Buzzin' in the Hive
Graden Family Newsletter, February, 2022
Sometimes the cold weather causes us to be tired and blah.. NOT at Graden! The students and staff continue to be eager and ready to learn each and every single day. Third quarter is an amazing time for learning because students are comfortable with their teachers and the routines and expectations in the classroom.
The school day is filled with new learning and challenging curriculum. With that said, we miss our hornets when they are gone. If your hornet is not sick or experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, please make prompt arrival and attendance a priority. We have a busy and important 2nd semester ahead of us.
It is approaching the time of year for enrollment. Watch for information from the district or from Graden regarding enrollment and registration dates.
Thank you for supporting Graden!
-Dr. Easley
UPCOMING DATES FOR YOUR CALENDAR
Monday, February 7th: PTA Meeting - 6:30 pm - Graden Library
Thursday, February 10th: Mathletics Competition - 4:45 pm - Gym
Monday, February 14th: Graden Friendship Parties
Wednesday, February 16th: Spring Picture Day
Monday, February 21st: NO SCHOOL
COVID-19 UPDATES
Masks are required inside any Park Hill building until February 11th.
Isolation of Sick People:
- In compliance with the CDC's new guidance, we will require anyone who tests positive for COVID to stay home for five days, beginning on the date of the positive test or on the first day symptoms appeared.
- If the person has no symptoms or their symptoms resolve, they may return after five days. They might need to stay home a little longer if one of their symptoms that resolved was a fever, as they must have had no fever without medication for more than 24 hours to return.
- We will ask them to wear a mask for the next five days after they return, but we will not enforce mask wearing.
Quarantine of Exposed People:
The CDC also updated quarantine guidance for people who get exposed to someone with COVID.
- People who are fully vaccinated within the last six months or fully vaccinated and boosted do not need to quarantine, but the CDC does recommend they wear a mask for 10 days.
- The CDC recommends people who are not fully vaccinated within the last six months or not fully vaccinated and boosted to quarantine for five days and then wear a mask for another five days.
- The CDC says "If you can’t quarantine you must wear a mask for 10 days. Test on day five if possible. If you develop symptoms get a test and stay home."
As of January 13th, there has been additional COVID information added to the district's website. Here is the direct link: https://www.parkhill.k12.mo.us/covid-information
The section that may be very helpful to families is, "The Covid-19 Flowcharts." Since the rules for isolation and quarantine have changed, there are many questions regarding exposure.
The following image is taken from the flow chart and found in the link above and gives directions on what to do if your child is exposed.
Also, If your child is vaccinated, feel free to send electronic scans of their vaccination cards to Nurse Kris or you may drop off copies at the front office.
INCLEMENT WEATHER/AMI LEARNING DAYS
As we approach some very cold days at school. I wanted to share information about inclement weather days if Park Hill moves to an Alternate Means of Instruction (AMI)/virtual learning day.
If Park Hill Has an AMI DAY:
- Your student’s teacher will email the specific plan for the day by 9:00 am.
- Students will participate in learning activities from 9:00 am -3:40 pm each day, with a lunch/recess break from 12:00 pm-1:00 pm.
- While the daily schedule is a suggestion, attendance on TEAMs lessons is expected.
- Learning activities will include a combination of online lessons and independent learning activities throughout the day.
- Students who receive special education services will receive communication from their child’s case manager.
- Your child’s teacher will have an established plan for how you will contact the teacher each day. If you need assistance, you will always be able to call our front office at 816-359-4340
FRIENDSHIP PARTIES - VALENTINE'S DAY
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14TH
- Blow Pops
- Juice boxes
- Popcorn
- Smarties
- Dum Dum lollipops
- Jelly Belly
- Nerds
- Ring Pops
- Skittles
- Sour Patch Kids
- Starburst
- Swedish Fish
- Life Saver Gummies
All Graden teachers are planning fun celebrations for their class and will communicate with families more information about the parties soon.
We will have early release day once a month for teachers and staff to engage in professional development to continue to enhance learning opportunities for students.
We will release ALL students at 2:00 pm on early release days.
Please communicate with your classroom teacher and the office if you have alternate transportation on early release days.
Early Release Days:
Wednesday, Feb. 2nd
Wednesday, March 2nd
Wednesday, April 6th
Wednesday, May 4th
Interest groups will be held on early release days. Each interest group day will include a virtual assembly and a classroom interest group activity. Students and staff will wear their leadership shirts and engage in interest group day within their stable classrooms. We hope to create amazing opportunities for students to continue practicing Habit 8
Interest Group Schedule:
Wednesday, Feb. 2nd
Wednesday, March 2nd
Wednesday, April 6th
Wednesday, May 4th
COgAT BRIDGES TESTING INFORMATION
If you received a letter about your child taking the COgAT to qualify for the Park Hill Bridges Program, please observe the schedule below to identify when each class will take the assessment. Students must qualify to take the COgAT. If you did not receive an assessment letter, you student will not take the assessment.
COUNSELOR NEWS FROM MISS CETOLA
Happy February Hornet families! 😊
Despite all the craziness going on around us, the second semester is off to a great start! Your kids are so resilient and continue to make me feel so proud! Be sure to check out the February newsletter below to see what we are learning about this month in more depth! Visit the Graden Counseling Website for previous counseling newsletters, community resources, and parent referral forms, as well as several other fun resources to cultivate social and emotional development. As always, I am available to chat via email, phone, or Teams. You can reach me by email at cetolac@parkhill.k12.mo.us or via phone at 816-359-5647. Stay warm, happy, and healthy!
MILES OF SMILES WILL COMING TO GRADEN
FEBRUARY 22ND - MARCH 9TH
licensed dentist and assistants. Miles of Smiles treats children from the ages of 3 to 18, and all patients receive a comprehensive exam, cleaning and x-rays.
Please register ASAP to ensure your child can be seen by the dentist at Graden. We highly encourage online registration, which is quick, easy and convenient! You can register right from your phone! Paper forms have also been sent home in your child’s backpack or folder.
https://practisforms.com/milesofsmilesinc/forms/milesofsmilesinc-registration-form
https://practisforms.com/milesofsmilesinc/forms/milesofsmilesinc-formulario-de-inscripcion
Please contact Karen Schaff (816-359-6175) if you have any questions or need help registering your child. Graden Elementary would like to help all students see a dentist!
Meet our Board Members:
Jamie Fender, President
Hayley Cooper, Vice President
Lindsay Ramon, Secretary
Maggie Wright, Treasurer
Jessica Freels, Parliamentarian
2022
February 7th
March 21st
May 9th
DO YOU KNOW A PARK HILL STAR?
The Park Hill Star recognition program was started in 2015 to celebrate support staff and teachers whose work is especially noteworthy.
The following is an overview of the Park Hill Star Program:
Our employees are the reason we are so successful here in the Park Hill School District, and we would like to recognize them for all they do for our students. That is why we present the Park Hill Star award once a month to a pre-K or elementary teacher, a secondary teacher and a support employee.
IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS
School Office (816) 359-4340
School Fax (816) 359-4349
Attendance Line (816) 359-4341
First Student Bus Company (816) 359-4560
Adventure Club (816) 359-5015
GRADEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Email: easleyv@parkhill.k12.mo.us
Website: https://graden.parkhill.k12.mo.us/
Location: 8804 NW Highway 45, Parkville, MO 64152
Phone: (816) 359-4340