Dragon's Tale

April 12, 2024

Dear Dragon Families,

It was so wonderful that so many families were able to attend our Family Shopping Night at our Spring Book Fair. Thank you for supporting both the love of reading and our PTA! The excitement around the building has been palpable and the kids have been so excited to show off their amazing art at the book fair. A special thank you to Mrs. Hartley and Mrs. Woodby for their efforts to lead and make this year’s Spring Book Fair a huge success.

Our students started MSTEP testing this week. We appreciate all of the efforts at home ensuring our students are coming to school prepared to learn. Thank you for establishing good bedtime routines and positive morning routines as those extra efforts make a big difference for your children’s mindset and preparedness to try their best.

The solar eclipse this past Monday was a wonderful learning opportunity for our students and it was so much fun to see your kids listening and learning. These whole-school learning opportunities are rare and make such wonderful memories.

Thank you for reading this week’s Dragon’s Tale Newsletter, which includes information on the upcoming WLCSD Bond, Keith events, and more. Do not forget to order your child’s yearbook!

Enjoy the weekend ahead with your amazing children.

Warm Regards,

Marci Augenstein, Principal

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.

April, 2024

4/3 - Kindergarten Round Up - Keith Cafeteria 9:30-11:00am

4/5 - Keith Staff Volleyball Game vs. Dublin at Walnut Creek Middle School 6:30pm (more info. below)

4/8 - Solar Eclipse - The district has purchased solar eclipse glasses for all students and we will share more information when we return from Spring Break.

4/10-4/18 - Spring PTA Book Fair

4/19 - Life Touch Spring Picture Day

4/23 - 1/2 Day of School - 12:25pm Dragon Pick Up, 12:30pm - Walkers dismissed, 12:42pm Buses Depart Keith

May, 2024

SAVE THE DATE: May 16, 2024 - Keith Family Music Night - Clifford Smart Middle School Gym, 6:00-7:00pm - ALL students will be performing on the same night. Music teachers will email details as we get closer to this event.

During the February 2 Board of Education meeting, the Board of Education voted unanimously to move forward with a $250 million bond election on May 7, 2024.

The 2024 bond proposal is focused on student safety, educational opportunities, technology, and facilities; the millage rates associated with this proposal will provide a tax decrease for residents. Over the past two decades, our community has supported bond proposals in 2019, 2013, and 2004. As a result of this past investment, the school district and our students have been able to thrive.

A list of the 2024 bond projects, by school, will be published on the District’s website, as well as the bond language, frequently asked questions, videos, and other information. To help inform our community, the District will host a series of informational bond meetings over the next several months. Meeting dates, locations, and times will also be on the bond webpage.

Walled Lake Schools is happy to once again offer summer virtual small-group tutoring for math or literacy. Virtual tutoring is an exciting summer learning opportunity for K-10 students who would benefit from support in literacy or math by a Walled Lake teacher!

Grades: K-10th

Subject Areas: Literacy or Math

Dates: June 17th - August 2nd

When: Days and times set by teacher between the hours of 8:00am and 4:00pm

● Students will be included in approximately two 45 minute sessions per week..

● Tutors will reach out to families the week of June 10th with schedule details.

● High School sessions will emphasize informational text and writing for literacy, and foundational algebra skills for math

● High School students will NOT receive English or Math credit

● Tutors will reach out to families no later than the week of June 10th with schedule details

QUESTIONS? Please email SummerEDU@WLCSD.org

Dear Dragon Families,

Every year, Keith Green Team conducts service projects to help keep our community free from hazardous and electronic waste.

Hazardous Waste Collection Day: This FRIDAY, Apr 12th, 4:15 - 4:30 pm, front entrance of Keith Elementary School.

Click here for List of acceptable Materials

Click here to learn about the importance of safe disposal of hazardous waste.

Electronic Waste Collection Day: Friday, FRIDAY, Apr 19th, 4:15 - 4:30 pm, front entrance of Keith Elementary School. Note: If this time does not work for you, but you want to participate, email steam4hc@gmail.com

Click here for List of acceptable Materials

Thanks,

Keith Green Team Parent Volunteers

email steam4hc@gmail.com for any questions.

WHY? To honor and recognize those individuals and organizations who exhibit kindness and care toward others.

WHO? Any student, teacher, secretary, administrator, bus driver, playground supervisor, or any Walled Lake Schools employee may be nominated.

Parents, grandparents, or community members may be nominated.

A company, store, or an organization may be nominated.

Any or all of the above who: demonstrate kindness on a frequent basis, go out of their way to make others feel better, lead initiatives in their school or community to benefit others, or inspire others to show kindness.

WHEN & WHERE? “Kindness Matters” award winners will be honored and recognized at the May WLCSD Board of Education Meeting.

HOW? Nominations can be submitted through this google form. Be sure to include a description which will explain and support your nomination. Please submit by Monday, April 15th.

QUESTIONS? Please call Nayal Maktari, Principal of Clifford H. Smart Middle School, at 248-956-3500, if you have any questions.

Please click on the links below for additional information on purchasing your child's yearbook. The order deadline is April 27, 2024. Email DianaTyrrell@wlcsd.org or AliceJohnson@wlcsd.org if you have any questions or concerns.

On behalf of the 5th grade party planning committee-

We are getting close to the 5th grade party and need your help completing this form for your 5th grader with a baby picture, current picture, and some group photos that you may have from their elementary groups and events over the years. Please submit pictures by May 1st. These pictures will be used for the slideshow at their end of the year party. Thank you!

It's time to pack your bags because books can take you anywhere! The spring book fair is coming up soon! Please see the flyer for information about our book fair and volunteer opportunities.

Placement of children for the next school year is a team process. The classroom teachers, special area teachers, and I meet to consider the best placement for every child. Many aspects of a child’s development – academic, emotional, and social are very carefully considered. Because we view the process as so important, our staff will invest many hours to ensure the very best placement decisions. The staff working with your child has learned a great deal about his or her learning style, strengths, challenges, and opportunities for growth. In addition to individual needs, we also consider the balance of each classroom, so that optimal learning environments are created for all children. While it is never appropriate to request a specific teacher, if there is important information you wish to convey regarding your child’s learning needs, I welcome you to complete the 2024-2025 Parent Placement Input Form by Monday, April 29, 2024 by 9:00am. I understand that this is a sensitive issue. In fairness to all children and staff members, please trust in us to handle placement with the care and sensitivity that is necessary for these important decisions.

Hello Walled Lake Families,

Support your favorite WLCSD Staff member with a nomination for a Super Star Staff Award from the Foundation For Excellence! Each $10 nomination gives the staff member a chance at one of two $500 cash prizes from the FFE and the Walled Lake Schools Federal Credit Union. The funds raised from the nominations will help the Foundation For Excellence give more money back to our teachers and students.

The Foundation For Excellence (FFE) is a non-profit organization that works with Walled Lake Schools to provide grants for classrooms throughout the district. These funds support extra literacy tools like decodable phonics books, STEM equipment for classrooms, additional instruments for music rooms, social emotional support tools, and many other things.

Nominations cost $10 and the staff member (teacher, administrator, custodian, parapro, bus driver, etc) will be given a certificate with a personal message from you as to why they are so special. They will also be added to a drawing for one of two $500 gifts that will be presented during Staff Appreciation Week (May 6 - 10).

To nominate a staff member follow this link:

https://forms.gle/mWb9N21SQRwCr9ST8
(Once you hit "submit" on your form, a link to our Paypal page will come up on the confirmation response page. Please make sure you make your payment!)

Reach out to Jackie Gurwin, FFE Executive Director, at 248-956-2116 or JackieGurwin@wlcsd.org with any questions.

Thanks,

Jackie Gurwin

Foundation For Excellence

Executive Director

248-956-2116

May 6-10, 2024, is specifically designated as National Teacher Appreciation Week. However, we are announcing it now for a very special reason.

Recognizing Michigan's hardworking and dedicated educators is an important piece of MDE's strategic initiative. For that reason, we will be celebrating Michigan’s educators during the entire month of May—not just the week of May 6-10!

To do this, MDE would like to invite students to submit a digital video to recognize and thank a specific educator for their impact. Submitted videos will be posted on this webpage and the MDE YouTube channel. The OEE Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) social media pages throughout the month of May will be promoting the videos. Check us out: @MIeducator.

Full instructions for submitting videos of appreciation for Michigan’s educators are available on the Teacher Appreciation Month website.

Whether you are an educator or a parent, you can get involved right now by following the OEE on social media using the links above, and by promoting the hashtag #MITeachAppreesh. If you have a child at home who has some great things to say about an educator, don’t hesitate—use the instructions found on our website to submit a video today!

Mileage club will be starting when we get back from spring break. It will run on Tuesdays and Thursdays during lunch recess.

Please see the form below and purchase your 5th Grade Celebration Yard Sign by March 22

Please use the form linked below to get you're child's instrument for 6th grade. It is important to rent your child's instrument as soon as possible so they are prepared for the Fall. If you have any questions or concerns, please email Jeannie Benson, CHS Middle School band teacher or Nina White, CHS Middle School orchestra teacher.

Welcome Dragon Families,

For those of you who were able to attend last night's Kindergarten Orientation, it was a pleasure to talk with you and share what Kindergarten is like at Keith Elementary School. We are really looking forward to a great Kindergarten year with your child. Please be sure to complete the Keith Elementary Kindergarten Survey if you have not already done so.

Registration is now open. Please click HERE to visit our Kindergarten webpage on the district website. It will give you step by step directions on how to register. As a reminder, please try to register as soon as possible.

Keith Elementary School Kindergarten Round Up will take place on Tuesday, March 19, Thursday, March 21, or Wednesday, April 3 from 9:30 - 11:00 am. Your child will only need to attend one of the Round Up dates. Drop off your child at the front of the building - Door 5. Parents are welcome to drop off your child and meet with PTA parents for coffee and a tour of the school or return at 11am for pick up at Door 7. Please contact the Keith Elementary office with questions 248-956-3700.

Please be sure to sign up for your child’s date and time slot on our Keith Elementary School Kindergarten Round Up Sign Up Genius. Our Kindergarten Round Up Event is a time for students to come in, spend time in the Kindergarten classrooms, and go for a short tour of their new school!

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to me! My email address is MarciAugenstein@wlcsd.org or feel free to contact our amazing Kindergarten Teachers directly. We are all happy to help and looking forward to welcoming you and your children to Kindergarten at Keith for the 2024-2025 school year.

In partnership,

Marci Augenstein, Principal

Keith Elementary School

Bring your fourth graders to a Michigan State Park for a FREE field trip! Your students will enjoy a day in the park while learning all about Michigan’s natural resources.

In addition to free park entry, grants will be available to cover transportation costs.

The field trip aligns with state education standards—including science, social studies, physical education and language arts components—with hands-on activities and a nature hike on park trails. Teachers will get pre- and post-visit materials to supplement the learning at the park, and students will leave with a junior ranger badge and guidebook, including a free pass to bring their families back to a state park for another visit.

Learn more about how your school can participate in this program and register at www.Michigan.gov/NatureAwaits.

Thanks to all the students and their families who came out for the Yuja Wang concert. We were graced with an outstanding performance! What a treat to hear her perform 2 additional encore pieces: Prokofiev's Piano Sonata No. 7 in B- Flat Major, and her own personal interpretation of Mozart's Turkish March.

Upcoming concerts that we will attend as a group:

**The Music Of Pink Floyd: Saturday, April 20 – 8:00pm
**Mozart & The Seasons: Sunday, May 5 – 3:00pm
**Disney & Broadway Favorites: The Magic Of Menken: Sunday, June 23 – 3:00pm

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 concert series in addition to the concerts listed above, and up to two companion tickets (bring your parents/sibling/friend/teacher) for $5 each, access to the best seats, access to DSO Replay and online Live streaming performances.

See attached flyer and 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

Important upcoming events:

3/14: Last day for earth day art contest submission. Drop off at office and we will mail to the state of Michigan for the contest.

3/16: Young birders field trip: Guided tour + Free lunch at the Detroit zoo.

4/12: Hazardous waste collection day. Adults drop off your hazardous waste to school 4:15 - 4:30 pm and we will help you dispose of it. Donation suggested but not required.

More details and news at:

https://sites.google.com/view/keithgreenteam/newsletters/2023-24/mar2024

What to watch for:

Fri, Apr 5th ~ $1.00 ice cream

Mon, Apr 8th ~ Lucky Tray Day

Thur, Apr 11th ~ Pizza Day ~ $1.75 / extra slice, $1.00 chips

Fri, Apr 12th ~ Chocolate Chip Cookie Day ~ $1.50 ea

Fri, Apr 19th ~ Tubby's Sub & Ice Cream Day ~ $1.00 ice cream

Fri, Apr 25th ~ Chocolate Chip Cookie Day ~ $1.50 ea

As always, parents can add funds to student accounts via Skyward, or cash / check can be given to Mrs. Link in the kitchen.

Alison Link, Keith Kitchen Server

Keith Elementary, 956-3735

In an effort to celebrate our staff, the WLCSD Community Relations department requests that families fill out the form below to nominate 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 is on the right.

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.

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.

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.

May 7, 2024 at 6:30pm - Keith Learning Commons

Visit our PTA's Facebook Page

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

The Keith Elementary School Community will inspire and empower all- academically, socially, and emotionally.

Diana Tyrrell - Principal's Secretary

DianaTyrrell@wlcsd.org

Alice Johnson - Building Secretary

AliceJohnson@wlcsd.org

Marci Augenstein, Ph.D. - Principal, Keith Elementary

MarciAugenstein@wlcsd.org

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