Principal's Letter

Hello Grant Families,

As the leaves begin to change and the air becomes crisp, October brings more than just pumpkin spice lattes and the changing of the season. It's also a special time of the year known as Disability Awareness Month. This is a month dedicated to promoting understanding, acceptance and inclusion for people with disabilities, and it's a topic we're excited to explore with our young learners.

What is Disability Awareness Month?

Disability Awareness Month is a time when we recognize and celebrate the abilities, talents and accomplishments of individuals with disabilities. It's an opportunity to break down stereotypes, foster empathy, and build a more inclusive community.

Why is it important?

Promotes Inclusion: When we learn about disabilities and the unique challenges people may face, we become more inclusive and compassionate individuals. This awareness helps us make sure that everyone feels welcome and valued.
Breaks Stereotypes: Disability Awareness Month helps dispel stereotypes and misconceptions. It teaches us that people with disabilities are just like everyone else—full of dreams, potential and talents.
Builds Empathy: By learning about different types of disabilities and the obstacles individuals may encounter, we develop empathy. Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, which is a crucial life skill.
Encourages Friendship: When we embrace disability awareness, we can make friends with people who may have different abilities. This allows us to appreciate the unique qualities and talents that each person brings to our lives.

What Can We Do?

Here are some fun and educational activities that your family can do together to celebrate Disability Awareness Month:

Read Books: Explore children's books that feature characters with disabilities. It's a great way to start conversations about diversity and inclusion.
Watch Movies: Enjoy movies that showcase the abilities and achievements of individuals with disabilities. Discuss the characters and their strengths.
Art Projects: Create art projects that celebrate differences. Use colors and shapes to represent the beauty of diversity.
Interview: If you know someone with a disability, ask them questions (with respect and sensitivity) about their experiences. This can be a powerful learning opportunity.
Visit a Local Organization: Some organizations and museums offer exhibits or events related to disability awareness. Consider visiting one in your community.
Discuss Inclusivity: Talk with your child about the importance of including others. Teach them that kindness, friendship and understanding go a long way.

At Grant, we believe that every student is unique and has something valuable to offer. Disability Awareness Month is an excellent opportunity for us to reinforce the importance of kindness, inclusion, and empathy within our school community.

Throughout October, we will work to help our students understand and appreciate the diversity of abilities. We have also planned to participate in several activities as a school including celebrating White Cane Day where we will offer students an opportunity to learn more about people with visual impairments. We encourage parents to join in these conversations at home, making this a truly inclusive experience for our students.

Thank you for your support in fostering a caring and inclusive community at Grant.

With love,

Brittney Searcy

Principal, Grant Elementary

Calendar at a Glance

Oct 13 NO SCHOOL-Professional Learning Improvement Day

Oct 15 National White Cane Day

Oct 16 9:30 Late Start Monday (breakfast begins at 9:10)

Oct 16 3:00 Drummers & Dancers practice

Oct 16 3:00 Cross Country practice

Oct 17 3:00 Choir practice

Oct 17 3:00 Cross Country practice (last day)

Oct 18 3:00 EWU Reading Club

Oct 19 Picture Day

Oct 19 White Cane Simulation Experience Day

Oct 19 3:00 Indigenous After School Club

Oct 19 4:00 Paraeducator Job Fair at NEWTech Prep (4141 N Regal St)

Oct 19-20 Soft Goods Drive to benefit T.E.A.M. Grant

Oct 20 8:30 Coffee & Connect "The Role of the School Counselor" with Ms. Campbell and Mr. Pride

Oct 23 9:30 Late Start Monday (breakfast begins at 9:10)

Oct 23 3:00 Drummers & Dancers practice

Oct 23 3:00 Cross Country practice (All-City qualifiers only)

Oct 24 3:00 Choir practice

Oct 24 4:00 All-City Cross Country Meet

Oct 25 3:00 EWU Reading Club

Oct 26 5th Grade Field Trip to the Symphony

Oct 26 4:30 Hallway Halloween

Upcoming Events (more information to come)

Nov 1 Reading Challenge Calendars due

Nov 1 Circle of Security Parenting Class begins

Nov 8-16 Scholastic Book Fair

Nov 9 4:30 KSPS PBS Family Night

No School

There is no school on Friday, October 13. Teachers will be in school for Professional Learning Improvement Day. Students, enjoy your day off!

National White Cane Day

National White Cane Day is Sunday, October 15. This day is marked to celebrate the achievements of people who are blind or visually impaired. Grant students will participate in a White Cane Simulation Experience on Thursday, October 19.

Picture Day is Coming!

Picture Day is October 19. Please make sure your student is on time to school as pictures will start at 8:30. Packets have gone home with students. There are extras in the office, if needed.

Attendance Line

Whenever your student will be absent from school, we ask that you call our Attendance Line to report the absence. Remember to include your name, the student's name, and the reason for the absence. You can save the number in your phone for quick and easy access! The number is 509-354-2818 and is available 24 hours a day.

T.E.A.M. Grant Updates

T.E.A.M. Grant is the parent-teacher group for Grant Elementary. We support the students and staff through various requests presented to the group. You can follow us on Facebook and Instagram. If you have any questions, please email teamgrant81@outlook.com.

T.E.A.M. Grant is having a Soft Goods Drive October 19-20. There will be a trailer in front of Grant where you can place your bagged donations. We accept clothes, shoes, belts, handbags, backpacks, towels, rags, linens, etc. Help us raise money to support our staff and students! See the flyer below for more information.

T.E.A.M. Grant is hosting a Scholastic Book Fair Nov 8-16. For more information and to set-up an ewallet for your student to use to purchase items at the Book Fair, c lick on this link.

Coffee & Connect

Something new we are starting this year at Grant is Coffee and Connect! Please come and enjoy refreshments and light appetizers with us, as our counselors and administrators share resources and information on ways to support your student’(s) success at school.

Afterschool Activities

Grant offers many afterschool activities for students to be involved in. Most activities run from 3:00-4:15. There is an activity bus for students who are eligible to ride the bus and have registered to ride.

Mondays: Drummers & Dancers, Cross Country

Tuesdays: Choir, Cross Country (last practice October 17)

Wednesdays: EWU Reading Club

Thursdays: Indigenous Afterschool Club (for American Indian or Alaska Native students, 3rd Thursday of the month, starting October 19)

Upcoming Free Family Events

Hello Grant families,

October is Anti-Bullying month. The focus of our counseling lessons are transitioning into learning the important skills of conflict resolution and anti-bullying. Our kindergarten through 2nd grade students get to meet Kelso the Frog and are learning Kelso’s 9 strategies for solving problems. Students begin with learning the difference between a small “pebble” problem, a problem they can solve on their own using the 9 strategies, and a BIG “boulder” problem, a problem that they need help from an adult to solve. Together we identify adults both at home, and at school who can help solve BIG problems. Please see the Kelso Choice Wheel to learn more about the 9 problem solving strategies your students are practicing.

Similarly, our 3rd-6th grade students are learning to define and understand bullying. Bullying is saying or doing something to intentionally hurt another person, to gain power over them. It isn’t something that happens just one time. It is a repeated pattern of behavior. For a behavior to be defined as bullying it must meet three criteria: the behavior must be intentional, a repeated pattern of behavior, and involves an imbalance of power. Students are learning the difference between what behaviors are truly bullying, and what behaviors are rude, mean or conflict.

Not only do student learn to define bullying, but they are learning about the different types of bullying, what to do if it is happening, and how to combat bullying through treating each other with kindness and lifting each other up. Our school has a no tolerance policy for bullying and take all reports very seriously. We work hard to create a school culture where everyone feels safe, accepted, and loved!

Proud to be a Husky!

Love,

Ms. Campbell & Mr. Pride

Family Assistance Survey

If you haven’t already and would like to sign up for supports throughout the year, please take a moment to fill out the Family Assistance Survey to sign up for programs such as mentoring, food or clothing supports, mental health and parenting resources, and/or volunteer opportunities. 😊 There are two ways to sign up: Scan the QR code or come to the office to get a hard copy.

What's on the Menu?

Breakfast and Lunch menus are always available online. All students eat free thanks to the Community Eligibility Provision Program. Students should have also brought home a magnet at the start of school with a QR code to scan and see the menus online.

When to Keep A Child Home From School

It is important for the health of all students, staff and families that your child not attend school when they are sick. The following guidelines are appropriate reasons to keep your child home from school:

A fever of 100 degrees F or higher in the last 24 hours. Your child should be fever free (without the use of fever reducing medicines) for 24 hours before returning to school.
A consistently goopy, runny nose.
Drainage from the eye and/or redness of the eyelid or skin around the eye.
A bad cough-one that you wouldn't want your well child to be around.
A sore throat, especially with fever or swollen glands in the neck.
Shortness of breath or other problems with normal breathing.
A child that seems ill-unusually tired, pale, or difficult to awaken, headache or body aches; seems confused or irritable, and/or lacks normal appetite.
A rash that is associated with fever or severe itching.
Vomiting with/without diarrhea within the last 24 hours. Your child should be free of vomiting or diarrhea for 24 hours before returning to school. NOTE: A child who has one episode of bloody diarrhea or two episodes of diarrhea at school must be sent home and cannot return until the diarrhea has resolved. Some diarrhea may be associated with bacteria or virus. If your child has severe diarrhea you should contact your health care provider.
Your child needs to remain at home 24 hours after starting an antibiotic.
Any contagious disease such as chicken pox, influenza, whooping cough or gastroenteritis.
As directed by your health care provider.

If you have any questions, please contact Nurse Heidi Hash at 509-354-2785.

Free Preschool Available at Grant

We have a few openings left in our preschool program for both morning and afternoon sessions. If you have a 3 or 4 year old and are interested in learning more, please contact our Family Support Specialist at 509-354-2774 or email her at CelinaH@spokaneschools.org.