GRIMSRUD ELEMENTARY

Dear Grizzly Families,

What a wonderful start to October it has been! Our Fall Fest last week was such a success—thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate, and a special thanks to the many volunteers and generous donations that made the event possible. Events like these remind us how important it is for schools to continue serving as places of positive connection for families and our wider community. Fall Fest also served as our official Title I Night, where we shared our school goals and efforts to raise student achievement. If you were unable to attend or did not receive this information, please don’t hesitate to call or stop by—we’d be happy to provide you with the brochure and answer any questions.

I also want to take a moment to wish a very Happy National Custodian’s Day (October 2) to our new team of fabulous custodians—Mr. Russ and Mr. Luke! They work hard each day to ensure our school is in good working condition and kept clean, helping to keep our kids healthy and safe. We are so thankful for all they do for our Grizzlies.

I’m grateful for the support and partnership you provide, and I look forward to seeing you at Parent-Teacher Conferences next week!

Warmly,

~Dr. Upton

Parents, please use the button below to sign up for a 15 minute conference with your child’s teacher. Our goal is to have 100% of our families attend conferences. If the scheduled dates and times do not work for you, please reach out to your child’s teacher to schedule an alternate time.

October 8th -10th book fair will be open to students who bring money :

7:15-7:30 am before school

7:50-8:10 am during school

2:20-2:30 after school

October 13th and 14th

7:15-7:30 am before school

7:50-8:10 am during school

***2:20-5:45 Extended Hours for Parent Teacher Conference Nights!

October 15th -last day

7:15 -7:30 am before school

7:50-8:10 am during school

No after school.

*Please note that the school and staff in it are not responsible for lost and/or stolen money, please use your best judgement in sending money to school with your child.

Here is the volunteer link for the book fair. https://signup.com/go/naWKpum

School Picture order forms were sent home. Look in your child's folder for a bright pink piece of paper with Scherling Photography on the top. Scan the QR code to order. All orders are placed online.

The PTO would like to thank you all so much for showing up to Fall Fest! It ended up being a perfect evening.Thanks to all the volunteers and staff that ran events, set up and tore down, we couldn’t have done it without you. And thanks to Runnings of Bismarck, walmart and Ground Round for donating pumpkins and popcorn and United Tribes Technical College for doing a spectacular face painting job! We also truly appreciate Kris Kitko and Dairy Barn Creations for coming to our event.
We hope you all had fun hanging out with your Grimsrud friends!

We would love to invite you to join us in planning future events at the PTO meeting on Tuesday, October 7th at 4pm.

Join us on Facebook for more information. https://www.facebook.com/groups/grimsrudpto

-Grimsrud PTO

Student Council met for the first time to review expectations, vote on our t-shirt design, discuss our Trunk or Treat theme and meet the students in the Peer-to-Peer Program. We have 32 student council members this year and 7 peer-to-peer students.

Our Peer-to-Peer program gives students the chance to learn and grow together through shared activities. In this program, peer mentors work alongside their classmates to model skills, offer support, and build friendships. The focus is on creating an inclusive school environment where all students can feel connected, valued, and successful. This program not only helps students who receive support, but also gives peer mentors the opportunity to develop leadership, empathy, and teamwork skills. It’s a wonderful way to strengthen our school community.

For career café this week we welcomed a cosmetologist to our school! Our students had the opportunity to learn about her journey of becoming a hairdresser. She explained the training and education it took to earn her license, what inspired her to choose this career, and what a typical day in the salon looks like. Students were excited to explore her tools and materials. They got to practice styling on a mannequin head and even smell and feel different hair products. This hands-on experience helped students learn about creativity, customer service, and the variety of skills needed to be successful in the cosmetology field.

Hello families,

I’m a self-professed math nerd, and I’m thrilled to share my love of math with your children! In my role, I’ll be working closely with students to support their learning, build their confidence, and strengthen their skills in this essential subject. My goal is to ensure every student has the tools and understanding they need to succeed in math.

Here’s a bit about my approach:

• Personalized Support: I work with small groups and individual students to provide instruction tailored to their unique needs.

• Engaging Methods: I use a variety of strategies and resources to make math learning both effective and enjoyable.

• Progress Monitoring: I regularly assess student progress and adjust instruction to ensure each child is growing and reaching their full potential.

I believe strong communication between home and school is key to student success. Please feel free to reach out anytime with questions, concerns, or to discuss your child’s progress. I’m here to support your child—and to partner with you—to help them achieve their goals.

Thank you for your support and partnership. I’m looking forward to a fantastic year of learning and growth with your child!

Warmly,

Mrs. O'Dell

Here are 3 tips specifically for helping younger kids with math at home:

1. Play Math Games: Use board games, card games, or online games that focus on math skills. Games like "Uno" and "Monopoly" are fun and teach math.

2. Use Everyday Objects for Hands-On Learning: Incorporate everyday items like toys, food, or household objects to practice math concepts. For example, you can use blocks to teach addition and subtraction, or measure ingredients with measuring cups to explore fractions.

3. Incorporate Math in Creative Activities: Engage in activities that involve math concepts, such as drawing shapes and patterns, building structures with LEGO bricks, or creating simple graphs with stickers.

These tips help make math learning enjoyable and integrated into your child’s daily life, reinforcing their skills through play and everyday experiences.

🕒 1. Keep a Routine

• Create a consistent daily schedule with time for reading, play, homework, and rest.
• Predictable routines help children feel secure and focused.

📚 2. Read Every Day

• Set aside 10–20 minutes for reading together or independently.
• Ask questions like “What was your favorite part?” or “What do you think will happen next?”

💬 3. Talk About Their Day

• Use conversation starters like “What did you learn today?” or “Was anything tricky?”
• Talking builds vocabulary and reflection skills.

🧩 4. Make Learning Fun

• Use puzzles, games, cooking, or nature walks to teach math, science, and life skills.
• Learning happens everywhere — not just at a desk.

💻 5. Limit Screen Time

• Balance screen-based activities with hands-on play and outdoor time.
• Use educational apps or videos with a purpose and set time limits.

📝 6. Create a Learning Spot

• Set up a quiet, comfortable space for homework and creative work.
• Keep it stocked with supplies and free of distractions.

🌟 7. Celebrate Effort, Not Just Results

• Praise your child for trying hard, not just getting the right answer.
• This builds a growth mindset and encourages resilience.

👨‍👩‍👧 8. Stay Connected with Teachers

• Check in with teachers about progress, strengths, and ways to support at home.
• Teamwork helps your child thrive!

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