The Gray Wolf Gazette
Back to School Edition
Quick Overview
Hello Families,
I hope you are as excited as we are for the new school year! In this edition of the Gray Wolf Gazette, you will find tons of information. Please make sure you take a look at the Back to School Schedule as there were a few changes to some Back to School Events!
As you will see when you visit during Jumpstart Conferences, there have been some great things happening at Givens this summer. We can't wait for you to see them. We owe tremendous amounts of gratitude to our custodians, our project manager, various departments within our district, and our Givens Staff, for ensuring our building is ready for us to return. Your hard work is not going unnoticed! Read below for an opportunity for your family to help with some final touches on August 14th from 9 am-12.
As you review the information in this newsletter, don't forget to click on the buttons listed as well. They include:
-A copy of our Family Handbook
-Our Calendar
-An opportunity to learn about some of our staff members (Welcome Mrs. Etzel as our New Math Interventionist)
-A link to follow us on Facebook
Also, take a look at the news from our PTO. They have also been working to make sure our students, families, and staff members are welcomed back and excited about the new year!
Please don't hesitate to reach out with questions. In lieu of a whole school Meet the Teacher, I will host a Virtual Town Hall Meeting. Once you review this information, this will give you a chance to ask questions or get clarification. See the details under events.
Have a great week and enjoy these summer days!
On this journey together,
Ms. Malissa Beecham
Givens Principal
Givens Elementary's COVID Mitigation Strategies
In line with our District, we believe in-person learning is crucial for the development of all of our students. This allows our students to benefit from the exceptional learning opportunities that provide social and emotional growth as well as academic achievement. With this, we are working to put several mitigation strategies in place to ensure the health and safety of our students and staff. Our priority is to keep students learning in person at school. Please access the documents below to learn more about our District's Plan and how Givens Plans to implement it.
Webster Groves School District's Return to Learn Plan
Webster Groves School District Return to School Resources
Givens Elementary School Return to School Plan(Our Team is finalizing this and it will be shared with you by 5 pm today).
Back to School Events (Update) PLEASE REVIEW
August 16th:
Meet the Teacher Night 5:30-6:30 KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS ONLY
August 16th-August 18th:
Jumpstart Conferences: Teachers will set up individual times to meet with incoming families.
**Families are encouraged to use this time to drop off supplies, meet the teacher, and take self-guided family tours of certain spaces in the building.
August 19th, 6 pm-7 pm (In replacement of our Whole School Meet the teacher, I will host a Virtual Town Hall to offer an opportunity to go over any questions families may have)
Send In questions ahead of time:
Join the Zoom Meeting:
https://wgsdstl.zoom.us/j/95473341522?pwd=R3FKQWlJdGRMYmEwenM4aHY0TzNKQT09Meeting ID: 954 7334 1522 Passcode: G7C3Rauux4
August 23rd
First Day of School YAY!!
Parents may Mingle on the Black Top(More Info To Come)
August 27th
Back to School Bash
5:30-7:30pm
See Flyer Below
Jumpstart Conferences
For Grades 1st-5th, we will use Jumpstart Conferences for supply drop off, building tours, and meeting your teacher. This will allow us to limit the number of people in the building at one time. If you have not signed up for a conference, you may click on your child's teacher below to sign up.
First
Second
Third
Fourth
Fifth
Arrival and Dismissal
School Hours Information
To ensure the safety of all students, please adhere to these guidelines for dropping your child(ren) off at school. In addition, following these guidelines will ensure student supervision by our staff members.
Arrival
7:30-Students eating breakfast may enter the cafeteria entry doors
7:35- Students may line up outside their grade level entry doors
7:40-Students may enter their grade level assigned doors and report to their classrooms
K-1 Downstairs
2-3 Main Entrance
4-5 Entrance by Cafeteria
Students eating breakfast may exit the cafe to classrooms
7:50- Students entering after 7:50 must enter the main entry door upstairs and retrieve a tardy slip.
Dismissal
2:50 (We will dismiss students in this order-Bus Riders, Walkers, Car Riders) All students should be outside by 2:50.
Information
Please be careful as you enter our lot. Be on the lookout for pedestrians and drivers and follow the directions of the adults that are working to ensure students arrive safely at school. In addition, we will have a staff member at the crosswalk by the light, one on the lot to assist students as they cross in front of traffic on the lot, and one to help direct traffic exiting the lot.
We will use two lanes for arrival and dismissal. When you enter the lot, use the lane closest to the building to drop off or pick up your child. Pull up to the first orange cone or the car in front of you. We will help you load and unload your car. Once you are finished loading or unloading, you will use the left lane(the lane furthest from the building to exit the lot. Please be mindful of other cars using that lane to leave the lot. You will use the first exit to make a left onto Brownbert.
To keep the flow of traffic, if you need to exit your car for any reason, we ask that you park in one of the parking spots and make your way to the entrance.
During Dismissal, we will call the names of your child(ren) using the Green Car Sign given to you. Please make sure this is displayed in your front passenger side window. If, throughout the year, you need another one, please let the office know.
We will load 5-6 cars at a time and move them out. So please be patient as we work through this new procedure during the first couple of weeks.
**Please see the diagram below.
Walkers will use the lower exit door to exit the building and meet their caregiver or walking buddies near the Legacy Garden and Trees.
If we observe the need to change our procedures, we will communicate those changes to you.
**During Jumpstart Conferences, you will complete a Dismissal Plan Document.
Beautification Day at Givens Elementary School
Saturday, Aug 14, 2021, 09:00 AM
Dr. Henry Givens Jr. Elementary School, North Rock Hill Road, St. Louis, MO, USA
Meet our PTO Board Members
President - Sarah Middendorf
Vice President - Maria Lambing
Co-Equity Officers - Deidre Townsend & Dana Walker
Co-Secretaries - Kara Simon & Alex Guffey
Co-Treasurers - Tracy Willis & Jen Levine
Please Join Us in Welcoming Back our Staff:
PTO will be hosting a welcome back breakfast for our staff and would love your support! Please use this Sign-Up Genius to learn more about it and sign up to drop off an item or donate to this event.
Annual Back to School Bash-Save the Date!
There will be more information to come, but save the date for this outdoor family event to celebrate the beginning of the school year! It will be Friday, August 27th from 5:30 to 7:30.
Grade Level Playdates:
5th Grade:
Let's meet at Larson Park for a 5th Grade Playdate on Mon. 8/9 5:00-7:00 pm. Bring a snack or picnic dinner. Siblings are welcome!
2nd Grade:
Our 2nd Grade playdate will be Thurs. 8/12 at 5:00-6:30 pm at Larson Park! Bring a snack or picnic dinner. Siblings are welcome!
Our First PTO Meeting is Monday, September 13th, we hope you can join us.
***Please complete this Google Form to let us know what directory information you would like us to share with our PTO. This will help us in coordinating events, volunteer opportunities, and creating our school Buzz Book.
ADVENTURE CLUB AT GIVENS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Morning Hours: 6:45-7:40 (Breakfast Provided)
Afternoon Hours: 2:50-5:45 (Snack Provided)
Site Manager: Rachel Diaz
Contact for Questions: diaz.rachel@wgmail.org.
Please follow this link to learn more about what is offered and how to apply
Webster Groves School District’s Online Registration Information for Parents/Guardians
Welcome to Webster Groves School District’s 2021-2022 online registration process. This online registration is an easy way for you to communicate or verify phone numbers, emergency contacts, allergies, medical conditions, permissions, etc. This is also our way to communicate important information regarding the free and reduced-price lunch application, student technology agreement, school handbook, discipline policies, etc.
Online Registration is now open and ready for you to complete and submit forms. To access the online registration link, parents or guardians must log in to the parent portal. Detailed instructions are below. Please verify and/or update and submit this information by August 23rd for every student whether new or returning. All students in your family should be listed and have forms to complete. Please contact your child’s school if they do not have forms to complete.
1. To access the parent portal go to: https://sis.webster.k12.mo.us/wg360x3/parent
2. Log in to the parent portal with your username (email we have on file) and password.
3. Locate the “Online Registration” link (yellow banner right above Announcements).
4. Please carefully read the “Instructions” form for guidance on how to complete and submit all forms.
Forgot Your Password – follow the steps below:
• Clear both the username and password fields
• Select “Forgot your parent password” and a link to reset your password will be sent to the email address that you have on file. (Please note that if both fields are not completely blank when selecting “Forgot your parent password” an email will not be sent.)
Do Not Have Parent Portal Access – follow the steps below:
• You will need to complete, sign, and email your parent portal agreement form and photo ID to your school’s Administrative Assistant (Please note: For those parents with children at multiple schools, you only have to complete and email one form to get access to the parent portal for all of your children.)
• This form can be found on our website. See the route below to find the parent portal application on our website:
1. https://www.webster.k12.mo.us
2. Select “Need To Know” (At the top)
3. Click on the “For Parents” tab
4. Click “Parent Portal Application and Instructions”
If you have questions, please contact the school that your child(ren) attends.
Thank you for your help in providing us with accurate information about your child(ren). Some schools may require additional information, which will be communicated by the schools.
Dr. Henry Givens Elementary School
Website: https://www.webster.k12.mo.us/Givens
Location: 701 North Rock Hill Road, St. Louis, MO, USA
Phone: 314-963-6460
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GivensElem/