Dear GRAIS Families,
We’ve had a very good first full week at the intermediate school. I continue to be impressed with the kind behavior and the eagerness to learn that I have observed in the halls and in the classrooms. Everyone truly seems happy to be together and be able to offer and receive smiles!
Constitution Day at GRAIS:
On Friday at the intermediate school, we commemorated the September 17, 1787 signing of the United States Constitution by dressing in patriotic clothing and participating in a variety of activities that brought this very important document to life for our students. This year, some of the opportunities boys and girls had included working on puzzles and drawings, watching video clips, participating in an escape room challenge, and all had some rich, early discussion about the Constitution and citizenship. Thank you for digging out the red, white, and blue attire. Pictures will follow on the website!
Music News:
Our musician (or group) of the month to start out this school year is The Beatles! Fourth and fifth graders will be introduced to the final member of the band, George Harrison, through the book Who Were The Beatles? in our music classes. Mr. Duff’s goal this year is to play more classroom instruments than ever before! Students will be introduced to our African drumming instruments and simple rhythms that will be a review for some students.
After-school Chorus:
Starting this week, chorus forms will be disseminated to all interested students and extra copies will be available to view and print on Mr. Duff’s Google Classroom. These will be due by Friday, September 30th, and we will begin after-school chorus rehearsals on October 3rd. We are practicing and planning for an evening performance on December 1st.
PTO Corner:
For those who are new to the school our Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) is designed to connect the home and school experience! We raise funds for school assemblies, events, field trips, teacher appreciation events, school supplies, and we coordinate volunteers for events, communicate information, to name a few things!
We hope everyone is enjoying the first full week of school! We are currently planning our first staff appreciation event which will be a welcome-back breakfast on Friday, September 23rd. A Sign up Genius has been sent out for some donations. If you would like to be added to the PTO emailing list, please email elderkinkatie@yahoo.com.
The PTO would love for parents/guardians to attend the monthly meetings, which will be held in the GRAIS library starting promptly at 6:30 p.m. Meetings will take place on the third Tuesday of each month. Our first meeting is on Tuesday, September 20th. In addition to Superintendent Strauss joining us, we will be introducing our current board, discussing the budget, our first fundraiser, the book fair, GRAIS’ annual turkey trot event, and more!
As a friendly reminder, to volunteer at any/all events, you need to have an updated CORI (They are good for three years.) and fingerprints on file with the district. If you have any questions please contact Katie at ElderkinKatie@yahoo.com.
Reminder on Morning Drop-off Procedure:
We so appreciate the adherence to the following guidelines that keep our students safe:
The drop-off lane near the pool entrance, which is monitored by staff, allows for vehicles to pull to the curb to let out children from the right side. To keep everyone safe, please do not drop off children in the travel lane or in the upper walkway. The process runs very smoothly.
Students may be dropped off at the circle as early as 8:20 a.m., which is when staff will be present. Children cannot be released from vehicles until staff is present.
Staff will direct children to walk along on the sidewalk into the building, where more staff members will be stationed daily.
Students may enter the building at 8:20 a.m., as the buses are unloading. If children require supervision earlier than this time, please contact Lisa Pacheco at 508.923.2000 x 1730 at the Fore & Aft Program.
Parking in front of the building is ALWAYS prohibited, as this area is designated for buses. It is also a fire lane, so after buses clear, it is to remain clear. If you visit the school for any reason during the day, please do not park in the fire lane.
Please note the speed limit as you enter the road to the building. We have many walkers, as well as students from the two other campus schools on the grounds, and must operate vehicles cautiously to keep them safe.
Reminder on Afternoon Pick-up Procedure:
Thank you for your adherence to the speed limit on the campus.
Please park in the upper lot and walk to the cafeteria entrance, just beyond the main entrance.
Walkers, pick-ups will be dismissed through the cafeteria daily.
Parents/Guardians will present a valid photo ID to a staff member when picking up children.
If a child typically rides the bus, but he/she is being picked up on a given day, he/she is to bring in a note to school that morning.
Future Dates to Remember:
Due Date for Chorus Forms - September 30th
Individual Picture Day - October 5th
Early Release at 11:30 a.m. - October 7th
Columbus Day/No School - October 10th
Professional Development Day/No School for Students - November 1st
Veterans Day/No School - November 11th
Picture Retakes - November 16th
Thanksgiving Recess - November 23rd at 11:30 a.m - November 25th
First Trimester Grades Close - November 29th
Respectfully,
Dr. Sullivan
508.923.3506 x 3150/esullivan@freelake.org
***The information from the GRAIS weekly message can be found in the Sunday Message from the superintendents’ office as well. Mr. Strauss requests that you follow the district on Twitter @FLRSDsuper and on Instagram @FLRSDsuper, if you wish.***