Buzzin' in the Hive
Graden Parent and Family Newsletter April 2024
Hornets,
As we settle into fourth quarter, I want to take another moment to thank each and every one of you for all of your support this year.
Our Read-A-Thon was a HUGE SUCCESS!!!! Thank you for your generosity and donations. Everything you donate goes directly back to our school.
We are preparing for our annual MAP test for students in third - fifth grade. The MAP testing window opens May 6th and runs through Friday, May 17th. Continue reading this newsletter to find out more information about the assessment.
Our Kindergarten Kick-Off event is scheduled for Thursday, May 2nd, from 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm. This will be an 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 2024. Students need to be 5 years old by July 31 in order to enroll for the 2024-25 school year. More information below about this event.
We are also 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.
Upcoming Dates:
Monday, April 1st- 5th Grade Promotion Photos
Wednesday, April 3rd - Early Release -2:00 pm
Monday, April 8th - Solar Eclipse Viewing Day
Tuesday, April 9th- PTA Meeting @ 6:00 pm
Wednesday, April 10th - Kindergarten Musical - 6:30 pm
Friday, April 12th - Talent Show Flyer and Sign-Up Sent home
Monday, April 15th - Friday, April 19th - College and Career Readiness Week (More Info. Below)
Tuesday, April 16th - DEIB Committee Meeting - 5:30 pm - Library
Friday, April 19th - NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
Monday, April 22nd - Friday, April 26th - Staff Appreciation Week
Friday, April 26th- Carnival - 5:30 pm
Dr. Vanna Easley
2024-25 SCHOOL REGISTRATION INFORMATION
All Graden families will need to update their registration and residency in the Parent Portal beginning Monday, April 1st. Please login to the Parent Portal and verify residency by following the prompts. All families will need to provide two proofs of residency prior to submitting your information.
You will also be able to register for summer school at this time.
***If you have questions, please contact Graden at 359-4340
DISTRICT RESTORATIVE PRACTICES COMMUNITY LEARNING OPPORTUNITY - WEBINAR
Join us for our final 2023-2024 webinar on the topic of restorative practices. This virtual session will take place on Thursday, April 4, 2024, at 6:00 PM. We will continue to collaborate with our guests and thought partners, Collaborative School Culture. This community learning opportunity will provide greater insight into restorative language and restorative circles, as well as a preview of what you can expect to see happening in the cohort #1 PHSD buildings next school year. We look forward to your participation and engagement.
Please click HERE to register for this event. The previous webisodes have been recorded and are available on the Access & Inclusion webpage.
SOLAR ECLIPSE VIEWING AT GRADEN
All hornets have brought home a solar eclipse viewing permission form to be signed prior to April 8th. Graden has been planning additional learning opportunities that meet our standards and are excited to take time on the 8th to view the eclipse safely. All students and staff will receive safe solar viewing glasses to wear while outside during this event and we will follow an alternate schedule for the day. If you decide to not have your hornet view the solar eclipse, we will have an alternate activity for them to do inside. If you have questions, please contact your student's teacher. We will have indoor recess all day and will go outside with our safe solar viewing glasses at 1:40 pm to watch the eclipse.
DISTRICT ELD NIGHT
The annual District ELD Family will be held at Hopewell Elementary on Thursday, April 18, 6:00-7:30 PM. This is a fun way for the families of our English learners to come together, learn more about the English Language Development program in Park Hill, meet teachers in their children’s next school, and enjoy time with one another! There will be a resource fair for families, along with games for kids, snacks, and an opportunity for parents and guardians to provide feedback on the ELD program. You are encouraged to attend to show your support for our English learners and ELD families!
TALENT SHOW FLYER
We are looking forward to our annual talent show. Please look for the below flyer if your student is interested in participating in this event. Flyers will be sent home on April 12th.
MAP TESTING INFORMATION
The MAP testing window will be open Monday, May 6th - Friday, May 17th for all Graden third, fourth and fifth grade students. We have worked so hard this year and this is just one more way to help us identify our strengths and areas to grow. In the meantime, daily attendance (when healthy) is so very important as we work together to finish the year strong.
Below you will find Graden's MAP testing schedule. Your classroom teacher will send a schedule home as well. We ask that you try to avoid making appointments during the testing window. We appreciate your efforts to encourage the importance of attending school each day!
As our third, fourth and fifth grade students prepare to show what they know, please look for more information to come in the weeks ahead regarding testing preparations and details from your classroom teacher.
MAP TESTING SNACK DONATIONS
Each year during standardized testing it is our goal to provide all of the students with a snack on each of their testing days. Please review the following snack guidelines before signing up:
1. Signups are list by teacher and testing dates. Snacks should be delivered to Graden AT LEAST one day prior to the testing date you choose below.
2. Snacks should be dry, individually pre-packaged, and should NOT require refrigeration. Suggested snack items are crackers, individually packaged muffins, fruit snacks, granola bars, chips, popcorn, cereal, cookies, etc. Please avoid donating any items containing nuts.
3. All snacks must be in original package and clearly labeled with the grade level and teacher's name.
If you wish to contribute a snack for your child's class please find the teacher's name below. Click on the Sign Up box next to the testing date, then scroll down and click on Submit and Sign Up. Enter your name or your student's name and an email address and click Sign Up Now!
We ask that you provide enough snacks for 30 students. You may send snacks in with your student up to one week in advance. Please have them deliver snacks to their classroom teacher.
Please be sure to follow the guidelines above to ensure your donation is put to good use. We appreciate your support!
CALLING ALL FUTURE HORNETS
JOIN US FOR KINDERGARTEN KICK-OFF: THURSDAY, MAY 2ND
We will hold a Kindergarten Kick-Off event on Thursday, May 2nd, 2024 from 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm at Graden Elementary:
Families will sign-up for a time to visit Graden, meet our kindergarten teachers, engage in fun kindergarten activities and take a tour of the building.
****Use the QR code or link below to sign up for your time.
Students must be 5 years old on or before July 31, 2024 to enroll in Kindergarten for the 2024-2025 school year.
Please note that all vaccines need to be completed prior to the first day of school as mandated by the state of Missouri. Unfortunately, if these are not complete, your child cannot come to school on August 19, 2024. If your child has not received the 4-5 year old recommended shots, please make an appointment as soon as possible with your health care provider or the health department. Please click the link for additional information. If you have specific questions or concerns contact the Graden office at 359-4340.
Enroll your kindergartener beginning April 1st in Infinite Campus. Please ensure you have the following documents for enrollment : state issued birth certificate, 2 proofs of residency, and updated immunization records.
SUMMER SCHOOL INFORMATION
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
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, 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 was a huge success!! The total minutes read by the students was 118,054!! WOW!!! How about that!! THANK YOU TO ALL WHO DONATED- we surpassed our goal of $10,000!! We are so thankful to have these funds to help support our students, teachers, and staff.
STAFF APPRECIATION WEEK!
Staff Appreciation Week is quickly approaching!! While we are in OUR GRADEN ERA let's show our Graden Staff that they are TOTALLY GROOVY! We are so grateful for our wonderful families that help PTA make this such a fun and memorable week for our Graden Team.
We couldn't do it without you. HERE! you will find a wide variety of items needed for the STAFF LOUNGE that will be up ALL week and is a staff favorite!!! Please have all items to the Graden office by Wednesday, April 17th at 4:00 pm.
Also, encourage your students to participate by dressing in the spirit wear theme each day and writing notes to bring to their teachers, telling the staff "Thank You" for all they do each day, or anything that goes out of their way to make it a memorable week for our Graden Team! Thanks for making this week fabulous!
TEACHER STAFF DONATION LINK: HERE!
IMPORTANT DATES:
· April 9- PTA Meeting, 6pm Library
· April 10- Pop Up Treat Cart
· April 14- Park Hill Clothing Closet Service Project- Sign-Up
· April 22-26 Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week! Donation Link HERE!
· April 26- Graden Carnival
· May 6- Turn in Talent Show Forms
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, 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