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Parents and students in grades Kindergarten - 5th Grade,

It was great seeing everyone back in the classroom! Hope everyone had a great week and are as excited as we are to get this school year started. Thank you for everyone's patience as we get schedules and routines set in place.

Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year! I am so excited for the start of the school year! Graves Dual Language School prides itself in being a place that supports the positive growth of each and every child.

Our goal is for our students to become bilingual, biliterate, excel academically, and develop high levels of cultural competence. With the support of the teachers, staff, families, and community, I know we will attain this goal. I look forward to supporting students in becoming bilingual. In the long-term, being bilingual will not only open many doors for our students, but it will help them in continuing the traditions of our cultures.

We believe that all families bring with them a wealth of cultural, linguistic, and personal knowledge. Family participation in the life of the school is integral to student success. I maintain an open-door policy, so please know that if you have any concerns or suggestions, you can speak with me. I look forward to continuing to get to know the students and families of this community throughout the year.

I want to welcome everyone to the 2023-2024 school year. I am very excited to start my third full year of being part of the Graves Dual Language learning community. As the Assistant Principal, I want to continue to support and advance the amazing work that teachers and staff have shown throughout these past two years. I will also continue working alongside the principal in carrying out our school's vision, mission, and dedication to inspire lifelong learners in a safe and nurturing environment.

One of my goals is to ensure that the school environment is a safe and respectful place for everyone, where our students can continue to grow academically, socially and emotionally.

I am a firm believer in the connection between the school and home. So, if you have any questions or concerns please feel free contact me. I look forward working together in making sure our students love coming to school everyday, ready to learn!

Tuesday, August 29th: Fall Testing (MAP) begins

Monday, September 4th: Labor Day Holiday (NO SCHOOL)

Tuesday, September 12th: Curriculum Night 6:00PM - 7:30PM

Thursday, September 21st: Graves Picture Day

Please remember that every Wednesday is a late start 8:50AM-2:50PM

All meetings are scheduled for 7pm on the second Wednesday of the month.

JOIN US!

September 13, 2023

HMS/Graves Multi-Purpose Room (HMS Spotlight)

October 11, 2023

HMS/Graves Multi-Purpose Room

November 8, 2023

Walsh Elementary School (Walsh Spotlight)

December 13, 2023

HMS/Graves Multi-Purpose Room

January 10, 2024

Walker Elementary School (Walker Spotlight)

February 14, 2024

HMS/Graves Multi-Purpose Room

March 13, 2024

Wharton 5th Grade Center (Wharton Spotlight)

April 10, 2024

Admin Center

May 8, 2024

HMS/Graves Multi-Purpose Room (Graves Spotlight)

June 12, 2024

Admin Center

Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) Testing for students in grades 1st-5th will be taking place in the next couple of weeks. Please make sure your child gets a good night's rest and is ready.

Measure of Academic Progress (MAP), is a computerized adaptive test which helps teachers, parents, and administrators improve learning for all students and make informed decisions to promote a child's academic growth.

It is VERY important the students bring their Chromebook, charged and ready to go every day.

Thursday, September 21, 2023.

More information to come!

Please remember that it is important for students to arrive to school on time.

If your child is TARDY please go with your child to door #14 to sign a tardy slip.

Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays

Entrance 7:50a.m.

Dismissal 2:50p.m.

Wednesdays (Late Start)

Entrance 8:50a.m.

Dismissal 2:50p.m.

Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd Grade: Door #2

3rd, 4th, 5th Grade: Door #3

For student safety, no students should be outside on the school grounds before

7:30AM (M,T,TH,F) 8:30AM (W)

Student attendance is critical to the learning process. A parent or guardian who knowingly and willfully permits a child to be truant is in violation of State law. Truancy is therefore a serious issue and will be dealt with in a serious manner by the school and district. If chronic truancy persists after support services and other resources are made available, the school and district will take further action, including:

D104 Action Plan for Truancy:

The distract has a truancy intervention plan in place which will be implemented via social worker and administrators after a student starts being truant. For example, truancy letter sent home, student and parent meeting, and more. For more information, please look over our districts handbook.

7:30a.m. - 4:00p.m Monday - Friday

(708) 458-7260

In the event of any absence, the student’s parent or guardian is required to call the school before 8:00 a.m. to explain the reason for the absence. If a call has not been made to the school by 10:00 a.m. on the day of a student’s absence, a school official will call the home to inquire why the student is not at school. If the parent or guardian cannot be contacted, the student will be required to submit a signed note from the parent or guardian explaining the reason for the absence. Failure to do so shall result in an unexcused absence.

Just a reminder that students should be taking care of their technology devices, especially when they take them home.

As stated in the student handbook the policy states:

The district will assume the cost of parts and labor associated with all repairs deemed due to natural failure. If the technical department determines a failure due to damage, the student will be responsible for any hardware costs needed to return the device to a functional state. The district will assume all labor costs associated with damage repairs. Cosmetic damage will not be charged or repaired.

• Sleeve/Cover Replacement ($10)
• Charger Replacement ($25)
• Keyboard Replacement ($25)
• Touch Screen Replacement ($115)
• iPad Replacement: ($300)
• Chromebook Replacement:

- $250 for a new device, Year 1

- $200 for a device that is 2 years old

- $150 for a device that is 3 years old

- $100 for a device that is 4 years old

Breakfast will be available every morning for students who wish to come in and eat before school starts. Door #7

Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays starting 7:30a.m.-7:45a.m.

Wednesdays 8:30a.m.-8:45a.m.

Please make sure to be on time so students have plenty of time to eat their breakfast since they have to be in the classroom by 7:50a.m.(M, T, TH, F) and 8:50a.m. (Wednesdays)

Thank you for your cooperation.

Thank you for your patience as we are getting everyone on and off the bus safely.

If you are thinking about not having your child take the bus anymore, please call the office and let us know.

Thank you for your patience during arrival and dismissal as we make sure all the students arrive safely to school and back home. Please always display your Car Line Tag.

Welcome back!

We hope you enjoyed plenty of vitamin D filled sunshine over summer break!

The nursing team is very lucky to have the addition of more space and a health-aide this year!

Ms. Oliva Gomez “Ms. Oli” transitioned to our health team. She will be helping students navigate the health office, providing nursing clerical assistance and basic first aid. She is CPR & first aid certified and she is a great addition to our Health Office team! Just a few notes as we begin a new school year...

• Washing your hands is easy, and it's the most effective way to prevent the spread of germs... Especially stomach bugs!

• It is best for students to wear short sleeve school uniform shirts during hot temperatures. Consider sending your child to school with a water bottle to fill at the water fountain to stay hydrated if possible.
• When you send your student to school, you are attesting that your student is in good health and ready for learning. Follow these guidelines on when to return to school for our top three symptoms of illness:

-Fever (100.0 or higher): The student may return to school after being fever free 24hrs without fever reducing medication.

-Vomit: The student may return to school after being free of vomiting for 24hrs.

-Diarrhea: The student may return to school after being free of diarrhea for 24hrs.

We are ready for a safe, healthy, and happy school year! ❤️

Nurse Tina, Nurse Anita & Ms. Oli

*Please send copies of school physicals/immunizations/dental & vision exams with your students as soon as possible.

See the below the state mandated requirements for each grade level:

Preschool

History/Physical/Immunizations Form & Lead Screening

Kindergarten

History/Physical/Immunizations Form

Dental Examination Form

Vision Examination Form

Second Grade

Dental Examination Form

New to District

History/Physical/Immunizations Form

Dental Examination Form

Vision Examination Form

Please review this months lunch menu with your child.

We ask that parents do not send in birthday treats for students to distribute. Please read below, as taken from the 2023-2024 District 104 Handbook:

Treats & Snacks [K-5] 1.80 Due to health concerns and scheduling, no birthday treats are allowed. Treats will be limited to certain school-wide celebrations.

A lot of great learning went on at Graves this week!

Please take a look at the following opportunity to get involved in your child's school!

Please remember that the previous information is for students in grades Kindergarten-5th only.

For more information about our PreK program please contact the

Pre-School Director, Kathleen Dunn at 708-546-7151 or at kdunn@sd104.us