Buzzin’ in the Hive

Dear Graden Families, Thank you for your support during our busy month of testing in April. Our students showed great effort, attendance and perseverance. Our 4th and 5th grade will round out their busy assessment calendar, testing on science content for 5th grade and mathematics for 4th grade, May 2nd and 3rd. The week of May 9-13, provides us a formal opportunity to recognize all staff, which the National PTA has designated as Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week. The theme this year is anchored in Leadership. This is a time for honoring staff and recognizing the lasting contributions they make to our lives. We are truly fortunate at Graden to have such a wonderful and caring staff. I encourage you to take time to write a personal note to your child’s teacher(s), thanking them for their dedication to your children. Thank you to Jill Kells, Anna Shapiro, and Elisa Neilson for organizing the school-wide events for staff appreciation. I know that many of you were able to visit the Graden Art Show on Wednesday, April 20. Mrs. Kharatyan certainly put together quite a display of student work. This year she added the framed pieces of artwork, which were a nice extra component to the show. Graden is certainly full of talented artists. Don’t worry if you were not able to attend, the art work will be on display through mid-May. The silent auction and framed pieces yielded close to $1,500.00. Proceeds from the auction will be used to purchase additional art supplies. Mark your calendar for the many important end of the year events/celebrations: May 2 – 3: MAP Testing 4th and 5th Grades May 9: Kindergarten Round–Up, 12:30 – 7 pm (Call for an appointment) May 9 – May 13: Staff Appreciation Week May 12: Early Release May 17: 5th Grade Choir to South (AM) May 18: Move-Up Day May 19: 5th Grade Track Meet May 20: Sharpen the Saw Day, K – 5, hotdog sack lunch, field events, inflatable, yearbook signing (formally known as field day) May 24: 4th Quarter Leadership Assembly May 25: 5th Grade Promotion, 1:45 in the gym May 26: Talent Show from 9 – 11 am, dismissal for all students at 11:45 am May 31 – July 1, Summer School at Graden Beginning of the year important dates: Monday, July 25, Graden Golf Tournament Tuesday, August 9, Back to School Night, 5 - 7 pm Thursday, August 11, First day of School Tuesday, August 16, Parent Orientation, 5:30 – 7 pm

From the Principal...

MAY - 2016

The Graden Store is officially closed for the year. Thank you to all families who supported this effort. The Student Lighthouse Team was responsible for selecting items to sell and operating the store each Monday, Wednesday and Friday throughout this academic year. The students also selected the organization where they would donate monies earned. They selected The Global Orphan Project, which is located in our Parkville Community. During our 4th quarter leadership assembly the Student Lighthouse Team will be donating $1,370. 00 to The Global Orphan Project. Thank you to Mrs. Smith, Graden’s music teacher, and to Mrs. Elisa Neilson, who are coordinating the Talent Show on behalf of the PTA. You are welcome to attend any or all of the many activities and celebrations planned for the end of the school year. You wouldn’t want to miss any of the fun! Summer School will begin at 7:45 am on May 31. Our Graden Hornets will attend Summer School at Graden Elementary. The students from English landing will also join the hornets during summer school. Bus services will be provided, you must return the enrollment form in order for your child to attend. The deadline to enroll is May 6th. Please contact the Graden office at 359-4340 with questions. The following additional staff changes will occur for the 2016-2017 school year: Mrs. Hockett will be teaching 2nd grade in Kansas. Mrs. Miles will not be returning. Ms. Ploch will be moving to St. Louis. Mrs. Griffin will be moving to Minnesota. Mrs. Vernon, former 5th grade teacher will be returning to Graden, grade level TBD. A new third grade teacher will be hired. We will add a section of first grade due to enrollment, so a new first grade teacher will also be hired. As we move into the last weeks of school I want to extend my sincere appreciation for your loyal support as we conclude our 80th academic year. We would like to thank you for attending all our events and for being an active participant in all our projects. Your support makes the difference! We are very fortunate to have such caring families, involved PTA and students who are leaders each and every day. Have a wonderful summer and don’t forget to seize the many opportunities to extend the knowledge gained in the classroom. We look forward to seeing our returning hornets back for the 2016-2017 academic year on Thursday, August 11. With hornet pride and much appreciation, Dr. LuAnn Halverstadt, Principal

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SUMMER SCHOOL FOOD SERVICE INFORMATION

For students planning to attend summer school this year, the following is an overview of services and information. Park Hill Food Service Breakfast and lunch will be available for students to purchase during Summer School. Meal Prices Elementary - Breakfast $1.25; Lunch $2.30 Milk - $0.50 per carton (when purchasing separately) Meal Payment Options/Free and Reduced Meal Benefits For students who plan to purchase breakfast or lunch, please make sure your student has money on their account. Payments may be made at the student’s school or by visiting MyPaymentsPlus.com. Free and Reduced Benefits Available During Summer School Students who have been receiving free or reduced price meal benefits during the school year will continue to receive those benefits during Summer School. For families already approved for Free or Reduced Meal Benefits, these benefits will extend to kindergarten-age students who will be starting school this Fall and also attending summer school in June. Please contact the Park Hill Food Service office at 359-4090 or by email at weavers@parkhill.k12.mo.us, and provide the name of the incoming kindergarten student, as well as any other siblings in the household that are currently on the program. This must be done in order for the kindergarten student to receive the same benefit as their older siblings. For students new to Park Hill or from outside the district, a meal application can be found on the Park Hill website at www.parkhill.k12.mo.us, under the Menus and Nutrition link. The completed application can be mailed or dropped off at one of the summer school buildings. This must be done prior to June 1 in order for qualified families to receive benefits on the first day of summer school. If you have any questions, please contact the Park Hill Food Service office at 359-4090.

BREAKFAST/LUNCH CHARGES SUSPENDED Because we are nearing the end of the school year, effective Monday May 2nd, all breakfast and lunch charging will be suspended through the end of the school year. If a student does not have adequate funds in their account to cover the cost of a meal, they will be offered a cheese sandwich lunch and side choices instead of the regular meal selections. If your student has a low or negative balance, you will be notified by telephone via School Messenger. Please take care of this balance as soon as possible. Any money remaining on student accounts at the end of this school year will roll over to the beginning of the next year for their use. If your student currently receives free breakfast and lunch, this would not apply to you. Your benefits will continue through the end of the school year (including summer school). If you have not already done so, we would like to encourage all of our parents/guardians to take advantage of our MyPaymentsPlus website, which you can access at www.mypaymentsplus.com. If you wish to register and so not have your student(s) ID number, please call (816) 359-4090.

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Media Center Update Parents, thank you so much for your support during our recent Scholastic Book Fair!!! Because of the generosity of our parents, students and staff, this book fair was one of our best book fairs ever!! I would like to add a special thank you to our parent and teacher volunteers. Your generous gift of time given to the fair for our children was deeply appreciated and was certainly one reason for the success of this fair. The book fair profit will continue to provide funds to meet the needs of our library including additional new books for our collections, supporting technology purchases, and funding possible author visits or skypes. The fair also allowed students receiving Read-a-Thon Certificates to receive a free book from the fair, our teachers to receive a $5.00 book for your child’s classroom, and a classroom to receive $25 in Scholastic books--congratulations to Mrs. Brown for having the most students in attendance at our fair!

Please look for information coming to you soon about Summer Reading Programs in our area. Reading during the summer provides more opportunities to read and to improve such a valuable skill. Students that read during the summer do not lose those gains made during the previous school year and provide the foundation for success the following year.

QUESTIONS?? VOLUNTEERS Want to be a volunteer in our library or have any questions about our library program? Please contact Linda Whisman, Graden Elementary Librarian. Also, don’t forget to check out the Graden Media Center webpage on our school website for additional media center information and links. (816) 359-5847 whismanl@parkhill.k12.mo.us

Graden Sharpen the Saw Day It’s that time of year again – our Sharpen the Saw Day is coming up very quickly! Our K-5 all day field day will be May 20th, rain makeup date is May 23rd! Students should wear shorts and tennis shoes for Sharpen the Saw Day. Please send sunscreen, a water bottle, and a hat with your child. Students will have the option to bring a sack lunch from home or choose a special option from the cafeteria.

Fifth Grade Track Meet All fifth grade students will travel to the Park Hill School District Stadium Complex located at Park Hill High School for the District-Wide Track and Field Day. The meet will be held on May 19th with a rain make-up date of May 23rd. Students will need to bring a sack lunch from home along with a water bottle. Students will not be permitted to leave the premises for lunch. The buses will depart from Graden at 9:00 A.M. and return by 2:00 P.M.

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Kindergarten Roundup By Myles Mead

If you have a future kindergartner that's going to Graden then you should come May 9th to Kindergarten Roundup. I interviewed Mrs. Robeson, a kindergarten teacher at Graden Elementary. “What is the most important part of

Kindergarten Roundup?” She said, “Making a great first impression for the kindergartners so they feel great in their class. Also, showing the 7 Habits and our fantastic school!” We also asked Mrs. Robeson, “Do you think schools should allow Kindergarten Roundup?” She stated, “Yes, because the teachers meet the upcoming kindergarten. It gets them ready for kindergarten they get to know us so on the first day of school so they're not scared.” Kindergarten Roundup is educational for soon to be kindergartners. Mrs. Robeson says there are many stations around Graden that the future kindergartners do like reading a book or doing a math problem. Then the kindergartners can be ready for their first day of school and how each kindergarten teacher teaches and how the classes go on at Graden. Mrs. Robeson added, “Kindergarten roundup is very educational for teachers because we have to get to know them and we have to use our social skills to learn about the kindergartners so you can make a special bond with them.” Future kindergarteners, you now have something to look forward to in elementary school! After you attend Kindergarten Roundup you will be ready for your first day at Graden! We can’t wait to see you buzzing in the hive!

As you can see, Sharpen the Saw Day is one of the best days of the year. Thank you, Coach for always coming up with fun and new activities to do at Sharpen the Saw Day. This is why Sharpen the Saw Day is really fun and a good workout for your body! Remember, IT’S A GREAT DAY TO BE A HORNET!

Sharpen the Saw Day By Saylor Maness and Will Murray

At the end of the year all grades have something that everybody enjoys to do, Sharpen the Saw Day! A whole day filled with action

packed activities and fun for all grades. But what is the purpose of Sharpen the Saw Day besides having a whole day of exercise? It is a fun way to play sports, get active, and have a blast for the whole day! Sharpen the Saw Day is very fun and it is not only a blast for students, but is also awesome for Coach. We asked him what he likes about Sharpen the Saw Day and he said, “I like seeing everybody’s smiles, to see everybody having fun, and to make people love and do it forever.” Sharpen the Saw Day has many awesome qualities, so that is why we asked Coach what his favorite part is. We also asked him how do you think kids use mental and physical strengths on Sharpen the Saw Day, and he said, “Every game has to have a strategy, every game that you play you have to have your body to do it.” Sharpen the Saw Day is really fun to watch when kindergartners have it for the first time. Their happy faces when they first get to play all the fun games that Coach has for them. So, we asked him

what was his favorite activity to watch kids participate in and he stated, “Tug of war because they are working as a team and they work together.”

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A Note from the Music Room

The 5th Grade choir is getting ready for their spring concert on May 17th. They will be singing with 4 other elementary choirs that evening at Park Hill South. They will also be singing the national anthem for the Hillcrest 5K to be held in Zona Rosa. 1st Grade students have been working with Froot Loops and learning about how notes fit on the staff (pictured students are Marissa Foelsch, Lucy Finnell, and Leo Wilmot from Mrs. Teson's Class). Yours, Mrs. Smith

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and the broadcasters switch. For the time you have to be on the morning announcements you also get to be “behind the scenes”, which means you get to help out Coach with the sound and so you can see the speakers on the announcements. If you are a writer you work with Mrs. Emmott and Mrs. Aull on our school’s Buzzin’ In the Hive. Every Wednesday after school, you meet and talk about the pieces you have created and what you can do to make it even better. The J-Club writing teachers, Mrs. Emmott and Mrs. Aull, explained to us why they wanted to be a part of this club. “I decided to be a J-Club teacher because I studied journalism in college and I love to write. I really enjoy watching kids grow as writers and become more confident,” explains Mrs. Aull. Myles Mead, a fifth grade student, also has something to say about this club. “I didn't used to like writing until I did J-Club and it really inspired me and now I like writing.” As you can see, not only is this a great club to join, but you also get to write for the school and speak in front of large audiences. You show a better love for writing and it is always good to try something new. When in J-Club, the Seven Habits are very important to keep in mind. Always Synergize and Begin With The End in Mind. And remember, it’s a great day to be a J-Clubber! Clap-Clap-Write!

Jaunty J-Club By Reagan Kelley and Maya Shapiro

Attention all fourth graders! Have you ever wanted to speak on the morning announcements or write in Buzzin’ in the Hive? Well, next year when you become the top dogs of Graden,

you will have the opportunity to be a part of J-Club! If you decide to join this club, there is one simple step of becoming a J-Clubber. You will write an article stating why you should be a member of this club with a twist of how you would use the Seven Habits. Have you ever wondered what it is like to be on the morning announcements? Well, you get to write the script and do the PowerPoint that is shown on the Smartboard in your classroom. Not only do you get to work with different teachers, but you also get to be a speaker on the morning announcements daily. A teacher that you get to work with is Ms. Logan. She has a few words to share about becoming a J-Club teacher. “Mainly I didn't really know the students, so I wanted a way to meet more students other than the 30 in my class. Also, I hadn't ever done it before and I thought it would be fun.” Every two months the writers

Sonic’s High Five Club April Recognition

Reinforcing personal development and leadership - that is what Sonic's "High Five" Club is all about. The High Five Program 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 for a free corn dog. A "High Five" handprint with the child's name will be displayed on the wall inside Graden Elementary. At the end of each month, the High Five Hands are taken down and replaced with the High Five hands honoring students for the next month. The hands are then put up on a special bulletin board at Graden Elementary and remain up until the end of the school year. This list recognizes all students who received High Fives between April and May of the 2015-2016 school year. Please join us in congratulating all of the members of the Sonic High Five Club! Great job students!

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Kindergarten Kahlan Beals Ellie Lamer Tyler Martin Miles Miller Ardin Salmons

1st grade Alexander Raines Lincoln Vaupell Cheyenne Webb Julia White

2nd grade Elisa DeCaro CJ Griffin Lorelei Stafford Cora Sturm

3rd grade Kaitlyn Bolt Matthew Ringo Payton Smoyer Tucker Vaupell

4th grade Christine Adkins Jayce Green Curstin Todd Ulamaemae Tuatualoa

5th grade Zoe Jasso Kaitlin McIlwee Seth Thomas Micah Whitley

The Graden Art Fair By Tatum Kells and Natalie Day

Do you know why you have been working so hard in the art room? Well, it’s because your art could make it into the Art Fair! We interviewed Domyae Sipple and Ms. Wittler

to ask them about the Graden Art Fair! As you might know, Mrs. Kharatyan, our art teacher, had another baby and will return to her classroom sometime at the end of the year. Ms. Wittler has taken her place until she comes back. We asked her, “What impact does this event have on students?” She responded, “It allows them to see the hard work they have put into their projects on a large scale, and it allows their parents to see their work.” Ms. Wittler also said, “I choose what goes in the art fair based on if the work shows that they followed directions, took their time, and how they put in effort.”

It sounds like there will be a lot of quality work in this occasional event! We also interviewed Domyae Sipple, a 5th grade student, to ask him a few questions about the art fair. Do you like art? Well, Domyae likes to be creative too, he says, “Well, I do like art because like every time I draw something it informs me to draw more. For example if I draw one car it makes me want to draw a whole group of cars.” What is your favorite project from your Graden experience? Domyae liked, “The self portrait in 4th grade.” We asked Domyae, “Do you think your art will be in the art fair? Why or why not?” Domyae answered, “I think probably yeah, because I put my best effort into it.” Obviously, art can change people!

In conclusion, the Graden Art Fair is important to our teachers and students. We are all glad that we have such beautiful artwork to display around the halls of our wonderful school! I hope all Hornets, even future hornets, will be encouraged to work harder in the art room, knowing that their art could be in the art fair! Clap-Clap Woo!!!

2 J-Club Broadcasters – Room #1 (8:00AM)

2 Girls On The Run (3:30-5PM) 2 Young Rembrandts – Comm. Ed.,

Room #21 (3:30PM) 3 5th Grade Choir Club – Room #2

(7:45AM) 3 Girls On The Run (3:30-5PM) 4 3rd Grade Field Trip – School Day

at the K (8AM)

6 Chess Club – Comm. Ed., Library (3:30PM)

9 Kindergarten Roundup (12-6:30PM) 9 Girls On The Run (3:30-5PM) 9 Young Rembrandts – Comm. Ed.,

Room #21 (3:30PM) 10 5th grade Choir Club – Room #2

(7:45AM) 10 Talent Show Preview – Café

(8:50-10:30AM & 1:30-3PM) 10 Girls On The Run (3:30-5PM) 10 Student Lighthouse Meeting – Library

(3:30-4:30PM)

May Calendar of Events

12 EARLY RELEASE DAY - 1:30 PM 12 Chess Club – Comm. Ed., Library

(1:30-3:30PM) 12 Mad Science Camp – Comm. Ed.,

Room #4 (1:30-5:30PM) 12 Girl Scouts 3rd Grade – Staff

Lounge (5:45-8:30PM) 13 Chess Club – Comm. Ed., Library

(3:30-4:30PM) 16 Plaza 5th Grade Orientation – Café

(2-3PM) 16 Girls On The Run (3:30-5PM) 17 5th Grade Choir Practice – Park Hill

South (7:30AM-12:00PM)

17 2nd Grade Field Trip – Nelson Atkins Museum (9:30AM-2:30PM)

17 Memory Picnic in Mrs. Wright’s class 17 Girls On The Run (3:30-5PM) 17 Student Lighthouse Team Meeting, –

Library (3:30-4:30PM) 19 4H’s Club – Library (7:45AM-

8:30AM) 19 5th Grade Track Meet – Park Hill

Stadium (9AM-2PM) 20 Sharpen the Saw Day (9AM-3PM) 20 Chess Club – Comm. Ed. (3:30-

4:40PM)

23 5th Grade Track Meet Rain Date 9:00 – 2:00PM Park Hill Stadium

24 5th Grade Choir Club – Room #2 (7:45AM)

24 4th Quarter Leadership Assembly – Gym (9:30-10:30AM)

24 Café Leader Luncheons (10:55-11:55AM)

25 5th Grade Promotion – Gym (1:45-3PM)

25 Talent Show Dress Rehearsal After School (3:30PM)

26 Talent Show (9-11AM) 26 LAST DAY OF SCHOOL - 11:45AM

DISMISSAL

May PTA Events

May 9th - 13th Staff Appreciation Week

The Graden PTA would like to say a big THANK YOU to all of our staff at Graden! We have some great things planned for Staff Appreciation Week, including:

Monday - Lunch with Dr. Halverstadt; Tuesday - Breakfast for the Whole Staff; Wednesday - Lunch for the Whole Staff @ 11AM, Rancho Grande; Thursday - Sonic Drinks;

Friday - Assembly with Messages from the Classrooms. Thank you to all who have volunteered time or donations!

Tuesday, May 10th Graden Talent Show Preview - 8:50-10:30AM & 1:30-3PM

Friday, May 20th Sharpen the Saw Day - 9:00-3:00PM

Thursday, May 25th Graden Talent Show Dress Rehearsal - 3:30PM (right after school)

Thursday, May 26th Graden Talent Show - 9:00-11:00AM

If you are interested in helping with any activities for the 2016-17 school year, please contact Elisa Neilson, ekneilson@yahoo.com.

Join the PTA email list: gradenpto@gmail.com Like us on Facebook: Graden PTA

Graden at a Glance