GRIMSRUD ELEMENTARY

Dear Grimsrud Families,

What an incredible fall season it’s been at Grimsrud! I want to extend my sincere appreciation for the tremendous turnout at Parent–Teacher Conferences — an outstanding 97% attendance rate! This level of family engagement speaks volumes about our shared commitment to student success. We also loved seeing so many of you at Trunk or Treat — thank you for helping make it such a fun and memorable evening for our students and families.

As we move into November, a month that naturally invites reflection and gratitude, I want to take a moment to thank our amazing and dedicated staff. On the October 31 no school day, teachers and staff spent the day learning and collaborating — diving into literacy instruction, exploring our new evaluation model, engaging in sessions on mental health and crisis response, and refining our instructional practices to better support every learner. Their commitment to growth and excellence continues to inspire me each day. Join me in clicking the "staff shout-out" button below to elevate something positive you notice about any of our staff to pay it forward.

This month also brings Veterans Day, a time to honor those who have served. To all the parents, guardians, and community members who are veterans — we offer our deepest gratitude for your service, sacrifice, and commitment to our country and the freedoms we enjoy daily.

Thank you, as always, for being an essential part of our Grizzly community. Together, we continue to make Grimsrud a place where students, staff, and families thrive.

~Dr. Upton

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!

This month for Career Cafe our school had the pleasure of welcoming a Health and Wellness Director from United Tribes Technical College who shared insights about her important role in supporting students’ overall success with interested 3rd, 4th and 5th graders. She spoke about how she helps students thrive by focusing on all aspects of their well-being — including physical health, mental health, personal wellness, and even financial stability. Her visit highlighted the many ways schools can work together to create a supportive, balanced environment where every student can succeed.

In our next Career Cafe session, a security guard visited the school to speak with a group of students about her job. She shared what her typical day looks like, what she enjoys most about her work, and some of the more challenging parts of being a security guard. The students also watched a video of her being pepper sprayed during her training, which they found fascinating. They were very engaged throughout the visit, asking lots of questions and showing great interest in learning more about her role.

Please make sure your child is dressed for the cold weather. Below you will find our district policy regarding clothing and coats. Please also see our Weather Policies webpage for additional information.

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 Knights of Columbus are handing out free coats at the Pro-Cathedral of Saint Mary (825 East Broadway Ave) from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM on Sunday, November 9. Child must be present to receive a coat.

Let’s Celebrate Reading Together at Home

This month is all about sharing the joy of reading as a family! You don’t need special materials—just time together and a love for stories and words. Here are some easy ways to build reading skills at home:

💬 1. Talk About What You Read

After reading a book, talk about it! Ask questions like:

• “What was your favorite part?”

• “Why do you think the character did that?”

• “What might happen next?”
  These conversations help your child think deeply and build comprehension skills.

🏡 2. Read Everywhere

Reading doesn’t have to mean sitting with a book! Try reading:

• Signs while driving

• Recipes while cooking

• Grocery lists or menus
  Everyday reading builds real-world literacy.

🔁 3. Re-Read Favorites

Children learn best when they hear stories again and again. Re-reading helps build fluency, confidence, and vocabulary.

🎭 4. Make It Fun and Expressive

Take turns reading aloud in funny voices or acting out parts of the story. Laughter makes reading memorable!

🕐 5. Create a “Reading Routine”

Choose a cozy spot or build a blanket fort and set aside 10–15 minutes each day for reading together. Consistency matters more than time!

✏️ 6. Word Play Anytime

Play simple games like:

• “I Spy” with beginning sounds (“I spy something that starts with /b/.”)

• Rhyming challenges (“What rhymes with cat?”...hat, bat)

• Spotting sight words in signs or packages

We had so many great submissions for our first annual PTO drawing contest! Congratulations to Karina in Mrs. Schwan's 3rd Grade. Her picture has won the first annual PTO drawing contest and will be displayed on the page https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1HU157GMpy/ for the rest of the year! She also won a special treat sponsored by Runnings Stores for her whole class! Good work Karina!

Our next meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 18th @4pm. We hope to see you there to discuss funding opportunities and upcoming events.

Our next eat out night will be at SPACE ALIENS on November 17th.

Thank you for all of your support!
Grimsrud PTO

Click on the button below to watch 5 instructional chess videos created by International Master Daniel Rensch. There is also a Chess Tournament TOMORROW NOVEMBER 8th at Will-Moore Elementary that is open to students from all schools.

Reminder: Grimsrud Chess Club will be held November 17th-19th from 2:20-4:00pm. Cost is $30.

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