The Crusader
Family Edition
Gracemor Pledge
December Important dates
- 6- Picture RETAKE Day
- 7- 3rd Grade Music Program; 6:30 PM @ Winnetonka
- 13- Winter Fest; 5:30- 7:30 PM
- 20- Winter Party in Classrooms; 11:30 AM-12:30 PM
- 21-31; No School- Winter Break
January Important Dates
- 1-3; No School Winter Break
- 16- No School Martin Luther King Jr Holiday
- 24- 4th grade Music Program; 6:30 PM
Crusader Choir Upcoming Holiday Performances
- December 2 – Pleasant Valley Lighting Ceremony at City Hall starting at 6:30pm
- December 5 – Union Station field trip during school (gone from 12:30-2:30pm)
- December 13 – Winterfest, performing around the school, 5:30-7:30pm
NKC School District Family Survey
North Kansas City Schools needs your input! Please take the Family Survey online to share your feedback on school environments, communication, your priorities and more. Responses are completely anonymous and help us to better serve students across the district now and in the future.
Winter Coat Drive
FOOD DRIVE
Basketball Season is Here
Veteran Day Celebration Pictures!
repeat items
Be RAPTOR Ready!
If you have had your ID scanned at any North Kansas City Schools prior to the date of the event AND you RSVP, we can have your visitor badge preprinted and ready for pick up upon arrival. Therefore, all we will need to do is have you sign in and grab your preprinted badge and you’ll be good to go!
If you have not had your ID scanned at any schools prior to the event, please prepare to wait in line for a few minutes.
Thank you for working with us to ensure the safety of our Gracemor students and helping make our safety system as effective and efficient as possible!
This year we will be allowing 5 parents per classroom. All parents planning to come to the fall party must RSVP. Sign Up Genius coming soon!
Congratulations to the Gracemor Kitchen Staff
"Hello all! I wanted to give a well-deserved shout out to my kitchen staff for receiving the Food Safety Excellence Award from the Board of Education. This is the first time Gracemor's kitchen has earned anything like this, and it is a huge honor for us all to have received it. A big round of congratulations to: Kesley Zahnter, Tahira Khan, Jennifer McCaine, and Regina Whitaker for making this a possibility! I'm very proud of this accolade you have brought home to Gracemor! Keep up the excellent work you all! Thank you!
-Julian Aguilar, Gracemor Cafe Manager"
MO-KAN Chiefs Flag Camp And Clinics
Building Safety
SAFETY AND SECURITY
North Kansas City Schools screen all visitors to our schools using a web-based safety system. This system, RAPTOR, is a visitor registration system that enhances school security by reading visitor drivers’ licenses, comparing information to a sex offender database.
While the screening process is not lengthy, when a large number of visitors arrive to a school at the same time, visitors could experience a delay in gaining access to the school. In an effort to protect visitor’s time while ensuring staff and student safety, we have created a process to help expedite the screening process when sponsoring a grade level or building event.
Be RAPTOR Ready!
If you have had your ID scanned at any North Kansas City Schools prior to the date of the event AND you RSVP, we can have your visitor badge preprinted and ready for pick up upon arrival. Therefore, all we will need to do is have you sign in and grab your preprinted badge and you’ll be good to go!
If you have not had your ID scanned at any schools prior to the event, please prepare to wait in line for a few minutes.
Thank you for working with us to ensure the safety of our Gracemor students and helping make our safety system as effective and efficient as possible!
Your input as a parent is critically important for us a school to best develop our plans and ensure that we are providing the programing and community climate that you want for your children.
Please take a few minutes to complete our Fall Title I Survey.
It can be accessed through the link below, or the QR code below.
Fall Title I Survey
From Gracemor Library:
Book Care Tips
We’ve already had a lot of book casualties this year already due to water bottles, dogs, and younger siblings. Here is a list of the book care rules I review with students each year.
· Keep food and drinks away from library books.
· Keep pets away from library books.
· Keep younger siblings away from library books (unless supervised).
· Do not draw or color in library books.
· Keep art supplies like glue and scissors away from library books.
· Wash and dry hands (if dirty) before reading a library book.
· Make sure your backpack is clean and dry before putting library books in it.
Great Pumpkin Contest
It’s that time of year for the Great Pumpkin Contest. Pumpkin coloring sheets are available in the library for students to grab. Students decorate the paper pumpkin (no real pumpkins) like their favorite book character. Winners will be chosen for primary (K-2) and intermediate (3-5). Winners will receive a free book. Please have students decorate the pumpkin themselves. Pumpkins are due October 28th. Here is a link to the pumpkin if you want to print one at home.
Thanks,
Mrs. Huntley
Ipads
We are approaching the winter season and the potential for winter weather to disrupt school. The North Kansas City School district, and Gracemor, will begin sending iPads AND charging blocks/cords home every day beginning October 17th. We will ask parents to send their child to school each morning with their iPad fully charged in their backpack along with the charging block and cord. Each child’s iPad, charging block, and cord have been labeled with their name on them.
Families can purchase insurance to cover the iPad, charging block, charging cord can be purchased for $20.00 and can be used to cover damage to items. The cost of lost charging block or cord is $19.00 each.
If a family has a compatible charging block and cord at home and wish for the school’s charging block and cord stay at school, they need to communicate directly with their child’s teacher.
Online payments for insurance is now closed.
Parents may purchase iPad insurance in the Main office by cash or check. Below you will see what is covered under the district technology insurance.
Risk Management Details:
$20 annual payment for participation in the Risk Management Program.
This must be purchased prior to or at the time of receiving devices or any time after an inspection, but prior to any damage incurred.
• Up to two incidents of accidental damage per year with no fee. Each additional incident will incur a $49 fee.
• Damaged cables and power cubes replaced with no fee and not inclusive of the two incidents per year.
• Damage fee schedule for current school year is on the 2nd page of this document.
• Lost/Stolen devices, cables or power cubes are not covered within this program.
If device is lost or stolen, immediately contact the HelpDesk at 816-321-4357
New Lego Club session coming up
Opt In to Text Messages from NKC District Communications and Gracemor Elementary
Parents and guardians are encouraged to sign up to receive text alerts from their student's school and the district. To opt in, text YES to 67587. Text messages are used to provide inclement weather updates and important reminders, and can be opted-out at any time.
School Starts Promptly at 9:15 am
When they are late to school they are missing important classroom work needed to be a successful student.
24 HR Attendance Line
Attendance Explained
Verified Absence- Parent has contacted the school regarding their students absence
Unverified Absence- Parent has not made an attempt to call the school regarding student absence
Excused Absence- Parent has notified the school of absence and provided documentation; i.e; doctors note, etc
For the safety of your child it's important to call the school attendance line when your child will be late or absent for any reason.
24/7 ATTENDANCE LINE- 816-321-5112
Attendance Counts
Student Attendance and Accountability
Attendance
Regular attendance is essential for a quality education. Parents are encouraged to schedule medical/dental appointments outside of the school day to provide students with as much learning time as possible. The principal is obligated to address unsatisfactory attendance. Action will be taken by the attendance staff, including contact with the parents, when chronic or multiple absences occur. Excessive absences may result in referral to the legal authorities.
Student attendance status is as follows:
- 98%-100% Excellent
- 95%-97% Satisfactory
- 90%-94% Marginal
- 89% and below Unsatisfactory
The Missouri Compulsory Attendance Act lists the following as acceptable reasons for an absence from school (School may request written verification):
- Personal illness Doctor/dental appointments
- Serious illness or death of a member of the family or close friend
- Emergencies at home such as fire or flood
- Religious holidays
- Professional appointments that cannot be scheduled outside the school day
These absences will affect your child’s attendance percentage.
Reporting Absences
All schools have a 24-hour attendance line. In the event that an illness or other reasonable circumstance prevents your child from attending, please inform the school. If your child will miss several days, you only need to call the first day. If no contact is made by 9:00 a.m. for early schools and 9:30 a.m. for late schools, every attempt will be made to reach a parent or emergency contact to verify the reason for the absence. Our intent with the requirement for verification of absences, late arrivals, and early departures is that parents and school personnel always know where every student is during school hours.
Late to School Procedure
When a student arrives late, he/she must check in with the administrative assistant to obtain a pass to class, Tardiness/late arrival will affect your child’s attendance percentage.
Early to Leave Procedure
For the safety of the student and to verify the reason for leaving, parents must sign out their child in the office. The parent must notify the office in advance if someone other than the parent is picking up the child. Leaving early will affect your child’s attendance percentage.
Gracemor Running Club
Smart Snack list
Please refer to this list if you'd like to provide snacks for your child's classroom.
2022-2023 Late Start Dates
Any student checking into the office after 10:00 am is considered tardy.
Gracemor FUN RUN!
We made the most of the day and moved our activity inside to the gym due to the rainy weather.
Our current total pledges exceed $14,000!
We will have a final number of how much we have raised next week!
The money raised during FUN RUN is used for school enrichment, field trips and more!
Thank you to all who participated in making this years FUN RUN a SUCCESS!
Attending District Athletic & Activity Events
As the North Kansas City School District continue to provide the safest, most enjoyable experience at our athletic and activity events, we are adding a few additional procedures moving forward for the remainder of the 22-23 school year:
1. Middle school and elementary school students may only gain admittance to events when accompanied by an adult. If students arrive to the entrance gate without an adult, they will be asked to contact an adult immediately and will not be allowed entrance into the event.
2. All middle school and elementary school students will be asked to remain with an adult OR in the assigned seating area determined by the school for the duration of the event.
3. All students will be asked to remain in the stands during games and will not be allowed to loiter in the concourse or restroom areas.
4. Students who are unwilling to comply with the directions of the on-site administrators, supervisors or law enforcement will not be able to attend athletic or activity events for the remainder of the 2022-23 school year.
5. All students should leave immediately following the conclusion of all school events.
6. All school district policies remain in effect during all activity and athletic events.
Gracemor Parent/Student Handbook
Student handbooks are a compilation of specific school-related information in one section, and district-wide information every parent and student should know. Each contains an academic year calendar and an Acknowledgment Signature Page for parents to sign, acknowledging that they have read the student handbook.
Versatrans MY STOP APP
Apply Today for Internet Benefits & Free/Reduced Meals
Free & Reduced Meal Program
Healthy and nutritious meals fuel student success. North Kansas City Schools’ Food and Nutrition Services Department is ready to serve your student each day for breakfast and lunch this school year! Now that the federal waiver has expired, school meals are no longer free and have returned to a pre-pandemic cost structure:
Elementary Breakfast: $1.65
Elementary Lunch: $2.90
Secondary Breakfast: $1.70
Secondary Lunch: $3.15
We strongly encourage you to apply for the free and reduced meals program if you believe that your family might be eligible. This program can help you qualify for benefits beyond nutrition for participating families, including fee waivers, activity scholarships and school supplies. We recommend that all families take advantage of this option if eligible.
Your children may qualify for free or reduced price meals if your household income meets the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines. Families receiving SNAP, FDPIR, or TANF assistance are also eligible, as well as all foster children and those who meet the definition of homeless, runaway or migrant. Submit your form online here.
Click here for assistance and more information from North Kansas City Schools’ Food and Nutrition Services Department.
Internet Benefits: Affordable Connectivity Program
The Affordable Connectivity Program is a new Federal Communications Commission program that helps connect families and households struggling to afford internet service. This benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers.
You can enroll through a participating broadband provider or directly with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) online or via mail.
Click here or call 877-384-2575 to learn more about the benefit, including eligibility and enrollment information.
Additionally, please note that this benefit is not considered income for purposes of determining eligibility for free and reduced-price school meals.
My Payments Plus
For instructions on how to set up a MyPaymentsPlus account, please click here! You can also contact MyPaymentsPlus for support at 1-877-237-0946.
**Internet Explorer no longer supports proper encryption for payments. Please use Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge or Mozilla Firefox for MyPaymentsPlus.
2022-2023 Academic Calendar
School Supply List
GRACEMOR BELL TIMES:
GRACEMOR BELL TIMES:
MON, TUES, WED, FRI; 9:15 a.m.- 4:10 p.m. (doors open at 9:00 a.m.)
THURS; 10:00 a.m.- 4:10 p.m. (doors open at 9:45 a.m.)
All students are offered a grab and go breakfast at no charge that they are allowed to eat in their classroom.
Our 1st late start Thursday will be September 15th.
PTA
Gracemor PTA needs YOU!
No matter your availability or skills, there is a place for you!
Please contact gracemor.pta@gmail.com if you would like to become involved this year! It truly takes a village, and it is a great way to meet others and be involved in what happens at Gracemor!
To join Gracemor PTA this year, please visit https://gracemorpta.square.site/
Gracemor PTA Membership is $6.00, and memberships will be online only. Click the link above and follow instructions.
You can pay your dues by venmo as well!
@gracemor-PTA
In the Notes section, please include:
-Your Name
-Your Student's Name and Grade (List all students if more than one.)
-Your Email Address
Thank you!
Follow Gracemor PTA on Facebook!
Creating a Power School Parent Portal
Follow these steps to complete registration:
- If you already have a parent account created, follow the link in the Parent Portal to complete the registration process.
- If you do not have a parent portal account already created. Click here for directions on how to create your account in the PowerSchool Parent Portal. You must first receive your parent access letter from your student’s building to create an account in Parent Portal to complete the registration process.
Need additional information? Click here for complete details about Parent Portal and the online registration feature.
Forgot your password? See directions to reset your password here.
Pre- School options
Important Numbers
- Office: 816-321-5110
- Attendance Line: 816-321-5112
- Gracemor FAX # 816-321-5111
- Nurse: 816-321-5113
- Café: 816-321-4014
- Adventure Club: 816-321-5017
Please Be Kind to Our Neighbors
Outdoor Recess and the weather
Students should come prepared to go outside for recess. However, as a general guideline, if the temperature/wind chill is 25 degrees (or less), students may have a shortened outdoor recess period or recess will be held indoors.
When the heat index is 95 degrees or greater, students may have a shortened outdoor recess period or recess will be held indoors.
TOYS FROM HOME
I wanted to take a moment and remind families that students should not be bringing footballs,
toys, fidgets, Pokemon cards or the like from home. They become a distraction and
at times are lost. We are not responsible for lost items. Please have students keep them at home.
Thank you!
Inclement Weather information
Students and Staff: Joining Microsoft Teams Meeting
Become a Parent Observer for you Child's Course in Canvas
Accidents Happen----Extra Clothes
Accidents happen--- for this reason we are asking our families to pack an extra set of clothes to keep in your child's backpack.
We would like for every student to have an extra set of clothes in their backpack in case of accidents, including food that has been spilt, accidents outside, etc...
This is especially important for our youngest Crusaders. Our nurses office is running very low on extra clothes so please make sure you send extra clothes with your student every day.
Multilingual Support Videos
New help videos for Canvas, Microsoft Teams, and PowerSchool are now available in Spanish, Somali, Arabic, Karen, and Vietnamese. Check out the YouTube channel here: https://tinyurl.com/NKCvideos
THE LINKS:
Counselors Corner
NKC Schools is committed to supporting all of our students throughout this time. School counselors have compiled several resources to support students’ social-emotional health at nkcschools.org/Page/5195. Families are encouraged to use this website as a resource for information and reach out to their school counselor with any questions.
Portrait of a Graduate
As one of the largest, most diverse school districts in Missouri, North Kansas City Schools serves nearly 21,000 students. As champions for all students, NKC Schools' mission is to ensure that all are life-ready and ethically grounded in an ever-changing world through innovative educational experiences that inspire lifelong learning, embrace inclusion, and forge a unified community. In seeking to continually improve our systems and serve students, NKC Schools will employ change and innovation processes that boldly redefine the high school experience.
Over the course of several months during the 2019-2020 school year, NKC Schools brought together a Portrait Design Team to bring this vision to life. This team was a diverse group of individuals representing all stakeholder groups: students, staff members, teachers, district leaders, parents, Board of Education, business partners and community members. The Portrait Design Team identified the seven key competencies for our Portrait through a rigorous process, including research, concept design and development, and broader community outreach. This group's charge was to "develop a collective vision that articulates our community's aspirations for all of our students."
Send in your Pop-Tabs for Ronald McDonald House
Love Pops Out All Over!
At Ronald McDonald House, love comes in all shapes and sizes. Love is made out of chocolate, flowers, pop-tabs, diamond rings. Wait a minute! Pop-tabs? Those aluminum rings on beverage and food cans? How on earth do pop-tabs support Ronald McDonald House? What can you do with a pop-tab?
Why Pop-Tabs?
Pop-tabs remind us of an important lesson: even little things make a big difference. We collect pop-tabs for three reasons: (1) Recycling is good for the environment. (2) Pop-tabs help pay the bills. In 2019, we recycled more than 16 tons and raised more than $14,000 from the aluminum proceeds. (3) Pop-tabs are friend-finders. Pop-tabs are worth more than the entire can because they are made of higher quality aluminum. Collecting pop-tabs is a popular volunteer opportunity that benefits RMH families and is easy to organize. Look at our website for more pop-tab information: https://rmhckc.org/how-you-can-help/poptabs/
How Can You Help?
Collect pop-tabs in zip-lock bags, cardboard boxes, coffee cans or plastic trash bags – anything easy to empty. Please do not use plastic soda bottles, water jugs or milk jugs; they’re hard to empty! Please don’t put keys into the same container. We must keep the metals separate.
Please do not collect steel pop-tabs; we can only take aluminum. How to tell? If the tab sticks to a magnet, it’s steel. If it doesn’t, it’s aluminum! It doesn’t matter what color the tabs are so long as they are aluminum – soda, fruit, vegetables, soup, tennis balls… any aluminum tabs!
Click on the link below to be connected with Let's Talk with NKC Schools!
We invite you to send us your questions, concerns, suggestions and/or compliments. Once you click on a topic below and make a submission through Let’s Talk!, the school district employee who can best address your comment will be notified. If you request a response, you will hear back from us in a timely manner.
https://www.k12insight.com/Lets-Talk/embed.aspx?k=WF7R4NLT
We look forward to hearing from you!
In the event of an emergency, please call 911 or contact our district office at (816) 321-5000.
Gracemor Elementary School
Website: https://www.nkcschools.org/Domain/18
Location: 5125 North Sycamore Drive, Kansas City, MO, USA
Phone: 816-321-5110
Twitter: @gracemorNKC