Community Nest
"Relationships are the agents of change." Dr. Bruce Perry
Week of September 7 - September 10, 2021
A Short, but Busy Week
On Tuesday, OUR GRAY HAWK staff participated in Staff Development. They worked on a team building activity as we work to define what OUR GRAY HAWK MAKERSPACE is and how it will be used. They were given time to analyze their NWEA MAP data for Reading and Math before meeting with other teachers and staff from across the district to have grade level conversations.
In the afternoon, our staff had some very detailed conversations about our commitments towards building an inclusive culture at GRAY HAWK. I was very proud of our staff and the conversations we had addressing race, diversity, inclusion, and how we can lay a foundation of acceptance and promoting empathy and understanding among our entire GRAY HAWK COMMUNITY. Please be on the look out for the implementations this week and talk to your child about the different things going on at school.
Bringing Awareness
Diverse Literature
"It’s hard being the new kid in school. Especially if you come from another country and don’t speak the language well. Farah, a young Muslim immigrant, feels very alone when
she starts school. However, a field trip to an apple orchard begins to make her feel that
she belongs."
Check out other titles from Eve Bunting including Flower Garden, Smoky Night, and Fly Away Home.
Author Information: Eve Bunting, is an author of more than 250 books. Her books are diverse in age groups and topics. She has written about topics ranging from Immigration, The Vietnam
Wall, every Holiday and the riots in Los Angeles. Eve Bunting has won many awards for
her works.
Smoky Night
Fly Away Home
Flower Garden
OUR GRAY HAWK STUDENT COUNCIL
Kindergarten, First, and Second will NOT have representatives from their classroom, but will be assigned a buddy room (3rd, 4th, or 5th grade) to represent their class! Buddy room representatives will come to their classrooms after each monthly meeting and will talk to them about what was discussed at the meetings and listen to any concerns or suggestions from each class. Student Council representatives will be asked to make these monthly presentations in addition to others talking about World Kindness Day and other things that are important to OUR GRAY HAWK learning community.
Third, Fourth, and Fifth grades will have TWO representatives elected from each classroom. Students wishing to participate in the election should write a 1 minute speech, make a campaign poster, and be prepared to present in their classroom between 9/20-9/22. Parents will need to sign and return the attached permission slip (which will be sent home on Monday).
PICTURE DAY - SEPTEMBER 16, 2021
GENTLY USED CLOTHES & NEW UNDERWEAR REQUESTED
We would also appreciate any donations of NEW underwear in sizes 4-6, 6-8, and 8-10 for girls AND boys. Thank you for your consideration.
FREE MEALS AT GRAY HAWK
Breakfast is "Grab and Go" and has moved down closer to the cafeteria to ensure that the lobby does not get too crowded.
Partial September Menu
PTO MEETING TUESDAY 9/14 at 6 pm in OUR GRAY HAWK COMPUTER LAB
Gray Hawk Fundraisers
Gray Hawk spiritwear is on sale now through September 14. Scan the QR code or go directly to the site to place your order here.
OUR GRAY HAWK MUM sale is going on through September 14. 8" 2 gallon mums are $10 and will be picked up on Wednesday, September 22 at Gray Hawk between 4:30 and 7:00 pm. All proceeds from this fundraiser will directly impact OUR GRY HAWKS!
Please see the flyers below to place your order.
Please DONATE to OUR GRAY HAWK PTO
GRAY HAWK NEUROSCIENCE NEWS
Over the past couple of years I have heard comments from other adults - teachers and parents alike - that they see the value in teaching children about their brain, but it really is not something that is understood by our youngest learners. I stumbled upon this video of PreK student Nathan from Walnut Creek Elementary in Austin, Texas explaining Dr. Bruce Perry's 3 R's : Regulate, Relate, and Reason. (For the best view, expand the video and go full screen)
When students are dysregulated, they first need to be given time to move from a nervous system that is in an alarmed state to one that is calm. Next, the child needs to relate with a calm adult that makes them feel safe, valued, and heard. Finally, after they are calm and feel safe, we are able to Reason with them. Based on each child's window of tolerance, this can be a very quick process while for some, they just need us to be by their side and meet them where they are. Check out Nathan and I encourage you to watch this video with your child(ren) because in a very short time, they are going to learn about the 3 Rs.
For the latest information from OUR GRAYHAWK PTO check them out on Facebook @grayhawkpto458
USD 458 Safe Return to School Plan 2021/2022
Gray Hawk Elementary School
Email: dspringer@usd458.org
Website: http://ghes.usd458.org/
Location: 16000 Garden Parkway, Basehor, KS, USA
Phone: (913) 269-8648
Twitter: @drspringer12301