Grizzly eNews 11-22-24
Principal’s Message:
November is National Gratitude Month – a time to celebrate and give thanks. Many of our students have been completing writing assignments to capture what they are thankful for and they often mention their family, friends and teachers. There is often special mention of the family pet. They definitely have their priorities straight! I love hearing about what they hold dear.
I have also been reflecting on the blessings in my own life. I am thankful that I get to come to work each day and spend time with some amazing children who are thoughtful, caring, hard working and talented. I am also thankful for the Grace McWayne staff who spread love and and kindness throughout the school, and engage and inspire young minds with their thoughtful lessons and activities. I am thankful for our parents and surrounding community who so highly value education and partner with us to enhance student experiences at our school. Finally, I am thankful for our district administration and school board who provide us with key resources and make student-centered decisions. Batavia is certainly a wonderful place to learn and grow.
As a reminder, we are only in attendance on Monday and Tuesday of next week. I wish all of our Grace McWayne families a very happy Thanksgiving!
~Principal Jeff Modaff
jeff.modaff@bps101.net
School / District News:
TARDIES ADD UP!
Arriving on time for school is key to a successful day! Tardies add up and can significantly affect student learning and well-being. Missing just 10 minutes of school per day can add up to missing 50 minutes per week, which turns into 1.5 weeks per year of missed instructional minutes! Getting to school on time helps build responsibility and sets the tone for a productive day of learning.
Let’s work together to make sure every student starts their day on the right foot. Thank you for your support!
GLENBARD PARENT SERIES NAVIGATING HEALTHY FAMILIES
BPS101 is proud to announce a partnership with the Glenbard Parent Series, a 501(c)3 organization supporting local schools, parents, students, and families. GPS Parent Series: Navigating Healthy Families offers parenting education and family support networks with a free weekly lineup of world-renowned speakers during the 24-25 school year. November’s lineup includes professor and CNN contributor Dr. Kara Alaimo, who will provide a session titled “Over the Influence: Toxic Social Media and How to Limit Its Impact.”
Please see the 24.25 brochure for more information and links to join. All events are free and open to the public, with participation opportunities in person or online.
THE PRESCHOOL LOTTERY IS NOW OPEN!
The BPS101 Preschool at the Early Childhood Center is a tuition-free, lottery-based system. Families are, however, responsible for the District’s standard registration fee. The 2025-26 school year lottery opened today and closes on January 24, 2025, at 3:00 PM. Learn more, click here.
EARLY CHILDHOOD SCREENINGS
The Early Childhood Center at Alice Gustafson Elementary School will host Early Childhood Screenings monthly through February 2025! (Priority 1, 3: Personalized Learning Pathways). For more information, please visit our Early Childhood website.
PTO News:
2024/2025 GMS YEARBOOK
Please send any photos you have from the following school activities to yearbook@gmspto.org.
- First Day of School
- Spirit Week
- Fall Parties/Costume Parade
GRIZZLY AND BULLDOG GEAR – NOW AVAILABLE!
Show your school and community spirit with your Grizzly and Bulldog Gear! Shop our Fall sale by clicking here! Online shop closes 11/29/24.
WINTER WONDERLAND – SATURDAY, DEC 7TH
Winter Wonderland is around the corner and we are so excited! Here are the important things to know. Please feel free to reach out to winterwonderland@gmspto.org with any questions.
Amazon Wishlist to donate shopping items if you would like: Check out my list on Amazon. Thank you so much to those who have already contributed–we REALLY appreciate it! Items do not need to come from this list, we are happy to accept other donations/crafty creations. (402-215-6315 Kristin, or winterwonderland@gmapto.org with questions). We are currently looking for gifts that can be given to parents/grandparents/adults. Yes, this means you could possibly donate the same item you receive as a gift–all for the love of our students and school.
5th Grade Elves: Sign-Ups are out–check the Membership Toolkit Volunteer page to sign up.
Gift Bags/tissue paper needed: We’ve received a great amount of wrapping paper–thank you!! We will now focus on gift bags and tissue paper. If you have extra or could donate some we’d appreciate it! Please leave it in the bin under the table in the entryway of GMS.
Sign Ups for shopper times and Volunteer times are here! Please read carefully, as there are some changes to how we created the Sign-Ups. Sign-ups are in the Membership Toolkit under the Volunteers.
We’ve received some donations through the Wishlist and other wonderful and creative gift donations.
THANK YOU SO MUCH to those who have contributed!!!
Vendors still being accepted through 11/29: email winterwonderland@gmspto.org for information.
Nikki Arett and Kristin Griess (402-215-6315)
Co-chairs for Winter Wonderland
Email: winterwonderland@gmspto.org
FUN FAIR CHAIR/CO-CHAIR NEEDED!
Grab a friend and co-chair the event! Fun Fair needs a chair or co-chairs to coordinate volunteers for the planning and execution of the event. A lot of the work is already done for Fun Fair since we reuse the same games each year and have the contacts for local businesses who have participated in the past, we just need a leader to coordinate and delegate! The event itself is held on Friday, February 28th, which is a day off of school, from 4-8 pm. All the planning and prep work can be done outside school hours. Email Mr. Modaff or Laura McGloin at vp-specialfundraising@gmspto.org to learn more!
The PTO is also looking for someone to head up our Business Relations Team. We are looking to set up business/corporate sponsorship and could use a leader to help us! Email president@gmspto.org to learn more!
FUNDRAISING – CASEY’S REWARD POINTS!
We’re excited to share that our school is participating in Cash for Classrooms, part of Casey’s Rewards. This opens up Grace McWayne to new funding opportunities to help improve learning environments for students.
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!
STAY CONNECTED
Please check the Directory to be sure YOUR FAMILY information is correct! Parents use this for play dates and birthday invites!
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
Email website@gmspto.org
Suggestions/Feedback
Email info@gmspto.org
Box Tops
Collecting extra support for GMS is now super easy. Download the Box Top App and scan your receipt!
IMPORTANT DATES
DISC GOLF GRAND OPENING – 9:15AM
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26
NO SCHOOL – THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY BREAK
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27 THRU FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29
PTO MEETING
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3
WINTER WONDERLAND
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7
UPCOMING CLUB DATES
CHORUS – 4TH AND 5TH GRADE
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25
BAND AND ORCHESTRA – 5TH GRADE
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26
CHORUS – 4TH AND 5TH GRADE
MONDAY, DECEMBER 2
BAND AND ORCHESTRA – 5TH GRADE
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3
ORCHESTRA REHEARSAL @ AGS
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4
GRIZZLY KIDS MEETING
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5
BAND & ORCHESTRA WINTER PRACTICE PARTY
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6
IMPORTANT LINKS
Grace McWayne Elementary PTO News & Events
Grace McWayne Elementary School website
Trouble with the website: website@gmspto.org
Suggestions/Feedback – info@gmspto.org
