The Gray Wolf Gazette
January 6th, 2023
Our Mission and Vision
Mission(Why we exist): Dr. Henry Givens Jr. Elementary is a collaborative community committed to ensuring equity and high levels of learning for all.
Dr. Henry Givens Jr. Elementary is a community of belonging that empowers all children to connect, discover, and thrive as leaders equipped to make a positive impact on our world.
Weekly Update
Welcome back! We are so excited to kick off the 2nd portion of our school year! Please take a minute to review the items in the Gazette below.
WOW, Webster Reads Challenge!!!
During the Winter Break, we had 98 students participate in the Webster Reads Challenge. Our Gray Wolves worked together to engage in reading or listening to over 630 books. Way to go Gray Wolves. Reading, or listening to reading, works to strengthen students' knowledge and vocabulary by leaps and bounds. We are happy that so many of our students continued that learning during Winter Break and enjoyed reading to themselves or with another person during their time off.
Each Students' work will be celebrated during our February Harambee as well as this Saturday when they have been invited to watch the Women's and Men's Basketball Games at Webster University. They will then participate in a pizza party hosted by the athletic department. In addition to this, they will each receive a free book from our library to add to their at-home book collection.
We are so proud of their work!
If your child participated and you have not seen the flyer that includes the information for the Basketball Game, click here to view it.
Did you know that we use letter days at Givens(A- E )? We do this to make sure each classroom gets its curriculum time within our specials rotation. I will share the letter days in the Gazette each week. Some classroom teachers share their rotation days so you know when your students are going to Library(Book Return) and PE(Remember tennis shoes).
Monday - E
Tuesday- A
Wednesday-B
Thursday-C
Friday- D
Upcoming Dates
January 9th: Late Start (School starts at 9:05) &
Title I Meeting and PTO Meeting 6:30-7:30
Givens Library or Zoom Option
Zoom link: https://wgsdstl.zoom.us/j/91946363555...
Meeting ID: 919 4636 3555
Passcode: Givens
January 16th: No School in Honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
January 23rd: Late Start (School Starts at 9:05)
January 30th: Pack Meeting
February 4th: KDG Informational (10:00-10:30 am) & All Elem. School Open House 10:00-12:00
Zoom link: https://wgsdstl.zoom.us/j/91946363555...
Meeting ID: 919 4636 3555
Passcode: Givens
Book Battle Club at Givens in 2023
Do you have a child in third, fourth, or fifth grade who loves to read? Would they like to gather with other readers and answer trivia questions about books? If so, Book Battle is the club for them! Book Battle will be held after school until 3:45 on Thursdays beginning on January 19. In order to participate, you must have a permission slip turned in and signed by a caregiver. Permission slips are posted on the library doors. If you would like to print your own, follow this link. If you have questions, please email the club sponsors below:
Mrs. Olsen: olsen.kendall@wgmail.org
Mrs. Williams: williams.vicki@wgmail.org
Ms. Gamble: gamble.leah@wgmail.org
Our One Word
Construction Update
All Givens parents/caregivers are invited to attend the next PTO meeting which is scheduled for Monday, January 9th from 6:30 - 7:30 PM. The meeting will take place in the Givens library and will have a Zoom option as well. Zoom information below:
Zoom link: https://wgsdstl.zoom.us/j/91946363555...
Meeting ID: 919 4636 3555
Passcode: Givens
Equity Corner 1/6
What is intersectionality?
The complex, cumulative way in which the effects of multiple forms of discrimination (such as racism, sexism, and classism) combine, overlap, or intersect, especially in the experiences of marginalized individuals or groups (merriam-webster.com)
Recommended read (for grown-ups): Eloquent Rage by Brittney Cooper
Historical Highlight: Red Foxx (1922-1991)was a stand-up comedian and actor from St. Louis. His comedic influence was felt by comedic greats such as Richard Pryor and Chris Rock. He is best known for his role in Sanford and Son, for which he won a Golden Globe.
2022-2023 Givens School Buzz Book
**All editing will be closed down at the end of March. At this time, we will download a PDF and share it electronically with all families. Until then, you will always be able to access this from our Gray Wolf Gazette.
News From Around the District
Incoming 6th grade Important Dates
Hello, Future Sixth Grade Parents and Students. We are so excited about your transition to Hixson Middle School!!!
Please place these important upcoming dates on your calendar. We look forward to seeing you.
Tuesday, January 10th, 2023
6-8 pm, in Hixson Auditorium
Incoming 6th grade Parent Information Night
Learn about Camp Wyman, daily schedules and classes at Hixson, teams, after-school opportunities, and more
Wednesday, January 11, 2023
Thursday, January 12, 2023
Friday, January 13, 2023
Hixson Visits: 6th-grade overview presentation for 5th-grade students
Hixson administration and the counselor will visit each elementary between these three days
Givens Elementary on 1/13
We will focus our presentation on
A typical day at Hixson
Teams
Class Choice and Required Cores
After School Opportunities
All students will be given a 6th-grade Course Description Guide and a Course Request Form to select their classes for the 23-24 school year
Wednesday, January 18, 2023
Thursday, January 19, 2023
Friday, January 20, 2023
Course Request Entry Visits
Hixson administration and a counselor will visit each elementary school between these three days to help students enter their course requests for the 23-24 school year.
For those absent on these days, an administrator and counselor will come back again to ensure no one is left behind
Week of August 8, 2023
6th grade Hixson Orientation
Specific Time and Date to be determined
Information will be sent home in July pertaining to this event
Opportunity to get to know the building and explore Hixson
Week of August 14, 2023
Hixson all School Open House
Specific Time and Date to be determined
Information will be sent home in July pertaining to this event
Opportunity to meet teachers, practice opening lockers, walk your schedule, and more!
PD Opportunities for Parents at Hixson:
March 9, 2023
PTO meeting: held in Hixson Library
Dr. Mayes will present on “Middle School Academics”
April 27, 2023
PTO meeting: held in Hixson Library
Dr. Mayes will present on the“Middle School Model” in conjunction with Parent University
More information about these PD opportunities will be available
Dr. Henry Givens Jr. Elementary School
Email: beechamjudge.malissa@wgmail.org
Website: https://www.webster.k12.mo.us/domain/142
Location: 701 North Rock Hill Road, St. Louis, MO, USA
Phone: 314-963-6460
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GivensElem