The Gladden Gazette
A School Newsletter for Gladden Families - October 2024
Our Mission
The mission of Gladden Elementary, the lighthouse that illuminates the journey to greatness, is to ensure all students become extraordinary thinkers who pursue limitless possibilities with purpose, integrity, compassion, and resilience, through powerful school experiences distinguished by:
- dynamic learning opportunities for all students
- healthy environments of support and encouragement
- vital partnerships with families and communities
Our Pirate Principles
At Gladden Elementary, we believe in fostering a learning environment that empowers every student. Our guiding principles of Equity, Perseverance, Integrity, and Critical Thinking are the compass that steers our educational journey. We strive to create a space where all students feel valued, supported, and inspired to reach their full potential.
Principal's Corner
Dear Gladden Families -
Welcome to October! As the crisp fall air sets in and the leaves begin to change, we are excited to see our students continue to grow both academically and socially. This month brings many opportunities for learning, creativity, and community involvement. From Parent-Teacher Conferences to our Harvest Hallways event, Gladden will be bustling with activity!
At Gladden Elementary, we are committed to fostering a love of learning, and our dedicated staff works tirelessly to create an environment where every child can thrive. Thank you for your ongoing support as we partner together for the success of all our students.
Sincerely,
Karen Snider
Principal, Gladden Elementary
Important Dates:
October 2:
Custodial Appreciation Day
October 11:
End of First Quarter
October 14:
Staff Professional Development Day - No School for Students
October 18:
1st Quarter Grade Cards Go Home Today
October 23:
Parent-Teacher Conferences from 4:00-8:00 p.m.
October 24:
No School for Students
Parent-Teacher Conferences from 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
October 25:
No School
October 28:
4th Grade Spelling Bee from 9:00-10:00 a.m. in GES Library
October 29:
Harvest Hallways at GES from 5:00-6:00 p.m.
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Gladden Elementary will hold Parent-Teacher conferences on:
- Wednesday, October 23rd from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- Thursday, October 24th from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m..
Please return the sign-up form to your child’s teacher on or before Friday, October 10, 2024. This will help ensure we can get you signed up for a time that works best for you and your family. The week of October 14th we will send home conformation forms to let you know your assigned day/time for conferences.
We are striving for 100% participation in conferences and cannot wait to see you there!
Harvest Hallways
Candy Challenge
Homecoming Spirit Week
Gladden PTA
It is not too late to join the Gladden PTA!
Here is a link to our PTA Membership Form - https://forms.gle/oUnpoKgd1vcMxTNy7
Gladden PTA presents...cookie dough time! Mary’s Mountain Cookies is helping us raise funds for our students again this year. Please see the linked flyer for more details - Mary's Mountain Cookies Fundraiser.
News from the Library
Dear Parents and Guardians,
As the leaves change and the weather cools, October is the perfect month to cozy up with a good book! Here's what’s happening in our library this month:
Library Theme: Fall into Reading!
Throughout October, our library will be celebrating all things fall—apples, pumpkins, and of course, great books! We encourage students to check out fall-themed stories and dive into the world of autumn adventures.
Missouri Book Awards: A Big Reading Adventure!
We’re excited to share that our Kindergarten students have started reading this year’s Missouri Building Block Nominee Books, and our 1st through 4th graders are enjoying the Show Me Award Nominee Books.
After we read all 10 books in each category, your child will get to vote for their favorite book! It’s so much fun to be a part of this special event with schools all across Missouri. The winners are announced in the spring at the Missouri Association of School Librarians conference, where the authors receive an award—such a big deal! We’re thrilled that our students get to participate in this statewide celebration of reading!
Discovering Research with PebbleGo
We’re also exploring the world of nonfiction using a great resource called PebbleGo! This database makes learning about nonfiction topics like animals, history, and science super fun. Students will be learning how to ask good questions, search for answers, and share what they find. We can’t wait to see what exciting things they’ll discover!
From Michelle Stegmaier, Gladden Librarian
Counselor's Corner
October is National Bullying Prevention Month. Gladden, along with the Belton School District, takes a strong stance against bullying and harassment. In fact, during September’s classroom counseling lesson, all students were taught ways to help keep it safe at Gladden. We can all do our part to make Gladden a safe place when we have safe bodies, use kind words, and follow adult directions! Students reviewed and practiced steps to take if they witness any mean or hurtful behavior including 1) tell the person to stop 2) get away from the situation, and 3) report the hurtful behavior to a trusted adult.
Unsure if something is bullying? Check out this quick guide for parents from PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center that helps differentiate bullying from other behaviors and provides tips for helping your child.
Need to report bullying? Visit Courage2Report, our district’s bullying reporting system. Administrators will be notified and can quickly begin an investigation to stop the hurtful, unwanted behavior.
It’s Food Drive time again! Please consider helping us restock our BSD Pirate Pantries! All items are provided to students and families here in Belton!
Students can bring in non-perishable food items starting Monday, October 21st. Please double check expiration dates before sending in items, as we cannot keep food that is past expiration.
Pirate Pantry food needs include: pancake mix, muffin mix, peanut butter and jelly, granola bars, mac ‘n cheese, pasta noodles, canned meals like ravioli or soup, cereal, oatmeal, pudding cups, fruit cups, microwavable popcorn, and juice boxes/water bottles.
Community Resources/Assistance for Families:
Need Winter Gear? Click here to sign up. We hope to have coats delivered by early November thanks to Country Club Bank of Belton!
Family Request for Resources (BackSnacks, Hygiene Items, School Supplies) - click here.
United Way - A free program that connects families with the community resources and assistance programs they need, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Examples include transportation needs, housing, food, job training, and much more. Dial 211 or visit www.211kc.org
Compass Health 24-Hour Behavioral Health Crisis Hotline: 1-888-237-4567
From Amber Webel, Gladden School Counselor
Transportation Changes
Should you need to make transportation changes for your student, please do so prior to 2:30 p.m. by emailing the office at gladden@bsd124.org or by sending a handwritten note. For the safety of students, we do NOT accept transportation changes over the phone.
Car Rider Signs
If you are picking your student up through the car rider line, please make sure you have your car rider sign displayed. If you forget or lose your sign, you will need to park, come into the office, and show your ID to pick up your child. You are always welcome to request more car rider signs.
Important Contacts
Gladden Office: (816) 489-7530
Gladden Fax: (816) 489-7535
- Secretary - Amber Branson
- Office Para- Emma Kesler
- Counselor - Amber Webel
- Principal - Karen Snider
Gladden Health Room: (816) 489-7532
- Nurse - Teresa Knoll
Gladen Cafeteria: (816) 489-7532
- Cafeteria Manager - Ka'Treena Fairlie
Gladden SAC (before and after school care): (816) 489-7300
- Site Director: Lucy Culbertson
- District Children Services Coordinator: Luke Startwood
DS Bus Lines: (816) 331-3200
Gladden Elementary School
Email: gladden@bsd124.org
Website: https://www.beltonschools.org/Page/14
Location: 405 Westover Road, Belton, MO, USA
Phone: 816-489-7530
Facebook: facebook.com/GladdenElementary