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Dear Graden Parents: Welcome to Graden Elementary School's web site. We are a school of approximately 450 students, spanning grades K-5th in the Park Hill School District. The walls of the original 1935 two-room schoolhouse are still visible in places, recalling a rich sixty-year history of educating children. Graden Hornets take great pride in their achievements. We are proud to be a 2000-2001 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence and a Missouri Gold Star school in 2000-2001 and 2002-2003. Each morning, Graden students begin their day with the Graden student pledge: "Today I will do my best to be the best. I will listen. I will follow directions. I will respect the rights of others. I can learn. I will learn." This pledge sets the pace for a learning environment that is centered on high expectations for student behavior and achievement.... a place where children and families love to be. Children are the heart of Graden Elementary School. Committed teachers and staff, devoted parents, and a strong community work together to provide positive academic and social experiences that promote leadership skills, creativity, and responsibility in our students. Teachers and students bring Graden's vision statement to life, working together as a family to build challenging and creative learning environment to meet the diverse needs of every student. Throughout the year, our students participate in a variety of special events, which help them to grow and mature physically and mentally. Each grade level chooses various field trips that take students to one of the many interesting events in Kansas City. Each year, we visit the American Royal and Rodeo, Kaleidoscope, the Kansas City Zoo, SIM City, the Festival of Cultures, Mt. Gilead School, and other prominent Kansas City sites. In addition, our librarian invites many guest readers and authors to visit our school to share their love of reading with us, as well as sponsoring opportunities to attend Literature Festivals. Our Music teacher sponsors a fifth grade choir that performs several times during the year. Our P.E. teacher plans a field day for each for each grade level and not to mention the Haunted Gym and Fun Day! All of our young artists display their work at the Graden Art Show and the District Art Fair. Our P. T. A. sponsors an annual science fair, book fairs, math-a-thon, and cultural arts assemblies. Our fourth and fifth grade students participate in building and district-wide math and spelling bees. Our second and third grade students compete in a nation wide math and logic contest. Our parents "Chat and Chew" with students in grades two through five, as they share a picnic lunch and review an award winning book each month. Those are just some of the great activities we enjoy at Graden. The Graden family is encouraged to know that we are helping prepare Graden students to be in charge of the world someday in the future, and we know that they will make it an even better place to be. Sincerely, LuAnn Halverstadt |
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Mrs.
Halverstadt's Parent Bulletin information can now be found on |
