The Gray Wolf Gazette
March 5th, 2023
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
Hello Givens Families,
I hope you are enjoying the beautiful weather and sunshine this weekend. I know I am getting excited for warmer days (more time on the tennis courts and other outdoor activities)!
I would like to take a minute to celebrate our Social Workers for School Social Work Week. Thank you Missy Showalter and Gina Garbo for all the ways you support our students and families. We would also like to celebrate Julie Harrison for Counselor's Week. We appreciate all you do for our students.
I would also like to take a minute to thank those of you that came out for Parent Teacher Conferences last week. It is always fun seeing you in the building and our teachers enjoyed sharing progress information with you. If you missed your time, please respond to the email/phone call from your child's teacher so they can share progress information.
As we get closer to Spring, please take a minute to read the health update from our Nurse. Also, we have an exciting event happening in our Pollinator Garden this week! Check out the info below! Finally, don't forget to review the PTO Information. We would love for you to join us at our PTO Meeting on Monday and our upcoming Trivia Night(Learn more below).
Have a great week!
Thank you,
Ms. Beecham
Pic Description(compliments of Ms. Rosewind) During recess, one of our 5th Grade Leaders decided to start a cheer club with some first-grade girls. She is helping them write cheers and will hopefully take on the challenge of getting them ready to perform during a Harambee/talent show. When asked what she saw in this picture, she responded, "That I am a leader!"
A Health Update from Nurse Jessie
Hello Givens Families,
Happy March and bring on the Spring!
With that being said, (ha!) we wanted to send a heads up that we have seen the recent uptick in viral stomach infections(norovirus) at Givens as well. The symptoms have included vomiting to diarrhea. Unfortunately, there does not seem to be too much warning and it appears to be a sudden onset. Fever is not common, but please continue to check temperatures if your student reports feeling off. One way we are stopping the spread is by limiting the use of water fountains to filling water bottles only. Please make sure your child brings a water bottle to school each day.
I also wanted to encourage those with allergies to start medication now; allergies seem to be coming on stronger and earlier this year. Please discuss this with your child's pediatrician as they may be able to write a prescription for the common over-the-counter medications and you can get them for a more reasonable price. While an oral dose of Zyrtec, Claritin, or Singulair is great, I also encourage you to talk to your child's healthcare provider about adding Flonase and saline nasal spray to the mix. These both are incredibly helpful with easing runny nose/sneezing and congestion related to allergies.
Another tip is for those with asthma, please be certain your student is taking their daily maintenance inhaler and has access to their rescue inhaler as well. The more proactive we can be about the triggers that cause asthmatic flare-ups, the more steady the day-in and day-out will be for your kiddo!
Please feel free to email me at gewinner.jessica@wgmail.org or call 314-918-4269, if you would like to discuss your individual student more or would like more resources.
--Kindly,
Jessi Gewinner BSN, RN
Givens Elementary School Nurse
Webster Groves School District
314-918-4269
Upcoming Dates
March 6th: PTO Meeting 6:30-7:30
Zoom link: [https://wgsdstl.zoom.us/j/91946363555...](https://wgsdstl.zoom.us/j/91946363555?pwd=MklBRUZHUkNNSW8xTUZ3aWM0L2x0dz09&fbclid=IwAR31OPQJSJUuO7KGS9OSoJywqiuhLgs0VT7oUCEe8cTFqux_GSYBOuDxmZ4)
Meeting ID: 919 4636 3555
Passcode: Givens
March 9th: 2nd and 3rd Grade Music Concert 6 pm-7 pm
March 10th: Spring Picture Day (Only students who purchase Spring Pictures will be Photographed)
March 13th: Late Start-9:05 Start Time
March 17th: No School
March 20th-24th Spring Break-No School
March 27th: Late Start - 9:05 Start Time
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 -B
Tuesday- C
Wednesday-D
Thursday-E
Friday-A
Pollinator Paradise Update
Givens Elementary is fortunate to include the Pollinator Paradise as part of our campus. This native Missouri wildflower and grass planting provides a habitat for a diversity of pollinators and other wildlife who also call our neighborhood home. Toads, songbirds, raptors, and small mammals all depend on Givens’ Pollinator Paradise for food, shelter, and nesting space.
Wildflowers and tall native grasses evolved with the presence of fire on the landscape.
Historically, lightning strikes and Native American application of fire to the landscape ensured our vast Missouri prairies remained healthy and diverse. Without occasional fire, the diversity of these landscapes diminishes over time. Today, trained professionals use planned and controlled fires, called “prescribed fires,” to manage these valuable natural resources.
Next week-- weather permitting-- Rock Hill Fire Department, Missouri Department of Conservation, and Missouri Master Naturalists will conduct a prescribed fire at Givens’ Pollinator Paradise. Specific weather conditions must be met for this to occur, and a thorough plan is in place to ensure the prescribed fire is safe and successful. The prescribed fire will take place at approximately 11 am to noon on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday. If weather conditions do not allow the burn to take place this year, we will attempt it again in early 2024.
You can find more information about the use of prescribed fire as a management tool at Missouri Prescribed Fire Council (moprescribedfire.org)
Summer School Registration Opens on March 1st
Looking to keep your child's learning on track this summer? WGSD offers a wide range of engaging and educational experiences. With programs for all students and skill levels, our summer learning opportunities are the perfect way to explore new interests, gain new skills, and have fun while learning.
How do I register? Registration for all summer programs begins Wednesday, March 1 at 7 p.m. here. Please make sure you have your login information for SIS to ensure a streamlined registration experience.
Summer Exploration Experience
Summer Exploration Experience is a free program for students entering 1st through 5th grade during the 2023-24 school year.
Students will:
- enjoy 23 days of hands-on/project-based learning.
- have a voice in the direction of their learning.
- drive their own personalized final project, reflecting on their interest in a topic.
The program is taught by certified staff who are trained in project-based learning.
Dates: June 5 – July 7 (No school June 19 or July 4)
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Location: Avery Elementary
Hixson Summer Academy
Hixson Middle School offers free summer school enrichment to district students entering 6th through 8th grade during the 2023-24 school year.
Dates: June 5 – July 7 (No school June 19 or July 4)
Times: 8:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
Location: Hixson Middle School
GIVENS ELEMENTARY
Spring Personality Picture Day Is: Friday, March 10, 2023
ONLY STUDENTS THAT PRE-ORDER WILL BE PHOTOGRAPHED.
Dress your best from head to toe because Wagner Portraits will be at school to photograph creative studio-like personality portraits!
PRE-ORDER BEFORE PICTURE DAY & RECEIVE A FREE 4X10 DESK COLLAGE:
Online Pre-Order Password: 6H2R7T3Q
All pre-orders receive: Free 4x10 Collage + Free shipping to school + Best pricing
Kindergarten Registration
Kindergarten registration for the 2023-24 school year begins Monday, January 23. Students must be five years old before Aug. 1, 2023, to enter kindergarten for the school year. Learn about the registration process here.
****If you have siblings that you are registering, early registration helps us plan for the upcoming school year.
Yearbooks on Sale Now
2022-2023 Givens Elementary Yearbooks are now available for purchase online here: Yearbook Market
**PLEASE NOTE: The PTO will be purchasing yearbooks as a courtesy for all 5th graders, so 5th-grade families will not need to purchase one. The 5th-grade yearbooks will be distributed to all 5th-grade students at school when they arrive.
The PTO would like to invite all parents and caregivers to our next meeting on Monday, March 6th from 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM. We will be meeting in person at the Givens Elementary Library and there will be a Zoom option as well (link below). Hope to see you there!
Zoom link: [https://wgsdstl.zoom.us/j/91946363555...](https://wgsdstl.zoom.us/j/91946363555?pwd=MklBRUZHUkNNSW8xTUZ3aWM0L2x0dz09&fbclid=IwAR31OPQJSJUuO7KGS9OSoJywqiuhLgs0VT7oUCEe8cTFqux_GSYBOuDxmZ4)
Meeting ID: 919 4636 3555
Passcode: Givens
The agenda for the meeting can be viewed here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1aSsC_8cGUnFVxAarmt2qoBvz_K2hZs_4df2LbHRmOIY/edit
Trivia Night is coming on Saturday, April 29th! Tickets will go on sale the week of March 13 (more info to come about how to purchase tickets).
Whether you will attend the event or can't make it, you can help us make the event a big success and raise more funds to impact Givens. Current needs and ways you can help include:
Sponsor the Event or a Round, or connect us with individuals or businesses who would be interested in sponsoring!
Round Sponsorship - $75 Donation: Business featured during the Trivia Night event and highlighted in our auction program, PTO communications, and social media.
Event Sponsorship - $250 Donation: Business featured in all communications sent about the event both online and in print, along with being featured in our event
program and highlighted throughout the evening.
Donate bottles of wine or spirits - During the event we would like to have "wine pull" and "cocktail grab bag" stations, which were very fun and successful last year. Your donation of bottles of wine or spirits (of an at least $15 value per bottle) can make a big impact (and are a perfect way to "regift" bottles that aren't your favorite!)
Donate other new items, services, or certificates for the Silent Auction
Solicit a business for Silent Auction items - If you have a connection to a business and would like to ask for a Silent Auction item, we can provide the request letters and donation forms.
Please contact Sarah Paradoski at sarahparadoski@gmail.com or text/call at (646) 701-3012 if you are able to help out with any of the above for next steps. Thank you in advance to everyone for your part in supporting the students and staff of our school!
Equity Corner 3/3
Black Lives Matter
#BlackLivesMatter was founded in 2013 in response to the murder of Trayvon Martin in Florida. The “mission is to eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes. By combating and countering acts of violence, creating space for Black imagination and innovation, and centering Black joy, we are winning immediate improvements in our lives.” About - Black Lives Matter
Historical Highlight: Cori Bush (1976-) is currently serving as a House Representative for the 1st district here in Missouri, including St. Louis city and county (she is OUR Representative). She began her activism in 2014, after the murder of Michael Brown. She became a strong voice for Black Lives Matter and ran for the Missouri Senate seat in 2016. Although she lost in the Democratic primary, she continued her activist work, eventually winning the House of Representative seat in 2020, the seat in which she is currently serving.
Recommended read (for grown-ups): Stamped from the Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi
Girls on the Run @ Givens
Join the GOTR team at Givens! Our coaching team will inspire girls to be joyful, healthy, and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum, which creatively integrates running. Girls and coaches will run, walk, skip, dance or move forward at whatever pace they like to encourage girls to reach their goals as a team! The spring 2023 season starts the week of March 6th and culminates in a celebratory 5K at Forest Park on May 13th. Go to GOTR info and Registration 23.pdf to learn more today!
Please contact Jessica Johnson (GOTR Coach & Kindergarten teacher) (johnson.jessica@wgmail.org) for more information.
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
It's not too late to signup for free and reduced lunch. You can do so here and return it to
Webster Groves High School
100 Selma Avenue
Webster Groves, MO 63119
Attention: Food Service Office
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