The Gray Wolf Gazette
March 10th, 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
Hello Givens Families,
Happy Friday! Brr, who took the warm weather away?
I hope you had a great week! It has been a busy one here at Givens!
Our 2nd and 3rd Grade Students put on a phenomenal Music and Art Show this week! Thank you to Mrs. Brinker and Mrs. Cook for helping our students share their talents!
We also took some time to celebrate our Science Fair Winners.
I know there is lots of excitement about the upcoming Spring Break. We look forward to closing out this week with each and every one of our Gray Wolves so please make sure we keep that great attendance up!
Congratulations to our Science Fair Winners!!
Moira received a red ribbon at the District Science Fair with an egg drop experiment.
Maddie received an orange ribbon and a Blue Ribbon and will move on to the Greater St. Louis Science Fair.
We are so proud of you!!
Our Science Fair Participants:
Please take a minute to review this week's Gazette!
Have a great week!
Thank you,
Ms. Beecham
Pic Description: A Huge shout-out to Mrs. Olsen. She was recognized as a WGSD Inspires Award Recipient this week! We got a nice pic of her and her letter with Mrs. Buckman's First Grade Class.
A Health Update from Nurse Jessie
Hello Givens Families,
Did you know?
March is Brain Injury Awareness Month! Brain injury can happen to anyone, anywhere, anytime. Whether you are a parent, teacher, or health care provider, this site will help you recognize serious brain injury. It is a great resource to raise awareness and response to concussions.
Jessi Gewinner BSN, RN
Givens Elementary School Nurse
Webster Groves School District
314-918-4269
Upcoming Dates
March 13th: Late Start-9:05 Start Time
March 17th: No School
March 20th-24th Spring Break-No School
March 27th: Late Start - 9:05 Start Time
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 -B
Tuesday- C
Wednesday-D
Thursday-E
Friday-No School
Pollinator Paradise Update (Will occur this week!)
Givens Elementary is fortunate to include the Pollinator Paradise as part of our campus. This native Missouri wildflower and grass planting provides a habitat for a diversity of pollinators and other wildlife who also call our neighborhood home. Toads, songbirds, raptors, and small mammals all depend on Givens’ Pollinator Paradise for food, shelter, and nesting space.
Wildflowers and tall native grasses evolved with the presence of fire on the landscape.
Historically, lightning strikes and Native American application of fire to the landscape ensured our vast Missouri prairies remained healthy and diverse. Without occasional fire, the diversity of these landscapes diminishes over time. Today, trained professionals use planned and controlled fires, called “prescribed fires,” to manage these valuable natural resources.
Next week-- weather permitting-- Rock Hill Fire Department, Missouri Department of Conservation, and Missouri Master Naturalists will conduct a prescribed fire at Givens’ Pollinator Paradise. Specific weather conditions must be met for this to occur, and a thorough plan is in place to ensure the prescribed fire is safe and successful. The prescribed fire will take place at approximately 11 am to noon on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday. If weather conditions do not allow the burn to take place this year, we will attempt it again in early 2024.
You can find more information about the use of prescribed fire as a management tool at Missouri Prescribed Fire Council (moprescribedfire.org)
Summer School Registration is Open
Looking to keep your child's learning on track this summer? WGSD offers a wide range of engaging and educational experiences. With programs for all students and skill levels, our summer learning opportunities are the perfect way to explore new interests, gain new skills, and have fun while learning.
How do I register? Registration for all summer programs begins Wednesday, March 1 at 7 p.m. here. Please make sure you have your login information for SIS to ensure a streamlined registration experience.
Summer Exploration Experience
Summer Exploration Experience is a free program for students entering 1st through 5th grade during the 2023-24 school year.
Students will:
- enjoy 23 days of hands-on/project-based learning.
- have a voice in the direction of their learning.
- drive their own personalized final project, reflecting on their interest in a topic.
The program is taught by certified staff who are trained in project-based learning.
Dates: June 5 – July 7 (No school June 19 or July 4)
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Location: Avery Elementary
Hixson Summer Academy
Hixson Middle School offers free summer school enrichment to district students entering 6th through 8th grade during the 2023-24 school year.
Dates: June 5 – July 7 (No school June 19 or July 4)
Times: 8:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
Location: Hixson Middle School
Transportation:
This summer we will have transportation available for students. On the enrollment form, parents can choose to have bus transportation to and from their homeschools. We will have this available in the morning, after the SEE/J2K session, and after Celebrate Reading. We will also have busing available from homeschools for students who choose only the afternoon Celebrate Reading session if we have enough students to warrant a bus. We will confirm bus transportation with families later this spring.
Students who currently access a cab or ZipCare via VICC or otherwise can continue to do so. Parents should contact Hollie Henderson at henderson.hollie@wgmail.org to set this up.
The PTO would like to thank all who attended the meeting on Monday, March 6th. The minutes from that meeting can be viewed here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VsXspuu2Jtfc1TK2DrDgo4sebze2ajajm2osnkHnNm4/edit?usp=sharing
Whether you will attend the event or can't make it, you can help us make the event a big success and raise more funds to impact Givens. Current needs and ways you can help include:
Sponsor the Event or a Round, or connect us with individuals or businesses who would be interested in sponsoring!
Round Sponsorship - $75 Donation: Business featured during the Trivia Night event and highlighted in our auction program, PTO communications, and social media.
Event Sponsorship - $250 Donation: Business featured in all communications sent about the event both online and in print, along with being featured in our event
program and highlighted throughout the evening.
Donate bottles of wine or spirits - During the event we would like to have "wine pull" and "cocktail grab bag" stations, which were very fun and successful last year. Your donation of bottles of wine or spirits (of an at least $15 value per bottle) can make a big impact (and are a perfect way to "regift" bottles that aren't your favorite!)
Donate other new items, services, or certificates for the Silent Auction
Solicit a business for Silent Auction items - If you have a connection to a business and would like to ask for a Silent Auction item, we can provide the request letters and donation forms.
Please contact Sarah Paradoski at sarahparadoski@gmail.com or text/call at (646) 701-3012 if you are able to help out with any of the above for the next steps. Thank you in advance to everyone for your part in supporting the students and staff of our school!
Equity Corner 3/10
On January 20, 2021, Kamala Harris became the first African/Asian American woman Vice President.
Historical Highlight: Amanda Gorman (1998-) is the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. History. She recited her poem, “The Hill We Climb” at President Joe Biden’s inauguration in 2021. Her powerful poetry focuses on current issues of oppression, marginalization, and women’s rights. Her activist work aims to benefit literacy groups for women and girls.
Amanda Gorman (theamandagorman.com)
Recommended read (for grown-ups): The Hill We Climb and Other Poems by Amanda Gorman
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
It's not too late to signup for free and reduced lunch. You can do so here and return it to
Webster Groves High School
100 Selma Avenue
Webster Groves, MO 63119
Attention: Food Service Office
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