Grizzly eNews 1-9-26
Principal’s Message:
Happy New Year and welcome back! I hope you are all living out your new year’s resolutions and trying new things. Our 4th graders are having tons of fun this week trying out new things in PE as they explore different poses during their gymnastics and tumbling unit. Way to go girls!
As we prepare for the second half of the year, our students will start out with both Aimsweb and NWEA MAP assessments. Results will help guide our work and help teachers to match instruction with students’ needs. Please help your child to do their best by reminding them about a good night’s rest and a healthy breakfast during our testing window. Be on the lookout for information from your child’s teacher about specific days and times of testing.
The kindergarteners reminded me today that we have been in school for 88 days so far this year. That means we are just past the halfway mark. We look forward to an awesome second half of the year in partnership with all of our families and GMS community.
~Principal Jeff Modaff
PTO News:
Fun Fair
We are thrilled to share that several people have stepped up to help run different pieces of Fun Fair and the event will be able to run!
We are still in need of someone to handle the treat trot and organize the donations. Email president@gmspto.org for more information or to volunteer.
VP Special Fundraising
We also are still looking to fill our VP of Special Fundraising role on the PTO Board. This is your opportunity to be involved, oversee, and have your hand in making decisions about major events at Grace McWayne.
Trivia Night – Minimal Tickets Remain!
We will have a full house for Trivia Night! Due to limited space, please email trivianight@gmspto.org for the link to purchase individual tickets.
Trivia Night – Volunteers NEEDED!
Calling all Trivia Night participants! We are excited that this fun event is quickly approaching, but this event can’t happen without volunteers! Please consider volunteering for a short shift during breaks between rounds: sign up here. We promise you will still have time to mingle and return to your table before the Trivia round begins!
Yearbook Photos
Submit your yearbook photos on the PTO Website! Locate it under Resources or Quick Links on the left side.
January Restaurant Night – Panda Express
Support GMS at our next restaurant night on January 22nd at Panda Express from 10:00 am – 9:30 pm.
WATCH D.O.G.S.
Dads of Great Students – join us for the best Friday of your year, whether you can help once or regularly, we need you!. Sign up HERE to volunteer.
** PTO Website **
We do our best to make the PTO Website THE place for GMS parents to go for all PTO related information. Whether you are looking to check when your club meets next, sign up to volunteer for an event, see when the next dining out fundraiser takes place, submit a receipt for reimbursement, or access the school directory, the PTO website is the place to look first! Please visit www.gmspto.org and check back often for new information!
LRC News
Calling all 4th & 5th Graders…It’s time to sign up for Battle of the Books! More information can be found in this Destiny Discover Collection.
Grizzly Kids Club
Grizzly Kids Club is hosting a Feed My Starving Children Volunteer Event on Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 9:00am. All staff, students, families (anyone over 5 years of age) are welcome to join! You can sign up HERE or use the Join Code: 51X48P
School / District News:
Camp Invention is back this summer! 🌟
This engaging STEM camp invites K–6 students to explore creativity, engineering, and problem-solving through hands-on activities designed by the National Inventors Hall of Fame. It’s a fun, confidence-building week your child won’t forget.
📄 Check the flyer for program details and registration information.
We hope to see our young inventors there! 🚀
Batavia Special Education Parent Network (BSPN)
Batavia Special Education Parent Network (BSPN) is once again hosting our annual Resource Fair coming up in February and we would really love to have as many families there as possible to benefit from the wonderful resources and vendors attending that night.
BSPN Family Bowling at Funway – Thursday January 22, 5:30-6:30pm – Please RSVP
BSPN Parent Education – Thursday, January 29 6-7:30pm Overview of the Transition Process and Parent Alliance Employment Project (PAEP)- Please RSVP
Kids Heart Challenge
Join our online league by clicking the link below, download the Kids Heart Challenge app or scan the QR code. Click Here Grace McWayne’s KHC school page
Help Us Reach Our
KHC Goals
$9,000 – School Goal
36 – Finn’s Mission Goal
90 – Participation Goal
Don’t Forget to Check the District Student Handbook!
The District Student Handbook is a helpful resource for all families. It includes important information about district policies, student expectations, attendance, safety, and more. Reviewing the handbook together helps everyone stay informed and ensures a positive, supportive learning experience for every student. Take a moment to explore the handbook by clicking this link.
Stay Connected
Please check the Directory to be sure YOUR FAMILY information is correct! Parents use this for play dates and birthday invites! This does need to be updated every year to change your child(s) teacher.
Visit the PTO website to search the student directory, view the school activity calendar, sign up to volunteer, or purchase tickets to the next PTO event. Download the Membership Toolkit app for easy access!
Ongoing Fundraising
Box Tops
Collecting extra support for GMS is now super easy. Download the Box Top App and scan your receipt!
Casey’s Rewards Points
Our school is participating in Cash for Classrooms, part of Casey’s Rewards. The best part? Donations don’t come out of your own pocket. When you buy from Casey’s and use their rewards program you can simply turn your points into a donation to our school. Help Grace McWayne School make the most of this program and learn more HERE!
Important Dates
Tuesday, January 13 – Winter Chorus Concert – 7pm
Monday, January 19 – No School
Saturday, January 24 – GMS Adult Only Trivia Night
Upcoming Club Dates
Monday, January 12, 26 – 4th and 5th Grade Chorus
Monday, January 12, 26 – Student Council
Tuesday, January 13, 20, 27 – GMS Band/Orchestra Lessons
Tuesday, January 13, 21, 28 – 5th Grade Band Rehearsal at AGS
Friday, January 16, 23, 30 – 2nd Grade Art Club
Thursday, January 22 – Culture Club – Group 2
Thursday, January 22 – Grizzly Kids Meeting
Important Links
- Important Upcoming Dates
- Upcoming Club Dates
- Grace McWayne PTO website
- Grace McWayne Elementary PTO News & Events
- Grace McWayne Elementary School website
- Trouble with the website: website@gmspto.org
- Suggestions/Feedback: info@gmspto.org