News

President's End-of-Year Message

Dear Members of the Grady Elementary Community,

This has been an absolutely wonderful school year! A great big thank you to all of you for supporting our fundraisers, for coming to our events, and for volunteering your time. Thanks to you we have accomplished so much!

This year has seen record amounts of parents, grandparents and friends volunteering at our school.  We have again won the Hillsborough County PTA's award for Volunteerism and Participation in our PTA.  This award is a credit to the fine work of so many of YOU and our wonderful teachers!!  We know you, volunteers and teachers, are doing the heavy lifting of raising the standards of education in our school.  We are grateful for your work.

Grady Elementary also won the Hillsborough County PTA's Superintendent's Award for excellence in increased membership.  The Award was presented by Hillsborough County Public Schools Superintendent Jeff Eakins.  We were delighted and surprised to win this award, but it is a testament to the commitment of teachers, parents, grandparents and friends to join together to support our school.  This year, we had 333 members, which is a 22% increase over last year and constitutes 100% membership (PTA membership is considered 100% when membership exceeds 75% of the number of students enrolled at the school.  This is because some families have more than one student at a school).

I want to recap some of the financial aspects of this year.  In terms of fundraising, our Fall Fundraiser raised $9,700 in profit for Grady Elementary and our biggest fundraiser, Tiger Trek, raised $15,000 for our school.  We used much of the fall money to pay $7,000 toward the ELP tutoring program that occurred after school during the second, third and fourth grading periods.  We also funded $6,000 in mini-grants for teachers, and we spent $4,000 on teacher classroom supplies by providing each classroom with a $100 Lakeshore Learning gift card.   We also purchased T-shirts for Math Bowl, and Spelling Bee, and funded the registration fees and trophies for the Spelling Bee.  Moreover, we spent $2,000 on teacher appreciation week, $1,000 on the back to school lunch, and $850 on conference night expenses.  We incurred some expenses in instituting the new after school enrichment program, but those expenses were off-set by the club fees paid by parents.

This year we completed the installation of the first phase of our fence replacement. The first phase cost $54,600. $10,750 was raised from people sponsoring fence panels and the remainder was paid for using funds from last year's surplus and some of this year's fundraising.  Next year, we begin the drive to complete the second phase of the fence replacement.  The entire project will cost $102,412, and we have $47,812 yet to raise to complete the project.

I leave the position of President in good hands.  Kris House, currently VP of Community Outreach, will serve as President in 2015-16.  Kris has served this board for many years and is ready to lead.  Our Grady Elementary PTA Nominating Committee, which includes Kris and Patricia Cannon and Krista Harvie, have nominated, and the PTA has elected the following officers:

President - Kris House

VP Membership - MaryAnn Hoffman

VP Outreach - Ellen Lyons

VP Sponsorships - Jessica Schentrup

VP Communications - Amy Zink

VP Volunteers- Chely Sierra

VP Events - Elizabeth Weekes and Annette Simeon-Lopez (not formally elected yet)

VP Fundraising - Open

Treasurer- Debbie Bresnahan

Secretary - Avery Maniscalco

We are still seeking a VP of Fundraising, as well as committee chairs and committee members.  If you are interested in serving on a board or committee (Committees include Yearbook (Chaired by Janella Enajibi), ASE Clubs (chaired by Moni Sears), Spelling Bee, Membership, Events and Volunteers), please talk to any board member on this list or email us via the website.   You may also speak with Nominating Committee members, Patricia Cannon and Krista Harvie.  Thank you to the Nominating Committee for finding such a great slate of officers to lead us next year.

The goal of the Grady PTA is to enhance the educational experience for our children, and you all are doing a fabulous job!  Thank you for your commitment!

Sincerely,

Debbie Bresnahan, President, Grady Elementary PTA

Third Grade Battle of the Books List

Dear Future Third Grade Parents,

As a third grader, your child will be participating in a reading adventure called the Battle of the Books. The purpose of this reading enrichment program is to encourage recreational reading, offer a variety of types of literature, increase familiarity with different authors, and share books through written and oral expression.

There are a total of seven books that have been chosen from the Sunshine State Young Readers Awards. On the back of this notice is next year's list so that students can begin reading this summer. These books are available at public libraries and book stores. They will also be available in the classroom and media center next year.

As part of the Battle of the Books, students will compete with their homeroom in May, 2016. The top four students from each homeroom will "battle" with the knowledge of books. This opportunity is great practice for the "official" fourth grade battle, but does not predetermine future participants.

We are looking forward to teaching your children next year! Have a wonderful summer and happy reading!

Sincerely,

Third Grade Teachers

THIRD GRADE BATTLE BOOKS LIST

1. The Lemonade War, by Jacqueline Davis

2. Shredderman: Attack of the Tagger, by Wendelin Van Draanen

3. Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things, by Lenore Look

4. The Earth Dragon Awakes, by Laurence Yep

5. Clementine, by Marla Frazee

6. Andy Russell, Not Wanted by the Police, by David A. Adler

7. The Fabled Fourth Graders of Aesop Elementary School, by Candace Fleming

Spirit Week May 26 to 29

Tuesday, May 26, to Friday, May 29, is Spirit Week at Grady Elementary.  Here are the themes for each day:

Tuesday:     Sports Day

Wednesday: Crazy Hair Day

Thursday:    Mix & Match Day

Friday:       Super Hero Day

Enjoy this fun-filled week at Grady!

Spirit Week May 26 to 29

Tuesday, May 26, to Friday, May 29, is Spirit Week at Grady Elementary.  Here are the themes for each day:

Tuesday:     Sports Day

Wednesday: Crazy Hair Day

Thursday:    Mix & Match Day

Friday:       Super Hero Day

Enjoy this fun-filled week at Grady!

Yogurtology Family Night Wednesday June 3, 2 pm to 8 pm

There will be one last End-of-the-Year Family Night at Yogurtology, located at 1202 S. Church Ave., on Wednesday, June 3, from 2 pm to 8 pm.   Please come out for some yogurt and know that a portion of the proceeds of your purchase will benefit our school.  Please mention Grady Elementary at the counter to ensure that our school gets credit for your purchase. 

Shop The Grady Book Fair Online Until May 26

The Book Fair was a huge success thanks to all of the families who participated and all of you who volunteered.  Thank you for your support.  Thus far, the sales at the book fair are $6,700.00, but they could go higher and break our record of $7,100, if parents purchase books through the online book fair that runs through May 26.  Please just follow this link Online Book Fair Until May 26 and click in the middle of the page that says “Online Book Fair.”  All orders ship free to the school and there is an expanded selection of books, including books for all ages (child to adult).   

Also, we need more “treasures” for the Treasure Chest in the Kathryn Hance Media Center.  If you have unused party favors, small toys such as Happy Meal toys,  or other cool treats that would be a pleasure for a student to receive, please bring them to Mr. Tsourakis in the Kathryn Hance Media Center or Ms. Taylor in the front office.  This is a great way to give unused party favors or Happy Meal toys a second life.

Link to the Online Scholatis Book Fair: http://bookfairs.scholastic.com/homepage/gradyelementaryschool

Tiger Talk Update:

This has been a great week at Grady.  The Chess Team dominated in the Mitchell Gran Prix.  To see standings and pictures of kids with their trophies click here: Chess Tournament Winners.

The Book Fair was a huge success thanks to all of the families who participated and all of you who volunteered.  Thank you for your support.  Thus far, the sales at the book fair are $6,700.00, but they could go higher and break our record of $7,100, if parents purchase books through the online book fair that runs through May 26.  Please just follow this link Online Book Fair Until May 26 and click in the middle of the page that says “Online Book Fair.”  All orders ship free to the school and there is an expanded selection of books, including books for all ages (child to adult).   

Also, we need more “treasures” for the Treasure Chest in the Kathryn Hance Media Center.  If you have unused party favors, small toys such as Happy Meal toys, or other cool treats that would be a pleasure for a student to receive, please bring them to Mr. Tsourakis in the Kathryn Hance Media Center or Ms. Taylor in the front office.  This is a great way to give unused party favors or Happy Meal toys a second life.

Next week, when we return is Spirit Week.  Here is a list of the themes for each day: Spirit Week Daily Themes.

There will be one last End-of-the-Year Family Night at Yogurtology, located at 1202 S. Church Ave., on Wednesday, June 3, from 2 pm to 8 pm.   Please come out for some yogurt and know that a portion of the proceeds of your purchase will benefit our school.  Please mention Grady Elementary at the counter to ensure that our school gets credit for your purchase.   

We are concluding our Spring After School Enrichment Program Clubs (Robotics, Chess, Dance, Basketball and Spanish Club).  All clubs have concluded for the year, except for Spanish Club.  We hope you liked the clubs; we are looking for feedback on our ASE Club Program and any advice you may have to help us make the program even more successful in the future.  You can direct comments to Ellen Lyons at [email protected], and to ASE Club Coordinator, Moni Sears at [email protected]. We will be bringing back the program in the fall, with expanded club offerings.

Grady Chess Club Dominates at Mitchell Gran Prix

The Grady Elementary Chess Club did very well at its first chess tournament, the Mitchell Gran Prix.  Kindergarten and First Grade won Third Place, Second and Third Grade won Fourth Place, and Fourth and Fifth Grade won Second Place!  Congratulations to the students.  Below you can see some happy students with their trophies.

Grady Wins Superintendent's Award

Grady Elementary has won the Hillsborough County PTA’s Superintendent’s Award for Excellence in Increased Membership.  The Award was presented by Hillsborough County Public Schools Superintendent Jeff Eakins.  The award was accepted by Grady Principal Kristine Dosal and PTA President, Debbie Bresnahan.  Our school won the award because we had the highest increase in PTA membership of all schools in Hillsborough County.  Prior to presenting the award to Grady, Superintendent Eakins spoke about the importance of parental involvement in schools and how parental and teacher cooperation is critical to the success of a school.  We are delighted and grateful to be presented with this wonderful honor.  At the same award ceremony, Grady also won awards for Volunteerism and a Golden Participation Award for parental involvement.   Grady was represented at the award ceremony by Mrs. Dosal (2014 Principal of the Year), Sandra Richmond (nominated for Outstanding Non-Instructional Person), Mr. Florio (2014-15 Grady Teacher of the Year and nominated for Hillsborough County PTA Teacher of the Year),  PTA President Debbie Bresnahan, PTA President-Elect Kris House, VP of Event Jennifer Narvaes, VP of Membership MaryAnn Hoffman-Dougill, ASE Club Coordinator Moni Sears, and  VP of Communications Ellen Lyons

Receiving the award: 

award

Here's a picture of the group with the Superintendent's Award:

And a picture of the group before the awards ceremony began: 

Spring Musical, Wednesday May 13

The Spring Musical is May 13!  Here are the times for the many events:

Morning:

7:30 am to 8:30 am  – buy raffle tickets and bid on silent auction items in front of the school, while enjoying free coffee and pastries.  You need not be present to win raffle and silent auction items.

8 am to 8:30 am – Chair set up in the Pavilion.  We still need volunteers for this, and it goes quickly with more people.  To volunteer, please click here: Volunteer for Set Up or Breakdown of Chairs.

Afternoon and Evening:

3:30 pm to 7:30 pm,  Book Fair in the Kathryn Hance Media Center (to volunteer for the Book Fair, click here: Volunteer for Book Fair

4 pm to 7:30 pm, Student Art Presentation in the Cafeteria

4:30 Food Trucks start serving and vendor tables are set up

5:00 pm Silent Auction and Raffle items available under the Pavilion.  Raffle tickets are 7 for $5.  We take cash, check and credit cards for raffle tickets and silent auction items.   To see prizes, click here: Raffle and Silent Auction Items.

5:15 Students in the Chorus to report to Room 26, Actors report to Room 13, Dancers report to your grade level classrooms.

5:30 pm, Introductory remarks, PTA General Meeting

6:00 Spring Musical, How to Be A Pirate in Seven Easy Songs, begins. All other events, except food truck sales, stop during the Spring Musical Performance (from 5:45 pm to 7:00 pm)

7:00 Spring Musical ends, Silent Auction and Raffle Winners Announced.  Winners will be notified and their names/prizes will be posted on our website.

7:00 Spring Musical chair breakdown occurs.  To volunteer for this please click here:  Volunteer for Set Up or Breakdown of Chairs, or simply stay and help.  It takes less than 30 minutes if enough people help.  Also, we need volunteers with drills (preferably cordless drills) to help break down the stage backdrop after the show.  If you have a drill and can help out, please bring your drill and stay after the show to help!

7:00 to 7:30 Book Fair and Art Presentation are re-opened after end of Spring Musical.

Please be quiet during the Principal’s remarks, the PTA General Meeting and especially during the Spring Musical performance.  Please remember that all parents should be able to hear their children perform.  If you plan to talk during the performance, please proceed to the food truck area for your conversation.   Grady students and teachers have worked hard to put on a wonderful show for you!

We look forward to seeing you tomorrow for our many Spring Musical events.  If you have any questions, please email VP of Events, Jennifer Narvaes, at [email protected],  VP of Volunteers, Chely Sierra, at [email protected], VP of Communications, Ellen Lyons, at [email protected]. 

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