Grand Star Elementary

10/19 PTA Meeting @ 6pm (Dirty Soda Bar and Babysitting available!)

10/21 Culvers Night from 5pm-8pm

10/22 Fourth Grade Musical

10/23 First Grade Field Trip

10/23 Hats Off to Learning (Top off your outfit with your favorite hat)!

10/27 Trunk or Treat @ 5:30pm

10/30 Fall Celebration (parade @ 2:15pm, parties @ 2:30)

District Calendar

PTA Facebook

Sign Up to be a GSE Volunteer

Students who arrive after 8:20 a.m. should check in at the office and pick up a tardy slip to give to their teacher.

If your student’s dismissal plans change, please call the office at 913-856-3750. All changes, including car rider/walker status or who is picking up your student, must come directly from a parent or guardian.

If you email your student’s teacher about a dismissal change, please include our school secretaries: Amy Comstock: comstocka@usd231.com

Jessica Cortright: cortrightj@usd231.com

Don't have your life together? That's okay, neither do we! We're just trying to remember where we're supposed to be! No perfect hair, no fancy clothes, no matching cups or coordinated bows. No cliques, no drama, no Mean Girls here, just parents and teachers spreading school cheer! Have some ideas? We'd love a few! Have absolutely none? We still want you! Need a babysitter and an hour away? Come pretend to listen; we won't make you stay! We're a little bit loud, but making school special is what makes us proud! So come as you are, no pressure, no fuss. Your messy bun's welcome, but isn't a must. There's a place at the table for all of us!

Fall weather is officially here! 🍂

Our Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) small groups will begin in two weeks! I am excited to offer one group for each grade level every quarter. Students will be invited to participate based on their individual needs. If your child is invited to join a group, you’ll receive an email and a note in their backpack with more information!

Holiday Assistance for Families ❤️

The holiday season is approaching! If your family could use a little extra help with gifts or meals for your children this year, please complete the form below.

If there’s something going on that may be affecting your child’s school day, please reach out. I’m here to help, and staying connected allows us to support your child together!

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you ever have questions, concerns, or need support. You can contact me by phone at 913-856-3775, by email at taylorle@usd231.com, or by text at 913-228-3010.

Each week, we share a summary of your student’s Second Step social-emotional learning (SEL) lesson, along with a simple way to practice the skill at home.

If you're reading this, congratulations! Be the first parent or guardian to email Ms. Jessica in the front office at cortrightj@usd231.com with the words "I found it!' and your student will receive a prize!

Grand Star Elementary’s Cultural Fair is Thursday, November 12, from 6:00pm - 7:00pm, with table setup beginning at 5:00. With around 13 countries and four languages represented at GSE, we’re inviting families to host a table and share their culture or home country with our school community.

Displays can include flags, photos, traditional clothing, keepsakes, language samples, or other items that celebrate your culture.

To participate, complete this form and return it to your child’s teacher or email it to Jenny Becker, EL teacher, at beckerj@usd231.com.

If your student is going to be absent please call 913-856-3799 and leave a detailed message with your name, your student's name, and the reason for the absence. You may also send an email to gseattendance@usd231.com.

Please write your child's name on coats, jackets, backpacks, lunch boxes, and other items! If you notice your student is missing an item, please encourage them to visit our Lost and Found, located right outside the gym by the cafeteria.

ALL REMAINING LOST AND FOUND ITEMS WILL BE DONATED AFTER SCHOOL ON MONDAY OCTOBER 19. PLEASE REMIND YOUR STUDENT TO LOOK!

As we head into fall, please remember that the weather can be unpredictable. We encourage you to send a jacket or sweatshirt with your student and please label it with their name, grade, or initials.

GSE Lunch Schedule:

10:45am - 11:15am First Grade

11:15am - 11:45am Fourth Grade

11:45am - 12:15pm Kindergarten

12:15pm - 12:45pm Third Grade

12:45pm - 1:15pm Second Grade

Rock your Grand Star spirit in some cool new duds!

Click here to shop spirit wear from Simply Me Shirts & Transfers.

Click here to access the Harvesters Food Assistance Locator.

Looking for extra support? The Johnson County Emergency Assistance Guide includes local resources for food, housing, utilities, healthcare, transportation, and more. Find support and resources here.

Laundry Love is a community program that helps families with the cost of doing laundry. During Laundry Love sessions at Legendary Laundry, up to 3 loads per individual or 5 loads per family are covered, and detergent is provided.

Behavior Checker is a free online resource from Johnson County Mental Health Center with practical strategies for common childhood behaviors. Simply choose a behavior or browse by category to find teaching strategies you can try at home.

From bedtime struggles and sibling conflict to tantrums, lying and more, Behavior Checker gives parents and caregivers another tool for navigating the everyday challenges of raising kids.

Explore Behavior Checker: jcmhc.behaviorchecker.org

Resources are also available in Spanish.

Kansas law requires children to use an appropriate car seat, booster seat, or seat belt based on their age, size, and development.

The Gardner Police Department has several trained Child Passenger Safety Technicians who can help families make sure their child’s car seat is appropriate and properly installed.

📧 To schedule an appointment, please email: carseat@gardnerkansas.gov

A few minutes spent checking your child’s car seat can make a lifesaving difference. Buckle up correctly—every child, every ride!