Grafton Gazette
April 8th. 2021
Grafton Village Elementary School
Email: _@staffordschools.net
Website: www.staffordschools.net/gves
Location: 501 Deacon Road, Fredericksburg, VA, USA
Phone: (540) 373-5454
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3288895351138823/
Twitter: @GVESGrizzlies
Message from the Principal
Newsletter #31
4/8/21
Message from the Principal:
Dear Families,
Our new schedule that begins the week of April 19th has almost arrived. Transportation is working on routing and you should be able to access these through their website beginning next week. Routes are only being created for families who stated a need for bus transportation. Please note that there is a high likelihood that students who are currently riding the bus will see a change in their pick up time and bus number. With the consolidation of A and B schedules, all routes are being recreated ahead of the April 20th reopening. To check your child’s route, follow this link to the Transportation Department website beginning Tuesday, April 13th.
On April 20th, we will see a huge increase in the number of cars that access our car rider line. With our current A/B schedule, we have had approximately 80 vehicles per day which will now be over 160 vehicles. Car rider drop off time in the morning begins at 7:35 am and lasts until 8:00 am. Car rider pick up will begin at 1:00 pm and last until 1:30 pm. Please be patient and allow extra time as we work to make the car rider process as efficient as possible. Also, please make sure your child knows their car rider letter and number so we can dismiss students as quickly as possible each afternoon. We will be closely monitoring the amount of time it takes for drop off and pick up for the first two weeks and make schedule adjustments as needed.
We are excited about the changes that will take place the week of April 19th and want to celebrate with a special spirit day on Tuesday, April 20th. We are naming this day GrizzLy Avengers Assemble Day. Like the Marvel heroes of the Avengers movies, we can’t wait for all of our Grizzlies to be reunited for both in person classes and virtual classes that will now combine A and B groups. Your child can get in on the fun by wearing their favorite superhero shirt or costume.
Be well!
Mike Sidebotham
Principal
Important Schedule Changes to notice:
- Monday: Asynchronous with Morning Meeting
- Tuesday: A Day (A students in person, B online)
- Wednesday: B Day (B students in person, A online)
- Thursday: Teacher workday: No school for students
- Friday: Asynchronous with Morning Meeting
Specials: B students will have their special on Tuesday, April 13th, and A students will have their special on Wednesday, April 14th.
Tuesday, April 20th: Schedule change to 4 days a week
- Students will be attending synchronous instruction 4 days a week (Tuesday-Friday) from 8:00 am-1:00 pm. Students will have specials during their synchronous instruction.
- Mondays will continue to be Asyncrhnous with a Morning Meeting
April Events
Tuesday, April 13th: Ally hybrid students check your updated bus transportation for the April 20th schedule
- All hybrid students that will be riding the bus for the start of the April 20th schedule, please check your child's route due to the likelihood of change in their pick up time and/or bus number. Go to the Transportation Department's website beginning Tuesday, April 13th to see your student's transportation information.
Wednesday, April 14th: End of 3rd Quarter
Thursday: April 15th: Teacher Professional Day
Thursday, April 15th: Quarter 4 Material Pickup for Virtual Students Only
- There will be a Quarter 4 Material Pickup for Virtual Students ONLY, grades KG-5th grade.
- Q4 Material Pickup will be in the front bus ramp between 7:30 am-9:30 am.
- If your student is switching from virtual to hybrid starting April 20th, then you do not have to pick up your student's materials since they will receive them from their teacher.
Friday, April 16th: Deadline Extended to purchase Grafton's 2020-2021 Yearbook
- The School Code for Grafton is 7698321 and the yearbook will cost $18. Order GVES '20-'21 Yearbook Today!
Tuesday, April 20th: Superhero Spirit Day
- To celebrate the start of our new schedule starting Tuesday, April 20th we are having Grizzly Avengers Assemble Day. Like the Marvel heroes of the Avengers movies, we can’t wait for all of our Grizzlies to be reunited for both in person classes and virtual classes that will now combine A and B groups. Your child can get in on the fun by wearing their favorite superhero shirt or costume.
Tuesday, April 27th GVES Spirit Night at Panda Express
- Panda Express located in Central Park from 10:30 am-10:00 pm
Friday, April 30th: April Book Challenge Entries are Due
- What Can You Do with a Plastic Bag is the library challenge for this month. Submit a picture or video showing how you can reduce waste by reusing plastic bags. Submit your entry by Friday, April 30th using the Google Form.
National Assistant Principals Week: Thank you to Mrs. Murray!
How quickly can you find Mrs. Murray in the Assistant Principals collage? Hint: I spy Mrs. Murray in the third row!
Virtual students ONLY: Quarter 4 Materials
Order Grafton's 2020-2021 Yearbook Today!
SCPS Elementary Book Challenge: April Edition
Steps to Enter:
- Listen to the story, One Plastic Bag by Miranda Paul, which is linked. Find out how the characters reduced the plastic bag litter by finding a way to reuse and recycle them into something new.
- Use your imagination to think of a way to reuse plastic bags.
- Make it and take a photo or video of your repurposed plastic bag creation.
- Submit your creation to the Google form by Friday, April 30th.
NOTE: Your entry may be used in promotional materials for the SCPS Libraries including posting on social media. If used, entries will only be labeled with your first name.
Town Hall April 2021
Kindergarten Registration for 2021-2022 is Open!
GVES Attendance Competition Grade Level Winners: March 29th-April 2nd
GVES Attendance Competition: Be a HERO
Grizzlies be a HERO
- Here: Present for the entire class
- Every Day: Regular attendance for class each day, excused student absences will not be counted against classes for the competition
- Ready: Actively participating in the class where students are paying attention, listening, answering questions, etc.
- On Time: Punctual to class
Absences, tardies, or dismissals that are excused will not be counted against classes. So make sure you contact the school to let us know if your student will be missing any portion of school. You can fill out the Report an Absence Form, you can call the school at (540) 373-5454 or send a note in if your student is hybrid.
Congrats to our Super HERO Grizzlies!
Super HERO Grizzlies: Week of March 29th-April 2nd
GVES: Every Special, Every Week
Library Book Checkout
- No More Curbside Library, by appointment: Virtual Students can email Mrs. Counsell at counsellkm@staffordschools.net to pick up books at GVES.
- Classroom Delivery: Hybrid grizzlies you can get the books you place on hold and then delivered to your classroom once the books have been quarantined,
- SORA, by Overdrive: Grizzlies can check out eBooks and audiobooks to read or listen to on their Chromebooks or device. The SORA app is found in the Google waffle and you can visit the library Canvas homepage for more information about SORA.
Library Books Return
Make sure you return your library books that were checked out last winter or spring! There are several options:
- Hybrid Students: Bring your library books to school to drop off in the library bin when you have in-person classes.
- Drop off library books in the front office between the hours of 7:30 am-3:30 pm, Monday to Friday.
GVES Art
GVES Virtual Art Show 2020-2021
Get Involved!
Join our amazing Grafton PTA, use this link to become a member!
PTA Donation Letter:
Read the attached file regarding Grafton Village PTA's largest fundraiser for the 2020-2021 school year that involves supporting Grafton and the chance to win prizes!
SCPS PreK Program: Apply now for 2021-2022
Grafton Front Office Information
Grafton Village Elementary School is Home of the Grizzlies and is located at 501 Deacon Rd, Fredericksburg, VA, 22405
Grafton's Front Office Hours:
Grafton's front office is open Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:30 am-3:30 pm. During these hours you can call us at (540) 373-5454 to talk to someone directly or if you call outside office hours you can leave a message.
Grafton's Front Office Protocols:
If you plan to come to the front office you will come through the main entrance where you will ring the doorbell and state your reason for entrance. Everyone coming into the building is required to wear face masks that fully cover your nose and mouth. We ask that you have your mask fully on before you ring the doorbell. We appreciate everyone's cooperation as we want to provide a safe experience for all here at Grafton Village Elementary School.
Keep us Informed:
Reminder to make sure you let the front office be aware of any transportation changes, your student's attendance, and any other important information regarding your student.
Stay Connected!
There are a variety of ways you can stay connected to all that is happening at Grafton Village Elementary School.
- Visit Grafton Village Elementary School's website
- Follow us on Twitter, @GVESGrizzlies
- Join the GVES private Facebook group for Grafton guardians and staff!