Grindstone Elementary teachers and students are extremely excited to share their writing with each of you during our Young Authors’ Showcase. Students have been working hard all year, perfecting their writing skills, and now it’s time to showcase their work. This special event is for parents/guardians and our Grindstone students. Although we love the little ones, we ask that only adults attend if possible.

Please note: Guests can enter the building through the main office doors, check-in, and receive a visitor badge. Guests will be escorted to the classrooms. ALL guests must bring an ID and get scanned into our Raptor System before being able to go to the classroom. If you have visited Grindstone previously this semester, your information is stored in our Raptor System, and your badge will be printed ahead of time. If you can come in before your visit to get logged into our system, the school office is open daily from 8:15 AM - 4:00 PM.

May 3, 11:00 am - BCSD Showcase at Berea-Midpark HS

May 8, 7:00 pm - Grindstone Ukulele Club Concert - Grindstone Elem. School

May 16, 8:00 - 9:00 am Fox 8 Morning News

The Grindstone G-Team is about halfway through the club. The kids and adults are working hard and increasing their movement each time we meet. The goal race is quickly approaching. On May 10, 2025 they will be participating in the Giles-Sweet Elementary 10th Annual Derby Dash in Fairview Park. There have been many great discussions over the book, Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate. In keeping with the theme with the book, G-team has decided to collect non-perishable food items and toiletries for the homeless. The goal is to collect 600 items by May 9, 2025. If the students collect 600 items there will be a DANCE OFF Contest at Lunchtime. Students will verse Staff in a dance off!

From April 22 - May, 2025, classroom teachers will be keeping track of their classroom attendance by coloring in a nacho chip; one chip if all students are present with the exception of one and BONUS DIP for PERFECT attendance! The top 3 classes will earn a Nacho Party on May 19th!!

We will also reward any student who has perfect attendance during the challenge with some Cleveland Browns Swag!!

This week, the Grindstone K-Kids created decorative windsocks to help usher in the Spring. The windsock will be given to a local nursing facility to brighten the resident's rooms.

Dear Families,

It was wonderful seeing so many of you at PTSA Family Bingo Night! Your participation and support help make our school community stronger. A special thank you to the parents who have already completed the Family Engagement Survey—your input is invaluable. If you haven’t had a chance yet, we encourage you to take a few moments to complete the survey. Your feedback will help us better serve our students and families by shaping programs and resources that meet your needs.

Click Family Engagement Survey to participate. Thank you for your support!

Best regards,
Mrs. J. Csiszar

Instructional/Literacy Coach
Grindstone Elementary School

Third and fourth grade parents, be sure to mark your calendars for the upcoming Spring OST testing dates. Students will be testing in the morning on each of these scheduled dates. Please refrain from scheduling any doctor appointments on these days.

Thank you.

Deliciousness is on its way! We are running a fundraiser from April 14th to May 14th to raise money for Grindstone PTA. Help support the Grindstone PTA in the last fundraiser of the year! Each pizza kit will be shipped directly to the buyers! Easy ordering, easy delivery!. We need your help to make this happen. Stay tuned to learn how you can join in on the fun! QR codes with the link to order will be sent out beginning April 14th!

Grindstone Elementary is proud to announce a new addition to the Grindstone main office. The Grindstone Care Closet is now up and running. This is something that will benefit the students and families of Grindstone. It is proudly sponsored by the generous donations of Renew Church in Berea.

All NEW Items that can be found in the closet are: Winter Coats, socks, short sleeve shirts, long sleeve shirts, sweaters, underwear, body/shower gel, toothbrushes, hat/gloves, blankets, and boots. All items are in a variety of sizes and are available for students and families as needed. Please contact the school counselor, Kristen Johnson 216-898-8305 *6546 to inquire about how to access the Care Closet and if you would like to donate NEW items to help support the Care Closet.

Please remind your children that proper gym shoes are required for PE class. Proper gym shoes cover the entire foot and fit snuggly on your child's feet. Crocs, boots, hey dudes, dress shoes, sandals, flip flops etc. are not acceptable for PE.

A lot of students were not prepared for PE during the second trimester. Please check our special area color calendar so that you and your child will know when they have PE class; if they are wearing any of the above mentioned shoes please pack gym shoes in their backpack. All teachers will be glad to let them change before they come to PE class.

Thank you!

Mr. Crisler and Ms. Weiss

The Raptor System is updated every semester; with that being said, the second semester just started so anyone who was logged into the system before will need to update your information. Grindstone has many different activities planned for the remainder of the school year that parents are able to participate in. Be sure to stop in to update your information so that the check in process goes smoothly with every visit.

• Remove pencils/pens before closing chromebook.

• Use a protective case when carrying your chromebook.

• Pressure hurts a chromebook!

• Do not leave your chromebook in any area that is subject to extreme temperatures. Don’t leave in car!

• Never use harsh chemicals to clean your chromebook.

• Do not loan your chromebook to others.

Our district utilizes Securly for Parents.

The Securly Parent Portal gives parents the ability to view online activity outside of the classroom, such as sites browsed, social media use and activity, and items searched. Parents can also set controls outside school hours. We encourage parents to download the Securly Home app. The app will help to safeguard your child’s online activity when devices come home and give you more control.

Please visit our website for more information: https://www.berea.k12.oh.us/departments-services/technology/chromebook-info-parent-help-ticket/securly

1. All clothing should be neat, clean, and safe.

2. Shorts are permitted on warm days only.

3. Coats are encouraged on cooler days and should be worn by students during outdoor recess.

4. The following clothing is not allowed:

● That which exposes too much or is too tight, including but not limited to tank tops, spaghetti strap tops, halter tops, cut-off T-shirts, bare midriffs, short shorts, and spandex (biking) pants or shorts.

● That which contains messages that are obscene, profane, drug-related, gang-related, or inflammatory or depicts weapons or violence.

● Sagging pants. 5. Parents are encouraged to send a change of clothes to be kept at school for their child.

Disclaimer: Any new “fads” in clothing, or anything not specifically covered in the above guidelines, determined to be inappropriate dress or disruptive to the learning environment, shall be dealt with at the discretion of the Berea City School District Elementary Schools’ Administration. Any student not adhering to the above will be referred to the office where parent contact will occur.

RECESS:

“When the temperature, including the wind chill, is 20 degrees or above, students will go out for recess and need to be dressed for the cold weather. The administration reserves the right to hold indoor recess based on the conditions of the playground/blacktop areas.”

We have Snacks and Ice Cream Novelty items available for purchase in the cafeteria, The prices are

50¢ - $1.00 and $1.25. You may deposit money through Infinite Campus

Food Service (My Cart) Instructions

• The school day starts at 9:00 a.m. All car riders should wait in their cars until a Grindstone staff member either opens the door or signals them to exit the car. For student safety, all students should exit and enter their car curbside.

• For all our Titan Friends who walk to school and arrive before the first bell, it is imperative for your child’s safety that they are waiting in line like a Super Titan; being respectful, responsible, and safe. Students should not arrive at school too early as there is no supervision before our first bell rings at 9:00 a.m.

• Students coming for breakfast may enter the building through the cafeteria doors beginning at 8:45 a.m.

• The child has a fever of/over 100 degrees

• The child has vomited

• For any major head injuries

• For injuries resulting in swelling or restricted movement

• For suspected broken bones

• When the child is in distress from feeling unwell

The nurses will not call home unless requested by parents:

• Any visit to the nurse throughout the day

• Minor bumps and abrasions

• Minor cuts

MEDICATION REMINDER: Please do not send cough drops or any other medications to school with your child. If medication is required for your child during the school year, please complete the medication request form and have an adult bring the medication to the nurse’s clinic along with the signed medication permission form from the doctor. If we do not have the medication form filled out by the doctor then the clinic cannot let your child have the medication.

Lastly, please make sure your kids are drinking plenty of water, 8 to 10 glasses of water each day is vital in keeping ourselves healthy. They also need to try to eat a healthy breakfast each morning. We are seeing a lot of early morning upset stomachs from kids who have not eaten breakfast or had a sufficient amount of water.

Thank you for helping the nursing staff here at Grindstone Elementary to keep the kids and staff healthy!

As a part of the District’s PBIS framework our K-8 classrooms will be introducing Compass360 lessons. These lessons are designed to enhance our students' emotional development and interpersonal skills which will focus on developing the five key competencies outlined by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL):

• Self-Awareness: Helping students recognize their emotions and thoughts, and how these influence behavior.

• Self-Management: Equipping students with tools to manage stress, control impulses, and set personal goals.

• Social Awareness: Encouraging empathy and understanding of diverse perspectives and backgrounds.

• Relationship Skills: Teaching effective communication, teamwork, and conflict resolution strategies.

• Responsible Decision-Making: Guiding students to make constructive choices about personal and social behavior.

Through engaging activities, discussions, and reflection, the Compass360 lessons will foster a positive environment where students can thrive both academically and emotionally. We believe that these skills are essential for their success in school and in life.

If you have any questions or would like more information, please feel free to reach out to Lori Sancin, lsancin@bereaschoolls.org or Meredith Ondak, mondak@bereaschools.org.

Absence Request Online (English)

Absence Request Online (Spanish)

Absence Request Online (Chinese)

Absence Request Online (Hindi)

Absence Request Online (Arabic)

School Fees have been added to student accounts. Payments may be made in person at Grindstone using Cash or Check or beginning September 9, 2024, through Infinite Campus. Instructions are provided below.

Families are asked and encouraged to complete the Income Eligibility Verification Application to access additional benefits, including increased state and federal funding for staff, equipment, and supplies; discounts on fees for academic assessments; and access to local scholarships, tuition assistance for dual credit and AP courses, and discounts on college application fees. By completing the application, you help the district continue to provide valuable resources and opportunities for every student.

Online payment is our preferred method for parents and guardians to pay for school fees, cafeteria payments, and more.

The Infinite Campus Online Payment system is a payment processing

solution that allows you to submit food service and school-related fees 24/7

via the Parent Portal. Payments can be made for one child or the entire

household.

The Fees tool provides a list of all fees assigned to you. Fees may include things like a lab fee for a science course, a fee for a field trip or the cost of an athletic activity. Fees that are still owed and fees that were paid appear in this list, followed by the ongoing balance for all fees.

View the Fee Payment tutorial

If you are unable to use the online payment system, please contact the

treasurer's office at (216) 898-8300.

8:50 a.m.-9:10 a.m. Breakfast students may enter through the cafeteria door
9:15 a.m. Tardy bell rings
3:40 p.m. Car Riders, Walkers, and Right at School After Care Students dismissed
3:45 p.m. Dismissal bell for bus riders

Email: tgrimm@bereaschools.org
Website: www.bereaschools.org
Location: 191 Race Street, Berea, OH, USA
Phone: (216)898-8305
Facebook: facebook.com/GrindstoneBCSD
X/Twitter: @GrindstoneBCSD