Thank you to each and every one of you for another amazing year at OUR GRAY HAWK. I sincerely appreciate your dedication to supporting OUR GRAY HAWKS and the wide range of activities that we had. We will continue to grow in the 23/24 school year and really want to focus on growing our community partnerships and working on better ways to serve OUR GRAY HAWK community.

I want to acknowledge the work of OUR PTO! We have a very dedicated group that work so hard to provide ways fun, educational experiences for for OUR COMMUNITY. I want to encourage you all to get even more involved with this organization and have your voice heard and help us to grow our culture even more.

We will be saying good bye to some familiar faces and welcoming new ones into OUR GRAY HAWK. I want to extend my sincerest thanks to these GRAY HAWK staff members for being by our side and serving our kids and community as they move on to other opportunities:

Certified Staff

Ms. Heather Brooks, Kindergarten

Mrs. Jacey Zych, 1st Grade

Ms. Emma Rues, 4th Grade

Mrs. Stephanie Shupe, 4th Grade

Mrs. Julie Stanton, 5th Grade

Coach Brayden Eller, PE

Classified Staff

Ms. Lynda Engler, Cafeteria (CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR RETIREMENT!)

Mrs. Velvet Lujan, Structured Learning Paraprofessional

Mr. Jacob Brown, custodian

OUR STAFFING FOR THE 23/24 school year continues to evolve, but here is the latest:

Kindergarten: Mrs. Henninger, Ms. Ritter, Miss Lutz

1st Grade: Mrs. Brown, Ms. Douglas

2nd Grade: Mrs. Brown, currently interviewing for two second teachers

3rd Grade: Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Johnston

4th Grade: Mrs. McFarland, Ms. Larson

5th Grade: Mr. Bartels, Mrs. Rieschick, and we are interviewing for a third teacher

Instructional Resource: Mrs. Cochran, Ms. Weilert

Structured Learning: Mrs. Ford, Mrs. Loseke, and we are interviewing for a third teacher

Specials: Mrs. Penfield, Mrs. Ramsey, Mrs. Dinkel, Mr. Scott, Miss Allen/Mrs. Kenton

(There are no other changes at this time)

We are seeking additional paraprofessionals for OUR Structured Learning Classroom and Instructional Resource classrooms. If you or anyone you know would like to apply, please check out the USD 458 Employment website.

The last day of school is Thursday, May 25. We will celebrate the end of the year with our traditional clap out (see below for more information).

The final day clap out is on Thursday, May 25. Parents are encouraged to arrive at Gray Hawk around 3:00 to set up outside of the school along the sidewalks. Classes, lead by OUR 5th graders and followed by 4th, 3rd, 2nd, etc. will exit out the front doors, parade along the highlighted route shown below, and then BACK INTO THE BUILDING.

Students will go back to their homerooms with their teachers for a final farewell and we will begin OUR dismissal as usual.

A few words about this event:

• You do NOT need to Raptor into the event as parents will not be coming inside.
• NO SILLY STRING. Last year parents had silly string and it was still stuck to the ground and the building in October of THIS YEAR. If you want to celebrate with "something", bubbles are a great option.
• Please do not bring your dogs (or other pets) on to school grounds for this event.
• Parents may NOT take their child out of the parade line. In order to remain as safe and secure as possible, students that exit with their class for the parade, must return to the classroom with their teacher. Thank you understanding this safety protocol.
• We will have a normal dismissal (3:45) following the clap out

OUR GRAY HAWKS will be signing yearbooks on Monday, May 22. Students that preordered yearbooks will be given their books. We still have 20 yearbooks available for $15.00/each. Please send cash or check made payable to Gray Hawk Elementary on Monday. Books are available on a first come, first served basis.

During the May 3, 2023 City Council meeting, students from Ms. Shupe’s 4th grade class gave a presentation on the importance of Basehor Kindness Day. During the meeting, Basehor Mayor Dick Drennon signed a proclamation designating May 19, 2023 as Basehor Kindness Day.

The purpose of Basehor Kindness Day is to remember the simple day-to-day acts of kindness that enable our Basehor community to be a kinder, safer, and more secure place to live, work, and play.

We are so grateful to OUR 4th graders for organizing Basehor Kindness Day on May 19. OUR 4th grade set up many different activities to spread kindness throughout OUR community including:

• taking donuts to Basehor PD, Basehor FD, and City Hall
• painted kindness rocks that will be placed around the school, library, and community
• put bookmarks in the children's section at the Basehor Public Library
• made dog toys to donate to the Leavenworth County Humane Society
• shared kindness videos with OUR GRAY HAWKS
• planted flowers in the planter out front
• made cards and provided a sweet treat to every class and staff member

Thank you 4th graders for being dedicated to KINDNESS and setting such a positive example!

On Monday, May 22 from 6 - 8 pm, we will celebrate OUR GRAY HAWK 5th graders with their promotion to middle school, a treat, the unveiling of a class gift, and a special surprise send off. 5th graders will need to be at Gray Hawk at 5:40 when the doors open. Guests will need to assemble in the gym for the ceremony and class video. We will have approximately 50 chairs and our cafeteria tables set up for guests to sit at.

OUR 5th graders do not need to dress up. It would be great to have them in Gray Hawk gear if they have any or in Gray Hawk red. Students should wear something that they can get wet in. We look forward to seeing OUR 5th graders and their families tomorrow, as we celebrate their amazingness!

Please welcome Mr. Ryan Scott to OUR NEST. Mr. Scott has been teaching Physical Education for the past 16 years. He has been the PE teacher in McLouth, KS at the elementary and high school since 2013, but has also served in Tonganixie, Louisburg, and Derby, Kansas. Mr. Scott is a graduate of Emporia State University and holds a BS in Physical Education and an MS in Educational Administration. We are very excited to welcome Mr. Scott into OUR GRAY HAWK FAMILY!

We lined the hallways this past Wednesday to thank OUR graduating CARE CATS that served OUR students this past year. We want to wish them the best of luck as they move forward in life. Thank you for being so involved and for setting a great example for OUR GRAY HAWKS!

Summer is one of the best times to catch the OUR SKC guys in a match at Children's Mercy Park. Thanks to SKC, we have secured a link for the game on May 31 vs FC Dallas. When ordering tickets through this link, Gray Hawk receives $8 back for every ticket purchased. We will see you at the game! GO SKC!!!

https://fevogm.com/event/Grayhawk

OUR PTO is once again working with School Tool Box to make back to school supply shopping easy and convenient. Please scan the QR code on the flyer below and you can order your supplies for next year.

Each grade level's approved supply list is pre-packed and will be delivered to your home address. It does not get any easier than that.

Don't get frustrated with items missing at the store. Order here and Gray Hawk will receive a percentage from each box sold.

Email: dspringer@usd458.org
Website: http://ghes.usd458.org/
Location: 16000 Garden Parkway, Basehor, KS, USA
Phone: (913) 662-7170
Twitter: @grayhawk458