The Gray Wolf Gazette
October 28, 2021
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 welcoming community that empowers all children to connect, discover, and thrive as leaders equipped to make a positive impact on our world.
Quick Overview
Hello Families,
We would like to send a big thank you to our community:
Our PTO placed an order for 339 shirts for our community. Due to the generosity of our community, $698/89 shirts were donated. This helped us reach our goal for each student to have a shirt. At the onset of this effort, we were uncertain if the PTO or another source would have to cover these additional costs, but as it stands it is fully funded. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
We would also like to thank the families that came out for Beautification Day! Our grounds look amazing and we appreciate the efforts you made to make this happen!
Finally, we would also like to send a shout-out to the 5th Grade Families, students, and those that came out to Trunk Or Treat. 5th graders were able to raise funds to help them participate in Camp Wyman when they go to Hixson!
Please make sure you take a minute to review the items in this week's Gazette. In addition here are some reminders:
-We are working to ensure all students are at school and in class by 7:50 each day. Students arriving later will be marked tardy. When students are late, they miss out on the opportunity to start their day in-class meetings with their classmates. This time is used to help students get to learn more and more about the people they spend their day with, build community, and foster teamwork. These are all important pieces to helping create an environment where all students feel a sense of belonging, one of our goals here at Givens.
-Please remember that we don't dismiss students for early pick up after 2:20. If your child has an appointment, please pick them up prior to 2:20.
-We are excited for our Fall Parties Tomorrow. If you are choosing to let your child wear a costume(not required) please make sure to send the costume in your child's backpack. They will have a specific time to change into the costume tomorrow.
We appreciate your partnership!
On this journey together,
Ms. Malissa Beecham
Givens Principal
Welcome to the Givens Team
Ms. Samantha Floarke will be serving as an Instructional Tutor each day.
Ms. Karla Goldbourne will be serving as a 4-day Sub at Givens.
We are so excited to welcome them to the team. They have already jumped in to support students and work with teachers.
Upcoming Dates
-End of Trimester 1 & Fall Parties Friday, October 29
-No School Monday, November 1st, 2021
-4/5 Grade Music Concert and Art Show November 4th, 2021 (6pm-7pm)
-Veterans Day (Wear Red, White, and Blue) November 11th, 2021
-Parent-Teacher Conferences Nov. 15th & Nov. 17th (Please see below to sign up for a time with your child's teacher).
-No School (Conference Make-up) November 19th, 2021
-Harambee and Pack Assembly November 23, 2021
Fall Parties Tomorrow!!
If students and families want to send costumes for their children to wear during the party, they are invited to do so as long as they are following the guidelines below:
-Costumes must follow our School Dress Policy
-Students will not be allowed to wear costumed masks (Students must be able to continue following our COVID Mask protocol during the time their costume is on)
-Students should not wear costumes that make fun of others or make others feel uncomfortable.
-Costumes cannot promote the use of drugs, alcohol, or violence of any kind
-Costumes should not have pretend “prop” weapons such as toy guns, knives, or swords
If you have questions about your child’s costume, please reach out to Ms. Beecham @ beechamjudge.malissa@wgmail.org or your child’s teacher. Please know that if your child comes to school with a costume that does not follow the guidelines above, they will not be allowed to change into it. Also, please know that your child may still participate in our Fall Parties without a costume.
Due to our COVID Mitigation Measures, parents will not be invited to attend Fall Parties this year. If you would like to contribute a craft(fall themed), game(fall themed), or snack(prepackaged) to the party, please reach out to your child’s teacher or the room parent signed up for the class.
We appreciate your partnership!
4th & 5th Grade Music Concert and Art Show
PTO Meeting with Title I Information
Parent Information for Title I:
Family Involvement and Engagement District Policy:
Zoom Information for the PTO:
Join Zoom Meeting https://wgsdstl.zoom.us/j/91676279389?pwd=WjFuUzBpQ2FiOUZlaVM0bm01alpudz09 Meeting ID: 916 7627 9389 Passcode: 9W645UlV
Fall Parent Teacher Conferences
- Givens PTO and families will provide dinner for teachers and staff on Nov. 15 during Parent/Teacher Conference week. Please consider making a donation for the cost of the meal. Suggested donation is $5 to $10 per family. You can pay by Venmo (GivensPTO), cash, or check. Please specify "Teacher/Staff Meal". Cash and checks can be sent to your classroom teacher Attn: Jen Levine or Tracy Willis.
Mrs. Johnson
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1znXZ73K1hm93HWfIcYz8Xh4ou_R0ZWspTOQ58TUsdZE/edit?usp=sharing
Mrs. Howard
Mrs. Taylor
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NUd_AE74H4ArkM6-timxKUJVcu1SgkuePphxS9HtwEU/edit?usp=sharing
Mrs. Buckman
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1r766KBSFX-x4sbWadS1jdHH-yMn29RVWl0CzsQiDVqk/edit?usp=sharing
Mrs. Jauer
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XUGcs6LbZeTIBHFNBU7cJlziKqxeAPvgoRiQPmxq33w/edit
Mrs. Cook
https://docs.google.com/document/d/17GfbQQyRlcMNQMBgkIbh8aRMoKwO92sinuORLBusRFY/edit?usp=sharing
Mrs. Richard
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WwC7VKgdnXVV-Z0KrG9F7fMBjmfEtO-SpPC9D2V8jjY/edit?usp=sharing
Mrs. Gamble
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4CACAD23A1F4C43-fall
Ms. Zenk
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1oiBe8v4g113cGgc2TZqwrxJdNkM8L_lFVn4TJxReIiI/edit#gid=0
Mrs. Kindle
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805084FA5A723A7F58-fall
Ms. Adams
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FgAeAMaRXfFLtyNzk4y_h5XrD4dCS46JHHemnAheQm0/edit?usp=sharing
Mrs. Spencer
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4CAFA92BAAFFC16-fall
Mr. Melanson
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rkoEr_XWo_rKd3cwcpc5y0yp3eIc4_LR2joepN9uHzo/edit
What is Walk-A-Thon Warrior Week?
It’s the annual Fall fundraiser for Givens Elementary PTO which funds classroom libraries, special events, campus beautification, equity initiatives and so much more! This week of fun promotes exercise, community, and teamwork. There will be ninja warrior style activities and school-wide raffles including gift cards and prizes from Straub’s, Le Macaron, Webster Groves Bookshop, Olympia Gymnastics, The Initial Design, & The Parkmoor. We need your support! We invite you to ask friends and family to donate on behalf of your child. Please see the link for the flyer and donation form.
LINK TO FLYER:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yxVC2tNOlRTjdM9xuXYEpd99zp5T2SgC/view?usp=sharing
Enrichment For All
Coding and Online Safety
Kindergarteners and 1st graders are learning to give proper directions through games, the foundation for coding. They’ve also been focusing on using technology safely, responsibly, and ethically. The children are creating online safety hats with visual reminders.
Here are 3 online safety rules every child should follow.
Always ask a parent or trusted adult before going online.
Only talk to people you know.
Stick to places that are just right for you.
In 2nd and 3rd grade, students learned to identify the components of a computer system and what the basic functions are. They learned about input and output devices. They used their knowledge and creativity to combine a sensor with an everyday object to create a ‘future computer’.
4th and 5th-grade students looked inside a computer tower and examined the motherboard, the CPU, and memory of a computer. They learned about binary code and about the input and output parts of the computer which led to coding. Students have been working through courses on code.org to learn basic programming skills, solve puzzles, and even create their own games!
Meet our PTO Board Members
President - Sarah Middendorf sarahmdorf@gmail.com
Co-Vice Presidents - Maria Lambing maria.lambing@gmail.com Sarah Paradoski sarahparadoski@gmail.com
Co-Equity Officers - Deidre Townsend mrstownsend0316@gmail.com
Dana Walker danagivens@yahoo.com
Co-Secretaries - Kara Simon ksimon619@gmail.com
Alex Guffey alexandra.guffey903@gmail.com
Co-Treasurers - Tracy Willis tracy.barton@att.net
Jen Levine jensherwood73@gmail.com
PTO Meeting Minutes
Click here for all of the minutes from our PTO meetings.
Upcoming Events:
Annual Walk-a-Thon Fall Fundraiser Nov. 8-12(Flyer Attached)
Hacienda Night - Nov. 2 (Flyer Attached)
Jet's Pizza Night - Nov. 11
Dairy Queen Night - Nov. 18
Look for the EyeSeeMe Book Fair and Givens Spirit Wear tables during Parent/Teacher conferences!
Want to Learn More about the Science Fair??
Do you love science? Come learn how to do a science fair project via Zoom on Thursday, November 11th from 6:30-7:30 pm. You will need to register prior to attending. If you have any questions, please visit our Science Fair website or contact Shayla Pott, District Science Fair Coordinator, at pott.shayla@wgmail.org.
News from Nurse Mindy
As we continue to work to keep our Gray Wolves Healthy, please remember to:
Just a reminder that IF you have a student with upper respiratory symptoms and it has been determined that a COVID test is recommended, please keep all siblings at home until the test results are known. I know this is a burden but it provides an extra layer of protection for us all. Thank you so much for your cooperation.
Also, please make sure you:
-Keep your child(ren) at home if they are experiencing any COVID Symptoms (take a look at the picture below. Students should stay home if they have a low risk or high-risk symptoms)
-Make sure your child has a mask to wear to school. Students should always wear a mask inside the building. They may take their masks off outside if they are able to keep the 3-6 feet distance.
-Handwashing and hand sanitizing are practiced in school. Please encourage your child to keep this practice up at home and when visiting other places.
-Please communicate symptoms, positive test results(in the household) to Nurse Mindy. She will talk you through the next steps.
-We know allergy season is upon us. It is still important that we are responsive to symptoms that may be due to allergies. There are specific steps Nurse Mindy will walk you through as we ensure all students are healthy.
Thank you for your cooperation with these important steps to help prevent the spread of illness in our school buildings!
Dr. Henry Givens Elementary School
Website: https://www.webster.k12.mo.us/Givens
Location: 701 North Rock Hill Road, St. Louis, MO, USA
Phone: 314-963-6460
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GivensElem/