Graves (K-5) Sailor Newsletter

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

¡Tuvimos una maravillosa primera semana de clases! Nuestros estudiantes ya están aprendiendo, haciendo amigos y adaptándose a las rutinas. Una bienvenida especial a nuestras nuevas familias de Kinder: estamos muy emocionados de que se una a nuestra comunidad escolar. Gracias por su paciencia y apoyo mientras establecemos rutinas y comenzamos este año escolar juntos.

We had a wonderful first week of school! Our students are already working hard, making friends, and settling into routines. A special welcome to our new kindergarten families-we are so excited to have you join our school community. Thank you for your patience and support as we establish routines and begin this school year together.

Welcome to the 2025-2026 school year! I am so excited for the start of the school year! Graves Dual Language School prides itself in being a place that supports the positive growth of each and every child.

Our goal is for our students to become bilingual, biliterate, excel academically, and develop high levels of cultural competence. With the support of the teachers, staff, families, and community, I know we will attain this goal. I look forward to supporting students in becoming bilingual. In the long-term, being bilingual will not only open many doors for our students, but it will help them in continuing the traditions of our cultures.

We believe that all families bring with them a wealth of cultural, linguistic, and personal knowledge. Family participation in the life of the school is integral to student success. I maintain an open-door policy, so please know that if you have any concerns or suggestions, you can speak with me. I look forward to continuing to get to know the students and families of this community throughout the year.

I want to welcome everyone to the 2025-2026 school year. As the Assistant Principal, I want to continue to support and advance the amazing work that teachers and staff have shown throughout this past year. I will also continue working alongside the principal in carrying out our school's vision, mission, and dedication to inspire lifelong learners in a safe and nurturing environment.

One of my goals is to ensure that the school environment is a safe and respectful place for everyone, where our students can continue to grow academically, socially and emotionally.

I am a firm believer in the connection between the school and home. So, if you have any questions or concerns please feel free contact me. I look forward working together in making sure our students love coming to school everyday, ready to learn!

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

Tuesday, September 16: Mexican Independence Day (more information coming soon)

Friday, September 26: Graves Picture Day

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!

August 12, 2025

Admin Center

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!

Friday, September 26, 2025.

More information to come!

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.

Thank you for your patience as we are getting everyone on and off the bus safely.

If you are thinking about not having your child take the bus anymore, please call the office and let us know.

Thank you for your patience during arrival and dismissal as we make sure all the students arrive safely to school and back home. If you signed up for the Car Line please pick up your child up driving daily. Please always display your Car Line Tag. If you no longer would like to be part of the Car Line please let us know so we can allow other families to join.

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.

Welcome back!

We hope you enjoyed plenty of vitamin D filled sunshine over summer break! ☀️ Here are some important notes as we begin a new school year:

• Washing your hands is the most effective way to prevent the spread of germs... Especially stomach bugs!

• Kindergarten students must submit a current health exam and proof of immunizations by Wednesday October 15th in order to avoid school exclusion per Illinois State Board of Education school code.

• Graves & HMS will be hosting the Ronald McDonald Mobile Clinic 10/7/25. This is for families without private health insurance. Call the office for information!

• Please remember per district 104 handbook: students are NOT allowed to carry ANY medication (this includes any over-the-counter medication such cough drops, Tylenol, and Motrin). If your student needs medication administered during the school day (including cough drops, Tylenol, or Motrin), medication must be kept in the Health Office and medication authorization forms must be signed by the parent/guardian AND a medical provider (Doctor, PA, APRN).

• 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

Please review this months lunch menu with your child.

We ask that parents do not send in birthday treats for students to distribute. Please read below, as taken from the 2023-2024 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.

A lot of great learning went on at Graves this week!

Our Graves Sailors participated in their PBIS day where they learned the rules and expectations for establishing a positive student culture to create a safe and effective learning environment for all students!

Please see the following PowerPoint Presentation for more information

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