Grizzly eNews 8-30-24
Principal’s Message:
I may sound like an old man here, but back in my day, school did not even start until after Labor Day. As you can see in the picture, it is pre-Labor Day and our students are already rocking and rolling with their schoolwork. This is in-part to the amazing work our teachers do to set high expectations for students and practice routines. You may hear your students talking about CHAMPS. Our entire school uses some version of this framework to clarify expectations and help all students feel comfortable in their learning environment (BPS101 Strategic PLan: Priority 2).
We doubled up on all of this expectation setting with special tickets and prizes for our students who were caught making great choices these past two weeks. They were awesome! I am so proud of the students of Grace McWayne school for being respectful, responsible and really safe.
Have a wonderful Labor Day Weekend!
~Principal Jeff Modaff
jeff.modaff@bps101.net
School / District News:
CULTURAL CELEBRATION CLUB!
Cultural Celebration Club will celebrate and learn about cultures around the world. Our experience will include music, dance, singing, crafts, books, movies, cuisine*, special guests and more! (Students and families are invited to participate.)
This is our first year launching our Cultural Celebration Club at GMS, and we are so excited! My name is Hayley Skreens and I am the English Language Teacher at both GMS and AGS. I am half Japanese and half Polish, and I have always been fascinated with exploring my culture and others. I want to instill a sense of pride and curiosity in students when it comes to cultural appreciation and am excited to learn together!
Parents of interested students need to complete THIS FORM by Friday, September 6th. Please email hayley.skreens@bps101.net with any additional questions. I will email all those interested with a start date following 9/6/24.
PTO News:
OPEN COMMITTEE CHAIRS
The PTO has a few open committee chairs for the 2024-2025 school year – Business Relations, Fun Fair Chair, Trivia Night Chair, and School Directory. Read below for a brief summary of each position. If interested in learning more, please email president@gmspto.org.
Business Relations – Coordinate business donations of items for raffle baskets at Fun Fair, Trivia Night, and corporate sponsorships.
Fun Fair Chair – Head up a team of volunteers to plan and organize details for our annual Fun Fair.
Trivia Night Chair – Head up a team of volunteers to plan and organize details for our annual Trivia Night.
School Directory – Help input family data into the school directory, answer questions from parents, and assist the website chair with directory related responsibilities.
ROOM PARENTS!
Thank you to all of the parents that signed up to be a room parent! Details will come soon from our Head Room parent, Laura Fennel. Please email headroom@gmspto.org with questions.
WATCH D.O.G.S. GOLF OUTING
GMS Watch D.O.G.S biannual golf outing is coming up on Sunday, September 15th! Moms, dads, grandparents, neighbors, all are welcome!
Single golfer is $125 or $500 for a foursome. Tee times begin at 9 am and every 10 minutes thereafter. Schedule will be sent once all golfers are confirmed. Click here to register!
Looking for ways you can help contribute even if you don’t golf? Would you or your business want to be a hole sponsor? Would you consider making a donation of items for our gift bags? Check out the donation and sponsorship opportunities HERE!.
Email watchdogs@gmspto.org with questions regarding the event, sponsorship, or donations.
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. 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 an art piece followed by a project of your choosing. No art background necessary! For more information please contact Leslie Frenk at art@gmspto.org.
Classes still looking for volunteers:
Kindergarten – True AM
Kindergarten – True PM
3rd Grade – Guth
5th Grade – Allen
If you are interested in volunteering for a classroom that is not your child’s classroom, we would greatly appreciate the ability to give EVERY class the opportunity to experience Art Appreciation. Please email art@gmspto.org if you would consider this.
FUNDRAISING – CASEY’S REWARD POINTS!
We’re excited to share that our school is participating in Cash for Classrooms, part of Casey’s Rewards. This opens up Grace McWayne to new funding opportunities to help improve learning environments for students.
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!
STAY CONNECTED
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.
Trouble with the website
Email website@gmspto.org
Suggestions/Feedback
Email info@gmspto.org
Box Tops
Collecting extra support for GMS is now super easy. Download the Box Top App and scan your receipt!
IMPORTANT DATES
IMPORTANT DATES
NO SCHOOL – LABOR DAY
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2
PTO MEETING – All parents welcome!
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3
GMS WATCH D.O.G.S. GOLF OUTING!
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15
PICTURE DAY!
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
RESTAURANT NIGHT – CURRITO
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
UPCOMING CLUB DATES
GRIZZLY KIDS MEETING
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
IMPORTANT LINKS
Grace McWayne Elementary PTO News & Events
Grace McWayne Elementary School website
