image of school supplies against a wood background with text of GRAIS updates, October 20, 2024

Dear Intermediate School Families,

October is really here!  Our days are starting out chillier.  Children are encouraged to dress in layers, so they can be comfortable in the mornings when it is colder and may shed a layer or two in the afternoon when things warm up!  Please encourage your children to look through the lost and found in the lobby.  We have lots of sweatshirts and water bottles to be claimed before we donate them.

A Read on the Library:

Our PTO sponsored fall book fair will run from November 18 - 22 during library class periods.  Stay posted for volunteer opportunities from the PTO.


Fifth Grade Reminder:

All fifth graders should be arriving at school with a FULLY charged chromebook every day.  We thank you for your help in implementing a system at home that ensures devices are charged in the evening.


Nature’s Classroom:

Thank you to the adults that were able to make our Nature's Classroom meeting on Wednesday. We are looking forward to a great trip in June.  If you were unable to attend, attached you will find an overview sheet of the program.  If your child would like to attend, please complete the  Google form to register your child and indicate if you would like your name to be entered in the chaperone lottery:  https://forms.gle/tvUwnFx9qES1RV9B6.  The cost of the trip will be approximately $525, with a deposit of  $150 due by December 20th.  If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Amanda Pimentel, who is the coordinator of the trip at apimentel@freelake.org .


Action in the Gymnasium:

Fourth graders are being introduced to the muscles and bones of the human body. Each class they look deeper at the "Muscle and Bone of the Week" and connect it to games, sports and everyday activities, as well as how to keep their bodies safe!  We also began our soccer unit, and have focused on dribbling, passing, and shooting.  We will be moving into challenge games over the next few classes. In fifth grade, students reviewed muscles and bones from last year and have moved into learning about our body's respiratory system.  Each class we have connected the importance of breathing into games, sports and everyday activities, while building stamina and endurance. We also began our basketball unit, focusing on dribbling, passing and shooting.  We will also be moving into challenge games over the next few classes. 


A Picture of the Art Room:

Students are wrapping up their Square 1 Art projects this week.  Please be on the lookout for catalogs with order information and student access codes, which will be going home in about a month.  In the next couple of weeks students will be creating skeleton hands, ghost paintings, and upside down clay ghost pinch pots.  Follow grais_art on Instagram to see what we're creating!


CONTACT INFORMATION:

Dr. Elizabeth Sullivan, Principal

508.923.3506 x3150

esullivan@freelake.org


Charlene Barboza, Secretary

508.923.3506 x3100

charboza@freelake.org


Maranda Pennini, Adjustment Counselor for Grade Four

508.923.3506 x3152

mpennini@freelake.org


Kyla Maderios, Adjustment Counselor for Grade Five

508.923.3506 x3151

kmaderios@freelake.org


Jennifer Burke, School Nurse

508.923.3506 x3333

jburke@freelake.org


Ken Rezendes, Bus Company Manager

508.763.9260

kenneth.rezendes@firstgroup.com



Future Dates to Remember:

October 21- Socks, Hats, and Mittens Drive Begins in Homerooms

November 5th - No School for Students

November 11th - No School

November 13th - Picture Retakes 

November 18th - Book Fair Week

November 27th - Socks, Hats, and Mittens Drive Ends

November 27th - Trimester One Closes

November 27th - 11:30 a.m. Dismissal

December 2nd - School Resumes

December 4th - Grade Post to the Portal

December 10th - Parent-Teacher Evening Conferences by Appointment

December 12th - Early Student Dismissal at 11:30 a.m.

December 12th - Parent-Teacher Afternoon Conferences by Appointment

December 20th - Early Dismissal for School Break at 11:30 a.m. 

January 2nd - School Resumes

January 20th - No School 

February 7th - Early Dismissal at 11:30 a.m.

February 17 - School Break Begins

February 24th - School Resumes


With respect,

Dr. Sullivan