Graves (K-5) Sailor Newsletter

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

Thank you again for everyone's continued patience as we get schedules and routines set in place. Students have been doing an awesome job learning our school wide expectations and routines.

We hope to see you at our upcoming Curriculum Night. This is a great opportunity for you to meet your child's teacher and learn all about our amazing school.

Please see the following newsletter for important information.

Monday, September 1: Labor Day Holiday (NO SCHOOL)

Tuesday, September 9: Curriculum Night 6:00PM - 7:30PM

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

Monday, September 15: International Dot Day (see flyer below for more information)

Tuesday, September 16: Mexican Independence Day (no uniform)

Friday, September 19: "Fall in Love with Fall" PBIS Fundraiser (please see flyer below for more information)

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

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)

Please be aware that our door and classroom numbers have changed!

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.

Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the cultures and histories of people with heritage from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. It's also a way to honor the many achievements and contributions by Hispanic people in the United States and around the world.

Click on the following link to learn more!

To celebrate Mexican Independence Day everyone is invited to wear traditional wear on

Tuesday, September 16th.

If you do not have traditional wear, you may wear the colors: red, white, and green

OR

clothing that represents your culture.

All proceeds will help fund school wide PBIS events we have planned for our students

throughout the year.

Please see the attached flyer for more information……

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.

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. 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

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 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.

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 #9

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.

GRAVES K-5 Student Dress Code

SHIRTS/TOPS

Plain maroon collared polo or dress shirt with long or short sleeves is required. Plain black or white undershirts may be worn under the maroon collared shirt. Shirts must extend to waistline. Plain black or maroon sweaters or sweatshirts may be worn over the collared maroon polo or dress shirt or over a plain white or black undershirt. *Only maroon hoodies are allowed.

PANTS

Must be black or khaki and worn at the waist. This includes shorts (knee length), capri pants, and skirts (knee length). Leggings may be worn, but only when a shirt extending to mid-thigh is worn as well.

FRIDAY SCHOOL SPIRIT

Students may wear any shirts given or bought through Graves School with Jeans.

*Please note that blue jeans are only allowed on Fridays with a school shirt.

PBIS FUNDRAISER & HOLIDAY DRESS-DOWN DAYS

There will be days when students will be allowed to come without uniform due to PBIS activities or holidays. A flyer will be posted via Seesaw when those days occur.

For child's safety no crocs are allowed, unless its a special dress down day,

such as Pajama Day.

Thanks for your cooperation as we want to make sure students are safe during

their time in our school building.

Please review this months lunch menu with your child.

Our Graves Sailors have learned more about our school-wide expectations. They have a copy of the following matrix in their take home folders. Please make sure you go over it with your child

Remember, these expectations help us establish a positive student culture and help create a safe and effective learning environment for all students!

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