Grizzly eNews 4-25-25
Principal’s Message:
Thanks goes out to everyone who helped to make our Art Fair, Ice Cream Social and Book Fair a huge success. Much appreciation to Ms. P for helping students to adorn the halls of Grace McWayne with amazing works of art. Thanks also to all our families who came to support your students. It was a fun night of celebrating creativity and satisfying our sweet tooth.
Above you will see some very happy kindergartners celebrating in the LRC. They used teamwork and problem solving to complete their first digital breakout. Way to go!
~Principal Jeff Modaff
PTO News:
OUTDOOR EDUCATION DAY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – MAY 16, 2025
Outdoor Education Day is Friday, May 16, and we are still in need of volunteers, Sign up today! Volunteers will contribute to beverages, take pictures, and lead/help with this year’s science activities, including:
- Kindergarten: Chromatography (color science)
- 1st Grade: Spring bloom (chemical reaction)
- 2nd Grade: Ooblek (states of matter)
- 3rd Grade: Elephant Toothpaste (chemical reaction)
- 4th Grade: Bottle Rockets (laws of motion)
- 5th Grade: Egg Drop (physics, engineering, problem-solving)
Questions? Email Deanna Sukolowsky at dmrv23@gmail.com
WALK, BIKE & ROLL TO SCHOOL – FRIDAY, MAY 9
Walk, Bike & Roll to School Day invites families to celebrate the joy of active commuting while building a sense of community and school spirit.
We need a few volunteers to ensure safe transit for the increased sidewalk traffic:
2 – Crossing Guards
2 – Bike Rack Helpers
2 – Sidewalk Supervisors
If you can help from 8:30-9 am, Friday, May 9, please sign up by clicking here!
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. Register Here!
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, MAY 6 – PTO MEETING
FRIDAY, MAY 9 – BIKE AND WALK TO SCHOOL DAY – 8:45AM
FRIDAY, MAY 9 – OUTDOOR ED DAY
SUNDAY, MAY 18 – GMS KANE COUNTY COUGARS
MONDAY, MAY 19 – 5TH GRADE CELEBRATION
TUESDAY, MAY 20 – BOARD MEETING
THURSDAY, MAY 22 – LAST DAY OF SCHOOL
UPCOMING CLUB DATES
MONDAY, APRIL 28 – 4TH AND 5TH GRADE CHORUS
TUESDAY, APRIL 29 – 5TH GRADE BAND
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30 – BAND REHEARSAL @ AGS
THURSDAY, MAY 1 – GRIZZLY KIDS MEETING
THURSDAY, MAY 1 – 5TH GRADE BAND AND ORCHESTRA
IMPORTANT LINKS
