A Message from Dr. A.
November 17, 2023
Dear Dragon Families,
Thank you to all of our amazing parent volunteers who made this year’s Fall Book Fair – Books are Sweeter than Candy – a huge success. It has been awesome to see our students excited about reading their books and engaged with stories they enjoy. As always, thank you for promoting the love of reading with your children.
Even though next week is a short week with our Thanksgiving Break, we will still have lots of learning and fun activities planned for our students. We are happy to host the Dean Transportation Bus Safety program for our Kindergarten, first and second grade students as well as our PTA assembly on Wednesday, where Parker “Basketball” Jones will be at Keith and talk with all children about positivity and kindness.
Please be sure to read our Dragon’s Tale Newsletter, which includes important information about upcoming events, including our Keith PTA Spirit Week, the week we return from Thanksgiving. With the short week ahead, there will not be another Dragon’s Tale Newsletter; however, I will be sure to have our student council send a robo phone call reminder of our Spirit Days when we return from Thanksgiving break.
I am beyond thankful to be serving as your principal and feel truly blessed to be working with your amazing kids is such a supportive, collaborative community. Thank you all for your partnership. Safe travels to those who may be heading out of town and enjoy the important family time.
Warm Regards,
Marci
Keith Purpose and Beliefs
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.
November Events at Keith
November 2023
Nov. 6 - 5th Grade NASA Presentation (details below)
Nov. 7 - No School - Election Day
Nov. 6 - Keith PTA Meeting 6:30pm Learning Commons
Nov. 8 - Nov. 15 - PTA Book Fair (details below)
Nov. 13 - 5th Grade Intro to Instruments Presentation (details below)
Nov. 14 - Half Day 12:25pm Dragon Pick Up, 12:30pm Walkers, 12:42pm Buses depart Keith
Nov. 21 - Buster the Bus Safety Presentation for Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade students
Nov. 22 - End of 1st Trimester
Nov. 23-24 - No School - Thanksgiving
The “Books Are Sweeter Than Candy” Book Fair Committee would like to send a very big THANK YOU to all our Keith family, friends, & volunteers.
Students really do know “Books Are Sweeter Than Candy”! Your generous support for the PTA sponsored Fall Book Fair was felt by students, staff, and its volunteers. Here's what your generosity provided:
- 10 plushies & book sets raffled to Family & Friend Shop Night attendees
- 20 new books added to the library valued at $400
- 1 student in every classroom won a free book courtesy of the PTA
- 25 posters raffled off as take-home gifts
Also,
- Shout out to Biggby Coffee on Union Lk Rd for donating the “sips” on our Tuesday morning Sip & Shop.
- Your $1 All For Books donations. Mrs. Wendyker’s class is the grand prize winner of the Pinata Party!
- During Family & Friends Night and Sip & Shop Morning, Keith families purchased books from over 20 teacher & staff's wish lists, filling their shelves with new and beloved titles
- Teachers enjoyed a free lunch provided by Keith families during Wednesday’s book preview day
Thank you for supporting our growing readers! Stay tuned for the Spring 2024 Book Fair.
Reflections Deadline Extended - Call for Entries through Nov. 20th
2023-2024 REFLECTIONS CALL FOR ENTRIES!
I AM HOPEFUL BECAUSE ...
The deadline has been extended to Monday 11/20. Entries can be done online here:
https://tinyurl.com/ReflectionsKeith
This year's theme is "I am hopeful because ..." and categories include:
o Literature
o Music Composition
o Photography
o Visual Arts
o Dance Choreography
o Film Production
For more information, check out the Dragon's Tale newsletter and @KeithElemPTA on Facebook. Email kmeisnitzer@gmail.com with questions.
Invitation for 5th Grade Student to CHS Middle School Basketball Game
Commerce, Dublin and Keith Elementary 5th Grade Students are invited to CHS Middle School on Monday, November 27th at 4:30 p.m. to enjoy some pizza, water and a CHS Basketball Game.
Students must be accompanied by an adult and report to our cafeteria for pizza and water at 4:30 p.m. before heading over to the main gym to support our Trojan Basketball Team.
Please remind your child that we have the same expectations here at CHS Middle School that they have at their elementary school. We want our children to have fun but to also exhibit the sportsmanship and overall behavior that makes our schools a great place to learn and grow in.
Please be sure to complete the form below by Wednesday, November 22nd.
Elementary Night at CHS Middle School Form
Thank you and we look forward to seeing you and your child at CHS Middle School on Monday, November 27th!
Respectfully,
Nayal Maktari, Principal
Keith Student Council Fundraiser - Operation Snowpile
The Student Council is participating in a fundraiser for Children’s Hospital in Detroit called Operation Snowpile. We will be collecting money so Student Council can purchase gifts for children who have to be in the hospital during the holiday season.
You can put your cash donations in the collection canister in your classroom.
We will also be having a Spirit Days to raise funds and awareness of the program for our students.
The week of Nov. 27th - Spirit Week (details to come) will cost $1.00
Friday, December 1st - Hat Day $1.00
The class that raises the most money will have a pizza day or bagel breakfast (the winning class can decide) and if we hit our school-wide goal of $2500 we will have a whole school pajama day as a reward as well.
More details to come! Thank you for teaching your children how they might help other kids in need!
Keith Spirit Week - Week of Nov. 27th
Spirit week will be the week of November 27th. It is $1 to participate for the whole week!
Spirit week will be….
Monday - PJ day - get comfy and cozy in your favorite PJ’s
Tuesday - Sports Day - wear your favorite sports team
Wednesday - Wacky Wednesday - get wacky from your hair to your toes!
Thursday - Spirit wear day - Wear your Dragon gear!
Friday - Fictional Friday, dress like your favorite book or movie character
Keep the Operation Snow pile donations coming in! And thank you for your support in helping us raise money to buy toys for the kids in the hospital this holiday season.
Keith Lego Club
Keith LEGO Robotics Club, grades 1-3rd, will be starting in January 2024. If you are interested in having your child participate in the club, please fill out this form by Friday, November 17th. The day of the week for the club will be based on the availability of our coaches.
We are also in need of more parent volunteers to meet the demand for the club. We are looking for parents to lead a team through their weekly meetings. Teams include 4-5 students. We are planning to have all students meet on the same day, so you will have the support of other coaches and a manual to help you through the season. Please reach out to Anna Mitrik at amitrik19@gmail.com if you any have further questions or are interested in leading a team.
Keith Staff Favorite Things Holiday Edition 2023
Do you know what's right around the corner? The holidays! Many of our Keith families like to show their appreciation during this special time, but in a more personal way. Here is a link with a “Favorite Things” questionnaire filled out by all your student’s teachers & staff.
Click here for the full list of Keith’s Staff Favorite Things Surveys.
Please know this is optional - a big smile and a hearty "THANK YOU!" is always enough to show your appreciation.
-The PTA’s Staff Appreciation Committee
2023-2024 REFLECTIONS CALL FOR ENTRIES!
Explore the arts and yourself with the annual PTA Reflections contest. This year's theme is: I AM HOPEFUL BECAUSE ...
CONTEST DIVISIONS:
Keith Elementary has separate divisions for grades K-2nd and 3rd-5th. 2 winners from each category (per division) will advance to District level. Students may submit an entry in any of the six areas listed below:
· Literature
· Music Composition
· Photography
· Visual Arts
· Dance Choreography
· Film Production
DEADLINE:
Submissions must be sent digitally and are accepted until November 20, 2023.
ENTRY FORM:
Submit contest entries using this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfVHWaTHuBIZmN5r3e30d9-CCG89-LP07BBcATS20AdguIqrg/viewform
A letter will be sent home with students next week with more information. Updates will be posted on the Keith Elementary PTA Facebook page so be sure to follow us!
Please email kmeisnitzer@gmail.com with questions. Thanks for your support and be sure to print/enjoy the free coloring pages below.
Upcoming PTA Assemblies for ALL Keith Students
Wednesday, November 22nd our Dragon's will be having a visit from Parker "Basketball" Jones! Students will learn about "Being an UPstander" through the art of movement and basketball! This anti-bullying school assembly focuses on kindness, inclusion and tolerance. Students learn how to be an "UPStander", standing up for and including others.
Wednesday, December 13th our students will embark on a 45-minute journey in the SkyDome Planetarium! Our Dragon's will explore the universe in a portable, inflatable planetarium that will interest budding astronomers as they are taken on a tour of the solar system.
Students will enter the dome and be introduced to a "star filled" sky. Our navigator, with the use of a digital planetarium projector and a laser pointer, will guide students through the stars of the Northern Hemisphere exactly as they appear on the day of the presentation.
Students will learn how to identify every planet in our solar system in dramatic "flights" towards each world. They will be introduced to Greek mythological characters and see how these heroes of the past can be found in the stars. Students will witness the night sky in different seasons and from different global perspectives.
Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration
We’re currently planning our Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration on January 15th and need your help. It’ll be very similar to previous years. This year’s theme is “You belong” with the focus on inclusivity. Our keynote speaker is Kevin Szawala, aka “Mr. Peace”. Kevin is a National Youth Speaker and Michigan native who travels the county speaking to students and schools on the topics of bullying prevention, diversity and inclusion, teen mental health, and suicide awareness. Please consider nominating someone from our Keith community for these important district recognitions.
Express Yourself Contest Information and Entry Form (deadline 12/13)
Alec Bender Friend of Diversity Nomination Form (deadline 12/8)
A Note from the Keith Kitchen
What to watch for:
Fri, Nov 10th ~ Chocolate Chip Cookie Day ~ $1.50 ea
Wed, Nov 15th ~ Pizza Day ~ $1.75 / extra slice, $1.00 chips
Wed, Nov 22nd ~ Ice Cream Day ~ $1.00 ice cream
Fri, Dec 1st ~ Tubby's Sub & Ice Cream Day ~ $1.00 ice cream
As always, parents can add funds to student accounts via Skyward, or cash / check brought to the kitchen.
Kroger Rewards - $$$ For Keith!
Transportation Updates
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.
Lunch and Food Service Information
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.
Keith Elementary School
Diana Tyrrell - Principal's Secretary
Alice Johnson - Building Secretary
Marci Augenstein, Ph.D. - Principal, Keith Elementary
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