Buzzin’ in the Hive

Dear Graden Families, Welcome Back, Hornets! We hope you had a wonderful summer.

As always, we are looking forward to the start of this new academic year. Each new school year brings opportunities for academic growth and growth in all areas of development. Although children must be prepared academically when they graduate, they must also be healthy, engaged, responsible, and caring people.

The Leader in Me process provides Graden Elementary with the vision and language to lead in a way that addresses all areas of development. As each child discovers and develops his or her unique gifts and talents, they are given opportunities to lead. As leaders, they become active and engaged partners in their own

education. The children quickly understand the benefits of different gifts and talents; they learn to listen to new ideas, work together to achieve results, and motivate one another to be the best they can be. This year, Graden staff will be introducing the students to Habit 8, Finding Your Voice. Habit 8 is about helping children find

something they are good at and really like doing, something they are proud of, and using this expertise to help and inspire others. Please accept this letter as the first step towards establishing a strong and effective working relationship between your home and

our school. The hornet staff and community have done an outstanding job the past 81 years creating a sense of belonging, providing a safe, respectful and caring environment and most importantly helping students learn. This year our purpose remains the same.

We welcome ALL students and families to our

Back to School Bash on Tuesday, August 9 from 5:00 – 7:00 pm.

The students will have the opportunity to meet their teachers, see

the classroom, and drop off any school supplies they wish to bring. We will also have a variety of fun-filled family activities located in the cafeteria and on the upper playground, inflatables, face painting, ice cream and much more. We have posted a 2016-2017 school supply list on our website and at all area stores for

your convenience in case you did not choose to pre-order supplies last year. The PTA will have all pre-ordered school supplies delivered to classrooms, information about membership opportunities, spirit sales, and volunteer lists will all be located in the gym. Cafeteria personnel will also be available if you would

like to pre-pay for lunches or pick up a menu. For those of you who wish to sign up for Scouts or Adventure Club, a representative from each organization will be available to answer any questions

you might have. All of us at Graden are looking forward to seeing you and your children at our “Back to School Bash” on Tuesday, August 9.

From the Principal...

A UG U S T - 2016

All students will be greeted on Thursday, August 11, which is the first day of school. The day will begin at 8:40 and end at 3:25 pm. Students will be counted tardy after 8:40 am each day.

The following staff members will join us in new positions for the 2016-17 school year:

Courtney Mellema will be joining the 1st grade team

Brenda Vernon is back from Nebraska and will be joining the

3rd grade team

Whitley Melton will be joining the special education team,

Whitley will be working 1/2 time in the morning at Graden and traveling to Renner in the afternoon

Sami Frick, former Adventure Club Site Manager will be joining

the special education team as a teacher assistant

Kaitlyn Wright will also be joining the special education team as

a teacher assistant

Genelle Betts will be transitioning to the certified recess position

Erin Hladik will be joining our recess team

Please plan on attending our Parent Orientation/Curriculum Night, for all parents on Thursday, August 18 from 5:30 – 7:00 pm. This is for all parents, KINDERGARTEN through 5th grade, PARENTS

ONLY. There will be two sessions offered for parents who have multiple children:

Session 1 – 5:30 to 6:10 pm

Session 2 – repeat session from 6:15 – 6:50 pm

At the orientation, parents will learn about curriculum expectations, assessments, communication, transportation, the schedule for the day and lots of other important information. This is the first school event of the year that will begin the vital home-school partnership that drives student success. You will also have the opportunity to sign up for

parent/teacher conferences in October, so bring your calendars! We appreciate you making arrangements for childcare as this is an event intended for parents to meet with the teachers. Included in this newsletter are two inserts, a two-sided document with

all the evening family events occurring at Graden during the 16-17 school year, on the back of this document is the Park Hill School District calendar. The final document is a Family Resource checklist, if you need any assistance, please fill out this form and return to our social worker, Bonnie Kane, or you can drop it by the office.

It’s going to be another magnificent school year and I want to extend an open invitation to contact us at any time with questions, concerns, or to become involved in any way with our school community. On behalf of the entire Graden staff, we look forward to working with

you and your children during this school year. I am excited to see all hornet families at Back to School Bash on August 9. Enjoy the last few weeks of summer! With Hornet Pride,

Dr. LuAnn Halverstadt Principal, Graden Elementary – Home of the Hornets

WHO IS MY CHILD’S TEACHER?

A colored sheet with teacher placement information is included in this mailing. If you have not verified residency for the 16-17 school year, you will need to bring the necessary paperwork to the office. Once that has been completed,

your teacher assignment will be given. Thank you for helping with this district process.

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STUDENT LANYARDS This year, all students at Graden Elementary will receive a photo badge and lanyard which they will use each day to access their lunch account, check out library books, and to ride the bus. Students will be responsible for bringing their ID badge and lanyard to and from school each day. Your help with this process is very much appreciated. Students who are NEW to Graden, will need to report to the library during the Back to School Bash to have a photo taken for their ID badge. IMAGE/CONTACT INFORMATION OPT-OUT DESIGNATION Throughout the school year, the district or school might take a picture or video and release personal information about students. This could be to a local newspaper, Graden newsletter, or on Park Hill channel 18. The district or school might also post pictures on web pages. Additionally, Graden PTA publishes a school directory (BUZZ book) so that parents can reach each other. The school provides contact information for this directory, including but not limited to names, address and telephone numbers. If you DO NOT want your child’s image, or your family’s contact information released, please contact your child’s teacher or the office to fill out an Image/Contact Information OPT-OUT form.

SCHOOL HOURS Breakfast Bell 8:20 am First Bell 8:25 am Tardy Bell 8:40 am Dismissal 3:25 pm

BEFORE SCHOOL PROCEDURES

Supervision of the students begins at 8:20 am Please

do not drop off students before 8:20 am

Only students eating breakfast should report to the

cafeteria at 8:20 am

Students are not allowed to roam the hallways before

classes begin

Every day car riders should be dropped off on the west

side of the building

Students arriving from 8:20 am – 8:25 am should enter

the west doors and remain seated in the back hall until they are dismissed by the supervising adult

Students arriving after 8:40 am will be counted as tardy

and will need to report to the office to receive an admit slip Last year we had students being “dropped off” as early as 8:00 am. There is no one on duty to supervise your children at this time. We take the safety of your children very seriously.

If you have obligations that require you to leave your children before 8:20 am, please take advantage of before school Adventure Club or make other arrangements for your children. Thank you for your cooperation.

PARKING

Remember we have additional parking spaces along the back of the building. Additionally, the lower playground will accommodate approximately 45 parking spaces for evening events. The lower playground parking will also be available on the first day of school for our visitors.

DISMISSAL All Graden students are provided with bus transportation at no cost. At times, students may need to ride a bus different than the one they are normally scheduled to ride, or get off at a different stop from their regular bus. In that case, you must request an alternate bus transportation form and meet with Joyce or Nikki in the office prior to the change in transportation. These requests are not intended for students going over to play at a friend’s house. Bus changes are designed for changes in daycare or for the safety of the student. Any time your child will be going home a different way than usual, please send a note or an email to the teacher or give us a call. We would appreciate a phone call no later than 2:30 pm for transportation changes. Bus riders will be dropped off and dismissed through the doors at the center of the building.

SAFETY FIRST

Our school staff is continuously preparing for the safety of the Graden community. There are guidelines set by the Park Hill School District to ensure that all schools have emergency plans in place. It is our goal at Graden Elementary that all students, parents, and staff feel safe. This school year we will conduct ten fire drills, one earthquake drill, two tornado drills, two intruder drills, and a secondary rally point evacuation drill. Our staff has been trained and will be discussing emergency procedures for all drills in the classrooms. We want you to know that each teacher will approach their class discussions with care and consideration of the students present. To ensure the safety of your children, only the main entrance doors will be used for volunteers/visitors. We have a new system for student check-in and visitor and volunteer sign in this year. The Raptor system allows us to check in visitors and volunteers as well as manage student check in and check out. Raptor conducts a limited background check against the national database of registered sex offenders. Visitors entering the school beyond the office receive a printed ID sticker that must be worn and visible during the entire stay. To access your child or to enter the school building, you will need to scan your state issued ID (driver’s license, military ID, government ID, state ID cards….). If students arrive late to school, they WILL need to be signed in by an adult with their school ID number NOT by name. Therefore, it is imperative that an adult park and escort the child in to the office and assists with the check in procedure should they arrive late.

If you are bringing a forgotten lunch or homework, please bring it to the office instead of walking to your child’s class. We will be happy to call your child to the office to pick up the items. Staff members have been instructed to stop visitors who do not have an ID badge. We have phones in all classrooms so that you can call the classroom directly. Please note that during the instructional day the phones will be set to go directly to voicemail. You can leave the teacher a message and they will return your call during one of their break times.

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CAR RIDERS Every day car riders will be dismissed to the west parking lot at 3:25 pm. Staff members will help the children into their cars. Parents who pick up daily will need to stop by the table during our Back to School Bash to fill out an everyday car rider form. Parents will be given a placard that needs to be displayed in the front window of their vehicle so our staff can identify you. Please note that all car riders will use the same entrance and exit, near the real estate office. In order to keep the flow of traffic moving, please pull up as far as you can before unloading. Our goal is to release your children safely and as quickly as possible.

ADVENTURE CLUB

Again, the Park Hill School District will offer before and after school child care at Graden Elementary. Arrangements can be made by calling the Adventure Club office at 359–4064. You can meet the Adventure Club personnel at Graden Elementary on August 9, at Back to School Bash. Students who attend Adventure Club should drive around to the back of the building and enter through the cafeteria doors.

CLASSROOM TREATS

To protect the health and safety of our students, students may bring pre-packaged treats to school to share with classmates in recognition of birthdays and other celebrations. Homemade treats will not be distributed to students in the Park Hill School District. Due to allergies and other food intolerances, please consult with your classroom teacher before the pre-packaged treats are brought to school. As a healthier alternative, Park Hill Food Service offers a variety of nutritious treats that may be purchased and delivered to your student’s classroom.

HORNETS, We Miss You When You are Gone! Attendance is an important factor in academic achievement. I would like to ask your help regarding attendance and punctuality. Academic performance is directly correlated with a student’s attendance. I believe we have the best teachers anywhere, but not even our teachers can teach your children when they are not here. Also, being on time is a skill that students need to learn early in their lives to help them be successful. When a student is late, they miss important instruction time and they also interrupt the other students in the class. Please help us by making this a priority with your family. We also ask your help by scheduling doctor and dentist appointments and other appointments for after-school hours, non-attendance days or on early release days. Thank you for

making education a top priority. Please note the following procedures for attendance:

Parents should call the school office (359-4340) to report

his/her child(ren) absent.

If the school receives no call, but a student is absent, we

will contact you at home or work.

Attendance letters from the office will be sent to children who have 10, 15, and 20 day absences. Tardy letters will also be sent from the office for students who show a regular pattern of arriving late to school. Again, thank you for making regular and timely attendance a top priority.

EARLY RELEASE The elementary students in the Park Hill School District will be released at 1:30 pm each month beginning in October. Please use the Early Release dates to schedule routine dental and medical appointments: October 13th, November 10th, December 8th, January 12th, February 9th, March 9th, April 13th, May 11th

MEDICATION

A health room is available if your child becomes ill or injured while at school. All non-prescription, over-the-counter medication must be sent in the original container with a written request by the parent or physician. If for any reason your child is on medication, before it can be administered, the medication must be in a prescription labeled bottle accompanied by a doctor’s note. The medication is kept in the health room. The Medication Authorization Form must be completed and signed by the parent or guardian for all medications given at school. It is recommended that medication NOT be sent to school with the children. Parents should bring the medication to the health room at school. If you have questions, please contact our school nurse, Kris Morris.

CAFETERIA INFORMATION Students may bring their lunch from home or purchase a school lunch from the cafeteria. Menus will be sent home on a monthly basis. Lunch prices for the 2016 – 2017 school year are as follows:

breakfast $1.25

lunch $2.35 (includes a drink)

milk $0.50

juice $0.40

CONTINUE TO SAVE Although school is not in session, we ask that you continue to save Box Tops, as this enhances the programs we offer at Graden Elementary. We ask too, that you continue to support our recycling bins throughout the school year.

ADVENTURE CLUB Again, the Park Hill School District will offer before and after school child care at Graden Elementary. Arrangements can be made by calling the Adventure Club office at 359 – 4064.

You can meet the Adventure Club personnel at Graden Elementary on August 9, at Back to School Bash. Students who attend Adventure Club should drive around to the back of the building and enter through the cafeteria doors.

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS

School Office (816) 359-4340 School Fax (816) 359-4349 Attendance Line (816) 359-4341 Adventure Club (816) 359-5015 First Student Bus (816) 741-4023 Company

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Graden Elementary – Home of the Hornets

Mission Graden Elementary School's mission is to provide a posi-

tive learning environment where students achieve academ-ic excellence and personal success. Students will know and apply the essential skills for working and contributing in a

diverse global society.

Vision Building Successful Leaders* Each Student * Every Day

Core Values

Continuous Improvement, High Expectations, Integrity, Vi-sionary Leadership,

Student Focus

Graden Elementary - A Leader in Me Lighthouse School

Graden Family Events 2016-2017

MONTH EVENTS

August

9th: Back to School Night (5:00 – 7:00 pm) 13th: Mercury Gymnastics Night (6:30 – 8:00 pm) - PTA 17th: The Sands Back to School Bash (6:00 – 8:00 pm) - PTA 18th: Parent Orientation, all grades (5:30 – 7:00 pm) Session 1: 5:30 – 6:10 pm Session 2: 6:15 – 6:50 pm 26th: River Roll Skating Party (5:30 – 7:30 pm) - PTA

September

1st/2nd: Donuts with Dads (7:30 – 8:30 am) – PTA 19th: Legends Skate City (6:30 – 8:00 pm) - PTA 27th: Leadership Night (5:00 – 7:00 pm) 30th: Graden Carnival (5:30 – 7:30 pm) - PTA

October

6th: 5th Grade Musical (6:30 – 7:30 pm) 11th: Superhero Family Reading Night (5:30 – 7:30 pm) 22nd : Mercury Gymnastics Night / Trunk or Treat (6:30 – 8:00 pm) 26th: Conferences and Book Fair (5:00 – 8:00 pm) 27th: Conferences and Book Fair (12:00 – 8:00 pm) 28th: River Roll Skating Party (5:30 – 7:30 pm) - PTA

November

3rd/4th: Muffins with Moms (7:30 – 8:30 am) - PTA 4th: Watch DOG Father Daughter Dance at Plaza (6:00 pm)- PTA 8th: 4th Gr Musical (6:30 – 7:30 pm) 18th: Parent’s Night Out (6:00 – 8:30 pm) – PTA 21st: Ice Skating at the Rink (5:00 – 7:00 pm) - PTA

December 14th: River Roll (5:30 – 7:30 pm) PTA 15th: 3rd Grade Musical (6:30 – 7:30 pm)

January

4th/5th: Donuts with Dads (7:30 – 8:30 am) – PTA 10th: Ice Skating at the Rink (5:00 – 7:00 pm) – PTA 19th: Skate City Skating Party (6:00 -8:00 pm) - PTA 26th: 2nd Gr Musical (6:30 – 7:30 pm)

February

7th: Ice Skating Party at the Rink (5:00 – 7:00) PTA 10th: Parents Night Out (6:00 – 8:30 pm) – PTA 15th: River Roll Skating Party (6:00 – 8:00) - PTA 16th: Kindergarten Musical (6:30 – 7:30 pm) 23rd/24th: Muffins with Moms (7:30 – 8:30 am) - PTA 24th: Power Play Fundraising Night (5:00 – 9:00 pm) - PTA

March

6th: Kindergarten Transition Night #2 (6:00 – 7:00 pm) 7th: 1st Grade Musical (6:30 – 7:30 pm) 14th: Student-led Conferences (5:30 – 7:30 pm) 31st: Prom with Parents at Lakeview (6:00 – 8:00 pm) - PTA

April

6th: Science Fair/Book Fair (5:00 – 7:00 pm) 11th: PTA Night at Culvers (5:00 – 7:00 pm) - PTA 14th: Watch DOGS Dodgeball at Lakeview (6:00 – 9:00 pm) - PTA 19th: Art Show (5:30 – 7:00 pm) 28th: River Roll Skating Party (5:30 – 7:30 pm) - PTA

May 1st: Kindergarten Roundup (12:00 – 7:00 pm) 16th: 5th Grade Choir Concert at PHS (6:30 – 7:30 pm) 19th: 5th Grade Track Meet (9:00 am – 2:00 pm)

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Please mark the following evening events on your calendar

**The Graden PTA is scheduled to meet the 2nd Tuesday of every month during the school year at 6:30pm in the Graden Library/Media Center. Please watch future newsletters for meeting details.

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Confidential Resource Checklist

If your student(s) will need support resources during the 2016-2017 school year, please complete this page and return it to the Graden office.

Student’s Name__________________________________ Grade: _____________________ Parent Name: __________________________________ Contact Number: ____________ Please check all that apply to your child/ren that are enrolled at Graden Elementary.

RESOURCES NEEDED ___ Clothing (PTA Clothing Closet and Operation School Bell) ___ Free and Reduced Lunch and Breakfast Program ___ Dental Services (Miles of Smiles Dental program) ___ Missouri Medicaid (HealthNet) ___ School Supplies ___ General Community Resources (utilities, food, housing, etc.) ___ Platte County Health Department information My child- ___ has difficulty with social skills. ___ struggles with returning /completing homework. ___ struggles with being late/attendance. ___ is struggling with a specific situation (divorce, loss, anger). Other/Information: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Necesita usted esta forma en Espanol? I do not need any information or to be contacted at this time. We will send you the forms for the support resources you have checked. The forms must be completed and returned before you can be enrolled in the programs. By signing this form, you give the School Social Worker permission to provide referrals to community resources. ____________________________________ ______________________ Signature Date

If you need further information please contact Bonnie Kane, School Social Worker, at 816.359.6744.

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PARK HILL STUDENT CLOTHING CENTER

The Park Hill Clothing Center provides all students in the Park Hill School District, kindergarten through high school, new and gently used clothing at no cost. The Clothing Center is a free service provided by the PTA’s of the Park Hill School District in cooperation with the Park Hill District.

PARK HILL CLOTHING CENTER

REGISTRATION/SOCKS AND UNDERWEAR/SCHOOL SUPPLIES DAY Monday, August 8, 2016

3:00 to 7:00 p.m. 8009 N. ATKINS, KCMO 64153

Important: If you wish to receive socks and underwear or school supplies on this date you MUST PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION that shows that your student is enrolled in a Park Hill school. This can range from enrollment papers to a card that shows your student's school bus service information. No one will be served on August 8 without this documentation. All students in Park Hill schools are eligible to receive free socks and underwear once each school year. The Park Hill Clothing Center will hold a special event on Monday, August 8 from 3:00 to 7:00 at which students may register for the Clothing Center for the 2016-17 school year and receive their socks and underwear. Also, representatives from Restore Community Church will be on hand to distribute school supplies and backpacks. There will be a limited number of backpacks and supplies, and they will be distributed to students on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no guarantee that all students will receive backpacks and school supplies. Please read the important pieces of information below. Important: The Clothing Center will NOT be open for regular shopping on August 8. Only socks and underwear will be available. The Clothing Center will begin its regular shopping schedule on Tuesday, August 16, when it will be open from 10:00 to noon and 5:00 to 7:00. Important: You do not need to attend this event to register for the Clothing Center or to receive socks and underwear. You may do these things on any regular shopping day throughout the school year. The schedule for shopping days may be found on the Park Hill website, but the Center is normally open on the first and third Tuesday of each month with few exceptions. Important: August 8 is the only day that Restore Community Church will be distributing backpacks and supplies at the Clothing Center.

9 Back To School Night (5-7pm) 11 FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL 17 PTA Back To School Bash at

The Sands @ Burlington (6-8pm)

18 Parent Orientation: session #1 5:30-6:10pm; session #2 6:15-6:50pm

26 PTA Skating at River Roll (5:30-7:30pm)

August Calendar of Events

Graden at a Glance

This year, the Graden PTA will be participating in the National PTA's Reflections Program. PTA Reflections is a nationally acclaimed student recognition program to encourage artistic creativity in the classroom and at home. Students of all grades and abilities may participate and explore the arts based on the 2016-2017 theme: What Is Your Story? One student winner will receive a $100 award and recognition at the National PTA Convention. The PTA will be accepting original works in the following categories: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, and Visual Arts. Please watch future newsletters for details regarding the PTA Reflections program!

August PTA Events

The Graden PTA welcomes YOU!

Come visit the PTA table at Back to School Night. Get information and GET INVOLVED!

Please join us for a New Parent Breakfast on August 11th (the first day of school) from 8:30-9am in the media center.

The PTA will be starting a great year by thanking our amazing staff with a

“Thank you Breakfast" on Friday, August 19th.

Join us for our first Graden events: Mercury Gymnastics Night on Saturday, August 13th from 6:30-8pm.

Parents may drop off and pick up no later than 8pm. $7 a child ($1 comes back to Graden). Children do not have to be

Graden students, but must be able to abide by gym rules.

Back to School Bash on Wednesday, August 17th @ Burlington Creek The Sands from 6-8pm.

Skating at River Roll on Friday, August 26th from 5:30-7:30pm.

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