December 7 - December 16, 2021

Dear Families,

We hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving break. We have quite a bit going on for the month of December. Please stay up to date with all the great things happening at IGDVS. Let us know if you have questions!

Happy Holidays! IGDVS Team

---

Winning Halloween Stories

By Alexander, 1st Grader

The mad scientist was creating a monster that could obey his law. And oh, that monster was horrible. He smashes, punches, crashes and kills. Smasherman, a hero did the same things! “Roar, boo!” said Smasherman. The monster ran away to the camera. Did you know that this is a video game?

Bella the Nice Monster by Kelsey, 3rd Grader

The mad scientist was creating a new monster that could help people. Another, scientist created a monster that could put spells on people. The mad scientist ate a cookie that the other scientist who created the monster that put spells on people. That cookie was made by the monster that put spells on people. That's why the mad scientist created a nice monster that helps people. One day, the nice monster ran to the mad scientist. The scientist looked at the monster and said "What do you need?" The monster replied, "Can I have a name?" "Yes. Is Bella okay?" "Thank you! That's a perfect name for me," replied Bella. Bella knew a lot. She actually had magic. One day, Bella was watching TV. There was a fire in California. Bella jumped in the television and disappeared. She was in California! She said, "Out!" Then the fire was gone. People said, "Bella is a good monster." Bella helped a lot of people. She is a good monster!

By Xinwen, 4th Grader

The mad scientist was creating a new monster that could change into a ghost! Then he floated out and did all kinds of mischief, but the H.S. Detectives were on the case!

Emily and Jack slipped out the door and dashed into the dark, scary woods. When they were far enough from the neighborhood, they said, “Show your secrets.” They were flabbergasted by how many spirits and ghosts there were in the forest. They looked around, then, they saw a ghost that was holding a list that read,

Spooky Crumble Houses Throw Books The things that were happening in town! Emily and Jack said, “Expecto Patronum!” A silver animal came out of each of their wands and chased the ghost to another world!

By Celina, 8th Grader

The mad scientist was creating a new monster that could help you finish all your ginger in your food but you need to pay it back by using ginger drink. Its name is Celina. A lot of people don't like seeing ginger pieces in their meals like lunch or dinner, and people hate it when they accidentally chew a huge piece of ginger in their mouth. But a lot of people love to drink ginger drinks. So this monster, Celina, can help you with all that ginger in your every single meal. All you need to do is every time you need to eat your meal with Celina and when you see your ginger, you can pick them up before you put ginger in your mouth and give the ginger to Celina. It will be so happy to help you. But of course you won't get this for free, you need to "pay" Celina back, you need to give at least two bags of brown sugar and ginger drink every morning before 8 a.m. Teresa has had this monster since she was ten, she was happy that Celina can help her eat ginger even though she loves ginger drinks. But five years later, the monster Celina died because she ate too much ginger. The time it died, its creepy face was pink because the brown sugar and ginger drink was good for its blood.

COVID-19 Education

With so many medical workers putting their lives on the line to help with the COVID-19 crisis, it's only right that we repay them back with the simplest deed of all- wearing a mask. Wearing a mask might not seem like it makes a difference, but it certainly does. Think about it- if one person has COVID-19 but doesn't show any symptoms, he/she could infect many people without even knowing. Those people, in turn, could infect more people, until it ultimately results in severe COVID-19 cases. Wearing a mask helps with preventing all of this. Wearing a mask has become a sign of politeness and respect in recent months, and it's simply polite protocol for going out. Wearing masks can not only benefit yourself, but it helps prevent the spread and will benefit other people as well. The CDC recommends almost all healthy kids and adults wear a mask, except for children under the age of 2 or anyone who has trouble breathing, health problems, etc. According to Jim Keany, MD and former chief of staff at Mission Hospital in Orange County, if your respiratory status is truly so severe that you’re not able to breathe through a mask, you should definitely stay home and not expose yourself to any risk. “If you are truly that fragile, a COVID-19 infection could be a death sentence,” he previously told Health. Healthcare workers are trying their best to help us and are risking their own lives. The simplest way to repay them is to wear a mask. It's easy and it's simple, and it will make a difference. For more information, read the article below and watch the video from The New York Times about a message from healthcare workers to us. https://www.health.com/condition/infectious-diseases/coronavirus/why-you-should-wear-a-mask

Audrey Chan is a senior at DVGS. Question: What was your inspiration for coming to this school? Audrey: The school offers a unique environment for the students to focus better on their academic studies without distractions.

Question: What has been your most memorable experience here? Audrey: I think it’s pretty impressive to have fun and laugh with friends while doing chores and things that we don’t really want to do. Question: What is your favorite part of IGDVS? Audrey: The ratio of teacher and student. I like a small learning environment because all of my questions and concerns can be heard. Question: What is your favorite school lunch? Audrey: My favorite school lunch is the noodle dish with fake meat and mushroom bits sauce. Question: Do you have any advice for students? Audrey: Make the best out of everything.

Ways to Improve Your Global Footprint

By Katie from Cool Beans Club

During this time of COVID-19, we are at home more than ever and it doesn't hurt to take some time to improve your home's global footprint. The first thing that you can do is changing your light bulbs to LED. You may be wondering how this can help our planet; well, LED lights last 25 times longer than an average light bulb. Another thing to try is to upcycle your clothes. I find that in my household I’m finding clothes I no longer wear; the reason behind this is that nowadays most clothes are fast fashion and aren't made to last. If you don’t want to spend more money on ethical and sustainable clothes, then try making them into something new. If you have a pair of jeans, make them into shorts for summertime. You could even paint on your clothes! This idea that clothes are only one use is absurd. We should be making the best of our materials, and if worst comes to worst, you can use the fabric as a rag.

Many people in our school are already on a plant-based diet, but if not you and your family, you could try going vegan or vegetarian just for the month. Starting a garden or just planting a tree in your backyard will make a big difference if everyone does it, and it’s even better if you grow food! The world needs our help and the small changes in our lives can make big differences. By going to https://www.footprintcalculator.org/ you can learn about your home’s ecological footprint and how to improve it!

Inspirational Quote

“Piglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart, it could hold a rather large amount of Gratitude.” ― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

Fun Fact of the Month

Otters have a special pocket in their skin where they carry their favorite rock!

Yearbook Orders

Yearbooks will be $45 this year. If you are interested in ordering a yearbook for your child, please send an email to dvgs@drba.org with your child's first and last name. Please type "Yearbook Order" on the subject line of the email.

Christmas Celebration Performances

If your child is interested in playing or singing a holiday song for our Christmas celebration, please email Ms. Yee at rita.yee@igdvs.org by December 4th. Some students have already shared their music plans with Mrs. Leong. More information about the Christmas Celebration and IGDVS gifts for students will follow soon.

Stream for Smiles

One of our high school seniors is organizing performances to stream on our school YouTube channel for patients at Ukiah Adventist Health Hospital. If your child is interested in sharing a song, dance, or poetry recitation, please send your video to dvgs@drba.org. A media consent form will also need to be filled out when you send your child’s video. Please see attached form.

Library Books

Does your child need books to read? We are planning to put 10-20 IGDVS library books in a package by grade level and check it out to your child. Your child does not have to read all the books but choose the ones that interest him/her. We'll send an email to let you know when books can be picked up and when they are due. If you are interested, please send an email to dvgs@drba.org to sign up by December 7th.

Winter Break: December 17-January 8

Have a wonderful and safe winter break! Wishing you all peace, good health, and happiness.