Grizzly eNews 10-9-25
Principal’s Message:
Students had a SUPER good time on Wednesday learning about the importance of being respectful, responsible, trustworthy and kind during the Super U Challenge assembly. Students and adults shared tons of laughter as students competed for points while learning about good character.
Thanks for your partnership over these last few weeks during our Goal Setting Conferences. Students are now ready, with all of our help, to work toward their goals and challenge themselves to grow both academically and socially.
Halloween expectations were sent out this week. We look forward to the parade and parties that will occur on Friday, October 31st.
Have a SUPER 4-day weekend!
~Principal Jeff Modaff
PTO News:
Get Involved – Open PTO Board & Committee Positions!
We still are in need of two significant roles to be filled. If you have questions or are interested, please reach out to president@gmspto.org. It takes a village to put on these events for our school and we need you!
PTO Board VP Roles
- VP of Special Fundraising – oversees Walk-a-thon, Book Fair, and Fun Fair
PTO Committees
- Fun Fair Chair- grab a friend and help lead a team of volunteers to run our annual Fun Fair!
RESTAURANT NIGHT 10/16 AT CPK
2025 WINTER WONDERLAND
Winter Wonderland (WW) activities are going strong and many volunteers are working behind the scenes to make this event a success. WW will be held on Saturday, December 6th at GMS, so mark your calendars now!
If you are new to Grace McWayne, or have not had the joy of experiencing WW–you and your students are in for a treat! WW is an all inclusive holiday shopping event during which your student(s) will be able to purchase gifts for loved ones (parents, guardians, siblings, grandparents, teachers, pets etc). 5th grade Elves will be assisting all younger kids with their shopping. The majority of items are priced between $1-10 (we will have some higher priced items up to $15 this year as a trial) so children can shop for a reasonable price. Proceeds will support the school and their holiday shopping is complete. It’s fantastic! Parents/guardians provide a list of people for whom to shop and you set the budget. Another amazing thing about WW is that between 2,000-2,500+ items are sold at WW AND each item is wrapped by volunteers before the kids leave the store. It’s magical to see how proud the students are when they leave with their own secret gifts for loved ones.
While the elves help kids shop, grown-ups will be able to shop from and support local vendors. This is also a great time to socialize and enjoy a treat from the bake sale. Santa will be visiting during WW for those who would like to get photos with him.
There will be multiple ways to help contribute to the large number of gifts needed to put on a successful shopping event. Please be on the look out for more information. We also do not want anyone to feel pressure to contribute more than is comfortable–truly. This event is a joyful celebration for all!
If you have Winter/Holiday gift bags (new or gently used) and/or tissue paper that could be donated for wrapping, we’d be so grateful. After Veterans’ Day (11/11), a bin will be placed in the entryway of the school for any items you wish to donate.
Feel free to reach out with any questions/concerns or if you are looking for ways to be involved (large or small). Thank you for reading this information and if you’d like to get involved–we have many ways to do so–and we do have a lot of fun!
Thanks for the opportunity to serve–
Nikki Arett and Kristin Griess (402-215-6315)
Co-chairs for Winter Wonderland
Email: winterwonderland@gmspto.org
YEARBOOK
Links to submit photos will be added to the PTO website this year. Links for the following activities will be posted soon:
– First Day of School
– Spirit Week
– Walk-A-Thon
The links are not live yet, but we will share more information as soon as they become available.
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. Only 8 slots left!
2025-2026 PTO BUDGET
The PTO budget for the year is posted on the PTO website and can be viewed here. Your donations and our events support SO many facets of the school and we can’t do it without you. From assemblies to field trips to teacher appreciation to learning resources that supplement the curriculum, it all comes from your donations and we, the PTO Board, are appreciative of the Grace McWayne community! Any questions regarding the budget can be emailed to treasurer@gmspto.org and president@gmspto.org.
School / District News:
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!
Trouble with the website: website@gmspto.org
Suggestions/Feedback: info@gmspto.org
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, October 7 – PTO Board Meeting (All parents are welcome!)
Wednesday, October 8 – Super U Challenge Assembly ( K-2 1:30pm, 3-5 2:30pm)
Thursday, October 9 – Half Day – Parent Teacher Conferences (No School for Kindergarten)
Friday, October 10 – No School
Monday, October 13 – No School
Thursday, October 16 – Restaurant Night: California Pizza Kitchen (Time TBD)
Sunday, October 19 – Grizzly Fun Run
Friday, October 31 – Costume Parade @ 2:15pm
Friday, November 14 – Restaurant Night: Panera (All Day)
UPCOMING CLUB DATES
Monday, October 6 – 4th and 5th Grade Chorus
Monday, October 6 – Running Club (8am)
Tuesday, October 7 – Band/Orchestra Lessons
Wednesday, October 8 – 5th Grade Band Rehearsal @ AGS
Thursday, October 9 – Cultural Celebration (Group 1)
Thursday, October 9 – Running Club (8am)
Tuesday, October 14 – Band/Orchestra Lessons
Wednesday, October 15 – 5th Grade Band Rehearsal @ AGS
Thursday, October 16 – Grizzly Kids Meeting
Friday, October 17 – Running Club (8am)
Monday, October 20 – 4th and 5th Grade Chorus
Tuesday, October 21 – GMS Band/Orch Lessons
Wednesday, October 22 – 5th Grade Band Rehearsal at AGS
Thursday, October 23 – Culture Club (Group 2)