Graham Elementary Schools

Hello Falcon families!

The fourth nine weeks will start on Monday, 3/17/25...where has the time gone?!? Quarter 3 progress reports will be sent home on Thursday, March 20, and Spring Break will begin on Monday, March 24.

We are very proud of our fifth grade learners who participated in science fair this Winter, and thank Mrs. Sarah Lonsinger for her guidance and leadership through the process. See the article in this newsletter to learn more about the hard work and accomplishments of these learners!

This last week of school before Spring Break will be a busy and fun time at Graham Elementary. Some of the things happening include...

*PTO Meeting on Monday, 3/17 in 1st grade pod @ 4:00p.m. - virtual link can be found on ClassDOJO

*Parent/Teacher Conferences on Tuesday, 3/18 and Thursday, 3/20

*StuCrew GES Skating party on Thursday, 3/19 @ 36 Skate Club (see flyer below)

*Spring Picture Day on Friday, 3/21

*Club Day AND Kona Ice Day on Friday, 3/21

*Quarter 2 and Quarter 3 ZERO referral celebrations

*Exciting PTO family events

Also included in this issue is information about the annual Graham Middle School Memorial Day run event. This year's theme is sure to make for a fun family event!

As our teachers continue to work hard to facilitate powerful learning opportunities for your children at GES, we are thankful for the support and partnerships we are developing with each family we are lucky enough to serve at Graham Elementary! Thank you for trusting us with your children's education and development both as learners and as people!

This school year continues to be filled with learning, achievement, success and LOTS of smiles!

Our Graham Elementary Staff is the best in the land!

Stay informed about all things happening at Graham Elementary by following us on:

Facebook: Graham Elementary School

ClassDOJO

Graham Local Schools website: grahamlocalschools.org. (Graham Elementary School)

Emily Shreve, Graham Elementary School Principal

Aaron Myers, Graham Elementary School Assistant Principal

On Thursday, February 20, 2025, the 11th Annual Champaign County Science Day was held at Urbana High School, for Champaign County students, grades 5-12. Under the direction of 5th grade teacher, Sarah Lonsinger, nine fifth graders from Graham Elementary competed by showcasing their science research projects and presenting their findings to area professionals, researchers, and educators.

Kalie Hannah received an “Excellent” for her project about bath bombs. The following students received the highest rating of “Superior”: Reese Barger & Ava Terrell, Peyton Croker, Xavier Garcia & Liam Kizer, Lainey Heaston, Rees Hedrick, and Arya Massey. These projects’ topics include testing different types of Oobleck, battery life, rust removal, water filtration systems, mentos and liquids, and finally yeast and bread baking.

One GES team even earned the award for 3rd place overall: Reese Barger & Ava Terrell. Peyton Croker won a Shepherd Award for Best Project in Chemistry, Energy or Material Science. Lainey Heaston won an award for Best Project in Environmental Science. Rees Hedrick as well as the partner team of Reese Barger and Ava Terrell both won awards for Best Projects in Physics. Arya Massey won a Lightle Family Fun Award for Best Project in Microbiology. Finally, the following students won family passes to the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery: Reese Barger, Ava Terrell, Lainey Heaston, and Arya Massey.

The students who earned a “Superior” rating advanced to the Upper Miami Valley Regional Science Day held at Edison State Community College in Piqua on Saturday, March 8th. At Regionals, 2 projects earned Superiors and an opportunity to compete in the virtual State Science Day in May: Xavier Garcia & Liam Kizer and Rees Hedrick. The partnership of Garcia and Kizer also won a BASF Creating Chemistry Award for 1st place. Lainey Heaston was also recognized at Regionals and presented with a College Advantage Savings Award for her project.

These events offer students a venue that promotes the development of creative thinking, research and writing skills and career motivation toward the sciences, all in one program. Project topics may be in biology, chemistry, botany, space & earth sciences, computers, zoology, microbiology, biochemistry, physics, engineering, mathematics, medicine & health and behavioral & social science.

This success could not have been possible without the hard work of the students and their families, the flexibility and guidance of their teachers, amazing volunteer “judges” (district staff, administrators, and GES related arts team) who provided valuable feedback as the students practiced presenting, the GMS principal and the transportation department for arranging bus transportation. Plus the event sponsors, Urbana High School, and Edison Community College. We also want to thank the area professionals and community members who volunteered to judge the projects and of course the coordinator of this memorable event, Dr. Martin E. English.

In the Fall of 2024, Graham Elementary adopted HMH Into Reading as our structured literacy instructional resource for our grades K-5 learners. Over the course of this school year, teachers have courageously and open-mindedly explored all facets of this resource, and our learners are learning and growing each day!

On Thursday, March 13 and Friday, March 14, one of our HMH instructional coaches visited GES to model lesson implementation and to meet with each grade level. These opportunities affirmed the impactful work GES teachers are doing, and allowed them time to learn even more about the resource.

At GES, our teachers are lifelong learners!

Falcon families...kinship care is defined as a relative or a close friend caring for a child instead of a biological parent. If you are providing kinship care for a child at Graham Elementary, this meeting is for you! Kinship care is a gift that many families and close friends give to the children they love, and we want to share information regarding potential benefits for these families. Please join Mr. Comer, GES School Counselor, for an informative meeting.

Our Graham Elementary Student Council is excited to host a skating party at 36 Skate Club in Piqua! See the flyer below for all of the details!

Please note the change in dates for grade 3 and 4 ELA OST.

Back by popular demand, please see the 2024-2025 Family Falcon Focus for important dates at GES. This document will be updated as the year progresses. Dates are subject to change if/when necessary.

Thank you!

March

17: First day of Quarter 4

17: PTO Meeting in first grade pod @ 4:00p.m.

18: Parent Teacher Conferences 3:30p.m. to 7:00p.m.

19: GES Stew Crew skating party @ 36 Skate Club (private party for GES students only) from 6:00p.m. to 8:00p.m.

20: Parent Teacher Conferences 3:30p.m. to 7:00p.m.

21: Spring Picture Day (Lange Photography)

21: Kona Ice

21: TLIM CLUB DAY

24-28 SPRING BREAK - NO SCHOOL FOR EVERYONE

April

3: GES Movie Night #2

8: 5th grade OST - English Language Arts - Day #1

9: 5th grade OST - English Language Arts - Day #2

14: First day of roller skating in PE (4/14 thru 5/9)

15: 3rd and 4th grade OST - English Language Arts - Day #1

15: 5th grade OST - science - Day #1

16: 3rd and 4th grade OST - English Language Arts - Day #2

16: PTO Meeting in first grade pod @ 3:45p.m.

17: 5th grade OST - science - Day #1

17: St. Paris Library visiting Kindergarten for Story Time @ 9:30a.m. to 3:30p.m.

18: HOLIDAY - NO SCHOOL FOR EVERYONE

21: NO SCHOOL - CONFERENCE MAKE-UP DAY

22-25: 5th Grade Glen Helen Trip - All Classes

25: 2-hour early release PD day

25: Kona Ice

29: 3rd - 4th - 5th grade OST - math - Day #1

30: 3rd - 4th - 5th grade OST - math - Day #2

May

8: Miss Nelson is Missing performance @ (daytime) 2:30p.m. and 6:30p.m. @

GMS

9: Miss Nelson is Missing performance @ 6:30p.m. at GMS

9: Last day of roller skating in PE (4/14 thru 5/9)

12: PTO Meeting in first grade pod @ 5:30p.m.

13: 4th and 5th grade GES Fine Arts Festival evening schedule TBD

13: 1st grade field trip

16: Kindergarten field trip to St. Paris

17: GHS Graduation

21: 5th grade promotion @ 6:00p.m.

21: Last Day for Kindergarten

22: Preschool Last Day for all students

22: Second grade field trip to 36 Skate Club

22: Second Semester Student Dance (Students Grade 3-5)

23: Kindergarten Screening

23: Kona Ice

23: Preschool/KPrep graduation @ (time TBD)

23: CLUB DAY @ 2:15p.m. to 3:00p.m.

24: Graham Color Blast and 5K Run

26: MEMORIAL DAY - NO SCHOOL FOR EVERYONE

27: Kindergarten Screening

28: Last day of Quarter 4

28: Kindergarten Screening

28: Students Last Day Of School Grades 1st-5th

Mark your calendars for May 24th! The traditional Falcon 5k is taking on a new look. It's back on the campus of GMS/GES and we look to make this a larger community event! Sponsorship, volunteer, vendor and spectator opportunities outside of participation. More info soon!

Please see the attached letter containing information about Ohio Department of Education and Workforce required student learning opportunities. Links for all materials and opt-out procedures are included.

Please reach out to Mrs. Shreve and/or Mr. Myers with any questions.

Thank you for your continued partnership in your children's learning!

As we continue to focus on student safety at Graham Elementary School, we have made some updates to our class treat protocol.

Please see the information below to learn of updates and additions to allowable treats and protocols. These changes are effective immediately.

Please contact Mrs. Shreve and Mr. Myers with any questions.

We appreciate our Falcon families!

At Graham Elementary, our students' safety is critical. One piece of ensuring student safety is the morning and afternoon drop-offs procedures.

Please be reminded that the west lane of the front parking lot is for handicap drop-off only. Often times, the gate is not in the lane to allow for handicap drop-off/pick-up. Even when the gate is not blocking the lane, we ask that that lane be used for handicap drop-off/pick-up only.

In addition, the east lane of the front parking lot is not to be used in the afternoon. Typically, it is blocked by a saw horse. In the event that it is not, please refrain from using this lane.

Lastly, if someone other than parents/guardian are dropping off/picking up your child, please advise them of these procedures.

Thank you for your cooperation🙂

InfOhio is a free resource to all Ohio residents, and we encourage families to check it out!

When your children see you excited about learning, they are excited to learn too!

Is your child an avid reader? If so, check out BookFlix (link embedded)! This site pairs fiction and non-fiction texts on many topics, and students will enjoy learning new things to share with you at the dinner table!

Do you have a curious/knowledge-seeking child? If so, take some time with your child and check out The World Almanac for Kids, IWonder or World Book Kids. Families can have a great time finding the answers to many of the things they wonder about!

Do any of you remember Highlights magazines? If so, you know how much fun you can have exploring this resource with your child!

Preschool families...check out the following websites (e-books and videos and Early Learning Portal) with your little learners. They are packed full of enjoyable and educational resources!

Enjoy!

**Previously posted on ClassDOJO (September 3, 2024)**

Hello Falcon Families! If you are interested in volunteering at Graham Elementary, please use this link - https://www.grahamlocalschools.org/page/volunteer-portal-and-information - to view updated information regarding the volunteer process at Graham Local Schools.

If you are considering volunteering and/or helping with classroom parties at Graham Elementary, you must complete an application and be approved through the Secure Volunteer site before you volunteer.

Please email Mrs. Shreve (shrevee@grahamlocalschools.org) with any questions.

Thank you for your partnership in your child's education!

This is a reminder that free and reduced lunch applications expire at the end of every school year. If your child qualified for free and/or reduced lunch last year and you have not completed a new application for this year, please do.

Paper applications can be found here:

chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/.../Graham

Free and Reduced Lunch forms can also be sent home with your child. If you would like a copy, please contact the GES office and we will send one home.

Online applications can be found on PaySchools Central here https://www.payschoolscentral.com/

If you are in need of before or after care for your children, please see this flyer to learn more about this opportunity.

**Reminder...A.M. preschool students enter the building at 8:30a.m. to begin their A.M. session**

As stated in the Graham Elementary Student Handbook,

"All school fees must be paid in order for students to attend field trips (Glen Helen included) or participate in preschool promotion and/or 5th grade promotion."

Fees can be paid by cash or check (Graham Elementary School) or online at https://www.payschoolscentral.com/. Please contact Mrs. Shreve with any questions.

At Graham Local Schools, we take a proactive approach to attendance. If/When GES students accumulate 50 hours of excessive absence, families will be provided with Absence Warning Letter #1. When students accumulate 65 excessive hours of absence, families will be provided with Absence Warning Letter #2.

An absence intervention meeting will be scheduled when students accumulates 72 excessive hours of absence

Please see the GES Handbook language below for the steps to report an absence...

A. When a student is ill or for some other reason is unable to attend, the parent/guardian is ex­pected to contact the school office by phone before 9:00 a.m. on the day of the absence. For your convenience, you may call the night before and leave a message on the answering machine (937-663-4449).

B. A written reason for all absences properly signed and dated by a parent/guardian is required. Written notes not filed in the office within one day after the student returns to school following an absence will result in an unexcused absence. Administration reserves the right to excuse student absences with reasonable cause.

C. For each unexcused absence, the student is responsible for obtaining work and following make-up work policies.

The end of day pick-up procedure will make our out front pick-up safer for our students at Graham Elementary . Thank you for your cooperation!

Permanent Pick-Up

• Students will be dismissed at 3:25pm each day.

• Each student/family who is a permanent pick-up will be given 2 numbered tags and their child will have a numbered tag with a corresponding number for their bookbag.

• Those students who are picked up by a babysitter with proper transportation forms on file will have a number for their babysitter.

• Each grade level will have a designated area marked outside and the family will come to that area to pick up their student(s) from each area - families should have their numbered tag with them.

• Families must park and come to the sidewalk to pick up their students. There will be no parking in the fire lanes of the building.

Students who are not permanent pick-ups who will be picked up on a day must call the elementary office or send in a note to pick-up their child. When picking your child up, please follow the procedure below:

• Families who are not permanent pick-ups must come to the front doors, provide ID and sign out their student from inside the building.

• Students will be dismissed to their family once the family has signed them out at the front office.

We do understand this process takes time and we thank you for your patience and flexibility as we work through this process together. Our #1 priority is our students safety.

*In an effort to remediate behaviors through reflection versus consequence, Graham Elementary will institute Restorative Recesses when deemed appropriate. This opportunity is a consequence targeted at reflection instead of punishment. It provides students the chance to work alongside an adult to reflect on their behavior and make plans for corrective behaviors.

*Cell phones and Smart Watches are to remain off and in student bookbags upon entering the building and should not be used until after the final dismissal bell and students have exited the school building. In effect, cell phones should not be “seen, heard, or used” during this time. Also, cell phones should NOT be used to take any type of photograph, video, or recording at any time unless directed by a staff member.

Students cannot contact parents via a personal cell phone during the day; they are to utilize a classroom or office phone. If violations of this policy should occur, a CELL PHONE WILL BE TAKEN AND CAN BE PICKED UP AT THE END OF THE DAY.

1st offense – warning 2nd offense – parent called 3rd offense – detention/parent picks up phone.

*Clothing must cover the chest, stomach, back, buttocks, upper thighs, and undergarments when the student sits, stands, raises his/her hand, or bends over. Any article of clothing that reveals an excessive amount of skin will be deemed inappropriate for the school environment.

Therefore, the final decision regarding the professionalism of clothing and accessories will be made by the building administration.

Clothing or accessories bearing patches, drawings, and/or sayings (stated or implies), which refer to drugs, alcohol, sex, profanity and obscenity, shall not be permitted.

Shoes shall be worn for health and safety reasons. Footwear with only toe support (ex - thongs, flip flops, etc.) shall not be worn. High heels or platforms, roller shoes can present safety concerns and are not to be worn. Socks are recommended as a good hygiene practice.

Pupils are not to wear hats, overcoats, jackets, or other outer wear in the building unless the principal has granted permission. This dress code will be in effect for all school days and related activities except for those “special” days and/or activities as approved by the principal.

*ZERO QUARTERLY REFERRALS REWARD AND END-OF-THE-YEAR REWARD

Students with zero bus/office referrals will earn a reward for each quarter that they meet this qualification.

When Graham Elementary reaches 30 cumulative days of zero bus/office referrals, all students will participate in a day-long school-wide celebration.

Students who have three or less bus/office referrals and no suspensions (bus or school) will participate in an additional special activity during the school-wide celebration if/when Graham Elementary reaches 30 cumulative days of zero bus/office referrals.

Details of the reward will be shared during the school year.

Administrator holds the right to remove a student from the day-long celebration due to excessive referrals or extreme behaviors.

Emily Shreve - Principal - shrevee@grahamlocalschools.org

Aaron Myers - Assistant Principal - myersa@grahamlocalschools.org

Jon Comer - School Counselor - comerj@grahamlocalschools.org

Morgan Boggess - School Nurse - boggessm@grahamlocalschools.org

Kristina Thornton - Administrative Assistant - thorntonk@grahamlocalschools.org

Kayla Yoder - Administrative Assistant - yoderk@grahamlocalschools.org
Website: grahamlocalschools.org
Location: 9464 U.S. 36, Saint Paris, OH, USA
Phone: 937-663-4449
Facebook: facebook.com/FreddieFalcon
Twitter: @GESFALCONS