Buzzin' in the Hive
Graden Parent and Family Newsletter, December 2020
As we get ready to move to distance learning from Monday, November 30 through Friday, December 11th, I want to take a moment and thank you for all of your support this semester. Though the COVID numbers in our Park Hill community, as a whole, have increased, we at Graden have been able to keep things pretty stable. This takes tremendous effort and dedication from not just our staff and teachers, but all of you at home. Thank you for always communicating with us and calling if you have questions prior to sending sick or exposed students to school. Though we are closing for a few weeks, I am beyond proud of the work we have done this semester at Graden and cannot wait to continue it throughout our distance learning time and when we return.
When students return on Monday, December 14th, please remember to bundle up your little hornets with coats, hats, gloves, and scarves as needed to help them stay happy and healthy with their outdoor recesses. Also note, school starts each day at 9:10 am, if your child arrives after 9:10 am, you will need to come into the office and sign your child in for the day. A final reminder, ANY transportation changes need to be communicated prior to 3 pm each day. We appreciate you being proactive so that we can keep all our hornets safe.
In regard to the car line, please have your child ready to exit the car in the morning quickly as to keep the lines moving. In the afternoon, we ask that you stay in your car, form 2 lines, and follow the procedures outlined by our staff.
Winter break does not mark the end of second quarter. This year, January 15 marks the end of first semester. This means that all students will return to their first semester learning mode whether online or face-to-face on Monday, January 4th, 2021. Students will move into their second semester mode on Tuesday, January 19th, 2021. There will be no school on Monday, January 18th.
We have had approximately 28 students and families change their learning mode for second semester. We are working diligently on updating classroom placements and will communicate this information the beginning of January. It was my goal to do this with minimal interruptions to classrooms. Thank you to all the families that reached out to share their thoughts, feelings and ideas about second semester class placements. I took each and everyone of your comments to heart as I worked on updating class rosters for second semester.
Thank you one and all for your support, your care, and your involvement. May the season and the holidays bring you cheer and renewal.
Take good care, be safe, and enjoy!
With Hornet Pride!
Mrs. Easley
-Principal
DISTANCE LEARNING: NOVEMBER 30 - DECEMBER 11
- Students’ Daily Schedule:
All of our face-to-face students, will have distance learning from 9:00 am – 3:40 pm. All teachers will send a daily communication email at 9:00 am to share what they have planned for each day. Students will have a break from noon to 1:00 pm daily.
*Online students will stick with their “normal” daily schedule.
- Adventure Club:
Our school's Adventure club will be closed during this distance learning.
- Food Service:
The district will continue to provide hot meals for pick-up at Walden and Congress each day, and they will increase the availability of their frozen meals for pick-up. Watch the Park Hill website for more information.
GRADEN WINTER PTA FUNDRAISER
SHOP FOR GIFT CARDS WITH SCRIPS
As we approach the holidays, PTA will hold a winter fundraiser: Shop with Scrips.
If you are not familiar with this fundraiser, Shop with Scrips is a gift card program where individuals can shop for name brand gift cards within many different categories and Graden receives a portion of the funds received. This fundraiser will run from Tuesday, November 24th through Tuesday, December 8th. You can purchase e-gift cards or physical gift cards. The physical gift cards will come to Graden and we will contact you when they are ready to be picked up prior to winter break.
How to Participate in Graden's Winter PTA Fundraiser: Shop with Scrips
- Go to: https://www.shopwithscrip.com/
- Click on Join Program in the upper right hand corner
- Enter the Graden PTA Enrollment Code: 1CF92F9F34551
- Create an account
- Start shopping
Shop Using the App:
- Search RaiseRight in the App Store
- Click on Join Program under sign in
- Enter the Graden PTA Enrollment Code: 1CF92F9F34551
- Create an account
- Start shopping
Thank you for supporting Graden's PTA and your students!
Fundraiser runs from Tuesday, November 24th - Tuesday, December 8th
Our next Interest group day will be on Thursday, December 10th while students are home for distance learning. Please have students wear their black Graden Leadership Shirts during distance learning this day.
Your classroom teacher will communicate information regarding our December Interest Group Day with you prior to December 10th. We look forward to a fun day of learning and finding our voice!
Interest Group Schedule:
Thursday, December 10- Math Magic
Thursday, January 7
Thursday, February 4
Thursday, March 4
Thursday, April 8
Thursday, May 6
COUNSELOR NEWS FROM MISS CETOLA
While I feel more prepared for this transition to distance learning than I did the last, I am in constant awe of the resilience your students radiate during these times of uncertainty and ambiguity. I am hopeful that we will reflect back on this time with a sense of gratitude due to the strength and grit I see growing each day within your students. Please visit the Graden Counseling Website for monthly counseling newsletters, community resources, parent referral forms, and social/emotional learning “hubs” where students can access their counseling lessons, as well as several other fun resources to cultivate social and emotional development. I have also attached a direct link to the December Counseling Newsletter below. As you navigate these next few weeks of virtual learning, I want to remind you that your students have access to live homework help through Mid-Continent Public Library. If you are interested in utilizing this resource, please click the link below entitled “Live Homework Help” and follow the step to access this free service provided to our students. As always, I am available to chat via email, phone, or Zoom. You can reach me by email at cetolac@parkhill.k12.mo.us or via phone at 816-359-5647. Stay healthy Hornets!
SOCIAL WORKER RESOURCES
HOLIDAY BACKSNACKS COLLECTIVE DRIVE
BackSnacks provide nutritious food to several of our Graden students to take home each weekend. During the holidays we typically provide each BackSnack student with a special Holiday BackSnack to take home during winter break. Due to the pandemic we are unable to conduct our usual collection drive, so instead we're requesting $15 Target gift card donations for each child. if you choose to donate, just click on the link below and click "submit and signup", which will allow you to specify a quantity.
All gift cards should be mailed to Graden (8804 MO-45, Parkville, MO 64152) or dropped off in the front office by 12/14. Thank you all so much! Please know that your donations are so greatly appreciated!
While we are at home during Distance Learning, please know I am here for you and your families. I will continue to work during the school closure and will be available to answer any questions you have regarding COVID, or any other health issues your students may experience during this time.
The Park Hill Health Services Team will be continuing to document cases of Covid. Please contact me if someone in your home becomes positive or if your student is exposed to someone who is COVID positive. This information will help us to keep our students safe when we return to in-person learning.
As your school nurse, I can help to answer questions and offer resources or referrals. Feel free to call or email me at any time. Stay safe. Stay Healthy.
In Good Health,
Nurse Kris
Spirit wear will be available online this year! If you are interested in ordering Graden spirit wear please access the link below.
HABIT WINNERS AND SPOTTED LEADERS
We will pick back up with Habit Winners and Spotted Leaders in the month of January. Since we will only have one full week of face-to-face learning in December, we will skip this month and announce new recipients in January.
BIRTHDAY PARTY TREATS & DAILY TREATS
DO YOU KNOW A PARK HILL STAR?
The Park Hill Star recognition program was started in 2015 to celebrate support staff and teachers whose work is especially noteworthy.
The following is an overview of the Park Hill Star Program:
Our employees are the reason we are so successful here in the Park Hill School District, and we would like to recognize them for all they do for our students. That is why we present the Park Hill Star award once a month to a pre-K or elementary teacher, a secondary teacher and a support employee.
Meet our Board Members:
Jolayne Gorman, President
Jamie Fender, Vice President
Erica Scott, Secretary
Mary Carrier, Treasurer
Jessica Freels, Parliamentarian
Watch your email for a link to participate in meetings!
20/21 Meeting Dates:
December 14th
January 11th
February 8th
March 8th
April 12th
May
IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS
School Office (816) 359-4340
School Fax (816) 359-4349
Attendance Line (816) 359-4341
First Student Bus Company (816) 359-4560
Adventure Club (816) 359-5015
GRADEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Email: easleyv@parkhill.k12.mo.us
Website: https://graden.parkhill.k12.mo.us/
Location: 8804 NW Highway 45, Parkville, MO 64152
Phone: (816) 359-4340