Grizzly eNews 4-17-25
Principal’s Message:
Students around Grace McWayne have been working on writing poetry these last few weeks. Some of these poems will be on display in our hallways in addition to the great artwork that will line our walls for the annual Art Show/Ice Cream Social/Spring Book Fair that will be happening on Thursday, April 24th from 6-8pm. This evening has become a celebration of so many different things: student artwork, student poetry, parent volunteers and reading. No matter what you are coming out to celebrate, we hope you can join us!
~Principal Jeff Modaff
PTO News:
VOLUNTEER THANK YOU ICE CREAM SOCIAL, ART FAIR, & BOOK FAIR
Join us in thanking our parent volunteers at the Grace McWayne Ice Cream Social on Thursday, April 24th from 6-8 pm! Please check out the student art show and the Book Fair while you are here. Ice cream from the Batavia Creamery will be scooped by some of your favorite GMS teachers and staff!
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! FULFILLED! THANK YOU!
- One Science Lead per grade level – take the experiment the chairs have created, help with any preparation needed, and be in charge of executing the day of Outdoor Ed. Guide the other volunteers on what needs to be done. NEED 1st, 3rd, and 5th grade leads!
- Four additional volunteers per grade will assist the Science Leads with preparing and executing activities on the day of Outdoor Ed.
- 30+ Volunteers to assist with the field games.
- Watch Dogs to act as floaters throughout the day.
- Set up and clean up help!
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 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 APRIL 18 – NO SCHOOL
MONDAY 21 THRU FRIDAY APRIL 25 – BOOK FAIR 8:45AM-5PM (FRIDAY 8:45AM-10AM)
THURSDAY, APRIL 24 – ICE CREAM SOCIAL 6PM
UPCOMING CLUB DATES
MONDAY, APRIL 21 – RUNNING CLUB
MONDAY, APRIL 21 – 4TH AND 5TH GRADE CHORUS
TUESDAY, APRIL 22 – 5TH GRADE BAND
TUESDAY, APRIL 22 – BOARD MEETING
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23 – ORCHESTRA REHEARSAL
THURSDAY, APRIL 24 – CULTURAL CELEBRATION CLUB
FRIDAY, APRIL 25 – STUDENT COUNCIL
