CARES Heroes of the Week!

Here are Grainwood's CARES Heroes of the Week!

Fire and Lock Down Drills

As you may have heard from your child after school yesterday, we completed our first of five required fire and lock down drills in the afternoon.  We typically host these drills back-to-back in order to limit interruptions.  Teachers were well aware of the scheduled times for the drills yesterday, allowing them plenty of opportunity to review expectations and practice with their students (especially those kindergarteners).  The next four drills are unscheduled, but are always announced as drills over the intercom system.  Here's to making Grainwood a safe place!

Benefit for Lauren Larson, 3rd Grader at WestWood Elementary

Friends of the Larson family are putting on a benefit for Lauren Larson. Lauren is a 3rd grader at WestWood Elementary. In June 2012, Lauren was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma, a malignant cancer. On Sunday, November 4th they are hosting a benefit for Lauren at the Prior Lake VFW to raise funds to support the family. This will be a fun evening including a spaghetti dinner, silent and live auction, bake sale and more.

For more details about the benefit, please click HERE to view the flyer.

Ronald McDonald Thanks You!

Yesterday, three boxes of pop tabs were delivered to the local McDonald's in support of Ronald McDonald Homes.  This service project has been going on for many years at Grainwood.  Thanks to the students and families for collecting the pop tabs and dropping them in the giant bin in the main hallway.  Keep them coming!

Dodge, Duck And Donate

Homecoming is Friday, October 5 at Dan Patch Stadium. Watch the game and then stay to play dodge ball.

The Laker Educational Foundation (LEF) is sponsoring the game with proceeds benefiting Friends of Wolf Ridge.

Register now and save!
*  $10/person or $35/household
*  Walk-ins:$15/person - Ages K-12 & Adults

Every player will receive a bandana. Go here to register:
https://www5677.ssldomain.com/summersmashgala/lakerfoundation/dodge-duck-donate.cfm.

It's a Girl!

Congratulations to Mrs. Zack, 4th grade teacher at Grainwood, and her husband Shawn on the birth of their baby girl, Lillian (Lily) Nicole Zack!  Lily was born on September 7, 2012.  She weighed 6 lbs. and 15 oz. and was 21 inches long.

2-Hour Early Release - REMINDER

This is a friendly reminder that Wednesday, September 26th is a 2-hour early release day!  Students will be released from school at 1:00PM.

Thank you!

Grainwood Picture Day - REMINDER

Just a friendly reminder that picture day at Grainwood is scheduled for Friday, September 28th.

Picture Retake Day at Grainwood is scheduled for Wednesday, October 24th.  We will also be offering spring pictures and yearbooks for sale later this school year.

Hero Ticket Winners!

Here are this week's Hero Ticket Winners!

MCA Scores

Not long ago, Grainwood received all of last year's 3-5 fifth grade MCA scores to distribute to families.  If your child was a third or fourth grader last year, and is a now a fourth or fifth grader at Grainwood, individual MCA score information will be mailed home to your family on Monday, September 24.  (All students who are now sixth graders will receive their fifth grade scores via mail too.)

As a whole, Grainwood performed at its highest level of reading proficiency, 85%, in the past six years.  Hurrah for Grainwood!  In math, we scored 80%, which is the highest score in the past four years.  Overall, Grainwood is making strides and increasing its percentage of students showing proficiency.

New this year is the State's measurement rating for schools know as Mutiple Measures Rating or MMR.  No longer are schools solely compared with proficiency scores (the scores I mentioned above), but also are measured according to individual student academic growth from year to year and closure of the achievement gap between students of color and their peers.  Our overall MMR score was a 62 (82%), which is in about the top 25% of the state.  With this score, Grainwood is eligible for "Celebration" school status as determined by the Minnesota Department of Education.  We will be pursuing this status as soon as the application requirements are known.

Overall, Grainwood is performing well academically and its students, teachers and families should be proud of all their hard work and dedication to a quality education here at our school.  Here's to another successful year in 12-13!    

Congratulations!

Mary Kumba, ELL Teacher at Grainwood, is now Mrs. Mary Hoffmann.  Mary was married to David Hoffman on September 8th.  Congratulations Mary and David!

Chip Shoppe Fundraiser Starts Today!

Today your son or daughter brought home Grainwood's fall fundraiser packet.  We launched the event this afternoon with an all-school assembly, which triggered a lot energy and excitement from the students.  For the third consecutive year, we have partnered with the Chip Shoppe for this event.  Please review the fundraising procedures with your child.  He/she has been encouraged only to sell to family, friends and well known neighbors.  Door-to-door sales have not been encouraged.  A prize catalog is included in your child's packet, along with a letter on green paper from the principal about an alternative donation option (for those who would prefer their child not sell items).  Thank you for all your support with either option.  Fundraising orders are due Tuesday, October 2.  Again this year, product delivery will take place on the same evening as Math Night, Thursday, November 1.  Safe and happy selling!  

Grainwood School Store

The Grainwood School Store is opening Tuesday, September 25th!  The School Store will be open on Tuesdays for Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade, and Thursdays for 3rd, 4th and 5th grade from 8:30-8:45AM.

Items for sale are very inexpensive, so students should not need to bring any more than $2.00 from home.  To view the School Store price list, please click HERE.

Last Week's Hero Ticket Winners

Each week a winner is chosen from each classroom from all the hero tickets collected throughout the week.  Hero tickets are given to students for demonstrating CARES (Cooperation, Assertion, Responsibility, Empathy and Self-Control) around the building. Here are the Week 1 winners!

Parent/Teacher Conferences

Parent/Teacher Conferences are scheduled for:

Thursday, October 11th - 3:30-7:30PM
Friday, October 12th - 7:30-11:30AM
Tuesday, October 16th - 3:30-7:30PM

A reminder notice indicating the time of your conference will be sent home.

The purpose of this fall conference is to gather information regarding your child's educational strengths, interests and needs.  Then, appropriate goals will be identified for your child so he/she can have the best year possible.

October Community Education News

Click HERE to view the October Community Education flyer.

Attendance Procedures

Regular, on-time attendance is necessary for our student’s academic success. It also promotes positive work ethic for employment skills and future success. Please be reminded that parents / guardians are required to notify the office via a note or telephone call prior to 8:30 a.m. on or before the day their child will be absent for any reason. Our voice mail attendance hotline (952-226-0301) is open 24 hours a day. Failure to call may result in an unexcused absence for your child. Students are considered tardy if they arrive at school after 8:30AM.

The 2012-2013 Parent/Student Handbook outlines the reasons that will be accepted for excused absences and examples of unexcused tardies and absences.

In order to provide the very best education for your children, they need to be in attendance. Missed assignments can be completed. However, it is extremely difficult to replicate instructional activities, discussions, small group work, etc. that have taken place while your child was absent from school. Although we know that illnesses cannot be avoided, we hope that you will make every effort to schedule family vacations during the summer or one of our scheduled school breaks. Thank you for your cooperation!

PTC Update

The Grainwood PTC had its first meeting of the year last week. Plans were discussed for this year in terms of fundraisers and contributions to the school.  Our three big fundraisers will again include The Chip Shoppe this fall (Kick-off is Thursday, September 20), Butter Braid sales in the spring and the second year of the Walk-a-thon in late May/early June.

We will continue to promote volunteering in our school in both the classroom and through fundraising to support the school in providing many wonderful educational programs and opportunities here at Grainwood. If you have not filled out a volunteer form yet, please ask for one from your child’s teacher or the Grainwood office. There are many opportunities available throughout the year!  With PTC distributing its leadership over 24 coordinator positions, volunteer commitments are specific, often time-bound and require a respectful and limited time commitment.  This model has worked well and allows parents to be involved without intruding on other family commitments.  If you are interested, three chair-people are still needed for: 1) Butter Braids Coordinator, 2) Garden Coordinator and 3) Staff Appreciation Coordinator.  Please feel free to contact Erin Penne, PTC President, at gw_ptc_pres@yahoo.com for more information.

Our next meeting will be held Tuesday, October 9th from 6:30-8pm in the Grainwood Conference Room. We invite you to join us and thank the new parents who have already taken time to participate. As always, parents are invited to attend and hear about what is happening at Grainwood from the principal, the teachers and the parents, as we all strive to meet the needs of Grainwood's student.

School Forms Due!

For the well-being of your child, please remember to turn in your updated emergency information as soon as possible.  If your child becomes ill or injured at school, this information, along with current telephone numbers, are critical for our health office and office staff!  If there are any legal proceedings regarding the welfare of your child, please make sure our office has a copy of the appropriate legal papers as well.

MAP Testing

Students in District 719 take the Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) reading and math test in grades two through five. Fall testing will take place September 17th through September 28th. The purpose of the test is to assess student performance in both reading and math.

Students in grades two through five will have scheduled times in the computer lab to complete MAP testing. The MAP test is a computer adaptive test. Questions are generated based on the previous question's response for each student. As a result, the test is truly individualized.

Student scores on the MAP will be sent home with parents at fall conferences. Scores are reported in RIT scores (short for Rausch Unit). The RIT score is an equal-interval scale which can measure growth in learning. A chart will also be sent to parents showing the average RIT scores across the nation for students at different grade levels. RIT Charts that show examples of the kinds of questions on the MAP test can be found at http://www.nwea.org/ under Assessment System, then Assessment Product.

Grainwood Picture Day

Picture day at Grainwood is scheduled for Friday, September 28th.

Picture Retake Day at Grainwood is scheduled for Wednesday, October 24th.

Grainwood 4th & 5th Gr. Choir

My name is Mrs. Monique Rupp and I will be your choir director this year! I am very excited to work with students at both Grainwood and WestWood this year and am excited about all the opportunities we will have to learn together. I hope all 4th and 5th graders are considering being in the Grainwood Choir! The choir fee this year is $45. These funds will be used for purchasing new music, t-shirts, and general costs of running the choir. Please make checks payable to Grainwood Elementary. If this fee creates a financial hardship on any family, please indicate the best way to contact you and we can work out a payment plan.

The choir will generally meet every Tuesday morning in the Grainwood Music Room from 7:30-8:20AM. Choir rehearsals will begin on Tuesday, September 18th. Parents are expected to provide transportation for their child to rehearsals. Students will perform in two concerts. The first concert is scheduled for December 13th at the WestWood Gym at 7:00PM, and the second concert is scheduled for May 2nd at the Grainwood Gym at 7:00PM. Choir registration forms were sent home with students. If you did not receive one and wish to join choir, please contact your child’s homeroom teacher.

Back-to-School Video

Click here to view a back-to-school video produced by Ashley Franks, our district's new Marketing and Technology Integrationist.  Ashley will be helping Grainwood, and other schools, to introduce a new level of social media communication to families. To begin with, please be on the lookout for a formal Grainwood Facebook page and Twitter account later this year!  

http://youtu.be/NHdLJskY3mA.

Early Release Days

The ultimate worth of professional development for teachers is the essential role it plays in the improvement of student learning.  Research states that the best way to improve student achievement is to increase our teachers' effectiveness.

In order to provide professional development opportunities for our staff, four early release days have been built into the district calendar this year.  Please be aware that Sept. 26, Nov. 8, Jan. 24, & Mar. 28 will be early release days for students.

At Grainwood, students will be released from school at 1:00 p.m. on early release days.  Please remember to work these days into your family's schedule in order to provide for your child's daycare needs.  We appreciate your cooperation!

Constitution Day @ GW

On Monday, September 17th, GW will be celebrating Constitution Day. There will be a brief announcement in the morning, along with a connection made to the classroom constitutions that are being created as part of the beginning of the school year routines with Responsive Classroom.  Please have your child wear red, white and blue to help us celebrate!

Happenings Books Now on Sale!

Once again, our fifth grade students are selling Happenings Books to help raise money for their trip to Wolf Ridge Environmental Center.  The cost for a book is $30 and they will be available for purchase through Friday, September 21st.  For every three books purchased, you get one book free.  Please make checks payable to Grainwood Elementary.

5th Grade Parents Remember...Happenings Book pick-up night is September 25th from 3:30-5:00 p.m. in the 5th grade classrooms.

Grainwood Day at Edelweiss

Grainwood Elementary invites family members and friends to Edelweiss Bakery for year number three of "Grainwood Day at Edelweiss."  10% of all in-store sales of any menu items purchased on Saturday, September 15th will be donated to the Grainwood Elementary Activities Fund and Healthy Snack Program.

Come out and see classmates and Grainwood families while enjoying the delicious Edelweiss bakery goods.  A big thank you to Mark and Julie Bowles, owners of Edelweiss, for their support!

From the Office of the Principal

Thank You moms and dads for assisting your children in having a very positive first week at Grainwood.  I would image your students are tired, as they transition back into a school schedule and begin their new learning for the year!  Here's a quick update on a few new endeavors at GW to start our year:

• New Computers - This summer, district technology staff installed new computers in classrooms and offices throughout the building. This is a part of the district's effort to upgrade technology and equip teachers for 21st century learning. The new computers will allow teachers to utilize the full power of SMARTBoard and online Math Expressions and National Geographic science curriculum.

• Math Curriculum - This year students in grades K-5 in Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools will be using a new math curriculum, Math Expressions. Last year, two Grainwood teachers implemented this curriculum and have been providing training for all teachers. This curriculum will provide students with more rigor and online components to enhance instruction. Grainwood will be hosting a different version of its Math Night on Thursday, November 1 to help explain the new curriculum to families.  Stay tuned for more details!

• School Forms Due - For the well-being of your child, please remember to turn in your emergency information as soon as possible. If your child becomes ill or injured at school, this information is critical for our health room and office staff. If there are any legal proceedings regarding the welfare of your child, please make sure our office has a copy of the appropriate legal papers as well.

• Early Release - In order to provide professional development opportunities for our staff, five early release days have been built into the district calendar again this year. Please be aware that September 26 (W), November 8 (TH), January 24 (TH), March 28 (TH) and June 6 (FR) will be early release days for students.

Lastly, ask your child about our NEW CARES Hero that was introduced at our All School Meeting Friday morning.  CARES will continue to be our focus on building and sustaining core expectations for student and adult behavior throught the school! 

Happy First Week Everyone!

Principal Patrick


 

Job Opportunity

Health aide positions: LPN and unlicensed health aid substitutes are needed district wide.

Requirements: high school graduate, current ARC or AH certification in CPR/AED, first aid training and physical ability to perform responsibilities. A LPN licensure is desirable. Hours will vary as needed within student days.

For application information: http://www.applitrack.com/priorlake/onlineapp/default.aspx?1684Nav=|&NodeID=7222

Golf Tournament Fundraiser for Grant Gunderson

As many of you know, Grant Gunderson is a 10-year-old Grainwood student who is battling Medulloblastoma, a highly malignant brain tumor.  A very successful benefit was hosted locally for him just a few weeks ago.  As a part of that benefit, there is also a "Golf for Grant Outing" to be held this September 24th at the Wilds. SPACE is still available and GOLFERS of all abilities are needed!  Please pass the word to friends and family about this event and feel free to sign-up and participate.  Thank you for your continued support for Grant and the Gunderson family.

When:  Monday, September 24th

Registration and range balls at 11:30 a.m. - Shotgun start 12:30 p.m. (Scramble Format)

Where:  The Wilds Golf Club, Prior Lake

Cost: $100 (due at registration) includes golf, dinner and prizes

Prizes at dinner for top three teams, worst team and closest to pins

Contact: Jen Laurienzo at jenlaurienzo@gmail.com to register by September 17th

For more details, click HERE to view the flyer.

September 2012 Nurse's Notes

Annual Health Forms

• If you have not yet turned in your form designating individuals to call in case of illness and emergency, please do so as soon as possible.  Be aware that when your child is ill, he/she may become very anxious if we are unable to locate a parent or guardian.  In addition, if your child has a health condition such as asthma, bee sting allergy, epliepsy, etc. that may require emergency action, if you haven't already, please complete an Emergency Action Plan/Annual Health Form so we can provide optimal care for your child.  If you need a form, please notify the school Health Office.

Screenings

• Screenings will begin soon and continue throughout the school year.  Please check the Health Services website for more information.  Please call your school's health office if you have concerns or questions regarding screening or if you do not wish to have your child screened.

Pertussis and the importance of a Tdap booster

• The best way to prevent pertussis is to be vaccinated.  In addition to routine childhood immunizations, a pertussis vaccine booster shot is now recommended for adolescents and adults.  The booster shot (Tdap) is given in combination with tetanus and diptheria.  Ask your healthcare provider for more information.

Seasonal Flu

• Find a Flu Clinic
• Go to http://www.health.state.mn.us/cgi-bin/idepc/fluschedule/fluclinic_search.cgi
• or Scott County Public Health for the walk-in immunization clinic http://www.co.scott.mn.us/HelpingPeopleHealth/PublicHealth/Documents/IMMUNIZATION%20CLINIC%20FLYER.pdf

Reminder - Hand washing is our best defense in fighting illness!