GRIMSRUD ELEMENTARY -May 2026-

All stakeholders are invited to attend the Grimsrud Title 1 Annual Spring Review Meeting on May 20th at 2:30pm. Staff will report school results on reading, math, and behavior goals as well as extend an invitation for input on next year's goals during this meeting. The meeting minutes and notes will be sent to all families via email after the meeting.

This year families must re-register for bussing due to our school district changing from PowerSchool to Infinite Campus. Please register your child for the grade and school they will be attending next year. (ex: If you have a 5th grader attending Horizon next year, make sure to register them as a 6th grader at Horizon Middle School.)

Come join us for the LAST PTO meeting of the year! This meeting is for recapping our year. We will be going over how each event went; what was good and where we had opportunities as well as where we were for budget.

We will also be electing some new officers to the board. We are looking for a co-secretary (or two), and a co-treasurer to learn the ropes as some of our parents will be aging out of elementary after next year.

So come bring your thoughts and ideas Tuesday, May 5th at 5:30. We hope to see you there!

-PTO

Did you know that the Ronald McDonald House soda tab program has raised millions of dollars nationally? It's one of the simplest ways to make a real impact — no cash required! Here's how it works: save the small aluminum pull tabs from any canned beverage — soda, sparkling water, energy drinks, bottle caps, anything with a can. Send them in with your student, and they can drop them into our special collection containers. We have foldable cardboard "house" containers provided directly by our local Ronald McDonald House. Tabs are then collected and donated to Ronald McDonald House to be recycled into direct funding for families in need.To make it even more exciting, we'll be running a classroom competition! Please continue to bring soda tabs until May 14th.

Is there an Amazing Grimsrud Staff member you would like to recognize? Please use the button below to give them a "Shout Out." Your words will be printed and their picture is hung in our hallway for all to see and celebrate!

If you need help with one of the following please click the button for more information or a way to reach out for help. If you would rather call or text you can reach Mrs. Schmidkunz about one of the following at (701)934-0826.

The PTO has purchased the school a STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) cart to promote extended learning for all students. Teachers and students are excited to use it but we need some fun supplies in the cart first. Would you look around your house for some interesting trash to get the “cart rolling”? You can send any items to school with your student.

Grimsrud’s current “Gearing up for Kindergarten” program resembles a kindergarten open house and much more. This year, we are encouraging you to join our final session of “Gearing up for Kindergarten” on May 12th from 5:15- 6:30pm in place of a Spring open house. Here your student will get to meet his/her future teacher, other future classmates, and spend time in their kindergarten classroom for next year. This is a great opportunity to help them transition for a successful first year of school.

To ensure your child spends time with his/her own future Grimsrud teacher and classroom on this night, we ask that you register by clicking HERE and selecting the May 12 Grimsrud session. Kids and parents will start together in the classroom, then the teachers and students will continue to do a few short fun activities while the parents engage in an information session down the hall. So far we have had extremely positive feedback about these sessions!

*Please note the teacher’s role during this busy evening is to meet the parents and spend time interacting with all of the kids as much as possible. If you have unique concerns or issues to discuss, we ask that you request a separate touch-base so we can be our best listener and partner with you.

In early August we will send you a welcome presentation that will provide more details and information that will relate to our schoolwide “open house” in the fall on August 17th for all students in grades K-5.

As we wrap up a wonderful spring season, I want to take a moment to celebrate the growth your child has made in math this year! With summer just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to keep those skills fresh in fun, relaxed ways. The good news: math is everywhere, and a little practice can go a long way.

🌟 What We’ve Been Working On

Throughout the year, students have been building skills in:

• Number sense and fact fluency

• Addition, subtraction, and early multiplication

• Problem-solving and explaining their thinking

• Building confidence and perseverance

Keeping these skills active over the summer helps students return in the fall ready to succeed!

🎲 Fun & Easy Math Activities at Home

1. Math in the Kitchen 🍪

• Have your child help measure ingredients (½ cup, 1 cup, etc.)

• Ask questions like, “What happens if we double this recipe?”

• Great for practicing fractions and multiplication!

2. Grocery Store Math 🛒

• Let your child estimate the total cost of items

• Compare prices and find the best deals

• Practice rounding and addition

3. Card & Board Games ♠️

• Games like Go Fish, War, or Uno build number recognition and strategy

• Roll dice and add numbers together

• Make it a family game night!

4. Outdoor Math Adventures 🌳

• Count steps, jumps, or objects you see on a walk

• Create patterns with rocks or sticks

• Practice skip counting while jumping rope

5. Real-Life Problem Solving 🧠

• “We have 12 apples and 4 people—how many each?”

• “If we leave at 2:30 and arrive at 3:15, how long is the trip?”

✏️ Skills to Practice (Just a Few Minutes a Day!)

• Basic addition & subtraction facts

• Multiplication & division facts (for older students)

• Creating and solving simple word problems

• Telling time and counting money

Short, consistent practice (10–15 minutes a day) is more effective than long sessions!

💡 Make It Positive!

• Encourage effort, not just correct answers

• Let your child explain their thinking

• Keep it fun—math doesn’t have to feel like homework!

🌈 Wishing You a Wonderful Summer!

Thank you for your support this year—it truly makes a difference. I’m so proud of all the progress our students have made! Enjoy the sunshine, make memories, and sneak in a little math along the way.

If you have any questions or would like additional resources, feel free to reach out!

Happy Summer! ☀️
—Your Title I Math Interventionist, Mrs. O'Dell

1. Keep it short & consistent

Aim for 10–20 minutes a day—it doesn’t have to be long to make a big impact. Build it into a routine (before bed, after lunch, etc.).

2. Let kids choose
Comics, joke books, magazines, audiobooks—it all counts! Choice builds motivation and confidence.

3. Celebrate reading
Track every day you read for 10-20 minutes (or # of books you read) and celebrate milestones with small rewards (extra screen time, choosing dinner, a trip to the park). See picture to the right! →

→

4. Read anywhere, anytime
Take books outside, to the pool, on road trips, or even read recipes together while cooking.

5. Try “Echo Reading” or “Read Together”

• Adult reads a sentence → child repeats → adult and child read together
• Or take turns reading pages

6. Practice word skills in a fun way

• Clap out syllables in longer words
• Stretch sounds to read tricky words (sss-u-n = sun)
• Play “word detective” and find sight words in books or around the house

7. Use audiobooks
Listening to stories builds vocabulary and comprehension—perfect for car rides or quiet time.

8. Make reading active

• Talk about the story: “What was your favorite part?”
• Make predictions: “What do you think will happen next?”
• Connect to real life: “Has this ever happened to you?”

Email: grimsrud_secretary@bismarckschools.org
Website: https://www.bismarckschools.org/grimsrud
Phone: 701-323-4150