Grizzly eNews 4-11-25
Principal’s Message:
Grace McWayne was so lucky to get a special visit from author, Lisa Katzenberger, today. She read one of her books to the students, shared about her writing process and even brought awareness to diabetes. We are so thankful for our partnership with Anderson Bookshops who sponsored today’s event (Strategic Plan Priority 1.2).
If you haven’t heard, there was a mystery to solve at Grace McWayne this week. Mrs. Acosta and Mrs. Myers brought the game of Clue to life throughout the school with a fun and exciting game of puzzles and games. In the end, we found out it was Professor Plum with the cauldron in the office. What exactly happened? You will have to ask your children all about it! We hope that this school-wide event helped to improve students’ connection to school. When asked during our focus groups, students suggested a school-wide activity just like our Clue game (Strategic Plan Priority 2.1).
Finally, this is the time of year when I remind parents to send me an email if they would like to share more about their child as a learner. This is not necessary by any means, but there are unique situations when it is important for me to hear from you about your child’s social-emotional or academic needs. Although I cannot accommodate direct requests for teachers or friends, I can utilize your input to best match your child with their classroom teacher for the 2025-2026 school year. I ask that all emails be sent to me by April 18th so your feedback can be our first consideration as we start to build classes for next year.
~Principal Jeff Modaff
jeff.modaff@bps101.net
PTO News:
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
OUTDOOR EDUCATION DAY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – MAY 16, 2025
Outdoor Education Day is right around the corner, and we need volunteers to help make it a success!
We’re looking for:
- Two Science Chairs to co-chair the science portion of our day! You will coordinate with teachers to select experiments, gather supplies, and delegate responsibilities among the group. If you love science, this is the spot for you!
- One Science Lead per grade level – take the experiment the chairs have created, help with any preparation needed, and be in charge of execution the day of Outdoor Ed. Guide the other volunteers in what needs to be done.
- Four additional volunteers per grade to assist the Science Leads with preparation and execution of activity the day of Outdoor Ed.
- 30 Volunteers to assist with the field games.
- Watch Dogs to act as floaters throughout the day.
If you’re interested in volunteering or taking on a lead role, please sign up here! Reach out to Deanna Sukolowsky with any questions, dmrv23@gmail.com.
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.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR SPRING TESTING
Parent volunteers are needed on Monday 4/28 and Tuesday 4/29 to assist with Spring Aimsweb Benchmark testing. Volunteer responsibilities would include gathering up groups of students and escorting them to the various testing sites around the building. Please email Mr. Modaff directly if you can help (jeff.modaff@bps101.net). Typical windows of time are 9:10-12:30 and 1:15-3:30.
A MESSAGE FROM NURSE ERIN
The Nurses office would appreciate any donations of pants: either girls leggings or boys sweatpants. The Comfier the better : )
A MESSAGE FROM MRS. GAMLIN – PE CLASSES
This month in PE Classes students in grades third – fifth will participate in Bike Education, here are some additional information / resources; as part of the program, students will participate in an online quiz, but no confidential information is collected: Bike Education / Rules of the Road: Parent Letter – English Bike Education / Spanish Bike Education / Be a Safe Bike Rider Resource. If you need a helmet, please contact the school and we can provide one. Students in grades K-2 will participate in Pedestrian Safety, click here for some additional resources and activities you can continue learning at home.
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
TUESDAY, APRIL 15 – PTO MEETING
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16 – KINDERGARTEN OPEN HOUSE
FRIDAY, APRIL 18 – NO SCHOOL
MONDAY 21 THRU FRIDAY APRIL 25 – BOOK FAIR
THURSDAY, APRIL 24 – ICE CREAM SOCIAL 6PM
UPCOMING CLUB DATES
MONDAY, APRIL 14 – RUNNING CLUB
MONDAY, APRIL 14 – 4TH AND 5TH GRADE
TUESDAY, APRIL 15 – 5TH GRADE BAND
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16 – BAND REHEARSAL @ AGS
THURSDAY, APRIL 17 – GRIZZLY KIDS MEETING
THURSDAY, APRIL 17 – RUNNING CLUB
IMPORTANT LINKS
