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Garfield Elementary
Principal: Cheryl Cook

Name/History: Garfield, which opened in 1953, is named after President James Garfield.

Mission Statement: The mission of the Garfield community is to provide a positive environment focused on academic and social skills that will foster responsible, lifelong learners.

Environment - Garfield Elementary has a very welcoming atmosphere where families enter the lobby and are enthusiastically greeted by professional staff eager to answer questions and provide help. We have an emphasis on student safety. Students are taught how to make appropriate choices that help keep them safe on the playground and in the classrooms. Garfield is a Positive Behavior Support School. Staff works with students on the school's behavioral expectations. Staff and students celebrate student successes through awards ceremonies, Beary Good Bear awards, PRIDE Power awards, homework awards, and classroom activities. The Garfield PRIDE rules are: Positive Person, Respect and Responsibility, Individual Best, Demonstrate Truth and Honesty, and Everyone Belongs.

LISA program - Garfield is the elementary component of the Loveland area Integrated School of the Arts (LISA). The LISA program is a K-12 program at three sites. Garfield feeds into Bill Reed Middle School, the next level of the LISA program. LISA teaches subjects through the use of visual art, music, and movement. The program focuses on the ways that young learners are most receptive to learning. Students experience a well-rounded program in the visual arts and music. A full-time art and music teacher is a part of the teaching staff. Assemblies and field trips focus on the arts. Students can also participate in before- and after-school clubs that support the LISA program. Visiting artists and musicians help teach arts appreciation. Student showcases emphasize the artistic and musical skills that students are developing under the guidance of professional staff.

Activities - Garfield has many before- and after-school options for students with staff supervisors and the help of parent volunteers. Activities are developed based on students' needs, interests, and abilities. School-sponsored programs include Math Café, 5th grade band, chess club, 5th grade art club, Lego Robotics, handwriting club, choir, homework club, Odyssey of the Mind, geography club, and spelling club.

Family, parent, and community support - Garfield is proud of parent support. Parents are invited to volunteer in classrooms, eat lunch with students, and participate in classroom activities. Garfield has a large and wonderful group of parent, community, and student volunteers who help make this a great school. The PTO is an active group that works to enhance the school environment.The PTO provides funds for field trips, playground equipment, classroom technology, and other teacher requests. The PTO also sponsors school events that encourage family involvement like the school carnival and talent show. Garfield sponsors family CONNECT nights, which are very well attended. Evening events focus on school programs with an emphasis on learning, fun, and food for the entire family. Parents have an opportunity to learn about Garfield school goals through the School Accountability Advisory Committee (SAAC).