We hope you enjoy a well-deserved break filled with joy, relaxation, and cherished moments with loved ones. Whether you're staying close to home or traveling, may your holiday season be bright and full of wonderful memories.
You've all contributed to making this a fantastic start to the school year, and we couldn’t be prouder of our school community! We look forward to welcoming everyone back for the second semester, recharged and ready to continue our journey of learning and growth! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Looks like our Superintendent found himself at the center of a little... holiday magic yesterday. A couple mischievous elves snuck in and spread Christmas cheer all over the desk, the shelves, and the floor! They couldn’t help but to make themselves at home. 🎄
Maybe this was their way of showing appreciation for all the hard work and care Superintendent Mr. Gravette puts into our school district every day. His dedication to the community and his holiday spirit are truly inspiring, and we’re lucky to have him leading the way. Thank you, Mr. Gravette, for everything you do to make our school district a wonderful place for students, staff, and families alike! 🦁🧡 #LionPride
3rd grade is going to be stitching their own pet portraits beginning January 7th. Please send a physical picture of ONE of your pets that your child wishes to paint and stitch for their artwork. If a physical photo is not an option, please email a photo to Mrs. Knuckles at morgan.knuckles@gravetteschools.net with your student’s name and teacher name as the email subject.
If you do not have a pet, no worries! I will have plenty of animals for them to use as reference that they may choose from. Thank you for your support!
Every year Gravette Upper Elementary does a Read-a-thon fundraiser to raise money for The Gravette Shop with a Cop program. This year we raised $1,305. Maggie McClain raised over $600 by herself. We are very proud of the generosity of our Gravette family. Thanks to Mrs. Fitts for sharing!
Congratulations to our GUE Staff Members of the Month - Jennie Davis, 4th grade teacher and Cheryl Trapp, our Library Aide. Thank you for your dedication and the positive impact you make every day at Gravette Upper Elementary!
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
🚀✨ Last week, Mrs. Moore’s 4th grade class took coding and creativity to the next level! For their Thanksgiving Day parade project, students decorated balloons and attached them to the Wonder Workshop Cue robot, affectionately named Tony Stark 😂 They then instructed the robot to navigate an obstacle course representing the buildings of New York City. This hands-on project shows how learning can be fun and inspiring!
Through coding and robotics, kids aren’t just learning to control a robot – they’re building problem-solving skills, exercising their creativity, and developing critical thinking. By using tools like the Cue robot, which allows kids to transition from block-based coding to more advanced programming, they’re getting a head start in today’s tech-driven world. With endless possibilities for exploration, projects like these help prepare students for the future by showing how technology can integrate into real-world problem solving and innovation.
The future is bright when kids can code, create, and play their way into success! 💡🤖 #STEM #CodingForKids #TechInEducation #LionPride
Family Fun Night tomorrow, Thursday, November 21st! Bring the family and enjoy a night of Bingo and board games! Winning Bingo cards receive a prize! 5:30pm - 7:00pm in the GUE Cafeteria. Hope to see you all there!
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
If you're needing retakes on Picture Retake Day, December 5, be sure to order soon! There aren't always enough order forms to send home for every student so you may find the order form online as well at the following link: https://my.lifetouch.com/mylifetouch/pictureDayId/EVTPDGKQ6
Gravette Upper Elementary had the chance to travel to the high school and enjoy the play from Gravette High School's Theatre Program! For many of these young audience members, it was their very first experience with live theater. Mr. Galloway opened the presentation by telling the kids the High School Drama class chose to perform "Rhubarb Jam" specifically because Elementary students would enjoy the colorful, high-energy play.
Not only did they get to enjoy a fantastic show, but they also saw what’s possible for them in the future as part of our school’s theater program. It was a wonderful way for younger students to connect with their older peers and be inspired by the dedication and talent on stage. Thank you to our high school actors and crew for sharing the magic of theater with these bright young minds! #LionPride
Learn more about the play here: https://www.gravetteschools.net/rhubarb
Show Times:
Saturday, Nov 16- 7pm
Sunday, Nov 17- 2pm
Tickets:
Adults - $5
Under 8 - $2
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.
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
Congratulations to Mrs. Robinson at Upper Elementary on her $500 award from Arvest Bank's “We Love Teachers” initiative!
With this generous gift from Arvest, Mrs. Robinson will expand our calming centers and provide sensory-friendly resources to help students develop essential self-regulation and conflict-resolution skills. These resources give our kids the tools they need to find calm, focus, and confidence—skills they’ll carry far beyond the classroom.
Dr. Barrett nominated Mrs. Robinson because of her true passion and dedication to our students. In addition to being a devoted counselor, she also runs leadership programs including Business Buddies. This program has local professionals, including one of our very own Arvest moms, engage with students to explore different fields and gain hands-on insights into economics and business.
A special thanks to Arvest Bank for recognizing the importance of counselors like Mrs. Robinson. Your support reminds us all of the critical role counselors play in helping our children thrive. 💙 #ArvestLovesTeachers #LionPride
It's not too late to order your school pictures. You can get 10% off School Picture orders with LifeTouch with the code: F202410OFF at https://click.m.lifetouch.com/?qs=995a363a3980560eca994bbe425c7fddd3a00d19316e6af5f9cf16adbbe82c262b8c34c7d650530461aa68162a4d18a49d507e62d842446a5d006409914bbac2
Family Fun Night on Thursday, November 21st! Bring the family and enjoy a night of Bingo and board games! Winning Bingo cards receive a prize! 5:30pm - 7:00pm in the GUE Cafeteria.
To wrap up Red Ribbon Week, our students had the incredible experience of watching local law enforcement K9 units in action! Officers introduced their highly trained K9 partners and demonstrated how these amazing dogs help protect our community by tracking contraband and keeping schools safe.
What an amazing display of dedication, teamwork, and trust between officers and their K9s as they work together to prevent drug abuse. A huge thank you to our law enforcement partners for helping us make this Red Ribbon Week one to remember! ❤️
#RedRibbonWeek #SayNoToDrugs #LionPride #CommunitySafety #DrugAwareness
Three students won the school bus coloring contest for School Bus Safety Week! Hayden from 3rd grade, Pine from 4th grade, and Megan from 5th grade. Their prize was a Gift Card to Walmart. Through this coloring contest, students were given a creative way to engage with important safety practices like staying seated, crossing safely, and respecting the bus driver’s instructions. This contest gave children the space to explore safety concepts in a hands-on way, reinforcing their understanding of how to stay safe in and around school buses. Events like this not only celebrate young artists but also help instill lifelong habits that protect students on their daily rides to and from school.
October 21st through the 25th is School Bus Safety Week! 🚌 🛑
School safety starts at the bus stop. Share these tips with your children:
⌚ Arrive at the bus stop five minutes early.
🚏 Stand five giant steps away from the curb.
🚌 Wait until the bus stops, the door opens, and the driver says it’s okay before stepping onto the bus.
Thank you for working together to keep kids safe! Thank you to our transportation staff for their diligence and service!
