News From The Grizzlies' Den

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As move into the second half of October, we’re excited to reflect on the incredible student engagement we’ve seen over the past month. From the many special events to lively classroom activities, students have demonstrated a strong commitment to growth and connection. This newsletter highlights the efforts, achievements, and opportunities that continue to shape our vibrant community. As we look ahead, let’s keep fostering these meaningful interactions and creating spaces where every student can thrive and feel supported in their journey. Together, we’re making a difference!

It's a great day to be a Grizzly!

Erin

Families are welcome to come watch our annual Greystone Halloween Parade.

Families may park in our lots or in the lower lots (and walk up the steps to campus)

Families should not arrive on campus before 9:40am.

We strongly encourage car pool if possible, to help with parking.

Please see the attached diagram for where to line up before 10am.

Students will parade by class in front of the school to show off their costumes

Following the parade students will return to school and we'll resume our school day

Families will remain outside the school building and individual teachers will coordinate fall parties.

Thank you for your support and we look forward to seeing you soon at this Spooktacular event!

All costumes must be school-appropriate, please keep in mind we have 5 and 6 year olds with us! Students can wear their costume to school for the day. However, they may use masks and props for the parade portion only. Remember, no replica weapons for any reason.

Kindergarten and 1st Grade families it is helpful if our younger students come in costumes. It helps us prepare for the parade!

10/23: Cherry Chest Farm 4th Grade Field Trip

10/23: Act 155 Alice Training 2:45

10/25: Trunk or Treat 5:30-7:30

10/28: Milky Way Farm K Field Trip

10/28: Paradise Farms 5th Grade Field Trip

10/31: Halloween Parade 10am

11/1: No School Diwali

11/5: No School Teacher In-service

11/7: November PBIS Assembly

11/11: Last Day to Order Art to Remember (see below)

11/12: Book Fair Family Night

11/11-11/15 Book Fair

11/20: Picture Retakes

11/25-11/27: Fall Conferences (see schedule below)

11/28 & 11/29: No School

Did you know that the PTO subsidizes all field trips? The PTO covers $10 per student for their grade's fall field trip and $10 per student for their grade's spring field trip making field trips more affordable for families. Already this year the PTO has provided funds towards the 3rd grade field trip to Cherry Crest Farms, the 4th grade field trip to Stroud Water Research Center and the 5th grade field trip to Paradise Farms!

On October 23rd , our school will conduct an age-appropriate safety drill as a follow-up to the lessons and presentations your children have already experienced with our Campus Safety Officer (CSO). This drill is part of our ongoing commitment to school safety, guided by the principles of the ALICE Program.

As a reminder, the ALICE Training program equips both staff and students with valuable safety options, situational awareness, and survival skills for school and life.

During the drill, your child can expect that we will announce that it is a drill. We will then provide a scripted scenario of an incident for staff and students to practice their situational awareness and response. We will then end the drill with an announcement.

If you have any questions or concerns about the upcoming drill or other safety procedures, please contact the WCASD’s Public Safety Supervisor, Rik Thornton, at rthornton@wcasd.net.

Thank you for your continued support in keeping our school community safe.

We have some important updates to share regarding attendance and communication:

1. Note Submission Options: Caregivers can now submit parent notes for absences through Pickup Patrol and Talking Points messages. We will continue to accept emails and handwritten notes. We hope this makes it easier for you to keep us informed!

2. Automated Phone Calls: Automated phone calls will be sent to caregivers of students with unexcused (LAW) absences at 10:00 AM each morning. This will help keep you updated on your child's attendance. If this automated call ever feels inaccurate, please contact our main office.

3. New Email for Parent Notes: We have established a new email address for submitting parent notes: GESattendance@wcasd.k12.pa.us. Our school secretaries will receive emails to this address which will ensure a smooth communication process.

4. Early Dismissal and Tardiness Change: Eight (8) unlawful lateness and/or early dismissals will considered one (1) unlawful absence in grades K-5

5. Nurse Exclusion Policy: We’ve added a new policy for nurse exclusions (NN). If the school nurse advises a student to stay home the following day, this will now be considered an excused absence.

Thank you for your cooperation as we implement these changes to enhance our attendance processes.

In case your child was absent on picture day!

Any questions regarding ordering pictures please call Barksdale at 1-800-220-7667.

Paper order forms are available the day of pictures with cash or check.

Link to Order: www.treering.com

Log into existing account or School Passcode 1016939545791615 to create an account and click the link to purchase a yearbook. All yearbooks ordered by 10/31 will receive a 10% discount.

Our number one concern during pick up and drop off is safety! We want to make sure all students are safe. While these procedures are not new, this is a new school year and it is always good to review. Please remember that we are a school zone and we should be patient and kind as drivers.

Student Drop-Off

Student drop-off will take in the smaller loop outside the gym. Students being driven to school will be dropped off along the sidewalk.

■ When dropping off, drivers should pull all the way along the sidewalk.

■ Please have your child exit on the passenger side of the car for their safety.

■ A staff member will be at the door to usher students inside.

■ Students may be dropped off between 8:30 am and 9:00 am.

■ After 9:05, students will need to be signed in at our main office.

■ Parents should remain in their cars throughout this process.

■ If you child need extra time or assistance getting out of the car please park in one of the parking spots to help them.

Student Pick-Up

We will do our best to make this process fast and smooth. Please remain in your cars, keep moving, and follow directions given by the staff members on duty.

■ Dismissal begins at 3:30. Please do not enter the car loop until 3:20

■ When picking-up, drivers should enter the large loop by the main entrance.

■ If your child needs help getting buckled or getting into the car we ask that you park to give yourself and your child the additional time.

■ A staff member will be outside to track the students’ names.

■ Students will be dismissed and exit the gym doors, and walk directly to their cars.

■ Staff members will guide students to their cars.

■ Once students are safely in the cars, parents should safely exit the car loop.

■ Please wait patiently for the car in front of you to move. We should never pass on the left for student safety.

■ Parents should remain in their cars throughout this process.

If you did not remember to change pick up patrol to parent pick-up ahead of time, please park and go to the office and your student will be called to meet you. The school MUST know by 2pm if you are changing your pick up plans and are planning to pick up in carline.

Our school uses Pickup Patrol for parents to report absences and communicate dismissal plan changes. All Change must be made by 2pm for the teacher to get notification

Notes, emails or phone calls are not accepted for changes, except in emergencies.

RETURNING PARENTS: If you have not done so already please enter and confirm your students default plan. For a safe dismissal, it’s essential that we know your student’s regular daily dismissal plans.

NEW PARENTS: Please reach out to the main office if you have not received a registration email. The PUP web app is free for parents, and you can use it from your smartphone or computer. Instructions for how to add the app to your phone are included in the registration email.

Thank you for using PickUp Patrol to make safety a priority and to ensure our dismissal process is efficient for all our students. If you have any questions, please check the PUP Parent Guide. If you still need help, contact the office.

Hello Greystone Families!

My name is Liz H. Ball, and I am the Home and School Visitor at Greystone! My priority in this role is to be a resource for your students to be successful in the learning environment by addressing any barriers that may arise. Those barriers can include attendance, residency, and financial concerns that impact academic success. I can provide support applying for medical assistance and the NSLP. I can coordinate referrals for a variety of social services agencies and collaborate locating material needs by way of school, community, and government programs.

Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions, comments, or concerns. My phone number is 484.883.1048 and my email address is Eball@wcasd.net

This year's Greystone Games Fall Fundraiser was our biggest success yet! As a school, together we raised over $15,000, surpassing our $13,000 goal! The students raised nearly $4,000 from spare change in their classroom coin jars. These funds will go directly to PTO programming for all students including Culture Day, STEAM Night, 5th Grade Celebratory Events, Subsidizing Fall & Spring Field Trips, Kona Ice Day and much more!

The 4th Annual Family Fun Run with Colors was also a success with nearly 400 attendees. Unfortunately the event was $2,000 short of its fundraising goal, but it was a beautiful evening and a fun time was still had by all!

Congratulations to all Grizzlies on the success of these events!

Volunteers: https://www.greystonepto.com/volunteer/137334

If you are scheduled for recess volunteer and we need to call indoor recess we will need to reschedule parent help!

https://greystoneelementary.itemorder.com/shop/home/

Dr. Erin Stephen

Principal

Email: EStephen@wcasd.net

Phone: 484-266-2300

Address: 1195 Aram Ave, West Chester, Pa 19380

Instagram: @GreystoneGrizzilies