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Winchester Weekly
September 1, 2023
Winchester Purpose & Mission
Winchester is a Leader in Me school with a common purpose to inspire students to be critical thinkers and problem-solvers who demonstrate responsibility for themselves and respect for others.
Learning together, Leading forever!
We are so excited for the first day of school on Tuesday, September 5th. First bell rings at 8:41 AM and school starts at 8:46 AM. Drop off begins at 8:35 AM. Students will be allowed to enter the building at 8:41 AM each morning. The school day ends at 3:45 PM.
A Message from Mrs. Lindsay
Hello Winchester Families,
We are so excited to kick off the new school year on Tuesday, September 5th! Open House was so much fun and provided an opportunity for students and parents to meet their teachers, explore classrooms and the building, and ease into the new school year. It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces and meet our new students and families!
Please take some time to review the latest edition of the Winchester Weekly for reminders on arrival, dismissal, breakfast, lunch, and much more.
We can't wait to see all of our Winchester Dragon's smiling faces on Tuesday. It promises to be a year filled with learning, growing, and new adventures!
Wishing you all a fantastic start to the school year!
Sincerely,
Kelly Lindsay,
Principal
Upcoming Dates
September 5:
~ First Day of School - Full Day of school 8:46 PM - 3:45 PM
~ Annual Online Registration Due
September 12:
~ PTA Meet and Greet 6:30 PM
~ First PTA Meeting/Welcome Back 7:00 PM
September 19: PTA Skatin Station 6:00- 8:00 PM
September 22: 3rd Graders Attend Northville Victorian Festival
September 22-24: Northville Victorian Festival
September 25-29: Civic Concern Week - more information coming soon.
September 27: Picture Day!
🍃🏵 🍃🏵 🍃🏵 🍃🏵
Important Events
Schedule Change for 2023-2024 School Year
We would like to inform you about an upcoming change to our K-12 District Calendar that is aimed at enhancing the educational experience. In our continuous effort to provide the best possible education for our students, we have scheduled two consecutive Teacher Professional Development days on Monday, November 6 and Tuesday, November 7, which will necessitate a slight adjustment to the school schedule.
On these days, all regular classes will be canceled to allow our dedicated teaching staff to engage in valuable training and development opportunities. This professional development is designed to further enrich teaching methods, explore innovative strategies, and stay updated with the latest advancements in education. Ultimately, the goal is to enhance student learning and ensure that children continue to receive a high-quality education.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. However, we firmly believe that the benefits gained from these training sessions will significantly outweigh the temporary adjustment.
Thank you for being an integral part of our school community.
View updated District K-12 Calendar.
View updated Cooke School Only Calendar.
Online Annual Registration Now Available for 2023/24 School Year
All new and returning families: It's time to fill out your required online Annual Registration!
Every year, all families (including those who recently enrolled) are required to fill out the digital Annual Registration for each student. Families may complete these forms through MiStar ParentConnection. After logging in to your Parent Portal account, click the RED Annual Registration at the top right of your screen. Then select Register Now to the far right of your student’s name to begin the process.
Through this process you will be asked to update your student’s emergency contact information, home address and health information, review our technology use policy and student handbooks, learn more about PTSA/PTA, access the web store and much more.
Need Help? Many of the most commonly asked questions can be found on our FAQs page (located in the upper right-hand corner of ParentConnection.) If you have further questions, please email the helpdesk at parentportal@northvilleschools.org
Registration deadlines:
- All NHS students must have the annual registration completed before Transition Days the week of Monday, August 21, 2023.
- All Hillside and Meads Mill Middle School students must have the annual registration completed before Transition Days starting on Thursday, August 24, 2023.
- All elementary students and Cooke School students must have the annual registration completed prior to the start of school on Tuesday, September 5, 2023.
Medication Drop Off
If you did not have a chance to drop of your child's medication, please be sure to do so this week. Reminder, we cannot accept medication without forms signed by a physician.
Arrival and Dismissal
Please remember the first few days of school will be busier than usual in the parking lot and carpool lane. Safety is our number one priority and your patience and care is greatly appreciated.
Arrival:
The image below shows the entrance doors for each grade level.
- Kindergarten students will enter the main entrance doors and line up by class in the main entrance foyer.
- 1st, 2nd, and 3rd will enter the building through the main entrance doors and line up by class in the gymnasium until the bell rings.
- 4th and 5th-grade students will line up outside the upper elementary doors and enter the building when the bell rings.
Students will be dismissed at 3:45 PM. They will exit the same doors they entered.
Bussers will go to the gymnasium and line up by bus letter to await the arrival of busses.
Carpool Reminders
For the safety of our students, we ask that you use the following etiquette while in the carpool drop off lane. It is for the safety of all that we need everyone to follow these instructions.
- Pull ALL THE WAY forward to the front of the carpool lane before dropping children off or picking children up.
- Try to stay BUMPER TO BUMPER in the carpool lane, don’t leave space between cars
- Students should get in and out on the passenger side of the vehicle.
- Drivers remain in the car.
- Drop off all children at one time and not at each entrance door during arrival.
The Winchester staff will be present to ensure safe arrival procedures are being followed. Thank you for helping us keep everyone safe!
School Supply Lists
Bus Transportation
Information about your child's bus route is now available in the Parent Portal. When you log in to your account , click the tab entitled, "Transportation". If your child qualifies for a bus route, his/her route will be listed in the portal.
School Breakfast and Lunch Program
How to Order Breakfast and Lunch - Orders Due by 7:00 AM
Families must pre-order breakfast and lunch for preschools and elementary students. Orders must be in by 7AM for all students for breakfast and lunch. The system will not allow you to order after the time listed above. For your convenience, meals can be preordered up to 30 days in advance. To avoid any issues, we recommend ordering the night before.
Society of Readers
Winchester’s Society of Readers program is ready to go!
For those families who might not know, the Society of Readers program has a long history at Winchester. It was started many years ago as a way to promote reading outside of the school day. As with any developing skill, progress comes with practice.
Important Links and Info
Slide Show - this is the slide show from the video in case you would like to review it.
September Calendar - Students will get a paper copy from their teacher, but here is the link.
Schoology Course - Your child will be automatically enrolled. No code is needed. Check your child’s Schoology dashboard.
New This Year!
Students have the opportunity to earn the pennant pictured above. Watch the video below to learn how.
If you have any questions about the SOR program please contact Mrs. Rush at rushka@northvilleschools.org.
Technology Updates
Student Password Resets
Each year, the district resets student passwords for the new school year to maintain system security. On September 5th, all student user accounts in grades K-12 will be reset.
To assist students and parents, the new password will be added to Mistar ParentConnection as well as StudentConnection in advance so that students can look up the new password prior to activation. This password will be visible to parents and students but will not be activated until the first day of school. Prior to the change on September 5th, the old password will still be active. The exception to this will be newly enrolled students. We will activate newly enrolled student accounts on Tuesday, August 22nd.
Password Reset Timeline
- August 21, 2023 - The student's new password will be visible in Mistar ParentConnection and StudentConnection but will not be the active password.
- August 22, 2023 - Newly enrolled students accounts will be activated and the password will work.
- September 5, 2023 - The student password reset will be activated. Students should begin using the new password on the first day of school.
- If the student has any issues using the new password on September 5th, please talk to the teacher to obtain assistance.
News from the PTA
Join the Winchester PTA!
The Winchester PTA is dedicated to promoting the welfare and well-being of our students, both academically and personally. We believe that a strong partnership between parents, staff, teachers, and community members is essential in providing the best possible elementary experience for our children. We invite you to:
JOIN THE PTA! Membership costs $12 for one adult or $20 for 2 adults and you will receive a printed Winchester Directory. Remember, PTA memberships are annual and need to be renewed each year. No time commitment is required!
DONATE TO Invest in Your Child. This is our main fundraiser and it allows us to host all of the events and programs we run throughout the year. Without the financial support of our members, we would not be able to bring these programs to Winchester. Your donation is tax deductible.
ATTEND THE FIRST PTA MEETING Tuesday, September 12th in the Dragon’s Den (Multipurpose Room) where you will meet the board, other parents and hear Winchester updates. A Parent Meet and Greet will begin at 6:30PM and the PTA meeting will begin at 7PM.
Reach out to Amy Tuckfield at WinchesterPTAPresident@gmail.com if you have any questions!
PTA Staff Appreciation Committee needs your help.
Please help the PTA welcome back our wonderful Winchester staff for the 2023 / 2024 school year by donating a tasty treat or drink for them to enjoy. Please click HERE to sign up via Sign Up Genius and plan to drop off your item(s) the first day of school, Tuesday, September 5th. There will be a couple of clear bins outside near the front doors of Winchester where you can leave your item(s).
Thank you!
Staff Appreciation Committee
Winchester PTA
After School Programs
Spanish Club
Save the date! The PTA is excited to announce the Spanish Club with Mr. Tran for Winchester's Kindergarten through 3rd Grade students! Mr. Tran is equally excited to offer continuing French for 4th and 5th Grade students. Classes will be held from 3:46pm to 5pm at Winchester Elementary and as follows:
- Kindergarten and 1st Grade on Tuesdays, (8 sessions - $160 total)
- 2nd and 3rd Grade on Wednesdays, (9 sessions - $180 total)
- 4th and 5th Grade on Thursdays. (9 sessions - $180 total)
Spanish and continuing French will start the last week of September, ending December 8th with the exception of holidays.
It is our goal in Spanish Club to create a diverse learning experience and we encourage all students who have an interest in Spanish, and continuing their world language to join.
Enrollment will begin Friday, September 8th. If you are interested in a fun and interactive learning experience, and for more information, please contact Alexia McMeekin at amcmeekin5488@msn.com for grades K - 3, and Jacquline Hansen at j.eva.dixon@gmail.com for grades 4 - 5.
Cub Scouts
Cub Scouts is fun for the whole family. It provides hands-on learning opportunities that puts kids in the middle of the action and prepares them for today – and for life. Anyone interested in Cub Scouts please send an email to: cubmaster@northville903.mypack.us.
District News
Death is Not the Answer Movie Screening
We know September is a busy month but we wanted to take the time to highlight a few events as part of Suicide Prevention Month.
The first is a movie screening that is open to all parents in and outside of Northville Public Schools. The event will feature the movie "Death is Not the Answer" that was made by Keith Famie (a local filmmaker). We are fortunate to have Chuck Gaidica moderate this event which will also feature a panel that includes local agency representatives as well as Eric Hipple and Kevin Fischer. We will also have the following resource tables with mental health and suicide prevention specific information available:
New Hope
Color my World
RESET
Hegira
NAMI
IHA/Trinity
This is a FREE EVENT! You will see on the flyer a QR code to register but you can also use the link below. Registration is not required but appreciated!
Nami Walk
Nami Walk - September 16th
Last year, a group of Northville Public Schools staff participated in the NAMI walk. This year the Suicide Prevention Coalition (which Northville Public Schools is a part of) has formed a team and would like all of the partner districts and our families to join. This is meant to show how we are all in this together no matter what your district boundaries are. The event is at Wayne State University on September 16th (Saturday)
630 Merrick St,
Detroit, MI 48202
Check-in at 8 am,
Walk time is 10 am -12:30 pm ET
There's no cost to walk with us, though donations to NAMI Michigan are certainly welcomed.
Use this link to register yourself and put Suicide Prevention Coalition in the team search box.
NYN Youth Mental Health First Aid
Winchester ❤️ Back-to-School
Website: http://winchester.northvilleschools.org/
Location: 16141 Winchester Drive
Contact Us: (248) 465-2400
X (Twitter):@ WinchesterElem
Office Hours: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM