Welcome Back Graden Hornets,

Happy 2023 to one and all! As 2022 came to a close, I found it time to look ahead with anticipation to the opportunities before us. I am beyond thankful for the support and understanding you have given us at Graden during this year. I appreciate all that you do to help Graden be the school it is and I am hopeful that 2023 will be a wonderful year to remember.

As most of us think about New Year's resolutions, we find ourselves reflecting on the academic and leadership progress our students have made and anticipate the unlimited successes of 2023.

While we work hard on the academics at Graden Elementary, we also work extremely hard in promoting positive character development in our students. Each day our students begin the school day by reciting our "Graden Pledge" along with the "Pledge of Allegiance" and their classroom mission statement. We truly feel that developing positive character within our students, along with solid academic skills, will give our students the skills they need for future success.

Over the next semester, we look forward to the academic growth of our hornets and will continue to embrace the social and emotional components of their development. I commend our dedicated teaching staff as they strive for continuous improvement to ensure the best learning experiences for your children. Thank you for your generosity and ongoing support of our many activities and fundraisers. You do make a difference.

In closing, remember to take care of yourself and if you need help or support, don’t be afraid to ask, we always have time for that. Thanks too, for the “gifts” of your children. We promise to handle them with great care during 2023.

Don’t forget that January 4th is EARLY RELEASE @ 2:00 pm

Wear your leadership shirts!!!

Also, there is no school on Monday, January 16th, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

Upcoming Dates:

Tuesday, January 3rd: 2nd Semester begins!

Wednesday, January 4th: Early release day - Wear Your Leadership Shirts - Dismissal at 2:00 pm

Monday, January 9th: Report Cards Available Through Infinite Campus

Tuesday, January 10th: PTA Meeting - 6:00 pm - Graden Library

Monday, January 16th: No School

I look forward to finishing the year strong!

-Dr. Easley

Early release days will be on Wednesdays for the 2022-23 school year. Dismissal on early release days begins at 2:00 pm.

Every early release day will be Interest Group Day at Graden. All students will engage in a cultural arts assembly and students will join interest groups to participate in an activity of high interest to them. I am thrilled to share that ALL assemblies and interest groups will be in-person this year. Please have your student wear their "GRIT" school shirt.

Below you will find the early release schedule and the assembly themes:

2022-23 Early Release Days:

Wednesday, January 4th - Music of Mexico

Wednesday, February 1st - Zoo Mobile

Wednesday, March 1st

Wednesday, April 5th

Wednesday, May 3rd

2nd Semester Lunch Schedule for Early Release Days:

Kindergarten: 12:20 pm-12:40 pm

First Grade: 12:40 pm -1:00 pm

Second Grade: 1:00 pm - 1:20 pm

Third Grade: 11:20 am - 11:40 am

Fourth Grade: 11:40 am - 12:00 pm

Fifth Grade: 12:00 pm - 12:20 pm

Please communicate with your classroom teacher and the office if you have alternate transportation on early release days.

At Graden, our core values are continuous growth, equity & inclusion, collaboration, leadership, authentic relationships, and learning that is student driven. We are always looking for opportunities to implement these into our students’ day. One way we do that is through Interest Groups.

On Early Release Days, students will participate in a cultural arts assembly and will also have the opportunity to join a group of K-2 or 3-5 students (depending on their age range) in a self-selected activity. Students will be surveyed at the beginning of the year, and will be placed in a group based on their top 3 choices. A staff member will lead these groups, giving students an opportunity to meet new teachers as well as other students! Some of the activities include, but are not limited to: Art, Breakout Room, Bugs, Crafts, Cooking, Fitness/Yoga/Aerobics, Games, Legos, Martial Arts, Music, Sign Language, STEM, Team Sports, and Technology. These days are always exciting for our Hornets.

Interest Group Schedule:

Wednesday, February 1st

Wednesday, March 1st

Wednesday, April 5th

We have a Graden Buzz Book with student contact information that you can receive if you sign up for PTA. Sign up for PTA online today. Once you sign up, a Buzz Book will be provided to you.

I hope everyone’s holiday season was filled with happiness and relaxation! I am looking forward to focusing on healthy friendship and conflict resolution skills during counseling lessons this month. Be sure to check out the January newsletter below to see what we are learning about in more depth! Visit the Graden Counseling Website for previous counseling newsletters, community resources, and parent referral forms, as well as several other fun resources to cultivate social and emotional development. As always, I am available to chat via email, phone, or in person! You can reach me by email at cetolac@parkhill.k12.mo.us or via phone at 816-359-5647. I can’t wait to start this new year off strong!

*** If you are someone who needs assistance with Winter clothing, please do not hesitate to reach out to me or Mrs. Dawson for support! We have received some generous donations of coats and winter accessories and would love to provide our Hornets with some gear to keep them bundled up and warm! ***

The Park Hill clothing center recently added evening dates to the volunteer schedule in an attempt to get more volunteers (hanging clothes, putting away shoes, etc). Anyone is welcome to come (kids, teams, groups, clubs, etc). The link is here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508084fa4a72ba0fa7-canyou

If you have any team/group special request dates, contact Karen at 603-557-0701 or karenman7@gmail.com

We also really need people to volunteer during the shopping times (1st and 3rd Tuesdays of every month). During these hours we cannot have student helpers due to confidentiality. Those hours are listed here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508084fa4a72ba0fa7-volunteers

Also, you don't need to commit to an entire timeslot. Just work what you can. Students in the Park Hill School district can also take clothes home. If you have anything to donate, we accept clothing sizes 4T-Adult.

Our shopping hours are listed here https://www.parkhill.k12.mo.us/families/pta-clothing-center

The address is 8009 N Atkins. It is a house with a blue bin in front next to the Gerner Family Early Education Center’s playground. Type in “Gerner” to GPS to ensure it takes you to the correct address.

Thank you for helping us to help the kids!

The Park Hill Clothing Center Team

HAPPY NEW YEAR! PTA is excited to start the New Year by pouring into our students, teachers, and staff! We would LOVE for you to get involved and feel part of the awesome Graden Community! Here are some of our immediate needs:

· Dairy Queen Night!- Volunteers Needed! Sign up HERE!

· Teacher Treats- Donate snacks for our "Pop-Up" snack cart HERE!

Important Dates:

· Jan 4th- Dairy Queen Fundraiser Night! 10% of all proceeds go back to Graden PTA! 5-8pm

· Jan 10th – PTA Meeting at 6 p.m. in the Graden library, childcare provided

· Jan 16th- No School

· Jan 25th- "Pop-Up" Treat Bar for Teachers/Staff

· Jan 26th- 2nd Grade Musical

Connect with us on Facebook to see our upcoming events and learn how you can get involved with PTA.

Graden PTA Board Members:

Hayley Cooper, President

Emily Miller, Vice President

Lindsay Ramon, Secretary

Maggie Wright, Treasurer

Jessica Freels, Parliamentarian

2022-23 PTA Meeting Dates

Tuesday, January 10th, 2023

Tuesday, February 7th, 2023

Tuesday, March 7th, 2023

Tuesday, April 4th, 2023

Tuesday, May 2nd, 2023