Graves (K-5) Sailor Newsletter

*Para español por favor haga clic en "Translate” en la esquina superior

Thank you to all the families who joined us for Curriculum Night! We had a wonderful turnout, and it was great to see so many of you connecting with our teachers and learning more about your child’s school year. We look forward to continuing to see our families at events throughout the year. Staying connected with your child’s progress is so important in ensuring their success, so please continue to engage with us and read our school newsletters for important updates and information.

¡Gracias a todas las familias que nos acompañaron en la Noche de Currículo! Tuvimos una gran participación y fue un gusto verlos conectarse con nuestros maestros y aprender más sobre el año escolar de sus hijos. Esperamos seguir viendo a nuestras familias en los eventos durante todo el año. Mantenerse conectados con el progreso de sus hijos es muy importante para asegurar su éxito, así que continúen participando y leyendo nuestros boletines escolares para obtener información y actualizaciones importantes.

Monday, September 15 – Wednesday, October 15: Hispanic Heritage Month

Tuesday, September 22: After-School Programs Begin (See flyer below for more information)

Tuesday, September 23: 5th Grade Candor Health Visit (5th grade students only)

Tuesday, September 23: FALL (MAP) Testing Begins

Friday, September 26: Graves Fall Picture Day (no uniform)

Friday, September 26: PBIS Monthly Grade Level Event

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 23, 2025

HMS/Graves Multi-Purpose Room (HMS Spotlight)

October 14, 2025

Admin Center

November 11, 2025

Walsh Elementary School (Walsh Spotlight)

December 9, 2025

Admin Center

January 13, 2026

Walker Elementary School (Walker Spotlight)

February 10, 2026

Admin Center

March 10, 2026

Wharton Elementary School (Wharton Spotlight)

April 14, 2026

Admin Center

May 12, 2026

Graves Elementary School (Graves Spotlight)

June 9, 2026

Admin Center

This month, we are proud to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and honor the traditions, cultures, and contributions of our Hispanic communities.

As a Dual Language school, we are especially proud that our students are learning Spanish and embracing the beauty of bilingualism. This helps them connect with culture, strengthen their academic skills, and prepare for a bright future.

As a community of immigrants and families with diverse backgrounds, we know the importance of celebrating where we come from while learning together as one school family. Hispanic Heritage Month is a wonderful reminder of the strength that comes from honoring our cultures and building unity through language, learning, and community.

Please help us raise money for our student's PBIS events by scanning the following QR Code!

Please see the following presentation for more information on how you can help our school.

After School Clubs will begin next week!

If you have any questions regarding clubs please email

Rosa Serna at rserna@sd104.us and Claudia Martinez cmartinez@sd104.us or call the front office.

Please remember to pick up your child on time.

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.

The fall weather will be here soon! Students will continue going out for recess every day. Please make sure that your child wears appropriate sweater/jacket to school.

We ask that parents do not send in birthday treats for students to distribute. Please read below, as taken from the 2025-2026 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.

Each month, our SEL Corner will highlight simple strategies families can use at home to support their child’s social and emotional growth.

September Focus: Building Routines

Children feel safe and ready to learn when they know what to expect. Establishing consistent routines at home like a regular bedtime, homework time, or morning routine can help reduce stress and build confidence. Try creating a simple chart or checklist together so your child can take ownership of their daily routines!

• Kindergarten students must submit a current health exam and proof of immunizations by October 15th in order to avoid school exclusion per Illinois State Board of Education school code. Thank you to those who have turned them in already!

• Ronald McDonald Care Mobile will be at HMS/Graves 10/7. We still have space, call the office for more information!

• Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease is on the rise in Illinois; it spreads through respiratory droplets and contact, and children should stay home if they have a fever, cannot maintain hygiene (such as excessive drooling), or have open uncovered blisters. Prevention includes good handwashing, cleaning surfaces, and not sharing food, drinks, or utensils

• Please talk to your children about not sharing food at lunch in order to protect students with food allergies.

• Washing your hands is the most effective way to prevent the spread of back to school germs!

• 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

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.

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.

Students who miss more than nine regular school days without valid cause are chronic truants. Students who are chronic truants will be offered support services and resources aimed at correcting the truancy issue. A student who misses 10 consecutive days of school without valid cause and who cannot be located or, after exhausting all available support services, cannot be compelled to return to school is unenrolled.

D104 Action Plan for Truancy:

The District 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.

9 days of absences

o A truancy letter regarding absence concerns (indicating the dates of absences) will be mailed. A copy will be placed in the student’s temporary file.

o Meeting with the student (when appropriate)

18 days of absences

o A truancy letter will be mailed and added to their file.

o The building administrator will contact the family/guardian regarding concerns.

o Future absences will be marked as Truant unless accompanied by a doctor's note.

o An attendance intervention plan can be implemented via social worker and administrator.

21 Days of absences

o A truancy letter will be mailed on each subsequent absence and added to the file.

o The building administrator will facilitate meeting with parent to discuss concerns.

o Social worker will provide resources for student and/or family counseling as well as agency support.

o Attendance intervention plan will be restructured as needed. o Potential Involvement of the

Summit Police Department

o Contact the Intermediate Service Center for truancy

Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays

Entrance 7:50a.m.

Dismissal 2:50p.m.

(Doors open at 7:30 for breakfast)

Wednesdays (Late Start)

Entrance 8:50a.m.

Dismissal 2:50p.m.

(Doors open at 8:30 for breakfast)

Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd Grade: Door #4

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

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

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

For the safety of our staff and students, please do not bring dogs onto school property.

Thank you for your support!

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

Please review this months lunch menu with your child.

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