News From The Nest
Graham Elementary Weekly Update | April 15th, 2021
IMPORTANT DATES
- Friday, April 23rd | Deadline To Switch To In-Person Learning
- Saturday, April 24th | Stan's Donuts Fundraiser
- Monday, May 3rd - Friday, May 7th | Teacher Appreciation Week
- Monday, May 31st | Memorial Day, No School
- Friday, June 4th | Last Day of School
Dear Graham Families,
I am so pleased to write that we have arrived at the end of our first week of expanded in-person learning! This week saw students, teachers, staff, and families come together in numerous ways to create amazing displays of cooperation and learning.
As we return to full day in-person learning, please talk to your student about the Falcon Four principles that guide our school. We have been reviewing our positive expectations and procedures with students every morning, but want to reinforce having everyone feel welcome, feel safe, and to always be treated with respect. This is why we follow a Positive Behavior Intervention System (PBIS) model at Graham.
Lastly, just as it would be with the start of any new school year, we have found small changes and adjustments that will help us to have a better learning experience if we all work together to implement them. Please review these updates below with your students, and help us to maintain a safe learning environment and successfully finish out the remainder of the school year.
Have a great weekend!
Sincerely,
Ms. Walton
Deadline For the Switch To In-Person Learning
Dear Parents,
We have been extremely pleased with our 9am-3pm expanded learning model, and are happy to welcome students to in-person learning once again. Though we have worked hard to accommodate additional students, we are not able indefinitely make changes to our schedule. Adding in-person students has a significant ripple effect on the teacher, classroom space, lunch scheduling and many other things. Therefor, we will not be able to accommodate any more in-person students after Friday, April 23rd. We appreciate your understanding.
Thank You,
IPSD 204 Central Office
Extended School Day Information Slide Deck
Please refer to the In Person Learning Plan shared last week for any questions you have around our return to expanded school days. Clicking on the hyperlink above, or the image to the right will take you directly to slides housing information that will help families to get a better sense of what the rest of the school year will look like. Please keep this deck bookmarked somewhere on your devices, as it will be an ongoing resource for any and all questions you might have.
SCHOOL HOURS
Graham Elementary's school day begins promptly at 9:00am, with bus and parent drop off starting at 8:50am.
Please abide by these predetermined times, as it makes it very difficult on our office staff to navigate multiple escorts for students arriving late.
LUNCH AND FORGOTTEN ITEM DROP-OFF
For example, if dropping off a water bottle for a student in 2K, please write "Freddy Falcon | 2K" somewhere on the item or an attached piece of paper.
IMPORTANT | Self Certification In ParentVue by 8:00 AM
Please remember to use ParentVUE to self-certify your students by 8:00AM. We currently have three staff members making calls in the morning to obtain self certifications before students enter the building. Strategies for remembering to certify include setting an alarm on your phone, or putting a note somewhere you frequent in the morning.
Lastly, if the above step is not completed before 8:00am and your child is expected at school, a staff member will call you. If you aren't reached by 9:00am, your student will be pulled from class and isolated until certification questions are verified.
These measures, while tedious, are meant to keep your child safe, and are a necessary step in our maintenance of an open learning space.
Schedule Change | 4th & 5th Grade Chorus
Dear Chorus Members and Families,
Due to the change in our school day, we cannot have Chorus at the normal time of 8:15-8:45am on Monday mornings. Chorus Rehearsals are now Mondays on Zoom from 3:30-4:00pm. To those who are able to attend, I look forward to seeing you!
Here is the schedule for Chorus Rehearsals for the rest of the 2020-2021 School Year:
April 19 Chorus 3:30-4:00pm
April 26 Chorus 3:30-4:00pm
May 3 Chorus Final Gathering 3:30-4:00pm (more information to follow)
I'm so proud of our Chorus this year! They have been outstanding! If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at kathy_muno@ipsd.org.
Stan's Donuts PTA Fundraiser
The Stan’s Van is headed back to Naperville's High Meadow Park for a Graham School fundraiser on Saturday April 24th from 9am to 12pm! We know not everyone was able to get donuts in the fall so the van is taking pre-orders!
Place pre-orders here: https://foodtruck.pub/?id=5068 | (Ends 48 hours before the event)
The options include Stan’s Van Dozen, Premium Dozen, Assorted Half Dozen, Glutenless Half Dozen, and Vegan Half Dozen. When you log on to order, select pickup and April 24th. A limited amount of donuts will be available for onsite purchase.
Please contact Stan’s Donuts info@stansdonutschicago.com if you have any questions.
Teacher Appreciation Week
The PTA is beginning preparations for this year’s Teacher Appreciation Week! This year’s “I Survived 2020-21” theme will help celebrate our amazing teachers who were able to do everything and roll with our ever changing year with a great week May 3-7th. We will need your help to make it a success! PLEASE consider donating some treats for the teachers listed on the sign up genius below to make their week special. These will be for the Breakfast Day, Sweet Treats Day, and Snack Day. This is always such a special event for the PTA to put on, and we thank you for your support!
V. Blanche Graham Elementary School
V. Blanche Graham Elementary School is a Prekindergarten through 5th grade school located in South Naperville. Opened in 1996, Graham is fortunate to have supportive parents and dedicated staff and students who come prepared and eager to learn. We are part of Indian Prairie Community Unit School District #204, which is dedicated to the mission to "Inspire all students to achieve their greatest potential."
Email: anna_mcintosh@ipsd.org
Website: http://graham.ipsd.org/
Location: 2315 High Meadow Rd, Naperville, IL 60564, USA
Phone: 630-428-6900
Twitter: @GrahamElem204