Grizzly eNews 3-27-25
Principal’s Message:
Our students had so much to celebrate this week. They were earning CLAWS for positive behavior all over the school these past weeks which resulted in tons of Chicago Steel prizes and a visit from three Chicago Steel players this afternoon. During lunch, we also celebrated with a little dance party!
I hope all of you find time to celebrate and relax with your family over Spring Break. Whatever your destination, I wish you safe travels and good fun with family and friends.
Happy Spring Break!
~Principal Jeff Modaff
PTO News:
PTO SURVEY
The PTO Board is so appreciative of everyone who attends, volunteers for, or helps coordinate an event at GMS. As we begin to plan for next year, we would love the input of the school community. Thank you to those who have already responded! Please consider taking this short survey found HERE or on the PTO Website. This will be open until Friday, March 28th.
2024/2025 GMS YEARBOOK PHOTO LINKS
If you have any pictures from the following GMS School Functions – please upload them using the following links:
This will be the last week to submit photos. If you have any questions regarding the yearbook, please send an email to yearbook@gmspto.org.
SAVE THE DATE: ICE CREAM SOCIAL/ART FAIR/BOOK FAIR
The Ice Cream Social/Art Fair/Book Fair will be held on April 24th from 6-8 pm. More details to come!
GMS WATCH DOGS
Calling all Dads! The GMS Watch DOGS need you! There are still a number of unfilled slots for dads to come and have the best Friday of their life helping out students at school. For more information contact Sam Walker at srjwalkerusa@gmail.com and to sign up, go to this link!
School / District News:
Parking Lot Safety
As Spring weather arrives, so do more bikes, scooters and walkers. We love seeing all of this activity around our school. Please be on the look-out for all of our pedestrian travelers in the crosswalks at our school and on the streets. Thanks for taking an extra moment to look and listen to keep all of our students safe.
LRC NEWS
GMS is excited to welcome author Lisa Katzenberger on Friday, April 11th! She will talk with students about her career as an author and discuss her new book, It Belongs to the World: Frederick Banting and the Discovery of Insulin. For more information, including how to purchase a personalized book, click here!
A MESSAGE FROM NURSE ERIN
The Nurses office would appreciate any donations of pants: either girls leggings or boys sweatpants. The Comfier the better : )
KIDS HEART CHALLENGE
Dear Grace McWayne Elementary Students,
Thank you for being part of the Kids Heart Challenge, supporting our school and the American Heart Association. $7,890.99 was raised by our GMS families this year. Thank you to all who contributed. Together, we are providing hope and health for everyone, everywhere.
GMS ALL SCHOOL SKATE
DISC GOLF EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE AT GMS
The weather may be cold, but the course is open for all to enjoy! If your family would like to borrow a backpack w/8 discs, please fill out this form!!!
FAMILY CONNECTIONS
Register Now for the Free Family Connections Program to Spring into Family Fun!
Join Family Connections for joyful laughter during weekly family nights that strengthen parent-child bonds, build a community with fellow parents/families, and provide a night off from meal preparation and screen time. Family Connections gathers your whole family for playful activities that spark conversations and connections among family members. Enjoy getting to know other parents during the Parent Discussion Group while children have fun playing under the supervision of the Family Connections Team. This evidence-informed program brought to you by TriCity Family Services is based on research about strengthening families and building communities.
What is Family Connections? “A great way to unwind and enjoy quality time with your family.” – Comment from a Parent After Last School Year’s Family Connections Program
Read more details in the flyer: https://tricityfamilyservices.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Family-Connections-BPS-10-2-24-Start-Flyer-FINAL.pdf
Register Here:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FCBPS24-25
BPS101 ATTENDANCE AWARENESS
As spring blooms, so do opportunities for student growth—especially during the assessment season! Regular attendance is crucial in helping students stay on track and thrive both academically and socially. As educators, we know that each missed day means missed learning, which can impact student performance, assessment results, and long-term success.
Your role in encouraging consistent attendance is crucial—by supporting healthy attendance habits, you’re helping ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed!
Please share our BPS101 Attendance webpage with families and encourage students to keep showing up– every day counts!
GLENBARD PARENT SERIES: NAVIGATING HEALTHY FAMILIES
Free online presentations for families! Are you a parent of a student in early childhood? Check out The Way of Play: Little Moments–Big Connections from best-selling author and psychotherapist Dr. Tina Payne Bryson and Georgie Wisen-Vincent. Are you a parent of a teen? Check out The Breakthrough Years: A New Scientific Framework for Raising Thriving Teens hosted by award-winning author Ellen Galinsky. Please see the 24.25 brochure for additional offerings, information, and links to join. All events are free and open to the public, and participation is possible in person or online.
VARSITY TUTORS: FREE 24/7 CHAT TUTORING SERVICE!!!
BPS101 is now partnering with Varsity Tutors to provide a free tutoring service. Varsity Tutors is an online tutoring service students can access for free through Classlink. They have various options, from live chat to test prep and classes. How do you access it? From your student’s Chromebook: Open Classlink, then Click on Varsity Tutors. In the Learning Lab, type in your student’s question or upload the whole assignment and get connected to personalized tutoring within 5 minutes. Sessions are recorded so students can reference them again if needed.
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: 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
FRIDAY, MARCH 28 – NO SCHOOL – INSTITUTE DAY
MONDAY, MARCH 31 THRU FRIDAY APRIL 4 – NO SCHOOL – SPRING BREAK
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9 – ALL SCHOOL SKATE – FUNWAY 4PM-6PM
UPCOMING CLUB DATES
MONDAY, APRIL 7 – RUNNING CLUB
MONDAY, APRIL 7 – 4TH AND 5TH GRADE CHORUS
TUESDAY, APRIL 8 – 5TH GRADE BAND AND ORCHESTRA
TUESDAY, APRIL 8 – BATAVIA ALL CITY BAND
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9 – ORCHESTRA REHEARSAL
THURSDAY, APRIL 10 – CULTURAL CELEBRATION CLUB
THURSDAY, APRIL 10 – BATAVIA ALL-CITY ORCHESTRA
FRIDAY, APRIL 11 – 1ST GRADE ART CLUB
FRIDAY, APRIL 11 – STUDENT COUNCIL 8AM
FRIDAY, APRIL 11 – RUNNING CLUB
IMPORTANT LINKS