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Parents and students in grades Kindergarten - 5th Grade,

We hope to see everyone next week at our Trunk A Treat family event and at our

Halloween Parade.

Please see the following newsletter for important information.

Tuesday, October 24th: Substance Abuse Prevention Presentation for 5th Grade Students

Wednesday, October 25th: Pink Day

Thursday, October 26th: Fall Picture Retake Day

Friday, October 27th: Crazy Hair Day (see flyer below for more information)

Friday, October 27th: Graves PTO "Trunk A Treat" (see flyer below for more information)

Tuesday, October 31st: Halloween Parade & Celebrations

Friday, November 3rd: SD 104 Day of the Dead Event

Friday, November 10th: End of Trimester PBIS Celebration

All meetings are scheduled for 7pm on the second Wednesday of the month.

JOIN US!

November 8, 2023

Walsh Elementary School (Walsh Spotlight)

December 13, 2023

HMS/Graves Multi-Purpose Room

January 10, 2024

Walker Elementary School (Walker Spotlight)

February 14, 2024

HMS/Graves Multi-Purpose Room

March 13, 2024

Wharton 5th Grade Center (Wharton Spotlight)

April 10, 2024

Admin Center

May 8, 2024

HMS/Graves Multi-Purpose Room (Graves Spotlight)

June 12, 2024

Admin Center

We share a video about bullying that teaches the importance of respect for others.

We have accumulated a large quantity of items left behind by our students. We have set them out for them to see if anything belongs to them but still have items left over.

If you know your child has lost any items (sweaters, glasses, lunch bags, etc.) please reach out to the school office or stop by door #14 to take a look.

RED RIBBON WEEK is Celebrated Annually October 23-31.

Red Ribbon Week highlights the importance of living a drug-free life. It presents an opportunity for parents, educators, and communities to reinforce the drug-free messages they share with their children throughout the year.

Our 5th grade students will be having a special "Substance Abuse Prevention" presentation on Tuesday, October 24, 2023 during the school day.

Please see the following links for more information and an overview of the National Health Standards, Illinois Health, and SEL Standards:

https://candorhealthed.org/substance-abuse-prevention-portal/

https://candorhealthed.org/parent-information/family-resources/substance-abuse-prevention-resources/

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Day, all students and staff are invited to wear PINK

on Wednesday October 25, 2023

- For students who were absent on Picture Day back in September.

-For students who are new to our school.

- For students who paid for pictures but did not like them. Please make sure students bring back the picture package on this day.

All proceeds will help fund school wide PBIS events we have planned for our students throughout the year. Please see the attached flyer for more information……

The following form has been sent home with our students.

If interested, please fill out and return as soon as possible.

On Tuesday, October 31, 2023, Graves students will parade around the school starting at 1:30PM (Weather Permitting). You are invited to spread around the building as students will parade all the way from door #3 and back around.

Students will be allowed to wear a costume or dress in Orange/Black. Costumes must be appropriate for school and should not come with masks, weapons, or face paint.

After the parade, students will go back into their classrooms for their Halloween Celebrations. Students are welcome to bring in a store purchased treat to share with their classmates.

Please make sure that candy is pre-packaged and store bought (no cupcakes).

If you prefer that your child does not participate in these Halloween events, please let their teacher know.

The fall weather is here and it is getting colder. Students will continue going out for recess every day. Please make sure that your child wears appropriate sweater/jacket to school.

There has been quite a few hooded sweatshirts left behind.

We recommend you writing your child's name or initials on it

in case it is found.

If your child is missing a hooded sweatshirt please remind them to check our "lost & found" bin.

Dear Graves Parents,

We trust this newsletter finds you well and that the school year is off to a great start for your family. At Graves, we are deeply committed to providing a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students. To accomplish this, I'd like to explore a vital topic: Bullying Prevention.

Bullying can have a significant impact on a child's well-being and academic performance, which is why we work tirelessly to promote a culture of respect, kindness, and inclusion. As parents, you play a pivotal role in this effort. Here are some important insights and strategies to help prevent and address bullying:

• Open Communication: Maintain an open line of communication with your child. Encourage them to share their experiences at school and online. Listening to your child is one of the most effective ways to identify potential issues.

• Promoting Empathy: Teach your child about the importance of empathy, respect, and kindness towards others. Discuss the impact of their words and actions on others and how they can be a positive force in their peer group.

• Online Safety: Educate your child about responsible internet use, privacy, and the potential risks of online interactions. Encourage them to report any cyberbullying incidents to you and to school staff.

• Addressing Bullying: If your child is a victim of bullying, it's essential to take the issue seriously and respond promptly. Here are some steps you can take:

• Offer emotional support to your child and assure them that you are there to help.
• Document instances of bullying, including dates, times, and details of the incidents.
• Contact your child's teacher to report the bullying.
• Work collaboratively with the school to address the issue and develop a plan for resolution.

• Conflict Resolution: Teach your child conflict resolution skills, emphasizing nonviolent communication and problem-solving techniques. These skills can help prevent bullying and encourage healthy peer relationships.

• Report Any Concerns: If you suspect or witness bullying at school, please report it to the school immediately. Our staff is dedicated to addressing these concerns and fostering a safe and nurturing learning environment.

Remember, bullying prevention is a collective effort involving parents, teachers, and students. By working together, we can create a positive and inclusive school community where every child feels safe, valued, and empowered to thrive.

Thank you for your partnership in building a safe and inclusive school environment. Together, we can make a difference.

Warm regards,
Dr. Yuritzi Chavez, Ed.D.,NCSP

School Psychologist

• Hand washing is the single most important way to prevent the spread of communicable diseases. Use soap, warm water and disposable paper towels and wash your hands frequently. Teach children to wash their hands, too. Hand washing reduces the number of microorganisms on hands that can spread communicable diseases.

• Illness season is upon us! Along with practicing good hand hygiene, talk to your doctor about vaccines against influenza and covid-19.

• “Once a week, take a peek” Please check your child’s hair weekly to prevent a lice outbreak in your home. We are seeing an increase in cases of lice.

• Open the window to let the fresh air in! Well-ventilated rooms help reduce the numbers of airborne germs inside. Airing out the rooms is important, even in the winter. Respiratory diseases easily spread from coughs and sneezes. Opening the window at least once a day lets the germs out and fresh air in.

• On November 2nd and 3rd Hearing and Vision screenings will he happening at Graves/HMS. Screening for pre-K will be on November 8th

  If your child wears glasses, please make sure they bring them these dates!

Nurse Anita, Nurse Tina & Ms. Oli

See the below the state mandated requirements for each grade level:

Preschool

History/Physical/Immunizations Form & Lead Screening

Kindergarten

History/Physical/Immunizations Form

Dental Examination Form

Vision Examination Form

Second Grade

Dental Examination Form

New to District

History/Physical/Immunizations Form

Dental Examination Form

Vision Examination Form

*Please send copies of school physicals/immunizations/dental & vision exams with your students as soon as possible.

Please remember that it is important for students to arrive to school on time.

If your child is TARDY please go with your child to door #14 to sign a tardy slip.

Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays

Entrance 7:50a.m.

Dismissal 2:50p.m.

Wednesdays (Late Start)

Entrance 8:50a.m.

Dismissal 2:50p.m.

Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd Grade: Door #2

3rd and 4th Grade: Door #3

For student safety, no students should be outside on the school grounds before

7:30AM (M,T,TH,F) 8:30AM (W)

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.

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 distract 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.

We have noticed that a few of our students have not been eating the school lunch as they do not like what is being served.

Please review this months lunch menu with your child.

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