Goochland Elementary School

🎉 Congratulations to our 2025 GCPS Rookies of the Year and Employee of the Year! 🎉 Each year, we recognize staff members who have made an incredible impact in their first year with Goochland County Public Schools. These individuals were nominated by their colleagues for their dedication, positivity, and excellence in their roles. 👏 Join us in celebrating our Rookies of the Year: 🌟 Sara Adams (Byrd Elementary) 🌟 Candace Morris (Goochland Elementary) 🌟 Jocelyn Pullen (Randolph Elementary) 🌟 Jessica Savage (Goochland Middle) 🌟 Kristen Borsari (Goochland High) We are also thrilled to recognize Barbara Hayden, Instructional Assistant at Byrd Elementary, as our GCPS Employee of the Year! Barbara is known for her kind and caring nature and her deep commitment to the students she supports each day. 💙 Help us congratulate these incredible team members who make GCPS such a special place to learn and grow!

📣 Calling all volunteers! 🧡 We’re hosting a Volunteer Breakfast on Friday, May 2 at 9am to say a big THANK YOU for everything you’ve helped us accomplish this year — from the book fair and glow run to PTA, Watch DOGS, cafeteria support, and so much more! ✨ We couldn’t do it without you! 📅 Please RSVP by 4/28: https://forms.gle/BrEhuAC5fc1YSw5K6 We can’t wait to celebrate you! 🥐☕🎉

📢 Teacher Appreciation Week at GES! 🍎✨ We’re celebrating our incredible teachers NEXT WEEK April 28 - May 2! Let’s show them some love with thoughtful gestures like: 💌 Handwritten notes from students 🌸 Flowers or small gifts to brighten their day ☕ Gift cards for coffee, books, or a treat 📚 Classroom supplies to keep learning fun 🎭 Creative surprises like a class video, song, or decorated door 🌟 Plus, a special PTA-sponsored Breakfast (April 28) & Lunch (May 2)! Every small act of kindness makes a big impact—let’s make this week extra special! 💙 #ThankATeacher #GESOtterLove

🌟 It's Administrative Assistants Week! 🌟 Next week (April 21–25), we’re celebrating the amazing work of Mrs. Rigsby and Ms. Trongone! 💙 These two keep our school running smoothly every single day — from organizing schedules to answering questions with a smile, they do it all! 🎉 Let’s show them how much we appreciate them! Here are some simple ways to say thank you: 💐 Write them a heartfelt note 🍫 Bring them their favorite treat 🌸 Surprise them with flowers ☕ Treat them to coffee or tea 😊 Give them a big smile and a kind word Let’s make sure Mrs. Rigsby and Ms. Trongone feel extra loved this week! 💖 #ThankYou #WeLoveOurAdmins #OtterAppreciation

🌾🐄 GCPS 4th graders had a blast at Ag Day! What started as Erin Henley’s senior project in 2008 has grown into a beloved tradition, connecting students to the heart of our agricultural community. From farm equipment and baby calves 🐮 to bees 🐝, goats 🐐, chickens 🐓, and homemade ice cream 🍦—our kids learned firsthand how agriculture touches every part of our lives. Huge thanks to our local farmers, FFA & 4H members, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Manakin Soil, and so many others who made this day hands-on, educational, and unforgettable! 💚🌱

Thank you, Rosie Holman, Director of Transportation for always being there for GES. Making sure all our students arrive safely at their destinations! She takes a personal interest in every student! #otterofthemonth

Otter alert, families! 🦦 Tomorrow we’re sliding out early—dismissal starts at 12:15 PM! 🎒 Then it’s time to float into a long weekend (no school Monday! 🎉). Rest your paws, munch some snacks, and we’ll be otterly excited to see your happy faces back at GES on Tuesday! 🐟💙

Big cheers for our Otters of the Month! These otterly amazing humans are helping our students (and each other!) thrive every day with heart, hustle, and a whole lot of joy. We’re lucky to have them in our pond! 🦦

Our 4th graders got a sneak peek today of the GHS spring production of “Shrek” — and trust us, you don’t want to make an ogre mad! Join Shrek, Donkey, Fiona, and the whole fairy tale gang in this hilarious and heartwarming adventure! Show Dates: April 25th–27th Friday @ 7pm Saturday @ 2pm & 7pm Sunday @ 2pm Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/ShrekatGHS $10 for kids and Golden Bulldog pass holders $15 for adults GCPS employees are FREE! Don’t miss your chance to see this SHREKtacular show!

🎉 The GES Spring Book Fair kicks off Monday, April 14th! 📚✨ Get ready to shop for new adventures, favorite characters, and page-turning fun! Want a cash-free way for your child to shop? Set up an eWallet today! 💳 👉 https://tinyurl.com/GESewallet Thanks for supporting our annual FUNdraiser — where every book sold helps our school grow! 💙📖

Last night, three GES students—Zachary, Hadley, and Carter—were honored at the GEF Essay Contest Reception! 🎉 This year’s essay prompt—“Who inspires you and why does he or she inspire you?”💡 Our GES winners were recognized for their creativity, strong writing, and thoughtful connections to the topic, each earning a $100 prize in their category. Way to go, Otters! 🏆✍️

🎨✨ You're Invited! ✨🎶 Join us for the GCPS Fine Arts Festival: Rooted in Expression 📍 Goochland High School Complex 📅 Tomorrow | 5:00–8:00 PM 🎟️ FREE Admission! Come celebrate the amazing talents of our GCPS students through: 🖼️ Visual art displays from all schools 🎤 Live performances by elementary, middle & high school choruses 🎺 Band concerts 💃 GHS Dance Troupe 🎭 A special sneak peek of Shrek the Musical! Bring the whole family, snap some selfies, and enjoy an evening full of creativity, expression, and Otter-ly awesome talent! 💙

📢 We’re SO Close! 🦦🎉 Only 50 more yearbook sales to hit our goal! Let’s finish strong, Otters! 💪✨ If you haven’t ordered your 2024 Goochland Otters Yearbook yet, now’s your chance to be part of the memories. Help us cross the finish line and celebrate a year full of laughter, learning, and Otter pride! 🐾📚 📍 Order Here: yearbookordercenter.com/job/17866 💲 Cost: $26 📅 Deadline: Friday, April 11 ❓ Questions? Email gesptavoice@gmail.com Let’s do this—one final push! 🚀📸 #OtterMemories #Yearbook2024

📚🌸 The GES Spring Book Fair is coming soon! 🌸📚 Mark your calendars for April 14th–18th — it's time to stock up on stories! ✨ All students will attend the Book Fair during their regular library Encore times. 📅 Purchasing Days: During scheduled library time ☀️ Morning Shopping: Tues–Fri, 7:45–8:45am 🌙 Afterschool Shopping: Mon–Thurs, 2:15–3:30pm 💳 Set up an eWallet for easy, cash-free shopping! https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/content/fairs/how-ewallet-works.html?fairId=5729331 🛍️ Shop the Online Fair: April 14–27 https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/goochlandelementaryschool 🙌 We need YOU! Volunteer and help make the Book Fair magical! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0F4BA8AB23A4F85-56144994-books#/ 📖 Let’s help our Otters find their next favorite read! 🦦💙 #GESCelebratesReading #OttersLoveBooks #SpringBookFair2025

Get ready for an unforgettable adventure at STEM Camp 2025! Join us for A Children’s Engineering/STEM Initiative: Think, Plan, and Build - 21st Century Skills! Dates: June 3–6, 2025 Time: 8:30–11:45 AM Location: Goochland High School (GHS) Cost: $125 (payments made through OSP) Registration Deadline: May 16, 2025 Students from PK-8th grade will dive into hands-on experiences like building barns and baking bread, exploring the fascinating world of sharks, racing CO₂-powered cars, and designing robots for competition! Spaces are limited, so don’t wait—register today! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScq4FsMOtOe9AMsxWu3IyxyvK8ee-96anF4LMzZg6dEWyXVtQ/viewform

📣 Teacher Appreciation Week is Almost Here! 🍎 GES will be celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week from April 28th – May 2nd! Let’s come together to show our teachers and staff how much we appreciate them. ❤️ 🍳 Donate to help us provide a special Staff Breakfast on Monday, April 28th → https://goochlandelementarypta.givebacks.com/store/items/1176067 🥪 Volunteer to cover extended teacher lunches on Friday, May 2nd → https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0A4BA4AA2DA1F94-55826790-teacher#/ Your support means the world — thank you for helping us make this week extra special! 🙌

📣 Don’t miss out! Join us for a night of FUNN at The Diamond as the Richmond Flying Squirrels take on the Somerset Patriots! ⚾️ 🎟️ Purchase your tickets by April 15 using the link below — $4 from each ticket will be donated back to Goochland Elementary! 👉 Purchase Tickets: https://fevo-enterprise.com/event/Goochlandelementaryghn1eiwnaj Let’s pack the stands and cheer on the Squirrels together!

🎨🎶 It’s Almost Here! 🎭💃 Don’t miss the GCPS Fine Arts Festival and All-County Concert: "Rooted in Expression" — happening THIS Friday, April 11th at Goochland High School! ⏰ Performance starts at 5:30 PM in the GHS auditorium. Come see incredible performances from our talented chorus groups, band, drama department, and dance troupe! 🎤🎷🎬 See you there! 🌟

🎉 Big news, future Otters! 🦦 Kindergarten registration for the 2025-2026 school year is happening NOW! Don’t miss your chance to join the Goochland Otter family — register today and get ready for an amazing year! 👉 https://tinyurl.com/GCPSRegistration 📅 Don't wait—secure your spot for the in-person screening Thursday, April 10, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. : (804) 556-5321 We can’t wait to see you soon! 💙💛 #FutureOtters #GoochlandOtters

📢 Great News — Deadline Extended! 🎉 We still need to sell 100 more yearbooks and now you have a little extra time to help us get there! 🦦📚 The new deadline to order your 2024 Goochland Otter Yearbook is Friday, April 11! 📍 Order Now: yearbookordercenter.com/job/17866 💲 Cost: $26 ❓ Questions? Email gesptavoice@gmail.com Let’s hit that 100 together and make this yearbook unforgettable! 💯📸 #OtterMemories