Patriot Pulse
August 18, 2022 Edition
We are excitedly preparing to welcome our Grissom Patriots back to school next week!
As a reminder, the first day of school for all students is Wednesday, August 24th. Students will be able to enter the building at 8:35 AM. Our bell schedule runs from 8:45 AM to 3:15 PM.
Included in this newsletter is pertinent information about arrival and dismissal procedures, some school-wide policies and procedures, our Open House, news from the PTO, and upcoming events. Please take time to read through the newsletter carefully, and contact us if you have any questions.
Respectfully,
Mr. Michael Rumbaugh - Principal
Arrival and Dismissal Procedures
Arrival and Dismissal Times
Arrival (8:25 - 8:40 AM)
Staff is on hand to supervise students waiting to enter the building starting at 8:25 AM every morning. If your child is a walker or car rider, it is recommended they arrive between 8:25 AM and 8:40 AM in order to arrive to their first period class by the 8:45 AM bell. Students arriving late to school will need to check in at the main office, and they will be marked tardy.
Dismissal (3:15 PM)
Students are dismissed at 3:15 PM every full school day. On half days, students are dismissed at 12 PM.
In Case of Inclement Weather...
On fair weather days, students are supervised outside starting at 8:25 AM and let into the building at 8:35 AM. Please do not arrive too early.
On inclement weather days, students are let into the building starting at 8:25 AM. They are supervised in our commons until 8:35 AM and then dismissed to their lockers.
Grissom Arrival / Dismissal Map
Please view the map below for information on drop off and pickup locations.
Bus Riders
Students riding the bus to school will be dropped off and picked up in the bus corral on the east end of the building. They will enter and exit through the designated bus doors. Check the Infinite Campus Parent Portal (LINK) for bus route information.
Car Riders and Walkers
Grissom Drive Drop-Off and Pick-Up
Those dropping off or picking up students on Grissom Drive should pull up to the blacktop curb on the east side of the street, nearest to the school. Please pull up as far as possible when dropping off or picking up students.
169th Street Drop-Off and Pick-Up
Those dropping off or picking up students on 169th Street should pull up to the blacktop curb on the south side of the street. Please pull up as far as possible when dropping off or picking up students.
Please Note the Following...
No Drop-Off or Pick-Up on the North Side of 169th St.
Students must be dropped off on the same side of the street as the school building. Please refrain from dropping off or picking up students on the north side of 169th Street.
Observe Posted Signs
Signs are clearly visible on the north side of 169th Street indicating it is a "No Student Drop-Off or Pick-Up" zone.
Drivers who disregard these directions run the risk of being ticketed by the Tinley Park Police Department.
No Drop-Off or Pick-Up on 82nd Avenue
Students being transported by car must be dropped off or picked up at the designated locations nearest to the school. Those dropping off or picking up students on 82nd Avenue run the risk of being ticketed by the Tinley Park Police Department.
No Drop-Off or Pick-Up in the Ad Center Parking Lot
Please remain in the car line on Grissom Drive when dropping off or picking up. Do not use the Administration Center parking lot as a pick up location.
No Drop-Off or Pick-Up in the Grissom Parking Lot
Do not pull into the main parking lot to drop off or pick-up students. This lot needs to be clear for bus drop-off and pick-up.
Walkers & Bike Riders
Safe Routes to School
Refer to the information and map below indicating safe walking routes to school. If your child walks or rides a bike to school, please take time to review and discuss the appropriate route to take when traveling to and from school.
BREMENTOWNE AREA
All students north of 167th Street and east of 80th Avenue are to walk to 76th Avenue, Ozark Avenue, Parliament Avenue, Paxton Avenue, and Princeton Avenue toward 167th Street and 80th Avenue and cross with the crossing guard at 167th Street and 80th Avenue. Students living on Paxton Avenue south of 167th Street should walk north to 167th Street and 80th Avenue and cross with the crossing guard at 167th Street and 80th Avenue.
MEADOWS & TANBARK SUBDIVISIONS
Students in these areas should walk south to 167th Street and 82nd Avenue and cross with the
crossing guard at 167th St. and 82nd Avenue to 169th Street. Students should cross with the crossing guard at 169th Street and Grissom Drive to the rear of the school.
CHERRY HILLS SUBDIVISION
Students in this area should travel through their subdivision to167th Street and continue east on 167th Street to 82nd Avenue and south to 169th Street to the school. Students should cross with the crossing guard at 167th Street and 82nd Avenue or at 167th Street and 80th Avenue. Students should also cross at 169th Street and Grissom Drive with the crossing guard.
First Day of School
The first day of school is Wednesday, August 24th. Students will be in attendance for the full day, from 8:45 AM to 3:15 PM
School Policies and Procedures
Backpacks
Students can bring backpacks to and from school each day. Backpacks are to be placed in lockers upon arrival to school. Students will pack their backpacks with materials needing to be taken home at the end of each school day.
Lockers
All students have been assigned a locker in the hallway closest to their classes. Students will place their backpacks, coats, lunches, cellphone (if applicable), and extra supplies in their lockers. Students will have the opportunity to visit their lockers during passing periods to retrieve materials and supplies for their classes.
Cell Phones
Students are required to turn off their cell phones and put them away upon entering the building. Cell phones must be kept in the lockers until dismissal. Cell phones must remain turned off and out of sight until the students have exited the building.
Students who need to call home during the school day can do so by asking to use any phone in our classrooms or school office. Parents who need to contact their children can call the Grissom office at 708-429-3030 at any time during the school day.
Assignment Notebooks
Assignment notebooks will be distributed to students on the first day of school. Students use these notebooks daily to fill in class assignments and keep track of information.
Open House
Wednesday, August 24th
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
You will be able to meet your child's teachers and receive information about their academic curriculum and expectations. Our Open House is intended for parents and guardians. Your child has already received this information. A schedule for Open House night will be sent home with students on the first day of school.
Student Schedules
Student class schedules are available in Infinite Campus. You can access your student’s schedule by signing into the Parent Portal. If you need access to the Parent Portal, please click here.
If you are not able to view your student’s schedule, please contact the Grissom Office at (708) 429-3030.
New Scheduling Format
Grissom student schedules will look a little different this year. We are no longer splitting grade levels into two separate teams. Instead, each grade level will have only ONE team with students moving interchangeably through a nine-period schedule. This change allows for smaller class sizes and greater flexibility in scheduling students to better meet academic and social-emotional needs.
Benefits of the New Model
Students will receive at least 80 minutes of instruction in English Language Arts (ELA) and Math, providing greater opportunities for students to receive direct instruction and work in collaborative small groups tailored to their academic needs.
Students will receive at least 40 minutes of instruction in PE or Health every day. Students will attend PE for three quarters of the school year and health for one quarter.
Students will receive at least 40 minutes of instruction in an Enrichment class each day. Enrichment classes include music, art, pre-engineering, and/or skills enrichment.
Social studies and science classes will be blocked so that students receive at least 40 minutes of instruction in each subject one day per week and at least 80 minutes of instruction in each subject two days per week.
Lunch periods will be coupled with a 20-minute advisory period.
Lunch/Advisory Times:
- 8th Grade: 10:57 am - 11:37 am
- 6th Grade: 11:40 am - 12:20 pm
- 7th Grade: 12:23 pm - 1:03 pm
Team Leaders
Two teachers at each grade level will serve as co-team leaders. These team leaders will share in responsibilities of team activities and meeting student needs for each grade level.- Sixth-grade team leaders - Maureen Korczyk & Renee O'Keeffe
- Seventh-grade team leaders - Melissa Rumbaugh & Michelle Schussler
- Eighth-grade team leaders - Cheryl LaPlant & Danielle Silzer
School Supplies
Click this link for the list of school supplies requested at each grade level for the 22-23 school year.
Fall Sports Try-Out Dates
Girls Softball
Monday, August 29th after school until 5:30 PM for all grade levels.
Boys Softball
Monday, August 29th after school until 4:45 PM for all grade levels.
Cross Country
Wednesday, August 31st for boys and girls at all grade levels.
Try-out forms for all fall sports will be provided in the informational packets sent home at the Parent/Student Walkthrough on Wednesday, August 10th. Forms will also be available to students beginning the first day of school on Wednesday, August 24th.
Summer Camp Fun!
Hot Lunch Orders
The order link is now live! Click here to order Hot Lunch for your student for the upcoming fall semester.
Order your Grissom Spirit wear Today!
See the link below for ordering Grissom spirit wear.
There is a 30% discount and free shipping for orders over $60 through September 7th.
Social Emotional Wellness
Social Emotional Wellness
We are here for you and your family, and we have resources to help. Please don't hesitate to reach out to your social/emotional leaders of Grissom:
School Social Worker
Molly Fahy
708.342.9563
School Counselor
Joy Labudzik
708.342.9561
Crisis & Support Hotlines:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
24/7 free & confidential support & crisis resources
Crisis Textline: text HOME to 741741
24/7 text message support for those in crisis.
Between Friends: 1-800-603-HELP (1-800-603-4357)
24/7 domestic violence crisis line
Call 4 Calm: Text “TALK” or “HABLAR” to 552-020
Free Emotional Support Text Line
Chicago Rape Crisis Hotline: 1-888-293-2080
24/7 Chicago rape hotline for survivors of sexual violence & their significant others
Illinois Warm Line: 1-866-359-7953
Peer & Family mental health support by phone, weekdays M-F 9AM-5PM
NAMI Chicago local resources & referral helpline: 312-563-0445
Compassionate support & personalized referrals M-F 9AM-5PM, Sat 9-1
If you or someone you love is experiencing an immediate, life-threatening mental health crisis,
call 911, clearly state that the individual is experiencing a mental health emergency and ask
that a Critical Incident Team officer respond to the situation. A Critical Incident Team officer is
trained in handling psychiatric emergencies.
Keep in Touch!
#KirbyONE40 #PatriotProud
Respectfully,
Mr. Michael Rumbaugh - Principal
Mrs. Julie Simpson - Assistant Principal
Follow us on Social Media!
Virgil I. Grissom Middle School
Principal Michael Rumbaugh- mirumbaugh@ksd140.org
Website: ksd140.org/grissom
Location: 17000 South 80th Avenue, Tinley Park, IL, 60477
Phone: 708-429-3030