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P u b l i s h e d b y t h e G r a n g e r P T S A
August 2014 Volume 19, Issue 1
Grizzly Gazette
Francis Granger Middle School ▪ 2721 Stonebridge Blvd, Aurora, IL 60502 ▪ (630) 375-1010 ▪ http//granger.ipsd.org
A Letter from the Principal
Dear Granger Parents,
The 2014-2015 school year is nearing! I realize this letter serves as the introduction to “YIKES (or YEAH) summer is almost over.” As you are hopefully getting in some final summer activities we have been enthusiastically preparing the building for the new school year. Let me begin by introducing myself. My name is Autumn Desiderio, and I am beyond excited to have joined the Granger Grizzly community as your Principal. A little background about me, most recently I had the fortune of being a Crone Panther Assistant Principal for three years. Prior to that I was a Dean in Plainfield at a middle school for two years, and I began my educational journey as a middle school math teacher in Oswego where I taught for six years. As a parent and an educator I always love the “fresh start” feeling of a new school year. Having new opportunities, new teachers, new supplies, new lockers, new classes, new sixth graders, and a fresh outlook on new goals. Teachers and staff excitedly return, giddy for their class rosters and to see how former students have grown, as well as share new curriculum with eager, new students. I am particularly looking forward to meeting and connecting with all the families and students of the Granger community to really get a solid picture of what it means to be a Granger Grizzly.
I am a firm believer that communication is essential for success in anything. My hope is to build a partnership with staff, students and families ensuring there is a solid foundation of trust and collaboration to guide all students towards reaching their optimal potential. It is our responsibility to make it clear to children that “If you can dream it, you can do it; the choice is yours,” and then give them the tools and compass they need for success.
In order to partner with you the listserve messages containing announcements and other important information from the school and teams will be sent automatically to the e-mail addresses listed in HAC. We hope to add some additional tech savvy approaches to communication of key information as well throughout the year, so please stay tuned. This is the first series of quarterly newsletters, but the only one that you will receive via mail. It provides key information to refresh everyone and prepare students and families for a successful transition from summer. Please take the time to review the information for yourself as well as with your child.
Important start-up dates include:
New to District Orientation is Tuesday, August 19th at 9:00 am. New to district students and
their parents are invited to attend.
Incoming 6th grade Open House will be Tuesday, August 19th from 1:00 until 4:00. This is an
informal event where students and parents can come in anytime during the open house hours. Students will receive locker information and will be able to practice with their locker and set them up in advance. Maps will be available for families to tour the building while completing a scavenger hunt activity for a treat too!
Curriculum Night:
6th grade Curriculum Night will be held on Thursday, September 4th.
7th and 8th grade Curriculum Night will be held Tuesday, September 9th.
Again, I cannot come close to expressing how excited I am to be a part of the Granger community. All three of my siblings attended Granger, both the old and new building, so it was very exciting to finally be able to say I now have the fortune of belonging as well. I look forward to working with you and opening our doors to welcome the 2014-2015 school year to our 1,000 students!
Sincerely,
Autumn Desiderio
Important Dates
August 19
New Student Orientation
6th Grade Open House
August 26
First Day of School
August 28
Sports Night Meeting
September 1
NO SCHOOL - Labor Day
September 4
6th Grade
Curriculum Night
September 8
NO SCHOOL - Building
Articulation Day
September 9
7th & 8th Grade
Curriculum Night
September 10
Market Day pickup
September 11
PTSA Meeting 9:30am
September 26
Granger Getaway
From the PTSA PresidentFrom the PTSA PresidentFrom the PTSA President
Dear Granger Families, Welcome to the 2014-15 school year at Granger Middle School! We hope you are all enjoying the summer and getting ready for a brand new school year. It is an exciting time with a lot of changes going on in our district. Dr. Karen Sullivan is taking on the role of District 204 Superintendent, replacing the retiring Dr. Kathryn Birkett. District administrative restructuring includes our own Mrs. Kelly moving to the curriculum department at the Crouse Education Center this year. We welcome a new principal to our Granger family, Mrs. Autumn Desiderio, who is eager to lead our students, staff, and parents through a successful school year. And finally, our PTSA has elected Co-Presidents Amy Coryell and Shannon Lynch to work together with our members to support and enrich the Granger Middle School experience.
As we embrace these many changes, it gives us the opportunity to look at programs we have in place, ways to make them more effective, and explore new programming and ideas. A major goal this year is to engage more parent volunteers than ever before. Have you every thought “I’d be happy to help, but I just don’t have the time.” Or, “I’d love to get involved, but I’m not sure what opportunities are available and what help is needed.” We’d love to help you find the one small thing you can do to get involved and support our students, staff and families. Just give one of the Granger PTSA Executive Committee Members listed in this newsletter a call or drop them an email. We can help match you up with the committee volunteer opportunity that is just right for you. You’ll be glad you took that first step to get involved with the Granger PTSA!
Another goal is to increase student involvement in our organization. After all, we are a Parent Teacher STUDENT Association! Thank you to those of you who signed up your student as a member of the Granger PTSA. We would love to hear your ideas for ways our student members can participate more fully in our meetings, events, and activities. We hope to try out a few new ideas and get your feedback on what’s working and how we can improve.
Lastly, we would be thrilled to see more of our members attend our monthly PTSA meetings. It’s a great way to find out what’s going on at Granger, get direct access to and get to know our new principal, and give your input on how the PTSA should operate in support of your student and your school. Our first meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 11th at 9:30am in the Granger Teachers’ Lounge. Stop by and introduce yourself - we’d love to meet you!
Some of our upcoming PTSA events include:
6th Grade Open House - August 19th from 1-4pm - Stop by the PTSA membership table to sign up, volunteer, and/or donate to the PTSA (if you haven’t already) or shop for some great new Granger Apparel! Don’t miss the free treat provided by the PTSA and gifts for new PTSA members!
Market Day Pickup - September 10th from 3:45-4:30pm - Place your order online at www.marketday.com by Saturday, September 6th at 11pm.
PTSA Meeting - September 11th at 9:30am - Join us for our first meeting of the school year! Meetings last about one hour. Principal Desiderio attends and shares important information with us. We will also be voting to approve our proposed 2014-2015 PTSA budget. All members welcome!
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What is the Routine on the First Day of School?
(August 26th)
The first day of school is Tuesday, August 26th. The first thing to know about the initial attendance day is that
you (and your student) can relax…everything about the 1st day is geared to give all students the directions
that they need to succeed. Students (and their parents) should have no anxiety about getting "lost in the
shuffle" or being in the wrong place. We will guide everyone through the start-up days and staff will be
available at every turn to answer student questions. Individual student schedules (for all three grades) will be
distributed at that time and 7th and 8th grade locker assignments will be made during academic classes on that
day. Please reassure your child that they will not be lost or expected to find their own way around on the first
day. Upon arrival, faculty will direct students to grade level areas and, from that point on the day will be all
about getting familiar with the flow of the student day. Travel light on the first day of school…you don't need
every supply for the year on the first day. You do not need your gym clothes, and/or your music instrument
during the initial few days of school. Make sure that you bring (at minimum) a notebook, a pencil and your
lunch or lunch money. Additionally, students should write down their bus number so they will know which bus
to take at the end of the school day. For students new to the school, it will take a few weeks to get really
comfortable with the daily routines, and all Granger faculty are more than willing to help with this adjustment.
6th Graders: Upon arrival at Granger on the first day, 6th grade students will enter Door #7 (as they exit the
bus, or walk to the rear of the building) or Door #1 (main front entrance) if they walk or are driven by parents.
All 6th grade students will then go the LARGE GYM. Tables will be set up by alphabetical groupings, for
example A-E, F-J, etc. Students are to go to the table that contains the 1st letter of their last name, and get
their schedule. Students will then be seated in the bleachers to await introduction of their teachers, and then
will be escorted by their first period teacher with their classmates to their 1st period class.
7th and 8th Graders: Upon arrival, 7th and 8th grade students will enter Door #10 (the "big concrete" area in
the rear of the building). If 7th and 8th grade students walk, or are driven, they may enter either Door #1
(main entrance in front) or Door #10 in the rear. 7th grade students will report to the CAFETERIA to get their
schedules. Tables will be set up by alphabetical groupings and Students are to go to the table that contains
the 1st letter of their last name, get their schedule, then proceed to their 1st period class, as indicated on their
schedule. 8th grade students will go to the SMALL GYM, and follow the same procedure.
Since the first day of school is a full day, lunch will be served. Many times students like to bring their lunch
for the first couple of days in order to observe how the lunch lines function before starting to buy lunch. If your
students will be receiving free or reduced lunch, please remind them to listen carefully to the instructions that
will be given in the beginning of their lunch period about this meal. In order to facilitate an enjoyable and
efficient lunch-buying experience, please guide your student in knowing what they wish to purchase for lunch,
and how much money to have available. Please remember that any money your student has left from last
year’s account rolls over into this year’s account.
In mid-August, you can go to the Indian Prairie School District website and find all of the
information you need about buses – where the stops are, pick-up time, and estimated time
of arrival home. Please be patient the first week of school; it usually takes a few days for
buses to run smoothly. For those of you planning on dropping your student at school for
the first day/week of school, please see the article titled “Traffic Patterns “ in this issue.
Plan to arrive between 7:30 and 7:50am. At middle school, the first class begins at 8am
and the last class ends at 3pm. On Wednesdays, classes will start twenty minutes later at
8:20am. PAGE 3
Main Office Phone Number 630-375-1010
Office hours are 7:15 am – 3:45 pm
Our busy hours are 7:30am to 8:00am, and 2:30pm to 3:10pm. These times are related to the rush of activity
associated with student arrival and dismissal. If possible, call outside these times so we may serve you better.
Guidance Office Phone Number is 375-3441
Call the Guidance Office directly to:
Change your student’s address, phone number or emergency contact information
Request homework for your student after your child has been absent three days
Use the Attendance Line to report your student absent or tardy at 375-3412 anytime. Please tell us your name,
grade, and reason for the absence. Call us each day your student will be out or leave a message as to when your
student will be returning. Please do not leave a message for an early dismal.
How to arrange to pick up your child early: On the morning of the appointment, please write a note indicating your
child’s name, grade, reason, and time for early dismissal. Your student should bring that note to the main office prior to
first period so we can give them a dismissal pass. This pass allows your student to be dismissed from class without
any interruption and they will be waiting for you at the main door. Please be prepared to show ID when picking up your
child for early dismissal.
How to get a message/items to your student: You may call the main office to leave a message for your student.
Every effort will be made to get these messages to your student. Please be considerate to not interrupt the classroom
unless it’s an emergency. Remember each time we interrupt the classroom the teacher needs to get the class
refocused. You may drop off items at the front door with the greeter.
How to contact a teacher or staff member: On our Granger website, click on the staff button and you will see a list of
all of the phone extensions and email addresses for everyone who works at Granger. Please remember that teachers
spend most of the day in the classroom with students and are available to answer the phone for a short period of
time each day. Don't be alarmed if you end up in voicemail; the teacher will call you back within 24 hours.
Contacting the Granger OfficeContacting the Granger OfficeContacting the Granger Office
Granger PTSA 2014-2015 Executive Committee
Co-Presidents Shannon Lynch (630) 978-1441 [email protected]
Amy Coryell (630) 585-9026 [email protected]
1st Vice-President Nina Prabhu (630) 375-9726 [email protected]
2nd Vice-President Erica Patterson (630) 851-3968 [email protected]
Recording Secretary Carolyn Fichte (630) 978-4106 [email protected]
Corresponding Secretary Angie Welter (630) 518-2837 [email protected]
Treasurer Jodie Bach (630) 236-3696 [email protected]
PAGE 4
If you haven’t yet purchased your supplies for the upcoming school year, the Granger PTSA
has a quick and easy way for you to get the job done! Don’t fight the crowds, only to find the
store is out of the items you need. Get on your computer and order your supplies online from
www.schooltoolbox.com! You can purchase the toolbox of required supplies for your student’s specific
grade and even customize the kit to remove items you don’t need or add items for “encore” classes such as
Health, Art, Music, etc. You can even purchase a backpack! Best of all, your order ships directly to your
home - no need to come to Granger to pick up your toolbox! Questions? Contact Amy Papa at
Orders may take up to 3 weeks to arrive, so order your supplies TODAY!
PAGE 5
Bell Schedules
School SuppliesSchool SuppliesSchool Supplies
6th Grade Schedule
Advisory (not on Weds.) 8:00-8:20
Period 1 8:20-9:05
Period 2 9:08-9:53
Period 3 9:56-10:41
Period 4 (Encore) 10:44-11:23
Period 5 (Encore) 11:26-12:06
Period 6 (Encore) 12:08-12:50
Period 7 (Lunch) 12:53-1:23
Period 8 1:26-2:12
Period 9 2:15-3:00
7th Grade Schedule
Advisory (not on Weds.) 8:00-8:20
Period 1 8:20-9:05
Period 2 9:08-9:53
Period 3 9:56-10:41
Period 4 10:44-11:29
Period 5 (Lunch) 11:32-12:02
Period 6 12:05-12:50
Period 7 (Encore) 12:53-1:33
Period 8 (Encore) 1:36-2:16
Period 9 (Encore) 2:19-3:00
8th Grade Schedule (M,T,Th,F)
Period 1 (Encore) 8:00-8:41
Period 2 (Encore) 8:44-9:25
Period 3 (Encore) 9:28-10:09
Period 4 (Lunch) 10:12-10:42
Advisory 10:45-11:05
Period 5 11:05-11:50
Period 6 11:53-12:37
Period 7 12:40-1:24
Period 8 1:27-2:12
Period 9 2:15-3:00
8th Grade Schedule (Weds)
Period 1 (Encore) 8:20-8:55
Period 2 (Encore) 8:58-9:32
Period 3 (Encore) 9:35-10:08
Period 4 (Lunch) 10:12-10:42
Period 5 10:45-11:34
Period 6 11:37-12:26
Period 7 12:29-1:17
Period 8 1:20-2:09
Period 9 2:12-3:00
PTSA Meeting SchedulePTSA Meeting SchedulePTSA Meeting Schedule
All parents, teachers, and students who are members of the PTSA are encouraged to attend meetings. If you haven’t joined yet, it’s not too late. Complete the membership form in this newsletter and turn it into the office with payment attached in an envelope marked “Attention PTSA Membership.” Meeting dates and times are as follows:
Thursday, September 11th 9:30am
Thursday, October 9th 9:30am
Thursday, November 13th 9:30am
NO December Meeting
Thursday, January 8th 9:30am
Thursday, February 12th 7:00pm
Thursday, March 12th 9:30am
Thursday, April 9th 9:30am
Thursday, May 14th 9:30am
Meetings are held the 2nd Thursday of the month in the Teachers’ Lounge off the Granger cafeteria.
Remember to bring your Driver’s License/State ID to enter the building.
Dates/times are subject to change and will be posted on list serv as necessary.
PTSA Reflections Art Program 2014PTSA Reflections Art Program 2014PTSA Reflections Art Program 2014---201520152015
Are you looking for a way to express yourself and show others your talent as a writer,
composer, photographer, visual artist, choreographer, or producer? We invite you to
participate in the 2014-2015 PTSA's Reflections Art Program.
The Reflections program is a national program sponsored by PTA, designed to encourage and recognize
students for their creative expressions in the areas of Literature, Photography, Visual Arts, Dance/
Choreography, Video/Production, and Musical Composition.
The theme for this year is “The World Would Be a Better Place If…”
Think about the theme, what it means to you and then create an original piece of artwork in one of the six
categories. Details of the program along with the entry form will be made available in September. Entries will
be judged at the school level and some may advance to IPPC Council, then District level, State level, and
National level, if you qualify. If you have any questions please feel free to contact our Reflections Chair,
Michelle Plummer at [email protected]
“The World Would Be a Better Place If...”
PTSA Budget 2014-2015 We will be voting on the proposed 2014-2015 budget at our September meeting. If you are a member and would like a copy of the proposed budget, contact our Treasurer, Jodie Bach at [email protected]
PAGE 6
Attendance
Parents should call the school attendance line (630-375-3412) by 8:30am on each
day their child will be absent or late to school. An answering machine is always on
so these calls can be made and recorded any time of day. If we do not hear from
the parent/guardian by 8:30 a.m., the attendance staff will call each child's parent/
guardian to find out why the child is not in attendance. If we do not hear from parents, the child will
receive an unexcused absence.
In the case of an extended absence of one week or more, only one call is necessary. If we are not
contacted, this absence will be unexcused. Why is this important? Last year the state of Illinois
changed how schools keep track of attendance. If a parent calls the student in sick, the absence is
excused. However, if we receive no phone call we always call the parents. If we do not get a call
and we do not reach anyone when we call, the absence is considered unexcused. A student who
has missed more than 5% of the school days (9 days) due to unexcused absences is considered a
chronic truant by the state and can be subject to sanctions.
Vacations
When a student will be absent due to vacation, a note should be sent to the main office as early as
possible informing the school of dates that the student will be gone. Please note that as part of the
change in Illinois truancy law, vacations are considered unexcused absences.
Early Dismissal
Parents are requested to write a note if their child will leave early. The note should indicate name,
time, date, and the reason. The students should bring the note to the main office upon arrival to
school, and he/she will be given an early dismissal pass to leave class. Students will then be at the
door when the parents arrive. This allows the Attendance Office to be notified, placing the students
name on the absence list as having early dismissal so teachers later in the day are not looking for
the student and also helps to keep class interruptions to a minimum. Please be prepared to show
ID when picking up your child for early dismissal.
Granger Attendance ProceduresGranger Attendance ProceduresGranger Attendance Procedures
PAGE 7
Late Start InformationLate Start InformationLate Start Information
Once again for the 2014-2015 school year, District 204 is adjusting the starting time for students on
Wednesday mornings. This will provide an opportunity for school-wide professional development
opportunities for our teachers.
This set block of time for teachers to work collaboratively on improving student learning will occur
each Wednesday before school. The start of the school day will be adjusted slightly as follows on
Wednesday mornings to accommodate this program.
On Wednesdays students will attend from 8:20 am – 3:00 pm. Morning bus
schedules will be adjusted on Wednesdays by approximately 20 minutes. Please
note that students cannot access the building until 7:40 am on Monday, Tuesday,
Thursday and Friday and 8:00am on Wednesday unless they are participating in a
school-sponsored event with supervision by a staff member.
Student Council: A Place for Everyone
Student Council is preparing for an exciting and rewarding year. We look forward to working with
returning members as well as strongly encouraging new members to join and help plan school
activities. From the shyest to the most out-going, any Granger student can join Student Council.
Students serve in a number of capacities. In the past, Student Council members have broadcast
morning announcements, decorated and sold concessions at Getaways, operated the school
store, advertised upcoming events, planned and organized school spirit days, and raised money
for community service projects. We plan to continue with these activities as well as brainstorm new
ideas as we plan out the year.
All students planning to join Student Council can look forward to a planning meeting
within the second week of September. The day and time for the meeting will be
announced well in advance in order to give families time to make arrangements for
transportation.
Enjoy your summer. Student Council sponsors look forward to working with any interested students.
Online Grading
To continue to broaden communication between home and school, we are using our online system
for parents to review grade book summaries and detailed reports from teachers. Report cards and
midterm progress reports are no longer mailed home. One of the best features of the online grading
is that parents and students can view teachers’ grade books for their child anytime and see a listing
of all assignments and grades that are currently in the grade book. This allows students to know the
status of each grade at all times and allows them to make adjustments as necessary.
If you are new to Granger, you will be given logon information. While in the grade book system, you can sign up
for occasional email updates of grade book reports. (A suggested frequency is no more than twice a week.) The
system can send single email alerts when grades change significantly, either up or down.
To learn how to use this online grading system, visit the Granger website and click on “eSchool Home Access” in
the navigation column on the left side of our home page. A list of frequently asked questions and answers can be
found here.
Phone Usage at School Students are allowed to use their phones before and after school and are not
permitted to have them out or use them during school hours of 8:00am – 3:00pm
(unless part of a Bring Your Own Technology activity.) This includes texting which is
also is not allowed in class. It is our practice to take phones from students who
misuse them during class and keep them in our safe until a parent can come and
pick them up.
PAGE 8
Promoting a Safe School Climate
Granger Middle School strives to maintain a community where students,
parents, and faculty feel safe and secure from harm or risk that can create
anxiety in the educational setting. Our commitment to each individual’s
daily sense of personal security encompasses a number of initiatives.
First and foremost, we actively utilize middle school’s best practices that focus on student-centered
educational initiatives. We teach students first; not just departmentalized subject information. We
are organized on smaller teams at each grade level and offer activities as opportunities for
students to link with adults in the school setting. The teaming structure is critical to a strong student
-first focus.
Also, in addition to a grade level counselor that moves each year with students to the next grade
level, our guidance/student services team includes a variety of support services in special
education, speech, strategic reading, English as a second language, social work and nursing.
These services are key to identifying and providing support for social and academic challenges
that can lead to frustration and lack of success in school.
Granger promotes the message to Be Polite Walk to the Right; the Granger way is the right way.
This ensures safe hallway traffic while promoting appropriate hallway behavior.
Finally, we foster a climate of mutual respect and collaboration throughout all interactions and we have a number of proactive and reactive strategies in place to intervene when students engage in behaviors that undermine that positive atmosphere. Through our advisory activities, Granger actively teaches the behaviors that are encompassed in the school-wide focus of the true Power of Choice and the assets that support positive choices.
District 204 Tip Line The school district operates a tip line where parents and students can report any concerns anonymously. The form to do this is on both the school and the district’s website. The purpose of this anonymous tip form is to enhance the overall safety and security of the Indian Prairie school community. Anyone who has a legitimate and genuine concern may contact a building principal by phone or email or use this form to submit the concern anonymously. We realize that sometimes it may be difficult for an individual to personally address a concern; we feel this online form may simplify the process. Efforts will be placed on confidentiality, and all concerns will be investigated in a timely manner. Whether your concern is regarding an incident that has already happened or one that is about to take place, please submit your concern and let us investigate it. Tips may include, but are not limited to, fights or assaults, use or sale of drugs, weapons, domestic violence, or any crimes against children.
PAGE 9
Important 6th Grade Physical Reminder
All 6th grade students are required to
have a school physical on file with the
office. Please note that this is required
by Illinois state law. The deadline for
this physical to be turned in is the first
day of school. After this date the law
requires that students who do not have
a physical be excluded from school. It is
important, therefore, that we receive a
copy of physicals from all incoming sixth
graders before the first day of school.
The Granger office is
open from 8:00am to
3:30pm Monday
through Thursday.
Stomp Out Aggression & Fighting
Granger Middle School is proud to utilize a program, Positive Behavioral
Interventions & Supports, to aid in educating our students in making good
choices when they are at Granger. The PBIS program sets students up for success through
consistent teaching of the school-wide expectations for positive behavior. In addition, appropriate
interventions and consequences are used when those expectations are not followed. In addition,
the program includes an in-depth data collection tool, SWIS. Through the collection of behavioral
data, we are better able to target inappropriate behavior. The data highlights the need for our staff
and students to place an immediate focus on the problem area of Physical Contact/Physical
Aggression/Fighting. Our primary behavioral goal for the school year is to significantly decrease
the instances of student-student physical contact. This includes friendly contact, horseplay, acts of
physical aggression, and fighting. In order to provide a safe environment for all students to learn, it
is imperative that students keep their hands, feet, and bodies off of other students. The
expectation is that all students respect the personal space of others. Students will be held
accountable when they choose to make physical contact with their peers. Please help us and have
a conversation with your son/daughter this summer about this important expectation. ANY type of
physical aggression/fighting will result in an out-of-school suspension. This includes fighting
back. Do not involve yourself in a fight, you will be suspended.
New Phone Number?
If you change your phone number during the school year, please don’t forget to inform us. We pride ourselves at Granger on keeping in close communication with parents about what is happening at school. Increasingly, it seems that the telephone numbers we have for parents and guardians change after the school year starts. We sometimes are unable to reach parents until we can get an accurate phone number. We don’t like to delay sharing information under any circumstances, but in the case of an emergency or an illness it is especially important that we are able to get in touch with you. Please call us or send a note to the office if your phone number changes so we can update our records.
PAGE 10
Consistent and regular attendance is a critical component of academic achievement. Any student arriving at school after 8:00 am will be considered tardy. Excessive tardies will result in appropriate consequences aligned with Granger’s disciplinary step process. The following, even with parental consent, are considered unexcused reasons for absence/tardy: truancies, working, missing the bus, oversleeping,
shopping, car not starting, visiting out of town, childcare, etc. Medical documentation will be requested in the event of serious physical or emotional conditions causing a student’s absence/tardiness from school. Your child will be held accountable for excessive tardies/absences, so please get them to school in a timely manner. If a student is tardy three times, they will be issued a detention. A detention needs to be served within 3 days of the date of detention. The opportunities to serve that detention are 7:20am – 7:50am or 3:10pm – 3:40pm. Failure to serve this detention will end with an all day in-school detention.
To be or not to be… TARDY !
We have many ways of communicating with parents at Granger. Twice a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays we send out a list serv notice to all parents listed as Guardian 1 in Eschool. In these announcements, we inform you of upcoming events and dates that may be of interest to your family. Although you often get written notices sent home, it is easy to forget all of the dates that you have to remember so checking the list serv on Tuesdays and Fridays is a great way to stay on top of things.
We also have an automated phone system where we can send phone messages to all parents or to certain grades, teams, or groups. Don’t panic if you get one of these messages, because we don’t use them just for emergencies. We often call with reminders about important events. When we send a phone message, we always send it as an email as well. These messages can go out at various times of the day. Please be sure to listen to the message or read the email in the entirety before contacting the school with questions.
Once a quarter, we post a newsletter on-line. This newsletter is a joint effort between the school and the PTSA. In it you will find information about everything the PTSA is doing at Granger that quarter and articles from the administration about important events and trends in middle school education. We will send a list serv reminder to you to read the newsletter.
Finally, the Granger website is a great place to keep up with activities at school. Clicking on any of the topics on the left side of the page will take you to specific information about each area. One of the most valuable is the Online Calendar. Our calendar for the whole year is posted and includes everything such as club meetings, athletic events, days off, etc… If it is happening at Granger, it is on the calendar. We make sure it is complete and up to date. Other important places you can go on the website are the Online Gradebook, staff list with email addresses and phone numbers, and the PTSA link. We also list all of our important news items on the first page. Important forms that you need for school can also be downloaded from the Granger website. Also available on-line is a Parent Handbook with helpful information.
There will be more to come in the communication area, so stay tuned. We are always striving to stay
connected and keep families as informed as possible.
Communication: How Do You Know What Is Happening at Granger?
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During the school year, the PTSA is honored to offer educational grants to our Granger teachers and staff members. These funds are for the faculty to use to benefit the students at Granger. Staff members are invited to apply for these grants, funded by your donations to the PTSA. Last year, we were pleased to award several grants totaling nearly $2,500. Some of the great things these grants helped fund included the LMC Caudill reading party, supplies for the Math Department’s new Math Interactive Notebook project, 6th Grade Behavior Incentives, and document cameras for the Language Arts Department.
Thank you to all those who donate to the Granger PTSA and make these grants possible!
PTSA Grants
www.mypaymentsplus.com
8th Grade Picnic 2014 THANK YOU to all the parents who volunteered their time to help set up, work, and clean up the 8th grade picnic at the end of last year. It was a huge success! The picnic committee sincerely appreciated the generosity of those local business and 8th grade families that donated or contributed food and drinks in order to give our children a wonderful send off to high school. We hope that your children enjoyed themselves. We hope everyone has a wonderful summer and congratulations to the 8th grade students on their promotion to high school.
Special thanks to last year’s 8th Grade Picnic chairs, Ellyn Margulies and Jeanette Williams!
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Important Safety Concerns
In this newsletter you will find two articles that address the student safety
issues of bicycle safety and traffic patterns for dropping off and picking up
students. There are two other safety issues that I would like to address
separately. The first one is dropping students off in the parking lot before
school starts. Going through the circle drive and dropping students off from the right side of your car
is the ONLY safe way to drop students off. Understandably, that line in the circle drive can get long
in the morning and many parents try to save time by dropping their child off in the parking lot. The
student then has to weave through a parking lot with cars coming down each aisle looking for
parking spots, and then cross the circle drive in between moving cars that are dropping off students.
Each year we are alerted of near miss accidents with these students. Please do not drop your child
off in the parking lot in the mornings. The extra minute it takes to go around the circle drive could
prevent an injury. Please be mindful of this when planning what time to leave the house.
The second safety issue involves the intersection of Stonebridge Blvd. and Indian Trail. There has
been an increase in traffic through this intersection. Because the district has determined this to be
an intersection too dangerous for students to cross on their own, bus service is provided for
students who live north of Indian Trail, and a crossing guard is not assigned. Nonetheless, many
students often walk or bike to school. If your children will be walking through this intersection, please
remind them of proper crossing procedures and the need to wait for the crossing light to say WALK.
Please help us by going over this important safety issue with your child at home.
Guidelines for Middle School Students at WVHS and Metea Valley High School Football Games
When the high school football season begins, many of our Granger students want to attend football games at
the high school. It is wonderful to see students’ school spirit for their future high school begin in middle
school. However, there are a few precautions that parents should keep in mind so that they can be assured
that their children are safe and that their behavior is a good reflection on both themselves and Granger. We
have worked with the administration at the high schools to develop the following guidelines for students
attending high school football games:
Remember that the Aurora city curfew for children 15 years old and under is 10 p.m.daily.
It is strongly suggested that parents supervise their children while at the game. High school football games
are extremely popular events that draw a large crowd.
All middle school students must show their school ID when they are paying to enter the
games.
Remember that all school rules apply while students are in attendance at football games.
Failure to comply with these rules will result in consequences.
Following these guidelines will insure that your child has a safe and enjoyable evening.
Are you ready for some football?Are you ready for some football?
PAGE 14
2014-2015
2014-2015
PAGE 15
FORGOTTEN ITEMS: One way Indian Prairie has worked to create a secure, safe
environment for students and staff is the greeter desk. When you enter through the main
entrance at Granger you must stop at the greeter desk where you will sign in and present
identification to receive a “Visitor” badge that you must wear while inside the building. This desk is also
where you will sign your student out for appointments or drop off your child’s forgotten items. Due to the high
volume of requests we receive from students needing to call home for forgotten items we are asking parents
and students to get everything together before they leave the house.
Students are expected to be responsible and bring needed items to school. Our overall goal is to allow
classroom instruction to continue without interruption. Therefore, we will seldom call classes to give students
messages or call them to the office to pick up items left by parents. If you need to drop off an item, here are
the guidelines:
1. BEFORE LUNCH: If possible, please drop things off at the greeter’s desk prior to 10:00am. Students can
check the greeter desk for these items in between classes. Lunches will be taken to the lunchroom for
students and other items/messages left by parents will remain at the greeter desk to be picked up by
students. ALL ITEMS SHOULD BE MARKED WITH STUDENT NAME & TEAM.
2. AFTER LUNCH: When a student calls home for something which is delivered after the student's lunch
period the item will be held at the front door greeter desk. It will be the responsibility of the student to
check between classes for the delivered item/homework/signed papers/after school gear/etc. Again, all
items should be marked with the student’s name and team number.
3. Every effort will be made to insure that delivered items get to students but in a non-disruptive and still,
timely manner. Our emphasis will be on teaching student responsibility and allowing teachers to continue
teaching without interruption.
Greeter Desk/Forgotten Items
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED - Granger Greeters
Granger Greeter - As we get ready to start the new school year, we are in need of Greeters to
assist the front desk in moving people in and out the front doors. If you have already
volunteered, thank you! If you would be willing to volunteer, please check the Granger Greeter
box on the PTSA membership form or contact Rebecca Curtis at [email protected]
The chair of the committee will send out a calendar of shifts monthly. There are three shifts available and you can
provide your availability to the chairperson who will do their best to accommodate schedules.
Shift 1: 7:50am -10:15am Shift 2: 10:15am -12:30pm Shift 3: 12:30pm - 3:00pm
You will be provided with a list of all of the greeters if you need to switch shifts. If you are unable to volunteer during your
assigned slot, it is your responsibility to find a replacement. You may wish to trade your slot with another greeter or call
one of the substitutes on the list. Please call the Granger office and notify the staff of any changes to the Greeter
schedule. We are in need of people that the Granger office staff can call to fill in for last minute cancellations. Please
let us know if we can include your name on this list. Please notify the Granger office if you are running late for your shift.
Granger Greeter Job Tasks include monitoring the front doors to buzz people in to the building, signing in/out and
assisting visitors, signing in late-arriving students, signing out early dismissal students, accepting dropped off/ forgotten
items, and occasional office tasks requested by the main office staff. Thank you for volunteering!
PAGE 16
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONSFREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONSFREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What’s up with those locker rooms?
All middle school students are required to take PE. Everyone will travel through the locker room at some point
of his or her day. Because the grade level schedules are blocked, 8th graders have PE during periods 1 – 3, 7th
graders during periods 8 - 10, and 6th graders during periods 4 - 6. The grade levels are not mixed for PE.
Since more than one section of PE is happening in each of these periods, the number of students in the locker
room at one time can be as high as 75. The PE teachers supervise the locker rooms during the passing
periods but they can’t see everything that goes on in this area. Please encourage responsible behavior with
your child in the locker room. Students must keep all of their possessions secured at all times to avoid
theft!
Students will be required to wear a navy blue t-shirt. We ask you to send a solid, navy T-shirt for your child to wear.
Every student needs to have a combination lock for the locker in the locker rooms. This lock must be purchased through
the school. The cost of this lock is $5.00 and can be purchased from their PE teacher once school starts.
Most theft in the PE locker room is not actually theft but is more often students leaving articles behind in the rush to get
to the next class. There is, however, theft of valuables that does occur. To minimize being a victim of theft, discuss the
following with your child:
Lock your gym locker. Don’t just pretend to lock it – you may save a minute and lose your possessions. If you lock
your locker nothing can get stolen.
Replace your lock immediately after you lose it – see your PE teacher.
Don’t bring extra cash or valuables to school – if you do have a valuable item or bring extra cash on a given day, see
your PE teacher to lock it up in the office.
Don’t lay your property down and walk away. Designer shoes, sports gear, and “cool logo” items attract the attention of
the student who steals property. Keep a close watch on your high visibility items.
Talk to your PE teacher and/or Assistant Principal, if you are having a locker room problem. Don’t wait until it gets
worse – do it right away.
If you do have something stolen, tell your teacher or an assistant principal. We will follow-up on thefts and will assign
disciplinary consequences and require restitution.
What is a team and how do I get assigned to one anyway?
Grouping students on Core academic teams is one of the foundations of the middle school educational model. It can
best be described as a small school within a larger school. On a team, teachers can coordinate the information being
taught in their classes to help students understand how it all fits together. By having a team meeting every day, the
teachers are able to communicate information more effectively and can address the needs of students as they arise.
Parents are able to streamline communication between home and school by calling and talking to one of the team
teachers who then passes the information along to the rest of the team. Academic or "Core" teams are responsible for
instructing Math, Language Arts, Social Studies, and Science. Core teams are composed of three, four, or five teachers.
A teacher on a team typically teaches in one or two academic areas. In addition to "Core" teams, Encore teams provide
the exploratory experience for students at each grade level. Encore classes are those classes outside of the academic
classes mentioned above. Encore includes Music, Art, Shop, FACS (Family and Consumer Science/ Home Economics),
Computer, Health, Physical Education and the 7th/ 8th grade electives. For Encore classes, students are grouped by
grade level but are not grouped by their Core team assignment. This gives all students the opportunity to be in classes
with others at their grade level, not just their team group. Since Encore teams do not share a common group of students
like Core teachers, parents need to communicate with each teacher for these classes or work through the grade level
counselor with your questions.
A final note --- teams are not tracked or grouped by ability. Each team is specifically configured to have a
heterogeneous mix of students representing various abilities and need for support services. Also, we attempt to create
an equitable gender balance on the teams. Other than those students who meet district standards for the gifted
program, called Project Arrow, there is no "high ability team" or "low ability" team.
Questions are always welcomed. Please feel free to e-mail [email protected] or either of the guidance counselors if further clarification or insight is needed.
PAGE 17
Transportation News
Bus route information will be posted on the district’s website during the first few weeks of August, 2014. This will include bus stop locations as well as times. Information regarding students walking will also be available on our school website. Any safety concerns regarding transportation should be directed to Tim Lowe at Granger. You may choose to contact him via email at [email protected] or through his direct line, 630-375-3591. All route change requests must be submitted online where they will be reviewed by our
administration. Once school begins, route changes will not be made until after the third week of
school unless a situation relates directly to student safety.
All middle school students will be required to present their ID upon boarding their designated
buses. This will assist with student safety and ensure that our routes are managed in an efficient
manner. All student ID’s will be labeled with route numbers and will be required for purchasing
lunches in the cafeteria and checking out materials from the LMC. Students that misplace their IDs
will be required to purchase a new one from the main office.
Accessing Bus/Walk Routes: http://granger.ipsd.org/ and click Transportation/Bus Routes located at the bottom center of the homepage. Students that walk to school should click on Naperville School Walk Routes to identify the safest path.
PAGE 18
Traffic Patterns
If you are bringing your child to school in the morning or picking them up after school,
please follow these procedures.
SLOW DOWN! Students’ safety is obviously the primary concern. Please drive safely, avoid double
parking in the circle drive, and never leave a running vehicle unattended!
BEFORE SCHOOL (in the morning): Parents choosing to DROP OFF their students by car are asked to
make an immediate right and follow the one-way circle drive to the front entrance. All students when
dropped off in the morning will enter through the main entry doors. Please allow students to exit your
car only from the RIGHT side and onto the sidewalk! This requires that driving parents maintain a
single file line along the curb. Parents could then exit our campus through the single entrance on
Stonebridge Blvd.
AFTER SCHOOL: The front parking circle is reserved from 2:50 PM – 3:10 PM for PARENT PICK-UP of
students. No car traffic is permitted in the rear of the building during this time. Parents waiting for their
students to exit the building must remain in their cars and maintain a single file line along the inside curb
only. DO NOT DOUBLE PARK ALONG THE OUTSIDE CURB.
As with any busy public school, traffic in and out of our campus must adhere to strict safety guidelines so that
all students, staff and visitors are secure as they move from the building to their vehicles. This is especially
true at Granger, as one group of our students with significant special needs both arrives and departs with
specialized busing. Please, Please, Please be attentive, safe and SLOW as you drive through campus,
especially when those buses are present in the front of the building.
Crosswalk
Crosswalk
Protect Your Head. Wear A Helmet.
Assure Bicycle Readiness. Make Sure Your Bicycle is
Adjusted Properly.
Stop It. Always Check Brakes Before Riding.
See and Be Seen.
Avoid Biking At Night.
Stay Alert. Always Keep A Lookout for Obstacles in
Your Path.
Go With The Flow. The Safe Way is The RIGHT
Way.
Check for Traffic. Always be Aware of The Traffic
Around You.
Learn Rules of The Road. Obey Traffic Laws.
Don't Flip Over Your Bicycle. Wheels Should Be
Securely Fastened.
Bicycle Safety
If you plan to ride your bike to school, please adhere to the following route that has been created for your safety. Please ride on the established bike & walking path/sidewalk that runs in front of the school and leads to the building's main sidewalk area. Be sure to use the crosswalks as well. Do not ride through the parking lot or grass areas. Please be attentive, safe and slow as you ride near and through campus. You may store your bike during school hours only in the bike rack area located in front of the gymnasium. LOCK your bike individually with your own lock. Please refer to the diagram below. Thank you for valuing the wellbeing and security of our school community.
The U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission suggests the following as part of the
~ Ten Smart Routes to Bicycle Safety ~
PAGE 19
Counselor’s Corner
Ms. Gavras – (630) 375-3443 Mrs. Westbrook – (630) 375-3442 Mrs. Clark – (630) 375-3418
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A special edition for incoming 6th
graders!
We would like to welcome all the incoming 6th grade students and their parents (both the newcomers and veterans). Middle school can be an exciting time and we are anticipating a smooth transition and great year.
Communication between the school and home is essential for a thriving Middle School experience. It is our hope that this will be a first step in strengthening the lines of communication that you have already established in our district. Below you will find some important dates, general information, and helpful hints intended to help you and your child start off a successful Middle School experience.
Dates to Remember
* August 19, 2014: 6th Grade Open House 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm. This is an opportunity for students and parents to walk through the building and experiment with opening lockers. You can bring your supplies to stow in your locker if you like.
*August 19, 2014: New Student Orientation – for new students to the District - 9:00am–11:00 am
*August 26, 2014: First day of student attendance for the 2014-2015 school year.
*September 4, 2014 - 6th Grade Curriculum - 6:40-9:00pm This evening event will be an opportunity to meet your child’s core teachers. You will also learn about the team’s policies and the 6th grade curriculum. More information to follow.
*September 9, 2014 – 7th & 8th Grade Curriculum Night - 6:40-9:00pm
What to Expect on the First Day of School
Upon arriving at Granger, the students can expect to be directed to an assigned area for 6th grade students. They will receive their schedules, and meet the teachers and classmates assigned to their ‘team’. Throughout that first day, the students will learn about becoming a middle school student. The team may take tours of the building and provide time to practice opening hall lockers. The new 6th grade students will begin to learn the location of their classrooms and discover which teacher they will have for each subject. In addition, to all that, there will be the opportunity to see many old friends and meet many new faces.
What Can a Student do to Prepare for Middle School
Come to the 6th grade Open House on August 19th. It will give you a chance to walk around, meet up with some old classmates
and practice the hall lockers.
Get plenty of rest! The Middle School day begins earlier than the Elementary School day, so the 6th graders will need to adjust to
getting up earlier.
Eat a healthy breakfast, as the lunchtime may be different than it was in 5th grade.
Set a personal goal to be organized, complete assignments on time, and do your best in and out of the classroom.
Smile! Be ready for new experiences, teachers, and friends. Plan to get involved in extracurricular activities!
Relax!
Helpful Hints
TALK to your child daily about what happens at school.
LOOK for communications coming home from school.
READ the newsletters – they are full of helpful information.
PROVIDE a scheduled time and place to do homework.
MONITOR your child’s completion of homework daily.
PRAISE your child’s good work and successes.
KNOW your child’s teachers. Communicate with them as needed.
CALL school if you have concerns or a problem arises.
ENCOURAGE your child to respect school rules and to treat authority, peers, and property with respect.
ALLOW and encourage your child to participate in school activities.
SPEND TIME together – this helps build natural respect and trust.
We hope you have found this information helpful in acquainting you with the middle school adventure you are about to embark upon!
PAGE 20
NOTES FROM THE NURSE
DENTAL EXAMINATIONS All Illinois children in K, 2nd and 6th grades are required to have an oral health examination, which must be performed by a licensed dentist. WHY? There is an estimated 51 million school hours per year lost because of dental related illness. The ages for examination were chosen based on biology: when sealants should be applied and when the first and second molars erupt. Dental forms must be completed and signed by the dentist. Each child must have proof of a dental exam prior to May, 2015 of the school year.
ALL INCOMING 6TH GRADERS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE A MEDICAL EXAMINATION BY THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL. IF A MEDICAL FORM IS NOT SUBMITTED TO THE NURSE’S OFFICE BY THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL YOUR STUDENT WILL BE SENT HOME.
DOES YOUR CHILD HAVE ALLERGIES TO FERTILIZERS OR PESTICIDES? If so, please notify the Health Office so that your child's name can be placed on our registry. Parents will then receive notification in writing prior to any chemicals being sprayed in or on the Granger Middle School property during the spring/summer season.
ILLNESS GUIDELINES If your child has had a fever, they should be fever free at least 24 hours before returning to school. The same goes for vomiting and diarrhea. Any student positive for strep throat should be treated with appropriate antibiotics for at least 24 hours to be considered non-contagious. However, if your child is still feeling quite ill after 24 hours they should remain at home until they are able to function normally at school. Students with viral colds and coughs may not have fevers. If they are experiencing excessive coughing or have excessive nasal secretions they should remain at home until symptoms have subsided adequately to prevent widespread exposure to others in the building. Please remember to call the attendance line and report your child’s absences. Absences that are not reported or confirmed by the parent or guardian are entered as unexcused absences. A number of unexcused absences can lead to truancy proceedings. Please free to call if you have questions about your child’s specific illness in relation to school attendance.
PE EXCUSES Parents may write notes excluding students from physical education activities for illness and injuries when necessary. Parent notes are valid for 3 days, after that a medical evaluation is typically expected for an extension of this exclusion. This can vary on the circumstances, however, so please contact me if needed to discuss your child’s specific problem.
VISION & HEARING Vision and hearing screenings are provided annually to District #204 students. Vision and hearing screenings will be provided at the grade levels designated by the Illinois Department of Public Health. All students in special education programs, students transferring into the district who have not previously been screened, and students to be tested related to classroom teacher requests are screened during this annual program. Scheduled intervals for Vision & Hearing screenings are as follows: Vision Preschool, Kindergarten, 2nd, & 8th grade Special Education Students (includes students in speech) Foster Care & Transfer students Hearing Preschool, Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, & 3rd grade Special Education Students (includes students in speech) Foster Care & Transfer students Students having known or suspected hearing loss Parents and teachers may request screenings of student related to specific concerns at any time. District #204 nurses and trained health technicians also do vision and hearing screenings throughout the school year as needed. If your child is referred to a physician following a screening, the forms for completion by the physician can be obtained from the “Forms” section of the district webpage.
PHYSICALS FOR 8TH GRADERS Keep in mind when getting a sports physical after the 1st of the year, that a complete physical is required to enter freshman year in high school. Some insurances do not cover more than one physical per year. In order to participate in sports in high school, the physical must be valid for the entire season of a particular sport. It is best to have physicals completed after school is out in June, so that it will be valid for the entire school year, otherwise an updated sports physical may be required at sometime later in the school year to continue sports participation.
PAGE 21
Thank you so much to all of the families and staff members who support Market Day at Granger! The
Granger PTSA truly appreciates your support! The money raised through Market Day funds various PTSA
activities and programs throughout the year such as Staff Appreciation, Teacher Grants, Career Day, and
the 8th grade picnic.
If you are new to Granger or are unfamiliar with the Market Day grocery program, give it a try! There are
hundreds of delicious items available each month - from family meals to breakfast items to side dishes to
snacks. You can order online at www.marketday.com or complete and return a paper order form to place
our order. A portion of the proceeds from your purchases comes back to the Granger PTSA.
Also, a big “Thank You” goes out to all of our volunteers last school year - especially our Market Day chair,
Jennifer Weddle. Jen is back again this year to keep Market Day running smoothly. We can always use
volunteers to help unpack the delivery truck. If you are interested in helping, please contact Jen at
2014-2015 Market Day Delivery Dates
September 10th January 7th May 6th
October 8th February 4th June 3rd
November 5th March 4th
December 10th April 8th
Pickup time is 3:45-4:30pm in the Granger cafeteria.
… to Joanne Schafer for coordinating the 8th Grade Honors Breakfast. Great job!
… to Amy Papa for coordinating School Supply Kits this past spring/summer. Thanks for spending the time to provide
this great service to our Granger families!
… to Rebecca Curtis for taking on Greeter scheduling this year. Thanks for stepping up!
… to Laura Kofron-Roberson and Heather Sherman for chairing Staff Appreciation in May. What a great week!
… to Ellyn Margulies and Jeanette Williams for heading up the 2014 8th Grade Picnic. The students had a blast!
… to Sherri Nugent, Lisa Gaertner, and Amy Coryell for participating on the Audit Committee. We appreciate your
time over the summer!
PAGE 22
Sports Night
On August 28th, Granger will host our annual Sports Night. Any 7th or 8th grade students interested in
playing a sport at Granger should plan on attending this evening with their parents. An overview of every
sport will be given by the coaches. Our athletic director will explain eligibility and the fees and requirements
for each sport. Please remember that fall sports (football, volleyball, cross country, and boys’ soccer) begin
the first week of school. If your child is interested in one of these sports, please make sure he/she has had a
sports physical and that we have a copy on file at school. Students are not allowed to try out for a sport
unless we have received a physical.
FALL INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORTS
7th & 8th Grades Only
NOTE: All students wishing to try out for teams MUST have an updated physical on file in the nurse’s
office before they may even try out for the team. Please make sure your physical is current now for the
fall season sports!
The sports that start right away are:
Football – two weight classes; two teams
Lightweight (less than 123lbs) Heavyweight (123 lbs or more)
There are no cuts. Practice starts right away.
Co-Ed Cross Country - There are no cuts…all runners welcome!
Boys Soccer: Soccer is a cut sport.
Girls Volleyball: Volleyball is a cut sport.
PAGE 23
It’s not too late! Join PTSA PTSA today! The Granger PTSA invites all of our parents, teachers, and students to join our Parent
Teacher Student Association (PTSA). Parental involvement is key to a child's success. The
PTA mission is to be a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and
communities, and a strong advocate for the education and well-being of every child. At
Granger, we would like to build a closer relationship between the home and school and help make every
child's potential a reality. To join, fill out the membership form at the end of this newsletter and return to
Granger in an envelope marked “PTSA Membership.” If you have any questions about membership, please
contact Amy Coryell at (630) 585-9026 or [email protected]. Thank you in advance for helping us do
good things for students at Granger Middle School!
Thank you to our PTSA Donors!
SILVER GOLD PLATINUM
Support the Granger PTSA!
It’s not too late to add your name to our growing list of donors. Complete the top portion of the
Membership/Donation form at the end of this newsletter, include your TAX DEDUCTIBLE donation
(checks payable to Granger PTSA), and send it to school in an envelope marked
“PTSA Donation: Attention Jodie Bach”.
Donations help us avoid additional fundraisers and support vital school programs such as author
visits, assemblies, teacher grants, 8th grade career day, and more!
PTSA by the Numbers As of 7/31/14
Donations to date = $1,700
Goal = $2,000
Memberships
adults + students
Total = 500
Goal = 1,000 members
Rohit Badiyani
Brian Barker
Marilyn Barnes
Suzanne Boyajian
Jody & Randy Burleyson
Nancy Capezzuto
Chris Cast
Kimberly DuVal
Debbie Foster
Julie Hannon
Cindy Hartge
Timothy & Stacey Hurst
Mary Konkle
Shannon Lynch
Sarita Mahapatra
Tom & Pamela McCallum
Tanya Moulik
Vince & Cari Pellegrini
Laura Pittman
Babitha Ravindran
Chitrarekha Saha
Cathy Sheil
Parvathy Sree
Kyong & Kyui Yoon
Beth Austin
Jeff & Jodie Bach
Wendy Balda
Carrie Baffes
Colleen Beardsley
Karen Breck
Sue Coates
Amy & Steve Coryell
Jennifer Earley
Wanda Fattes
Carolyn Fichte
Kristen Flanders
Carrie Gasik
Angela Marty
Nehal and Shital Naik
Kathleen Noe
Michelle Olef
Molly Petersen
Sharon Shatto
Mike & Jeanne Sheehan
Kelli Sondker
John & Coleen Thompson
Jennifer Weddle
Jing & Jinquan Yu
Steffany Zimmerman
Laura Chaddha
Laura & Pablo Collado
Michael & Margaret Cross
Kelli Diaz
Nicmini Fernando
Robert & Lana Gonzales
Greg & Jill Green
Meenu Gupta
Sundeep Kak
Lynn Lengemann
Pranita Naik
Erica Patterson
Jen Seltzer
Haesoo Son
PAGE 25
The Granger PTSA is in need of volunteers for the following positions:
Box Tops Chairperson - A volunteer is needed to organize the Box Top collection
drives in the fall and spring and prepare and ship the Box Tops out for redemption.
Help determine prizes, publicize the collections to students, and coordinate volunteers
to staff the collection days.
Concessions Coordinators - This well-organized person (or people) will be responsible for scheduling
volunteers to man the concessions table at Granger sporting events and helping to keep supplies stocked.
You don’t have to work the concession table at every event - just schedule parents from each of the sports to
staff the stand during their student’s games.
If you are interested in these or any other volunteer opportunities with the Granger PTSA, please contact
Erica Patterson at [email protected] or Nina Prabhu at [email protected].
Box Tops
Have your been clipping Box Tops this summer?? By clipping and turning in
Box Tops, your Granger student not only earns money for the Granger PTSA, they also can earn
great prizes for themselves and their friends!
Box Top Collection Days happen in the fall (October) and in the winter (February) during lunch
periods. Students turn in batches of Box Tops—the bigger the batch, the better the prize. Some of
the great prizes in past years included comfy couch seating at assemblies, candy bars, cans of
pop, perks in the LMC, Getaway tickets, drawstring bags, and more! Watch list-serv for more
details on prizes and collection dates as Fall Box Top Collection Days approach...
Funds raised from Box Top collections support many PTSA programs. So get busy with the
scissors this summer and earn some great rewards from the Granger PTSA!
Fee Waivers
The Board of Education recently approved a new policy on student fee waivers. The process is
overseen by the district business office. To be considered for a fee waiver, a family must
complete a separate application. The new district fee waiver application is available for parents
on the district’s website under “IPSD Essentials” or the office has a hard copy you can pick up. If
your financial situation requires you to apply for a waiver of school fees, please
visit the district website and download the form. Once the fee waiver
application is completed, you may mail it to the address at the bottom of the
first page of the application or you may drop it off at the school and they will
forward to the District office.
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Granger Apparel
We have some exciting new designs for the coming school year! In addition, you can personalize your own spirit wear! Choose your design, product (T-shirt, sweatshirt, tie-dye) and color to create your own item. Apparel will be available at 6
th
Grade Open House and Curriculum Nights. Cash and checks accepted - take your apparel home with you! For questions or information, contact Erica Patterson at [email protected].
Registration Fees
Please note that all
registration fees need to
be paid by the first day of
school. Contact the main
office if other
arrangements need to be
made.
September 26, 2014
February 20, 2015
Getaways are on Fridays. 6th graders attend from 6:15-8:15pm and
7th/8th graders from 6:30-8:30pm.
Music, snacks, sports, activities, friends, and FUN!
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Coming Soon!Coming Soon!Coming Soon!
The Granger PTSA is diving into social media!The Granger PTSA is diving into social media!The Granger PTSA is diving into social media!
You will soon be able to find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to You will soon be able to find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to You will soon be able to find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to
stay on top of all the latest PTSA events and information!stay on top of all the latest PTSA events and information!stay on top of all the latest PTSA events and information!
More details coming soon...More details coming soon...More details coming soon...
