Dragon's Tale

December 15, 2023

Dear Dragon Families,

There are several events happening at Keith next week that I’d like to draw your attention to. Next week is a “free” spirit week for all students. There will be a robo phone call from our student council on Sunday evening. The outline for what to wear on each day is in our Dragon’s Tale Newsletter this week.

On Tuesday, December 19th, our awesome Music Teachers and PTA have partnered to host a special All School Sing-A-Long at 6:00pm. This will be an outdoor event at our Keith Elementary Bus Loop, so dress warmly and bring some hot cocoa. Additional details are in our Dragon’s Tale Newsletter.

I also wanted to say how wonderful it was to see so many of our families attend our parent-teacher conferences this week. Having parents in the building to see their children’s academic progress in partnership with our teachers is always a favorite night of mine, although I did have to comment that the hallways were much quieter than they are with your children here! It was a wonderful night and I am so thankful so many teachers were able to attend.

Please be reminded that there is no school next week Friday. This will be my final Dragon’s Tale Newsletter for the year and I will resume following our break. School resumes on Wednesday, January 3, 2024.

Enjoy the upcoming holiday season with your children. For those who celebrate, Merry Christmas and Happy Kwanzaa and for those who already celebrated, I hope you had a wonderful Hanukkah. I wish everyone a wonderful start to the New Year.

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 email Dr. A. or reach out to our HR department if you might be interested in working at our crossing guard position. We are also always looking for substitute teachers. Again, please reach out to Dr. A. or visit the WLCSD webpage under our Human Resources department you will find all of the information you need to begin your application process.

December, 2023

12/5 - 6:30pm Keith PTA Meeting - Learning Commons

12/13 - PTA Assembly for ALL Dragons - Skydome Planetarium at Keith

12/14 - Half Day - Early Dismissal Schedule for Parent/Teacher Conferences 11:15am - Dragon Pick Up, 11:20am Walker, 11:25am Buses Depart Keith

12/19 - All-School Sing-A-Long 6pm, Bus Loop (Details below)

12/18 - 12/21 - School-Wide Spirit Week (See dates below)

12/21 - 5th Grade Intro to Instruments Concert - 10am

12/21 - Final Day of School before Winter Break. School resumes on 1/3/24.

January, 2024

1/3 - School resumes

1/15 - No School - MLK Day Celebration at WLN (additional details below)

1/22 - WLN Concert for 5th Grade - additional details to come

1/26 - Keith's Got Talent Show 5:30pm Call Time, 6:00pm Show Time at WLC Auditorium

1/29-2/2 - Spelling Bee Week at Keith!

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.

Students of WLCSD are welcomed to submit an Express Yourself project. The theme for this year’s project is “You Belong”. Students should create a project that expresses what this theme means to them. Projects can be a speech, an essay, a picture, a poem, a drawing, a video, a musical piece or any other format to express “You Belong". The winner(s) of this contest will share their projects, on stage, at the 25th annual WLCSD MLK Day Celebration. This is a great opportunity to recognize students and their creativity. It is by far the crowd’s favorite part of the MLK Celebration. Check out the project details and entry form. All entries must be submitted to a school office by Wednesday, December 20.

Express Yourself Contest Information and Entry Form (deadline 12/20)

Walled Lake Consolidated Schools is seeking nominations for the 2024 Alec Bender Friend of Diversity Award. This award honors individuals who are true friends of multicultural diversity in our school district and community. This honor will be bestowed on the recipient(s) WLCSD 25th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration on January 15, 2024. Any student, staff, community member, local business, or local organization is eligible to be nominated. Any member of the Walled Lake Schools community may submit a nomination. Nominations must be submitted through the nomination form by Friday, December 8.

Alec Bender Friend of Diversity Nomination Form (deadline 12/8)

Hello Keith Community,

Keith’s Got Talent, our annual variety show is back, and it’s coming soon! Please mark your calendars for Friday, January 26th, 2024 at 6:00 pm for a night of fabulous performances by our very own students. The event will be held in Walled Lake Central’s auditorium. The price of admission will be $3.00.

If your child would like to perform, please fill out the form linked below and return it to the main office.

Please note: Each act must submit a taped video of their act to Mrs. Matyus along with a file of their music track (if needed) to:

(ShannonMatyus@teachers.wlcsd.org)

Submissions are due by Friday, January 19th. Any type of electronic submission will be accepted, including Google files and CD’s. Our variety acts might include singing, dancing, acting, gymnastics, comedy, instrumental music, magic, athletic abilities, and more. All acts must be under 1 ½ minutes, making sure any music/content is age appropriate. In order to keep the show to a reasonable time frame, we strongly encourage group acts. Please turn in one form for each child, even if they are in the same act.

**Any further inquiries may be sent to ShannonMatyus@wlcsd.org or MatthewHewitt@wlcsd.org**

- The “Keith’s Got Talent” Team

Thank you to all who support our school-wide Student Council Operation Snowpile to purchase gifts for children in the hospital. All students earned a school-wide pajama day and we were so thankful the student council decided to add on a few spirit days as well for the last week before winter break.

Congratulations to Mrs. Sesi's class! They were the winning class that raised the most money for Operation Snowpile!

Monday 12/18 - Holiday PJ Day

Tuesday 12/19 - Holiday Hat Day

Wednesday 12/20 - Ugly Holiday Sweater Day

Thursday 12/21 - Grinch Day - dress like a Whoville who or wear all green!

Dear Walled Lake Schools families:

The Walled Lake Consolidated School District is pleased to offer Junior Kindergarten to families for the 2024-25 school year. The District’s Junior Kindergarten team is hard at work preparing for next school year, and they need your help to support their work.

Families interested in Junior Kindergarten in 2024-25 should fill out the Junior Kindergarten Interest Form by Friday, January 5, 2024. This input will assist the Junior Kindergarten team in determining program needs for the next school year.

More information on Junior Kindergarten in Walled Lake Schools can be found on the District website:

• https://www.wlcsd.org/programs/junior-kindergarten

Thank you and have a wonderful Winter Break!

Sincerely,

The WLCSD Junior Kindergarten team

Keith Family skate night Tuesday December 19 from 6:30-8:30.

$7 admission includes regular skate rental. If you would like to rent roller blades or speed skates there is an additional $5 feet.

No charge for staff with picture ID

Thank you!

Get ready to show off your school pride with our brand-new Keith Elementary spirit wear! Available for purchase now through the end of the year, these stylish and comfortable items are the perfect way to support our school community.

From cozy hoodies to trendy t-shirts, we have a variety of options for students, parents, and staff. Don't miss out on this limited-time opportunity to elevate your school spirit.

Also, It’s that time of year again for multi-purpose bags! They are great for winter gear, keeping your child’s belongings in one place, traveling, camping, and so much more. They cost $13.50 and come complete with a cord lock and your student’s name. Eight different colors to choose from.

Visit our online store today and gear up for a spirited end to the year! Available for free pickup before the holiday.

Click here or visit www.brodysonline.com

Best regards,

Alison Link

Keith PTA President

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

Girl Scout Troop 77874 is composed of girls from Keith Elementary and would love your support for the upcoming girl scout cookie season. The troop has a passion for helping others and would use money earned to give back to our community and fund the girls activities. If girl delivery is desired please reach out to troop77874@gmail.com.

Hello Ski and Snowboard Families! Club cards for 2024 are officially on sale now! They're on sale until Thursday January 4th 2024, which is the first day of Keith Ski club 2024!

Keith Ski Club Website

Ski club card order form: Keith Ski- Club Card Order Form

Thanks to all the families who came out for our Vanessa Williams Concert. We had a blast and her encore performance had all of us on our feet dancing and singing along!

Our next club concert meet is this Saturday, December 9th for Tchaikovsky's 6th Symphony Concert. We will be meeting at 7:40pm under the cube sign for a pre-concert club meet. Kindly email me back should you be attending either the club meet or concert.

Please see below for more information about the concert and the artists who would be performing. Should you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me: monique.levu@gmail.com 248-301-1415

I look forward to seeing those families who will be joining us!

TCHAIKOVSKY'S SIXTH SYMPHONY

When: Saturday, December 9, 2023, 8pm

Where: Orchestra Hall, 2hrs

• For more information about our conductor Jader Bignamini click here:
• https://www.dso.org/events-and-tickets/artists/jader-bignamini
• For more information about our special guest pianist Sergei Babayan click here:
• https://www.dso.org/events-and-tickets/artists/sergei-babayan
• For more information about our DSO click here:
• https://www.dso.org/about-the-dso/meet-the-orchestra

If you have not had a chance to join the Music Appreciation Club please fill out this Google Form
https://forms.gle/3eAmCFB4Vf9FCP626 . Do forward this link to any interested student. After attending one concert, the student membership will have paid for itself. We welcome any interested students!

What to watch for:

Fri, Dec 1st ~ Tubby's Sub & Ice Cream Day ~ $1.00 ice cream

Fri, Dec 8th ~ Chocolate Chip Cookie Day ~ $1.50 ea

Tue, Dec 12th ~ Pizza Day ~ $1.75 / extra slice, $1.00 chips

Thur, Dec 21st ~ Ice Cream Day ~ $1.00 ice cream

As always, parents can add funds to student accounts via Skyward, or cash / check brought to me in the kitchen.

Alison Link, Keith Kitchen Server

Keith Elementary, 956-3735

Join us for a family dance night!

Parent(s) / Guardian(s) accompany their child(ren) for a fun-filled evening in a winter wonderland to include dancing, crafts, and a photo booth! This is a community event offered to families with children in grades PreSchool-5th Grade. Refreshments and snacks will be provided. Must purchase tickets in advance.

In an effort to celebrate our staff, the WLCSD Community Relations department requests that families fill out the form below to nominate staff who are rock stars in their classrooms and school communities. A sample of what these shout outs will look like on social media and in our district newsletters is on the right.

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.

January 9, 2024 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