Grizzly eNews 11-21-25
Principal’s Message:
It has been a great week to cheer on the Bulldog Nation! Earlier this week, staff sent out encouraging messages to our football team as they prepared for their big semi-final game this weekend. Today, we were visited by the Batavia High School Dance Team. They taught us some moves and showed off their amazing dance skills. We ended the day with the Batavia fight song to get us pumped up with some Batavia pride.
~Principal Jeff Modaff
PTO News:
Fun Fair Chair and VP of Special Fundraising – We NEED you!
Fun Fair cannot happen without someone to organize the event. We are in desperate need for someone to take on the role of chairing the event! Without a committee chair, there is the possibility that we will have to CANCEL the event. If you are interested or have questions about the role, please reach out to president@gmspto.org.
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. Email president@gmspto.org for more information or to volunteer.
GMS Night at Chicago Steel – TOMORROW NIGHT!
Join us for a fun family evening out on Saturday, November 22nd and enjoy Defying Gravity night at the Chicago Steel! White Zone Tickets are $15 each and $5 per ticket comes back to the PTO! Game starts at 7:05 pm and tickets can be purchased HERE. Use GRIZZLIES when prompted for a code.
2025 WINTER WONDERLAND — 2 Weeks and Counting – Important Info
SHOPPER SIGN-UP APPOINTMENTS AND INFORMATION LINK:
If you have students that would like to shop at Winter Wonderland, sign up here. Siblings can also shop (must be old enough to communicate easily with an elf or shop independently–state this in sign-up)
WINTER WONDERLAND VOLUNTEER SIGN UP LINK AND INFORMATION–We’d love to have you!! Click here for volunteer sign-up
Would you like to contribute shopping items to WW? – Our WW elves have been bargain shopping all year for items to sell at winter wonderland. If you would like to and are able to contribute items, we’ve created an Amazon Wishlist for some gift items we could still use. We are open to any other item donations that you may have (only new items can be accepted). Click here to see the wishlist: WinterWonderland25 Amazon Wishlist
**Items may be shipped directly to: Kristin Griess/Winter Wonderland, 538 Alberosky Way, Batavia IL 60510
**Items may be dropped off at the above address, or left in the school vestibule ATTN: WW/Kristin Griess
WW Bake Sale Donations needed!
Grace McWayne has a bake sale during Winter Wonderland every year, and we’d love your help! We are asking for the items listed below to be donated to the bake sale. Please sign up here!
ATTENTION ALL 5TH GRADERS – We need your holiday magic to make this GMS tradition sparkle!
One of the most enchanting traditions at Grace McWayne is when our 5th graders transform into personal shopper Elves and team up with younger students to help navigate their Winter Wonderland experience! Don’t worry–we will be on-site prepping your Elves beforehand and sending details through their classroom communications. Sign up HERE for a shift (or more) that works for you!
Do you have new or gently used holiday gift bags/tissue paper to donate? A labeled bin is under the table in the entryway of the school for donations. We wrap approximately 3,000 gifts at WW, so we’d love your help with making the magic. Gift bags make the wrapping process move quickly, so if you have gently used/new gift bags–we’d love to have them. Also, Costco has bulk tissue paper for a great price–so we’d love a few of those packages if it works for your family to donate.
Would you like to showcase your business at Winter Wonderland?- We’d love to offer you a vendor booth where you can promote your business or sell your products and services. Winter Wonderland features a cozy family waiting room where parents and kids gather while children shop — it’s the perfect opportunity to connect with local families and share what you offer! To sign up as a vendor click here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScpPxcEPb6-TIjmnEW4JGCDBYgfRhzrn5j-yb4bloS1Y9WcGw/viewform?usp=header
YEARBOOK PHOTOS
The link to add yearbook photos is live on the PTO Website! Locate it under Resources or Quick Links on the left side.
DECEMBER RESTAURANT NIGHT AT CHIPOTLE
Support GMS at our next restaurant night at Chipotle on December 16th from 4-8 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.
SAVE THE DATE – TRIVIA NIGHT
Our much anticipated Adult’s Only Trivia Night will take place on Saturday, January 24th at 6 pm at the Moose Lodge in Batavia. Start gathering your team of eight now! Tickets will go on sale in December. Don’t have a team? No problem – we can form teams with individuals or couples! Reach out to trivianight@gmspto.org with questions.
** 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 see 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!
School / District News:
2nd Grade STEM Club:
Is your second grade student interested in learning how things work, trying to find creative solutions to everyday problems, and/or designing and building things? If so, STEM Club might be the right fit! Students will have a week to build, create, and innovate by engaging in hands-on activities. Click here for more information & to sign up today!
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!
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
Saturday, November 22 – Chicago Steel Game – GMS Night!
Wednesday, November 26-28 – NO SCHOOL
Tuesday, December 2nd – PTO Board Meeting – Everyone is welcome!
Saturday, December 6th – Winter Wonderland
UPCOMING CLUB DATES
Monday, November 24 – 4th and 5th Grade Chorus
Monday, November 24 – Student Council
Tuesday, November 25 – GMS Band/Orchestra Lessons
IMPORTANT LINKS