Greystone News
March 27, 2020
A note from Dr. Stocks
Right now, we are making plans for teachers to gather your child's belongings, prepare any needed papers, set up a curbside pick up system, and ensuring that we are communicating and keeping in contact with our students. More details of the plans will be coming soon. Please know that our plans will be in compliance with the state's most recent health order. Our Greystone family's health and safety is our priority.
The State Department of Education has worked through their departments and a task force to develop a plan for school districts to follow for what they consider an emergency end-of-year closure. Hoover City Schools, as always, has been very forward thinking and is well on the way to implementing a very effective plan for the next 7 weeks of instruction.
I know many of you are worried about trying to coordinate your work schedule and the learning of multiple children, while keeping your household safe and functioning. It is a lot for you and we are going to do everything we can to support you and be as flexible as possible.
Please be on the lookout for more information as we finalize these plans.
I miss you, your children, and will look forward to the day we can have a big party to celebrate the end of the quarantine!
Dr. Stocks
teachers will be contacting you and/or your children after spring break. please make sure you respond to them as we prepare for learning from home beginning April 6th.
Pre-Registration for Pre-K continues until March 31st! Please note that we are tentatively changing the drawing to April 10th.
News from our Pta
Greystone Parents -
If you are a member of the Greystone PTA (paid your $10 dues at the beginning of the school year), please review the following items that need to be voted on by our general membership. Due to all that is going on with COVID – 19, we are choosing to do this electronically since we don’t know when or if we will have another opportunity for general meeting.
We have two items that need to be voted on:
- Proposed changes to the PTA bylaws
- 2020-2021 PTA Executive Board slate nominations
Please click on the link below to review the proposed key changes to the bylaws recommended by The Bylaws Committee of Greystone Elementary PTA and the proposed slate of officers for the 2020-21 school year by the Nominating Committee of Greystone Elementary PTA:
https://forms.gle/87hBchzkAo8d86QLA
We appreciate your help with this matter.
Thank You,
Greystone Elementary PTA
We would like to offer parents the opportunity to let us know what environment you feel is most appropriate for your child. While it is not possible for you to choose your child’s teacher, we do want to make sure all of your concerns are addressed when making next year’s placement. If you would like to submit a letter about your child’s placement for the 2020-2021 school year, please send it to Stacey Stocks or Sherita Williams, NO LATER THAN MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2020. (extended due to school closure)
Parent letters might include: a description of the amount of structure/flexibility needed for the learning environment in which you feel your child works best, or if you have had a past experience with a teacher or another student that was either positive or negative. We ask that you not request a specific teacher’s classroom. We work very hard to make the best possible class rolls and consider all of the given information.
Once we begin making the class lists, it is difficult to make changes. For this reason, letters received after March 30th may not be considered for class placement. You may submit your letter via e-mail to: sstocks@hoover.k12.al.us or shwilliams@hoover.k12.al.us Note that the placement letter due date for incoming kindergarten students will be May 5, 2020.
COVID-19 Update
Grace Klein Community is a resource for food. We know that some parents are concerned about providing food for their children. We have created a form for these parents to sign up to receive food while the schools are out. Click here for the form.
Click here for Frequently Asked Questions regarding the School Closure and COVID-19.
THe Counselor's corner
Dear Parents,
In these uncertain times, talking to your children about the COVID-19 virus may be difficult. As a parent, you may be concerned about the balance of being realistic, but not inflicting fear on your children. Julia Cook, a former teacher, counselor, and current children's author, has shared some tips for parents on talking to kids about the virus:
- Remain calm and reassuring. It is very important to create an environment where children feel comfortable asking questions.
- Always answer a child's questions truthfully with developmentally appropriate, simple answers. You don't need to go into more detail than necessary, but lying to children, or making up facts will ultimately confuse them. Eventually, when they find out the truth about what happened, they may struggle with trusting you in the future if you lie in an attempt to protect them.
- Focus on what you and your child are doing to stay safe. Remind children that they can be part of the solution, by washing hands, using tissues when coughing or sneezing, using fist or elbow bumps instead of handshakes, and not sharing food or drinks.
- Stick to a predictable routine as much as possible. If schools and/or daycare close, re-establish a functional routine that your child can count on.
- You may be asked to repeat your answers several times. Be consistent in your reply and realize that your repetitive answers are your child's 'need to know,' and you are building upon his/her sense of security.
- Children may often feel out of control when disasters occur. Keeping with a familiar routine is very important when trying to re-establish the security of predictability and feeling of being in control.
- If your child asks you a question that you do not know the answer to, its ok to say, "I don't know."
- Acknowledge and normalize your child's thoughts, feelings and reactions. Help children understand why they feel the way they do.
I hope some of these tips will help, as you navigate through being a parent in these difficult times. I, along with the rest of our faculty and staff, miss your children dearly! If you have any questions or need help, please reach out to my email, Kamos@hoover.k12.al.us. Also, if you are looking for ways to help or donate to HCS students and families, please send me an email and I will connect you to our Neighborhood Bridges or Hoover Helps Program. Stay safe, we hope to see you soon!
Kristin Amos-White
School Counselor
Greystone Elementary School
Library news
Online Reading Resources
If you have any questions on how to use these resources, please email Mrs. Richey at jrichey@hoover.k12.al.us
- Storyline Online https://www.storylineonline.net/ Hundreds of books read by famous people!
- Storytime with Ryan & Craig https://www.ryanandcraig.com/read-alouds Hilarious read alouds for all ages!
- MyOn (on Clever) Fiction and nonfiction books and activities.
- Alabama Virtual Library (AVL) On Clever or go to https://www.avl.lib.al.us/ eBooks and databases for all ages! Read an eBook, learn to speak a new language, research a favorite topic, or explore Animals & Science on PebbleGo
- Sora by OverDrive (on Clever or download the free app) More than 1,500 great eBooks & Audiobooks ready for students to borrow. Click here for directions.
- Capstone Interactive Books http://www.mycapstonelibrary.com/login/ Username: abc Password:123 *Make sure to click Capstone Interactive at login
- PebbleGo (complete access with more options than AVL) https://site.pebblego.com/login Username: eol Password: 123
- BookFlix https://bit.ly/2UjV24B Great selection of books and activities! Username: Learning20 Password: Clifford
- TrueFlix https://bit.ly/3ajEbEE Great selection of nonfiction books and activities! Username: Learning20 Password: Clifford
Have you done your census 2020? No better time than NOW!
Did you know you can help our school by participating in the Box Tops for Education program?
Our Greystone Motto
Learn - Lead - Leave a Legacy
Our Greystone Mission
As a school community, we empower learners, inspire leaders, and encourage all children to reach their potential.
Our Greystone Vision
Empowering a generation of learners and leaders to leave a legacy.
Greystone Elementary
Email: sstocks@hoover.k12.al.us
Website: https://www.hoovercityschools.net/greystone
Location: 300 Village Street, Birmingham, AL, USA
Phone: 205-439-3200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GreystoneElementarySchool/
Twitter: @greystoneelem