Buzzin’ in the Hive

Dear Graden Families, Sometimes the long cold months of winter bring on the blahs! Not at Graden Elementary! The students and staff continue to be eager and ready to learn each day. We find that the third quarter (January – March) provides us with some of the best learning time of the school year. Students are comfortable with their teachers, the routines and expectations in the classroom. The school day is filled with new learning and challenging curriculum. It’s that time of the year…. Enroll Your Park Hill Kindergartner and Mark Your Calendar: Children who turn five on or before July 31 are eligible for kindergarten for the 2019-2020 school year. Parents will need to bring their children’s certified, state-issued birth certificate, immunization records and two proofs of residency to enroll. One proof of residency must be a lease or mortgage agreement. The other should be an original and current gas, electric or water bill that shows the name and address. Speaking of Kindergarten, we have a series of activities planned to help students and families transition to Graden Elementary. We are looking forward to welcoming our future Kindergarten students and their parents on Monday, February 25 from 1:45 pm to 3:00 pm for our first transition activity. It is so exciting to see all those smiling faces (parents and students) ready to join the Graden family. Please spread the word to neighbors and friends who have “Future Hornets” who will be attending Graden in the fall. With the inclement weather that has occurred to date, the last day of school will be Friday, May 31, barring any additional snow days. The last day of school is a half day for students, dismissal at 11:45 am.

FEB R UAR Y 20 19

The academic calendar for the 2019-2020 school year has been approved by our Board of Education. The calendar is included in this newsletter as an insert, and is posted on the Graden website. Please use this as a reference when planning vacations for the following school year. We miss our Hornets when they are gone. Regarding redistricting for the 2019-2020 academic year, we have approximately 50 students who will be attending Prairie Point. We have a special activity planned for these students as we say farewell. Also, note Prairie Point will be hosting an open house in March for families. Finally, we will be welcoming approximately 20 new students from Union Chapel and Hawthorn joining the Graden family based on redistricting. Thank you to Amy Koons and Erica Scott for serving on the redistricting committee, they spent many long hours on behalf of Graden families. Thank you for working with our staff to ensure that each of our Hornets receives the best possible education. We so appreciate your many volunteer hours and numerous contributions made to our students and staff. With hornet pride and appreciation, Dr. LuAnn Halverstadt, Graden Principal

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Counselor’s Corner Dear Graden Families, I hope everyone is staying warm in this crazy winter weather! During counseling lessons in January, your students focused their energy on moving from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset. When students exercise a growth mindset, they believe intelligence can be developed, that the brain is malleable, and that taking risks and rising to challenges are the best ways to make the brain stronger and smarter. When students have a growth mindset, they see mistakes as learning opportunities rather than failures. I challenge you all to encourage your students at home to continue to work towards a growth mindset as well! Below are the lesson topics addressed at each grade level:

• Kindergarten: Your Brain is Like a Muscle

• 1st Grade: The Magic of Mistakes

• 2nd Grade: The Power of Yet

• 3rd Grade: Fixed vs. Growth and The Cup Challenge

• 4th Grade: Escaping a Fixed Mindset

• 5th Grade: Growth Mindset Game Show Some ways to support your student in shifting from a fixed to a growth mindset include:

• Modeling growth mindset thinking

• Discussing negative and positive self-talk

• Recognizing effort over success

• Celebrating mistakes and struggles

• Helping them set goals In February, I will be focusing on cultivating positive self-esteem through counseling lessons. When students believe they are valuable, important, and special they are more apt to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. As always, please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions at all or would like to meet face to face. I can be reached by email at cetolac@parkhill.k12.mo.us or by phone at 816-359-5647. Looking forward to another beautiful month in the Hive! All my best, Cari Cetola School Counselor Graden Elementary

Spotting Great Leaders at Graden

Reinforcing personal development and leadership — that is what Graden’s Spotting Great Leaders Club is all about. The Spotting Great Leaders pro-gram is replacing the High Five Program, which was introduced in December 2012 to recognize personal development and leadership. Students who are selected each month will receive a certificate which they can redeem at the 63rd Street Sonic location in Parkville, Missouri. A polka dot with the child’s name will be displayed on the wall inside Graden Elementary for the month they are awarded. At the end of each month, the polka dots are taken down and replaced with a new polka dot honoring students for the next month. We are so proud of our Graden Leaders!

Please join us in congratulating all of the members of our “Spotting Great Leaders Club!”

Kindergarten Melody Bartle Addie Fenton Selena Fernandez Breckin Kindig

1st Grade Lizzy Byer Mateo Pastorino Brooklyn Sanders Lily Sanderson

2nd Grade Max Bockerstette Tito Rivera Brody Steitz Rondey Vu

3rd Grade Leighanna Botts-Harris Sophia Connole Zia King Braxton LeBlanc

4th Grade Josie Franklin Selah Green Isaac Holden Brady Mescher

5th Grade Carsyn Clinkinbeard Gracie Gedminas Jalie Kindig Lawson Stuhlsatz

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A Note from the Music Room Second grade did a great job on their program, Go Fish. 5th Grade choir will resume in February, and will prepare to sing at the Maverick’s Hockey game on March 1. First grade will have their program on February 21—it will be quite the culinary creation!

NURSE NEWS To stay home sick from school?... That is the question! When your child becomes sick, the decision to send your child to school can be difficult to make. It is so important to attend school each and every day. However, if your child’s illness prevents them from being a productive learner or may spread germs to others, please keep them at home. Here are a few guidelines to keep your child at home: 1. Your child should be FEVER (100.4), DIARRHEA, & VOMITING FREE FOR 24 HOURS from the last episode, Per Missouri Department of Health Guidelines. 2. Sore throat, persistent cough, irritated eyes or skin rashes. These are signs of contagious diseases. 3. Pain: Earaches, stomachaches, headaches, body aches. These are indications your child is still fighting an infection. 4. Sleepiness, not eating, and no interest in daily activities; these are signs your child may need to rest at home. The Graden Health Room is here to support students who may get sick at school or need medication after battling an illness. Please, please, please remember DO NOT SEND MEDICATION IN BACKPACKS, this unfortunate-ly includes cough drops. Also, a signed authorization needs to be on file prior to the administration of medication. Please call the health room for specific questions. Kris Morris, BSN, RN 816.359.4344

HELP WANTED: Mrs. Smith needs a parent volunteer to help with typing and copies for the music program. Contact her at smithm@parkhill.k12.mo.us

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YEARBOOKS 2018-2019 yearbooks are on sale

NOW!

You can order at YBPAY.LIFETOUCH.COM

Use code 3701519

Reserve yours now for only $15!

Photos for the yearbook can be submitted all year long to

newsletter@gradenpta.org

The Graden Art Show will be a part of STEAM night on April 17th from 5:30 to 7:00pm. All students (who began the school year at Graden) will have a piece of artwork on display in a frame for this show. The frames will be for sale at $25 each with a portion of the proceeds going to the art program as a fundraiser. We will accept CASH or CHECK only, so please come prepared. You do NOT have to purchase the frame to get your child’s artwork back. Work will be returned after the art show. The works are listed below. Thank you for supporting the art program at Graden! Kindergarten: Winter Fox First Grade: Campsite Collage Second Grade: Jellyfish Third Grade: Textured Bears Fourth Grade: Jen Aranyi Landscape Fifth Grade: Sarah Coey Color Wheels

Graden Volunteer Days

The PTA Clothing Center serves all Park Hill School District students, Kindergarten-12th grade. The Clothing Center provides free, gently used clothing, and new socks and underwear to children in our district. Graden PTA is sponsoring the Clothing Center in the month of February. The greatest need is on afternoons/evenings of shopping days, but all help is appreciated! Students cannot volunteer on shopping days due to confidentiality, but they are welcome on sorting days when there aren’t shoppers. Let’s see how many Graden volunteers we can get!! Shopping days volunteer signup: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508084fa4a72ba0fa7-201819 Work days volunteer signup: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508084fa4a72ba0fa7-phclothing6

Parents Night Out at KiCK Martial Arts on Friday, February 8, from 6:00-9:00pm. Cost is $10 per child, and pizza is included. Only 50 slots available, so register now! Register: http://member-site.net/?PR--gwXPX Waiver: http://member-site.net/?DW--r2b

News from the Art Room

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Bits and Bytes From the Media Center

Upcoming Events: Tuesday, February 5th 5:30-7:00 PM

Mark your calendar for an “Out of This World” literacy night. 2nd and 3rd grade families can participate in fun, space themed activities and will make and take resources that can be used at home while your child reads! Activities will take place in the gym, cafeteria, and library. Prizes

for all!

What’s Happening in the Media Center? K-2 students have been working on programming using the Blockly coding program. They have

programmed BeeBot robots, and have used Osmo to practice what they’ve learned. Helpful Websites/Apps for Coding at This Age:

Code.org Daisy the Dinosaur Kodable Grasshopper Scratch Jr.

3-5 students have been working on programming using the Blockly coding program. They have

programmed Dash robots to create and perform in a Robotic Talent Show. Helpful Websites/Apps for Coding at This Age:

Code.org Codemoji KhanAcademy.org Hopscotch Scratch

*Needs: We are collecting toilet paper/paper towel rolls for an upcoming project!

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Clip Box Tops and turn them in to your child’s teacher by

February 20. The class with the most Box

Tops wins a Pizza Party!

Use AmazonSmile when you shop online! 0.5% of your purchases comes to Graden PTA to support your school: http://smile.amazon.com/ch/23-7173170

1 4th and 5th Grade Bridges 1 E-Shipping Reading Program – 1st Grade, 2:55 4 Young Rembrants – Art Room, 3:30 4 Bricks 4 Kidz – Room 4, 3:30 5 Spanish Club – Room 4, 3:30 5 Kinderdraw – Room 16, 3:30 5 Mad Science – Art Room, 3:30 5 2nd and 3rd Grade Literacy Night, 5:00-8:00pm 6 2nd and 3rd Grade Bridges 6 Chess Club – Room 4, 3:30 6 K/1st Tech Galore – Room 16, 3:30 6 Kindness Club – Library, 3:30 7 EARLY RELEASE 1:30 7 Spirit Day – Leadership Shirts 7 Mathletics – Room 5, 7:30am 8 4th and 5th Grade Bridges 8 PTA Parents Night Out – Kick Martial Arts, 6:00-9:00pm 11 Young Rembrandts – Art Room, 3:30 11 Bricks 4 Kidz – Room 4, 3:30 12 5th Grade Choir – Room 2, 7:45am 12 Kinderdraw – Room 16, 3:30 12 Spanish Club – Room 4, 3:30 12 Mad Science – Art Room, 3:30 12 PTA Meeting – Library, 6:30

February Calendar 13 2nd and 3rd Grade Bridges 13 Chess Club – Room 4, 3:30 13 Student Lighthouse – Library, 3:30 13 K/1st Tech Galore – Room 16, 3:30 13 Kindness Club – Library, 3:30 14 Mathletics – Room 5, 7:30am 14 Spirit Day – Cupid Day, Wear Red, White, and Pink 14 Valentine’s Day Parties, 2:30 15 4th and 5th Grade Bridges 15 Spring Picture Day (rescheduled) 18 NO SCHOOL—PRESIDENT’S DAY 19 5th Grade Choir – Room 2, 7:45am 19 Spanish Club – Room 4, 3:30 19 Kinderdraw – Room 16, 3:30 19 Mad Science – Art Room, 3:30 20 2nd and 3rd Grade Bridges 20 Chess Club – Room 4, 3:30 20 K/1st Tech Galore – Room 16, 3:30 20 Watch DOGS Meeting – Library, 6:30 21 Spirit Day – Patriotic Day, Wear Red, White, and Blue 21 1st Grade Musical Dress Rehearsal – Gym, 9:00am 21 E-Club – Room 15, 3:30 21 Mathletics Competition, 4:00 21 1st Grade Musical – Gym, 6:30pm 22 4th and 5th Grade Bridges

25 PTA Read-a-Thon 25 Parent Lighthouse – 8:50am 25 Leadership Luncheon – Cafeteria, 11:00-1:00 25 Kindergarten Transition #1 – 1:45-3:00 25 Broadway Bound Musical Theater Class – Library, 3:30 25 Young Rembrandts – Art Room, 3:30 25 Bricks 4 Kidz – Room 4, 3:30 26 PTA Read-a-Thon 26 5th Grade Choir – Room 2, 7:45am 26 VIP Assembly Grades 3-5 – Gym, 9:00am 26 Spanish Club – Room 4, 3:30 26 Mad Science – Art Room, 3:30 27 PTA Read-a-Thon 27 2nd and 3rd Grade Bridges 27 Chess Club – Room 4, 3:30 27 Staff Lighthouse – Library, 3:30 28 PTA Read-a-Thon 28 Spirit Day – Leadership Shirts 28 Graden Leadership Day, 8:00- 12:00 28 VIP Assembly K-2 – Gym, 9:30am 28 E-Club – Room 15, 3:30

February PTA Events

PTA Parents Night Out — Friday, February 8 @ 6:00-9:00 at Kick Martial Arts PTA Meeting — Tuesday, February 12 @ 6:30pm in the Graden Library

Watch D.O.G.S. Meeting — Wednesday, February 20 @ 6:30pm in the Graden Library PTA Read-a-Thon — Monday, February 25 through Friday, March 1

Contact PTA: If you have questions or suggestions for PTA, or you would like to get involved, please email info@gradenpta.org, or contact PTA President Erin Hladik at erin.hladik@gradenpta.org or Vice President Jolayne Gorman at jolayne.gorman@gradenpta.org. Stay up to date with all PTA events and information by visiting: https://graden.parkhill.k12.mo.us/parent_resources/pta or: https://www.facebook.com/gradenelempta/

Use AmazonSmile when you shop online! 0.5% of your purchases comes to Graden PTA to support your school: http://smile.amazon.com/ch/23-7173170

Graden at a Glance

The Buzz from Last Month...

Have a great photo from a Graden event? Please send it to newsletter@gradenpta.org to have it featured in the newsletter

and/or yearbook. We can’t do it without you!

Hornets buzzed, bounced, and bounded at Mercury Gymnastics night

Graden celebrated PTA Reflections winners.

Hannah Nelson—1st place, Literature Jake Hart—1st place, Visual Arts

Jocelyn Scott—1st place, Photography & Visual Arts Catherine Supinski—1st place, Music

Jackson Scott—1st place, Film

Graden staff cheered for the Chiefs