The Lion's Share Newsletter
January 2022
From the Desk of Mr. Miller:
Grant Families,
Happy New Year! I hope that 2022 has been off to a great start for you and your family! I also hope that you all enjoyed a wonderful winter break creating new memories with each other. My wife, son, and I stayed in town and spent our break having fun with family and friends.
Next, I need to apologize to you for being late with this newsletter. As you know, our monthly newsletters typically are sent out around the 1st of each month. However, I contracted covid the day before we were to return to school. Although I am feeling tremendously better today, it hit me hard and I was down for the count! I do plan on returning to the building this coming Wednesday and I am excited to be back with our Lions!
As you may have heard in the news, covid has hit our area, along with most of the nation, hard. During the first 3 days back, we averaged 75 students absent a day. As you are aware from D11 notifications, there is no longer a mask mandate, however, it is highly encouraged to wear a mask while at school to help slow any potential transmission. Please be assured that we will continue to clean, disinfect, and allow for hand-washing breaks, as needed.
Over the last few weeks of school, we have finally had a few cold mornings. On mornings that have a "feels like" temperature of 20 degrees or less, you will see a green flags hung outside of our building during morning drop off (out front and near the bus zone). If you or your student sees a green flag during cold mornings or mornings with inclement weather, it simply means that we will bring students into the building immediately, rather than waiting for the normal 7:50 bell when breakfast starts. Outside classroom doors will still open at 7:50 on green flag days, however, students are encouraged to come into the front of the building where they will wait in the hallway near the interior door of the classroom inside the building, away from the cold and weather. We still ask that your student come prepared for cold weather (jacket, hat, gloves, etc.) as if the weather warms, students may still go outside for recess on a green flag day!
I appreciate all of you for everything you do and for your partnership with Grant Elementary. As always, if you have questions or concerns, please let me know how I can best support you. Thank you for your time!
Have a great one,
Ryan Miller
Principal, Grant Elementary
December's Capturing Kids' Hearts Focus: Respect
During the month of January, our students will be engaged in weekly lessons on Respect. Through great lessons, our Lions will learn about how to not only respect others, but themselves as well. Respect is something that is a foundation for how we all treat each other in the classroom, on the playground, and throughout our greater community. I know we all have our own definitions of what we believe respect to look like and sound like, but I would encourage you to read the definition below. Respect allows for dignity and difference to coexist. It's a great lesson for us all!
What is Respect?
Respect is the willingness and ability to act professionally and thoughtfully with ourselves and others. Leaders can deal respectfully with opposition and provide space for both dignity and differences to coexist.
Why focus on Respect?
- Respect contributes to a positive culture. People feel safe, supported, and engaged in the context of thoughtful social, emotional, civic, and intellectual interactions.
- Respect decreases conflict. Respect helps us, and others, to be able to express ourselves without fear of being judged, humiliated, or discriminated against.
- Respect encourages empathy. Respect helps us to understand each other and put ourselves in someone else shoes.
Respect in Action:
- Teach students words have power. How we talk to others, and ourselves, can motivate or discourage, connect or destroy, hurt or heal. We should choose our words with care.
- Create opportunities for group decision-making. Open dialogue engages students in a process where compromise is crucial to making decisions.
- Vary protocols for classroom sharing. Frequently use open-ended questions, partner sharing, and small group activities to connect and promote understanding between students.
Fun Pictures from December!
Important January Events:
Wednesday, Jan 5: Students Return from Winter Break, NEHS 2:30-3:45, Basketball Practice (Boys 2:30-3:30 & Girls 3:30-4:40)
Thursday, Jan 6: Basketball Practice (Boys 2:30-3:30 & Girls 3:30-4:40)
Friday, Jan 7: Basketball Practice (Boys 2:30-3:30 & Girls 3:30-4:40)
Monday, Jan 10: Basketball Practice (Boys 2:30-3:30 & Girls 3:30-4:40)
Tuesday, Jan 11: Student Council 2:30-3:30, Basketball Practice (Boys 2:30-3:30 & Girls 3:30-4:40), PTA Meeting in Media Center 6:00
Thursday, Jan 13: 2nd Cup of Coffee 8:15-9:00, Basketball Practice (Boys 2:30-3:30 & Girls 3:30-4:40)
Friday, Jan 14: Basketball Practice (Boys 2:30-3:30 & Girls 3:30-4:40)
Monday, Jan 17: NO SCHOOL in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Tuesday, Jan 18: Basketball Practice (Boys 2:30-3:30 & Girls 3:30-4:40)
Wednesday, Jan 19: NEHS 2:30-3:45, Basketball Practice (Boys 2:30-3:30 & Girls 3:30-4:40)
Thursday, Jan 20: Basketball Practice (Boys 2:30-3:30 & Girls 3:30-4:40)
Monday, Jan 24: Basketball Practice (Boys 2:30-3:30 & Girls 3:30-4:40)
Tuesday, Jan 25: Student Council 2:30-3:30, Away Basketball Games at Edison ES 3:00, Skate Night 6:00-8:00
Wednesday, Jan 26: Basketball Practice (Boys 2:30-3:30 & Girls 3:30-4:40)
Thursday, Jan 27: Away Basketball Games at Scott ES 3:00
Monday, Jan 31: Audiologist at Grant in morning, Basketball Practice (Boys 2:30-3:30 & Girls 3:30-4:40)
Contact Information:
Email: Ryan.miller@d11.org
Website: https://www.d11.org/Domain/35
Location: 3215 Westwood Boulevard, Colorado Springs, CO, USA
Phone: 719.328.5700
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grantelementarylions