Grayhawk Paw Prints September 15

GRAYHAWK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL!
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2015
Grayhawk Paw Prints
Principal Paws
Calendar Highlights
News !om Mr. Pratt
September 17
Dear Grayhawk Families,
Welcome back to the 2015-2016 school year! Our students, teachers and staff are
energized, positive and ready for a fresh start. We are looking forward to another
great school year as the result of our students, parents and staff members working
together! In addition to our Grayhawk Paw Prints Newsletter which is emailed to
you each month, I will again be communicating through my blog, Mr. Pratt’s
Digital Connection, which is linked to the Grayhawk web site as well as our PTO
web site. Please check this throughout the year to hear up-to-date information
regarding our fantastic Grayhawk school community. My latest blog post contains
information regarding our Character Traits program and how you can help reinforce
this at home. I also have a Grayhawk Twitter page where I will be sharing news and
photos of all the great things that happen at our school.
Thank you for your patience and for adhering to the safety rules during our pick up
and drop-off. It is no small feat to dismiss 600 students in an organized and safe
way. I appreciate you being mindful of our 15 mph School Zone signs in order to
keep our students safe. Our car parent pickup, both in front of the school and in
back, have been going smoothly. Please remember that the east parking lot is only
for parking and is not intended to be used for drop-off or pickup. Also, thank you
for being respectful of our Handicap parking spaces. We have parents that rely on
these reserved spaces so that they can pick up their child safely
I appreciate the trust you bestow on us each day when you send your child to our
school. Please know that it is our focus to make sure each student is in a warm,
caring environment and that they experience meaningful educational experiences
each day. My door is always open, so please stop by any time if you have a question
or if I can help in any way. I am energized and deeply committed to making a
positive difference in the life of each child at Grayhawk. Working together, we can
ensure academic growth, achievement, and fun-filled learning for all students. On
behalf of the amazing Grayhawk staff, I would like to wish all of you a wonderful
2015 – 2016 school year!
Picture Day
September 14 &
!
23-25
K-12 Recess/ No School
October 2
Fall Fesrtival
October 6
Early Dismissal 12:30pm release
October 7
Walk to School Day
October 12-16
Book Fair Week
October 13
Grading Period Ends
October 21
Picture Retake Day
October 26-29
Parent Teacher Conference
Week
PVUSD GOVERNING BOARD
Anne Greenberg
President
Julie Bacon !
Memeber
Nancy Case
Member
Mark Lane!
Member
Dr. Sue Skidmore
Member
SUPERINTENDENT
Sincerely,
Dr. James Lee
Norm Pratt
7525 E. Grayhawk Drive
Scottsdale, AZ
602 449-6600
GRAYHAWK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL / A CORE KNOWLEDGE SCHOOL OF DISTINCTION !
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GRAYHAWK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL!
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2015
CORE KNOWLEDGE CORNER
foundational knowledge every child needs to reach
A Core Knowledge Education
The idea behind Core Knowledge is simple and
powerful: knowledge builds on knowledge. The
more you know, the more you are able to learn.
these goals–and to teach it, grade-by-grade, yearby-year, in a coherent, age-appropriate sequence.
(from www.coreknowledge.org)
This insight, well-established by cognitive science,
Grayhawk opened as the first Core Knowledge
has profound implications for teaching and learning.
public school in Arizona. The school became an
Nearly all of our most important goals for
Official Visitation site in 2005, and a School of
education–greater reading comprehension, the
Distinction in the area of student engagement in
ability to think critically and solve problems, even
2014.
higher test scores–are a function of the depth and
breadth of our knowledge.
Each month, a different grade level will be featured
in the newsletter and share
By outlining the precise content that every child
should learn in language arts and literature, history
and geography, mathematics, science, music, and
Core Knowledge happenings.
Kimberley Marchisotto
2nd grade Grayhawk
the visual arts, the Core Knowledge curriculum
represents a first-of-its kind effort to identify the
KINDNESS IS COOL
Kindness is Cool cards are given to students who are “caught being kind!”
Alexis S, Arden V, Aubrey K, Bailey W, Cadem A, Cameron,
Duncam C, Francesca T, Hudson, Izzy S, Jack A, Jack R,
Jenna T, Jezzie A, Julia M, Nicole P.
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
BY NURSE MARSHA
For students needing medication on a daily, short, or “as needed” basis, a signed “Medication
Administration Record” must be on file in the Nurse’s Office before the medication can be administered.
This form is available from the Nurse’s Office & on the District website. All medications must be in the
original prescription or manufacturer’s container. Prescription medications must also have the
student’[s name and current dose directions clearly print4ed on the label. NO MEDICATION MAY BE
CARRIED IN A BACKPPACK OR PURSE. THIS INCLUDES TYLENOL,ADVIL, AND
COUGH DROPS.
If your child has any health conditions or health needs, including allergies, please let me know so I can
better care for him/her. I am available to both you and your child to answer questions about health and
wellness. Please feel free to stop in or call me at 602-449-6603.
Marsha Lopez, RN
Grayhawk Elementary School Nurse
GRAYHAWK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL / A CORE KNOWLEDGE SCHOOL OF DISTINCTION !
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GRAYHAWK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL!
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2015
WHAT’S THE PURPOSE OF EARLY RELEASE DAYS?
Early release days allow schools and the district to offer specialized
professional growth opportunities for teachers. The research s clear: the
most important factor affecting your child’s learning is the teacher. We want
to ensure that we have effective teachers producing engaging learning
environments. Research also shows that successful professional
development is continuous. Teachers grow professionally by sharing and
reflecting on their experiences.
This year teachers will participate in Professional Learning Communities
(PLCs) for three of the six professional development days throughout the
school year. In PLCs, teachers work together to build common formative
assessments and then analyze the results collectively. When positive results
happen with certain students and in specific classrooms, the high impact
strategies that achieved the results are discussed and replicated in other
academic setting Teachers share the resources and high-engagement
activities that excite students to learn at their highest potential, and retain the
knowledge for future applications. As teachers collaborate, communicate,
and think creatively and critically about the content and skills their students
must master, positive results are the norm and rigor improves.
Early
Dismissal
Days
September 1
October 6
October 28 & 20
December 1
January 12, 28, 29
March 1
April 5
PAW PRINT AWARDS
Paw Prints are given to students who are “caught”
doing something extra special, such as being a good citizen,
Andrew R, A#y W, Ava B, Bradley A, Katherine J, Kier S, Kimber D, Matthew C.
PLEASE CALL THE
ATTENDANCE LINE AT
602-449-6601
WHEN YOUR STUDENT
WILL BE ABSENT OR LATE.
It is available 24hrs.
GR.
5th
6th
4th
1st
Kdg
3rd
2nd
LUNCH SCHEDULE
ENTER
11:10
11:20
11:30
11:45
11:55
12:10
12:20
OUTSIDE
11:30
11:40
11:50
12:05
12:15
12:30
12:40
GRAYHAWK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL / A CORE KNOWLEDGE SCHOOL OF DISTINCTION !
INSIDE
11:50
12:00
12:10
12:30
12:40
12:55
1:05
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GRAYHAWK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL!
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2015
Boys and Girls Club Partnership
You may notice a couple of new volunteers on our campus every
other Wednesday during recess. Staff members from the
Thunderbirds branch of the Boys & Girls Clubs will be on site to run
several fun games for our students during recess. David Debruin,
Sports Fitness and Recreation Coordinator for the Boys & Girls
Clubs has many years of experience working with students, and is
excited to volunteer at Grayhawk. He will run kick ball, flag football,
soccer, jumbo 4 square and many other engaging games during
recess for any students who are interested in participating. Paola
Gale, Branch Director of the Thunderbirds Branch will be on site as
well. We are excited to welcome them as Volunteers!
PLEASE REMEMBER TO
SLOW DOWN TO 15 MPH IN
THE SCHOOL ZONE
Vehicles must stop for any
person in the crosswalk when
signs are present and cannot
proceed until the person is on
the sidewalk.
Don’t Forget to check out these sites to stay informed of all the happenings at
Grayhawk Elementary
Mr. Pratt's Blog
http://www.pvschools.net/grayhawk
www.grayhawkpto.com
Sign up for eNews & get weekly notifications
GRAYHAWK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL / A CORE KNOWLEDGE SCHOOL OF DISTINCTION !
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