Henry Happenings
2/5/23
Principal Message
Dear Henry Families,
Congratulations to our 5th grade students who performed on Saturday in the All-District Elementary Choir. It was an excellent performance!
The big reveal for the Henry Family Reading project was on Friday. Each family should have received a copy of The One and Only Ivan. Included was a schedule of the pages to be read each day and you can also find activities for the book on the interactive webpage HERE or on the Henry library website. We are looking forward to a fun month of reading!
Tomorrow evening, February 6, is the Parkway Mental Health Night webinar for parents. I highly encourage you join and listen in. The topic of being connected and showing up for kids in a digital age is so relevant at this time. Scroll down for more information!
The last day to purchase a yearbook for the 2022-2023 school year is on Tuesday. February 7. Scroll down to find out how to purchase!
The Granting Dreams applications are due soon on February 14. Please scroll down for more information.
Sincerely,
Dr. Jodi Oliver
Principal
Henry Elementary
Upcoming Dates
February 6 - Little Hands Collection Drive continues until Friday, February 10th
February 6 - Henry Family Reading Project Begins
February 6 - Parkway Mental Health Night Webinar (Online) @ 6:00 PM
February 7 - Tab Top Collection Day
February 7 - Reader in Me Turn-in Deadline @ 9:30 AM
February 7 - Yearbook Sales End
February 8 - 5th Grade Music Assembly @ 2:45 PM
February 9 - 5th Grade Music Concert @ 6:30 PM
February 10 - Reader in Me Prize Distribution
February 11 - 4th Grade Strings Concerts @ 1:45 PM (Parkway West High School)
February 14 - Yearbook Club/Group Photos @ 9:15 AM
February 15 - 3rd Grade Field Trip to Busch Stadium from 9:30 to 2:00 PM
February 16 - Henry Spring Parties
February 16 - Half Day (1:05 PM Dismissal at Henry)
February 17 - No School (Professional Development)
February 20 - No School, Presidents Day
February 21 - PTO Restaurant Night at Panera (details coming soon)
February 22 - PTO Meeting @ 7:00 PM in the Henry Library
February 25 - Henry PTO Trivia and Auction Night
Virtual Parent Education Opportunity-February 6
the conflicting information about kids and technology. Join us as she presents the impacts of technology on mental health and what children and adolescents need from the adults in their lives as they navigate the digital world.
Looking for Volunteers
Upcoming PTO Events to Note
ATTENTION KINDERGARTEN PARENTS: Please help us stock the lounge for the teachers/staff/administration. Kindergarten is responsible for the month of February. Please see the Sign Up Genius at the link attached and sign up to bring items this week. You can drop off at the school office by February 10th. Thank you for being so thoughtful and generous for those taking care of our students.
Sign Up Genius link:
https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/70a094ba4ab29a6fc1-kindergarten
JOIN US: Restaurant Night 2/21 @ Panera Bread
GENERAL PTO MEETING:
Please join us for our school wide PTO meeting on Wednesday, 2/22, at 7pm in the Henry Library. We are excited to have Brian Kuhn from Care and Counseling share with us more on Parkway’s Student Wellness Program. This program was created to help support the emotional needs of our students and it provides a free, optional mental wellness screening for students in specific grades. Brian will educate us on how the program works for all Parkway students from 5th grade through high school and share with us the resources available for our students if there is a mental health concern. We hope to see you there!
PTO Trivia Night Registration Reminder
Henry Elementary PTO invites you to join the Bulldog Community at our Trivia and Auction Night on February 25th! Registration is now open and we hope you will secure your table soon. We encourage you to get a table of 8 people together for a fun night of comradery.
It is okay if Trivia isn't your thing, it is just a fun social gathering. If you aren't able to make it in person you are welcome to bid on auction items virtually starting February 16th through the 7th round on February 25th (around 9:30).
We are also always open for volunteers the night of. If you are interested in volunteering or have any questions please reach out to henrytrivia@gmail.com. Thank you for supporting our biggest fundraiser of the year.
Student Drive
Nominate a 2023 Pillar of Parkway
Give someone the joy of knowing they are appreciated. Any Parkway employee, citizen, resident or volunteer can be nominated for a Pillar of Parkway award. The deadline to submit a nomination is Tuesday, February 14 at 4pm.
A Pillar of Parkway is someone who:
- has made a long-term commitment to Parkway (five years of service minimum is suggested)
- demonstrates consistent leadership and exceptional performance
- motivates and inspires others
- goes far beyond what is expected in their role
- exemplifies the ideals of their role
- is an active and positive role model
- has a vision beyond the immediate
- has provided extraordinary service to the Parkway community
The nomination form and more information about the Pillar of Parkway Award can be found in the flyer below or click here.
Notes from Mrs. Plesia
Hello 5th Grade Parents and Students,
I am excited to remind you of the upcoming performances of 5th Grade's "Walk a Mile in My Shoes!" They will perform for the school on February 8th, and then they will perform again on February 9th (Thursday evening at 6:30) for parents/family members!
On both days (2/8 and 2/9) students should just come to school wearing their own shirt and solid-colored dark pants (jeans, black pants, etc.), with comfortable shoes. Concert shirts will be changed into on Wednesday for the school performance, and then changed back out of, to be left on their desks for Thursday's performance. They may change back into them Thursday, but please make sure they are still wearing them when they return Thursday night for the performance. Students will go directly to their classrooms at 6:00 p.m. (not earlier), to prepare.
NOTE: Students that arrive early must stay close to their parents, and should not run in the hallways or climb on the risers ahead of the concert.
The entire performance should last around 35-40 minutes. Every single 5th grader has a special part that they will be rehearsing in class. They have also been asked to practice with this google slideshow file at home (they were already emailed a copy, and now it is updated with lines/names).
5th GRADE CONCERT PRACTICE LINK
You will be impressed with this class's incredible musical abilities! I look forward to seeing you there - for their last grade level concert at Henry School!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Plesia
5th Grade Families - Attention Please!
Each year in the yearbook, we feature a special throwback section for our 5th-grade class. Please help us by submitting two photos of your child (one from around Kindergarten and one from 5th grade) to be featured in the "Then and Now" section.
Please click here for more details and the instructions for uploading your pictures using this Google Form. These pictures are needed by Friday, February 24th!
Yearbooks
Order your yearbook now! See more information in the graphic below.
Henry Family Read Aloud Coming Soon!
February is around the corner and so is the start of our Henry Family Read Aloud. Your student will be bringing home a copy of the staff chosen book on February 3, 2023. Our Henry PTO has generously provided each family with a copy of our shared book during our school kick-off.
The oldest child in the family will be bringing the book home. Along with the book, you will receive a reading schedule so that you can keep up at home. In addition, we have an interactive webpage on the Henry library website that will be going live that day. Your child will have access to the reading calendar, audio reading of the book, discussion questions and many fun surprises, too! We just ask that you read with your family about 15 minutes a night. We anticipate this will be a special experience for your family.
Beginning the week of January 30, 2023, clues to the title of the book will be appearing around our school. Ask your child about the daily clue and their predictions on the book’s title! Friday, February 3 will be the final clue and reveal. The Henry staff is very excited about our choice this year and look forward to sharing it with our families! Happy Reading!
Help Wanted!
We are in desperate need of custodial support at Henry Elementary and the Parkway School District. Are you interested in full or part time work? Contact Dr. Oliver or Dr. Kneer with questions or apply at the following link.
https://www.applitrack.com/pkwyk12/onlineapp/default.aspx?Category=Maintenance%2fCustodial&all=cat
Granting Dreams Applications are Now Being Accepted!
Applications are currently being accepted for grants through the Parkway Alumni Association's 2023 Granting Dreams program. Any current Parkway student, kindergarten through 12th grade, is eligible to apply for a Dream Grant. Grants of financial support of up to $250 will be awarded, as well as grants of community resources and/or alumni support. Students are encouraged to submit requests that demonstrate a commitment to furthering skills, acquiring knowledge or experience, participating in school-related activities, or engaging in the community.
High school students interested in an entrepreneurial endeavor have the opportunity to apply for the Thomas Phelps Entrepreneurial Award; this grant can provide funds up to $1,000 per grantee. In addition, sophomore and junior concert, marching or jazz band students can apply for the John L. Baker Music Scholars Award.
Applications are available online here. The questions can be seen prior to filling out the form by clicking on the link on this website. Upon completion of the registration form, the appropriate grant application form will be emailed to the student.
All applications must be completed online by 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, February 14, 2023.
If you have any questions, please contact Sandy Riutcel, executive director of the PAA, at sriutcel@parkwayschools.net or (314-415-8074).