McGraw, an IB World School

Thank you to over 30 former McGraw students who are now seniors at Rocky, Fossil, Fort Collins and other local high schools who participated in our 5th Grade IB Commencement Parade last Thursday. Many of the seniors stayed after the parade to visit with our teachers and students in classrooms and were volunteers at McGraw throughout the year. Thank you for being such positive role models for McGraw students! We are so proud of you!

Our 5th Grade students love to volunteer to read to students in younger grades during their weekly class library times. Thank you 5th Graders for sharing your love of reading with others!

During their "How the World Works" IB unit focused on patterns and cycles and how living things adapt to their environment, McGraw 2nd Grade classes travelled to the Spring Creek Gardens to conduct hands-on explorations. Thanks to the volunteers and staff at Spring Creek Gardens for hosting us!

The McGraw Talon-ted Trouble modern band group had a blast performing at the PSD/Music Will Jamfest in Old Town Square last Saturday. Thank you to Poudre School District, Music Will and the Bohemian Foundation for making this event possible and to Mrs. Peterson for working with our students the past three months to get them ready to play.

We are proud of the 4th and 5th Graders in Talon-ted Trouble for their dedication in coming to school before 7:00 am twice each week for practices. You are amazing!

McGraw's own Jeromy Vigil, was recognized as a nominee for Teacher of the Year at the PSD Celebrates ceremony yesterday evening. We are lucky to have such an amazing PE teacher who connects so effortlessly with our students and families.

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McGraw students had a blast at the Poudre School District Special Olympics Track and Field meet last week. Congratulations on your performances! Thanks to Uriah and Abby, who volunteered as peer helpers at the meet.

Thank you to the wonderful volunteers who worked with our Deaf and Hard of Hearing students this school year. Read below to learn more about these volunteers.

Omid is a Deaf adult role model who provides our students with ASL language and cultural aspects.

Lindsey is a CSU student who volunteers once per week to assist students with individualized support on their goals and objectives.

Markus is also a CSU student who volunteers once per week to assist students with assignments.

Madison is a new weekly volunteer who is in the interpreter preparation program at UNC, and assists students with assignments.

We appreciate the positive difference you have made in students' lives!

School Resource Officers (SROs) Meg and Mike shared information and strategies with McGraw 5th Graders to equip them to make safe and healthy choices as they move into Middle School. We are thankful for our Poudre School District SROs and everything they do in our community!

We are very proud to announce that McGraw has been named a Colorado/National Blue Ribbon School! The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) has recognized McGraw Elementary as one of three elementary schools in the state identified as exemplary in closing the achievement gap between groups of students.

We were honored to join Mr. Kingsley, our superintendent, to represent Poudre School District at the School and District Awards Ceremony in Denver on Tuesday.

In addition to the Blue Ribbon School Award, McGraw also received The John Irwin School of Excellence Award. This award is given to schools that demonstrate exceptional academic achievement over time. These schools received an Exceeds expectations rating on the Academic Achievement indicator of the School Performance Frameworks reflecting exceptional performance in Math, English Language Arts and Science.

Way to go McGraw!!
Mrs. Smith and the McGraw staff

We were excited to see all the families who joined us for Student-led Conferences at McGraw last Wednesday evening to celebrate their child's learning this school year! It was wonderful to also see many former and future McGraw Golden Eagles!

Students, you did a terrific job of sharing about what and how you have learned this year, including your goals and accomplishments. Parents and families, it is your active involvement and strong support for events like these that make our school a true "learning community".