News from the Nest
Graham Elementary School
A word from Ms. Walton
Dear Graham Families,
I attended the PTA meeting this week on Thursday via Zoom. I continue to be impressed with the volunteer hours our PTA Board and other Committee Chairs put forth on behalf of our students. This month they put together Leprechaun Traps for any student who wanted to purchase one to celebrate St. Patrick's Day and the month of March. They also hosted restaurant nights and helped Mr. Cooper organize the Jump Rope for Heart prizes. They have really helped Graham continue to feel like Graham during this past year.
I would usually save this for Teacher Appreciation Week in May, but I feel it's important to let our teachers, teachers assistants, and staff know, after all of the shifts, schedule changes, and overall uncertainty, they have been the same incredible educators they have always been. They have made a lot of changes and adjustments quickly and done them well. I know they will continue to offer their best to our students, our families, and our community.
Please consider filling out the 5Essential Survey for Graham School. These past few years we have had Exemplary Status at the State level. Using our voices by participating in the 5Essentials helps us strive to maintain that level of excellence. Thank you to those who have already filled the survey out, and thank you in advance to those who are going to do it real soon. It is appreciated.
Your continued support of Graham School is what makes our school special.
I hope that you all have a wonderful weekend,
Sincerely,
Ms. Walton
Self Certify by 8:00 AM!
Self Certification Reminder - Please remember to use ParentVUE to self-certify that students coming on campus are free of COVID-like symptoms before students arrive at school each day. If this step is not completed before 8:30am and your child is expected at school that day, a health services staff member will call you to discuss your child's health status.
ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL REMINDERS
Traffic and Pedestrian Safety
Thank you for helping maintain a safe and sound environment for our students through the review of the arrival and dismissal reminders listed below. Following drop-off and pick-up procedures will help ensure a safe entrance and exit for all Graham students.
Car Pick-Up and Drop-Off Zone is the safest way to pick-up and drop-off your student before and after school. Please follow the direction of staff members in the pick-up/drop-off zone. To ensure the pick-up line moves as quickly as possible for students and parents, please pull all the way forward. This allows more cars to fit into the appropriate place for loading and unloading of students. In addition, please remember that it is illegal to use cellphones when in a school zone.
Graham School utilizes a numeric system for the car rider line. Each family is assigned or will be assigned a number that will be used to identify your vehicle for dismissal. The numbers are assigned using the oldest or only list, with the intent that each family receives one number to identify their vehicle. A number has been assigned to every family, whether your family is a frequent user, or uses the pick-up line occasionally. Please let the office know if you have not received a number or have misplaced/forgotten yours.
- When you enter the drop-off/pick-up line, all car riders will be held in line until their car number is called. Staff members will be able to identify cars by the number and load students more quickly and efficiently.
- As you exit the car rider line, making a left turn is prohibited per the No Left Turn sign. (I have been informed that leaves were covering up the signage, but that has now been rectified.) Please follow the correct procedure and turn to the right. The No Left Turn is in place to maintain a safe exit from the school property. Safety before convenience is the motto, we follow at Graham School.
- Remember to talk to your child about the number system and help them memorize the number. For younger children, you may want to write the number on their backpack or attach it in some manner.
- Please place your number on the right side of your vehicle on the dashboard window or hang it from the rearview mirror, in a manner that is visible to staff.
- If you have multiple vehicles or lose your number, please create a duplicate on your own.
- If your children participate in a carpool, he/she will need to know the number of each of the vehicles they may ride in.
We ask that ALL parents (K-5) utilize the car rider line with this process. Please stay in your car and staff will assist your child.
You will not be permitted to park in the parking lot and meet your child at Door #4.
Walker procedures:
1. East Walkers will continue to exit Door #12.
2. West Walkers will exit the back gym door (door #6). If you plan to meet your child before walking home, please meet them in the back of the school.
Please remember to follow the traffic directions of our crossing guards. In addition, please remember to fully stop at the stop signs.
Parking
School buses use the front driveway for loading and unloading. Cars are not permitted in the circle drive until all buses have arrived in the morning or have left in the afternoon. Passes will be utilized for those students whose limited mobility prohibits their ability to navigate the Car Rider Line. Please contact Mrs. Stone or Ms. Walton if you need assistance with this.
No Dogs at Arrival and Dismissal
For the safety of our students, we ask that parents refrain from bringing dogs onto school property during arrival and dismissal time periods.
Walkers and Bike/Scooter Riders:
Please adhere to all pedestrian and Bike rider rules of the road.
Remember there will be adults monitoring and assisting the children during dismissal. We ask for your patience as it takes time for the system to run smoothly.
SCHOOL WELLNESS - 5ESSENTIALS SURVEY
Illinois 5Essentials Survey for Parents
Parents, students, and teachers across Illinois will once again have an opportunity to participate in the annual statewide Illinois 5Essentials Survey. This survey is designed to generate a detailed picture of your child’s school as it relates to the important elements of school effectiveness.
On behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education, the Illinois 5Essentials Survey is administered online by the University of Chicago. All survey responses will be kept confidential. The state will provide survey results for individual schools only if a school has at least 20 percent of parents take the survey. If you have children attending more than one school, we ask that you complete the survey for each school.
To take this short survey:
1. Visit 5 Essentials Survey Link
2. Type and select “Dupage” as "County." (The county is the location of the school district's main office.)
3. Type your school's name into the "School" field and select your school.
Los padres, estudiantes y maestros de Illinois nuevamente tendrán la oportunidad de participar en la encuesta anual del estado de Illinois 5Essentials Survey (Encuesta 5Esenciales). Esta encuesta está diseñada para generar un cuadro detallado del funcionamiento interno de la escuela de su niño/a y los elementos importantes relacionados con la efectividad de este funcionamiento.
En nombre de la Junta de Educación del Estado de Illinois, la Encuesta 5Esenciales será administrada en línea por la Universidad de Chicago. Todas las respuestas a la encuesta se mantendrán confidencial. El estado proporcionará los resultados de la encuesta a las escuelas individuales solamente si por lo menos un 20 por ciento de los padres participan en la encuesta. Si usted tiene un/a niño/a asistiendo a más de una escuela, le pedimos que por favor complete la encuesta para cada escuela.
Para completar esta breve encuesta:
1. Visite el enlace 5 Essentials Survey Link.
2. Escriba y elija a “DuPage” como "Condado". (El condado es donde se encuentra la oficina principal del distrito de su escuela.)
3. Escriba el nombre de la escuela en el campo que dice "Escuela" y elija la escuela.
Lunch Pick-Up
Organic Life will continue to provide curbside pick-up at elementary schools of grab and go breakfast and lunch at no cost for all children.
- NEW!!!!!! Organic Life staff & Lunch Room Supervisors will be supporting the lunch pick-up and in-person distribution. Please come to door #2 for the lunch cart! You will not see the buses anymore in the parking lot - but we are STILL doing lunches!
- Students in person requesting a lunch will receive the lunch delivered to the classroom. ORDER FORM FOR IN_PERSON STUDENTS
- Elementary families picking up lunch are asked to retrieve their lunch between 10:45 am and 11:15 am. At 11:15 lunch pick up will close. It will reopen at 11:45 until 1:00 near Door #2
Welcome Mrs. McIntosh!
I am very happy to announce we have a new secretary! Annie McIntosh joined us on Monday, March 8th. She comes to Graham with a wealth of experience in communications, fundraising, and event planning. Mrs. McIntosh and her husband recently relocated to Naperville, to be closer to family. Mr. McIntosh is a 3rd-grade teacher at Steeple Run Elementary in D203. Mrs. McIntosh has jumped right in and is on her way to finding her place in the Nest. If you need to email Mrs. McIntosh, please use Anna_McIntosh@ipsd.org.
2nd Grade Dental Exams!
- 2nd Graders: a dental exam dated after 11/15/19 is due by May 15th, 2021.
Please be sure to complete and/or sign the parent portions of the exam.
You may upload these documents into ParentVue. If you have difficulty or are unable to, you may send them via email to the Graham School nurse at Randi_Kleffman@ipsd.org or the health aide at Lisa_Finelli@ipsd.org
STUDENT ATTENDANCE TAKEN DAILY!
Attendance is taken daily for all students regardless of which program they attend. Please call the attendance line to report an absence for your child in whether they are attending In-Person or Remote.
If your child is absent, arriving late, or leaving early, please report their absence in ParentVue or call our 24-hour attendance line at (630-428-6900, option 3). Please let us know specific reasoning. In the event of illness, we ask that you include their symptoms to assist with monitoring such illnesses as COVID-19 and the flu within our area.
About Our School
V. Blanche Graham is a Prekindergarten-through 5th grade school located on in south Naperville. We opened in 1996 and are fortunate to have supportive parents, a dedicated staff, and students who come prepared and eager to learn.
We are part of Indian Prairie Community Unit School District #204 dedicated to "Inspire all students to achieve their greatest potential."
Email: claudette_walton@ipsd.org
Website: http://graham.ipsd.org
Location: 2315 High Meadow Road, Naperville, IL
Phone: 630-428-6900
Twitter: @GrahamElem204