Grizzly Gazette

Contact Us

Granite Mountain Upper Elementary School

1800 Williamson Valley Rd., Prescott, AZ 86305

Phone: 928-717-3253

Fax: 928-717-3284

prescottschools.com

Wed. Nov. 27-29 ~ Thanksgiving Holiday

• Mon. and Tues., November 25 & 26 ~ No clubs

Tues~Fri., Dec. 3-6 ~ Holiday Book Fair

Wed. Dec. 4th ~ "Maddi's Fridge" performance @ PMHMS ~ 9:00 a.m.

DATE CHANGE: Thurs. Dec 12th ~ Drama Club Holiday Show ~ Time TBA

Tues. Dec. 17th ~ Band & Orchestra Concert ~ 6:00 p.m.

Wed. Dec. 18th ~ 6th Gr. Egypt Thing 5-6 p.m. Choir Concert ~ 6:30 p.m.

Fri. Dec. 20th ~ Grinch and PJ Day ~ Holiday Break ~ 12:00 Noon Dismissal

Monday, January 6th ~ School starts!

As we head into Thanksgiving weekend, please know how grateful we are for your children and our GMUES families. We really are so lucky to have such wonderful families and such an amazing group of staff members. All of us here at Granite wish you a wonderful and abundant Thanksgiving weekend next week. Students and staff are off on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday next week. Don't forget...we will not be having any after school clubs next week. Monday and Tuesday are full days of school with regular dismissal times, but NO AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS. :)

School will resume on Monday, December 2nd! We'll see you next week for two days and then enjoy your holiday weekend!

Mrs. Hughes :)

Hello GMUES Parents and Guardians,

I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to share some important information about an approach we are using to assess and support your child’s learning throughout the school year. You may have heard your student discussing “CFAs” or seen this term on their PowerSchool account. This stands for Standards-Based Common Formative Assessments (CFAs).

What is a Standards-Based Common Formative Assessment?

A Standards-Based Common Formative Assessment is a type of evaluation designed to measure students' understanding of specific academic standards. These assessments are "formative," meaning they are used to gather information that helps guide instruction and provide timely support (during WIN time rotations) rather than simply assigning a grade.

The term "standards-based" means that each assessment is directly aligned with the learning goals set forth in our curriculum standards. These standards outline the key skills and knowledge that students are expected to learn at each grade level.

Why Are We Using These Assessments?

The primary purpose of Common Formative Assessments is to ensure that every student is progressing toward meeting grade-level standards. Here’s why we find them valuable:

• Guiding Instruction: By regularly assessing students on specific standards, we can identify areas where they may need additional support or enrichment. This helps us tailor our teaching to meet the needs of each child.

• Timely Feedback: These assessments provide timely feedback to both students and teachers. Students learn what they’ve mastered and where they need to focus, while teachers gain insights into how to adjust their instruction to better support student learning.

• Consistency Across Classrooms: Because these assessments are "common," meaning they are used across all classrooms, they ensure that all students are being held to the same standards and receiving consistent instruction.

• Supporting All Learners: The data we gather from these assessments allows us to provide targeted interventions during WIN time rotations for students who are struggling, as well as opportunities for deeper learning and challenge for those who are ready to move ahead.

What Does This Mean for Your Child?
Your child will participate in these assessments at various points throughout the school year. It’s important to understand that these are not "high-stakes" tests. Instead, they are tools to help us understand how your child is progressing and how we can best support their learning journey.

It’s also important to note that formative grades are not final until the end of the quarter. This means that your child’s grade on each assessment may change as they continue to learn and improve. Students will have the opportunity to retake each assessment up to three times per quarter to demonstrate their growing mastery of the standards.

Our goal is to support all students in achieving their best, and we encourage them to take advantage of these opportunities to improve their scores and deepen their learning. Final grades will reflect the highest level of mastery your child has achieved by the end of the quarter.

We encourage you to talk with your child about what they are learning and to celebrate their growth. If at any point you have questions or concerns about your child’s progress or the assessments themselves, please don’t hesitate to reach out to their teacher. This process is not "new" for teachers, but our staff is also experiencing a learning curve with this change in procedure. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work through this transition.

Thank you for your continued partnership in your child’s education. Together, we can help every student succeed.

We have made the EZMeal application SUPER easy to find and fill out! We have so much important funding that comes from this money. Here are some other facts:

*School has NO access to your application information

*Even if you child never eats meals from school, YOU can still apply and help us with funding

*Qualifying for FREE or REDUCED is ALL FREE this year!

*You can do it on your phone and it only takes a second

*This could mean FREE Clubs for next year

*Math and Reading Interventionists are paid for with this funding

https://secure.ezmealapp.com/ApplicationScreen.aspx

Thank you for taking the time to apply. It takes only a second and makes such a difference.

Attention PUSD Families!

While we won’t be able to offer our free tutoring program this year due to the end of COVID-relief funding, we’ve got good news! The State of Arizona still offers free tutoring options to help your child succeed.

To find a tutoring provider, just visit the Authorized ATP Tutoring Providers page on the Arizona Department of Education website. There, you can connect with an approved tutor and set up sessions that fit your schedule.

If the link doesn't work, paste the following into your browser: https://www.azed.gov/achievement-tutoring-program/authorized-atp-tutoring-providers

GRANITE MOUNTAIN UPPER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Required Immunizations for 11 year olds

Tdap and Meningococcal vaccines are REQUIRED by AZ STATE LAW for school attendance when your student turns 11 years old. (NOT BEFORE THEIR 11th BIRTHDAY). Students may be excluded from school if they do not have the required 11 year old immunizations by 12 years old.

Please provide the school nurse with a future appointment date. As soon as your student receives the vaccines, please provide proof of updated vaccines by email, in person or FAX to the school nurse.

If your child turned 11 and you have already provided proof of 11 year old vaccines, please disregard this message.

Immunization Resources

Yavapai Community County Health Services: 928-771-3122

Partners for Healthy Students Mobile Clinic: 928-771-5123

Please contact Mai Nguyen,RN, School Nurse, at 928-541-2293 or by email at mai.nguyen@prescottschools.com for any questions. Thank you.

Respectfully,

Mai Nguyen, BSN, RN

School Nurse

Granite Mountain Upper Elementary School

928-541-2293

Fax: 928-717-3284

As we embark on this next school year, we'd like to remind everyone about our dress code and cell phone policies. These policies are in place for every student's safety and in the spirit of protecting every minute of instruction and learning as possible. As always, if you have any questions, please call our office. These policies will be given to all families at schedule pick up and will be posted in this year's handbook.

As you do your back to school shopping for your student, please keep in mind our PUSD Dress Code:

Grades 5 and 6

Prescott Unified School District encourages students to take pride in their attire as it relates to the school setting. Students should dress in a manner that takes into consideration the educational environment, safety, health, and welfare of themselves and others. A spirit of support and cooperation between parents and school personnel is needed to ensure that students come to school appropriately dressed in attire that does not pose health or safety hazards and is appropriate to the school environment.

The administration and staff reserve the right to employ administrative judgment in disallowing any clothing, accessories, jewelry, or other items which could include any trends or fads that are distracting to the educational process, atmosphere, climate, or that pose a safety issue.

Dress for Success. Our objective is to promote personal safety and hygiene, to encourage positive behavior and respect for self and others, to promote positive peer images, and to show respect for family and community expectations.

This dress code is in effect during school hours and during all school events. Exceptions to portions of the dress code may be allowed during designated school spirit days or other events at the discretion of the administration.

School regulations PROHIBIT student dress or grooming practices that:

• Present a hazard to the health or safety of the student or to others in the school. This would include:

• Dangling or large hoop earrings.

• Articles of clothing or jewelry which may cause damage, maintenance problems, or present any safety concerns or school disruptions (ie chains, spikes, etc).

• Nails that are filed in pointed shapes (coffin nails, stiletto nails). Nail length needs to be appropriate to the school environment and setting

• May disrupt and/or interfere with school work, create disorder, or prohibit the ability of a staff member to effectively deliver the educational program. This would include:

• Skirts and shorts that are shorter than fingertip length. Bottom of the skirt/shorts must be at your fingertips when your arms are at your side.

• Shirts including crop top, belly or 1/2 shirts that do not reach the waistband when seated. (Midriff/torso must be covered at all times)

• Clothing that is offensive or inappropriately revealing, such as transparent clothing, straps more narrow than a credit card, low cut shirts, and pajamas/flannel pants/onesies. No athletic clothing (leggings, sweatpants) that skin can be seen through

(Straps more narrow than credit card must be covered at all times)

(Pajamas/Flannel Pants/Onesies are meant to sleep in, not go to school in)

• Exposed underwear, such as bras and boxer shorts/briefs or anything resembling underwear, such as bralettes, sports bras, tube tops, etc.

• Pants/shorts that are not worn or secured at the waistline.

• Pants/shorts that have rips or holes higher than mid-thigh (Holes must be below your fingertips when your arms are at your side).

• Headgear may ONLY be worn during recess outside, such as caps, beanies, hoodies, headbands with ears, horns, accessories, etc., with the exception of religious headgear.

• Body piercings which cause damage, maintenance problems, or present any safety concerns or school disruptions (ie chains, spikes, etc).

• Students are not allowed to draw or write on themselves, others, or clothing.

• Make-up, hair color, hair styles must not potentially disrupt the educational environment including but not limited to lipstick, eyeshadow/eyeliner, etc. (natural-looking mascara is acceptable).

• Costumes are only allowed to be worn as allowed on spirit days.

• Clothing that has wording or images that are not school-appropriate.

• Cause excessive wear or damage to school property. This would include:

• Shoes with heelys (rollers), cleats, or studs.

• Prevent students from achieving their educational objectives.

• Clothing and/or accessories that are gang style or represent membership in a gang.

• Clothing and/or accessories that have statements, pictures, or symbols that represent prejudice, obscenity, vulgarity, sex, drugs, alcohol, or tobacco.

PUSD Cell Phone Policy

Why do we have rules around cell phones?

Cell phones are valuable and important communication devices in today’s world. Prescott Unified School District schools are committed to an academic environment where students are engaged in their learning, actively participating, and building academic endurance. However, use of cell phones during the instructional day severely impedes and distracts from the learning process.

For more information:

• https://districtadministration.com/cellphone-policy-difficult-call-school-district-leaders/

Cell Phones/Smart Watches/Headphones/Electronic Devices/Toys

If parents allow their children to carry a cell phone or wear a smart watch for emergency purposes while walking home or at the bus stop, it must remain off and in the student’s backpack while at school. If it is heard or seen, it will be held at the office until the end of the day. On the second violation, parents/guardians will have to pick up the cell phone. If a parent/guardian needs to get in touch with their student during the school day, please contact the front office.

Headphones (airpods, bluetooth headphones, etc.) of any kind are not permitted for use on campus at any time.

Electronic devices such as iPods, iPads, MP3 players, gaming systems, etc. are not allowed at school or on field trips.

PLEASE READ WITH YOUR STUDENT

Specific to Granite Mountain Upper Elementary School

In addition to the above, cell phones are only allowed for use after the final dismissal bell has rung and the student is not participating in afterschool programs.

If any cell phone/device is heard or seen, it will be held at the office until the end of the day. On the second violation, parents/guardians will have to sign the Unauthorized Item form for the student to pick up the cell phone/device the next school day. On the third violation, the parents/guardians will need to pick up the cell phone/device from the front office. Any violation afterward will result in further disciplinary consequences and a cell phone/device contract.

Students may not take pictures/videos of other students or staff members with their cell phones or any other device. It is a violation of the privacy rights of individuals and it is against the law.

Thank you for your cooperation in making sure all students have an enjoyable and safe experience at school.

Have a great week!