News From The Nest

Good evening Graham Families!

We're about to GLOW crazy and we can't wait!

I think I say it every week but I just can't believe how fast this week has flown. We are already at the end of February and the events just keep coming!

4th grade culminated their biography unit today with their Bio Bash. They dressed to impress and had fun learning about people from the past and present!

I have decided to share the mic in the mornings (if you know me, you know this is a big deal 😂) and 5th graders are now joining me for announcements! It's been a lot of fun to hear their voices and the other grade levels have had a blast having them in their classrooms. There really is nothing better than GO FALCONS! from a student voice. 🤍💙

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Go Falcons!

Rachel Witkowski

• February 26th | 2nd Grade Musical, 6:30pm
  
• February 27th | Falcon Family Picnic
• February 29th | No School, Parent/Teacher Conferences, 1:00-8:00
• March 1st | No School, County Wide Institute Day for teachers
  
• March 5th | The NED School Assembly, K-5
• March 8th | PTA Junior Achievement Day
• March 13th | Graham Chorus Concert, 6:30pm
• March 15th | Watch DOGS at recess

GRAHAM PARENTS!!! I can't thank you enough for jumping into action and filling out the 5Essentials survey for us! We are now the envy of the entire district at 56%!!!

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Graham will GLOW again on Monday during our lunches! Please remind your students to wear their neon and to be ready to GLOW!

If you haven't had a chance to take the survey and would still like to, it's open until March 29.

To take the parent survey:

1. Visit IL 5Essentials Survey Link or scan this QR code
2. Type and select “Dupage” as "County." (The county is the location of the school district's main office.)
3. Type your school's name into the "School" field and select your school.
   
   

Way to GLOW, FALCONS!!!

Graham 2nd Grade Musical: “This is a School”

Monday, February 26th

6:30 pm

Graham Elementary Gym

We are so excited for all second grade students to perform the songs they have been learning in class together. More information will be sent home after winter break. We are looking forward to sharing our performance with you!

Melissa Plaskota, Graham Music Teacher

melissa_plaskota@ipsd.org

Spring conferences will be held on February 29th between 1:00 pm and 8:00 pm. Spring conferences are scheduled on an as-needed basis. Unlike the Fall, only 1 day off of school (February 29) is dedicated to spring conferences, so appointments are limited. Teachers will reach out to families with whom they feel a conference is necessary.

If your child’s teacher does not feel a conference is necessary at this time, but you have a concern, please reach out to your child's teacher to let them know and they will reserve a remaining conference time for you. Remember our staff is always available via email or phone any time you have questions or concerns.

Don't miss out on the memories - Order your yearbook today!

What better way to remember the 2023-2024 school year than to order a yearbook for your child! Yearbooks can only be purchased online through the HR Imaging website. Yearbook orders will not be accepted at school.

Order Deadline: March 1st

Cost: $18.00

Website: https://book.hrimaging.com/book/school.aspx

Questions? Please contact Darlene Stone, Graham Student Services Coordinator at darlene_stone@ipsd.org

Graham School 24-25 Kindergarten Preview Night is scheduled for Tuesday, April 23 from 6:00-7:00pm.

Please make sure to let your neighbors know!

We are so excited to meet our Future Falcons!

You can report your child's absence on the ParentVUE app!

From Marie Antoinette to Alexander Hamilton to Jesse Owens to Stan Lee to name a few... the 4th graders had a blast at their Bio Bash today!

You’ve Been Booked is a fun library program. It is structured to spread the joy of reading and strengthen our reading community. Classrooms will be surprised by a book showing up at their door. The teacher will read the book and possibly do extension activities related to some of the books. Then the class will place the book outside another classroom to keep the surprise going. Eight books will circulate around Graham during the spring months. In May, students will vote for their favorites in a battle of the books bracket.

UPDATE: We will accept late ticket orders next week! The absolute LAST day we will accept late ticket orders is Monday, March 4th.

Graham Families,

We are wrapping up the Ozzie Reading Club. This is a partnership with the Kane County Cougars Baseball team and Graham to encourage reading. Their mascot is Ozzie.

Ticket forms were sent home to all students on 2/12/24. Students must turn in the free ticket form if they want a ticket.

Graham’s Main Game: Thursday, May 23rd at 6:30. The Graham Chorus will sing. Graham Staff are encouraged to attend.

Second Game: Saturday, May 25th

Timeline:

Ticket Forms went Home 2/12/24

Ticket Order Forms Due 3/4/2024, extra tickets ordered on Pushcoin.

Tickets will be sent home before the May 23rd Game - They will be packed in labeled envelopes.

District 204’s second annual Mental Health Symposium will be held on Saturday, March 9 at Metea Valley High School from 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM. This event is free, open to the public, and will feature a variety of mental health resources for parents and students in grades 8 – 12. The Mental Health Symposium will include a keynote session by author Dr. Devorah Heitner who is the author of Growing Up in Public and Screenwise: Helping Kids Thrive (and Survive) in Their Digital World. Dr. Heitner's work has appeared in the New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street journal and CNN Opinion. She has a Ph.D. in Media/Technology & Society from Northwestern University and has taught at DePaul and Northwestern. The keynote will be followed by a panel discussion with local experts to discuss the relevance of Dr. Heitner’s presentation in our schools and local community.

Attendees can anticipate a variety of breakout sessions tailored to both adults and teens, covering topics ranging from practical strategies for managing anxiety to embracing resilience and self-esteem. The event will also feature a book fair, a community resource fair, and childcare services for children aged three to ten.

View the Adult Breakout Sessions

View the Teen Breakout Sessions

For more information and registration, visit the Mental Health Symposium webpage.

The Indian Prairie Educational Foundation (IPEF) invites you to our third annual Inspire Gala on Friday, March 8th at the White Eagle Country Club. Join us for an amazing adults-only evening of live music, food, art, wine, and a silent auction, showcasing our talented IPSD 204 student musicians and artists while raising funds for IPEF’s district-wide enrichment programs, including the Fine Arts Festival, Free Cardiac Screenings for High School Students, Robotics, Mental Health Counseling, and support for our homeless and low-income students. Get Your Tickets Here before they are gone!

If there is a change in your typical dismissal routine, please be sure to email your child's teacher the night before. If it is a last minute change, please CALL the main office. Any changes to dismissal after 3:00pm are difficult to accommodate, so to avoid frustration please make all attempts to minimize changes to your typical dismissal routine.

Thank you for your understanding!

• Regular elementary school hours are 9:05 am – 3:35 pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Students may begin arriving each of these days at 8:50 am.

• Wednesday school hours are 9:15 am – 3:35 pm. This late start allows time for staff to engage in professional development opportunities. All arrival procedures, student supervision, and bus service will be delayed by 10 minutes every Wednesday of the school year.

• Regular preschool hours are: AM Session: 7:40 - 10:30, PM Session: 12:00 - 2:50.

• Please be sure to follow the preschool calendar.

In an effort to maintain a safe environment for staff and students, District 204 adheres to the following practices during arrival and dismissal.

Arrival Procedures:

• During the period of time when children are arriving in the morning, no adults, without an appointment, will be allowed into the schools. Children will be allowed in through normal procedures.

• Any adult, without an appointment, who wishes to go into the school to talk with the administration or drop something off at the school will need to wait until arrival procedures are completed for the students or call the office for assistance.

For all elementary schools, adults without an appointment will not be allowed between 8:50 am - 9:05 am Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. On Wednesday, that time is 9:00 am - 9:15 am.

Dismissal Procedures:

• At dismissal time, no adult will be allowed into the school during the time that students are being dismissed.
• Parents who need to speak with the office staff will need to wait until the dismissal process is completed for all students.

Any changes to dismissal plans need to be communicated to the school staff before 3:00pm. Any students being picked up for early dismissal should be picked up before 3:00pm.

Thank you, in advance, for adhering to these important safety procedures.

If your child will be absent from school for any reason, please remember to call the school office to report the absence (630-428-6900, press option 3). Please also share the reason for the absence, as our attendance system requires that a reason for the absence be entered. If you report the absence on voicemail, please include both your child's name and the reason for the absence. If our school nurse should need additional information, she will reach out to you directly.

V. Blanche Graham Elementary School is a Prekindergarten through 5th grade school located in South Naperville. Opened in 1996, Graham is fortunate to have supportive parents and dedicated staff and students who come prepared and eager to learn. We are part of Indian Prairie Community Unit School District #204, which is dedicated to the mission to "Inspire all students to achieve their greatest potential."

Email: rachel_witkowski@ipsd.org

Website: http://graham.ipsd.org/
Location: 2315 High Meadow Rd, Naperville, IL 60564, USA
Phone: 630-428-6900
Twitter: @GrahamElem204