Dragon's Tale

January 31, 2025

Dear Dragon Families,

As we approach the final two weeks before our mid-winter break, I want to take a moment to reflect on the hard work and dedication we've seen from both our students and staff this month. We are entering a focused stretch of learning before our break, and I am confident our students will continue to make great strides. Let's keep up the momentum and continue to encourage our young learners to do their best! Thank you for your efforts with daily reading at home and good bedtime routines so our students come to school prepared to learn.

I’d also like to take a moment to express my gratitude for the overwhelming support and participation in last week’s Keith's Got Talent Show. It was truly a memorable event, and I am so proud of the students who showcased their talents. With almost 50 acts performed, we saw a wide variety of acts, from music and dance to magic tricks and comedy skits! I want to especially recognize the bravery of each student who stepped onto the stage—you all showed incredible courage. A big thank you to our PTA, Mr. Hewitt and Mrs. Matyus for their tireless effort in organizing such a wonderful event, and to all the parents for supporting your children through their preparations. We could not have had such a wonderful event without the help of our parent volunteers as well - a very special thank you to Stacy Bonn, Lindsay and Steve Neumann, Meredith Cairo, and Stephanie Sparks. It was a truly magical evening that reminded us of the amazing talents our school community has to offer.

Please be sure to read our full Dragon's Tale Newsletter, which highlights upcoming events. Your participation makes our school community stronger. As always, thank you for your continued support. Let’s keep making these next two weeks of focused learning count as we work together for our students’ success!

Warm regards,

Marci Augenstein, Principal

February, 2025

Feb. 4 - Keith PTA Meeting - 6:30pm Learning Commons

Feb. 7 - School Bus Safety - Emergency Bus Evacuation Drill (details below)

Feb. 10 - The Anxious Generation Family Book Study 6pm Learning Commons

Feb. 11 - 5th Grade Instrument Fittings - Learning Commons Foyer Area

Feb. 13 - Classroom Valentine's Parties 3pm

Feb. 18-21 - No School - Mid-Winter Break

Feb. 28 - 1:45pm Lifetouch Student Activities Photos

Feb. 28 - Staff Volleyball Game 5:30pm WLN Gym

Student Council is so excited to bring back Cereal Box Challenge! Last year we collected over 900 boxes. Can we get over 1,000 to donate to Hospitality House this year? We are going to try!

We will start collecting cereal box donations on Jan. 21st and will collect until Feb. 13th. We will once again build our domino run around the school on Valentine's Day as our way of spreading love throughout our school and community.

Thank you everyone for your continued support. We appreciate it!

Have a great night,

Your Student Council Team

Mid winter break is fast approaching and while we hope for some fun and/or relaxation for our families; we also realize the extra week off of school could cause some financial hardships for some of our Keith families experiencing food insecurities. So we are once again asking our wonderful Keith community for donations listed below to help offset some of the hardships for these families.

Donations can be brought to the Keith Elementary office during school hours thru Monday, February 10th, 2025. Please note this is a separate donation from our current student council cereal donation drive. (They are trying to get to 1,000 boxes of cereal to donate to Hospitality House.) So if you plan to donate any cereal please indicate where you would like that donation to go. Thank you for your support and we hope you have a wonderful mid winter break.

Please help our efforts by using this sign up genius and bringing donations to Keith: Keith Elementary: Spreading the Love

Thank you for your help and support of our Keith families!

Spread some Valentines Vibes with a nice surprise! Send a

toy gram to a friend, sibling, or staff member for only $1.

Send a toy gram to everyone in your class for a $25

donation! Simply let us know how many you would like by

filling out the cards below. Place your payment in an

envelope or send to the Venmo code and we will take care

of the rest. Toys will be small Valentines Day related fidget

toys and age appropriate. And all proceeds benefit the

5th grade celebration efforts. Please return this form by

Friday, February 7th and Toy Grams will be delivered on

Valentines Day - Friday, February 14th.

Hello Dragon Families,

Please be sure to see the iReady Family letter linked below. If you have not already received your parent report, teachers will be sending them home next week. Please be on the look out for this important update. Reach out to your child's teacher with any questions.

Thank you,

Marci Augenstein, Principal

A message from our Transportation Department:

The Michigan Department of Education recommends that: “every school bus driver conduct an emergency evacuation of pupils from the school bus at least three (3) times per year (front, rear, and front/rear combination).”

In compliance with this recommendation, keeping SAFETY as a top priority, the Walled Lake/Dean Transportation bus drivers will be conducting a school bus emergency evacuation drill with their elementary students. Your child’s bus driver will explain and lead the children through a practice bus evacuation on Friday, February 7th, 2025. This evacuation will be done on school property during morning drop-off.

If you have any questions, you may email the transportation office: transportation@wlcsd.org

Thank you for supporting the 5th grade party by purchasing bagels from New York Bagel for $2.00 each. Thank you for supporting the 5th grade party by purchasing bagels from New York Bagel for $2.00 each.

Cash: return with this form by: Friday, January 24th OR Venmo:

Bagel delivery to classroom on: Friday, January 31st

Additional Information is in the form below and the form was also sent home with your child on 1/10/25. Please email your child's teacher if you need another form.

Dear Dragon Families,

Since the 2019-2020 school year, we have shared information about district-wide efforts to improve our emergency responses. Walled Lake Consolidated Schools uses 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. We will continue with this work in the coming weeks as listed below:

Week of Jan. 20

Students will review ALICE options in each of the following areas that they visit during the school week:

• Art room
• Gymnasium
• Music room
• Learning Commons (Media Center)
• Non-load bearing classrooms

Week of Jan. 20

Students will review ALICE options in each of the following areas that they visit during the school day:

• Lunchroom
• Hallways/Bathrooms

Week of Jan. 27

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.

The book, “I’m not scared, I’m prepared,” by Julia Cook, read in classrooms this fall, comparisons to stranger danger, and additional resources linked below may be helpful for families that discuss the drills at home with their children.

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. 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

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

In an effort to find additional ways to celebrate our staff, the WLCSD Community Relations department requests that families fill out the information below for 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 can be found below.

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!

Keith Green Team / Steam4hc 4H Club thank you note to classrooms who participated in the senior home visit project.

In December 2024, the Stem 4 Compassion 4H Club, Keith Green Team, and several classrooms collaborated to create some special gifts for residents of a senior care home.

Students created colorful bird themed posters and letters, that showcased how we can take care of birds in our environment. 3rd grade students from Mrs. Matyus’s classroom put on their engineering and scientist hats and assembled bird feeders.

One of the bird feeders and the letters were delivered to the seniors, bringing much joy to their hearts. We greatly appreciate the efforts and good hearts of the school staff and students involved.

The seniors would love for us to visit more frequently. Any parents interested in getting their kids involved in visiting the senior home can contact me at steam4hc@gmail.com

What to watch for in February:

Thur, Feb 6th ~ Marco's Pizza Day ~ $2.00 extra slice, $1.25 chips

Mon, Feb 10th ~ Lucky Tray Day

Fri, Feb 14th ~ Ice Cream Day ~ $1.00

Fri, Feb 28th ~ Tubby's Subs & Ice Cream Day ~ $1.00

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!

Thanks to all the families who came out for the Ellington and The Nutcracker concert. We learned about Carlos Simon, Concertos, Tchaikovsky, The Nutcracker and Ray Chen at our Club meet. We also had a great discussion about the future of classical music and how the online presence of artists, composers and their social media content is the major source of introducing and keeping students engaged. Ray Chen stole the show playing with effortless grace and technical mastery, and it was such a treat to hear him perform an encore - his newly released Serenade.

Our next Club meet is Sunday, February 16, 2024 at 2:30 followed by the 3pm Broadway Love Songs concert.

Tickets are available starting Monday, February 3rd at 9am, by calling or visiting the box office and are subject to availability. For those students who usually book tickets online, please note the DSO is transitioning to only booking Student Soundcard tickets through visiting or calling the box office 313.576.5111.

Upcoming concerts where we plan to meet as a group:

· Sunday, Feb 16 2025, 2:30 Club meet, 3pm Broadway Love Songs

· Sunday, March 16, 2025, 2:30 Club meet, 3pm La Vida Loca

· Sunday, April 27 2025, 2:30 Club meet, 3pm Women Rock!

· Saturday, May 24 2025, 2:30 Club meet, 3pm Ben Folds

***Your student soundcard membership allows you to attend many more concerts in addition to the ones listed above. Please consider making the most of your membership and check out other concerts at DSO.org***

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, including the concerts outside of those we plan to meet at, 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

Go go go Joseph! Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor is coming to Walled Lake Northern! There are students from Keith Elementary School in the junior cast, and we are excited to see the future knights shine on stage! With a running time of just 90 minutes, this family-friendly show will have you singing and dancing in the seats! Show dates are February 6-9, and discount ticket rates are available for groups of 15 or more. Questions? Reach out to Director Ashley Ward- ashleyward@wlcsd.org.

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.

February 4th 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