Hello Graham Families!

Thanks to all those who attended our Family Bingo Night on Friday! It was great to see so many faces smiling, laughing, and having fun together. Also, a big thanks to all the families who participated in our Butter Braid fundraiser. We raised over $580 for the Graham PTA! Thank you for your support! 

Our next general PTA meeting is coming up on Thursday, December 7 at 9:30am via Google Meet (link here). Our guest speaker will be IPSD 204 School Board President, Laurie Donohue. She will be giving an update on things happening within the district. This is a great time to engage on a personal level with our School Board members. Please submit any questions you may have for Mrs. Donohue to Becky Thorn at RebeccaClarkSLP@gmail.com by Monday, December 4.

 

Here is what’s going on at Graham these next few weeks:

PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES DONATIONS

Due Tuesday, November 14th 

With Parent Teacher Conferences fast approaching, we would like to show our teachers and staff how thankful we are for them and all they do for our school.  We are scheduling a catered dinner for them on Thursday, November 16th as well as a day of extra snacks and treats on Monday, November 20th.

 

We need your help in making these teachers and staff members feel some extra love during Parent Teacher Conferences. All donations can be dropped off to a front porch bin to Catherine Smith in River Run (1836 Baybrook Court) or Jon Guerrero in High Meadow (2652 Sweetbroom Rd).

Donation Sign Up Link

**Please drop off all donations by Tuesday, November 14th.** Thanks so much for your help!

 

MUTUAL GROUND TOY DRIVE

Monday, November 13 – Friday, December 1

Mutual Ground is a community organization serving families and individuals impacted by Domestic and Sexual Violence and Substance Use Disorders. Every year, Mutual Ground hosts ‘The Winter Wonderland Shoppe’. This event provides families in need, with gifts for the holiday season. This year, we invite our wonderful Graham Community to participate in a toy drive to support Mutual Ground’s Winter Wonderland program.

 

We will open the toy drive (new unused only please) from 11/13 to 12/1. Please drop off your donation to the designated box near the front office. Some ideas are listed below. Please contact Manu Khurana at monagaks@gmail.com with questions. 

 

For this yearly event we collect NEW gifts in the following categories:

Infant/Baby (including diapers, wipes, lotions, clothing..)

Toys for all ages

Science sets

Craft sets

Family board games

New books (baby, kid, teen)

Stuffed animals

Makeup sets for kids

Bracelet and necklace making kits 

Coloring books and crayons

Sports equipment like soccer or basketball balls

Teen clothes like joggers, sweatshirts, hoodies in teen sizes 

Gift Cards ($10, $20, $25 and $50)

 

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

November 17, 11-1:30pm

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 Watch DOGS Sign Up Link or email Jason Thorn at JMThorn51@gmail.com.

 

ART AWARENESS

Volunteers still needed in grades 1st-5th, but especially 5th grade!

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.  Art Awareness Volunteer Sign Up Link 

 

Winter Wishes Program

Now through December 1

Help make a difference this holiday season for our families experiencing hardships or homelessness. The Indian Prairie Parents’ Council (IPPC) is, once again, partnering with District 204 to host the Winter Wishes Program. This program directly supports under-resourced families through collecting donations of gift cards to help families enjoy the holiday season.

Community members who would like to participate can visit the IPPC online store to purchase gift cards or make a donation for the purchase of the most needed gift cards that will be used to serve the greatest needs of our District 204 families this holiday season. The program runs through December 1. If you have questions about the program, please contact IPPC 1st VP and Unity Chair, Robin Schmidt at rschmidt99@gmail.com.

 

RESTAURANT NIGHTS FUNDRAISERS

Chop’d Restaurant: December 11, 11am-10pm, 12337 S Illinois Route 59, Plainfield

Dine at Chop’d and mention “Graham PTA” when ordering and 20% of sales will go back to Graham. 

 

UPCOMING PTA MEETING

GENERAL MEETING 12/7, 9:30am, Google Meet

 

• Guest Speaker- Laurie Donohue, President, IPSD 204 School Board

 

• PTA Meeting Link via Google Meet

 

GRAHAM PTA FACEBOOK PAGE:

Please take a moment to join the Graham PTA Facebook Page to stay in the loop on the latest PTA news, updates, and more!

 

Go Falcons!

The Graham PTA