Today, we join other schools and communities across the nation in celebrating National Inclusion and Special Education Day, a day dedicated to embracing and honoring the diversity that makes each of us unique.
Inclusion is more than just a word—it's a mindset and a commitment to creating environments where everyone feels respected, valued, and empowered. In schools, inclusion is vital because it ensures that every student, regardless of their background, or abilities, has the opportunity to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
Here’s why inclusion is so important in schools:
1) Fosters Empathy and Understanding: When we learn and grow alongside peers from diverse backgrounds, we develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for different perspectives. --
2) Builds Stronger Communities: Inclusive classrooms and schools promote unity and teach us that we are stronger when we work together. --
3) Empowers Everyone to Succeed: When students feel included, they are more confident, engaged, and motivated to reach their full potential. --
4) Prepares Us for the Future: In an increasingly global and diverse world, learning to collaborate and respect differences is a skill that benefits everyone. -
Today, let’s recommit to being kind, supportive, and inclusive. Whether it’s reaching out to someone new, standing up against exclusion, or simply being a good listener, every action counts. Together, we can make our school a place where everyone belongs, because All means All.
You may see our schools' educators wearing our inclusion day shirts, "Y'all means All" . We hope to embrace that as we move our students forward in the inclusive environments we are all striving to help create in Gravette schools.
Warm regards,
Tyler A. Matlock, Ed.S
Director of Special Education
Gravette School District
Christmas Countdown Dress-Up Days Start Next Week! Starting Monday, we’re celebrating the season with themed dress-up days each school day. Don’t forget to plan your festive outfits and join us in spreading holiday cheer!
🏆 We have a winner! 🦃✨ Congratulations on creating this creative turkey disguise, voted by our school families! This turkey is officially SAFE from Thanksgiving dinner! Thank you to everyone who participated and voted – what a fun way to celebrate creativity and teamwork!
Over 130 different clothing items are held in Lost and Found right now! If you haven't stopped by to grab your stuff, you may want to pay a visit before the break! Lots of warm coats and sweaters that will come in handy as the temperature continues to drop. Check the images below to see what's being held. Visit this link to see the pictures in more detail: https://www.gravetteschools.net/lostandfound
Wild Game Snack Sticks Donated to Glenn Duffy Elementary
Glenn Duffy Elementary was thrilled to receive a donation from Arkansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry—600 packages of wild game snack sticks! This means every student at GDE gets to enjoy this nutritious and filling snack.
Thank you Arkansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry for this wonderful gift to our kids!
Hey Parents! Our Lost & Found is overflowing with items waiting to be reunited with their owners. Please take a moment to check the Lost & Found and help your kiddos recover anything that might have gone missing. Let's clear it out so these lost items can find their way home! 🏠
Your Vote can Save a Turkey!
Our first graders and their families got creative with a fun project: disguising turkeys to keep them safe from Thanksgiving dinner! Now, it's your turn to decide which turkey has the best disguise! Visit our Facebook post here and cast your vote by liking your favorite turkey disguise: https://www.facebook.com/GlennDuffyElementary/posts/pfbid0ao2AK7hAUmGqwWxyYqDLzWtX9kTEoXBe8RZZyqQyb8aJHyyiLah6qJksqbHBNuLEl
The turkey with the most likes by Friday, November 22 will win a prize and be officially marked SAFE for Thanksgiving!
Check out the photos and cast your vote by hitting like on your favorite turkey in disguise.
Don’t forget! Our parent meeting for Title 1 is happening tomorrow, November 21, from 7:45 to 8:15 AM at the Lion Community Learning Center (located beside the administration building). This is your chance to talk academic support, student goals, and explore how to get involved supporting your child’s education. We look forward to seeing you there and partnering together for student success! https://www.gravetteschools.net/title1
All are welcome to join us on Nov 21 at 7:45am for coffee and breakfast snacks while we discuss the Title I Program at Glenn Duffy Elementary, Upper Elementary, and Gravette Middle School. We will give an overview of the program, discuss student goals, share parental involvement opportunities, and there will be a Q&A session. We will have representatives from all three schools, so all parents are welcome!
Title I is a federally funded program that provides extra academic support to students in the areas of reading and/or math. One of the goals of the program is to improve the academic achievement of the students who struggle the most. The purpose of the title is to ensure that all children have an equal and significant opportunity to obtain a high-quality education. According to the U.S. Department of Education, students should be able to reach, at minimum, proficiency on the challenging state academic assessments and standards.
Join us Nov 21 at 7:45am in the Lion Community Center (beside administration building). The meeting will last around 30 minutes.
We're hiring bus drivers and we'll pay for training! If you know anyone who needs a great part-time job with flexible hours, health and retirement benefits, and opportunities for additional hours, send them to https://www.gravetteschools.net/drive and fill out an application today.
Yesterday our kids put on a special Veterans Day Program for our Veteran family and community members. 1st and 2nd sang On Veteran's Day, by Karl Hitzemann. Kindergarten sang Veterans March, by Teresa Jennings. A special guest speaker , Zac Turnbill, talked to the children about his experience in the Marine Corps. Adalyn, Gabriel, and Gemma each read a heartfelt thank you message for the whole crowd. Thank you to the kids for a great show and for families for coming out to see them perform.
📚🧡 Celebrating National School Psychologist Week 🧡📚
✨ A huge THANK YOU to our amazing school psychologist Mike Williams!! ✨
Mike's dedication to ensuring every student receives the support and evaluations they need makes such a difference. From meeting with students and parents to collaborating with teachers, his work ensures that every child has the opportunity to succeed. We’re incredibly grateful for Mike's compassion, expertise, and commitment to the well-being of our school community. Thank you, Mike, for being such an advocate for our students and for making our school a better place each day! #NationalSchoolPsychologistWeek #LionPride
Mrs. Hunter’s Pre-K class worked on a creative project to share appreciation for our veterans! Happy Veterans Day from our littlest learners! #LionPride🦁🟠⚫🇺🇸
On Veterans Day we recognize the remarkable men and women who have served their country. From those on the front lines to those providing critical support behind the scenes, every service member forms a network of strength, skills, and resilience that keeps our armed forces operating and defending us all. Today, we express our gratitude for every veteran, in every role, who has contributed to safeguarding our freedom and well-being. Thank you for your service.
"On Veterans Day we honor all,
Who answered to a service call.
Soldiers young, and soldiers old,
Fought for freedom, brave and bold.
Some have lived, while others died,
And all of them deserve our pride. "
- “Veterans Day” by Cheryl Dyson
This week, our library became an exciting hub of civic engagement as students learned all about the voting process! Each class participated in an election to choose their favorite tissue box book character, casting votes for their grade’s top choice. Thank you to everyone who joined in on the fun and made this experience memorable. Our students absolutely loved getting involved in this unique activity.
Glenn Duffy Students are learning all about civics this week 🗳️
Miss Bayley's class held their mock election yesterday with sweet treats! Students learned about their right to vote, then chose between chocolate chip, frosted, and stuffed cookies. 🍪 Chocolate chip won by just one vote! Today the kids will share the winning flavor as a whole class united. #LionPride
🗳️Today was voting day in Mrs. Crawford’s class! The kindergartners learned all about the voting process by reading "Duck for President". They had a lively discussion about the pros and cons of each candidate: 🦆 **Candidate Duck**, known for his charismatic quacking and promise of all-you-can-eat snacks, vs. 🚜 **Candidate Farmer Brown**, who vowed to bring fresh veggies and farm-fresh eggs to every table. 🌽
After hearing the arguments, it was time to cast their votes! The ballots were counted, and **Duck won by one vote!** 🎉🦆 The students got to experience the excitement of a mini election, learning firsthand what it's like to exercise their right to vote. It was such a special day in the classroom! 🗳️
#FutureVoters #DuckForPresident #LionPride
🎃 The Pre-K Pumpkin Experience! 🎃
Last week our littlest learners explored pumpkins through the senses! 🍂✨
Each child got to reach inside a pumpkin, pull out its seeds, and describe what it felt like. (The most common word? "Squishy!" 😄) After a quick clean-up, the seeds were toasted, and the kids got to try them during snack time! 14 out of 19 loved them, with 5 asking for seconds! For quiet time, the children watched the Jack-o-Lantern flicker as they drifted to sleep for their nap. 🎃 Thank you Miss Betz for sharing!
Congrats to the 2nd Grade Teachers for winning the Pumpkin Decorating Contest! Thank you to everyone for all your effort and fun ideas! They were all decorated so creatively and the students really loved seeing them. See more from the decorating contest here: https://fb.watch/vzvzuus_P-/
October is Physical Therapy month and we did something to celebrate our very own, Bridget Johnson! She's in her 14th year of working with our kiddos in Gravette schools. Thank you Bridget, for your hard work and devotion to our students!
School-based physical therapy (PT) is a service that helps students with disabilities participate in their school environment and benefit from special education. PT helps students improve their mobility, balance, coordination, and strength. It can help them participate in activities like moving between classes, walking up and down stairs, using playground equipment, and maintaining sitting balance.
Physical Therapy Month is celebrated each October to raise awareness about the benefits of physical therapy, promote wellness and injury prevention, and recognize the contributions of physical therapists (PTs) and physical therapist assistants (PTAs).
