GRIMSRUD ELEMENTARY -January 2026-

Dear Grimsrud Families,

Recently, our staff participated in a learning day focused on strengthening student engagement and deepening our math instructional knowledge, while also continuing important work around our curriculum and assessments. We are grateful for your flexibility on these no-school days—they allow us to invest in ongoing learning so your children are supported by the highest-quality teaching possible.

Right now, all grade levels are engaged in Middle-of-Year (MOY) testing, with the help of district-trained staff who are working alongside us to gather accurate information about each student’s progress and achievement. This data helps us reflect, adjust, and fine-tune our teaching and supports so every child is positioned for success during the second half of the year. You can help by cheering your child on, making sure they get good rest, eat healthy meals, and simply do their best during this important time.

We hope to see many of you at our upcoming Family Game Night, concerts, and especially at parent-teacher conferences in February.

If I or our team can support you in any way, please don't hesitate to reach out. Thank you for all you do—most importantly, for staying connected and reading this month's newsletter!

~Dr. Brittany Upton

Is there an Amazing Grimsrud Staff member you would like to recognize? Please use the button below to give them a "Shout Out." Your words will be printed and their picture is hung in our hallway for all to see and celebrate!

If your child is showing signs of influenza:

· Fever/Chills

· Sore Throat

· Headache

· Body Aches

· Cough

· Tiredness

· Runny/Stuffy Nose

Please keep them home until they feel well enough to be participating in school and have been fever free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication.

Ways to prevent respiratory infections:

· Good Handwashing (30 seconds!)

· Cover your Cough/Sneeze—use the inside of your elbow

· Stay home when you are ill

· Drink plenty of fluids

· Eat healthy foods

· Get plenty of rest

🥦 1. Eat Well, Feel Well

• Colorful fruits & veggies = strong bodies 💪
• Limit sugary snacks & drinks
• Drink lots of water! 💧

😴 2. Sleep is Super Important

• Kids need 9–12 hours of sleep each night 😴
• A calming bedtime routine helps—think books, cuddles, and no screens 📖🧸

🏃 3. Move Your Body

• Play outside, dance, ride bikes, or stretch! 🛝
• Movement boosts mood, focus, and health

😊 4. Name and Tame Big Feelings

• Talk about emotions every day
• Use calming strategies: deep breaths, drawing, quiet time
• Remember: all feelings are okay 💗

🧠 5. Keep Learning New Things

• Try puzzles, books, building, or helping with cooking 👩‍🍳
• Be curious—ask questions and explore!

💬 6. Healthy Friendships

• Practice kindness, taking turns, and listening 👂
• Talk through problems calmly
• It's okay to ask an adult for help

💕 7. Connection Counts

• Spend time together as a family—meals, games, or simple conversations
• Kids thrive when they feel safe and loved

If you need help with one of the following please click the button for more information or a way to reach out for help. If you would rather call or text you can reach Mrs. Schmidkunz about one of the following at (701)934-0826.

Happy New Year Grimsrud Families!
January is a great time to practice math skills in fun, everyday ways. In our Title I math groups, students are working on number sense, fluency and math confidence. You can support this learning at home with the activities below—no special materials needed!

🏠 Easy Math Activities to Do at Home

❄️ 1. Winter Counting & Number Sense

• Count winter items (mittens, socks, snowflakes you draw).
• Ask: Which number is bigger? Smaller? How do you know?
• Practice counting by 2s, 5s, or 10s for older students.

➕➖ 2. Addition & Subtraction at Home

• Use small objects (cereal, coins, toys).
• Create problems like:
  “You have 7 grapes. You eat 3. How many are left?”
• Encourage students to explain how they got their answer.

🛒 3. Math in Daily Routines

• Cooking: Count scoops, measure cups, compare amounts.
• Shopping: Add prices, count items, estimate totals.
• Chores: Time how long tasks take and compare times.

🧠 4. Math Talk (Very Important!)

Ask questions like:

• How did you solve that?
• Can you show it a different way?
• Does your answer make sense?

Talking about math helps children understand it better!

🎲 5. Math Games for Family Fun

• Roll dice and add or subtract the numbers
• Play card games (War for comparing numbers, Go Fish for counting)
• Use free math apps or websites recommended by your child’s teacher

💰 6. Saving Money for a Special Item

Help your child learn about saving and goal setting!

• Have your child choose a small item they would like to save for (toy, book, game, or treat).
• Research how much the item costs together.
• Use a chart or table to track progress toward the goal
• Count the money each week and talk about how much more is needed.

This activity builds addition, subtraction, counting, and real-life math skills while teaching the importance of saving!

⭐ Helpful Reminders

• Short practice (5–10 minutes) is better than long sessions
• Praise effort, not just correct answers
• Mistakes help us learn—encourage your child to keep trying!

If you have questions or would like more math ideas, please reach out.
Thank you for supporting your child’s math learning at home—we appreciate you!

Sincerely,

Mrs. O’Dell
Title I Math Interventionist

Happy New Year! We hope you had a restful break!

We have a PTO meeting coming up tomorrow. We would love to have you there to discuss upcoming events and funding opportunities. Our main focus will be the multicultural festival. So if you have thoughts about that, or would like to help plan it, please attend Tuesday January 13th at 6pm.

Would you like to share a piece of your culture or heritage? We invite you to sign up to have a booth and let people know a bit about you and your Grizzly family!

https://tinyurl.com/ywb65tz4

If you are interested in participating, please sign up with the link above or send in the paper form sent home before break. We are so excited to see all your creative booths this year!

-Grimsrud PTO

Grimsrud Elementary is a Title 1 School which means we receive federal funding to help us achieve our Reading, Math, and Behavior Goals. We have had a recent kindergarten staff change for the remainder of the year, therefore wanted to resurface both our updated Highly Qualified Staff Notification as well as our previously sent documents. Please open the links to our Grimsrud Parent and Family Engagement Compact, our our District Parent & Family Engagement Policy, and our Title 1 Annual Meeting Brochure if you would like more detailed Title 1 information.

Does your 4th or 5th grader love to sing? The 4th and 5th grade Elementary Children’s Choir, offered annually at Horizon Middle School for 4th and 5th graders from the elementary schools that connect with HMS and CHS, will be starting in January 2026! This is an excellent opportunity for your student to grow as a singer while experiencing what it’s like to be part of a choir, meet new friends, have fun, and perform with other students who also enjoy singing! Schools included will be Liberty, Centennial, Elk Ridge, Northridge, Highland Acres, Roosevelt, and Grimsrud. No previous choir experience is required—just a positive attitude and a love of singing! 🎶For more details about rehearsals, schedules, and sign-up information, please follow the link below:

2026 4th and 5th grade children's choir registration and information link

If you have any questions, please contact the Children's Choir Director, Connie Stordalen:

connie_stordalen@bismarckschools.org

⚾️ 2026 Bismarck Youth Baseball Registration is NOW OPEN! ⚾️

BYB offers opportunities for ages 5-19 to play baseball.

Programs include:
• Cal Ripken & Little League (Ages 5–12)
• Babe Ruth (Ages 13–15)
• American Legion (Ages 15–19)

For season info and to register today visit bismarckyouthbaseball.org

Email: grimsrud_secretary@bismarckschools.org
Website: https://www.bismarckschools.org/grimsrud
Phone: 701-323-4150