A Message from Dr. A.
August 25, 2023
Dear Dragon Families,
I recently read that a school is four walls with the future inside and I know this is true for our dragons. Our teachers have had an excellent return to our school year and have spent countless hours preparing for your children to return to school. I anticipate wonderful connections and partnerships between home and school so together we can support the learning and growth of our children.
Thank you for your efforts to prepare your children for a positive school experience. On Sunday evening, I scheduled a robo call for your children at 5:30pm. The message is to welcome them to school and it might be fun if you could let them listen to the call.
I am so excited to start our 23-24 school year together and look forward to your partnership this year. Here is our Dragon’s Tale Newsletter with additional information for the start of the school year as well as upcoming PTA events and more.
Warm Regards,
Marci Augenstein, Principal
Welcome Back to School!
I would like to welcome our new families to the Keith Community. I look forward to meeting you and your children very soon. This is my 8th year serving as Keith Elementary Principal and my 16th year as a school administrator.
Thank you in advance for ensuring your children are well rested, prepared, and ready to learn. We look forward to working with you and your children in having an academically and socially successful school year.
Respectfully,
Marci Augenstein, Principal
Keith VIP Mileage Club - Parent Volunteers Needed!
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!
Staggered Start for Kindergarten on Monday, August 28
The beginning of Kindergarten is a very exciting time in your child’s life and we look forward to a great school year. Your child is in kind, capable hands with our kindergarten teachers and our entire staff.
To help our youngest learners transition into kindergarten, WLCSD will be utilizing a staggered start on the first day of school, Monday, August 28th.
Staggered starts on August 28th last names beginning with:
- Last Names A-M - 8:55-11:30 am
- Last Names N-Z - 1:30-4:00 pm
*Lunch will not be served to Kindergarten students on this first day.
*For those eligible to receive it, transportation WILL be provided to and from school for both AM and PM students.
Welcome to Kindergarten!
If you have questions regarding the staggered start please call the main office at 248-956-3700.
First Day of School - August 28th
We ask that parents and students practice walking to your child's classroom and take any pictures with your child's teacher during our Meet and Greet event on August 24th. After the Meet and Greet event, we respectfully ask that students walk to their classroom on their own starting on the first day of school.
Our staff and safeties are available to help all students during this time every day. Thank you for your help with this. We respectfully ask that any volunteers and visitors sign in at the main office.
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.
School Picture Day Information
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.
Staffing Updates
We have had a few updates with our FAPES staffing that I wanted to make our community aware of:
Mrs. Lewin-Ziegler will be teaching AM music this year as she was provided the opportunity to work part-time this year.
PM music this year will be taught by Mrs. Shelly Fox. Although Mrs. Fox is new to Keith, she is familiar with our district as her own children attend WLCSD. She has also has previous teaching experience and will be a wonderful asset to our team!
Ms. Maria Longhi, our previous travelling music teacher will be teaching full time at Wixom Elementary School this year and we wish her nothing but the best!
Ms. Jacquelyn Podnar will be joining Keith as our travel music teacher for the 23-24 school year. She has a tremendous amount of enthusiasm for student learning, having recently graduated from Eastern Michigan University.
Mrs. Lisa Eiland will be returning to Keith for 3 sections of 3rd grade PE on Monday mornings. Mrs. Eiland has previously taught PE at Keith and I am beyond thrilled to welcome her back to Keith for the 23-24 school year. Mrs. Timms and Mrs. Lepkowski remain at Keith.
Mrs. Jennifer Todd will also be returning to Keith for 2 sections of 1st grade art this year. Mrs. Todd is the WLCSD Art Department Chair and is an amazing teacher. My own son had her for art when he was an Oakley Park Owl and we are thrilled to welcome her to Keith.
Bring Your Own Device Program K-12
After the increased use of technology last year, we recognize that many of your children have their own devices. They are all welcome and encouraged to participate in our "Bring Your Own Device" program. Please use the link below to print off the BOYD Form and give it to your child's teacher at our Meet and Greet event on August 24th or send it in with your child on the first day of school. You are also welcome to complete the online version of the form and save paper!
Please take a moment to visit the WLCSD Bring Your Own Device Policy Website for additional information as well as a link to the printable form.
Please know we appreciate your continued partnership as we work to ensure every child has access to the best resources available! If you choose not to participate, we are going to once again have our chrome book carts available for use at Keith Elementary School during the school day for children who do not have a device from home.
Fall - Save the Dates for the 2023-24 School Year!
The following calendar dates and times for Keith Specific events are TENTATIVE for the 2023-24 School Year. Not every event we will hold is included in this calendar yet, but it will be updated for all families as we work to finalize our events with our amazing PTA and district. The 2023-24 District Calendar dates for school breaks and no school days is set and that calendar can also be found on the WLCSD website and is linked above for your convenience.
8/24/23 – Popsicles w/the Principal on the Playground 3-5pm (Teacher meet and greet 3-4pm)
8/28/23 - First Day of School *Kindergarten Staggered Start
9/1/23 - No School
9/4/23 - No School Labor Day
9/5/23 – 6:30pm Keith PTA Meeting - Media Center
9/8/23 - Fall Picture Day
9/12/23 – K-2 Curriculum Night 6:00-7:30pm (Start times: K–6:00pm, 1–6:30pm, 2–7:00pm)
9/13/23 – 3-5 Curriculum Night 6:00-7:30pm (Start times: 3–6:00pm, 4–6:30pm, 5–7:00pm)
9/21/23 - ½ Day for Students - Staff PD Day
9/22/23 - WLN Homecoming Parade
9/25/23 - No School
10/4/23 - Student Count Day
10/6/23 - Keith Fun Run
10/13/23 - Keith PTA Fall Fest 5:00-7:00pm Keith Playground
10/20/23 – Lifetouch Retake Picture Day
10/31/23 - ½ Day for Students - Staff PD Day
11/5 to 11/15/23 – Fall PTA Book Fair
11/7/23 - No School Election Day
11/8/23 – 6:30pm Keith PTA Meeting – Media Center
11/14/23 - ½ Day for Students - Staff PD Day
11/23 & 11/24/23 - No School Thanksgiving
12/5/23 - 6:30pm Keith PTA Meeting – Media Center
12/14/23 - ½ Day for Elementary *Dismissal 1 hour earlier for Parent Teacher Conferences
12/22/23 - 1/2/24 No School Winter Break *School Resumes 1/3/24
1/9/24 - 6:30pm Keith PTA Meeting – Media Center
1/15/24 - No School 25th Annual MLK Day Celebration at WLN
1/26/24 – Keith Talent Show at WLC High School 5:30pm Call Time, 6:00pm Show Time
1/31/24 - ½ Day for Students - Staff PD Day
2/6/24 - 6:30pm Keith PTA Meeting – Media Center
2/7/24 – Student Count Day
2/14/24 – Classroom Valentines Celebrations 3pm
2/19 - 2/23/24 - No School Mid-Winter Break
3/1/24 – Lifetouch Activity Photos
3/5/24 – 6:30pm Keith PTA Meeting – Media Center
3/7 to 3/15/24 – Spring PTA Book Fair
3/12/24 - ½ Day for Students - Staff PD Day
3/25 - 3/29/24 - No School Spring Break *School Resumes 4/1/24
4/9/23 - 6:30pm Keith PTA Meeting – Media Center
4/19/24 - Lifetouch Spring Picture Day
4/23/24 - ½ Day for Students - Staff PD Day
5/6 to 5/10/24 – Staff Appreciation Week
5/7/24 - 6:30pm Keith PTA Meeting – Media Center
5/9/24 - ½ Day for Students - Staff PD Day
5/24/24 - ½ Day for Memorial Day Weekend
5/27/24 - No School Memorial Day
5/30/24 – Keith Field Day
6/6/24 – 5th Grade Ceremony 9:30am – 5th Grade Celebration to follow
6/7/24 – Final Day of School – ½ Day – 5th Grade Clap out at 11:30am
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: http://wlcsd.org/schools/elementary/keith/
Location: 2800 Keith Road, West Bloomfield Township, MI, United States
Phone: (248)956-3700
Twitter: @KeithElementary