Important Dates
SEP 7-8: Labor Day (No School)
SEP 25: Snack Store
SEP 28: PTO Meeting (3:35 PM)
SEP 30: Fall Pictures
Breakfast and Lunch Menus
Click here to see the online breakfast and lunch menus
Grab-and-Go Breakfast
Morning Arrival
We kindly ask that students head directly to the cafeteria for breakfast as soon as they arrive at school. There's no need to hang up their backpacks, as this only reduces their time to savor a healthy breakfast before starting their day.
Please Note: Any student who chooses to go to the playground without having breakfast first will not be permitted to return to the cafeteria once the school day begins at 7:55 AM. We encourage you to motivate your child to take advantage of the FREE, healthy options provided by our fantastic cafeteria staff before embarking on their day of learning.
Breakfast Schedule
In an effort to minimize class time missed by students, GDE is introducing a Grab-and-Go Breakfast available after 7:55 AM. This will be a convenient, easy-to-eat item that tardy students can take to their classrooms to enjoy
Hot Tray Breakfast: Ends at 7:55 AM
Grab-and-Go Items: Served after 7:55 AM
Possible Grab-and-Go Items: Whole Grain Donuts, Whole Grain Honeybuns, Whole Grain Poptarts, Whole Grain Waffles, or Whole Grain Muffins (Juice and milk are provided).
Outdoor Classroom
To celebrate the opening of our Outdoor Classroom, we are inviting families to participate in a special fundraising opportunity. Students can create a personalized stepping stone that will become a permanent part of our Outdoor Classroom pathway. Each stepping stone is $25, and this is a wonderful way for students to leave their mark while supporting the continued growth and enhancement of this exciting learning space.
Specials Color Days
Keep track of your student's specials rotation for September using the color schedule below!
🟥
Red Days: Sept 15, Sept 23
🟧 Orange Days: Sept 16, Sept 24
🟨 Yellow Days: Sept 1, Sept 9, Sept 17, Sept 25
🟩 Green Days: Sept 2, Sept 10, Sept 18, Sept 28
🟦 Blue Days: Sept 3, Sept 11, Sept 21, Sept 29
🟪 Purple Days: Sept 4, Sept 14, Sept 22, Sept 30
⬛ No School: Sept 7, Sept 8
Meet Your Specials Teachers
Get to know the educators leading our special classes and supporting our students this year!
Mrs. April Jones (Librarian): This is her 5th year as the Librarian at GDE and 13th year in the library field. She holds degrees from Columbia University and Valdosta State University. She loves Gravette, all things sports, traveling, naps, comedy, and snacks.
Mrs. Brandi Hall (Library Assistant): She is excited to help students grow in fun, creative ways in the library. Her favorites include reading, baking, iced coffee, and chocolate chip cookies. She has two cats and one dog, and her motto is "Be kind, be curious, be you!"
Coach Melissa Pittman (P.E.): This is her 16th year at Gravette and 24th year teaching. She holds degrees from the University of the Ozarks and the University of Arkansas. Her favorites include Italian food, Dr. Pepper Zero Sugar, the season of Fall, basketball, and traveling.
Coach Douglas (Health): This is his 3rd year at GDE and 6th year in education. He graduated from the University of Arkansas and also coaches JH Girls Basketball and Varsity Track. His favorites include steak, Coca-Cola, the Boston Celtics, walking his dog Charlene, and attending Razorback games.
Mrs. Brandi Brown (Art): This is her 6th year as the GDE Art Teacher and 14th year in education. She lives with her husband, two children (Asher and Keeley), and two dogs. Her favorite things include coffee, Reese's, Lions Football, thrifting, and Amazon.
Ms. Sharnetta Campbell (Music): This is her 1st year as a full-time teacher, having graduated from the University of Arkansas. A clarinet and saxophone player, she loves sharing her passion for music. Her favorites include sushi, iced coffee, reading, the color pink, and her two cats.
Mrs. Crystal Daubenmire (Keyboarding): This is her 14th year in the district and 1st year teaching keyboarding. She holds a degree from the University of Arkansas. Her hobbies include gardening, sewing, and crafting, and her favorites are seafood, Dr. Pepper, and the colors pink and turquoise.
Ms. Baker (Counselor): This is her 5th year as the GDE counselor and 26th year in education. She holds degrees from Missouri Southern State University. She is expecting her 10th grandchild in January and loves photography, dark chocolate, and Sonic water with extra cherry and raspberry.
Art News
What We Learned This Month
Students explored the art studio by learning room expectations and completing a scavenger hunt.
Classes embraced the idea that there are no mistakes in art, only "happy accidents" and "beautiful oops".
Artists created their very own sketchbooks to keep in the art room and use for early-finisher activities throughout the year.
Students were challenged to collaborate and share creative ideas, which helps build confidence and discover new ways to express creativity.
International Dot Day: September 15th
We are celebrating creativity, courage, and making your mark, based on the book The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds.
Students from K-8th grades will be participating.
Wear dots on your clothes, shoes, hair, or anywhere you can to see how creative we can be.
Something big is happening, as we are hinting at a record being broken!
Important Reminders & Dates
September 7: Labor Day.
September 12: National Arts in Education Week.
We will get messy in art, as having "artist hands" is part of the creative process.
Almost everything can be cleaned up, so students are encouraged not to be afraid to experiment and have fun.
Be on the lookout for information regarding a possible after school Art Club.
Recyclables Wanted!
The GDE Library is collecting clear plastic water and soda bottles for an upcoming project, and we need your help gathering supplies. Deliver to Mrs. Jones
Donating your rinsed, empty bottles with their lids intact provides our students with materials for hands-on learning activities. Please ensure the bottles are smaller than 2-liter sizes. Repurposing these everyday items allows our kids to practice resourcefulness while engaging in new activities in the library.
Get ready for our upcoming school events with these latest updates on the GDE Snack Store and our 2026-2027 birthday celebrations!
Snack Store
All proceeds go directly toward supporting our amazing school staff, helping provide resources, recognition, and appreciation for the hard work they do every day.
More information regarding the opening will be sent home soon!
Birthday Celebrations: Treat Days
If you would like, please send a treat to help us celebrate your student's birthday! We will be celebrating on the following designated Treat Days for the 2026-2027 school year:
Month | Treat Day Date |
September | 25 |
October | 30 |
November | 20 |
December | 18 |
January | 29 |
February | 12 |
March | 19 |
April | 30 |
May | 14 |
GDE Picture Day
📸 Picture Day for Glenn A. Duffy Elementary is coming up on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, with online pre-ordering now available through Wagner Portrait Group. Families can order photo packages ahead of time to capture memories of their children this school year.
📅 Date: Wednesday, September 30, 2026 📍 Location: Glenn A. Duffy Elementary 💳 Order Online Here: www.gravetteschools.net/gde-picture-day
Please send your child ready for photos on Picture Day so every student is included in these school resources. You can also order directly at www.wagnerportraitgroup.com using passcode 5F2U4W9S.
Thank you for supporting our school and helping make Picture Day a success. We look forward to seeing those smiling faces on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.
PTO Updates & Events
Sunshine Cart Looking for a fun way to thank our teachers & staff? Sign up to host the Sunshine Cart!
Upcoming PTO Events
Homeroom Parent Mixer: September 3rd @ 3:45 PM
Fall Festival Meeting: September 15th @ 3:45 PM
Committee Members Needed Help make our Fall Festival a success! Sign up to join a committee and help today.
Staff Lounge Update Check out the newly refreshed teacher lounge space!
Let's Connect!
Email: glennduffy.pto@gmail.com
Facebook: Glenn A. Duffy Elementary PTO
GDE PTO Board
Tiffany Owens: President
Chelsea Thomas: Vice President
Sylvia Casady: Treasurer
Megan Rutledge: Homeroom Parent Coordinator
Kristy Johnston: Member At-Large
