Hello Graham Families!

 

We hope you and your students had a fantastic first full week of school and a restful long holiday weekend. Special thanks to Jill Manesh for organizing the Back to School Lunch for the Graham staff and thank you to all those who donated food, drinks, and money to make it happen! The teachers and staff were very appreciative.  We are excited to announce that the PTA will again be paying for all Scholastic News subscriptions and student planners for Graham students for the 2023-24 school year!

 

MEMBERSHIP

Our goal is 100% parent and staff membership this year, so please consider joining us, as 

membership 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

Please refer to the attached document “Membership Flier” for more info. 

 

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

 

SPIRIT WEAR FUNDRAISER
Now through THIS FRIDAY September 7th!

Our Graham spirit wear store is now live! We have fun new designs and items to suit every falcon in your family. Last day to order is September 7th! Orders will be available for pickup at the school the week of 9/25. Link to order: https://grahamelementary.itemorder.com/

 

FALCON FUNDRAISER

9/18-9/29

Get ready, Falcons!  Our LARGEST PTA fundraiser of the year is just around the corner. The committee has been hard at work preparing for a ton of fun for the kiddos!  We have so many amazing prizes for this year’s raffle, TWO grand prizes, and a carnival on 10/2 for the kids to celebrate.  More information will be shared in backpacks soon!  If you have any questions, please reach out to Jen Cortese Jennifer.l.cortese@gmail.com

 

ART AWARENESS

Volunteers Needed!!!

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. An orientation session for all new and returning volunteers will occur virtually, with a pending orientation date to follow. Contact Heather High at willow1222@hotmail.com for more information.

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

 

ROOM PARENTS - NEED 1W, 3W, 4G, 4L

September 14, 9:30am Orientation via Google Meet

https://www.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/10C0C4CACAF2AA4FD0-classroom 

To all room parents that have already signed up, we will be having a virtual meeting on

September 14 at 9:30am on Google Meet to go over everything you need to know to get started on planning for Harvest Party! Please email Tracie Skindzier at tracielange@hotmail.com if you

have any questions.

Meeting orientation link: https://meet.google.com/umu-dhoj-wam

 

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: https://meet.google.com/umu-dhoj-wam

 

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 beginning September 11. 

 

RESTAURANT NIGHTS FUNDRAISERS

DAIRY QUEEN: September 13, 12pm-Close, Plainfield-Naperville Rd. Location

Mark your calendar and come support Graham by purchasing a frozen DQ treat! Mention Graham at check out and they will generously give back 20% of all sales this day. Please note this fundraiser is for the DQ location at 2547 Plainfield-Naperville Rd. 

 

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!

 

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#/ 

 

UPCOMING PTA MEETING

WELCOME BACK GENERAL MEETING

September 7, 9:30am, Graham MPR

Come join us in the Multi Purpose Room (MPR) for our first general PTA meeting of the year! Coffee, bagels, and pastries will be provided, as well as time to mingle and meet new faces. Please note, all other PTA meetings this year will be conducted via Google Meet.

 

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