Grace School News

September 30, 2026

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NOTES FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Good afternoon, Grace Families,

Thank you for continuing to support and contribute to our 2026 Walk-a-Thon! God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7) and we are so appreciative of your faithful heart in helping Grace raise funds for our Walk-a-Thon. We have raised 69% of our goal of $ 30,000! There is still time to sign-up for PledgSstar and/or donate funds for Grace School. Alongside of raising funds, we are collecting food items for Beyond Hunger! Grace Families, blessings to you for supporting our wonderful school.

Happy Wednesday,

Dr. Gates

If you would like to share a note or comment with me, please use the below Notes from the Principal: Share-a-Thought form here: https://forms.gle/ks2VZT16bDspJLsUA

Share a thought with the Principal

School Calendar

Things To Remember

Walk-a-Thon is Friday, October 2, 2026 - Dismissal at 11:30
October 8 & 9 - No School
October 8 - Parent/Teacher Conferences
Retakes are October 19, 2026.
Graceful Evening - March 6, 2027

***Warning - There have been an increase in the number of spam emails and hacks occurring. We have had a few occur from Grace Staff email accounts. We are doing everything we can to prevent this from occurring, however, it is not always possible. Please make sure that you remain alert for suspicious emails that require you to click a link or unusual language that threatening or even urgent emails.

Food Collection started on Friday Sept. 25th for students to bring in non-perishable food for the food drive. Part of the walk-a-thon is collecting food for Beyond Hunger. The class that gathers the most food will win ice cream for the class. See the list below for the current most needed items from BEYOND HUNGER. Please bring in unopened items only.

Brown Rice (1 or 2 lb. bags)
Canned Chicken, Salmon, Tuna
Canned Fruit (in natural juices)
Canned Soups (low sodium preferred)
Canned Vegetables
Mixed, corn, green beans, peas
Cheerios (whole grain cereal)
Diapers (size 3-7)
Dry Beans (all varieties)
Jelly (plastic containers)
Pasta (1 lb.)
Peanut butter (small and medium sizes)
Vegetable oil (12 – 16 oz)

October 2, 2026

The Walk-a-thon is nearly here! If you have not signed up in PledgeStar there is still time to participate. Students earn a chance to participate in the teacher games just for signing up in PledgeStar and another chance for every $100 they rise. The students/families the raise the most money will also earn prizes, like movie tickets and gift cards to local businesses.

Walk-a-Thon website: https://sites.google.com/gracerf.org/walkathon/home

PledgeStar: https://grace.pledgestar.com/Welcome.html

WALK-A-THON WEBSITE

PLEDGESTAR

Volunteering

Can’t be there to help the day of the walk-a-thon? We still need your help! You can donate cases of water bottles for our walkers or loan us your wagon for the day. Sign-up for those here.

WAYS TO VOLUNTEER

Concordia University Theatre Department is seeking children ranging in ages 5-14 for their production of Essie’s Christmas. Show times are at 7:30 pm/November 11 - 14, 18 – 21. Please contact Megan Wells.

Megan Wells Email

Community Event: Halloween Hoot 'n Howl

Date: Friday, October 2, 2026 from 5 - 7 p.m. (Keystone Park, River Forest)

You're invited to join Grace at this fun community event. It is intended for families with kids 10 years of age and younger, and adult supervision is required. There is no cost to attend and costumes are encouraged. It will be an outside event. We hope to see you there!

Activities include: hay ride, halloween-themed inflatable, live music, animal mask craft, pumpkin decorating, bonfire with s'mores & hot chocolate, ghoulish games, boo bingo, furs & skulls table (with the Trailside Museum staff), and a costume contest.

HOOT N HOWL

Spirit Wear Coordinator Needed

Bringing School Spirit to Life!

The Spirit Wear Coordinator helps build school pride and community by sourcing fun, high-quality school apparel and merchandise available to students, families, faculty, and staff. This role is perfect for someone who enjoys being organized, creative, and involved in the school community.

See the description below.

SPIRIT WEAR COORDINATOR

GPO Teacher Liaison Needed

The Teacher Liaison helps keep an open line of communication between Grace Lutheran School teachers and the Grace Parent Organization (GPO). This person will help make sure teachers are aware of GPO activities and information that may affect them, while also bringing teacher questions, ideas, or needs back to the GPO when appropriate.

A large part of this role will be helping GPO support our teachers during Lutheran Schools Week and Teacher Appreciation Week. The Teacher Liaison will work closely with GPO leadership, teachers, and parent volunteers to help make these celebrations special and well organized.

GPO Liaison Description