Patriot Pulse
February Edition
Hello Grissom Families,
Welcome to the February edition of the Patriot Pulse!
For the month of February, our Patriot Time SEL topic is Kindness and Empathy. Students will engage in lessons designed to equip them with the skills to consider and appreciate the perspectives and feelings of others. They will also reflect on ways to demonstrate kindness and empathy toward others.
We recently completed our winter round of MAP testing and are delighted with the growth demonstrated by our students. Those reports will be sent home at the end of this week. Our Patriots are on track for success!
Grissom has recently "Leveled Up" by adopting an exciting new activity, the eSports Club! Our student gamers thoroughly enjoyed participating in the first couple of sessions this past week. If your child missed the sign-ups for eSports this round, be sure to look for the next session's sign-up later this spring.
Lastly, you might notice a new logo on our newsletters and school-related communications (see the accompanying picture). We are excited to adopt this new logo featuring our namesake and the American flag framed within a star. We feel this logo honors our rich history and reflects the values we seek to promote at Grissom. The star represents our commitment to our students excelling and reaching their fullest potential. The American flag represents the ideals of patriotism we seek to instill in our students, including service to others and pride in one's community. We hope our new logo will serve our school community well for many years to come.
Go Patriots!
Mr. Michael Rumbaugh, Principal
mirumbaugh@ksd140.org
Upcoming Events:
- February 9th
Breakthrough - 5 - 9 PM - February 14th
Candor Health Presentation - 6th Grade - During School Hours - February 15th
Board of Education Meeting - 7 PM - Admin Building
- February 19th
President's Day - No School - February 21st
"Empowering Parents: Safeguarding Our Kids Online and Offline" Presentation for D140 Parents
6:30 PM at Grissom
Illinois 5Essentials Survey
Over the next several weeks, D140 students, staff, and parents will be given the opportunity to weigh in on school climate and learning conditions by taking the 2024 Illinois 5Essentials Survey.
This survey assesses a school’s culture and climate and provides insight into strengths and weaknesses on the five key factors that research shows are predictive of school success - effective leaders, collaborative teachers, involved families, supportive environment, and ambitious instruction. School and district leaders use their 5Essentials data to better inform their school improvement plans and help identify key strengths and areas for growth.
The parent survey is open until March 29, 2024, and only takes 10 minutes to complete. D140 staff and fourth through eighth-grade students will also be asked to take the research-based survey at school to help identify strengths and weaknesses in their school’s learning environment.
For more information about the Illinois 5Essentials Survey or to view previous years’ reports, please visit https://www.5-essentials.org/illinois.
If you do not want your child to participate in the Illinois 5Essentials Survey, please click on the link below, fill out the attached form, and ask your student to return this sheet to their teacher.
Thank you!
Empowering Parents: Safeguarding Our Kids Online and Offline
Wednesday, February 21st - 6:30 PM - Grissom Gym
D140 parents are invited to an Empowering Parents: Safeguarding Our Kids Online and Offline presentation at Grissom Middle School on Wednesday, February 21, at 6:30 pm.
This parents-only event equips parents with knowledge of the ever-changing digital landscape, emphasizing the need for their guidance in addressing cyberbullying, ensuring internet safety, and tackling the risks associated with smoking and vaping.
A question and answer session with Tinley Park Police officers Detective Rzeszutko, Detective Van Schouwen, and School Resource Officer Sonny London will round out the evening.
Grissom Middle School is located at 17000 S. 80th Avenue, Tinley Park.
Please join us!
Coins for a Cause!
Help support Special Olympics Illinois by participating in the Coins for a Cause! fundraiser.
Students can bring in spare change all this week and through Monday, February 12th.
THE ADVISORY CLASS THAT DONATES THE MOST WILL WIN A SPECIAL TREAT!
Pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, and bills are all appreciated!
Donations will be collected during students' lunches.
Polar Plunge T-Shirts!
Another way to support Special Olympics is by purchasing a Polar Plunge shirt! Download, print, and turn in the attachment below to the school office if you are interested in ordering one. Order forms also went home with students.
Support Grissom Soccer - Portillos Fundraiser!
February 28th - 5-8 PM
Student Support
Student support is open to any student who wants to complete schoolwork in a supervised, quiet setting - our Media Center.
Before-school support is offered Monday - Friday starting at 8:00 A.M. Students attending can be dropped off at Grissom's main entrance. Students will not be able to enter the building before 8:00 A.M.
After-school support is offered Monday - Thursday until 4:05 P.M. An activity bus is available to take regular bus riders home at that time, if needed.
After School Activity Bus
An after-school activity bus will be available ONLY for students who already receive bus service. Students who attend after-school activities that last no later than 4:05 P.M. can take the bus home.
Great Grissom Events!
February PBIS Incentive & Assembly!
NJHS Service Project!
Special Olympics Basketball Game!
Hot Lunch
Upcoming Hot Lunch Dates
- Friday 2/9 - Jet's Pizza
- Tuesday 2/13 - Skillet House
- Tuesday 2/20 - Culver's
- Friday 2/23 - Nick's (Hot Dogs)
- Tuesday 2/27 - Panda Express
Volunteer!
Support our PTO by volunteering to distribute hot lunch! Click one or both the links below to sign up.
January Students of the Month!
Congratulations to our January Students of the Month!
Estrella O, Amelia V, Josh G, Lucas S, Bentyn H, London R, Carmella N, Khaled A, Melanie R, Dante C, Jack C, & Makayla M.
February Students of the Month!
Congratulations to our February Students of the Month!
Levana C, Sarah M, Marty K, Liam L, Duncan C, Samara M, Grace M, Josh W, Allison H, Disha P, Logan K, & Mohammed Z
Keep in Touch!
#KirbyONE40 #EveryChildEveryDay
Respectfully,
Mr. Michael Rumbaugh - Principal
Mrs. Julie Simpson - Assistant Principal
Virgil I. Grissom Middle School
Principal Michael Rumbaugh- mirumbaugh@ksd140.org
Website: ksd140.org/grissom
Location: 17000 South 80th Avenue, Tinley Park, IL, 60477
Phone: 708-429-3030