Hello Everyone,
Thank you for your trust, grace, and collaboration with our team as we work hard to provide a safe, positive learning environment at Golden Hill.
I am a parent of two children. I understand the wide range of emotions including excitement, joy, pride, along with anxiety or unease that a parent might feel at the beginning of the school year, especially after the past eighteen months. We all experienced a great deal of change and faced many challenges. Our GH team stayed focused and collaborative in our efforts to do whatever possible to support all students, while following specific guidelines. I’m confident that whatever is ahead this year, we will continue to work together to find solutions to ensure our students are safe, learning, and supported behaviorally, socially, and emotionally.
We are SO excited to welcome our Grade 1-5 students to campus on September 2 for the first day of school. Students in Grades prekindergarten & kindergarten start school on September 3 as they have Meet the Teacher on September 2. We understand that some of our students might not be as excited as us to get out of the car and begin the year, especially those who are new or have not been at school due to remote learning. We have an incredible team where it will be all hands on deck to welcome and guide our students to their classrooms. We’re ready for your children. Please continue to trust us and follow our safety measures. Safety Measures
Parents in grades PreK-5 are asked to stay in their car and drop off their children at our new drop off line. (See picture of map below) Staff will be outside to guide you with our new drive up line. At this time there are no visitors inside the building. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
We appreciate your attention to detail as you read through the outlined safety measures.
Thank you, again, for your trust, grace, and collaboration as we work together to support our students. Now let’s get ready for a great year ahead.
Debbi Lisack
June 16, 2021
Hello everyone,
Thank you for a great school year!
We did it! Here we are at the middle of June! Summer is upon us! As we close out the school year some tidbits of information:
Chromebooks are to remain with our students for the summer. If your child’s Chromebook is not working, please have it returned to our main office with the charger.
Any textbooks that are home are to be returned before the last day of school.
Class assignments for next year will be shared in mid August.
We will update the class supply lists online in July.
The last day of school is June 24. There is a half day dismissal on that day. Students will be dismissed at 11:30 a.m.
I will be the first to admit that we experienced hiccups throughout the year, but I do believe we did our best to provide consistent communication, make positive connections, and create as much consistency as possible for our students and families, regardless of the learning model.
We will keep you updated over the summer as news is generated about the upcoming school year. We are here for you…thank you again for investing so much into your child(ren) and this work we get to do together. Thank you for your support and your kind words. Thank you for helping us maintain our protocols. Thank you for sending your children to Golden Hill. It may have been a year like no other, but it certainly was a great year.
Be on the lookout for updates in August and until then, unplug, recharge and enjoy the summer months as a family.
Sincerely,
Debbi Lisack
March 1, 2021
Hi everyone,
I have shared many times my love and passion for reading and more importantly building the love and passion for reading within children. Books have been a powerful teaching tool that has helped me as a mother of two and as an elementary school educator. The various reading experiences can provide many learning opportunities for students of all ages and as a result foster compassion, empathy and kindness.
This first week of March is Read Across America Week. Tuesday, March 2 is Read Across America Day. This is an opportunity to celebrate reading. At Golden Hill, I can’t wait to read the story called Chopsticks by Amy Krouse Rosenthal to our students. The book celebrates the unbreakable bonds of friendship. It is a great read!
Check this out! The Florida Public Library is offering a gift bag to any child who reads on March 2. It is 20 minutes for K and 1 as well as 30 minutes for 2nd – 5th. Pre-K is for however long they read. If you have any questions please check their website, https://www.floridapubliclibrary.org If they stop in to get their gift bag, there will be a photo op as well set up in the children’s room! What a fantastic opportunity for families with children of all ages!
I can feel it ~Spring is in the air! Can’t you?
Debbi Lisack
Jan. 29, 2021
Hello everyone,
It’s hard to believe that we just finished the first week of our third instructional period. We continue to do our best for our students, your children, every day. Our students are doing their best for us, too. As Maya Angelou says, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” If there’s anything I can do better, please let me know.
We will participate in The Kindness Challenge this February. This is an opportunity for students, staff, and families to spread kindness throughout our community in a safe, socially distanced way.
Golden Hill students will be encouraged to use our kindness calendar throughout the month. Families are encouraged to join the fun and use these kindness lists at home. Students can color in or check off the calendar as they complete kind tasks and return to Mrs. Potter at the end of the month for a “kind surprise.” Click the link to access the Kindness Calendar.
In the spirit of kindness, we would like to give our amazing teachers and little surprise. Complete the Teacher Celebration Form by telling us a word you think of when you think about that teacher – we will take your words and create a word cloud for each teacher. Please feel free to complete multiple forms for different teachers (special area, related service, special education, etc.).
We realize that Valentine’s Day falls on Sunday this year. Remember, for safety, nothing can be brought in from home to share with classmates. Thank you for your understanding.
I appreciate your partnership as we continue to navigate this time in our children’s lives. Our work together creates a team of support for your child(ren) that continues to allow learning to happen academically, socially and emotionally.
Always remember…You Are Important! We care about you!
Sincerely,
Debbi Lisack
1/29/21
Dec. 21, 2020
Hello everyone,
The holiday season can bring a lot of joy and it can also bring a lot of stress…especially this year. As a parent/guardian, in addition to the typical stress felt around the holiday season, you have endured so much change this year. It just seems to be constant with juggling of schedules, possible financial challenges, along with additional involvement and demands in your child’s education and the list goes on.
In order to support our children, we need to make sure we’re also taking care of ourselves. I am sending this friendly reminder to hope that you, as parents/guardians, are finding a way to look after yourselves too. I understand that time is tight and demands are high and I also understand the importance of self-care. By exercising (even if it’s a quick walk), focusing on the positives, expressing gratitude, finding reasons to laugh and taking deep breaths are a few strategies that can help maintain calm when everything around us isn’t always so calm. It really is amazing what even one or two of these actions can do to help our mental state of mind.
Please try to take care of yourselves. Trust that our Golden Hill team is here for you and your family. If there’s something we can do to help, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Thank you for everything you have done during this unique school year, and continue to do, to support your children and our school. Have a Happy Holiday!
Sincerely,
Debbi Lisack
Nov. 24, 2020
Hello everyone,
In the midst of all we are experiencing in 2020, I am constantly reminded of all I have to be thankful for and our Golden Hill students & their families are high on that list.
Thank you so much for sharing your students with us each day. Whether we’re seeing them in-person or online, I count it an honor and a privilege to partner with you to invest in your child.
November has nearly come to its end. Thanksgiving is here and it could be different than other years. It’s a time for family but this year it is also a time for reflection. In looking back at the school year so far, I’m thankful for so many things:
- Our students being in school in person for the last 3 months every day
- Our remote students being online to learn every day
- Our staff working above and beyond to meet the needs of all of our students
- The support of our families
- The flexibility of our staff in stepping up at all times
- The students saying ‘good morning’ or ‘ Have a good day!’ on arrival
- The energy of our entire staff when they are with their students.
I could list many more but these few are the ones I notice most often.
Thank you for your continued support and encouragement. It means the world to us.
Debbi Lisack
November 2020
Dear Golden Hill Families,
I am so happy we have made it to November in person! All of our teachers and staff have been amazing. Our students have been amazing. All of our remote learners have been amazing. Our families have been amazing. Our staff and students have been wearing masks and staying 6 feet apart. That has helped to keep our school open and in person. Our families, you, have been so supportive and understanding and have erred on the side of caution as you monitor the health of your children. By working together, we have been able to keep our school open with in person learning. I cannot say it enough ~Thank you for your support!
Do you have a moment to send a quick note or email of gratitude to a staff member at GHES?
I appreciate your partnership as we navigate this time in our children’s lives. Our work together creates a team of support for your child(ren) that continues to allow learning to happen academically, socially and emotionally.
Always remember…You Are Important! We care about you!
With an Attitude of Gratitude!
Debbi Lisack
11/2020
September 2020
Hi everyone,
Thank you to everyone who was able to join us for our Virtual Back to School Night last Thursday. I want to highlight some points that came up that night that we thought everyone would benefit from.
Morning drop-off:
- Remember that doors will open at 8:30 a.m., so please do not let your child exit your vehicle before that time. A school staff person must be down at the lower crosswalk before students can exit cars.
- Remain in your vehicle and ask your child to exit from the passenger side only. (Park in the lot if you feel you need to get out of your vehicle.)
- Please remind your child to put their mask on and practice social distancing before they exit the vehicle.
- We have staff available to support social distancing and temperature checks as students enter the school.
- We have additional staff in the hallways to help students find their classrooms.
Afternoon pick-up and dismissal:
- Sending a note/email to Mrs. Scheuermann at school before 11 is required for all changes. kscheuermann@floridaufsd.org. Please adhere to this.
- Our staggered dismissal time to alleviate congestion in the hallways is working well.
- In the event you need to pick-up your child early, send a note/email to Mrs. Scheuermann and the teacher so we can try to have your child ready and waiting for you inside the office.
Should families enter the office or school?
- If a family needs to pick a child up early for an appointment, they must send an email and call the office when you arrive. We will bring your child to the front entrance.
- As a school, we have “paused” in-person volunteering and/or family visits. This means the number of times you’ll need to enter the main office will be reduced compared to previous years.
- Distance learning supplies information will be shared by grade level. We’ll communicate that out by grade-level. In the event we have distance learning supplies for families to pick-up, we plan to restrict that to outside pickup.
Thank you!
Mrs. Lisack
Sept. 21, 2020
August 2020
Dear Students and families of Golden Hill,
Can you believe we are already in August? September is right around the corner. Here are a few things I know about our return to school:
We will wear masks:
You may be greeted with a hidden smile, and we will find fun ways to say ‘Hello’ like winking, waving, dancing or even dabbing.
We will be social distancing ourselves from others:
We may not be side by side but we will find innovative ways to collaborate, play and learn from one another whether in the classroom or online. Our learning will still be done together.
We will have some students learning at school and some will be learning remotely from home.
We are all Spartans whether in person or online. No matter who or where they are, we will be inclusive to everyone. We care about each and every one of you no matter where you may be.
Our school community is still one.
We will learn many new procedures and routines to keep us safe at school.
We will be understanding of mistakes, encouraging each other and giving everyone including teachers, students and families time to learn.
Our school is better when we support each other.
We will need to be adaptable as our plans may change.
We don’t know exactly what this year may bring. We will make decisions together with student safety and wellbeing at the forefront.
Our students are our why!
Please remember to reach out if you have any questions. Be well!
Sincerely,
Debbi Lisack
8/10/20
June 2020
Dear Golden Hill Elementary Families,
As we wrap up a historical school year we know student learning, safety, creativity, and character-building is a team effort. We also know the challenges associated with COVID-19 continue to be very real.
The past few months were a reminder of the many, many incredible people who make Golden Hill such a special place to work and learn—even from a distance. I’m incredibly proud of the collaboration, resiliency, innovation, and most importantly, empathy, demonstrated by our students, staff, and families this year, especially since leaving the school on March 12.
I’ve been watching the unfolding of current events around our nation with a heavy heart and determination as an educator, a mom and a leader to do better. The headlines and images have been particularly painful. This proves to me why our focus on EMPATHY and KINDNESS through teaching, modeling, and practicing are more important than ever. I continue to find myself thinking about two main questions:
- How do we better teach our students to practice empathy, compassion, and love?
- How do we better teach our students to listen and practice conflict resolution with peace and mindfulness?
Discovering the answers to these questions is going to take a team effort. I invite all of us to go on our learning journey together, with hope for a better future. My hope is that, together, we continue to follow these paths as we support our students and the entire Florida Union Free School community.
We all have a lot of questions about the fall. As of June 12, I don’t have a lot of answers regarding logistics, yet. But, I do know the following to be true:
- Our team is committed to providing a safe environment for everyone.
- Our team cares SO much about our students and families.
- Our team is creative, dedicated, and passionate about helping kids while working collaboratively with one another.
- Our team will do everything we can to teach and support your child based on the guidelines presented to us.
Important dates:
- June 15 – Student belongings pickup
- June 17 – Grade 5 Bus Parade Celebration
- June 18 – Virtual Field Day
Be safe!
Debbi Lisack
Note about Yearbooks: Due to COVID-19, Lifetouch experienced government-mandated shut-downs that reduced their capacity for printing yearbooks. While the Golden Hill yearbooks are in production, they will not arrive before school is over. While this is extremely disappointing, you can be assured that everyone who ordered a yearbook will receive one. Thank you for your patience and understanding during these unprecedented times.
February 2020
Hello everyone! February is here already! We are now in our 6th month of school!
We’ve been busy at Golden Hill Elementary! Some of our recent and upcoming experiences include:
- Bring a Friend to Lunch for Grade 2 – our cafeteria was packed with happy students & families. It continues to be awesome to see!
- Harvest Day with ShopRite – Some great foods introduced to students.
- We celebrated World Read Aloud Day with numerous authors. Our students were so lucky to hear real authors describe their books and read to them.
- We are celebrating Kindness Week with many activities supporting being kind.
- We are celebrating 100 days of School. Can you believe 100 days already?
- Our PE teachers are supporting Jump Rope for the Heart/Kids Heart Challenge with rope-jumping exercises in PE classes. They teach our students that any form of movement that works your muscles and uses more energy than resting is so important for heart health! Nurse Lysack loves this!
- TREP$ marketplace is coming soon, as well as our Science Symposium. Come out to support our students. You won’t be disappointed.
Thank you everyone for your continued support! Stay healthy!
Sincerely,
Debbi Lisack
January 2020
Happy New Year to all of our families at Golden Hill!
Isn’t it hard to believe that 2020 is here? May everyone have new hopes, aspirations and resolutions for the coming year!
Some highlights of our busy December were:
- The Village Tree Lighting was especially brightened by the beautiful singing of our second-grade carolers!
- Our Golden Hill Winter Concert offered splendid musical and choral entertainment.
- Our very First Dance Party Fun event brought out tons of laughs and some serious dance moves!
When we provide opportunities for all our students, we awaken and empower them to pursue passions they might not have known existed.
Thank you everyone for your continued support! We are looking forward to a fantastic 2020 year!
Sincerely,
Debbi Lisack
November-December 2019
Hello everyone! We cannot believe that December is here!
Thank you to everyone—students, families and friends—who helped us make November a fantastic fall month here at Golden Hill! Our November highlight was witnessing the cutting down of the tree for Rockefeller Center. We were so excited to be able to participate!
The kindergarten Thanksgiving Feast and Show was beautiful! Under Mrs. Risedorph’s tutelage, along with the support of our kindergarten teachers, our K-students put on an amazing show. They sang their little hearts out!
We look forward to more events in December which include:
- Dec. 3: Bring a Friend to Lunch
- Dec. 6: Snack & Chat with Principal and PTA
- Dec. 6: Village Tree Lighting at 4 p.m.
- Dec. 8: Annual Winter Concert
- Dec. 14: PTA Cocoa & Cookies
To everyone in our school community, and from all of us here at Golden Hill, have a beautiful and peaceful holiday season with family and friends!
Remember Winter Recess starts on Monday, Dec. 23. Students return to school on Monday, January 6. We will see you in the New Year 2020!
Sincerely
Debbi Lisack
October 2019
It’s Autumn on Golden Hill! We have learned a lot about our school life and expectations, and enjoyed many of the season’s activities, with many more to go.
Our friends with the Florida Fire District rolled out another great day of fire safety and prevention education and we hosted our monthly Harvest Day exposing students to new, healthy foods. We’re now in the midst of celebrating Spirit Week and grade 5 will Bring a Friend to Lunch this Friday. Next, we are looking forward to Red Ribbon Week, the PTA Trunk or Treat, Parent-Teacher Conferences, and the PTA Book Fair.
Great things I’ve seen at Golden Hill in recent weeks:
- Students book shopping, Flashlight Fridays, Apple tastings
- Lots of reading all around, in every class
- Read-Aloud events with great picture-book themes
- Menu Math in grade 5
- Students giving a great effort during MAP testing
- Students doing visual math
- Abstract art creations
- Nursery rhymes coming alive
- Math in art class
- Grade 1 butterfly release
- Greek Mythology coming alive in grade 4 ELA
- Lots of students and staff smiling
- Great phone calls with students’ families
- Great positive postcards sent home.
- We were all busy, engaged, and having fun in learning!
Debbi Lisack