Happy Friday Genet Families!

What an amazing week together at Genet! This week we saw our Kindergarteners take a field trip to Bell Top to make apple cider and explore the nature trail there! We also had an amazing week celebrating our school pride with our first Spirit Week! The best was ending the week together as a school community celebrating our students with our Fall Fun Run. Thank you to all who were able to attend and cheer on all of our students! We could not have asked for a better weather day!

A special thank you goes out to our PE Teachers, Coach Leyhane and Coach Vice for organizing this event for our school as well as our PTO for providing the pumpkins and taking pictures.

Genet’s Spirit Week was a huge success and thank you to our PTO for organizing it. Thank you to all the parents for helping your child(ren) dress up on those days! As a father, I realize the challenges in our morning routines – and our students were eager and ready for each day! It brought a new energy to the building each day and that could not happen without your support.

As the weather begins to shift to cooler temperatures, a friendly reminder to send in your child(ren) with appropriate clothing for outdoor recess.  We will go out as long as we can, so appropriate footwear is also important.  For new families, we will go outside for recess as long as the air temperature stays about 20 degrees with the wind-chill.  So during the cooler months we may be outdoors or inside for recess depending on weather.
Here are a few important updates for families:

Genet’s Halloween Parade – Monday, October 31st:

Halloween is just around the corner and with it brings excitement and our annual Halloween Parade! There will be a letter coming from me next week regarding our annual Halloween Parade but I want to provide families with some information now to plan accordingly:

• Genet’s Halloween Parade will be on Monday, October 31st in the afternoon starting around 2:00 PM
• Costumes should not depict anything grotesque or bloody – things that may frighten other children
• Weapons are not permitted during the Halloween Parade
• Any snacks or treats for classroom parties will need to be store bought and have ingredients clearly labeled – please refrain from sending in items that my have traces or processed in a facility that handles tree nuts for allergy purposes. If you have questions, please contact Mrs. Condo, Genet’s school nurse.

I strongly encourage that parents refrain from picking your child up after the Halloween Parade. If you need to, a form will be sent out to families to fill out regarding picking up your child. I will adhere to the deadline on this form as our parade takes place so close to dismissal time. There will be no late additions to this form after the cutoff date – this is to ensure an orderly dismissal procedure for all.

If there is rain on our parade day, we will have our parade indoors in our auditorium. The auditorium will be open to families to enter and watch the parade. After the parade families will be asked to leave the auditorium.

Genet’s Pre-K program will be included in some festivities that are being worked out with our Pre-K team. Those details will be forthcoming from Mrs. Petraznik and myself next week.

Again, a letter with in more detail will be coming home with your child early next week. Please feel free to reach out to your child’s teacher or myself with any questions.

Teal Pumpkin Party:

In an effort to create a free, fun and safe Halloween for all children, including those living with food allergies, a local mom of children with life-threatening food allergies has created a Halloween Event safe for all students in partnership with the Greenbush YMCA and other partners focusing on fun, entertainment, games and crafts.  Attached is the flyer for families interested or looking for more information. Additionally, you can check out the 518 Teal Pumpkin Party website here to register or learn more as well:  518 Teal Pumpkin Party.

Attendance Matters:

Going to school every day, on time and ready to learn is the first step to doing well academically. Start building this habit in preschool so they learn right away that going to school is important. If your child is healthy, they should be in school. Here is a hyperlink with additional information: Attendance Matters.

COVID-19:

We are seeing an uptick in COVID-19 cases for students and staff, which is consistent with what is happening in the Capital Region. Please take the necessary steps to protect your child and others from COVID-19. If your child is showing symptoms of COVID-19, keep them home and contact Mrs. Condo by calling 518-207-2684.

Each of our schools are offering free COVID-19 test kits for employees, students and their families. Contact your child’s school if you would like any COVID test kits.

Genet’s Trunk or Treat in need of Volunteers:

The PTO is looking for help in keeping our Trunk or Treat event a safe, orderly and fun event for our families. We are in need of volunteers to help with different stations and help run activities for students. Please consider helping Genet keep this event a fun night for all to remember! If you can offer some of your time (1 Hour Shifts) you will receive a free trunk or treat entry for your own child(ren) upon arrival! Here is the link to sign-up:  Trunk or Treat Volunteer Sign-Up.

Thank you for your continued support of Genet! Have a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely,

Wayne Grignon
Principal