Buzzin' in the Hive
Graden Parent and Family Newsletter March 2024
Happy March, Hornets!
It is hard to believe that the end of third quarter will be Friday, March 8th. I am so impressed with the teaching and learning that happens each and every day at Graden-- our students are learning amazing things.
Friday, March 8th is a half day of learning for Graden students. Dismissal will begin at 12:53 pm.
We will celebrate our learning at our Spring Showcase on Wednesday, March 13th, from 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm. This is an open house event where families can join classrooms to hear their students share about their learning from the year, look at the amazing art work designed by our Hornets, and purchase books at the book fair. More information below about this event.
This is always the time of year that we begin planning for Kindergarten Kick-Off. This year our kick-off event is scheduled for Thursday, May 2nd, from 5:30 pm - 7:30 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 2024-25 school year. More information will be sent home prior to the event.
We will also begin 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 prior to May.
Our annual Read-a-Thon has started! We so appreciate your support of this annual PTA fundraiser. Revenue from this fundraiser goes directly back to the students and staff.
Annually, schools across the Northland nominate employees to be recognized in two categories: Excellence in Teaching and Excellence in Service to Education. This year, Graden will recognize two deserving individuals for these nominations. Mrs. Janet Culver, Graden resource teacher, has been nominated for her Excellence in Teaching, and Mr. Josh Reavis, Graden custodian, has been nominated for Excellence in Service to Education. We look forward to celebrating with them at the Chamber Banquet in April.
As a reminder, Spring Break begins for all students on Monday, March 25th and runs through Sunday, March 31st. I hope you have a safe and fun break!
Upcoming Dates:
Monday, March 4th - Thursday, March 21st - Miles of Smiles
Wednesday, March 6th - Early Release @ 2:00 PM
Friday, March 8th - 1/2 Day Release for All Students - Dismissal Begins at 12:53 pm
Tuesday, March 12th - PTA Meeting @ 6:00 pm
Wednesday, March 13th - Spring Pictures - code 84947RT
Wednesday, March 13th - Spring Showcase - 5:30 - 7:00 pm
Thursday, March 14th - District Mathletics Competition - Congress Middle School - 4:45 pm
Friday, March 22nd - 4th & 5th Grade Growth and Development - Look for Information from Your classroom Teacher
Monday, March 25th - Sunday, March 31st - Spring Break
It's truly a GREAT DAY to be a HORNET!!!
Dr. Vanna Easley
MARCH 8TH = HALF DAY FOR STUDENTS
March 8th is a half day of school for all elementary students. Our hours will be 9:10 am - 12:53 pm. We will serve breakfast and lunch. We will begin dismissal at 12:53 pm.
SPRING SHOWCASE
LOST AND FOUND ITEMS
We have collected many items in our lost and found this quarter. These items will be displayed on tables in the front hallway at Graden beginning Wednesday, March 6th and through Spring Showcase on the 13th. If your student has lost a personal item, please come take a look at our lost and found tables.
5TH GRADE PROMOTION PICTURES
MONDAY, APRIL 1ST
We will have fifth grade promotion pictures on Monday, April 1st. These are photographs that will be taken for our fifth grade promotion portfolios that all fifth grade hornets will receive. Students may dress up for these photos and can bring a change of clothes for after. Look for more information from your classroom teachers.
KINDERGARTEN KICK-OFF EVENT
2024-25 PARENT INPUT FORMS - CLASS PLACEMENT
Graden staff consider placement of students in their next year's classes very carefully. Many factors must be considered, including learning styles, gender ratios, academic achievement, behavior, peer relations, and student/teacher characteristics.
Extenuating circumstances or valid parent concerns sometimes exist that the school is not aware of; therefore, we are providing this opportunity for you to have input regarding the placement for your child. This form may not be used to request a particular teacher or to be placed with particular students. Please do not use the form below to request a teacher by name.
If you would like to provide input for the 2024-25 school year, please complete the form below and bring it to the Graden office or email it to Ms. Angy Bullin at, bullina@parkhill.k12.mo.us by Thursday, April 18th.
NEWS FROM MRS. GITTEMEIER SCHOOL COUNSELOR
MILES OF SMILES
Miles of Smiles (Level Up Kids) will be at GRADEN ELEMENTARY
MARCH 5 – MARCH 21, 2024!
Miles of Smiles, a program of Level Up Kids, provides free dental care to children in the Northland who do not have access to oral health services. The dental care will be provided to students at GRADEN during the school day March 5-21, 2024! All care is provided by a licensed dentist and assistants and all patients receive a comprehensive exam, cleaning and x-rays.
Please register by accessing the links below ASAP if you would like your student to be seen during the school day. We highly encourage online registration, which is quick, easy and convenient! You can register right from your phone!
Paper forms will also be sent home in your student’s backpack or folder. If you wish to complete the registration that way, please fill out in its entirety and return as soon as possible.
Please contact Karen Schaff (816-359-6175) or Allison Dawson (816-359-5765) if you have any questions or need help registering your student.
BIRTHDAY PARTY FAVORS & DAILY TREATS
Students may bring birthday treats into class to celebrate their birthday as long as they come from our list of treats that contain none of the major allergens.
Thank you for understanding that all classroom treats must come from this list, because we do not have the staff capacity to check for allergens that could threaten the health of some students.
Each classroom celebrates birthdays at a time that is conducive to their schedule. We do not allow parents or families to join classrooms for birthday celebrations as these are opportunities for students to celebrate with the teacher and classmates.
Approved Birthday Treats:
Please bring birthday treats ahead of time (two hours after the start of school, at the latest).
- Stickers
- Erasers
- Pencils
- Crazy straws
- Blow Pops
- Juice boxes
- Popcorn
- Smarties
- Dum Dum lollipops
- Jelly Belly
- Nerds
- Ring Pops
- Skittles
- Sour Patch Kids
- Starburst
- Swedish Fish
- Life Saver Gummies
Early release days will be on Wednesdays for the 2023-24 school year. Dismissal on early release days begins at 2:00 pm.
All students will engage in a cultural arts assembly and, some months, students will join interest groups to participate in an activity of high interest to them.
Early Release Dates
Wednesday, March 6th
Wednesday, April 3rd
Wednesday, May 1st
2nd Semester Lunch Schedule for Early Release Days:
The lunch schedule is different second semester and changes each month. Please contact your classroom teacher if you plan to eat lunch with your student on early release days.
Wear Your Yellow "Strive in the Hive" Leadership on All Early Release Days!!!
Lunch Visitors
Lunch visitors are welcome each day at Graden. If you would like to join your Hornet for lunch, please bring your license upon check-in at the Graden office. If you plan to purchase a school lunch, please have funds in your student's account or bring payment with you.
Visitors may also join recess after lunch. Please head immediately to the Graden office after recess to check-out.
Graden Lunch Schedule:
Kindergarten: 11:00 am -11:20 am
1st Grade: 11:20 am - 11:40 am
2nd Grade: 11:40 am - 12:00 pm
3rd Grade: 12:20 pm - 12:40 pm
4th Grade: 12:00 pm - 12:20 pm
5th Grade: 12:45 pm - 1:05 pm
GRADEN PTA
Graden PTA Board Members:
Hayley Cooper, President
Emily Miller, Vice President
Brittany Conklin, Secretary
Maggie Wright, Teacher Rep
Angie Liberty, Parliamentarian
The Graden Read-A-Thon is well underway and we are SO proud to support our students and their reading goals! Thank you for your donations that directly help the students and staff at Graden and support your child reading!!! Keep it going!
GET INVOLVED!
1. Graden Serves!
Graden Day at the Park Hill Clothing Center, Sunday April 14 from 1:00pm-3:00pm
Graden is passionate about serving our local community! We are hosting our SECOND "Graden Serves" project for families to sign up for! Click HERE to sign up to help serve for one hour at the Park Hill School District Clothing Center! It is a great way to connect with your family while serving a greater need for the community. What an amazing opportunity to serve with your child and place importance on the act of service.
2. Interested in getting more involved with PTA? YES! We need you!
Email GradenElementaryPTA@gmail.com and let us know of your interest! We'd love to plug you in where it fits in your schedule!
3. Important Dates:
· March 1- Read-A-Thon Ends!
· March 5- Pizza Hut Fundraiser Night!
· March 8- All Read-A Thon Donations need to be in!
· Mach 12 – PTA Meeting at 6 p.m. in the Graden library, childcare provided
· March 13- Student Showcase/PTA Staff Dinner
· March 20-"Pop-Up" Treat Bar for Teachers/Staff
· March 25- Spring Break!
· April 14- Park Hill Clothing Closet Service Project- Sign-Up
Connect with us on Facebook to see our upcoming events and learn how you can get involved with PTA.
2023-24 PTA Meeting Dates
Tuesday, March 12th, 2024
Tuesday, April 9th, 2024
Tuesday, May 14th, 2024
SCHOOL INFORMATION
GRADEN INFORMATION
School Hours: 9:10 am - 4:10 pm
Doors open at 8:55 am for breakfast
Dismissal begins at 3:55 pm
813-359-4340
Assistant Principal: Morgan Taylor
816-359-4340
Executive Administrative Assistant: Nikki Suchanick
816-359-4340
Graden Registrar: Angy Bullin
816-359-4340
GRADEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Email: easleyv@parkhill.k12.mo.us
Website: https://graden.parkhill.k12.mo.us/
Location: 8804 NW Highway 45, Parkville, MO 64152
Phone: (816) 359-4340