Dragon's Tale

November 15, 2024

Dear Dragon Families,

I hope this message finds you well and enjoying the beautiful fall season! As we reflect on the exciting events of the past few weeks, I wanted to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to all of you for your unwavering support of our school community.

Thank You for a Successful Fall Book Fair!

A huge thank you to everyone who contributed to making our Fall Book Fair such a success! Thanks to your participation, we were able to not only expand our school library but also inspire a love of reading in our students. The excitement around the fair was contagious, and it’s clear that our school community values the power of books. We also want to give a special shoutout to our amazing PTA for their tireless efforts in organizing and running this event. Their dedication to supporting our school and enhancing the educational experience for our children is truly remarkable.

Join the PTA – Get Involved, Make a Difference!

If you haven’t yet joined the PTA, I encourage you to consider becoming a member. The PTA plays an essential role in organizing events, supporting our teachers, and providing valuable resources for our students. Your involvement, no matter how big or small, helps make our school a better place for all of our children. Please reach out to the PTA for more information about how you can contribute and stay connected.

The Power of Reading

As we continue through the school year, I want to remind everyone of the importance of reading at home. Reading with your child every day has an immeasurable impact on their academic success and helps foster a love of learning that will last a lifetime. Whether it’s a picture book, a chapter book, or even reading together from a newspaper or magazine, the key is consistency. I encourage all families to make reading a part of your daily routine—no matter how short the time may be.

Holiday Support for Families in Need

As the holiday season approaches, we are once again working together as a school community to support families in need. Thank you so much to those who have already donated holiday meals and other items to help make the season brighter for our families. Your kindness and generosity make a real difference. If you are still interested in contributing, it’s not too late! Please reach out to the school office or PTA for more information on how you can help.

Looking Ahead

There’s so much to look forward to in the coming weeks! For additional information about upcoming events, school activities, and more, please take a moment to read our Dragon's Tale Newsletter.

Once again, thank you for your continued support. We are grateful to be part of such a caring and involved school community. Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season filled with joy and togetherness.

Warm regards,

Marci Augenstein, Principal

November, 2024

Nov. 4 - Parent Book Study with Dr. A. and Mrs. Faber - The Anxious Generation - 6-7pm Learning Commons (Details below)

Nov. 5 - No School

Nov. 7 - Nov. 14 - Keith PTA Book Fair

Nov. 8 - Bagel Order Forms Due

Nov. 11 - Nov. 13 - 5th Grade Camp at WLOEC (Questions - Email your child's teacher.)

Nov. 12 - Keith PTA Meeting - Learning Commons, 6:30pm

Nov. 13 - Walk into Walled Lake Event 4-6pm Educational Services Center 850 Ladd Rd. (Details below)

Nov. 15 - Bagel delivery day

Nov. 19 - Half Day 12:25pm Dragon Dismissal to Parking Lot, 12:30pm Walkers and Prime Time Care Dismissed, 12:42pm Buses Depart Keith

Nov. 19 - Taste of the Lakes - Benefit for Lakes Area Youth Assistance

Nov. 27 - Half Day 2:25pm Dragon Dismissal to Parking Lot, 12:30pm Walkers and Prime Time Care Dismissed, 12:42pm Buses Depart Keith

Nov. 28-29 - No School - Thanksgiving Break

Keith Elementary is looking for a dedicated Permanent Assistant Server to join our team. This is a part-time position, offering 3.75 hours per day during the school week. As an assistant server, you’ll play a vital role in helping provide students with nutritious meals in a supportive environment.

Position: Permanent Assistant Elementary Server
Location: Keith Elementary
Hours: 3.75 hours/day (Monday-Friday)

If you're enthusiastic about supporting students and want to be part of a great team, apply now!

Apply online today at https://www.applitrack.com/oaklandschools/onlineapp/default.aspx?choosedistrict=true&applitrackclient=46172&category=Non%2DCertified+Student+Support+Services&subcategory=Food+Services

Keith PTA would like to gift a Thanksgiving meal kit to some of our own Keith families that could really use the help this year. These families have already been predetermined and will receive a box filled with a turkey and ingredients to make sides for their Thanksgiving celebration. PTA will purchase the turkeys and we need your help purchasing the ingredients for the side dishes. As you shop for your own Holiday celebration this year, please consider purchasing some of these items (or gift cards) below to donate. Please have all items donated to the school office by Friday, November 15th. Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving!

Spirit Week - Week of Nov 18th ~ 22nd

It is $1 to participate but please feel free to donate more! All the money raised from this spirit week will go towards Operation Snow Pile. Operation Snow Pile is a Student Council Fundraiser that helps raise money to buy toys for children in the hospital this holiday season. (Cash donations only)

Monday - Hat / Wig day

Tuesday - Sports Day - wear your favorite teams gear

Wednesday - Wacky Wednesday - Dress Wacky and make your hair wacky

Thursday - Stand up to Cancer - Wear PINK

Friday - PJ / stuffy day

Thank you for your support!

Keith Student Council

Dear 5th Grade Parents,

Commerce, Dublin, Glengary and Keith Elementary 5th Grade Students are invited to CHS Middle School on Monday, November 18th at 4:30 p.m. to enjoy some pizza, water and a CHS Middle School 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 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 13th.

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 18th!

Respectfully,

Nayal Maktari, Principal

Fall Book Fair, Fall Into A Good Book, has come to an end. The kids had so much fun attending the book fair, participating in the guessing game, raffles, and continuing to grow their love of books! Thank you to everyone who volunteered their time and items to help make this book fair special! Also, a huge thank you for bringing in your gently used books. Keith is an incredibly giving community that we should all feel proud to be part of. The last day to bring in books to donate is Monday, November 18th.

Thank you,

Book Fair Committee

Hello Dragon Families,

Please consider signing up to help track our students' mileage club progress on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Please feel free to sign up for every grade level and take an entire day. If you are only able to come during your child's time slot, we have created a sign up below. We need the support of our amazing parent volunteers to help encourage the physical fitness of our students.

Thank you again for signing up to volunteer on the playground during our lunch recess times to stamp our students' mileage club card. The link for parent volunteer help is below. When you arrive to Keith to help, please check in at the main office to get the mileage club supplies if you are the first parent volunteer to arrive.

Thank you for supporting the physical fitness of our students at Keith!

Jamin Stewart and Steven LaCross

Keith PE Teachers

Calling all artists, writers, dancers, musicians, photographers, and videographers! Entries are now being accepted for the National PTA Reflections art competition. Create something in one of the categories below with the theme “ACCEPTING IMPERFECTION” and fill out the google doc to submit your entry!

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

For more information and official rules per category click here

DEADLINE:

Submissions must be sent digitally and are accepted until November 11, 2024.

ENTRY FORM:

Submit contest entries using this link:

REFLECTIONS SUBMISSIONS 2024-2025

A letter will be sent home with students this week with more information. Updates will be posted on the Keith Elementary PTA Facebook page so be sure to follow us!

For more information on this year’s theme: “ACCEPTING IMPERFECTION” click here

Please email ljones456@sbcglobal.net with questions. Thanks for your support in unleashing your child’s inner artist!

'The Keith PTA has partnered with Oakland County Sheriff's Department 'Coats for Cold' initiative and will be collecting new and clean, gently used coats for distribution to those in need in Oakland County. Please consider donating as the weather turns colder! The coat drive will run throughout the month of November; the donation box is located in the atrium. Thanks for your support!

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Thank you so much to the almost 20 parents who were able to attend our discussion on Part 1 last Monday. I would encourage anyone who still may want to participate to catch up on the reading and join us for the future sessions!

We invite you to join us in this important conversation, participate in discussions, and partner with our school in looking out for our kids. Together, we can create a supportive environment that fosters resilience and understanding.

Meeting Schedule

We will hold four meetings, each lasting one hour, where we will discuss different sections of the book. ALL meetings will be from 6-7pm in the Keith Learning Commons. Please see the schedule below:

11/4/24 - Introduction to the book and Discussion of Part 1: The Great Rewiring of Childhood

12/9/24 - Review of Part 2: The Backstory: The Decline of Play-based Childhood and increase in childhood anxiety

1/13/25 - Discussion of Part 3: Social Media and Mental Health- Strategies for healthy technology use – The Rise of the phone-based childhood

2/10/25 - Overview of Part 4: Building Resilience - Collaborative ideas for supporting our children

To help ensure that everyone can participate, I am happy to provide a copy of the book for any family that may face financial barriers. If you would like to receive a book, please let me know when you RSVP.

You are welcome to attend any or all of the meetings. Each session will provide a space for open dialogue, sharing of experiences, and brainstorming actionable steps we can take as a community.

Thank you for your commitment to our students’ well-being. I look forward to engaging with you in these discussions that will undoubtedly strengthen our community and support our children’s futures.

Warm regards,

Marci Augenstein, Principal

Links

Ski Club Enrollment and Information Form

Keith Elementary Ski/Snowboard Facebook Link

Sponsor Contact Email: Ulrey.Christopher@gmail.com

Please click on the button below to learn more about our Keith Green Team!

What to watch for:

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

Fri, Nov 8th ~Chips $1.25 & Snacks $1.00

Mon, Nov 11th ~ Lucky Tray Day

Fri, Nov 15th ~ Chips $1.25 & Snacks $1.00

Fri, Nov 22nd ~ Chips $1.25 & Snacks $1.00

Fri, Nov 26th ~ $1.00 ice cream cups

As always, parents & staff can add funds to student accounts via Skyward, or cash / check brought to me in the kitchen. If students bring cash/checks, please send the funds to the cafeteria either:

1. Labeled inside your lunch barcode sheet, or
2. Have students bring down their money during breakfast

The lunch line moves quicker if their funds are deposited beforehand. Thank you in advance for your help!

Our next Club meet is Sunday, November 17, 2024 2:30, followed by the 3pm Under The Streetlamp Concert with former cast members from the hit musical Jersey Boys harmonies and dance moves, performing old-school hits by The Drifters, Roy Orbison, Nat King Cole, The Beach Boys, and The Beatles, plus a celebration of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.

This is a very popular concert and is almost sold out! As we get closer to the concert date, oftentimes they open up more seating that was not available previously for Soundcard members to book. Do check back to see what is available and call the DSO box office 313.576.5111 to see if they can assist with booking seating together and or switching seating that is more convenient for you.

It is not too late to join now! After attending only 1 concert, your student membership will have paid for itself.

Cost: $25 per student membership unlocks one free ticket to almost every Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) 2024-2025 concert series in addition to the concerts the Club will meet for, and up to two companion tickets (bring or invite your parents/sibling/friend/teacher) for $5 each, access to the best seats, access to DSO Replay and online Live streaming performances. Carpooling opportunities are available!

We will be learning more about the music, the performances, the artists and attend concerts with:

Oldies Music by The Drifters, Roy Orbison, Nat King Cole, The Beach Boys, and The Beatles; Ray Chen; Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker; Broadway Love Songs; Music of Enrique Iglesias, Gloria Estefan, Santana, & Ricky Martin; Women Rock! (Music by Carole King, Janis Joplin, Aretha Franklin, Pat Benatar, Tina Turner), Ben Folds and many more!

See Music Appreciation Club Details Document for more information and link to Google form for registration https://forms.gle/3eAmCFB4Vf9FCP626

Should you have any question, contact Monique Levu monique.levu@gmail.com 248-301-1415

The Leadership class at Walled Lake Northern high school is having an annual gift drive. Below is the link to our Amazon Storefront to help donate to our annual Gift Drive ran by the Leadership class. Thank you so much!

https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/2QEWGD83JR5LN

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.

November 12th at 6:30pm - Keith Learning Commons

Visit our PTA's Facebook Page

https://www.facebook.com/KeithElemPTA/

Keith Vision Screening Schedule:

Grades to be assessed: J/K, 1, 3, 5

TECHNICIAN: TERRI ALCOCER

10/16, 10/17, 10/18, 10/22, 10/23, 10/24, 10/25/2024 AM

Keith Hearing Screening Schedule:

Grades to be assessed: J/K, K, 2, 4

TECHNICIAN: DENISE GAARDER

03/14, 03/17, 03/18, 03/19, 03/20/2025

Please visit the WLCSD website linked in the button below for additional information about your child's health and immunizations for school. In addition, should your child need to take medication while at school, all medicines must be kept in the main office. They must be brought to school by an adult with the permission to administer medicine at school form (linked in the button below) and original bottle included. Please review the Keith Medical Information section of our family handbook for additional information.

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: http://wlcsd.org/schools/elementary/keith/
Location: 2800 Keith Road, West Bloomfield Township, MI, United States
Phone: (248)956-3700
Twitter: @KeithElementary