External After School Activities

Dear Parents and Students, 

Trimester 3 External ASA sign-ups will be this weekend Saturday, March 18th from 11am - 1pm in the PS/ES lobby and Sunday, March 19th from 7:30am - 9am in the PS/ES cafeteria. The providing programs will be at the sign up session to provide you with information about their program and answer any questions you may have.

Please use the following website to view the offerings for Trimester 3. 

PS/ES After School Activities Website

Please note that Trimester 3 ASAs will only run for 7 weeks. These will begin on Sunday, April 9th and will end Thursday, May 25th.

Thank you for supporting our ASA Program. 

If you have any questions, please contact Beth Swartz (External ASA Coordinator): e.swartz_daa@gemsedu.com

Trimester 3 After School Activities

Dear Parents and Students,

Trimester 3 Online Internal ASA sign-ups will be open on Wednesday, March 8th from 7am and will be closed on Thursday, March 9th at 5pm. Please use the following website to view the offerings for Trimester 3 and for Internal ASA online registration.

PS/ES After School Activities Website

For answers to frequently asked questions, please view the Internal ASA Q&A document.

External ASA sign-ups will be available on Saturday, March 18th from 11am - 1pm in the PS/ES lobby and Sunday, March 19th from 7:30am - 9am in the PS/ES cafeteria.

Additional information about External ASA program dates, times, costs, and contacts will be sent out electronically next week. All providing groups will be at the sign up session to provide you with information about their program.

Trimester 3 Important Dates:

• Internal Online Sign-ups: Wednesday, March 8th (from 7 am) to Thursday, March 9th (until 5pm)
• External Sign-ups: Saturday, March 18th from 11am - 1pm in the PS/ES lobby and Sunday, March 19th from 7:30am - 9am in the PS/ES cafeteria
• Start Date: Sunday, April 9th (immediately after Spring break)
• End Date: Thursday, May 25th
• Please note: Trimester 3 ASAs will only run for 7 weeks. The sessions for the week of Sunday, May 21st - Thursday, May 25th will be 1 hour long.

Thank you for supporting our ASA Program.

For any questions, please contact the ASA Coordinators:

Mandy Gintaut (PS Internal ASA Coordinator) amanda.gintaut@gemsdaa.net

Laura Sarmiento (ES Internal ASA Coordinator) laura.sarmiento@gemsdaa.net

Beth Swartz (External ASA Coordinator) e.swartz_daa@gemsedu.com

External ASA Registration

External ASA registration will be available on Saturday, January 7th, from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM in the the PS/ES lobby and on Sunday, January 8th, from 7:30 AM until 9:00 AM in the PS/ES cafeteria.

Additional information about External ASA program dates, times, costs, and contacts can be found on the PS/ES External After School Activities Website. All providing groups will be at the sign up session to provide you with information about their program.

If you have any questions, please contact Beth Swartz (External ASA Coordinator) at e.swartz_daa@gemsedu.com.

ASA Registration for Trimester 2

Dear Parents and Students,

Trimester 2 Online Internal ASA sign-ups will be open on Sunday, December 11th from 7:00 AM and will be closed on Tuesday, December 13th at 5:00 PM. Please use this website to view the offerings for Trimester 2 and for Internal ASA online registration.

For answers to frequently asked questions, please view the Internal ASA Q&A document.

External ASA sign-ups will be available on Saturday, January 7th from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM in the PS/ES lobby and Sunday, January 8th from 7:30 AM until 9:00 AM in the PS/ES cafeteria.

Additional information about External ASA program dates, times, costs, and contacts will be sent out electronically next week. All providing groups will be at the sign up session to provide you with information about their program.

Trimester 2 Important Dates:

• Internal Online Sign-ups: Sunday, December 11th (from 7 am) to Tuesday, December 13th (until 5 pm)
• External Sign-ups: Saturday, January 7th from 11 am - 1 pm in the PS/ES lobby and Sunday, January 8th from 7:30 am - 9 am in the PS/ES cafeteria.
• Start Date: Sunday, January 15th
• End Date: Thursday, March 9th
• Make up Days: Sunday, March 12th - Monday, March 13th

Thank you for supporting our ASA Program.

For any questions, please contact the ASA Coordinators:

Mandy Gintaut (PS Internal ASA Coordinator) amanda.gintaut@gemsdaa.net

Laura Sarmiento (ES Internal ASA Coordinator) laura.sarmiento@gemsdaa.net

Beth Swartz (External ASA Coordinator) e.swartz_daa@gemsedu.com

A Word from Admin

ES Dismissal and the start of ASA’s:

We want to say a big thank you to all of you that have assisted us before and after school with keeping our hallways clear until 7:30am and again until 2:45pm in the afternoon by waiting for your child(ren) in the foyer.  It has made a huge difference in keeping instruction going until the end of the day and speeding up dismissal!  

Please note the following change to our dismissal procedures in conjunction with the start of ASA's on Sunday, September 26th. As in previous years, students will begin to independently make their way to the foyer at the end of the day. Teachers will continue to assist students in packing up, lining up in the classrooms, and supervising students as they walk down the hallway. Students with ASA's will wait in the classroom until 2:55pm when they will be dismissed to attend their ASA.  Please continue to help us by waiting in the foyer for your child to come down. Students have been told to continue to meet the parent/driver at the same prearranged meeting spot in the foyer and members of the ES staff will be present to supervise the foyer. Thank you for your help with this.

Hats:

Our expectation that students wear hats in sun-exposed areas of the playground has been temporarily delayed due to an issue with an available hat supply at Threads.  Until a supply of hats is available for purchase, students will not be required to wear hats outside, although we encourage those that have already purchased hats to continue to wear them.  Once the supply of hats has arrived at Threads, and parents have had adequate time to purchase them, a new date for requiring students to wear hats will be established.  More information will be available once these details have been established.  We apologize for any inconvenience caused and appreciate your patience.

Trimester 3 ASA Registration Information

ASA Registration Information 

• Internal Registration is available online between March 15-20. 

• External Sign ups are on March 19 at 10:00 AM (ES lobby) and March 20 at 7:30 in the ES Cafeteria. 

Students will receive paper notices on Wednesday, March 23, informing them of their Internal ASA registration. 

• Trimester 3 ASA start:  Sunday, April 10

• Trimester 3 ASA finish: Thursday, June 2 

Summary of Session 3 Important dates:

• Internal sign ups: March 15-20 
• Registration: March 19-20
• Start Date: Week of April 10 (actual start day depends on the day your ASA meets)
• End Date: June 2

*News to Note*

There are a few exciting events occurring this week (and in the near future), which I've already spoken to the class about, but you'll also be able to read about them here, as well: 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Our next DAAPA pizza lunch will be on Thursday, January 28th.  Order forms were sent home on Thursday.  All orders are due on Tuesday morning (Jan. 26th) with exact change please.  Unfortunately, NO orders will be accepted on Thursday. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

DAAPA will be hosting a family movie night of the year on Thursday, January 28th. Gates open around 5:30 pm, with the movie starting at sunset. Admission and popcorn are free. Pizza, hotdogs/corn-dogs and drinks will be available for purchase.  

Bring  your mat or bean bag to get comfy.  If you are attending, kindly RSVP to stayintouchwithdaaes@gmail.com. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lost and Found Items on Display:  Please note lost and found items will be on display in the foyer from February 8-15th. After that, unclaimed items will be donated to charity.  In order to assist us with getting your child's lost items returned, please ensure that any item your child brings from home is clearly marked with their name.  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As a reminder, the playground is a nice option for families to meet and greet after school and after ASAs. In order to keep this a safe, fun and positive environment, your child may only play on the playground after school or after ASAs if they are supervised by a parent or care giver. Students who are waiting to be picked up after school must wait quietly in the foyer only. 

News from the Library

Mark your calendars! January 24-28 the PS/ES Library will be celebrating Love My Library Week.  Come and join us after school from 2:50-3:20 Sunday, Monday,Wednesday and Thursday for a range of fun activities including read alouds, a treasure hunt, a trivia contest, board games and more.  PARENTS please join us for a tour of the library on Wednesday, the 27th from 8:00-8:30.  The tour will include information on family library accounts, resources for parents, and an overview of the library curriculum and activities. Please join us!

A few items...

As this week begins, I wanted to take a moment to note a few items: 

• Thank you for your sweet get-well notes. After struggling with laryngitis and sinusitis at the end of last week and throughout the weekend, I'm feeling much better, thankfully. 

• Welcome back to those who are just returning back to school this week. We missed you and are very happy to see your smiling faces again! 

• As a reminder, this is the time to sign up for ASAs! (All of the important dates are included on the site. Be sure to check the tabs at the top.)

• Please remember to avail yourself of the weekly Assignment Sheet and News, which always includes a rough outline of all that we will be learning. This is also great way to connect with your child: "So, I read that you are learning all about getting to know the character in your book. What have you learned about his/her traits? (child replies, "He's very brave.") How can you tell that?" 

• As you may know, we will be hosting some special guests this week at school. Yes, it's our time to show KHDA all of the wonderful things that makes DAA so fantastic. To help make the week even better, please help us by remembering a few things: 

• Be on time, as any tardies this week will be noted by KHDA. 
• Dress in the proper DAA uniform (hoodies, sweaters, ties, shoes). 
• Be on your best behavior, as always! 

Thanks so much. We look forward to a terrific week! 

..............................

PS. A big congratulations to our breeder dog at home, Oakley, who gave birth (on Saturday evening) to 8 adorable puppies. She is the proud mama of 5 females and 3 males, who will grow up to be service dogs for New Horizons. My sister, Julie, and mom were there for the birthing and even helped. I hope you'll enjoy these sweet pictures of all of the puppy fun! 

View this video below... 

Videos: 

• Waiting for Mama
• Rolling off as they feed 
• Mom rubbing them down 
• Feeding time while Mama sleeps 

Mom is rubbing them to make them cry, which causes their lungs to clear after birth.

ASA Info. for Trimester 2

Dear Parents and Students,

DAA is looking forward to kicking off our Trimester 2 After School Activity Program. The ASA Program will be a combination of teacher lead (INTERNAL) and externally run activities related to sports, the arts, and academics.

Online Internal sign-ups will be open on January 7 from 3:30 PM and will be closed on January 12 at 3:30 PM. Please use the following website for Internal online registration. 

PS/ES After School Activities Website

External ASAs sign-ups will be available on Saturday, January 9th from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm in the ES Lobby.

You are invited to sign up for a wide variety of external after school activities including soccer, basketball, yoga, gymnastics, street jazz, tennis, karate, golf, horse riding, pottery, science, and swimming.  Additional information about program dates, times, costs, and contacts will be sent out electronically this week. All providing groups will be at the sign up session to provide you with information about their program.  

If you are unable to attend this weekend sign up session, the providers will also be available in the ES Lunch Room on Sunday, January10th from 7:30 am - 9:00 am for registration.

Thank you for supporting our ASA Program.

Session 2 Important dates:
Internal Online Sign-ups - Jan 7 (3:30) -12 (3:30)
External Sign-ups - Jan 9-10
Start Date - Jan 17
End Date - March 10

A few tidbits...

• The Famous Pumpkin Patch Returns:  For those children who have purchased pumpkin, they will be available for pick up in the ES lobby before and after school on Monday and Tuesday.  Kindly note that an adult must pick up the pumpkins, a voucher must be presented, and no pumpkins are permitted on school busses. Happy carving!

• The Jr. EAC soccer season is underway!  Please get all your updates on Allison's link:  Jr. EAC

• ASA information can be found on our DAA portal (http://www.gemsdaa.com/), on the Elementary School page found under the 'Divisions' tab.  Here's a shortcut:  After School Activities

ES Dismissal Procedures

ES Dismissal and the Start of After School Activities (ASAs)

We want to say a big thank you to all of you that have assisted us before and after school with keeping our hallways clear until 7:30 am and again until 2:45 pm in the afternoon by waiting for your children in the foyer. It has made a huge difference in keeping instruction going until the end of the day and speeding up dismissal!  

Please note the following change to our dismissal procedures in conjunction with the start of ASA's on Sunday, October 4th:

Similar to last year, classes will begin to independently make their way to the foyer at the end of the day. Teachers will continue to assist students in packing up, lining up in the classrooms,. and supervising students as they walk down the hallway. Students with ASA's will wait in the classroom until 2:55 pm when they will be dismissed to attend their ASA.  

Please continue to help us by waiting in the foyer for your child to come down. Students have been told to continue to meet at the same meeting spot in the foyer. 

Thank you for your help with this, 

ES Admin

ASA Information

Dear Parents, 

Thank you for your interest in internal and external after school activities. Trimester 1 sign ups are now closed. 

If you have registered and paid for an external activity with the provider on Saturday or Sunday, you have secured a spot for your child. 

If you registered on the ASA website for an internal activity, your child will receive one of their 3 choices. Please note that on the week of September 27th your child will receive notification, as in all years past, as to which internal activity they have been enrolled in. 

This notice will include the date, time, location and any fee required to participate in the ASA. If after receiving this notification your child is no longer able to participate in the ASA, you must contact the providing teacher.  After school activities will begin on October 4th. 

Reminder that you must arrange for pick up for your child after the ASA is complete. Internal providers will bring children to the lobby, external will remain at their location. Please have a ride arranged to pick up at completion times. Busses will not be running for ASA students. 

Thank you once again for your interest and support in the After School Activity Program. 

Kind Regards, 

Becky, Vhairi, and Adam

After School Activities (ASAs)

Dear Parents and Students,

DAA is looking forward to kicking off our Trimester 1 After School Activity Program. We have made some changes to our ASA calendar to more closely match our regular school year calendar and holidays. After School Activities will now be split into three trimesters. Each trimester will last a total of 8 weeks with activities running once a week. This will help minimize confusion about start and end dates, and help us create a more balanced program for your children. The ASA Program will be a combination of teacher lead and externally run activities related to sports, the arts, and academics.

On Saturday, September 19th from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm in the ES Lobby, you are invited to sign up for a wide variety of external after school activities including soccer, basketball, yoga, gymnastics, street jazz, tennis, karate, and swimming. Additional information about program dates, times, costs, and contacts will be sent out early next week. All providing groups will be at the sign up session to provide you with information about their program. If you are unable to attend this weekend sign up session, the providers will also be available in the ES Lunch Room on Sunday, September 20th from 7:30 am - 9:00 am for registration.

Thank you for supporting our ASA Program.

Term 1
Sign Ups: Sept 19/20

Start Date: Sunday, October 4

End Date: Wednesday, November 25

Term 2

Sign Ups: January 9/10

Start Date: January 17

End Date: March 10

Term 3
Sign Ups: March 19/20

Start Date: April 10

End Date: June 2 

ASA update

A Note from the ES ASA Coordinators

ASA internal registration will close on Saturday, February 21st.

Students will receive slips to indicate that they have been accepted into an ASA.  

These will be distributed by Thursday, February 26th.

A quick reminder about ASAs...

Important ASA Information

The next round of After School Activities (ASAs) will be from March1 until June 4. 

External Sign Up Session will be held on: 

• Saturday, February 14 from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm in the ES/PS Lobby 
• Sunday, February 15 from 7:30 am - 9:00 am in the ES/PS Cafeteria

Internal Sign up will be online after 4:00 pm on Sunday Feb 15. 

ASA Sign-Up Info.

Important ASA Information

• The next round of After School Activities (ASAs) will be from March1 until June 4. 

• External Sign Up Session will be held on: 

• Saturday, February 14 from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm in the ES/PS Lobby 
• Sunday, February 15 from 7:30 am - 9:00 am in the ES/PS Cafeteria

• Internal Sign up will be online after 4:00 pm on Sunday Feb 15.