The Gray Wolf Gazette
September 2nd Edition
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!
We had another fantastic week of school! Students are settling in and working hard already. This week, I have seen students engaged in learning how to select just the right books, practicing order of operations and using their knowledge to create games that were played by classmates, Kindergartners publishing their very first book, and 4th graders learning about the various rights we have and how current events may be taking rights away from some people. I was also very excited to see the number of students and whole classrooms, turning in positive office referrals for going above and beyond and helping others, being kind, and showing empathy. We are rocking and rolling here at Givens.
Did your child talk about Harambee this week?
Once a month, we gather as a school community in our auditorium and do Harambee. This is something I learned about as a child and had a chance to implement as a teenager. It comes from a practice used in CDF Freedom School Programs across the United States. We put a Givens Spin on it, but the purpose and many of the activities are still the same. Take a look at the video below to learn about the origins of this practice. This month, we had Dr. John Simpson, our Superintendent, as our guest reader! He encouraged us to be our unique selves and make connections with others as we learn and grow! We are excited about our next one on October 3rd.
Procedures for Walking Home
This week, we met with all of the students who walk home. We reviewed safety expectations for walking home with the slides below. Please review these for yourself and with your child. We appreciate your partnership in helping us ensure safety during dismissal time.
***Please be mindful of the bridge that is located to the Northeast of the campus (there are cones and caution tape around it). Portions of it were washed away during the recent flooding and it should not be used until the repair is complete. I don't normally see walkers using this bridge, but if you happen to see others in the community use it, please let them know as well.
See you soon,
Ms. Malissa Beecham
Webster Reads Forms Due 9/9
Webster Reads forms are due September 9. Please turn your forms in so that you can earn your free book and be recognized at our October Harambee!
September Dates
September 5th(Monday) No School in Honor of Labor Day
-September 9th:
PTO's Back to School Bash 5:30-7:30(See Information Below)
-September 12th:
Our First Late Start -School will begin at 9:05(We will be in touch with families who signed up for Late Start Supervision)
First PTO Meeting
In Person: School Library
Virtual: https://wgsdstl.zoom.us/j/91946363555?pwd=MklBRUZHUkNNSW8xTUZ3aWM0L2x0dz09
Meeting ID: 919 4636 3555 Passcode: GivensSeptember 15: Curriculum Night 6 pm-7 pm
This will be a time for you to learn more about what your child will be learning
throughout the year.
September 16:
Early Dismissal 11:45 AM
September 21st:
Fall Picture Day (Ordering Information is below)
GIVENS ELEMENTARY
Picture Day Is: Wednesday, September 21, 2022
Wagner Portrait Group will be photographing students for portrait packages & school records.
ONLY ONLINE ORDERS WILL BE ACCEPTED.
(Please do not bring checks, cash, or order forms to school as they will no longer be accepted.)
Online Pre-Order Password: 8D5R6Q4V
Can’t order online or have other questions? We are happy to help! 314-567-5900
Intruder Drill 9/2/22
Our intruder drills provide staff and students with an options-based response that adheres to guidelines and procedures recommended by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. As part of the training, staff and students learn how to use the 4E’s (Educate, Evade, Escape, Engage) in situations involving an armed intruder.
Our staff is trained in different ways to secure and barricade a door, as well as how to quickly decide whether the safest course of action in a given situation would be to remain inside a barricaded room, try to escape to a safe location, or to engage the intruder. Our staff leads students through practicing these procedures with students during planned emergency drills.
Curriculum Night September 15th
We hope you take this opportunity to continue to grow our partnership!
Each Grade Level will host 2 learning sessions
Session 1:6:00
Session 2: 6:30
**Grade-level teachers will share session locations with you
Specialists and Math and Reading Interventionists (weather permitting) will be on the sidewalk in front of the building. You may visit them anytime between 5:45-and 7:10.
***This is a learning event for parents. However, If you don't have another supervision option for your child(ren), and you need to bring them with you, Ms. Beecham and other staff members will be on the playground for supervision.
Topics that will be covered:
A Day in the life of a _______ Grader(schedule)
Topics that will be covered in each Subject (Big Ideas)
What steps do we take to build a classroom community where all students feel belonging
Special Projects or activities the grade level may do
How we will continue this communication about learning and progress
Assessments Students will take and how we will use the information we receive from them
Review what a Report Card may Communicate about Progress
What Volunteer Opportunities may be available
Meet Our Instructional Coach
My name is Erica Wissler and I am the new Instructional Coach at Givens. I was born and raised in St. Louis and actually graduated from Webster Groves High School. I went to college at the University of Kansas (go Jayhawks) where I earned my Elementary Education Degree. After graduating, I returned to St. Louis where I received my master's at Lindenwood University in Elementary Administration. I have been a classroom teacher for the last 13 years in K, 3, 4, and 5, while last year I was a middle school math interventionist/ coach.
I have two wonderful kids that keep me very busy. My son Noah is 10 years old and my daughter Luella is 4. We love to be outside and explore all that St. Louis has to offer.
I am excited to be returning to Webster this year and to have the opportunity to work with such a welcoming staff and community. As an instructional coach, my role is to support teachers with the implementation of curriculum and instruction, at the same time supporting the individual needs of each classroom. While I will primarily be working with teachers my focus will always be on the kids; creating connections, building relationships, and helping your kids thrive. So if you see me out at car rider duty, don't be afraid to say hello!
Your Partner in Education,
Erica Wissler
School Breakfast and Lunch for the 2022-2023 School Year
The U.S. Department of Agriculture didn’t extend free meals for all students past last school year. Students will be charged for breakfast and lunch during the 2022-2023 School Year. Please note that free and reduced-price meals for students who qualify under the National School Lunch Program will still be available. This application has to be completed every year.
Elementary School Breakfast -$1.75.
Elementary School Lunch - $2.80.
Click Here For:
Directions on Completing the Application for Free or Reduced Lunch
Caregivers, please join us at our first PTO meeting of the school year on Monday, September 12th at 6 PM. The meeting will take place in the Givens library and there will be a virtual Zoom option as well. All are welcome!
In Person: Givens library
Virtual: https://wgsdstl.zoom.us/j/91946363555?pwd=MklBRUZHUkNNSW8xTUZ3aWM0L2x0dz09
Meeting ID: 919 4636 3555
Passcode: Givens
Back to School Bash
Mark your calendars for the upcoming Back to School Bash on Friday, September 9th from 5:30 - 7:30! We have a ton of fun activities planned to kick off the new school year in a big way! Join us for games, prizes, and music, see the Rock Hill Fire Truck and Police Department, enjoy a treat from the Ice Cream Truck, and learn from our community guests like the Webster Groves Public Library, GAP Equity Group, Missouri Stream Team, and More!
Be sure to stop by the Welcome Table at the event to sign in, grab your ice cream tickets, and pick up your Cardinals Tickets (if applicable).
If you would like to have pizza pre-ordered for you and waiting at the carnival, please take a moment to pre-order using the link below - Please note this is for an entire medium-sized pizza. Ice cream from the Ice Cream Truck will be free for all child attendees. Otherwise, families are welcome to pack a picnic and eat in the Courtyard area. Water bottles will be provided, or you are welcome to bring your own!
Pizza Pre-Order Link:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EkAgDsNjCBgHDfNkP36b4LeXXJebo7GbUxgAqxfLB_g/edit?usp=sharing
We are still looking for a couple of additional volunteers for this event to make it a success. If you have even an hour of time that you can help out, we would appreciate the help!
Volunteer Sign Up:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nCAEzXS1IVvy5Nrl6BQXNLZx6WMdqV14c5DRzyNmD9w/edit?usp=sharing
We look forward to seeing the entire Givens community there!
District News and Events
Elementary School Cross Country Race
❏ Entry Fee - the cost is only $5.00 and includes a t-shirt in your child’s school color.
❏ Arrival – Please find the “check in” table when you arrive to pay your entry fee, and get your bib and shirt. Family members are welcome and encouraged to watch from several different locations off the course. **Check-in will begin at 7:15am.
❏ Weather – In case of inclement weather, please check the Statesmen Sports website, Instagram (@coachpetter) or Twitter (@wghsxc) after 6 a.m. on October 22nd to confirm the event status.
❏ Parking – Parking is limited. Please consider carpooling with other families.
❏ Athletic Trainer – An athletic trainer will be present in case of an injury. If needed, you can indicate any health concerns (ex. Allergies, asthma) to your child’s gym teacher or the trainer on site so they can be aware and take any precautions, be prepared, etc.
❏ Concessions - snacks & drinks will be available for sale / Kona Ice will be selling from their truck as well
❏ Awards – The top finishers in each grade by gender will receive a medal. A team award given to the school that brings the most runners.
❏ Questions – Please contact Coach Petter at petter.jon@wgmail.org or your child’s gym teacher at school
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