Grizzly eNews 8-26-2022
PTO News:
We had so much fun at the PTO’s Annual Pancake Breakfast! It was great to see so many families come out to join us. We wanted to extend a huge thank you to Clare Hine, Lisa Bambalas and Mike Gabris for planning this event. We really appreciate all of your hard work!! Thank you to Jeff Modaff, Barb Spence, Rhona Gamlin and Megan Vekony for donating your time. Last but not least, thank you to all the other amazing volunteers, including many of our WATCH DOGS, for helping to make this event possible.
Please see below for additional PTO announcements and event information:
Directory / PTO Website
As a reminder, please log in to the PTO website www.gmspto.org which is home to our event calendar, school directory and other useful info.
Returning Families:
If you created an account and directory record last school year, you will need to reactivate your account by logging in AND updating your child’s current grade level and teacher. We will not be doing a mass update for current students – each family must update their own record. We will graduate last year’s 5th graders to “alumni” status.
New Families:
If you are a new GMS family, please visit the website to create your account. Reach out to Valerie Dominguez vdominguez@ulta.com or Joan Webb joan.webb@bps101.net with questions.
California Pizza Kitchen Restaurant Night
California Pizza Kitchen at Geneva Commons will donate 20% of food & beverage sales on Tuesday, August 30th from 11AM-9PM!
Present THIS FLYER at the restaurant or use the code BACK20% at checkout for your online order
Watch DOGS Golf Outing Info
Come join us for the 4th annual Watch DOGS Golf Outing on Saturday, September 24th! As in years past, we are looking for participants to join us for a day of fun in the sun on the course. It is a scramble and there will be prizes for the top two teams along with opportunities to better your score throughout the day. We are looking for sponsors, donations and volunteers. CLICK HERE for the event flyer with additional details.
Deadline to sign up is Tuesday, September 20th.
If you are interested or have any questions, please reach out to Mike Gabris at michaelgabris@gmail.com
Grace McWayne Volunteer Opportunities
Room Parent Openings
There are still a couple of classrooms with Room Parent opportunities. Don’t worry, you’ll have a partner in crime! Each class will have a Room Parent and an Assistant Room Parent to help out. There will also be a kickoff meeting to make sure you have all the information you need to keep this as fun and stress free as possible.
The spots we are still needing filled are as follows:
- Spence PM – Room Parent and Assistant Room Parent
- Allen – Room Parent and Assistant Room Parent
Please note, if your class spots are filled, don’t worry! Your Room Parents will be reaching out with volunteer opportunities.
(P.S. If you’d like to become more involved at school, PTO is always looking for help!)
Please reach out to Kara Barr to volunteer or talk through any questions! karambarr@yahoo.com or 858-442-1842
Art Appreciation
Do you like art and want to volunteer?
If so, becoming your child’s classroom art appreciation volunteer is for you! The PTO is still actively seeking volunteers at all grade levels. Lesson plans and project ideas are provided making leading lessons fun and easy. Spend approximately 30 minutes three times a year leading a brief discussion of the art piece followed by an art project. For more information please contact Leslie Frenk at leslie.frenk@gmail.com
Yearbook Committee
We are looking for 1-2 people per grade to coordinate yearbook pictures. This would include helping to take pictures of specific classroom and grade level activities. Help us capture all the amazing GMS moments!
Please reach out to Patty Schuster or Nicole Boland nickiboland5@gmail.com to sign up.
District/Grace McWayne News:
Curriculum Night Information – Thursday, September 1st
This year, we are changing the format of our traditional curriculum night. First, all classroom teachers and specials teachers will send out a curriculum night presentation to help you learn more about curriculum, instruction and classroom procedures that your students will experience this year. This will replace the in-person presentation that you would typically see at a traditional curriculum night, so please take the time to review it.
Then, on September 1st, please come out to meet your child’s teacher and check out the classroom. Whatever questions that you have after watching the virtual presentation can be answered by the classroom teacher or other staff when you visit.
Classrooms will be open from 6:00-7:00pm, but there will NOT be a formal presentation. Instead, we will use an open house format so you can come anytime between 6:00pm and 7:00pm. Please remember that this is not a time to ask specific questions about your student. Those types of conversations can be done via phone, email or during parent/teacher goal setting conferences that will happen next month.
We look forward to seeing all of our parents at our Open House Curriculum Night on Thursday, September 1st between 6:00-7:00pm.
Grace McWayne is Hiring
There is still an opening for a Building Substitute position. The substitute reports daily to Grace McWayne – This is typically a daily position, but part time may be considered
In addition to completing an online application, please email Mr. Modaff directly so your interest and questions can be addressed immediately jeff.modaff@bps101.net
Walking Wednesday
Walking Wednesday will start next Wednesday, August 31st. Volunteers are needed to help supervise the students during lunch recesses from 11:50 am -1:30 pm on Wednesdays. Just stop by the office to check in first and then join us on the playground. Additional information will be posted to the GMS Facebook page.
IMPORTANT DATES:
RESTAURANT NIGHT
California Pizza Kitchen – Geneva Commons
Tuesday, August 30th
CURRICULUM NIGHT
For parents only
Thursday, September 1st – 6:00-7:00 PM
INSTITUTE DAY – NO STUDENT ATTENDANCE
Friday, September 2nd
LABOR DAY – NO STUDENT ATTENDANCE
Monday, September 5th
PICTURE DAY
For all students
Wednesday, September 14th
WATCH DOGS GOLF ANNUAL GOLF OUTING
For parents only
Saturday, September 24th
PARENT/TEACHER GOAL SETTING CONFERENCES (Virtual and In-Person)
Students, Parents and Teachers
September 26 – October 14th by teacher appointment
COLUMBUS DAY WEEKEND – NO STUDENT ATTENDANCE
Friday, October 7th and Monday, October 10th
IMPORTANT LINKS
Grace McWayne PTO website: www.gmspto.org
Batavia Public School District website: https://www.bps101.net/
Grace McWayne Contacts: https://gms.bps101.net/staff/
BPS 101 2022-23 Calendar: https://www.bps101.net/events/
Grace McWayne PTO Facebook page: Grace McWayne Elementary PTO News & Events
Grace McWayne Elementary School website: https://gms.bps101.net/
