A Note From the Office:
Blueprint 220 Update:
Community members will have two additional opportunities this month to learn more about Blueprint 220:

Monday, Dec. 11^th (1 p.m.-2 p.m.): Join Dr. Brian Harris and Barrington 220 Board of Education Member Penny Kazmier for a LIVE Facebook video chat. This is your chance to learn more about Blueprint 220 from the comfort of your home or office and get your questions answered in real time. To join the conversation, head to the Barrington 220 Facebook page on Monday, Dec. 11^th at 1:00 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec 13^th: Learn more about possible building renovations at Barrington 220 middle schools and the high school from 10am-noon in the Guidance Resource Center at Barrington High School.

The Blueprint 220 Website has been updated and will continue to have information added as it becomes available. Please click on the link to visit the site and bookmark the page in order to return frequently to stay up to date on information over the course of the next few months. In addition, we will be adding a Blueprint 220 Kiosk to the foyer of Grove with information regarding Blueprint 220 and specific details related to Grove. Please visit the Kiosk for handouts and visuals and continue to check back for new information at the Kiosk as well!

Cold Weather Reminder
Please make sure that your child comes to school for now on properly dressed to be outside in the cold! We will continue to go outside, weather permitting, throughout the winter. All students need winter coats, hats, gloves, and scarves on a daily basis. When it snows, students will also need boots and snow pants in order to play in the snow!

Upcoming Dates
Monday, December 11^th -Blueprint 220 Facebook Live Chat w/ Brian Harris and Penny Kazmier, 1:00 p.m.
Tuesday, December 12^th - PTO Holiday Luncheon
Wednesday, December 13^th – Teacher Lunch Raffle
Wednesday, December 13^th – PTO Jimmy John’s Dine and Share
Wednesday, December 13^th -Blueprint 220 Community Weigh in Meeting, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. in GRH @ BHS
Tuesday, December 19^th - Board of Education Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, December 21^st – Winter Music Concert, 1:15 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Friday, December 22ⁿ^d – Winter Parties 1:30-2:30 p.m. and P.J.’s
December 25^th – January 8^th – Winter Break
January 9^th – School Resumes for the New Year

Fresh Inc.

This month, fifth-grade students began their investigation of the Start Up business model and the role of an entrepreneur in the process of taking a problem and turning a solution into a product or service. Together in small groups, students crafted business plans and delivered “the perfect pitch” to engage and hook investors. Students carefully drafted and designed their prototypes to help them bring their ideas to life. Together with our Fresh Inc. mentor team, students will be worked on building ingenuity and determination in teams. Their growing ability to problem solve and collaborate as a team has helped them develop a foundation for success. Services and products are now ready for the mass market.

The online marketplace will be open from December 11-15^th to the Grove community. Please support our growing innovators by visiting the Fresh Inc. Shopify Site! We encourage electronic payment, instead of cash. Product pick-up will be December 21st from 6:00-6:30 in Rooms 34, 35 & 36.

Positive Claw Winners

Week of November 24th

Week of December 1st

Great Grove Reads

Awkward by Svetlana Chmakova

It is Penelope, AKA Peppi’s, first day of school, and she is trying hard to fit in. Being the new kid she doesn’t want to draw any attention to herself. That is when she bumps into a quiet boy, named Jamie, and drops her books all over the floor. When Jamie starts to help her pick up the books, other kids begin to tease them and call them names. Embarrassed, Peppi pushes Jamie down and runs. This is not a great start to her new school or year! Peppi is not a mean person and she feels badly about pushing Jamie; maybe she can just avoid him, but instead she starts seeing him everywhere. This is awkward. She wants to say she’s sorry, she wants to let him know that she’s not mean but the longer she waits to say sorry the harder it becomes. When Peppi’s teacher suggests a peer tutor to help her catch up with assignments, Jamie is the last person she expects to help her. Maybe this is her chance to make things right but will he forgive her? This is a great realistic fiction graphic novel.

Calling All 4th and 5th Grade Students!

Our district has a beloved tradition of hosting an annual speech tournament in grades 4 – 8. Children are expected to memorize a significant passage, verse, play or original piece of writing. They work individually or with others on this and then perform it for a series of judges who provide them with significant feedback about their work. Children are coached to perform their piece by a member of the staff, a parent, or another qualified individual. It is truly a wonderful learning experience and a challenging endeavor for all who participate.

This year’s speech tournament will be held on Saturday, March 10, 2018 at Station Middle School. All of our 4th and 5th grade students are invited to participate. Students may participate as a solo, duet, or group of three to five members. An informational meeting for students will be held at Grove on Thursday, January 11th during fourth and fifth grade lunch and recess periods. Fifth grade students will meet in Mr. Bergquist’s room; and fourth grade students will meet in Miss Hanna’s room. Students will receive details about the tournament at this time and have the opportunity to sign up. Pieces will be available for children to consider performing if they so choose.
Please contact Mr. Bergquist with questions about the tournament at rbergquist@barrington220.org .

Wanted: Speech Tournament Judges and Hall Monitors

The Speech Tournament is need of several judges and hall monitors for this year’s tournament on March 10, 2018 at Station Middle School. Volunteer judges and hall monitors may be parents, teachers, grandparents, and community members. All are encouraged to participate. A judge’s responsibilities include watching a variety of student performances, completing judging sheets and providing feedback to the students. A hall monitor’s responsibility includes providing directions to guests and maintaining a quiet hall during the tournament. Please contact a speech tournament coordinator with questions or if you would like to volunteer. Please contact Mr. Bergquist with questions or to volunteer for a shift at rbergquist@barrington220.org.

Purchase Holiday Gift Cards!

Great Lakes Scrip Center Gift Card Program

Helping raise money to support our school is easier than you think! Simply order gift cards through the Great Lakes Scrip Center Program (www.shopwithscrip.com) each month and Grove will receive a percentage back from each card purchased! Gift cards can be used for your own daily shopping or also as holiday gifts for others! Popular gift cards that are available: Target, Amazon, Bath & Body Works, Best Buy, Barnes & Noble, Chili’s, Starbucks, Panera, Gap, Dick’s, and iTunes

Grove Family Enrollment Code: 4386953B56688

Orders will be due Thursday, December 14^th and the cards can be picked up in the office on Friday, December 22^th. Make checks payable to Grove Ave PTO and drop off in the office. Envelopes should be addressed to Shop with Scrip Coordinator. If you would like the cards to be sent home with your child, please email elvmahoney@yahoo.com.

Holiday Card Season is here!

Consider ordering from Shutterfly/Tiny Prints using our school storefront! Each purchase through this link earns Grove 13%! Shop HERE! Extra savings are available too!