Principal Strong

Dear GES Families,

Two friendly reminders: 

1) The November Parent-Teacher Conferences are next week: 11/19 and 11/20 at GES (half-days for students) and we look forward to seeing parents and guardians. Meetings are available by phone or in-person. If you have not scheduled a meeting, please do so by contacting your student's teacher. Thank you!

2) Grade 4 - 6 families: The Cricket Club with Mr. Rochlani is back and it's time to hand in your permission slip. Please see details below and in the letter sent home. Please hand in permission slips on Monday, thank you. 

Wishing you a good weekend,,

Ms. Strong

Principal, Granville Elementary School
518-642-1051 Ext. 3202
astrong@granvillecsd.org

November

11/13 - End of Marking Period 1

11/18 - PTO Meeting, 6:00 PM at GES, Staff and Parents welcome

11/19 - 11/20 - GES/MJT Half Days for Parent-Teacher Conference Days

11/23 - Turkey Trot: Right after school. Details TBA

11/25 - 11/27 - No School: Thanksgiving Recess

11/30 - Indoor Walking Program Begins at Jr/Sr High - 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

December

12/2 - Athletic Booster Club Meeting 6:00 pm, High School 

12/8 - Junior High Band & Chorus Concert - 6:30 PM, High School 

12/9 - PTO Meeting at GES, Staff/Families welcome! 6:00 PM, GES

12/10 - Senior High Band & Chorus Concert - 6:30 PM, High School 

12/14 - Board of Education Meeting 6:00 PM, High School Library

12/15 - Elementary Band & Chorus Concert - 6:30 PM, High School 

12/24-1/1 - Holiday Recess - No School

Link: Event details are in the live school calendar.

Link: School dates for 26-27 school year.

Cricket Club is back and it's time to sign up!

It's free!

The after school Granville Cricket Club for its second year at Granville Elementary School, open to students in Grades 4–6. 

Following last year’s incredible turnout and enthusiasm from our students, we are looking forward to another great season!

Here's last year's article about the new Cricket Club.

If your child (grades 4 - 6) is eager to learn and grow with us this year, please complete and return the permission slip sent home to grades 4 - 6 to the main office on Monday, 11/16. 

Link: Or please use this link to print the permission slip.

About Our Club & Leadership

Cricket is a global sport that blends strategy, athleticism, and rich cultural traditions. Our club plays gully cricket (street cricket)—a fast-paced, accessible version of the game that emphasizes fun, quick decision-making, and teamwork.

As the club’s leader, I bring official certifications and training to provide students with a safe, enriching, and authentic experience. 

Our program has received recognition beyond our school community. We have been recognized by the U.S. Congress, featured in local media including Upstate Living with Billy Floyd, and highlighted within the broader cricket community. This program is made possible through the generous support of our local PTA and dedicated community members.

More Than Just a Game: Learning & Connection

In a world where genuine human connection is increasingly important, Cricket Club provides a welcoming, supportive environment for students with diverse backgrounds and interests. Through cricket, students develop athletic skills while exploring:

History & Geography: Understanding cricket’s global reach across continents.

America’s Cricketing Heritage: Discovering America’s historic roots in cricket, which predates many modern American sports.

Culture & Inclusion: Celebrating different traditions, perspectives, and personal stories.

Our hope is that the cultural awareness, empathy, and social confidence students develop through the club will benefit them in social situations throughout their lives.

Student Expectations & Participation Criteria

Consideration for participation will prioritize students who consistently demonstrate:

Kindness & Respect toward peers and adults

Curiosity & Open-Mindedness when learning new concepts and discussing different perspectives about culture and other people

Teamwork & Responsible Conduct to help maintain a safe, positive environment

If your child is eager to learn and grow with us this year, please complete and return the permission slip sent home to grades 4 - 6 to the main office on Monday, 11/16. 

Link: Or please use this link to print the permission slip.

Upcoming Schedule: 

Location: Granville Elementary School Library

Session Time: 2:35 PM–3:35 PM

Meeting Day: Tuesdays

Sessions are scheduled to avoid school holidays and school break periods on the Granville Central School District academic calendar.

Fall & Winter Indoor Library Series

Tuesday, November 17, 2026

Tuesday, December 15, 2026

Tuesday, January 12, 2027

Tuesday, March 9, 2027

Spring Outdoor Series

Tuesday, April 13, 2027

Tuesday, April 20, 2027

Tuesday, April 27, 2027

Tuesday, May 4, 2027

Tuesday, May 11, 2027

Tuesday, May 18, 2027

Tuesday, May 25, 2027

Tuesday, June 1, 2027

Total Scheduled Sessions: 12

We look forward to another wonderful season!

Warmly,

Sachin Rochlani

Questions, please email: srochlani@granvillecsd.org 

ICC Certified Coach & Umpire
Granville Cricket Club

Mrs. Nolan’s fourth grade class recorded a special message to share, from Granville Elementary School. Links: You can listen to it in GCSD's Facebook page or Instagram. 

Congratulations to Meghan Saunders, fourth grade special education teacher!

Meghan is the PTO Staff Member of the Month for October 2026!

Mrs. Saunders, our 4th Grade Special Education Teacher, consistently goes above and beyond for her students. She is dedicated, supportive, and always willing to lend a helping hand. 

She has built a wonderful collaborative partnership with our new 4th grade teacher, demonstrating the importance of teamwork and working together to meet the needs of all students. 

Her positive attitude, flexibility, and willingness to support both students and colleagues do not go unnoticed. We are so fortunate to have her as part of our Granville Elementary team. 

Congratulations, Mrs. Saunders, and thank you for all you do! 

- Principal Strong

November 2026 - Washington County Safety Officers Phil Spiezio and Brad Harke visited Granville Elementary this month to go over Snow Plow Safety with our students. 

Here are some Snow Plow Safety Tips for Families: 

1) Never build snow tunnels or forts near the road. 

2) Always assume the driver cannot see you. 

3) Listen for the backup alarms. 

4) Wear bright or reflective clothing when playing outside. 

5) Stay back at least 20 feet from the roadway. 

"Games like Roblox, Minecraft, and Fortnite are immense creative spaces—and busy social networks. The same features that make them fun—open chat, gifting economies, fast friending, countless user-made worlds—also create cover for people who manipulate kids.

Over the past year, investigators and child-safety groups have warned about a sharp rise in grooming and financially motivated crimes that often starts as casual in-game chat and escalates once contact moves off-platform."
- CNA.org 

Granville school administrators has been notified of groups called the 764, The Com and others who actively pursue children and teens on gaming sites and social media. 

Guardians, please review this PDF document from CNA.org to be informed.

Here are additional internet safety tips by age and parental controls by platform for your family.


CNA.org is an independent, nonprofit research and analysis organization dedicated to the safety and security of the nation. For 80 years, our scientific rigor and real-world approach to data has been indispensable to leaders facing complex problems. CNA employs operations research to address military questions in the Center for Naval Analyses and domestic challenges in the Institute for Public Research.

November's Tip!

Please set aside a few minutes each and every day to read with your student. Becoming a good reader helps students learn all their subjects and builds confidence at school, and in life! 

Try One of These Books

1) Hunting, fighting, animals, oh my! Try the "Who Would Win" series by Jerry Pallotta.

2) Girl friendships and wholesome neighborhood drama! Babysitter's Club Graphic Novel series by Raina Telgemeier (or chapter book series for the more advanced readers). 

3) Funny books from a kid's perspective! Try Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Bloom or the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series

You can find all of these books at the local Pember Library in Granville. 

There are also free books out front of MJT, by the main front doors. Pop in to borrow a few (or keep a few) and return when you're ready to try something new. 

Please be mindful of how much screen time students are having at home (television, tablets, and computers). 

Excessive screen time directly links to concerns with attention, behavior, and proper sleep patterns.

Two ways to get started: 


1) Set Up Parental Controls

Consider turning on safety features and screen time limits. 

For example, turning on downtime hours at bedtime. 

Here are instructions: 

Click here for Android devices

Click here for Apple devices

2) Try Slow Media

It may be hard at first to cut back on screen time, so start by transitioning to slow media shows (also called low-stimulation shows). 

These types of shows help students feel calm and learn life skills from the slower paced stories that mimic real life conversations and do not negatively impact behavior, attention and learning. 

Here is short article about slow media and why it matters from InternetSafety.org.

Here's a list of low-stimulation shows from Common Sense Media.

To support our community, families, staff, and students who use the Granville Jr/Sr High School track for exercise, the District will turn on the track's smaller walking lights starting October 15, 2026, through November 30, 2026.

This schedule will remain in place until the Winter Indoor Walking Program begins at the Jr/Sr High in December.

Daily Mornings: canceled due to minimal use

Daily Evenings: Sunset – 9:00 PM (Evening times will be adjusted in November as it begins to get dark earlier)

Please note: These are the smaller pathway safety lights attached to the main light poles, not the large stadium lights used for athletic games.

Learn more about the Outdoor Walking Program.

Think of reading like the engine to a car.

If the engine doesn't work properly it's hard to get where you want to go.

Helping your student become a good reader is like turning on the engine of their mind.  

Turn screen time into learning!

Try the Duolingo ABC App (opens to Duolingo ABC website) with your children.

No ads, always free, and learning is through kid-friendly video games. 

We are asking for your support with personal toys and novelty items being brought to school. Beginning immediately, students should not bring toys or non-educational items from home to school. 

This includes, but is not limited to:

NeeDohs and other squishy toys

Squishies and novelty fidgets

Stuffed animals

Toy figures and collectibles

Trading cards

Small toys or gadgets

Electronic toys or games

Or other personal items that may become a distraction during the school day. 

While we understand that these items can be enjoyable and comforting to students, they can also become disruptive during instruction and may lead to students playing, trading, or arguing over items. We also want to avoid personal belongings becoming lost or misplaced at school. 

This expectation does not apply to sensory tools or other items that are specifically identified as a necessary support for an individual student through an IEP or 504 Plan that is already in pace. 

Thank you!

Free! St. Mary's Food, Fun and Friends

Every Thursday while school is in session, a group of volunteers from St. Mary's Church of Granville lead an informal afterschool program in the GES cafeteria. 

They provide a snack, play board games, offer crafts and light homework help. 

Thursdays at GES, 2:15 PM - 5:00 PM (parent pick-up required) 

Free!

20 spots total for students. Program Full!


More after school adventures will be announced throughout the school year.

We have Cricket with Mr. Rochlani and Gardening with Ms. Law. 

11/23 - PTO Turkey Trot at GES, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. (Details to come!) 

Link: Follow the PTO on Facebook

Link: PTO Volunteer sign up sheet (Opens to Google Sheet)

Link: Learn more about the PTO's partnership with the school to fund after school programming.

Monthly - Check the live school calendar on the school website or in the school App once per month and jot down important dates and events in your family calendar.  

Weekly - Double-check the live school calendar each weekend for updates and new opportunities.

Daily - Post your family's weekly schedule of school, work and appointments in your home to view and check daily. A whiteboard, repurposed chalkboard or piece of paper works! Or go digital with a free shared family calendar App.

Rooms - Rooms is the District's Parent-Teacher Messaging App. Please log into Rooms in the Granville CSD App for classroom and building level updates. Search for Granville CSD in any App store, download it for free and look for "Rooms" in the footer of the App. Register if it's your first time with your phone or email and turn ON notifications in the settings. It's a great way to stay in touch with your teacher and grade level.

Link: Live School Calendar

Link: Free printable weekly family calendar template (Opens to Canva.com)

Link: A review of free digital family calendars (Opens to article on MommyPoppins.com)

Board of Education FAQ Regarding to Phase III Turf Proposal

Link: Link to the central webpage for all Phase III information.

A Message from the Superintendent

Link: Welcome back from Mr. Hall

Subscribe to the Board of Education Updates

Link: Subscribe with an email address.

Link: General overview of the Granville CSD Board of Education website.

Link: Board members

Link: Upcoming meetings

Alumni and Community News

Link: Alumni and Community news, subscribe for free.

Try this! P2 for Families gives your family a once-a-week, 5–10 minute at-home touchpoint on the character building program that students learn at GES. Learn along with your student. Link: Learn more about P2 for Families  

Get the App - It's a must have! Search "Granville CSD" in any App store

Granville NY PTO Facebook Page - Events and volunteer opportunities

All Family Resources - Visit the A-Z index here.

Who to contact? Try our District Contact Guide.

eSchool Parent Portal - Check your child's grades, attendance, and tardies.

Snacks! Please pack a healthy, filling snack everyday for your student to help them focus and feel good. Twice per week, students are introduced to new fresh fruit or vegetable.

Parent Rooms - Family-Teacher chat and classroom updates all in the mobile Granville CSD App. Learn more about Parent Rooms at this link.

Free Breakfast and Lunch Each Day - Arrive 10-15 minutes early to school and come enjoy breakfast before school starts. No registration needed.

Cheer On Our Teams - Attend a Jr/Sr High home game with your family for a fun, free outing. Here is the link to the game schedule.

Need a resource? Try our community school page here.

Granville Elementary School

61 Quaker Street Granville, NY 12832

Phone: 518-642-9357

Fax: 518-642-0771

GranvilleCSD.org

District Contact Guide

School Nurse: Alyssa Evans 518-642-1051 ext 3209

School Counselor: Michelle Stearns  518-642-1051 ext 3227

School Psychologist: Brianne Hazelton  518-642-1051