Grand Star Elementary
Important information you need to know
A note from the principal
I am so excited for this upcoming school year. We have faced many challenges, but I am confident that we will continue to follow our Grand Star Elementary mission of “Inspiring successful learners, thinkers and problem solvers.” The GSE staff have been working hard over the past few weeks to prepare for a safe and engaging learning environment. It doesn’t matter if you are returning to us remotely or in person, we are looking forward to working with you this year as we navigate through this uncharted territory. In the upcoming weeks, you will continue to receive information regarding class placements, schedules, safety procedures, and new routines. Please continue to check our website, watch for emails from Skyward, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Thank you so much for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Ouellette
When will I find out my child's teacher
Classroom teachers will be available in Skyward by the end of the day on September 1st. You will need to know your Skyward login and password. This is the same login that was used to complete enrollment.
Meet the teacher
Students will have an opportunity to meet their new teacher virtually on Tuesday, September 8th. Be watching for an online sign up in an email from your classroom teacher. Each student and family may select a 10-minute window between 8-4 to meet their teacher and introduce themselves. We hope you can find time on that day to log on together.
School Supplies
School supplies will not be shared this year like in years past. Please label all of your child's supplies before sending it to school on the first day of school. Each child needs to have their own pair of ear buds which is not on the school supply list.
If you need help with getting school supplies for your child please contact the GSE office at 913-856-3750
Medicine Drop off
If you need to drop off medicine including inhalers or epi-pens, please contact Nurse Melissa at 913-856-3754 or at smithma@usd231.com prior to school beginning so we can arrange a time to drop off the items. An appointment must be made.
First Day for Kindergarten and Early Childhood
The first day of school for 1-4th grade will be on Wednesday, September 9. This will be a half day with dismissal at 11:25 am. Lunch will not be served this day.
The first day for kindergarten and early childhood students is Thursday, September 10. Students can arrive between 9:10 and 9:25. If kindergartners will be attending JCPRD or riding the bus and arrive at Grand Star at 8:00, they will go directly to their classrooms. Staff members will be present to help students get from the entrances down to the classrooms in a safe manner. We hope this delayed start date for the first day will allow our kindergarten students the opportunity to have a successful entry into Grand Star Elementary on the first day of school.
Visitors
Food Drive and Back to School Pictures
Come take a “first day” photo with our sign and drop off some non-perishable food or toiletries for our GSE food pantry anytime this week or next!
Welcome from the Specailists
Library
I’d like to tell you a little bit about what your child will be doing during Library Specials time. Instead of everyone coming to the Library for now, I will be rolling a cart with a selection of books and going from classroom to classroom each day - think of it as a mini-bookmobile! Yes, we will be checking out actual, real, paper books. But for safety, students will have to browse books with their eyes instead of touching them before they make a choice.
Mrs. Henderson
Computers
Are you ready for an awesome and exciting time with computers? I am! I have been busy creating awesome activities and finding exciting web related tools to help us learn computers and safely navigate the world of technology! I can't wait to come to your classroom and share with you all of the things I have found!
Mrs. Fiems
P.E.
Let’s get moving!
Looking forward to seeing everyone for PE in a few different places to start the year: the gym, outside and sometimes the classroom.
Wear your tennis shoes, bring a water bottle and be ready for some fun!
Mrs. Stewart
Music
Hi everyone! Welcome back to music! I'm so glad we still get to have music. I will be coming into each classroom and we're going to have a great time enjoying music together, learning, and even creating! We have a new program called Quaver Music that is absolutely some of the most fun kids can have exploring music online. I'm very excited about it and cannot wait to share it with our students. Remember, "WE are the music makers, and WE are the dreamers of dreams." (Arthur O'Shaughnessy)
Mr. Turley
Information from USD 231 Health Services
As we look forward to our Timberwolves returning to the building in the coming weeks, I wanted to share a few updates and changes to help ensure we have a safe and healthy environment for our students. These changes or updates are intended to keep students safe while allowing the health room to be a place that can focus on health needs.
Please send a change of clothes with your child to keep in his or her backpack. This will allow the student to change clothes in the restroom without having to visit the health room.
If your child has chapped lips regularly, please send a small container of chap-stick with your child for him or her to keep in their desk in the classroom.
If a child has a temperature of 100 degrees or higher, families will be called to pick up students from Grand Star.
Homemade cloth masks or disposable masks are preferred to help keep students safe. Your mask should:
Cover your nose and mouth at all times
Not fall down
Fit snug to your face with no gaps
Be comfortable so you can wear it all-day
Not hurt your ears
Masks with valves are NOT acceptable and will not be allowed. It is recommended to have an extra mask in your child's backpack at all times as a backup.