Community Nest


WELCOME! Please welcome OUR two newest staff members joining OUR NEST for the 2023/2024 school year: Ms. McFarland and Ms. Larson.	Ms. Courtney McFarland - 4th Grade Ms. McFarland has been teaching in Leavenworth for the past ten years and served as a para in Shawnee Mission before that. She graduated from Emporia State with her Bachelors degree in Elementary Education in 2013 and then earned her Masters from Baker University in Curriculum and Instruction. We are excited to have Ms. McFarland bring her passion and experience to OUR GRAY HAWKS!	Ms. Alyssa Larson - TBD Ms. Larson graduates from KU in a couple of weeks with her Bachelors degree in Elementary Education. She also has an emphasis in Middle School Math. She has done her student teaching in LeCompton and Lawrence this past year and is also a member of the KU Marching Jayhawks. We are excited to welcome Ms. Larson to OUR NEST!

WELCOME!

Please welcome OUR two newest staff members joining OUR NEST for the 2023/2024 school year: Ms. McFarland and Ms. Larson.

Ms. Courtney McFarland - 4th Grade

Ms. McFarland has been teaching in Leavenworth for the past ten years and served as a para in Shawnee Mission before that. She graduated from Emporia State with her Bachelors degree in Elementary Education in 2013 and then earned her Masters from Baker University in Curriculum and Instruction. We are excited to have Ms. McFarland bring her passion and experience to OUR GRAY HAWKS!

Ms. Alyssa Larson - TBD

Ms. Larson graduates from KU in a couple of weeks with her Bachelors degree in Elementary Education. She also has an emphasis in Middle School Math. She has done her student teaching in LeCompton and Lawrence this past year and is also a member of the KU Marching Jayhawks. We are excited to welcome Ms. Larson to OUR NEST!

Kindergarten Round Up was a HUGE SUCCESS!

We celebrated Kindergarten Round Up this past Wednesday and Thursday. I wanted to take a moment to say thank you to OUR Kindergarten team of Mrs. Henninger and Ms. Brooks for all of the planning and organization that went in to making this such a successful event! We were so fortunate to welcome our newest Gray Hawks in. Thank you also to all of OUR staff that supported OUR ROUND UP event these past two days.

If you were unable to attend round up, please reach out to Dr. Springer so we can schedule a time to complete a screener with your child. You can reach him at dspringer@usd458.com.

Unity in the Community Summer Bash is April 28

OUR UNITY IN THE COMMUNITY SUMMER BASH is THIS FRIDAY, APRIL 28 from 6 - 8 pm. This is a FREE event for OUR community and we hope you are able to join us. $1 concessions and $1 for 2 balls at the dunk tank are the only things a family would need to pay for if you chose to participate in those.

If you are willing to volunteer for a bit of time to help ensure a successful event, we would certainly welcome your help. Please check out the Sign Up genius link below.

Help Out at Summer Bash

Grade level themed baskets (as listed below) are coming together but we could always use additional items. Please send in any items or monetary donations through Monday, April 24. Funds raised from these baskets go right back into programming and opportunities for OUR KIDS.

Kindergarten-Furry Friends (pet supplies)

1st Grade-Summer Fun (anything fun for summer)

2nd Grade-Movie Night (movies, popcorn, candy, gift cards to AMC)

3rd Grade-Baking (ingredients, pans, liners, sprinkles)

4th Grade-Cooking (pans, measuring cups, utensils)

5th Grade-Game Night (popcorn, snacks, games)

Thank you for your consideration and for continuing to support OUR GRAY HAWKS.

Gray Hawk Art Show May 4

Ms. Ramsey is still looking for a few more volunteers to help frame the artwork. Volunteers will help students mat their artwork and assemble everything together. If you or your child would like to keep their artwork a surprise for the Art Show, you are welcome to volunteer for a time when your child is not in the art room. This will give you the opportunity to experience the excitement and pride that goes into the framing day. Please check out the link below for available times.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4FAFA92BA3F4CF8-ghes

State Assessments are nearly complete

OUR 3rd through 5th graders have worked diligently over the past couple of weeks to complete their Kansas State Assessments. These are now complete with a few exceptions of some make ups. We want to extend our sincere thanks for ensuring that your child(ren) got the proper rest and a great breakfast to kick off their testing days.

The MAP schedule will be sent out in the upcoming week for K-5 MAP testing.

Giving Back for Earth Day

Big shout out to OUR GRAY HAWK students and staff for giving back to OUR COMMUNITY by pitching in and helping to pick up trash and brighten the day of OUR neighbors. Fourth grade was on an Earth Day field trip but took the time to clean up at the Park when they were there. Special thank you to 5th grade for covering 158th Terrace as well.

Big shout out to OUR PTO for having seeds and little Earth tattoos that each student could take home to celebrate Earth Day.

Gray Hawk Neuro-News

How is ongoing, severe stress and adversity in early childhood connected to chronic disease in adults? And, what can we do about it?

In this animated video, narrated by Center on the Developing Child Director Jack P. Shonkoff, M.D., learn what the latest science tells us about how early experiences affect not only early learning and school readiness, but also lifelong health. Understand the effects of adversities such as poverty, discrimination, systemic racism, exposure to violence, and child maltreatment, abuse, and neglect on the developing brain and many other systems in the body.