Jump Rope for Heart is coming up on February 24.  Jump Rope For Heart is a fun field day that has kids jumping rope, running and jumping over hurdles and bouncing in a bounce house.  In addition to fun, students will learn about heart health and the importance of a good diet.  Jump Rope For Heart also has a fundraising component that raises money for the American Heart Association and raises money for athletic equipment for Grady Elementary.  To learn more about Jump Rope For Heart please click here: Jump Rope For Heart.  If you have any questions about JRFH, please email Ms. Murrell at [email protected].

We need volunteers to help swing ropes, monitor the bounce house and generally keep everyone happy during Jump Rope for Heart.  To see the schedule and tovolunteer online, please click here:   Volunteer!  We so are so grateful to and appreciative of our volunteers.  

Thanks to all the families who submitted clipped Box Tops for the Box Tops Contest and helped us collect $718.40 for the school.  Congratulations to both Fourth and Fifth Grades, who have won a popsicle party this Friday.  To see how the Box Tops were counted and how the totals were determined, please click here:  Box Tops.

Grady Elementary was selected to participate in the Florida State Fair Black History Art Exhibit. The theme for each school had to be based on Tampa's black history. The students completed art based on the prominent African-Americans that visited the Jackson Rooming House located on Zack Street in downtown Tampa. This was the only hotel where African-Americans could stay during segregation. It was built in 1901 by Moses and Sarah Jackson and was in business until the late 1980s.  The students worked in teams of 5-6 students, using ebony pencils and grids to enlarge photographs of the guests of Jackson Rooming House.  Some students also drew separate pictures of musical instruments.  Art Specialist, Mrs. Grigsby, assembled all of the art work in a spectacular 3-D exhibit that is currently on display at the Florida State Fair.  To see pictures of students who visited the exhibit and pictures of the exhibit itself, please click here:   Jackson House Exhibit.   The PTA gratefully acknowledges the hard work and beautiful results created by our Grady art students and Mrs. Grigsby.

Grady Elementary Media Center and Media Specialist, Mr. Tsourakis, hosted the Student Literary & Media (“SLAM”) Showcase on February 9.  The SLAM Showcase featured art projects and 1-minute movie trailer promotions for award-winning Battle Books. The event was a tremendous success and featured excellent art and funny and engaging videos.  To see pictures of the SLAM event, please click here:  SLAM Showcase.  Many thanks to Mr. Tsourakis for overseeing the SLAM Showcase project and for providing sweet treats to the students and parents during the SLAM party.