Patriot Pulse

Dear Grissom Families,

Happy New Year! We hope you had a wonderful winter break filled with quality time with family and loved ones. We are excited to welcome our Patriots back to school on Tuesday, January 7th.

As we return, please note that Winter MAP testing is quickly approaching. Testing will take place next week on Tuesday, January 14th, Wednesday, January 15th, and Thursday, January 16th. Most students will complete testing in their math or ELA classes on two of these three days. Further details about MAP testing can be found below.

Additionally, the second quarter will end on Friday, January 17th. Final report cards will be available online approximately one week later.

For more updates and key dates, please check this month’s edition of the Patriot Pulse.

Thank you for your continued support, and best wishes for a successful and rewarding year ahead!

With gratitude,

Mr. Michael Rumbaugh
Principal

Did you know Grissom publishes daily announcements regarding school events, clubs, and activities. If you have not ever seen our annoucements page, click the link below to view them!

Announcements are also publicized on screens in common areas of our building as well as on our PA system during our daily morning announcements.

Save the link on your device for easy access to daily announcements in the future.

Grissom Families,

We will conduct Winter MAP testing next week. Students will test on January 14th, 15th, or 16th.

Students will test in the morning on two of those three dates, depending on when they typically attend their math or ELA class.

Our bell schedule will be adjusted slightly to allow for more testing time and limited interruption on these mornings.

Lunch times those three days will be as follows:
8th Grade 11:24 AM
6th Grade 12:02 PM
7th Grade 12:40 PM

Results of the Winter MAP tests will be sent home to families shortly after all testing is completed.

Reach out if you have any questions regarding NWEA MAP testing.

Mr. Mike Rumbaugh

Principal

mirumbaugh@ksd140.org

Congratulations to all students who competed in Grissom's annual Spelling Bee last month. The first-place winner correctly spelled "San Joaquin" to capture the win.

Our finalists were:

• 1st Place - Gabriella G.

• 2nd Place - Roxanne M.

• 3rd Place - Chloe B.

Best of luck to our first and second-place champions, who will advance to the District 140 Spelling Bee on Friday, January 10. Our third-place winner will be an alternate representative.

As temperatures drop and winter weather begins, we’d like to take a moment to review our Emergency Closing notification protocols and eLearning Day plan.

If emergency days are needed due to snow or extreme cold, families will receive notification via an email/text message, and an alert will be posted on our District website. KSD 140 also communicates school closure information through the District’s social media accounts and the Emergency Closing Center (ECC). Detailed school closing information can be found here.

If an emergency closing day is needed, the District may elect to use an eLearning Day instead of a traditional “snow day” that has to be made up at the end of the school year. Please refer to our eLearning Day Overview to review specifics of the plan, including school hours and access to D140’s digital platforms.

Now would be a great time to ensure your contact information is up-to-date. Please log in to your Infinite Campus Parent Portal to check your contact information and make any necessary changes.

Second-quarter student report cards will be available in the Infinite Campus Parent Portal on Friday, January 24, at 3 p.m.

How to Access Student Report Cards

1. Log in to your Infinite Campus Parent Portal.

2. Select Documents in your Message Center

3. Click 24-25 School Name under Report Card, and a pop-up window displaying your student’s report card will open in a new browser. If you cannot view your student’s report card, please ensure pop-up windows are enabled in your web browser.

Please call your school office if you need assistance accessing your Parent Portal.

• Monday, January 13th - Step-Up Day (at Grissom)
• Wednesday, January 22nd - Graduation Pictures (during the school day)
• Friday, May 2nd - 8th Grade Extravaganza @ Grissom | 4 PM - 7 PM
  
• Thursday, May 22nd - 8th Grade Awards Night (Invitation Only) @ Grissom | 7 PM
  
• Thursday, May 29th - Great America Field Trip
• Friday, May 30th - Last Day of School for 8th-Grade Students (If no emergency days are used.)
• Tuesday, June 3rd - Graduation Ceremony at Andrew High School (Main Gym) | 7 PM

Yearbook orders are available at the following website YEARBOOKORDERCENTER.COM

Enter code 8034 when you order.

Contact our yearbook sponsors, Mrs. Labudzik or Mrs. LaPlant, if you have any questions.

All Grissom students have received a school-issued ID and lanyard.

Students will be expected to wear their ID and lanyard while at school. Both are considered essential school supplies. IDs will also need to be presented at after-school events - such as basketball and volleyball games, for entry. IDs can be used for checking out books from our school library, as well.

If a student loses their ID or lanyard - replacements can be purchased through our main office.

Replacement Costs:

$2 for replacement IDs

$1 for replacement lanyards

• Monday, January 6th - Teacher Institute - No School
• Tuesday, January 7th - School Resumes
• January 14th, 15th, 16th - Winter MAP Testing
• Thursday, January 16th - Board of Education Meeting - 7 PM - Administration Center
• Friday, January 17th - End of 2nd Quarter
• Monday, January 20th - Martin Luther King Jr. Day - No School
• Friday, January 24th - Report Cards Issued

The entire school year calendar can be viewed on our website at 2024-25 School Year Calendar.

• January 13th
  Band Parent Meeting - 7 PM at Grissom

• January 29th
  Beginning Band Winter Concert - 7:30 PM at Prairie View

Student support is open to any student who wants to complete schoolwork in a supervised, quiet setting - our Media Center.

Before-school support is offered Monday - Friday starting at 8:00 A.M. Students attending can be dropped off at Grissom's main entrance. Students will not be able to enter the building before 8:00 A.M.

After-school support is offered Monday - Thursday until 4:05 P.M. An activity bus is available to take regular bus riders home at that time, if needed.

An after-school activity bus will be available ONLY for students who already receive bus service. Students who attend after-school activities that last no later than 4:05 P.M. can take the bus home.

This month's focus is on hydration. Why is it important to stay hydrated in the winter months? Our bodies are made up of approximately 60% water and during the cold winter months the air outside carries less water than during the humid summer months. Also, the heat coming from vents inside is dry and can pull moisture from our skin even when we are not sweating. Our body systems need water to function properly.

How can I stay hydrated?

- Drink plenty of water or non caffeinated beverages - Aim for eight 8 oz glasses each day

- Eat foods that contain water like soup, fresh fruits, and vegetables

- Drink fluids with electrolytes on active days

- Apply unscented lotion to dry skin

- Apply chapstick or vaseline to lips to prevent chapping

For additional information on hydration, visit the Mayo Clinic's website at Water: Essential for your body or ask Nurse Sarah for more resources.

Wednesday, January 8th

6:30 PM

Grissom Middle School

We can’t run any of our wonderful hot lunch days

without our great volunteers! Please consider signing

up even if you can’t come the whole time. Meet new

parents, and get involved at the school! We have

availability on Tuesdays and Fridays. Scan one of the

QR codes below to sign up.

Tuesday Volunteer Sign Up

Friday Volunteer Sign Up

Order your Grissom spiritwear for the 2024-25 school year.

Check for holiday sales going on right now!

Spiritwear Link.

KSD 140 uses ParentSquare for email, text, and voice messaging. This unified communications platform is designed to keep parents and guardians informed and encourages greater engagement and connection with the District. Families can choose their language preference and indicate how and when they want to receive information (email, text, and/or app notifications).

We encourage parents to access their accounts so they can download the mobile app and update their preferences on when and how they are notified.

Please visit ParentSquare.com to register or download the free app for iOS or Android devices.

Calling all former Grissom Patriots!

An alumni page for former students and current/former staff members is available at the link below.

If you are a Grissom alum or staff member, click the link below to join and contribute to our group. Feel free to share the group with other former alum so we can grow our community.

https://www.facebook.com/share/Dj32ArEGLBFUBbnR/

D140 prioritizes comprehensive strategies to support students' mental, emotional, and physical health. Please click Health Information to review our resources. Together, we can create a nurturing environment where every student can thrive.

Grissom Middle School and Kirby School District 140 are committed to open and transparent communication. Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions or concerns.

#KirbyONE40 #EveryChildEveryDay

Respectfully,

Mr. Michael Rumbaugh - Principal

mirumbaugh@ksd140.org

Mr. Alex Weinberg - Assistant Principal

aweinberg@ksd140.org

Principal Michael Rumbaugh- mirumbaugh@ksd140.org

Website: ksd140.org/grissom
Location: 17000 South 80th Avenue, Tinley Park, IL, 60477
Phone: 708-429-3030