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Parents can order copies of the official 2023 Prom Grand March photos at the link below:
https://sgmphotos.smugmug.com/GFW/GFWEvents/GFW-Prom-2023/
![](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/gfw_public_schools_ar/profile/avatar/183375/circled_becf6dbe-4fe7-4674-853a-6337977c59c0.png)
It's Teacher Appreciation Week and we want to highlight the work of our amazing ECFE and Preschool teachers! Thank you for al you do for our youngest learners!
![Teacher with student](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/4425636/large_dciZ86-IlWYcTnGpWWGl8A.jpeg)
![Teacher with group of students](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/4425637/large_xr8TrxT3XyksLVMm1apjrQ.jpeg)
![Teacher with Student](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/4425639/large_bBPb7RO6qMuPD45sMG_poQ.jpeg)
![Teacher with student](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/4425643/large_Jfk_ZjkFa1ba1E0Mm1H9_Q.jpeg)
![Teacher with group of students](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/4425644/large_f4a4FRyhMn7YfGV0jbpTEQ.jpeg)
![Teacher with student](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/4425646/large_kmciiCL6g3F_f7MAyPexJQ.jpeg)
![](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/gfw_public_schools_ar/profile/avatar/183375/circled_becf6dbe-4fe7-4674-853a-6337977c59c0.png)
Today was Staycation Day for Spring Fling with students dressing extra casual for the school day!
![students posing together](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/4432114/large_iB4S_04ivyYkWrBwRJgN5Q.jpeg)
![Students posing on staycation day](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/4432119/large_Kk4rV2brYhvu4_vBRXq9pg.jpeg)
![Students posing together](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/4432122/large_BO3aHCzfbUkjXpx7zFVQfQ.jpeg)
![](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/gfw_public_schools_ar/profile/avatar/183375/circled_becf6dbe-4fe7-4674-853a-6337977c59c0.png)
We love our teachers! Be sure to let the teachers in your life know that you appreciate them this week. Here's just a few of the amazing teachers from GFW Elementary School connecting with our students!
![Teacher with students](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/4425872/large_ZWL36a0EWQOdveZFS5uCtQ.jpeg)
![Teacher in a classroom with students](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/4425875/large_Ye4LgJXhufvxGYNGZXIO2Q.jpeg)
![Teacher with students in a classroom](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/4425877/large_2UCe6v1sMzJTHnI2DQ_2BA.jpeg)
![Teacher with students outside](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/4425879/large_wj8vBQZ9BsZ_SNN6FIgmuA.jpeg)
![Teacher with students in the classroom](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/4425881/large_7uvPLc3eSsp90Ma_NZKyjw.jpeg)
![Teacher leading a class](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/4425885/large_vhFdFraCQEGELQpOaZyYqQ.jpeg)
![Teacher reading to a classroom of students](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/4425887/large_ed1287ikLKWZbWKe8xe8Xw.jpeg)
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Mother's Day is coming up! Get the latest from Thunderbird Floral Greenhouse and find out how you can get ready for the plant sale happening May 11-13!
The website has been updated with what's available (more than 100 items!) and you can preview items and their prices.
A few reminders:
1. Cash or check only.
2. Preview our website and make a list that way your shopping might go quicker.
3. Students will be on hand to help load or find items.
4. You are UNABLE to preorder through the website link. It's view only at this time.
5. Bring your own boxes for purchases will be helpful as we don't have a huge supply.
If you have any questions send an email to: thunderbird.greenhouse@gfwschools.org
https://gfwthunderbird-greenhouse.square.site/
![Flowers for sale](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/4424917/large_sa9G_bX0NzByI_cPGb43IA.png)
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This week is Teacher Appreciation Week and we are so excited to celebrate the amazing teachers who help to grow future world class leaders in our schools! Be sure to share your teacher shout outs in the comments and who your appreciation this week!
![Teacher Appreciation week](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/4380169/large_v-f5cM2nrykf0A0fleTlKg.png)
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GFW ECFE visited Carlson's Llovable Llamas today!
![Llamas](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/4409688/large_GgCAmhqBy0vk9kQtk2OeDA.jpeg)
![Llamas](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/4409689/large_41Po1Z-xmY6QD0Avnl0HQg.jpeg)
![Llamas](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/4409693/large_lIkYGminK-iEqJTkaEPJow.jpeg)
![Llamas](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/4409697/large_l4C7n8yRFgx0n-Fyb2dWNA.jpeg)
![Llamas](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/4409698/large_jy6dtBj00cNkk12bdkpAnA.jpeg)
![Llamas](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/4409700/large_mE7aF9IaDsWkM_qNe54F_g.jpeg)
![Llamas](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/4409701/large_xeatdsdSEpt2gzyd-RujyQ.jpeg)
![Llamas](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/4409703/large_TTj59jEPpBgN8vS8nhTxWQ.jpeg)
![Llamas](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/4409704/large_Ovh5K5BQ3U1TPXEgw7WIJw.jpeg)
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The NHS Blood Drive is Wednesday, May 10 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at GFW High School!
Anyone over the age of 16 can consider donating blood to the Red Cross Blood Drive next week. There are lots of appointments open and the Red Cross has been facing a nationwide blood shortage. Your donations will go to hospitals across the country and save lives!
Students that are 16 and up can donate with a permission slip and the event is open to the public.
https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=GFW%20High%20School
![Blood Drive Information](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/4394229/large_mp21giHB6oKpXjY0b0J05g.png)
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Nothing to worry about here, just a few students exploring the ambulance at the ECFE Vehicle Fair earlier this week!
![Students checking out Ambulance](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/4379100/large_mRBCNXg3mr0nyAmcrIsr6A.jpeg)
![Student checking out ambulance](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/4379103/large_AzcBefu4EfKMDK591fl0pA.jpeg)
![Student checking out ambulance](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/4379107/large_mxiQfImOCvYwBk8ufIhtsA.jpeg)
![](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/gfw_public_schools_ar/profile/avatar/183375/circled_becf6dbe-4fe7-4674-853a-6337977c59c0.png)
Do not miss these incredible shows where students show off their amazing talents and perform a different show each night!
Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and shows begin at 7:00 p.m. with tickets available for $5 for adults and $3 for students.
This is always an incredible time and we can't wait!
![Variety Show](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/4381906/large_L0kZ1mPFSHFhM4Iky-30RA.png)
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Here's a great thing happening at GFW Elementary:
Students in kindergarten are preparing for some special guests! Ms Holmgren says: “My kindergarten class has started a project, raising chicks! We were donated eight eggs and put them into an incubator. As of last Friday, we have five chicks beginning development. Students have learned a lot and we can’t wait to meet the chicks!"
Students will be making posters on different stages of development and learning all about baby chicks before they present what they learned and celebrate the "birthday" of the chicks soon.
![Teacher reading to students](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/4373344/large_RHtMkIjkpYHrz6s0jhG0gQ.jpeg)
![Student with eggs in incubator](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/4373347/large_BWjVoZlsqJnnHVCvpl_-pQ.jpeg)
![Student work with eggs](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/4373348/large_fyzUGkbFCWZz10s45_tWhw.jpeg)
![Student working on art project](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/4373349/large_ItHwP68VX2St_-8dtlGVrA.jpeg)
![Student working with art project](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/4373351/large_t_I28yDkIVJLRBWltunEuw.jpeg)
![Student working egg worksheet](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/4373353/large_TgoeovCQV0KpAG5l9WfnMw.jpeg)
![Student working on art](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/4373354/large_5CTZdmfaoKUxywtL4jcKNw.jpeg)
![Life cycle of an egg](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/4373356/large_za-mJK1Z1WOvGw57Bxdcyw.jpeg)
![](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/gfw_public_schools_ar/profile/avatar/183375/circled_becf6dbe-4fe7-4674-853a-6337977c59c0.png)
Even with the interesting weather this season, it is great to be able to cheer on the T-Birds!
![Baseball players](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/4367625/large_19lVlPLKP1ipfuG3i9eqGw.jpeg)
![Baseball batter](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/4367627/large_zT9NdFZetcUhAdXvvhGNcQ.jpeg)
![Baseball pitcher](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/4367629/large_n5EaS7J_SA7KJ8ufb1hkeA.jpeg)
![Baseball player sin cowboy boots](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/4367631/large_gvhkHzG4cb6l1UprILiNww.jpeg)
![](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/gfw_public_schools_ar/profile/avatar/183375/circled_becf6dbe-4fe7-4674-853a-6337977c59c0.png)
Eighth graders in College and Career Readiness class have been learning the importance of acts of kindness this semester. Students have completed 100 random acts of kindness since January, a goal they have been working hard to achieve!
![Eighth graders acts of kindness](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/4367594/large_tPm1D7sNtKD1EjT_HvKrmA.jpeg)
![Eighth graders acts of kindness](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/4367597/large_gCxFKx9f048fyiUH0JcyLg.jpeg)
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The food service team at GFW Elementary got a little help from a T-Bird helper today!
![Student helping in kitchen](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/4328956/large_FXkWyVqH5-EVo2okTOHy2A.jpeg)
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The T-bird Superheroes at GFW Elementary got to spend time with our Local Superheroes! Our April real life heroes are EMT workers and students are learning about safety skills.
![Students with EMT workers](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/4318598/large_-ExnX0XPM0gdDby8UG8DOg.jpeg)
![](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/gfw_public_schools_ar/profile/avatar/183375/circled_becf6dbe-4fe7-4674-853a-6337977c59c0.png)
This week, we have been celebrating the amazing Administrative Professionals in our district! Be sure to show your appreciation to these amazing members of the GFW team!
![Administrative Professionals Week](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/4319426/large_mmQ8pikt0-2MI7fTAiFKXg.png)
![](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/gfw_public_schools_ar/profile/avatar/183375/circled_becf6dbe-4fe7-4674-853a-6337977c59c0.png)
Some beautiful art and fun times going on at GFW Elementary today!
![Art](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/4316937/large_owNGInT5qE0XXIn58kD1ig.jpeg)
![](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/gfw_public_schools_ar/profile/avatar/183375/circled_becf6dbe-4fe7-4674-853a-6337977c59c0.png)
GFW is applying for the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant
The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) makes this funding available to all eligible entities to support the creation or expansion of community learning centers that provide high-quality academic support, enrichment and youth development programs during non-school hours and summers.
GFW is hoping to expand our after school offerings to students in grades Pre K-12. We are excited about the possibilities and will let the community know if we are chosen to receive monies from the grant!
![](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/gfw_public_schools_ar/profile/avatar/183375/circled_becf6dbe-4fe7-4674-853a-6337977c59c0.png)
Guest speaker, Brian Wood taught 8th graders in the College and Career Readiness class all about Trade School, Construction jobs, and Unions last week!
![Guest Speaker](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/4281244/large_x_jEV8lf2V4CFfM-1r5QaA.jpeg)
![Guest speaker](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/4281251/large_i532JFg5eZaT59weNaGJUw.jpeg)
![](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/gfw_public_schools_ar/profile/avatar/183375/circled_becf6dbe-4fe7-4674-853a-6337977c59c0.png)
GFW Public Schools is proud to offer school age childcare for the summer through T-Bird Club!
Students in PreK through Grade 5 will get to participate in swimming, field trips, arts and crafts activities, exploring the outdoors and much more! Hours are 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday with fees of $120 weekly or $27.50 per day (with a two day minimum). Registration fees are $50 for the first child and $25 for each additional child and child care assistance is accepted.
Sign up by May 12, 2023 by contacting Jenna Ortiz at 507-207-2208 or jenna.ortiz@gfwschools.org to reserve your spot!
![T-Bird Club Summer Program](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/4256816/large_mAiIdUZN7OItDOJazeNzYg.png)