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Important Dates
September 1 – Labor Day (No School)
September 25 – Fall Pictures
September 26 – Snack Store
September 30 – Blanket Fundraiser Ends
Our Focus: Leader in Me
Welcome to our monthly Leader in Me newsletter! Through the Leader in Me framework, we aim to empower every student with leadership and life skills. By fostering a culture of collaboration, responsibility, and personal growth, we ensure that every child realizes their unique potential.
Habit of Focus: Be Proactive
Take responsibility for your own actions, choices, and attitudes!
Student Takeaways:
Take responsibility for my actions and choices instead of blaming others.
Focus on what I can control and choose a positive attitude.
Think before I act and take initiative to solve problems.
At-Home Activity:
Create a “Responsibility Chart” with daily tasks (chores, homework). Let your child check off completed tasks. Discuss how taking ownership feels rewarding and how their choices impact the family.
Leader at Home Tips:
Model the habits: talk about how to use the 7 Habits in your own life.
Empower decision-making: let your child make choices and reflect on outcomes.
Celebrate growth: acknowledge when your child demonstrates leadership.
Breakfast and Lunch Menus
Outdoor Classroom & Blanket Fundraiser
We’re excited to share the progress on our outdoor classroom! The fence is nearly complete, and our planning committee has been hard at work designing a space where students can learn and explore in nature.
To help fund the next phase, we’re launching a custom Gravette Lions blanket fundraiser. Cozy, custom blankets are just $30 and will be delivered in mid-October.
Sales end September 30.
Meet Your Specials Teachers
Ms. Baker – Counselor
This is my fifth year as the counselor at Glenn Duffy Elementary and my 25th year in education. I graduated from Missouri Southern State University with a bachelor of science in education and hold two master’s degrees, one in Elementary Administration and the other in Counseling.
Favorites: Color – Red | Drink – Sonic Water w/ Extra Cherry & Raspberry | Snack – Soy Sauce & Wasabi Almonds, Dark Chocolate | Hobby – Photography
Birthday: January 27
Fun Fact: Loves spending time with her nine grandchildren.
Mrs. Brandi Brown – Art Teacher
This is my fifth year as the Art Teacher at Glenn Duffy Elementary and my 15th year in education. I live in Gravette with my husband, Austen, and our children, Asher and Keeley, along with our dogs Ajsha and Willow.
Favorites: Color – Blue | Holiday – Christmas | Food – Sandwiches/Sushi | Hobby – Thrifting | Book – The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran | Movie – What Dreams May Come | Season – Fall | Store – Goodwill Outlet | Sport – Volleyball/Softball | Smell – Citrus | Animal – Monkey | Game – Catch Phrase
Wishlist: Baby wipes, Sharpies (colored/black), Kwik Stix, glitter crayons, metallic tempera paint, paint pens/markers, glitter glue, bingo ink dobbers.
Coach Douglas – Outdoor Pursuits
This is my second year at Glenn Duffy Elementary and my fifth year in education. I graduated from the University of Arkansas in 2021 with a degree in K-12 PE and Health.
Favorites: Food – Steak | Drink – Coca-Cola | Team – Boston Celtics
Coaching: JH Girls Basketball Head Coach, Varsity Track Assistant Coach
Hobbies: Walking his dog, Charlene, and attending Arkansas Razorback games.
Mrs. Hamilton – Music Teacher
This is my fifth year teaching in Gravette and seventh year overall. I earned my Bachelor of Music Education from John Brown University. My husband and I have two daughters and a dog named Maizie.
Favorites: Season – Fall | Color – All of them! | Drink – Gingerbread Latte | Food – Sushi and soup
Fun Facts: Loves the outdoors, fishing, hiking, and flannel shirts. Currently learning to play the cello. Enjoys dancing and dance parties.
Coach Melissa Pittman – P.E.
This is my 15th year at Gravette and my 23rd year in teaching. I earned my degree in Kinesiology from the University of the Ozarks and completed my Master’s in Physical Education at the University of Arkansas in 2015.
Favorites: Food – Italian | Hobby – Travel | Drink – Coke Zero | Season – Fall | Sport – Basketball | Subject – P.E. | Color – Pink & Orange | Animal – Dog
Family: Parker, Palmer, and Liam
Mrs. April Jones – Librarian
This is my fourth year as the Librarian at Glenn Duffy Elementary, my fifth year in education, and my twelfth year in the library field. I graduated from Columbia University in 2017 with a Bachelor’s in Business and from Valdosta State University in 2021 with a Master’s in Library and Information Science.
Favorites: Loves to travel, sports, working out, and fruit.
Family: Two children who attend Gravette Schools.
Did You Know? – Snack Store
All proceeds from our snack store go directly toward supporting our school staff. Funds help provide resources, recognition, and appreciation for the hard work they do every day.
More information will be sent home soon!
Monthly Spirit Days
Show your school spirit each month by dressing up with the theme! Students can also wear their official Glenn Duffy Elementary 2025–2026 school shirt.
September 4 – Gravette Colors (Orange & Black)
October 2 – Halloween-Themed Spirit Wear
November 6 – Thanksgiving/Fall or Christmas Spirit Wear
February 5 – Valentine’s Day Spirit Wear
March 5 – St. Patrick’s Day or Vacation Theme
April 2 – Easter or Spring Spirit Wear
Order shirts at: gravetteschools.net/gde25shirts
Contact Us
📧 gde.office@gravetteschools.net
📞 (479) 787-4100 ext. 5