Dear Graden Families,

As we move into November, it is very important for me to thank each of you for always supporting Graden. Our students have shown amazing growth in each academic area. I am so proud to walk the halls of Graden and see our students highly engaged in learning opportunities, and I feel very fortunate to be a small part in their educational journeys. Thank you for sharing your students with us each and every day.

It was so much fun having families join us for our Fall parties on Thursday, October 19th.

Thank you for joining us for conferences. This is one of our favorite parts of the year because we get to sit with each of you and talk to you about your students. Our goal is to have 100% participation for conferences. If you were not able to attend, please reach out to your classroom teacher to schedule a time to meet with them.

Our 3rd annual Trunk or Treat was cold but amazing. I always love seeing all of our hornets dressed up. I want to thank our Family and Staff Engagement Team for all the work they did to put on such a fun event. I hope you had a wonderful time!

Our November PTA meeting is Tuesday, November 14th, at 6:00 pm in the Graden library. These nights are times for parents and family members to come together and learn more about the school as well as create opportunities for families to become more involved. If you are interested in participating in a PTA meeting, please join us.

Students will be out of school Wednesday, November 22nd, through Friday, November 24th, in observance of Thanksgiving. I hope you are able to cherish these days off with your family.

Upcoming Dates:

Friday, November 3rd - Fall Picture Retake Day - See Information Below

Tuesday, November 7th - 5th Grade Musical - 6:30 pm - Graden Gym

Wednesday, November 8th - Early Release - 2:00 pm

Tuesday, November 14th - PTA Meeting - 6:00 pm - Library

Wednesday, November 22nd- Friday, November 24th - No School Thanksgiving Break

It's truly a GREAT DAY to be a HORNET!!!

Dr. Vanna Easley

If you would like your Hornet to retake fall pictures, they will have this opportunity on Friday, November 3rd. All new students to Graden will also take pictures on this day. If you would like to access our photography website to order photos you can do so below:

Interstate Photography Website

CODE - 78646HF

Students may bring birthday treats into class to celebrate their birthday as long as they come from our list of treats that contain none of the major allergens.

Thank you for understanding that all classroom treats must come from this list, because we do not have the staff capacity to check for allergens that could threaten the health of some students.

Each classroom celebrates birthdays at a time that is conducive to their schedule. We do not allow parents or families to join classrooms for birthday celebrations as these are opportunities for students to celebrate with the teacher and classmates.

Approved Birthday Treats:

Please bring birthday treats ahead of time (two hours after the start of school, at the latest).

• Stickers
• Erasers
• Pencils
• Crazy straws
• Blow Pops
• Juice boxes
• Popcorn
• Smarties
• Dum Dum lollipops
• Jelly Belly
• Nerds
• Ring Pops
• Skittles
• Sour Patch Kids
• Starburst
• Swedish Fish
• Life Saver Gummies

Early release days will be on Wednesdays for the 2023-24 school year. Dismissal on early release days begins at 2:00 pm.

All students will engage in a cultural arts assembly and, some months, students will join interest groups to participate in an activity of high interest to them.

2023-24 Early Release Days:

Wednesday, November 8th

Wednesday, December 6th

Wednesday, January 10th

Wednesday, February 7th

Wednesday, March 6th

Wednesday, April 3rd

Wednesday, May 1st

Wear Your Yellow "Strive in the Hive" Leadership on All Early Release Days!!!

Lunch visitors are welcome each day at Graden. If you would like to join your Hornet for lunch, please bring your license upon check-in at the Graden office. If you plan to purchase a school lunch, please have funds in your student's account or bring payment with you.

Visitors may also join recess after lunch. Please head immediately to the Graden office after recess to check-out.

Graden Lunch Schedule:

Kindergarten: 11:00 am -11:20 am

1st Grade: 11:20 am - 11:40 am

2nd Grade: 11:40 am - 12:00 pm

3rd Grade: 12:20 pm - 12:40 pm

4th Grade: 12:00 pm - 12:20 pm

5th Grade: 12:45 pm - 1:05 pm

Graden PTA Board Members:

Hayley Cooper, President

Emily Miller, Vice President

Brittany Conklin, Secretary

Rick McConnell, Treasurer

Maggie Wright, Teacher Rep

Angie Liberty, Parliamentarian

PTA loved getting to support the teachers & staff with an Olive Garden dinner during Conferences and Pop-Up treats! It has also been so fun seeing students have a blast with the Silent Auction winner events, like Donut and S'mores parties! Our next Dine and Donate night is at Culver's on Nov. 8th. We are in need of a few parents and students to help! Please sign up for a time slot HERE!

Important Dates:

· Nov. 8 – Culver's Night! Come eat, hang with friends, and give back to Graden! Volunteers Needed - Sign up here!

· Nov. 14– PTA Meeting 6 p.m. in the Graden library, childcare provided!

· Nov. 15 – "Pop-up" snack cart for Graden staff!

· Nov. 21 – THANKFUL Coffee Bar/Pastries for teachers and staff 8:00-9:00 a.m.

Connect with us on Facebook to see our upcoming events and learn how you can get involved with PTA.

2023-24 PTA Meeting Dates

Tuesday, November 14th, 2023

Tuesday, December 12th, 2023

Tuesday, January 9th, 2024

Tuesday, February 13th, 2024

Tuesday, March 12th, 2024

Tuesday, April 9th, 2024

Tuesday, May 14th, 2024

School Hours: 9:10 am - 4:10 pm

Doors open at 8:55 am for breakfast

Dismissal begins at 3:55 pm

Principal: Vanna Easley

813-359-4340

easleyv@parkhill.k12.mo.us

Assistant Principal: Morgan Taylor

816-359-4340

taylormo@parkhill.k12.mo.us

Executive Administrative Assistant: Nikki Suchanick

816-359-4340

suchanickn@parkhill.k12.mo.us

Graden Registrar: Angy Bullin

816-359-4340

bullina@parkhill.k12.mo.us

Email: easleyv@parkhill.k12.mo.us
Website: https://graden.parkhill.k12.mo.us/
Location: 8804 NW Highway 45, Parkville, MO 64152
Phone: (816) 359-4340