The Gray Wolf Gazette
October 21, 2021
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 welcoming community that empowers all children to connect, discover, and thrive as leaders equipped to make a positive impact on our world.
Quick Overview
Hello Families,
Brrr, this cold weather snuck upon us! Hopefully, the leaves will catch up and show some of their beautiful fall colors soon!
We had our second Harambee and Pack Meeting time last week and we had a great time! Each Pack worked to learn more about the members in their pack and talked about what they had in common. From this, they created some of the most adorable pack names I have heard. They included the Snack Pack (because everyone in this group loved to eat), The Hawaiian Pizzas (because everyone in this group loved pizza and wanted to visit Hawaii), and Adams and the Chickenmunks (because there were some chicken lovers in this group). I can't wait to see their pack banners!
Take a look at the video we shared at the beginning of our pack meetings. It helped as we shared information about ourselves. It was is a great reminder to have a positive view when we think about ourselves.
We hope to see you at Trunk Or Treat tomorrow!
We appreciate your partnership!
On this journey together,
Ms. Malissa Beecham
Givens Principal
Upcoming Dates
October Dates:
-Dairy Queen Night for Givens October 21st (3:00-6:00 pm)
-PTO Sponsored Trunk or Treat (More details to come) Friday, October 22
-PTO Sponsored Campus Beautification and Pollinator Garden Event (More details to come) Saturday, October 23rd
-End of Trimester 1 & Fall Parties Friday, October 29
-No School Monday, November 1st, 2021
-4/5 Grade Music Concert and Art Show November 4th, 2021 (6pm-7pm)
-Veterans Day (Wear Red, White, and Blue) November 11th, 2021
-Parent-Teacher Conferences Nov. 15th & Nov. 17th (Please see below to sign up for a time with your child's teacher).
Fall Parent Teacher Conferences
- Givens PTO and families will provide dinner for teachers and staff on Nov. 15 during Parent/Teacher Conference week. Please consider making a donation for the cost of the meal. Suggested donation is $5 to $10 per family. You can pay by Venmo (GivensPTO), cash, or check. Please specify "Teacher/Staff Meal". Cash and checks can be sent to your classroom teacher Attn: Jen Levine or Tracy Willis.
Mrs. Johnson
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1znXZ73K1hm93HWfIcYz8Xh4ou_R0ZWspTOQ58TUsdZE/edit?usp=sharing
Mrs. Howard
Mrs. Taylor
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NUd_AE74H4ArkM6-timxKUJVcu1SgkuePphxS9HtwEU/edit?usp=sharing
Mrs. Buckman
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1r766KBSFX-x4sbWadS1jdHH-yMn29RVWl0CzsQiDVqk/edit?usp=sharing
Mrs. Jauer
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XUGcs6LbZeTIBHFNBU7cJlziKqxeAPvgoRiQPmxq33w/edit
Mrs. Cook
https://docs.google.com/document/d/17GfbQQyRlcMNQMBgkIbh8aRMoKwO92sinuORLBusRFY/edit?usp=sharing
Mrs. Richard
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WwC7VKgdnXVV-Z0KrG9F7fMBjmfEtO-SpPC9D2V8jjY/edit?usp=sharing
Mrs. Gamble
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4CACAD23A1F4C43-fall
Ms. Zenk
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1oiBe8v4g113cGgc2TZqwrxJdNkM8L_lFVn4TJxReIiI/edit#gid=0
Mrs. Kindle
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805084FA5A723A7F58-fall
Ms. Adams
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FgAeAMaRXfFLtyNzk4y_h5XrD4dCS46JHHemnAheQm0/edit?usp=sharing
Mrs. Spencer
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4CAFA92BAAFFC16-fall
Mr. Melanson
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rkoEr_XWo_rKd3cwcpc5y0yp3eIc4_LR2joepN9uHzo/edit
Meet our PTO Board Members
President - Sarah Middendorf sarahmdorf@gmail.com
Co-Vice Presidents - Maria Lambing maria.lambing@gmail.com Sarah Paradoski sarahparadoski@gmail.com
Co-Equity Officers - Deidre Townsend mrstownsend0316@gmail.com
Dana Walker danagivens@yahoo.com
Co-Secretaries - Kara Simon ksimon619@gmail.com
Alex Guffey alexandra.guffey903@gmail.com
Co-Treasurers - Tracy Willis tracy.barton@att.net
Jen Levine jensherwood73@gmail.com
PTO Meeting Minutes
Click here for all of the minutes from our PTO meetings.
Upcoming Events:
- Dairy Queen Night - Thursday, October 21st, 3-6 pm (Flyer Attached)
- PTO Sponsored Trunk or Treat - Friday, October 22
- Campus Beautification/Pollinator Garden Event - Saturday, October 23rd 8am-12pm
- Annual Walk-A-Thon Fall Fundraiser is coming in November! Stay tuned for more details!
Want to Learn More about the Science Fair??
Do you love science? Come learn how to do a science fair project via Zoom on Thursday, November 11th from 6:30-7:30 pm. You will need to register prior to attending. If you have any questions, please visit our Science Fair website or contact Shayla Pott, District Science Fair Coordinator, at pott.shayla@wgmail.org.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Social Emotional Learning Survey
In support of our efforts to better care for the well-being of our students and nurture the most welcoming and inclusive environments possible, next week elementary counselors will help administer a brief, online and anonymous survey with 3rd-5th grade students between October 18 - 29th. What they share, over the next couple of weeks and in a follow-up survey this spring, will help guide and assess our efforts to better care for elementary students in the WGSD. Please reach out to Ms. McCain, our school counselor if you have questions. McCain.destiny@wgmail.org
Campus Beautification Day
Saturday, Oct 23, 2021, 08:00 AM
701 North Rock Hill Road, St. Louis, MO, USA
Join us on Saturday, October 23 from 8-11 am (as part of Givens Campus Beautification Day) for a hands-on learning experience in Pollinator Paradise! Find out what makes this place special! Bring the whole family to weed, deadhead, collect seeds, and otherwise prepare the gardens and prairie for winter, and discuss future plans alongside Missouri Master Naturalists and ShutterBee project scientist Nicole Miller-Struttmann, all of whom are happy to answer your questions about native plants and pollinator environments.”
News from Nurse Mindy
As we continue to work to keep our Gray Wolves Healthy, please remember to:
Just a reminder that IF you have a student with upper respiratory symptoms and it has been determined that a COVID test is recommended, please keep all siblings at home until the test results are known. I know this is a burden but it provides an extra layer of protection for us all. Thank you so much for your cooperation.
Also, please make sure you:
-Keep your child(ren) at home if they are experiencing any COVID Symptoms (take a look at the picture below. Students should stay home if they have a low risk or high-risk symptoms)
-Make sure your child has a mask to wear to school. Students should always wear a mask inside the building. They may take their masks off outside if they are able to keep the 3-6 feet distance.
-Handwashing and hand sanitizing are practiced in school. Please encourage your child to keep this practice up at home and when visiting other places.
-Please communicate symptoms, positive test results(in the household) to Nurse Mindy. She will talk you through the next steps.
-We know allergy season is upon us. It is still important that we are responsive to symptoms that may be due to allergies. There are specific steps Nurse Mindy will walk you through as we ensure all students are healthy.
Thank you for your cooperation with these important steps to help prevent the spread of illness in our school buildings!
Dr. Henry Givens Elementary School
Website: https://www.webster.k12.mo.us/Givens
Location: 701 North Rock Hill Road, St. Louis, MO, USA
Phone: 314-963-6460
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GivensElem/