The Gray Wolf Gazette
November 20, 2022
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
Happy Sunday Givens Families!
As we get ready to gather with family and friends and reflect on all the many reasons we are thankful, I want to take a minute to let you know that our school community makes the list for me! I so appreciate each student, family, staff member, and supporter connected to Givens. Your care and support make a positive impact! Thank you!
Please take a minute to review the updates below! The next Gazette will be shared on Friday, December 2nd. This Gazette includes updates through that date. Have a great week and as a reminder, students will be out of school on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of this week. Have a fun and safe Thanksgiving Break!
Interested in the Science Fair:
Interested in participating in the Science Fair? Please sign up on this form. If you have any questions, please visit our Science Fair website or contact Shayla Pott, District Science Fair Coordinator at pott.shayla@wgmail.org. Good luck!
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 - C
Tuesday- D
Wednesday- No School
Thursday- No School
Friday-No School
November Harambee
Indigenous People: a community of people who share a connection to the land and resources they inhabited and share a national identity.
Native Americans: Only to those Indigenous People living in what is now America.
Indigenous People that first inhabited the land in St. Louis: The Osage, The Miami, The Iroquois, The Sioux, The Mississippian Culture, & The Missouri.
As we celebrate this month, we learned that Indigenous People prefer to be recognized by the names of their Tribes. We also listened to a song that was produced by Taboo and the Magnificent 7. It allowed us to hear, see, and understand by getting a glimpse of and connecting to the people and the message in this video.
Dr. Williamson, the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for WGSD, also read Fry Bread, by Kevin Noble Maillard. A book about A modern Native American family sharing joy, stories, and history as they come together to make fry bread.
**Be looking out for an informational and invitational email for our December Harambee!
Upcoming Dates
November 23rd-25th: No School Thanksgiving Holiday
November 28th: Welcome Back Late Start School Starts @ 9:05
December 1st: 4th & 5th Grade Concert and Art Show 6 pm-7 pm
December 5th: Harambee 8:10-8:50
PTO Meeting 6:30-7:30 (Library and Virtual)
Zoom link: https://wgsdstl.zoom.us/j/91946363555...
Meeting ID: 919 4636 3555
Passcode: Givens
December 12th: Late Start
December 21st: Pajama Day
Winter Games
December 22nd-January 3rd: Winter Recess No School
January 4th- Welcome Back to School
November Pack Meeting 11/21
This is an important concept that I believe centers our actions on helping others in a way that honors their dignity. It compels us to take the time to listen and understand the needs, worries, and concerns of others. Once we have a true understanding we are then empowered to share our compassion with others, to have a desire, and to be brave to act on what we have learned.
4th and 5th Grade After School Club Opportunity
4th & 5th Grade Concert and Art Show
The PTO would like to thank everyone who volunteered, attended & supported the Scholastic Book Fair this week! It was a huge success all because of our amazing Givens community!
Our next PTO meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 5th from 6:30 - 7:30 PM. The meeting will take place in the Givens library and will have a Zoom option as well. Zoom information below:
Zoom link: https://wgsdstl.zoom.us/j/91946363555...
Meeting ID: 919 4636 3555
Passcode: Givens
The Wolf-a-thon Fundraiser helps support our PTO which funds school-wide special events, campus beautification, classroom libraries, equity initiatives & more! Donation forms & donations are due by November 22nd, and can be sent in to school with your child to be turned in to their classroom teacher. There are many ways to donate, listed below:
• Cash or check made out to "Givens Elementary PTO"
• Venmo (@GivensPTO) [please specify "Wolf-a-thon"]
• Credit/debit card at:
https://square.link/u/znTwCIoB
Your donation will make a meaningful difference at our school and no gift is too small! Thank you for your generosity!
Equity Corner 11/16
Did you know, November is Native American Heritage Month?
The Sugarloaf Mound is “the oldest human-made structure in St. Louis and the last Native American Mound in what was once known as ‘Mound City.’” When the French began occupying St. Louis, they destroyed what may have been hundreds of mounds, with the Sugarloaf Mound being the only surviving mound. In 1928, a house was built atop of it. In 2008, the house went for sale and was purchased by the Osage Nation (the builders of the mound). Since that time the Osage Nation has been working on preserving it. [Osagefoundation.org; osageculture.com/culture/geography/sugarloaf-mound]
Historical Highlight: Wilma Mankiller (1945-2010) was the first female elected Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. Her activism began in 1969, in San Francisco, when a group of American Indians took over Alcatraz. During this time Mankiller, found her desire to advocate for American Indian rights. Throughout her life, she battled a multitude of health concerns, while she continued to fight for education, health care, and housing rights.
Recommended read (for grown-ups): The Absolutely True Story of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
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
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