Shamrock News
A Weekly Look at Grant Elementary School & the Grant PTA
Week of January 13, 2020
Note: No School January 20th in observance of MLK Holiday
A Message From Principal Grey
Dear Grant Community,
Last week and this week our students utilized the makers' cart and built contraptions that act as "grabbers." Student teams strategized, built their grabbers then put them to the test. The first challenge was to grab blocks of different sizes, shapes, and weights and put them into a cup or egg carton. The second challenge determined which team could build the tallest tower using the grabbers. The final challenge was to build a tower as a whole class. Many combined efforts and grabber tools were used to expedite this exciting process.
Challenges like these allow students to practice problem-solving in a team, demonstrate grit and perseverance, access their skills as engineers and think creatively.
Be sure to ask your student about the neat projects and activities that they have been working on with their teachers and Mr. Max in the STEAM lab!
Go Shamrocks,
Ms. Grey
No Early Drop or Late Pick Up
We are aware of the challenges of work schedules, but we do not have supervision available for students outside of school hours.
Performing Arts Auditions, 1/17
This Friday, auditions for Marry Poppins will take place after school in the multi. The play is open to performers from grades 1-6, but only performers in grades 3-6 need to come to auditions.
The kids will be divided into groups to showcase movement, dramatic reading and song. If you'd like to prepare a few bars of a song, you may be asked to sing it. Auditions are done in as much of a non pressure/stress-free environment as they can be. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you! Online payment option is coming soon!
Here is the link for the online Registration form: http://bit.ly/grantspring20
After School Enrichment Classes Open - Time is of the Essence to Register!
Author Visit: Kate Milford, 1/22
Our first author visit of 2020 is on Wednesday January 22nd at 9 AM. Grades 3 through 6 are invited to meet best selling author Kate Milford of the "Greenglass House" series. She is coming to introduce the next book in the series, "The Thief Knot". We are pleased that several classes from our sister school McNear will be joining us for this exciting event.
TIDE Meeting, 1/22
Grant Family Movie Night, 1/24
*This is not a drop off event. Your child will need to be supervised by an adult and we ask that kids stay in the multi and not roam the playground in the dark.
See's Candies Valentines Fundraiser
Sweets for your sweethearts? Help support Grant PTA by ordering some special Valentine's Day candy. The fundraiser begins January 17th. Look for order forms in your student's backpack this Friday. All orders will be delivered to school on Friday, February 7th, just in time for Valentine's Day!
Make Sure You Get a Grant Yearbook
PTA Association Meeting, 2/20 at 6pm
From the Grant PTA
How is the money that you donate to the Grant PTA being spent? This month the PTA has:
*Authorized the expenditure of $922 to purchase the rights and licensing to legally perform Mary Poppins and to allow video recording of the play.
*Celebrated the refurbishing of the old computer lab to the Science Room - with PTA monies and PEF funding, it's wonderful to see the vision come to fruition!
Haven't joined the Grant PTA? https://grantpta.membershiptoolkit.com/home
School Volunteer Paperwork
Our school district also requires a current TB test result. These test results last up to 4 years. If you have any questions at all about this process, please come by the office to speak with Kim Shoemaker or email her at kshoemaker@petk12.org.
Kindergarten Registration Now Open!
Please visit https://www.petalumacityschools.org/enroll to begin your application process.
* There are two school tours scheduled in January. If you or someone you know would like to go on a tour at Grant, please call the front office at (707) 778-4742 to schedule one.
Community Events
From free Tutoring/Homework Help to Coder-Dojo and Read to a Dog, check out the great events at the Library: https://sonomalibrary.org/locations/petaluma-regional-library
Empowering Girls, 1/30 at 6:30pm at the Cavanaugh Center
Girls United launches the 1st ever all girls outdoor Spring Soccer League in Petaluma! Starting March 2020. Register at . girlsunitedsoccer.com/SPRINGLEAGUE
Science Saturdays with Sonoma County Parks https://parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov/Play/Calendar/Science-Saturday-2020-01-04/?fbclid=IwAR0MpjGS41v-CNBRaN2_Lc9NVL0r2Rzs4cLU1CzJ-yptT2KVPvwMc081ipQ&fbclid=IwAR0EyJiS5FMh7sRGps7yGoEkdirlwzWskZ2ouqBSQgbOkILr-96UxkC-z-w
Wise Girl Workshops: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10220404949584101&set=gm.2543532242561083&type=3&theater&ifg=1
Calling all runner moms! A new chapter of She Runs This Town (SRTT)/Moms Run This Town (MRTT) is forming in Petaluma. This is a free running group for women of all ages and running abilities. Search Petaluma SRTT/MRTT on Facebook and request to join!
School Year Calendar
In the Thank You Column:
Many thanks to Donnie Frank for organizing this week's Grant Performing Arts auditions
Continued gratitude to Pari Gottlieb for her work managing the marquis signs
Major thank you to Lisa Johnson for leading the Grant PTA to another year of success
Big thanks going out to Megan Cusimano and Alice Crysdale for keeping up with the monetary demands of the PTA. We know it's a huge job!
Thank you to Kelli Blackwell for managing PTA membership duties
At A Glance
January
January 17 - Auditions for Mary Poppins - After School in Multi
January 22- TIDE Meeting 6:00 pm
January 20 - MLK day (NO SCHOOL)
January 24 - PTA Family Movie Night
January 27-31- Wish Board
January 27- Feb 22 - Adopt a Book
February
February 10- Lincoln’s Holiday (NO SCHOOL)
February 12- Chorus Festival at 7pm at Petaluma Junior High Gym.
February 17- Washington’s holiday (NO SCHOOL)
February 20- PTA Board Meeting and Association
February 22- The Grant Community Dance
February 24-28- Read Across America
February 24-28-Conference week (WEDNESDAY SCHEDULE)