Dear GRAIS Families,
Well, week number two is in the books! We’ve had a good first full week at the intermediate school. I continue to be impressed with the kind behavior and the eagerness to learn that I have observed in the halls and in the classrooms.
A Note from Music:
Music class has kicked off for the 2024- 2025 season! GRAIS students are getting familiar with our updated classroom expectations that are posted on their music google classroom.
Permission slips for our before-school chorus with Mr. Moreira are being sent home and will be due on September 27th. Recorder reminders/order forms are also being sent with fourth students for use during their scheduled music class and will need to be returned by September 27th. Our focus for the month of September will be to refamiliarize our classes with music fundamentals in rhythm and pitch and to enjoy our musician of the month – THE BEATLES!
A Picture of Art Classes:
In art this week, both fourth and fifth graders are reviewing and practicing art room routines, expectations, getting their art supplies together, and working on a few small collaborative art projects. All students brought home an informative letter about art class this week for parents/guardians to read. See what’s happening in the GRAIS Art Room by following us on Instagram @grais_art
What’s Moving in Physical Education:
Now that we have completed our first four- day rotation of special subject classes, Mr. Lestage has seen all homerooms for PE class and has had a chance to go over the plan for the year. Slides for your reference were emailed home on Monday. Additionally, a parent handout from the open house was sent too. Please ask your student about her/his first PE class! Some highlights include home base, grading, units/special events, on-the-bench in PE, 1-2-3 whistle routine, gymnasium schedule, and indoor recess in the gym rotation. Mr. Lestage’s Google Classroom will be updated throughout the year as well, with information and other fun and interesting things students may use to keep active and healthy. Feel free to reach out to him if you have any questions, as he looks forward to getting to know everyone!
Grade Four ELA:
The fourth grade ELA teachers are very proud of the students this week for many reasons. The hard work that the students put forth in their fall reading diagnostic testing this week, their enthusiasm over their summer reading projects, and their quick learning of our routines and procedures have surpassed our expectations.
Grade Five Math:
Fourth graders are doing a wonderful job settling in at GRAIS. We have been reviewing important classroom and school-wide expectations, as well as getting to know our new group of students. Fourth graders began their beginning of the year diagnostic for math, and are working hard to show their teachers which math skills they have mastered and which skills need review. Thank you to all who returned the office paper work on time and completed the technology user agreement Google form. We appreciate your help with that!
Grade Five ELA:
In fifth grade ELA, teachers are spending time with their students, getting to know them while meeting together as a team to discuss students' needs as they build their plans to help their new fifth graders achieve success in the upcoming year.
Grade Five Math:
We're off to a great start in fifth grade math. We're nearly done with the fall math diagnostic, and we're very excited to have started using ST Math on our chromebooks! In the coming weeks, ask your child to share what kind of puzzles we've done on ST Math with JiJi the penguin. We've also been building our classroom communities by getting to know each other and the expectations for fifth grade. One expectation for fifth grade is that all students know the multiplication facts through 12x12 automatically. Throughout fifth grade, students will need to use these math facts to solve problems involving multi-digit numbers and fractions. Just ten minutes a day, split into two 5-minute sessions, can make a difference. Try to turn learning multiplication facts into a game and recognize improvements. Practice can be done on paper, with flashcards, or by quizzing your child aloud while you’re doing something else. You might make a list of the multiplication facts your student still needs to learn automatically and then cross them off when mastered.
Campus Programs:
GRAIS storytelling registration
GRAIS Fall Running Club with Ms. Grosschedl
Please retain this link to find some wonderful after-school opportunities for your children as the year progresses. Send any questions on the offerings as they post to Diane Czapiga at 508.923.2000 x1719 or dczapiga@freelake.org.
PTO Corner:
We have heard from many of the families in the community regarding the future plans for the
Please join the GRAIS PTO for our first meeting of the school year. Come with questions or just listen to what we have going on. Our first meeting is on Tuesday, the 24th at 7:-30 p..m. via Zoom. The meeting ID is 477 737 8775 and the meeting passcode is graispto.
Fun Run registration opened on the 10th! The PTO’s goal is to raise $30,000 for field trip admissions and transportation, assemblies, and other fun events and opportunities. It costs nothing to register and it’s easy to do!
⭐️ Sign Up Now On MYBOOSTER.COM ⭐️ Questions on the fun run? Email the PTO board at graispto@gmail.com
Future Dates to Remember:
September 17th - Constitution Day
September 24th - Fun Run Activities Kick Off
October 1st - Fall Picture Day
October 3rd - Fun Run PTO Fundraiser
October 11th - Early Dismissal at 11:30 a.m.
October 14th - No School
November 5th - No School
November 11th - No School
November 13th - Picture Retakes
November 18th - Book Fair Week
November 27th - Early Dismissal for Thanksgiving at 11:30 a.m.
Respectfully,
Dr. Sullivan
508.923.3506 x 3150