Volume 5, Issue 4 November 27, 2013

1. Volume 5, Issue 4 November 27, 2013 It is hard to believe that we are going into December already. Before you know it, we will be into 2014 and our second semester! We will be working hard to keep the students and ourselves focused on student learning during these next three weeks. We will also be hoping that the holidays are extra special for you and your family and that you have two great weeks while the children are home on Christmas vacation. We are planning activities in preparation for the holidays. The annual Christmas Program will be on December 11th at 7:00 p.m. Santa’s Secret Shop will be set up again this year. We will send a note home with the students once we know the details. This is always an exciting time for the students to shop for gifts for those special people. Mrs. Schrock will be taking the vocal music students out into the community for a couple of performances. The K-4th grade will go Christmas caroling in Graymont and the 5th-8th grade will visit a nearby nursing home on December 19th. We will also have Christmas parties on December 20th starting at 1:15 p.m. We will dismiss at 2:00 p.m. that day. School will resume on January 6th. In case of inclement weather, make sure you listen to the following stations for school closings and early dismissals: • WJBC 1230 AM Bloomington • WTRX 93.7 FM Pontiac • WBWN 104.1 FM Bloomington • WBNQ 101.5 FM Bloomington • WEEK TV 25 Peoria, Bloomington • HOI TV 19 Peoria We will have a lot of things going on after Christmas vacation. Boy’s basketball will be continuing, Girl’s volleyball will be starting, and Scholastic Bowl will begin their matches in February. Lots of core standards will be taught in the classrooms and our preparation for the annual ISAT tests will be in full swing. There is always a lot of excitement in the air during the holiday season. Our thoughts of thanksgiving turn into the expectation of Christmas. It is easy to spend the bulk of our time thinking about presents we want to give or to get. I always try to remember this quotation by an unknown author during this time of year, “he who has little and says it is enough has more than he who has much and wants more.” Here’s hoping that all of us can spend more time focusing on our many blessings during this Christmas season and not let the stresses of our lists take away from our joy. Thanks in advance for your continued support for the school district and the youth of this community. Graymont School is looking forward to a great 2014! Happy holidays!! Bill James NEWSLETTER: December 2013 Graymont Grade School Newsletter