Family Newsletter

Happy Friday, Lakers!

This has been a terrific week to lead us into the break. All students enjoyed learning about several animals and their habitats from their Supe's assemblies (thank you, PTO!). Check with your child's classroom teacher for some photos from the experience! 4th graders headed down to the Rouge Ford Factory and Car Museum for a field trip on Thursday. And we would like to send a big thank you to everyone for participating in World Down Syndrome Awareness Day; we raised $221.00 for the Down Syndrome Guild of Southeast Michigan today with our crazy sock day.

At the start of this school year, we gave out shirts to all of our Gretchko kindergarten students at Popsicles with the Principal. We have several left and believe some of our kindergarten students may not have received one. If you have a kindergarten student who did not receive a yellow kindergarten shirt in the fall, we have a few left. Please contact the school office or your classroom teacher!

Over the break, I hope you will have a chance to read with your kiddos for our final week of March is Reading Month. Students are trying to reach their goal of reading 100 minutes per week, so don't forget to find 20 minutes a day to read to or with your children!

Have a restful week,

Jen Teal

Principal

A Day With No Words

A Day With No Words is a colorful and engaging picture book for young readers that shares what life can look like for families who use nonverbal communication, utilizing tools to embrace their unique method of "speaking."

Congratulations to Emilia Harmala for being nominated by Ms. Metz for Laker Leader of the Month! Ms. Metz had wonderful things to say about Emilia. "Emilia always goes above and beyond in my classroom! She is willing to help with any and every task. She helps out any kiddo who needs it and even works to make sure other Laker Leaders remember the daily tasks I have for them. A few times she has even stayed an extra few minutes longer to complete a task. She has also stepped forward to do less desirable tasks, like cutting out paper. The kindergarteners will often swarm her with hugs or ask her a million questions, and she is so kind and caring towards them as well. Emilia is a wonderful asset to the Laker Leader crew, and I am so happy she was assigned to my classroom. Great work Emilia!"

Keep up the great work, Emilia!

Here at Gretchko, we love recognizing students who are following our classroom social contracts and demonstrating responsibility, respect, safety, and kindness. This week, we have been on the lookout for students who are setting a great example and we have been handing out many Rockin' Croc tickets. A copy of the ticket goes home so you can celebrate with your student as well, and the other half is entered into our Friday drawing. ROCKIN CROC winners for for March 21, 20215: Lanamarie Bunnell, Lucy Ghedotte, Samuel Andrews, Presley Andersen, Jacob Munawar, Isaiah Jefferson, Yeily Delgado Vela, Ethan Mahoney, Jonathan Kiszewski, Anacelia Diaz-Saucedo, Riley Crockett, Terez Poole, Hank May, Ellery Koivunen, Niles Stelkic, and Wesley Rosemeyer.

This year's Pine Tree FEATURED AUTHOR is Jarrett Lerner!! We are so excited to welcome Jarrett to Gretchko on THURSDAY, APRIL 10th! Gretchko students will read many of his books during their iCenter classes prior to his visit. Gretchko has partnered with Schuler Books to host a fundraiser the week of March 16-22. Students can purchase a SIGNED COPY of Jarrett's books using the link in the attached flyer during that week. Students will receive their purchased books the week Jarrett visits our school.

Sikh Heritage Month

Arab American Heritage Month

Chaldean American Month

Tartan (Scottish American) Heritage Month

Autism Acceptance/Awareness Month

Bilingual/Multilingual Learner Advocacy Month

Deaf History Month

• Apr 2: International Autism Acceptance Day

• Apr 12-20: Passover (Judaism)

• Apr 13: Theravada New Year (Buddhism)

• Apr 14: Aluth Avuruda & Puthandu (Sri Lankan New Year)

• Apr 18: Good Friday (Christianity)

• Apr 20: Easter (Christianity)

• Apr 20-May 2: Ridvan (Bahai)

• Apr 22: Earth Day

• Apr 24: Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day

We are about to begin teaching sex education with the resource The Puberty Workshop in our 4th, 5th and 6th grade class taught by your child’s classroom teacher. This program of instruction was approved by the West Bloomfield School District Board of Education. As a parent, you have several rights:

• You must be notified prior to instruction on sex education and/or HIV/STI prevention.

• You may preview the curriculum and materials by: Attending the optional Reproductive Health Preview meeting scheduled for April 9th at 6:30 pm via Zoom with Amy Quinn, Elementary Curriculum Consultant and SEAB co-facilitator. Please confirm here if you are coming to this optional video preview session.

• Those who do not wish their child to participate must fill out the 2025 Updated WBSD Sex Education Exemption Form

Get ready to Glow into Spring at Gretchko Elementary’s Spring Dance! Join us for an exciting night of music, dancing, and glowing fun as we celebrate the season with family and friends.

Glow with Gretchko is the perfect chance to bring your loved ones, light up the dance floor, and make unforgettable memories. Don’t miss out on this glowing good time!

Date: April 25, 2025

Time: 6:30 - 8:30 PM

Location: Gretchko Elementary

RSVP Now! https://square.link/u/ffPORlZr

We are searching for PTO Board Members and Chairs for the 2025-26 School year, please email us for more info pto.gretchko@gmail.com

Important Dates to Note:

4-4- Blizzard Day

4-11- Bagel Day

4-16- 7pm PTO Meeting with Elections

4-25- Spring Dance- Let's Glow Gretchko 6:30-8:30pm

4-30- Marco's Pizza Night

Ongoing Fundraisers: Box Tops, Kroger Rewards and Mabel's Labels:

Spirit Wear: https://1stplacespiritwear.com/schools/MI/West%20Bloomfield/Gretchko+Elementary+School?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR0_NzSqjOLl_KW2VIxb_9Fx8So_CrQDgQ_oXaHkrUGZWK2jHG57q6VDRlk_aem_Yzhaff9irXZf9J1xpv5DBA

Volunteers needed:

The teachers' rescue team, aka Buoy Crew, needs your help! Join the fun, sign up for a shift, and give some love back to those amazing educators who adore our mini-mes, K-2 mornings, 3-5 afternoons - simple, yet epic!

https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/10C0D4FA4A922A6FDC70-51534931-buoy

We are always here for you via ( https://facebook.com/groups/gretchkopto/ ) and subscribe to our linktree Gretchko Elementary PTO | Facebook | Linktree or email pto.gretchko@gmail.com

Sincerely,

Your Gretchko PTO

Book Lists

• Pine Tree (Youth)
• Women’s History (Youth)
• Inspiring Women (Teen)

Build Your Own Eco System (Grades 3 - 5)

Thursday, March 26 from 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Main Library - Youth Activity Center
Investigate and explore ecosystems by learning about the processes of various types of precipitation and how its movement of water to soil helps the life cycle of plants and animals. Students will also build an ecosystem to take home.

For Grades 3-5. Registration Required

Click here to register: https://westbloomfield.librarycalendar.com/event/build-your-own-ecosystem-intermediate-8628

The West Bloomfield High School Theatre department proudly presents the family-friendly fantasy Matilda, the Musical on May 1, 2, and 3rd at 7 p.m. at West Bloomfield High School (4925 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield). American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters will be present on May 3rd at the 1 p.m. matinee. Tickets are $20 ($5 for any WBSD student) and are on sale starting April 10th at https://wbhstheatrearts.ludus.com. Tickets will also be on sale at the school’s box office prior to each performance.

Here is the menu for March 31st, the first day after our break.

Oakland Early College Info Night Webinar

3/18/2025, 7 p.m., Webinar - email morron.borders@wbsd.org for the link

At Oakland Early College, we do school dfferently; through our partnership with Oakland Community College, we provide an early middle college experience where OEC students are simultaneously enrolled in high school and college classes at no cost to families. All students in 9th through 11th grade whose families reside in Oakland County can apply. Here, students earn transferable college credits, up to an associate's degree, that will follow them to a four year university. There is also an option to earn a work certificate through one of OCC’s many programs. All students are supported by our tenets of college, culture, community, and connection in a small and diverse school community while they progress through our five year high school program. Learn more at our webinar March 18.

WBSD has partnered with ParentGuidance.org to give parents free access to resources and helpful information. We have shared this information with our families. We hope that it will be useful for some of you as well!

ParentGuidance.org is an online service by licensed therapists that provides trusted and specialized courses, professional support, and a safe community for parents to learn how to support their children and get answers to mental health questions.

There are many community resources available to families in need. See the Oakland County Community Resource Guide, which includes resources about topics including Abuse & Protective Services; Food Pantries, Clothing & Household Support; Healthcare Services; Housing Assistance; and Parenting & Pregnancy Resources.

211 (United Way) offers resources/connections for family support as well. Parents/adults can call, text, or email. Here is the link to the 211 website, which is searchable by topic. Additionally, see these 211 flyers in English, Spanish, and Arabic.

Finally, here are some resources for Food Pantry/Supplies near WB/Oakland County.

Website: https://www.wbsd.org/gretchko-elementary-school-home
Location: 5300 Greer Road, West Bloomfield Township, MI, USA

Phone:

• Main Office Phone: (248)865-6570
• SAFELINE to report absences: (248) 865-6572. This is a 24 hour answering machine.