Each month our teachers will nominate a ‘Super Titan’ ~ Students who demonstrate on a daily basis throughout the month what it means to Be A Titan!! For the month of November, students’ focused on being a good Titan by showing Empathy!! Students were recognized during lunch in front of their peers and then had their picture taken, which will appear in our Titan Hall of Fame. Students were able to pick from the prize cart and received a certificate and Super Titan decal.

Way to Go!! We are so Proud of you!

The Grindstone Lost and Found has quickly grown over the past few months. We will be cleaning it out and donating all items not claimed over winter break. If your child is missing something, please have them check the Lost and Found, located by the stairs in the cafeteria. Parents are welcome to come in and check lost and found as well. Be sure to stop in the office and check in first. You can also claim lost items if you are planning on visiting the Jolly Jamboree on December 12th.

All lost and found items need to be claimed by Thursday, December 19th.

Beginning December 1st, Grindstone will participate in the Stay In the Game 12 Days of Attendance Challenge!! We are super excited to participate and promote positive attendance habits for our students! On Monday, December 2nd, each student will receive a game board to track their progress. Students who are at school on time and all day will be able to put a mark on their game board. On the last day, students who have successfully completed the challenge will have their name entered in a raffle to win all kinds of Cleveland Browns prizes! Prizes will be drawn the week of December 16th.

So let’s go Grindstone ~ Are you up for the challenge??

If you are looking for some great books to fill the winter months, here's some links put together by our library:

Wonderful Winter Reading Room

Winter Library

Winter Holidays Reading Room

Winter Holiday Books

Winter Activities

Reindeer Reading Room

Polar Bears Reading Room

Penguin Reading Room

New Year Celebrations Reading Room

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!

Attention local 4th, 5th and 6th graders! You’re invited to discover Polaris and explore careers through their 2nd Annual Explorer Club. This after-school adventure features fun, hands-on classes taught by their very own instructors.

The next session will take place on December 3-4 and 10-11 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The program fee is $60, which includes two classes and all class materials. There is also an optional early drop-off at 4:00 p.m. each day featuring BONUS career exploration activities.

Classes promise to fill up quickly so interested students and families are encouraged to enroll as soon as possible at www.polaris.edu/explorerclub.

The Explorer Club class lineup includes the following exciting options: Anatomy Academy; CAD Creators: 3D-Printing & Design; Design & Press: Custom T-Shirts; Drone Masters; Glamour Me; Pencils to Pixels; Rescue 911; Sweet Holiday Kitchen; The Art of Cooking; Tool Time and Virtual Reality Winter Wonderland.

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.

Berea City School District has discontinued using Pay Schools Central to process fee payments and is now using Infinite Campus.

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