Message from the Principal
Happy Fall! The weather seems to finally be changing and students and teachers are falling into their consistent routines as we wrap up our first grading period. With this in mind, we have scheduled fall parent teacher conferences for grades 1 - 5 for October 14th and October 28 and 30 for Kindergarten. If you have not yet scheduled yours, please contact your child’s teacher to see what times are still available. You will receive your child’s grade report at this conference along with data from fall assessments. Please note that there will be no school for students on October 11th and 14th as teachers prepare for and hold conferences.
In this week’s Elevate Weekly, the division provided an overview of the literacy assessments we are using this year, several of which are new. You may remember, if your child has recently been in K-2, you previously received a PALS report. PALS was the old state-wide literacy screener that has been significantly revised and is now called VALLSS. The new VALLSS assessment includes many more tasks than PALS and it assesses more individual skills recognized as being foundational to successful reading development. Across the state, division, and our school, we are seeing many more students flagged as potentially at high risk or moderate risk for reading difficulties than we did with PALS. Students who may have not been identified at the end of last year with the PALS assessment may now be identified as at high or moderate risk for long term reading difficulties. We believe this is due to a variety of factors, including the intent of the test being to cast a wider net than the previous assessments.
In your child’s folder (for K - 3rd grade students), you are receiving a letter that further explains VALLSS and provides your child’s individual “band of risk.” If your child is newly identified as at risk and that has not been communicated to you in the past, please know that we will talk through what this means and how we plan to fill in the gaps identified by the test. We do not want this to cause alarm, but to catalyze an opportunity to talk about your child’s current areas of strength and places where we can work together to support your child to mature into a fluent and confident reader.
With the end of the first grading period, it is also a great time to talk about the importance of consistent school attendance. Research shows that consistent attendance correlates with higher achievement, improved social skills, and increased confidence. While we certainly agree that students should stay home when they are sick, we really want them at school when they are healthy so we can help them with their academic and social growth. At this point in the year, students who have missed 5 or more days are at risk of being considered chronically absent which has been correlated to decreased performance on school work and assessments, increased anxiety, and diminished social skills. Please encourage and support consistent attendance as it makes a big difference for your child.
At this time of year, we know there are many appointments and activities that may impact transportation plans. In order for us to effectively route your child the right way, we ask that you send a note to the teacher in the morning with any dismissal changes for the afternoon. If you are unable to send a note, please call the office prior to 1:00 so we can make any needed transportation passes and have these delivered to the teacher and student prior to dismissal. Your help is greatly appreciated!
We would like to draw your attention to some upcoming events at GVES and beyond. On October 31, we will hold our annual character dress up day. Students are welcome to come in costume on that day but be mindful of a few rules. First, costumes should not be bloody or gory. Second, they should not include toy weapons like swords or guns. Finally, if the costume has a mask, students may bring it to show the class the whole costume but will then be asked to remove it for class time. On this day, we will also be having our Spooky Sprint during specials class. This fun outdoor activity includes various stations that are run by our amazing specialists. Be mindful that students will be participating in their costumes and will want to have appropriate shoes.
In September, we hosted our PTA Breakfast Buddies program. The event was a huge success but also highlighted a safety concern for traffic. Please know that Dixon-Smith Middle School is directly behind GVES and staff and families are often traveling the road near the water tower to access the school. With increased traffic on that road, it is crucial that drivers look both ways and drive with caution as they exit our parking lot to enter the roadway.
Finally, I want to share that we are still in need of substitute teachers. If you are interested or want more information, please email me at sidebothammb@staffordschools.net
Michael B. Sidebotham
Principal
10/1 Special Day 3
10/2 Special Day 4, Chorus 7:30
Custodial Appreciation Day
10/3 Student/ Staff Holiday Rosh Hashanah
10/4 Special Day 5
10/7 Specials Day 1
10/8 Specials Day 2
10/9 Specials Day 3, Chorus 7:30
10/10 Specials Day 4, End of 1st Nine Weeks
FT- GATES 4th Grade to Melchers
1st Grade Family Night 6:00 pm
10/11 No School
10/14 No School - parent teacher conferences
Fall Book Fair until 10/23
10/15 Specials Day 5
FT- GATES 3rd Grade to Ferry Farm
10/16 Specials Day 1, Chorus 7:30
10/17 Specials Day 2
10/18 Specials Day 3
PTA Fun Run: K and 2nd (8:45- 9:45), 1st and 4th (9:55- 10:55), 3rd and 5th (1:30- 2:30)
10/21 Specials Day 4
10/22 Specials Day 5
10/23 Specials Day 1, Chorus 7:30
10/24 Specials Day 2
FT- K to Belvedere
Lockdown Drill
10/25 Specials Day 3
Code Ninjas 2nd Grade
10/28 Specials Day 0
Awards Assemblies: 3rd- 8:40, 5th- 9:30, 4th- 2:10
Kindergarten Conferences 3:30- 7:00
10/29 Specials Day 4
Awards Assemblies: 2nd- 8:45, 1st- 9:30
10/30 Specials Day 5, Chorus 7:30
Kindergarten Conferences 3:30- 7:00
10/31 Specials Day 0
Spooky Sprint/ Halloween
Attendance Updates from the Vice Principal
As we embrace the arrival of Fall and the beginning of October, we want to remind you that with the changing seasons, many students may start to experience illnesses. If your child needs to miss a day due to illness, please ensure that you report the absence in Synergy, call the school, or send in a note. Your communication is vital for us to keep track of attendance.
During the first nine weeks of school, our attendance team has been celebrating classes that achieve perfect attendance. Classes receive certificates for each day of perfect attendance, and after earning 10 certificates, they enjoy an extra recess. We’re excited to share that 10 classes have already earned this reward!
Thank you, parents, for your support in ensuring your students arrive on time and stay throughout the day. We love seeing our Grizzlies at school!
The GVES attendance team is here to support our families. Please call if you have any
questions. 540-373-5454
Attendance Team Members:
Belinda Rippon, AP
Kelli Koeck, School Social Worker
Mia Fravel, Guidance Counselor
Nicole Spangler, Guidance Counselor
Brandon Lesniak, School Psychologist
Kristian Bourne, Attendance Secretary
Check out these family tech planners from Common Sense Media to support your Grizzlies at home with family conversations surrounding technology use at home.
Rent the Rocks
Did you know you can rent "The Rocks" located in front of the school for special occasions? It is a great way to spread positive messages and increase excitement in our community. All requests must be made via email to graftonpta@gmail.com. Rock the Rental as the subject. The PTA will confirm approval of the rental date and rock message before the rock rental can be purchased.
No cell phones in Elementary School
CELL PHONE POSSESSION AND PHONE WATCHES: The Stafford County Code of Conduct states: “Elementary school students shall not be permitted to use or display such devices while on school grounds unless expressly authorized by staff”. Students are asked to keep their phones off and away during school hours.
If you have a Facebook Acct, please join our Facebook Group. You must answer the security questions to be approved.
PURPLE STAR SCHOOL
Virginia Council on the Educational Opportunity for Military Children voted on October 26, 2023, to approve Grafton Village Elementary as a recipient of the SY 2023-2024 Purple Star Award.
