Hornets,

I want to begin by thanking our AMAZING PTA and all of our families for your generous donations and kind words during Graden's Staff Appreciation Week. It was a fun week filled with many surprises. Our staff truly thanks you for all that you do to support us!

I cannot believe this will be our final Buzzin' in the Hive of the 2022-23 school year! I want to take a moment and thank each of you for sharing your students with us. We could not have accomplished so much without you.

The MAP test begins for our third, fourth and fifth grade students on Monday, May 1st and runs through Friday, May 12th. Continue reading this newsletter to find out more information about the assessment and be sure to read your class newsletter for class specific MAP testing information.

Our Kindergarten Kick-Off event is scheduled for Thursday, May 4th, from 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm. This will be a face-to-face event for all incoming kindergarten students and their families. Families will be able to sign-up for a scheduled block of time to visit Graden, meet our kindergarten teachers and take a tour. Please spread the word to neighbors and friends who have children who will attend Graden in the fall of 2023. Students need to be 5 years old by July 31 in order to enroll for the 2023-24 school year. More information below about this event.

We are also planning for our fifth-grade celebrations at the end of the year. Our fifth grade teachers, with the help of our students, are working on grade-level celebrations to end the year strong! Please look for communication from your student's teacher.

Upcoming Dates:

Monday, May 1st - Friday, May 12th - MAP TESTING

Tuesday, May 2nd - PTA Meeting - 6:00 pm in the Library

Wednesday, May 3rd - Early Release @ 2:00 pm

Thursday, May 4th - Kindergarten Kick-Off - 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm (Sign-Up Below)

Friday, May 5th - Talent Show Forms Due

Monday, May 15th - Talent Show Practice/Try Out

Tuesday, May 16th - 5th Grade Track Meet at District Stadium ALL DAY

Friday, May 19th - Graden Field Day ALL DAY

Monday, May 22nd- 5th Grade Choir Concert Practice and Performance

Tuesday, May 23rd - Make Up Field Day Date

Tuesday, May 23rd - Talent Show Practice -4:30 pm

Wednesday, May 24th - 5th Grade Celebration and Parade 5:30 pm - 6:00 pm

Thursday, May 25th - Graden Talent Show 9:20 am - 10:45 am

Friday, May 26th - Last Day of School

Thanks for always supporting Graden!

-Dr. Easley

Early release days will be on Wednesdays for the 2022-23 school year. Dismissal on early release days begins at 2:00 pm.

Every early release day will be Interest Group Day at Graden. All students will engage in a cultural arts assembly and students will join interest groups to participate in an activity of high interest to them. I am thrilled to share that ALL assemblies and interest groups will be in-person this year. Please have your student wear their "GRIT" school shirt.

Below you will find the early release schedule and the assembly themes:

2022-23 Early Release Days:

Wednesday, May 3rd: Super Market Science

2nd Semester Lunch Schedule for Early Release Days:

Kindergarten: 12:20 pm-12:40 pm

First Grade: 12:40 pm -1:00 pm

Second Grade: 1:00 pm - 1:20 pm

Third Grade: 11:20 am - 11:40 am

Fourth Grade: 11:40 am - 12:00 pm

Fifth Grade: 12:00 pm - 12:20 pm

Please communicate with your classroom teacher and the office if you have alternate transportation on early release days.

The MAP testing window will be open Monday, May 1st - Friday, May 12th for all Graden third, fourth and fifth grade students. We have worked so hard this year and this is just one more way to help us identify our strengths and areas to grow. In the meantime, daily attendance (when healthy) is so very important as we work together to finish the year strong.

Below you will find Graden's MAP testing schedule. Your classroom teacher will send a schedule home as well. We ask that you try to avoid making appointments during the testing window. We appreciate your efforts to encourage the importance of attending school each day!

As our third, fourth and fifth grade students prepare to show what they know, please look for more information to come in the weeks ahead regarding testing preparations and details from your classroom teacher.

Each year during standardized testing it is our goal to provide all of the students with a snack on each of their testing days. Please review the following snack guidelines before signing up:

1. Signups are list by teacher and testing dates. Snacks should be delivered to Graden AT LEAST one day prior to the testing date you choose below.

2. Snacks should be dry, individually pre-packaged, and should NOT require refrigeration. Suggested snack items are crackers, individually packaged muffins, fruit snacks, granola bars, chips, popcorn, cereal, cookies, etc. Please avoid donating any items containing nuts.

3. All snacks must be in original package and clearly labeled with the grade level and teacher's name.

If you wish to contribute a snack for your child's class please find the teacher's name below. Click on the Sign Up box next to the testing date, then scroll down and click on Submit and Sign Up. Enter your name or your student's name and an email address and click Sign Up Now!

We ask that you provide enough snacks for 30 students. You may send snacks in with your student up to one week in advance. Please have them drop off snacks in the office for storage until the testing days arrive.

Please be sure to follow the guidelines above to ensure your donation is put to good use. We appreciate your support!

-Graden PTA

We will hold a Kindergarten Kick-Off event on Thursday, May 4, 2023 from 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm at Graden Elementary:

Families will sign-up for a time to visit Graden, meet our kindergarten teachers, engage in fun kindergarten activities and take a tour of the building.

****Use the QR code or link below to sign up for your time.

Students must be 5 years old on or before July 31, 2023 to enroll in Kindergarten for the 2023-2024 school year.

Please note that all vaccines need to be completed prior to the first day of school as mandated by the state of Missouri. Unfortunately, if these are not complete, your child cannot come to school on August 21, 2023. If your child has not received the 4-5 year old recommended shots, please make an appointment as soon as possible with your health care provider or the health department. Please click the link for additional information. If you have specific questions or concerns contact the nurse, Nurse Tara Dupras at 359-4344.

Enroll your kindergartener beginning April 3rd in Infinite Campus. Please ensure you have the following documents for enrollment : state issued birth certificate, 2 proofs of residency, and updated immunization records.

Call Graden Elementary for any questions: 359-4340

*** If you would like to join us for the talent show, please arrive a few minutes early on the 25th to check-in at the front office. Please bring your photo ID.

Friday, May 5th: Talent Show Forms Due

Monday, May 15th: Talent Show Preview - During School

Tuesday, May 23th: Talent Show Rehearsal - After School

Thursday, May 25th: Talent Show - 9:20 am - 10:45 am - PARENTS ARE WELCOME!!!!

This month we went out with a BANG, wrapping up our monthly counseling lessons and celebrating College and Career Week! I hope your students had fun exploring various careers and all they entail—hopefully they learned something new about their own interests along the way! Counseling small groups will wrap up this month as well, as we prepare for MAP testing and all the fun that comes with a bittersweet end to an incredible school year. ❤ Visit the Graden Counseling Website for previous counseling newsletters, community resources, and parent referral forms, as well as several other fun resources to cultivate social and emotional development. As always, I am available to chat via email, phone, or in person (YAY!) if you would like to schedule a time to meet. You can reach me by email at gittemeierc@parkhill.k12.mo.us or via phone at 816-359-5647. Looking forward to cherishing every last minute of this school year! 😊

The PTA is so excited about the new GRADEN HORNET sign on the fence! Thank you to all who worked hard putting it up! Thank you also to everyone who contributed to a great and successful Staff Appreciation week! We look forward to closing out a wonderful year with things like the Talent Show, Ice Cream Social for the students, and Gaga Pit to be installed!

IMPORTANT DATES:

· May 2- Last PTA Meeting, 6pm Library

· May 3- Papa John's Fundraiser Night!

· May 4- Kindergarten Round Up!

· May 5- Talent Show Forms Due!

· May 16- 5th Grade Track Meet

· May 19- Field Day!

· May 22- 5th Grade Choir Concert

· May 24- 5th Grade Parade

· May 25- Talent Show/Ice Cream Party

· May 26- LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!

Connect with us on Facebook to see our upcoming events and learn how you can get involved with PTA

Graden PTA Board Members:

Hayley Cooper, President

Emily Miller, Vice President

Lindsay Ramon, Secretary

Maggie Wright, Treasurer

Jessica Freels, Parliamentarian

2022-23 PTA MEETING DATES

Tuesday, May 2nd, 2023