A Message from Dr. A.
October 13, 2023
Dear Dragon Families,
This week was another wonderful week of learning at Keith Elementary School. At our PTA meeting, Mrs. Mitrik was able to report to our families an extensive list of items covered at each grade level. It is wonderful when we have your partnership in supporting the learning happening here at school.
I have been beyond appreciative of our entire community supporting our PTA fundraising efforts to bring new life to our Keith Giving Garden. I am certain that they will have totals for the community next week. I know our community is looking forward to celebrating a great start to our year at this even’s Fall Fest from 5-7pm at the Keith Playground.
I would be remiss if I did not take a moment to echo Dr. Bernia’s sentiments in his email to the community yesterday. It is extremely important to me that our community is a safe, inclusive one where all children can learn, grow, make friendships, and thrive. Thank you for being a part of our school community and for collaborating with us to ensure Keith is a safe school for ALL of our children.
If I miss our families at the Fall Fest tonight, know that I will be at the WLN Senior Night football game, where I will get to celebrate my own son and all of our former Keith alumni. My first year at Keith was our high school seniors’ fifth grade year, which is just incredible to me. I know it is cliché to say that time flies, but it surely does. Thank you for sharing your amazing children with us.
Enjoy the weekend ahead with your awesome kids! Please be sure to read our Dragon’s Tale Newsletter with more information about upcoming events and more.
Warm Regards,
Marci Augenstein, Principal
Keith Teacher of the Year Nomination Request
Walled Lake Consolidated Schools takes great pride in honoring exemplary educators within our district. Help us recognized someone that has made an impact on your family by nominating that person for 2023-24 Teacher of the Year! All nominations must be completed by October 20, 2023.
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.
October Events at Keith
October 2023
Oct. 4 - Count Day
Oct. 6 - Fun Run - See Details Below
Oct. 9 - 5th Grade Intro to Instruments 12:50pm
Oct. 10 - PTA Meeting 6:30pm - Learning Commons
Oct. 13 - Keith Fall Fest - 5-7pm
Oct. 20 - Picture Re-Take Day
Oct. 31 - Halloween Parade 11:00am, Classroom Celebration to Follow, Half Day
Lifetouch Retake Day Friday, October 20, 2023
All new students will be photographed.
Students absent on 9/8/23 (Original Picture Day) will be photographed
Interested in having your student photographed on Retake Day?
To add your student to the list:
Call the Keith office at (248) 956-3700 or Email Diana Tyrrell at: dianatyrrell@wlcsd.org
PLEASE NOTE:
If you ordered a portrait package and your student is having Retakes please return the original package on Retake Day.
Annual Keith PTA Fall Fest
What are you doing Friday the 13th of October from 5:00-7:00 p.m.? Join us for the 3rd annual Keith Fall Fest on the school’s playground to celebrate fall (and a great Fun Run) with friends!
Pizza Pre-Order Form Sept 2023
Now accepting Hungry Howie’s pizza pre-orders delivered to your family during our Fall Fest Fri, Oct 13th. Pizza forms & cash payment are due Tuesday, October 10th at Keith Elementary. We’re working to have multiple food trucks available at the Fall Fest that will take cash and credit. Don’t miss out on:
- Music and fun with our DJ
- Raffle tickets to win Willow merch
- Here’s the Scoop food truck
- Hungry Howie’s pizza (pre-orders best, limited slices available onsite)
- Pie Walk contest
- Arts, crafts and games
- So much fun!
Want to sign up to volunteer for the event? Signup Genius coming soon! We hope to see you there!
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 14, 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.
Keith Music Appreciation Club
Are you curious about Classical / Pops / Jazz music or just enjoy listening to music? Do you like going to concerts? Then come join the Music Appreciation Club. We will be learning more about the music, the performances, the artists and attend concerts with:
Yuja Wang, Vanessa Williams, The Music of Pink Floyd, Disney & Broadway Favorites, Tchaikovsky, Beethoven, Mozart, Mendelssohn, Vivaldi, Dvořák and many more!
Cost: $25 per student membership unlocks one free ticket to almost every Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) 2023-2024 concert series, and up to two companion tickets (bring your parents/sibling/friend) for $5 each, access to the best seats, access to DSO Replay and online Live streaming performances.
See attached flyer, Music Appreciation Club Details Document and link to Google form for registration.
https://forms.gle/3eAmCFB4Vf9FCP626
For more information please contact Monique Levu: monique.levu@gmail.com
Keith Green Team
Dear Keith Parents / Students,
Do you know that October is a great time for Halloween celebrations, but is also when we celebrate the World Migratory Bird Day. This is an important time when birds are traveling south to warmer places.
They face many dangers during their travels. Here are some things to think about:
1. Would keeping your cat indoors, putting decals on clear windows, eliminating pesticides from your yard, sparing a small part of your lawn to create a habitat help, turning bright outdoor lights off when not needed make a difference ?
2. What could fake spiderwebs, decorations with loops, dangling decorations, that look like food do to wildlife ? What happens when glitter coated pumpkins are spotted by a hungry critter ? What happens if we toss a candy wrapper that has sticky sugar ?
3. Would more time outdoors enjoying nature make a positive difference in your life ?
When you join a bird conservation group such as the Keith Green Team Bird club you get a chance to express your opinion and learn more about birds and support important conservation work. There is no cost, just a little bit of your time will go a long way make a big positive difference to the world, and to help improve your academic skills, grades and health.
Students: Keith google classroom xy5is22
Parents: Fill out form at https://forms.gle/7VwcRc45MXUU3M3R9
What Keith Green Team is doing this month: Collecting candy wrappers, setting up a “most earth friendly costume” contest, giving out flower seeds, tree seedlings to homes, giving out free national park passes to 4th graders, building bird houses, setting up a bird observatory at school and much more ! We need both parent and student leads to help!
Upcoming green team member events:
10/16: 3:40 pm - 3:50 pm : Green Team stars recognition by Dr. A
10/17 (Sat): Oakland Audubon lead field trip to watch migrating birds at St.Clair metro park. Contact kad8186@msn.com to register.
10/23: Green team LEADER meeting: Come to the office at dismissal.
10/21: 10:30 am: Setting up bird houses at tollgate farm. email steam4hc@gmail.com for details.
Questions ? Email steam4hc@gmail.com
National School Bus Awareness Month
October is national school bus awareness month, and this next week is national School Bus Safety week!
Do you know the rules of the road when it comes to school busses?
Please take a moment to view this 30 second video for a refresher.
ALICE Safety Drills at Keith
Dear Dragon Families,
Since the 2019-2020 school year, we have shared information about district-wide efforts to improve our emergency responses. At the start of the 2022-2023 school year, our district adopted ALICE, a research-based training program to ensure schools are prepared to respond to potential intruder events. ALICE is about empowering individuals and providing options or strategies beyond the traditional lockdown methods.
This week, all K-5 classrooms will read the book, “I’m not scared, I’m prepared,” by Julia Cook, as we have done in previous years. In the book by Julia Cook, comparisons to stranger danger, and additional resources linked below may be helpful for families that discuss the drills at home with their children.
In October and November, students at Keith Elementary will learn about ALICE principles in relation to our school building. In these lessons, all classrooms will review ALICE principles in an age appropriate manner. Teachers will use similar language and will utilize the same materials to ensure consistent implementation. Please see the chart below for what each drill will entail:
Week of 10/16
Review of ALICE acronym
Discuss what a teacher might do to barricade a door
Discuss the on-site rally point outside
Visit the on-site rally point outside
Review of ALICE acronym
Practice situational awareness through designed activities
Discuss options to evacuate the classroom
Practice evacuating through the doorway of the classroom
Week of 10/23
Review ALICE principles
Review on-site rally point
Learn about exit options all around the school
Review ALICE principles
Practice barricading the classroom door
Week of 11/13
The entire school will participate in a drill, at the same date and time, in which each class will choose an option based on their location in the building. The scenario presented will NOT include a specific threat, but rather read, “if there was something dangerous happening in the (a specific location in the school.)”
Although possible in a real emergency, at no time during the drill will any student(s) evacuate through a window, nor will they travel off of school property.
We will NOT simulate gunfire or other violent situations. We will engage in age-appropriate discussions and practice to prepare students. Lesson teaching points that may assist families with at-home discussions include:
We practice so we know what to do in an emergency. We’re not scared, we’re prepared!
Our job is to keep you safe. Your job is to listen and follow the adults’ directions.
Evacuation means to leave the building. Your teacher or a trusted adult may tell you to leave the building and go to a safe place.
If an adult tells you to leave the building. Listen, quickly go to a safe place, and then wait for helpers (police officers, firefighters, trusted adults, etc.)
Student safety continues to be our first priority. Additional safety drills will take place later in the school year. We will continue to collaborate with local law enforcement and families to ensure a safe learning environment for our children.
In partnership,
Marci Augenstein, Principal
Keith Elementary School
Helpful Links:
Talking to your Child about Safety - K-2
Talking to your Child about Safety - 3-5
Talking to Children about Violence - Tips for Parents and Teachers
LAYA - Adopt-A-Child Application
If your family has any needs for the approaching holiday season, please take advantage of our LAYA program, Adopt-A-Child.
LAYA’s fillable Holiday “Adopt-a-Child” application is available online at :https://www.wlcsd.org/community/lakes-area-youth-assistance.
The deadline to apply is Friday, November 3, 2023
2023-2024 Keith Elementary Student Directory
If you would like for your information to be shared with the Keith community, please complete one form per child. Anything submitted will be published to all Keith families, shared in the link below. You may choose to complete this form or not. The purpose is for our families to stay connected with one another. This list is for Keith Elementary School use only and may not be distributed.
Michigan Teacher of the Year Nominations
The Michigan Teacher of the Year (MTOY) nomination window is open for 2024-25. We ask for you to shine a spotlight on an educator within your district and share the following MTOY information with your schools.
What is MTOY? The MTOY program recognizes outstanding teachers from across Michigan. Each year, ten Regional Teachers of the Year (RTOYs) are selected through this competitive application process, with one of the RTOYs being named Michigan Teacher of the Year. Honored teachers will have an opportunity to learn more about educational initiatives and policies at the state level and provide input on how to better serve Michigan’s teachers and students.
People wishing to nominate a dedicated teacher for this recognition are asked to make nominations using the online form, which is available until Monday, October 16, 2023, at 11:59 p.m.
Please consider sharing the online nomination form in your school district communications with principals, teachers, staff, and parents. District, school, and classroom newsletters and social media are avenues to share the link and create an opportunity for dedicated educators to be recognized.
2024-25 Michigan Teacher of the Year Nominations Please take a moment to nominate one or more teachers for the 2024-25 Michigan Teacher of the Year by simply clicking here or using the QR Code. Let’s shine a spotlight on the heroes in our schools across this great state. The nomination window is open September 5 – October 16, 2023.
Please contact the Office of Educator Excellence at MTOY@Michigan.gov with any questions regarding the program or nomination process.
A Note from the Keith Kitchen
What to watch for:
Thurs, Oct 26th ~ Pizza Day ~ $1.75 / extra slice, $1.00 chips
Fri, Oct 27th ~ Tubby's Sub & Ice Cream Day ~ $1.00 ice cream cups
The breakfasts & lunches are free this year for all students. For snacks, parents can add funds to student accounts via Skyward, or cash / check brought to the kitchen.
Family iReady Information - What is iReady?
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.
Keith PTA Garden Chair Nominations
Hello Dragon Families,
I am Kate Tomasik, Vice President of the Keith Elementary PTA and Clubs Chair for this school year. I am calling for nominations to fill out the Garden Club leadership role. This volunteer spot is not only unique and impactful, but literally lets you get your hands dirty and grow your own snacks!
Opportunity: The Garden Club Chair will be able to help:
(1) design a garden plan--this can be exciting for a true visionary;
(2) spend the funds we raise--our FUN RUN this year is raising capital just for that purpose;
(3) make it happen--we have many volunteers who have offered to devote time to make it work, we just need a leader.
Bonus: On top of what we raise for FUN RUN, there is a $2,000 in bonus grant funds available for installing a simple irrigation system (which we are eager to finally put to use once we actually have a garden to irrigate).
Want to co-chair with another person? That's fine! Just let me know.
How? Just simply email me at K8Tomasik@yahoo.com and state that you would like to be considered for the Garden Chair position.
Deadline: Nominations received by MONDAY, October 9th will be considered for appointment by the Keith PTA Board at its next General PTA Meeting, Tuesday, October 10th at 6:30pm.
Looking forward to finding someone awesome to work on this project with us!
Kate Tomasik,
Keith PTA Vice President
Cub Scout Pack 36
Cub Scout Pack 36 earns our badges the wild way! The Detroit Zoo has workshops that allow our Dens to interact directly with Zoo experts and engage with the world around us. Here's what we're working on Sat, Oct 14th @ 10AM:
Lions (Kindergarten): Rumble in the Jungle
Tigers (1st Gr): Tigers in the Wild
Wolves (2nd Gr): Digging in the Past
Bears (3rd Gr): Critter Care
Webelos (4th & 5th Gr): Into the Wild
Attendance is not required, but what a cool new adventure! Click the flyer below for more info.
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