✅ What CGS Families Need to Know ✅
📅 Upcoming Dates/Events
Friday, October 9th: NO SCHOOL - Staff Professional Development
Monday, October 12th: NO SCHOOL - October Break
Tuesday, October 13th: November Conference Sign-ups Open
Beginning of the Year Assessment Reports Shared
Tuesday, October 20th: Picture Retake Day
Wednesday, October 21st: K-5 Literacy Night, 5:30-7 (Flyer)
Saturday, October 24th: Sensory Garden Family Build Day #1, 8AM-12PM (more information below)
November 4th, 5th, & 6th: Fall Conferences – Early dismissal (11:40am) all three days
Wednesday, November 25th: Early Dismissal (11:40AM)
November 26th & 27th: NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break
Coventry Public Schools 26/27 District Calendar
✅ To Dos
Visit The Learning Corner section of this update to find questions you can ask to engage in a conversation with your child about what they learned and enjoyed in specials classes (art, music, PE, and STEAM) over the past few weeks!
🙋 Volunteer Opportunities
CGS Sensory Garden Family Build Day
We’re looking for family members willing to help us build Phase #1 of our CGS Sensory Garden/outdoor learning & regulation space. Consider joining us on Saturday 10/24 from 8AM-12PM. You can find more information and the RSVP link below!
OCTOBER Cafeteria/Lunch Duty Volunteering - Sign-up NOW OPEN!
Sign-up hereBe Flippy the Mascot
Flippy Sign-Up Genius
Parent/family volunteers are an important part of what makes Coventry Grammar School such a special place. Whether you're helping in a classroom or lunch room, supporting a special event, joining us on a field trip, or lending a hand behind the scenes, we are grateful for your partnership!
Annually, all volunteers must review our Volunteer Guidelines and Procedures and complete the electronic acknowledgment form. This only takes a few minutes and helps ensure a safe, positive, and consistent experience for everyone.
In future newsletters, this will be a place where volunteer opportunities are highlighted!
A Note from Mrs. Hammer
Exciting News & Volunteer Call: CGS Sensory Garden Family Build Day!
Remember back in the spring when we shared the exciting news that two of our very own CGS teachers—Ms. White and Mrs. Hazzard—won a Coventry Public Schools Innovative Grant for their project, "Growing Together: A Sensory, Educational, and Edible School Garden"? Well, the excitement keeps growing! Thanks to a new partnership with Farm to School, this amazing project is expanding even further to bring an even richer experience to our courtyard.
What is the CGS Sensory Garden?
This outdoor space is being designed as an outdoor, interactive living learning and co-regulation space. It will give our students a dedicated place to explore, observe, and connect with nature using all five senses—supporting both their academic learning and their emotional well-being throughout the school day.
We Need Your Helping Hands!
We cannot bring this wonderful outdoor exploration space to life without our incredible CGS community. We invite you and your family to join us as we roll up our sleeves for Phase #1 Family Build Day!
📅 Date: Saturday, October 24th
⏰ Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Location: CGS Courtyard
Whether you can lend a hand for an hour or stay for the whole morning, every bit of help makes a difference for our students.
Next Steps
For more details about the day. Be sure to complete the RSVP form so we can properly prepare for materials and tools.
Can’t Volunteer This Time But Still Want to Help?
We’re accepting donations of seeds (now) and live plants (in the spring)! We’re also planning a spring build day to tackle Phase #2.
We can't wait to work alongside our CGS families to make this space a reality!
When sending an email communication to me, please also include Mrs. Morrison (kmorrison@coventryct.org).
The Learning Corner
Ask Me About…
From the Art Room:
Ask your Kindergartener about how to use scissors safely.
Ask your First Grader about the types of lines they learned.
Ask your Second Grader about their James Rizzi Character Buildings.
From the Gym:
Ask your Kindergartener how they increased their heart rate by “catching a ghost” in PE.
Ask your First grader how they increased their heart rate in “flag tag”.
Ask your Second Grader how they increased their heart rate in “capture the flag”.
From STEAM:
Ask your First Grader what they learned about plastic pollution in the ocean, what “microplastics” are, and why things are made of plastic.
Ask your Second Grader about the codes they are learning to use on ScratchJr. ( the ‘trigger’ and repeat forever codes) and what characters/target/background they choose when making their own coded game.
From the Music Room:
Ask your Kindergartener to sing the song “Listen, listen, here I come; someone special gets the drum.”
Ask your First Grader to show you the difference between their speaking voice and singing voice.
Ask your Second Grader to sing the song “I Have Lost My Closet Key.”
Note: On music class days, please have students wear sneakers or shoes that stay securely on their feet (avoid crocs or flip flops). Thank you!
CGS PTO News & Events
Scholastic Book Fair THANK YOU
Thank you to everyone who volunteered and supported our Book Fair during Open House! These events would not be possible without the incredible support of our CGS community. We truly appreciate all who helped make it a success!
Lyman Orchards Pie Fundraiser
We are accepting orders through 10/14! Pies will be delivered frozen to CGS and will be available for pickup on November 16th from 4:00-6:00 PM. Don't miss your chance to stock up for the holiday season!
You can always reach out to the PTO at cgsptoct@gmail.com for any PTO related questions, concerns, or ideas to strengthen our school community!
Reach out to the PTO at cgsptoct@gmail.com for any PTO related questions, concerns, or ideas to strengthen our school community!
A Peek Inside Our Week
Check out the photo gallery to step right into the excitement, learning, and connections made this week. The energy in our building is so high, you’ll feel like you were right there with us!
Some highlights include: Meteorologist Mike Slifer’s visit to Grade 2, our first annual walk-a-thon, and our whole school firehouse field trip!
We encourage you to take a look together with your child to spark some great conversations about their week.
Meet Our Coventry Grammar School Staff
This week, we’re putting a “spotlight” on:
Ms. Eileen St . Jacques (Kindergarten teacher & new to CGS)
Mrs. Kaitlyn Morse (Nurse & keeper of the bandaids and tooth treasure chests)
Mrs. Melissa Klopfer (Building substitute & in-house comedian)
Click the links above to learn more about each staff member personally and professionally, as well as put a face to some of the adults your child(ren) may come home talking about!
CGS Walk-a-Thon Recap
On Tuesday morning, our school community came together for our inaugural “Coins, Community, and Kindness Walk-a-Thon.” We are overflowing with gratitude for the overwhelming generosity of our students and families!
After two weeks of fundraising, here are our final totals:
Kindergarten: $401.48
Grade 1: $419.40
Grade 2: $470.76
Grand Total: $1,291.64!
(These numbers include a $100 match donation awarded to each grade for reaching their $100 goal!)
We can’t wait to see how our graduating 2nd Graders put their $470 to work to positively impact the world. Be sure to look out for our upcoming press release for event photos and full story details!
September Attendance Celebration
We are so proud of our students for starting the school year strong! Regular attendance is an important part of student success because being at school each day gives children consistent opportunities to learn new skills, participate in classroom activities, build positive relationships, and develop routines that help them feel confident and connected at school!
We are excited to celebrate our students who had 100% attendance throughout the month of September!
Kindergarten: 59 students
1st Grade: 51 students
2nd Grade: 73 students
That’s an incredible 183 students who were at school every day in September! As a special celebration, all 183 students will earn an extra recess as a way to recognize their commitment to being at school and ready to learn!
Way to go, CGS!!! We are so proud of our students and families for making regular school attendance a priority! Keep up the great work!!