Hello Graham Families!

 

We have a lot coming up! Here are the upcoming PTA events that you need to know about:

 

MEMBERSHIP

Thank you to all those who have joined the PTA so far! We are still many members away from our goal of 100% parent and staff membership this year, so please consider joining us! Membership dues helps fund all the programs that the PTA brings to the school, students, and staff throughout the year. As a PTA member, there is no time commitment or volunteer requirements; you can participate in as little or as much as you like! Membership cost is $25 per family and $10 per staff member. Here is the link: https://grahampta.memberhub.com/store

 

FALCON FUNDRAISER

9/18-9/29, Carnival Day 10/2

Our LARGEST PTA fundraiser of the year is here and we have a goal of $8000!   A flyer was sent home with students last Friday with all the details, including how to make your donations.

You can donate online using this link. 

https://grahampta.memberhub.com/store?limit=21&live=true&category=Falcon%20Fundraiser

As a reminder, all students who make a $25 donation by the end of day THIS Thursday will receive one entry into our weekly raffle.  This week’s raffle winners will be announced end of day Friday. For any $100 donation, students will receive an entry into the grand prize raffle. NEW this year - 3 lucky winners who make a  donation, regardless of amount, will win a chance to slime the principal!

 

All donations are tax deductible and the raffle is cumulative so donate early for more chances to win!  This year we have two grand prizes - an all inclusive Brookfield Zoo pass for 6 plus a giant hedgehog squishmallow and a Nintendo Switch Lite with a year of free bundtlets from Nothing Bundt Cakes.  Keep an eye on facebook for this week’s raffle prizes!  

 

We are celebrating the end of our fundraiser with a carnival themed outdoor Game Day on Monday, October 2nd.  Each grade will have a 30 min time slot. We will need volunteers to help our celebration run smoothly. Sign up here if you’d like to help: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F49ACAE2DABF9C61-falcon

 

If you have any questions, please reach out to Jen Cortese Jennifer.l.cortese@gmail.com

 

ART AWARENESS

September 29, 9:30am, Virtual Orientation via Google Meet  *NEW DATE/TIME* 

The Art Awareness program is a PTA funded program that runs year long in the school. It is a

great way to spend time in your child’s classroom helping to create a long-lasting appreciation for the arts. Do you think you’re not artistic? No worries, you’ll still have so much fun! Each

grade has a predetermined work of art, guided questions/ information to present and

suggestions of activities, crafts, games or projects to extend the experience. This program

operates best when we are able to get 4 or more parents per classroom. The timing and

scheduling of your participation is highly flexible, but a volunteer will typically spend 30 minutes

in the classroom during a volunteer session and you can determine how many times during the

year you would like to volunteer. This year, each volunteer will be required to present their Art Awareness lesson to each class in their child’s grade. Contact Heather High at willow1222@hotmail.com for more information.

Sign Up Link:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A094AACAA2CA02-graham4 

Meeting Orientation Link: Emailed in Newsletter

 

WATCH D.O.G.S. (Dads Of Great Students)

September 26, 7pm Orientation via Google Meet

This program helps provide positive male role models for the students, demonstrating by their

presence that education is important. Meanwhile, it provides extra sets of eyes and ears to

enhance school security, reduce bullying and provide a greater sense of campus safety allowing

students and teachers to focus on learning. If you are a male figure in a Graham students’ life

and are interested in learning more and getting involved, please sign up via https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0f49aaa92da0fe3-20232024_watch#/ or email Jason Thorn at JMThorn51@gmail.com. A virtual training will be held on September 26 at 7pm on Google Meet. The training will review all the info, including how to sign up for monthly spots.

Meeting orientation link: Emailed in Newsletter

 

IPPC COAT DRIVE

September 11-22

The Indian Prairie Parent Council (IPPC) is running their annual coat drive. Please drop off new or gently used coats, jackets, mittens, gloves, hats, and scarves in the marked box in the Graham foyer.

 

WITCHES NIGHT OUT

October 6, 7-9pm, Outdoor Patio at River Run Club

Ladies, come meet other Graham moms and mingle at our Witches Night Out on Friday, October 6th at the River Run Club outdoor patio (4204 Clearwater Lane). We will have a variety of wines available for you to taste, plenty of sparkling water to sip and light appetizers to enjoy. This event is outdoors from 7-9pm. There is plenty of seating and 4 firepits to enjoy on the patio, but please dress for the weather. A minimum of 30 attendees is needed to run this event. Please sign up via the link below and send your $30 payment to the Graham PTA via Zelle (pta.grahamelementary@gmail.com). Payment due by Friday, 9/29. We hope you can join us for this fun night out in support of the Graham PTA!

Witches Night Out Sign Up Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D45A4AD2EA3F8C07-witches#/ 

NATIONAL PTA REFLECTIONS

October 20, Submissions Due to Graham

Graham Elementary is pleased to continue our long held involvement in the National PTA Reflections program. Reflections is a 50+ year national contest where students K-12 submit original artwork in visual arts, music composition, literature, dance choreography, photography, and film. Artwork is celebrated at each level from local to national.

 

This year’s theme is “I Am Hopeful Because…”.  There are no limits on the creative way students can complete their artwork, so begin today! Entries are due October 13 to Graham.  Click on the link below to review the 2023 Reflections Packet. This “packet” contains all the rules by category, thinking maps, and the entry form needed for participating in this program.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/e/2PACX-1vTo4fbYbfS4KLVCFtLieS6mzOe4ixTZevuoybqIU3HLoy4DTmByg7nIJdMR17_wMhLehWCyPQwU8arM/pub?start=false&loop=false&delayms=3000

Please direct any questions to Vipuj Shah at vipuj.shah@gmail.com. 

 

*Students who identify as having a disability and may receive services under IDEA or ADA: Section 504 may enter in the Special Artist Division or grade division most closely aligned to their functional ability.

 

RESTAURANT NIGHTS FUNDRAISERS

LITTLE POPS PIZZA: September 21, 11am-9pm, 1819 Wehrli Road, Naperville 

Also, coming up this month, please support Graham for lunch or dinner at Little Pops Pizza.  Say you are with Graham and they will help our school by giving back 20% of all sales this day!

 

UPCOMING PTA MEETINGS

GENERAL MEETING

October 5, 9:30am, Google Meet - Link in emailed Newsletter

 

GRAHAM PTA FACEBOOK PAGE:

Please take a moment to join the Graham Elementary Facebook Page to stay in the loop on the latest PTA news, updates, and more.  https://m.facebook.com/groups/569831111391939/

 

You can also join these grade specific pages to connect with other parents.

Kindergarten- https://www.facebook.com/groups/1663583744066421

1st Grade - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1087491122160540

2nd Grade - https://www.facebook.com/groups/466711474594962

3rd Grade - https://www.facebook.com/groups/355169745475837/

4th Grade - https://www.facebook.com/groups/583637555665959/

5th Grade - https://www.facebook.com/groups/624752088158432/

 

Go Falcons!

The Graham PTA