Principal's Message

Greetings Apple Grove Friends and Families!

"And how are the children?

Thank you to all the families who joined us at Family Day and at the Community Meeting: State of the Grove! As we head into the week of November 24th through the 28th, we have a short but exciting schedule packed with achievement, activity, and a well-deserved opportunity to gather with loved ones.

✨ A Week of Achievement and Activity

On Monday, November 24th, we will be celebrating a significant collective victory: a Schoolwide 6-7% Increase in key areas of student growth! This achievement is a direct result of the partnership between our dedicated staff, your support at home, and, most importantly, our students’ hard work. We will be recognizing this progress schoolwide.

Tuesday, November 25th is a day of both celebration and communication:

• Turkey Trot (9:00 AM): Join us as we promote fitness, fun, and school spirit during our annual Turkey Trot! We encourage students to participate and enjoy this energetic morning event.

• Quarter 1 Report Cards: Your child’s Report Card will be sent home today. We encourage you to review it carefully, celebrate your child’s successes, and discuss areas where they can continue to grow. This is a crucial tool for guiding their learning journey.

🦃 Thanksgiving Break: Time to Recharge

Please note that Apple Grove will be closed from Wednesday, November 26th, through Friday, November 28th, for the Thanksgiving Break.

We wish all of our Apple Grove families a safe, warm, and restorative holiday. We hope you enjoy this special time to gather, share gratitude, and create lasting memories.

🗓️ Looking Ahead to December

When we return on Monday, December 1st, we will kick off several important activities:

• Poppin’ Homeroom Perfect Attendance Party (12/1): We will celebrate the classrooms that achieved outstanding attendance.

• AGES Parent Toolbox Series (12/1 | PK, K,1, 2 | 5 PM): We invite our PK-2 families to join us for a session focused on supporting early literacy and learning at home.

• ELD Family Night (12/3 | WIDA | 4:30 PM): A valuable evening for our English Language Development (ELD) families to learn more about the WIDA assessment and how they can support their student’s language growth.

In addition to our focus on academic growth, November presents a special opportunity as it is National American Indian Heritage Month. This is a vital time to acknowledge and celebrate the rich history, diverse cultures, and significant contributions of American Indian and Alaska Native peoples. Therefore, our school will be incorporating lessons and activities to honor this heritage, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation among our students.

Speaking of making the most of this new quarter, consistent attendance is critical. Our goal for every student in November is to be present for at least 15 out of the 16 school days (since we have fewer days due to holidays). Every day in the classroom counts—it’s where our children receive dynamic direct instruction and academic growth happens. Please prioritize bringing your child to school every day unless they are truly ill.

Join Us On Campus!

We warmly invite you to step into The Grove experience!

• Come enjoy lunch or morning meeting with your child. Seeing you right next to your child makes a huge difference in their day!

Volunteer Opportunities

We are still powered by the generosity of our families and community members, and we need your help to make this week a success! If you have a passion for students, we have a spot for you. We need volunteers to assist with:

• Main office support

• Student arrival and dismissal

• Lunch and recess

• Reading to students (in English or Spanish!)

• Assisting in classrooms, making copies, or creating bulletin boards for our amazing teachers.

Go to www.pgcps.org/volunteer to volunteer.

Thank you for being such an essential part of the Apple Grove community. Your commitment to your child's education is truly what makes our school special.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Be sure to scroll to the bottom for new announcements and opportunities for your child and family!

We Are Too Legit to Quit the Greatness at the Grove!

This newsletter will be updated Sunday nights and posted on the Apple Grove Elementary website to keep all students, staff, families and community members informed. Be sure to read and make note of all details.