Council Grove Elementary School

Happy National Lunch Lady Day from Council Grove Elementary! Today, we’re celebrating some of the most hardworking, caring, and essential members of our school family—our incredible lunch ladies! From warm smiles to warm meals, our lunch staff does so much more than serve food. They help create a welcoming environment in our cafeteria, make sure every student is nourished and cared for, and always go the extra mile—even when no one’s looking. We are so thankful for the time, energy, and heart they pour into every tray they serve. You make a difference every single day, and today, we celebrate YOU! Thank you, lunch ladies—we appreciate everything you do for us!

🎮🕹️ Game On Wednesday was a pixel-perfect success at Council Grove! From Mario to Sonic, Barbie to Rugrats, our staff and students totally leveled up the 90s fun and brought their A-game in honor of our awesome teachers! 💙💛 🎨 Tomorrow is our FINAL dress-up day — Lisa Frank Day! Think bold, bright, and rainbow wild! Rock your neon, animal prints, glitter, and unicorns as we close out our Totally Rad Teacher Appreciation Week in colorful style! 🐬🌈🦄 💻 Reminder: Friday is a virtual day, so let’s make tomorrow extra special while we’re all together! 💌 And don’t forget—tomorrow is the LAST DAY to submit a special message to your favorite teacher or staff member! We’ll deliver them during our Friday breakfast celebration. 👉 https://forms.gle/QLDWJTUPRSmxd2q49 Let’s go out with a blast of color and love! 💖💛💙 #TotallyRadTeachers #LisaFrankDay #CouncilGroveStrong #ThunderbirdsSoar #TeacherAppreciationWeek #ThankYouTeachers

As the school year comes to a close, we also prepare to say goodbye to someone incredibly special—Mrs. Spena, our amazing music teacher, is retiring. For years, she has brought music, warmth, and heart into every classroom, every hallway, and every child’s day. Her love for music was matched only by her love for her students, and her impact will be felt for years to come. From steady rhythms to sweet melodies, Mrs. Spena taught more than just notes—she taught confidence, creativity, and joy. It’s hard to imagine Council Grove without her, but we are so thankful for the years we had together. As her time with us draws to an end, we wish her a retirement filled with the same peace and joy she’s given to so many. Thank you, Mrs. Spena. You will always have a place in our hearts and in the soul of our school.

Totally Rad Tuesday Wrap-Up! Hey Thunderbird Families! Today was Saved by the Bell Day and your kids looked amazing rocking those 90s vibes — bright colors, plaid, overalls, and varsity jackets were everywhere! Up next: GAME ON DAY! Tomorrow, students can dress as their favorite cartoon, video game, or toy character — think Mario, Sonic, TMNT, Barbie, Rugrats, and more! Let’s keep the fun rolling! Also… we’d love your help showing our teachers some love! If you haven’t already, take a moment to send a special message or shoutout to your child’s teacher (or any teacher or staff member!) using this form: https://forms.gle/QLDWJTUPRSmxd2q49 Messages will be printed and delivered during our staff breakfast on Friday! Let’s make it a week to remember for our totally rad teachers! #TotallyRadTeachers #ThunderbirdStrong #ThankATeacher

🌧️🍲 Wrapping up a Totally Rad Saved by the Bell Tuesday at Council Grove! 🍲🌧️ Huge thanks to Wendy’s for the warm and delicious chili lunch—it hit the spot on this rainy day and kept our teachers cozy and appreciated! ❤️💛 🎮 Tomorrow is GAME ON Day! Dress up as your favorite cartoon, video game, or toy character—think Mario, Sonic, TMNT, Barbie, Rugrats and more! Bring your 90s nostalgia to life and let’s keep the fun going as we celebrate our amazing staff in style! 💌 Don’t forget—you can still send a secret message or shoutout to any teacher or staff member using this link: 👉 https://forms.gle/QLDWJTUPRSmxd2q49 Messages will be delivered during our Friday breakfast! #TotallyRadTeachers #ThankYouWendys #CouncilGroveStrong #ThunderbirdsSoar #GameOnDay #TeacherAppreciationWeek

It’s Totally Rad Teacher Appreciation Week! We kicked things off in style today with Mixed Tape Monday! We also started a google form to start collecting sweet messages for our teachers! You can send as many as you would like—no gift needed, just kind words that make a big impact! Fill out this form: https://forms.gle/QLDWJTUPRSmxd2q49 Messages will be delivered during our Teacher Breakfast on Friday. Pre-K, Kinder, and 1st grade families—you’re on fire! 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade parents—we’re looking at you! Let’s show your teachers some love too! And don’t forget—tomorrow is Saved by the Bell Day! Dress like your favorite 90s sitcom character or bring out those retro vibes with bold prints, big hair, and all the Bayside flair! Let’s keep this Totally Rad week going strong!

This morning we kicked it off sweet and strong with a bodacious breakfast sponsored by Polar Donuts, Molly’s Donuts & Café, and Starbucks Coffee ☕🍩 — because our teachers deserve the best (and the tastiest)! Huge THANK YOU to our amazing sponsors for fueling the fun and showing our teachers the love they so deserve. You made this morning totally tubular! 💛💙 📺 Don’t forget—tomorrow is Saved by the Bell Day! Rock your best 90s school style—think neon, scrunchies, windbreakers, and high tops. Let’s bring the Bayside vibes to Council Grove! 🎒💾📼 #TeacherAppreciationWeek #CouncilGroveStrong #TotallyRadTeachers #ThunderbirdsSoar #FueledByDonutsAndLove #SavedByTheBellDay #ThunderbirdStrong

We hosted a disco party to celebrate our students who have maintained attendance throughout the year! A big thank you to Hobby Lobby for their generous donations of glow sticks and party favors, which helped make the celebration even more fun and memorable! #attendancematters #thunderbirdssoar

A huge CONGRATULATIONS to all our amazing students who have earned a bravo from Betty this week . Through all their hard work, kindness and effort. these students stood out. They all got a new book to take home and enjoy! #BravofromBetty # youngreaders #studentspotlight #May2nd

These golden ticket winners from April earn the exclusive reward of enjoying their lunch in the office in a relaxed environment, and got to chat away with the leadership team here at Council Grove.

🌟 Happy Principal Appreciation Day, Mrs. Stacie Fryer! 🌟 Today we celebrate a leader who is so much more than a principal — she’s the heart, soul, and steady hand of Council Grove. Mrs. Fryer, your compassion, dedication, and unwavering belief in every student and staff member make a difference that ripples far beyond the school walls. You lead with grace, courage, and kindness — always putting people first and never backing down from what’s best for kids. You don’t just set the tone — you are the tone: calm, focused, and full of heart. Whether you're greeting Thunderbirds at the door with a smile or standing beside staff through the tough days, your presence reminds us we’re stronger together. Thank you for your leadership. Thank you for your heart. And thank you for showing us every day what it truly means to be #ThunderbirdStrong. 💙💛 #PrincipalAppreciationDay #ThankYouMrsFryer #ThunderbirdPride #LeadershipWithHeart

More pictures from Operation Warm-More than a Coat Event with Thomas Breads and Bimbo Bakery! Students who were absent today will receive their shoes when they return to school! #morethanacoat #ThunderbirdsSOAR #SoaringToNewHeights

More pictures from Operation Warm-More than a Coat Event with Thomas Breads and Bimbo Bakery! We had some of our students perform "Footloose" as a Thank You to the volunteers!! #morethanacoat #ThunderbirdsSOAR #SoaringToNewHeights

Operation Warm, Thomas Breads & Bimbo Bakery came to Council Grove today and brought all of our students a new pair of shoes and 2 pair of socks! Each of the volunteers met our students one by one and walked them through the process of picking out their shoes and got a snack!! Channel 4, Channel 9, Superintendent, Dr. Savage, and Assistant Superintendent, Meggan Wilson were also here! Tune in to News 9 at 5:00 and News 4 between 4:30 & 6:00 tonight to see us on TV! #morethanacoat #ThunderbirdsSOAR #SoaringToNewHeights

Congratulations to our latest Golden Ticket Winners! #ThunderbirdsSoar #SoaringTo NewHeights

🌟🎉 Totally RAD Teacher Appreciation Week is May 6–9! 🎉🌟 Hey Thunderbird Families! Next week we’re celebrating our amazing teachers in full 90s style with Totally RAD Teacher Appreciation Week! Let’s show our love and appreciation for the rockstars who give so much to our students every day! 💛💙 Here are the Dress-Up Days: 🎶 Monday – Mixtape Monday Wear a band tee or rock star style (denim jackets, flannel, grunge, big hair!) 📚 Tuesday – Saved by the Bell Throw it back with 90s school style — plaid, overalls, varsity jackets, bright colors! 🎮 Wednesday – Game On! Dress as a cartoon, video game, or toy character — think Mario, Sonic, TMNT, Barbie, Rugrats, etc! 🌈 Thursday – Neon & Lisa Frank Day Bring the vibes with neon, animal print, bold patterns, and all things Lisa Frank! 💻 Friday – Virtual Day Stay home and learn in comfort! We also invite students to bring in a small note, drawing, or thoughtful gift to show their appreciation. It doesn't have to be big — it’s the thought that counts! 📝✨ Even a simple "thank you" goes a long way. Let’s make this week totally awesome for our incredible staff! 🎸 #TotallyRadTeachers #ThunderbirdStrong #ThankATeacher #TeacherAppreciationWeek

Happy Administrative Professionals Day to our ‘red’ciously awesome secretaries! Your hard work, bright energy, and incredible organization keep everything running smoothly. We appreciate you more than words can say!

3rd & 4th Grade State Testing for Math begins tomorrow!!

4/18/2025 bravo from Betty winners #thunderbirdssoar

Congratulations to Ms. Lili Casillas, Council Grove's 2025 Support Personnel of the Year! We are so proud of you! Ms. Lili is our social worker and community liaison. She spearheads our backpack program, organizes our community donations, serves as an interpreter for our Spanish speaking families, trains our students to conduct morning announcements & lead assemblies, and so much more! Ms. Lili is currently organizing Beyond the Warmth sponsored by Fed Ex Cares. This event will ensure every child receives a new pair of shoes on April 30th!