Graceland Park - November 2024

Dear Graceland Park Families,

November is a time of gratitude, reflection, and collaboration. I am truly thankful for the dedication and commitment of our students, staff, and families in making our school a place of growth, kindness, and achievement.

With the season of giving and appreciation, we are reminded of the importance of community support and mutual respect. Let’s take this time to recognize the positive impact each of us can have within our school and neighborhood. Whether it's lending a hand in the classroom, volunteering, or attending school events, every effort you make supports the learning and well-being of our students.

As the colder months approach, please ensure your child is dressed appropriately for the weather, especially as we continue to emphasize outdoor learning and physical activity whenever possible. Additionally, November marks the beginning of our Report Card season, providing a valuable opportunity to review your child’s progress and discuss how we can support the individual goals recorded on their Student Learning Plan (SLP) form, which you helped develop alongside your child and their teacher.

Thank you once again for your continued partnership, and I wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving. May it be filled with warmth, family, and a sense of accomplishment for all that we have achieved together.

Warm regards,
Ms. Mullally

Grade 4 students explored the outdoors and learned more about the Maryland environment at Carrie Murray Nature Center

Important events for November 2024

November 1, Grade 4 Field Trip, 8:30-1:30, Great Kids Farm
November 4, School Closed for Students (PD Day for Staff)
November 5, School Closed for Students (Election Day)
November 7, Report Card Distribution
November 9, Grades 4-6 Field Trip, 12:00-4:00, Annie @ Hippodrome Theater
November 11, Food Bank Distribution, 11:00
November 12, Grades 6-8 Field Trip, 9:30-1:30, Coppin State University
November 18-22, American Education Week
November 21, Parent Power (Topic: Literacy strategies for your child) - 8:00 in Cafeteria
November 21, Pre-Kindergarten & Kindergarten, JO Club visit, 9:00
November 27-29, School Closed for Students (Observance of Thanksgiving)

Celebrate American Education Week with us the week of November 18th! This year, all American Education Week celebrations are sponsored by Graceland's Student Government Association. SGA members took the initiative of coming up with unique spirit days, creating a revised flyer, and advertising for the week. We are proud of their efforts!

SGA Treasurer Ashley P. meets with Principal Mullally to discuss the American Education Week spirit flyer that she created. SGA is another opportunity for student leaders to have their voice heard at Graceland.

Mrs. McConnaughey, Grade 1 ELD Teacher

Mrs. McConnaughey began her academic career at Towson University, where she earned a degree in psychology, which sparked her passion for helping others. Her first job after graduating was as a juvenile counselor in a detention center, where she gained invaluable experience working with at-risk youth. This role further fueled her desire to make a lasting impact, leading her to pursue a Master of Arts in Teaching, where she honed the skills to shape young minds in the classroom.

Over the past 20 years, Mrs. McConnaughey has taught multiple grades in various city schools, bringing a wealth of experience and adaptability to her role. For the last three years, she has thrived as an English Language Development (ELD) teacher, dedicating herself to helping multilingual learners succeed. Her dedication to her students and expertise make her a standout educator.

Favorite Quote: “The more that you read, the more things you will know, the more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” —Dr. Seuss

Each morning, a character trait is highlighted on morning announcements. These character traits embody the spirit of a Graceland Park scholar. Here are the words that will be highlighted this month.

Week of November 4- Courage - The ability to do something that is uncomfortable. Having the strength to push through hard times, doing the right thing even when it is difficult. Try new things that seem difficult, including trying new foods, learning a new sport, speaking in front of class, or standing up for a friend in need. Courage does not need to be a big affair, it can be as small as raising your hand to ask a question.

Week of November 11 - Gratitude - Gratitude is focusing on what's good in our lives and being thankful for the things we have. Gratitude is pausing to notice and appreciate the things that we often take for granted, like having a place to live, food, clean water, friends, family, even computer access. Some ways we can practice gratitude are making a daily list of things you are grateful for or writing a kind note to someone you appreciate.

Week of November 18 - Appreciation - Appreciation means to recognize and enjoy the good qualities of someone or something, like a nice sunny day or a home cooked meal. We can express our appreciation for things or people in our lives by remembering to say thank you, writing a kind note, and giving back to others who have given to us. How can you show appreciation?

Week of November 25 - Dedication - Dedication is the quality of being committed or devoted to a task or purpose. We are dedicated to things and people who are important to us. Our dedication can help us achieve our goals for our future. You can be dedicated to your education by coming to school everyday on time and trying your best, even when things are difficult

The story behind our first original student art installation in the new building.

Background: In February 2024, 7th graders (current 8th graders) in Ms. Bogan’s art class began the process to prepare to create a ceramic mural. In conjunction with their Social Studies unit on Mesoamerica, students looked at images of Mesoamerican art and read about the culture. They decided on a theme: From Mesoamerica to Baltimore.

The Process (last school year): Students brainstormed and decided on an image from their research that they would make into a ceramic tile. They were given clay that had been rolled out and used a drawing of their image. Next, students placed their drawing on the clay and pressed into it with a pencil to transfer the design onto clay. After that, each student worked to create a 3D look to their design before it went into the kiln for the first firing. Students glazed their tiles, then they were fired again in the kiln. This created the colorful look you see in the mural.

Continuing the process (this school year): When students returned to school this year, they continued with gluing their ceramic tiles on the background board. After gluing, they grouted the space between the tiles which was a multiweek process and cleaned the mural in order to create the beautiful art you can see in our school today. Finally, we were able to hang the mural up to share with generations to come!

Quarter 1 Attendance Incentive

KONA ICE!

Students who had GREAT attendance (absent for two days or less) for quarter 1 were treated to a special treat - the Kona Ice truck! Check out some of the photos of our attendance superstars with their special treat! Special shout out to our Student Wellness Team for organizing!

Pre-Kindergarten & Kindergarten students were treated to a special surprise from our dedicated community partner, Brewers Hill Neighbors. Each student was able to pick out a pumpkin from Graceland's own "pumpkin patch!"

Academic Night

Another Academic Night in the books! This year we went back in history to medieval times. Students had the opportunity to engage in academic content activities and receive a special treat for completing them. Special shout out to Ms. Andrews who organized and executed the evening, Mr. Mandawe and Ms. Lisondra for their creative castle masterpiece, and all other staff members who volunteered their time or donated candy. We can't wait to tell you what is in store for next school year!

The Jonathan Ogden Club (JO Club) from Patterson High School came to visit and read to our Pre-K & Kindergarten classrooms this month. These student athletes take initiative in their school community by showing the dedication they have to education as student athletes and how it can empower them to succeed. The JO Club visits Graceland classroom up to four times a year and always brings smiles to the faces of our young learners.

Our October PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) meeting was another success. It is not too late to join and be a part of this important organization!

Primary students were learning about bowling during physical education this month.

Did you know Graceland has a Peer Tutoring program? Some of our middle schoolers take time out of their day to tutor our young learners develop necessary academic skills.

Grade 4 dissected pig hearts during our last half day. Students were able to do this extension activity as they are learning about hearts - literally & figuratively - in their ELA class with the texts Love that Dog & The Circulatory System.

Student scientists in grade 7 wrapped up their first unit by answering the question, How can I make new stuff from old stuff? In this lab, students learned that rust/corrosion is a type of chemical reaction that can be "sped up".

Pre-K students heard from the custodian in our school community. They learned how they keep the school clean as part of their community helpers unit.

Ms. Wenner's class had the opportunity to have arts integration during their class time by being able to paint pumpkins!

Our LION LEADERS celebration was an excellent time as the leaders were awarded with smores in a bag!

Visit our school website for the most updated information and calendar events
Grade level newsletters will be posted on the school website by the 10th of each month! Check out what your child is learning in their class!
Attendance matters! Make sure you have your child come to school every day and on time! With GREAT ATTENDANCE (absent two days or less) comes special perks. See the flyer below for the quarterly attendance incentive.
Parking - Do not double park or yield to let passengers out of your vehicle on the streets around the school. This is for the safety of ALL students. All vehicles picking up students at dismissal should be parked on Gusryan as that is the designated "car rider" area.

Attendance — If your child has GREAT attendance, they will get to have their GLOW ON for our quarter two attendance incentive!

Calendar Reminder. No school for students November 4 & November 5.

Join us for our monthly Parent Power Workshop. Each month you will gather ideas and strategies to help your child succeed in school!

October was filled with family and community events. The Academic Night event was an evening of learning games, character costumes, and sweet treats! Parents were empowered in knowing what their children are learning in school, as they participated in the Parent Power meeting. Graceland now has an active PTO! Thank you staff, scholars, and parents for making our events successful.

It is very important that every parent knows how to communicate with staff and be aware of what’s happening in school. The school uses ClassDojo as one of its top means of communication. Remember to set up your Parent Portal through Infinite Campus that will give you access to your child’s grades and assignments. If you are having problems setting up ClassDojo or the Parent Portal, please come in to get assistance.

The Chess Club will start on November 11th. See Ms. Scribner for more information.

The Y Afterschool program is off to an awesome start. It runs Monday through Thursday from 2:15-5:15 p.m. Scholars receive supper, tutoring in literacy, homework assistance, and enrichment activities. Please contact Mrs., Celina, the OST Director for more information.

It’s that time of the year again. Please support the Y Turkey Trot Charity 5K. Your donations will help to send students to Y Summer Camp. The race will be held on Thanksgiving Day, November 28th. Please give your donation to Anna Scriber or Mrs. Celina. As a Community School our goal is $300.

Below you will see pictures from the Y's "Lights on After Dark" celebration.

Graceland Park's OFFICIAL Monthly Newsletter November 2024

Important events for November 2024