportunity to participate in the Design Lab Activi


May's veggie of the month is ...
Lettuce! And did you know, Common Ground Farm has recently collaborated with Hudson Valley Seed to provide veggies for tastings during class. Check out this month's Hudson Valley Seed newsletter and see what's happening in the classroom with your kids. Hudson Valley Seed is also looking for volunteers to help us keep the school gardens watered over weekends throughout the spring and summer. The plants need water and we need you! If you can take on the task please sign up on t


Many dimensions of arts education
Excerpt from Principal John Griffiths' weekly update: "You and I are familiar with both two-dimensional and three-dimensional art. A variety of both flow from Coulter Young’s classroom. 2D works of drawing, painting, or collage hang from walls, and 3D sculpture can be seen hanging from ceilings, displayed on tables, and populating a dedicated display case. Engaging children in such creative pursuits are a vital part of their development! If you happened to attend this year’s


Hear ye hear ye, read all about it!
Fifth grade students are experiencing the challenge of developing, writing, and publishing a 21st century newspaper. Students spent time skimming and scanning media sources for story ideas, generated questions and applied strategies for gathering, compiling, and recording the news. A big thank you to GUFS parent and Highlands Current Managing Editor Chip Rowe for speaking with students about the editing process. Stay tuned to see the finished paper in June!


STEAM Maker Space!
GCEF donors: Thanks to your support, GUFS was able to purchase equipment and introduce a Maker Space at the Garrison School! This winter, GUFS Art Teacher Coulter Young implemented a six-week STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art/Design and Mathematics) unit into his curriculum for grades K-8 with the purchase of Little Bits Workshops Sets, Goldie Blox, Quibits, and Legos. Maker Spaces provide the foundation of a STEAM curriculum by presenting students with hands-on, c


Living History!
Thank you GCEF donors for making another year of "Living History" possible for Mr. Caliendo’s 7th grade students, who take to the woods to learn about the American Revolution by becoming soldiers for a day. Check out the great cartoon about the 7th grade Living History trip in the Highlands Current, "For Seventh Graders in Garrison, It's War!" Not only does the 7th grade benefit from this GCEF grant, but recently Mr. Caliendo's students became teachers and had GUFS 4th and 5t