September 22, 2023

Dear Dragon Families,

We had an awesome week at Keith Elementary School! Our 5th graders started the week at the Walled Lake Outdoor Education Center with their 5th grade camp experience. It was wonderful to see them learn in an outdoor setting and take in all that nature has to offer.

We started today off with our first state required fire drill. As it was the first one for our kindergarten students, I did make an announcement to the students to let them know about loud noise of the alarm and that it is important to listen to adults and practice ways to stay safe at school. All of our children did a wonderful job.

I’m looking forward to our WLN Homecoming Parade tonight! I hope to see our Dragon’s there (near the picnic tables at 5pm) to cheer on our Knights and show our Dragon Spirit! The parade begins at 5:30pm. Go Knights and Go Dragons!

Please be sure to read this week’s Dragon’s Tale Newsletter that has lots of information regarding our upcoming VIP Mileage Days, Fun Run, and so much more!

Please be reminded there is no school on Monday, September 25, 2023. Enjoy the weekend ahead with your amazing children!

Warm Regards,

Marci Augenstein, Principal

The Keith Elementary School Community will collaboratively inspire and empower all – academically, socially, and emotionally.

We are a dragon family united with a common purpose.

Dragons believe…

…in welcoming and trusting one another;

…in learning beyond the school day and for the future;

…in empowering every member of our community to be helpful, respectful, and kind;

…learning is engaging, purposeful, and fun.

Please be reminded there is no school on Monday, September 25, 2023

Please see the informational flyer and image below regarding our upcoming Fun Run, where we hope to raise funds to invest in our Keith Giving Garden and ensure our PTA is able to continue their educational assemblies and awesome activities for our students throughout the year. Our goal is to raise $25,000 this year!

Please visit Mybooster.com and select that you are a parent/guardian from Keith Elementary school.

Additional information regarding parent volunteers and more will be shared with all Keith families in the coming weeks. Thank you for your support of our awesome school!

The Keith Mileage Club will start back up TUESDAY, September 26th. Students walk or jog on our track as a healthy alternative to other activities at lunch recess and receive incentives for every 5 miles they travel. Mileage club will be on Tuesday and Thursdays this fall. We need adult volunteers to stamp their cards every time they complete a lap. Contact Ms. Lepkowski at Meganlepkowski@wlcsd.org for any questions. Thank you for helping us raise our Keith students’ fitness levels and enjoyment at school!

Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. Thank you!

Commerce, Dublin and Keith Elementary, along with CHS Middle School Parents and Guardians are invited to an internet safety presentation on Tuesday, October 10th. The presentation is from 7:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. and will be held at CHS Middle School.

Many people know that the secret service protects the president of the United States, but most do not know that they also investigate cases of missing and exploited children. Special Agenda William Shink will be discussing online risks, cite statistics, and provide tips for keeping children safe online. Some of the specific topics that will be discussed include inappropriate content, online privacy, online sexual solicitations, and cyberbullying.

Please note that this presentation is for parents and guardians only. It contains some potentially sensitive and emotional content, which is not appropriate for children to be present at.

You do not need to complete this form if you WILL NOT be in attendance.

This form will close on Monday, October 2nd.

Thank you,

Nayal Maktari, CHS Middle School Principal

September 2023

Dear Keith 4th grade Families,

Your student’s class will be learning to play the recorder in music class this year. Through playing the recorder the students will learn music notation, develop aural skills, instrumental ensemble skills, and grow in personal discipline through practicing the instrument on their own.

You will have the option of ordering the Harmony WM2400 soprano recorder through the school, buying one from a music supplier, or using a recorder that you already own. It is strongly recommended that you purchase the Harmony WM2400 (or similar) because it is pitched correctly, as some other store bought recorders are not. Please contact me if you are not able to provide a recorder and I will make sure your student will have one to borrow during class.

You have the option to purchase two (2) recorders if you like. We will be storing recorders in the music room, and some students like to have a second recorder at home to practice and experiment beyond what we do in class. This is optional; no at-home practice is required.

Please detach the form below and have your student give it to Mrs. Fox (or Ms. L-Z) by Friday, September 22.

Mrs. Shelly Fox

Music Teacher
Keith Elementary
shellyfox@wlcsd.org

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Student Name:___________________________ Grade:______

Classroom Teacher:________________ Parent Email:______________________________________

I I would like to purchase ONE (1) “Harmony” soprano recorder for $4

I I would like to purchase TWO (2) “Harmony” soprano recorders for $8

I I will provide my student with a different recorder

Please include $4 or $8 cash or check in an envelope with your student’s name on it.

Checks should be made payable to Walled Lake Schools

*I will notify students of the date they should bring their recorder if using one you already own*

Please be sure to have your children use the cross-walk when arriving to school in the morning. Our preference is that every car stay in the car rider loop and you only park and exit your vehicle if your child has a large project or items they need help carrying into the school. Otherwise, please feel free to park at the West Bloomfield Sports Park and walk the loop with your children.

About Hospitality House:

Our mission at Hospitality House is to minimize deprivation in our community by providing food and assistance to those in need, while maintaining the utmost respect for the dignity of the individual. As of June 2023 (only midyear) Hospitality House has already supported 1,090 households/2,490 individuals.

About the program:

• The weekend food program provides a weekend worth of food to children who are eligible for the free- reduced lunch program.

• The food is distributed in a discreet bag.

• The bag includes enough food for 6 meals and snacks.

• This program is at no cost to the child or the school.

• The bags are packed by volunteers of Hospitality House.

• Families can opt-in and opt-out of the program at any time.

For more information please visit: www.hhfp.org

Hospitality House Food Pantry

248.960.9975

2075 E. West Maple Rd, Ste. B204, Commerce, MI 48390

Weekend Food Program - ‘Feeding Hope Since 2001’

Please click on the form in the button below to sign your child up for the weekend food program.

September 29th is Ice Cream Day at Keith!

i-Ready is an online program for reading and/or mathematics that will help your student’s teacher(s) determine your student’s needs, personalize their learning, and monitor progress throughout the school year. i-Ready allows your teacher(s) to meet your student exactly where they are and provides data to increase your student’s learning gains. i-Ready consists of two parts: Diagnostic and Personalized Instruction.

iReady Diagnostic:

The i-Ready Diagnostic is an adaptive assessment that adjusts its questions to suit your student’s needs. Each item a student sees is individualized based on their answer to the previous question. For example, a series of correct answers will result in slightly harder questions, while a series of incorrect answers will yield slightly easier questions. The purpose of this is not to give your student a score or grade, but instead to determine how best to support your student’s learning.

iReady Personalized Instruction:

i-Ready Personalized Instruction provides students with lessons based on their individual skill level and needs, so your student can learn at a pace that is just right for them. These lessons are fun and interactive to keep your student engaged as they learn.

Upcoming events:

Hazardous waste day: Bring your waste to school and we will help safely dispose of it. This is a service project from students of Keith Green Team. Donations are accepted, but not required.

When: Friday, September 22, 2023, 4:15 - 4:30 pm.

How to Identify Hazardous Waste?
Look for keywords on containers such as "Danger", "Caution", "Poison", "Flammable", "Corrosive" or "Use in Well Ventilated Area".

For more details, click here: https://wbtownship.org/government/departments/developmental_services/environmental/household_hazardous_waste.php

Young birders club meeting: Discover bats with a park ranger. Saturday, September 23rd at Stony Creek Metropark from 7-9 pm.

Learn more about the Keith Green Team and get your child enrolled, click on the link here: https://forms.gle/MU35VEc9jdT8q5V69

On behalf of the Keith Elementary PTA, welcome to the 2023/2024 school year!

Today more than ever, schools are challenged to provide every child with the best education. Budgets are tight while government requirements are mounting. Schools are challenged to do more with less.

More than 30 years of research has proven that children do better when their parents are involved, both at home and in school. Grades are higher. Test scores rise. Self-esteem grows. Schools improve.

Powerful outcomes come from your active involvement in your child’s education. You know the benefits and want to make a difference, but how can you be more actively involved? It’s simple - join the PTA!

Please offer your support by completing the PTA membership form below. Annual dues are $10.00 per individual or family if you join by September 1st. The annual dues increase to $12.00 starting September 2nd. The form, and dues, can be turned in to Keith Elementary using either cash or check.

Keith PTA meetings are held monthly, in the evening, with FREE childcare provided (when meetings are in-person). We welcome your input at these meetings, as all members are encouraged to vote on how our fundraising dollars are spent. This is also a great opportunity to understand how the PTA works at your school. The meeting dates are posted on the Keith website (wlcsd.org/schools/elementary/keith) and also listed in the Dragon’s Tale newsletter which is published every week. Additionally, reminders will be sent via email. Being a member of the PTA does not require you to volunteer for any PTA activities. We welcome your support of all or some of our many events!

Thank you for your support and interest in the Keith Elementary PTA! Staff, please make sure you join as well to get your classroom reimbursement payment!

Heather DiDonato

Membership Chairperson

h.l.didonato@hotmail.com

Please visit: https://my.lifetouch.com/mylifetouch/#/ to order your school pictures using the Picture Day ID below.

School Name: Keith Elementary School

Picture Day Date: Friday, September 8

Picture Day ID: EVTBM86GC

Yearbook Reminder: Yearbooks are no longer provided through the school picture program. Yearbooks must be purchased separately, to receive a copy. A yearbook order form is linked for you below.

Please remember to register or re-register your Kroger Plus card to Keith Elementary. Last year we made just over $2,000! It’s easy! Just go to www.krogercommunityrewards.com and go to the community rewards section. You must re-register your card annually. Anyone having an issue with their email address or password can call 1-800-KROGERS for customer service.

For additional information regarding our Transportation Department, please visit our website!

• Bus transportation will be provided on the first day of school for those students who are eligible for bus transportation throughout the regular school year.

• Transportation postcards will not be sent. Bus routes will be posted on the district website and in Skyward Family Access after 8:00 am on August 18, 2023.
• Bus drivers will be contacting Kindergarten families by August 20th (drop off times for students attending in the AM and pick up times for the PM students will be provided in that call.)
• If your child is eligible for bus transportation, it is recommended that they start this routine on the first day of school. Parents are welcome to follow the bus to school to see your child off to their first day of school, but it is highly recommended that they ride the bus to and from school this first day if they will be riding daily during the school year.

Our hot lunch program begins on Monday, August 28th for students in grades K-5. Please see below for additional details.

During the 2023-24 school year, all Michigan public school students in grades Pre-K through 12 will have access to free breakfast and free lunch every day through the "Healthy School Meals for All" program. This includes a meat/meat alternative, grain, fruit/vegetable and milk. A la carte items will be available for purchase.

Families are still encouraged to complete the free/reduced meal form in Skyward help secure additional funding for the District including Title I funding. By completing the form, eligible families may also receive access to other free and reduced programs within the District including SAT testing, pay to participate, and more.

You can always visit Walled Lake's Food Service Website for information by clicking HERE.

October 3rd at 6:30pm - Keith Media Center

Visit our PTA's Facebook Page

https://www.facebook.com/KeithElemPTA/

The Keith Elementary School Community will inspire and empower all- academically, socially, and emotionally.

Diana Tyrrell - Principal's Secretary

DianaTyrrel@wlcsd.org

Alice Johnson - Building Secretary

AliceJohnson@wlcsd.org

Marci Augenstein, Ph.D. - Principal, Keith Elementary

MarciAugenstein@wlcsd.org

Email: DianaTyrrell@wlcsd.org
Website: https://keith.wlcsd.org/
Location: 2800 Keith Road, West Bloomfield Township, MI, United States
Phone: (248)956-3700
Twitter: @KeithElementary