Buzzin' in the Hive
Graden Parent and Family Newsletter, December 2021
Dear Graden Families,
Wednesday, December 22nd marks the end of first semester. Though our year is still very different, I have truly loved having so many of our students back in-person and I am so happy we have been able to hold more family events including, musicals, conferences and the Trunk or Treat. I look forward to seeing more parents and families at Graden as we move into second semester.
December is a busy and exciting month! Our winter NWEA window opens on Wednesday, December 1st and runs all the way up to winter break. Look for communication from your classroom teacher for when they will be taking the NWEA assessment.
Students will be out of school Thursday, December 23rd - Monday, January 3rd for winter break. I hope you have a wonderful time celebrating the end of the year with your family!
Upcoming Dates:
Sunday, December 5th: Graden Choir at Crown Center - 2:30 pm
Wednesday, December 8th: 2:00 pm - Early Release
Saturday, December 11th: 9:00 am - 11:00 am - Graden Merry Mart @ Graden
Monday, December 13th: PTA Meeting @ 6:30 pm in the Graden Library
Thursday, December 23rd - Monday, January 3rd: NO SCHOOL - Winter Break
I look forward to finishing the semester strong!
-Dr. Easley
LEADER IN ME PARENT FEEDBACK SURVEY
As Graden continues to refine our practices, we would like your feedback on our Leader in Me Program. To access the survey, click on the button below.
We will have outdoor recess as often as we can. Please send student to school prepared to be outside for recess with a coat, hat and gloves.
NEW PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT
Second semester our playground will have a double palmetto saucer swing and new outdoor musical instruments for our Hornets to use.
Thank you so much for your generous donations.
We will have early release day once a month for teachers and staff to engage in professional development to continue to enhance learning opportunities for students.
We will release ALL students at 2:00 pm on early release days.
Please communicate with your classroom teacher and the office if you have alternate transportation on early release days.
2021-22 Early Release Days:
Wednesday, December 8th
Wednesday, January 5th
Wednesday, Feb. 2nd
Wednesday, March 2nd
Wednesday, April 6th
Wednesday, May 4th
Interest groups will be held on early release days. Each Interest group day will include a virtual assembly and a classroom interest group activity. Students and staff will wear their leadership shirts and engage in Interest Group Day within their stable classrooms. We hope to create amazing opportunities for students to continue practicing Habit 8
Interest Group Schedule:
Wednesday, December 8th
Wednesday, January 5th
Wednesday, Feb. 2nd
Wednesday, March 2nd
Wednesday, April 6th
Wednesday, May 4th
COUNSELOR NEWS FROM MISS CETOLA
With the weather we’ve been having, it’s hard to believe Winter is here! I am really looking forward to teaching on equity and inclusion this month in alignment with our District initiatives. I will be wrapping up counseling small groups before Winter break and (selfishly) will be sad to see my kiddos go off on their own! Be sure to check out the December newsletter below to see what we are learning about in more depth! Visit the Graden Counseling Website for previous counseling newsletters, community resources, and parent referral forms, as well as several other fun resources to cultivate social and emotional development. As always, I am available to chat via email, phone, or Teams. You can reach me by email at cetolac@parkhill.k12.mo.us or via phone at 816-359-5647. Have a happy December everyone!
MERRY MART
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11TH
We are excited to host our first ever Merry Mart. All student craft items are available for purchase using Graden Bucks. Please use the attached pre-order form to purchase your Graden Bucks early so you don’t have to wait in line the day of the mart! Pictures with Santa and Olaf, donuts, hot chocolate, and amazing crafts from our outside vendors await you at the Merry Mart. We hope to see you Saturday, December 11th 9:00-11:00 am. As always, thank you for supporting our Hornets and the wonderful charities they have chosen!
PARK HILL CLOTHING CENTER
The Park Hill Clothing Center would like to thank all of the families who have contributed to our facility. For anyone not familiar with the clothing center there is more information here: https://www.parkhill.k12.mo.us/families/pta-clothing-center
Volunteers are greatly needed! We have been fortunate to have received numerous donations, however we’ve had a difficult time hanging up all of the incoming clothes. There are two sign up genius links for volunteers: There is one sign up genius for the 2-4 pm timeslot every Tuesday that doesn't have shoppers present. That sign up is here and students are welcome to help out https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508084fa4a72ba0fa7-canyou
Then there is a second sign up for the Tuesday 10-12pm and 5-7pm slots when shoppers will be there. When shoppers are present we can't have students helping due to confidentiality. That sign up is here: https://www.signupgenius.com/.../508084fa4a72ba0fa7...
We appreciate all of your help!!
-The Park Hill Clothing Center
Meet our Board Members:
Jamie Fender, President
Hayley Cooper, Vice President
Lindsay Ramon, Secretary
Maggie Wright, Treasurer
Jessica Freels, Parliamentarian
2021-22 PTA Meeting Dates
December 13th
January 10th
February 21st
March 21st
May 9th
DO YOU KNOW A PARK HILL STAR?
The Park Hill Star recognition program was started in 2015 to celebrate support staff and teachers whose work is especially noteworthy.
The following is an overview of the Park Hill Star Program:
Our employees are the reason we are so successful here in the Park Hill School District, and we would like to recognize them for all they do for our students. That is why we present the Park Hill Star award once a month to a pre-K or elementary teacher, a secondary teacher and a support employee.
IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS
School Office (816) 359-4340
School Fax (816) 359-4349
Attendance Line (816) 359-4341
First Student Bus Company (816) 359-4560
Adventure Club (816) 359-5015
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