A Message from Dr. A.
March 8, 2024
Dear Dragon Families,
We have had a wonderful week at Keith Elementary School. Your generosity and support in helping a WLCSD family in need was simply overwhelming and I know that the family was beyond thankful. The outpouring of support for those in need right here in Walled Lake has always made me feel proud of our Dragon community.
While our students have shown the same kindness and support for one another that is visible during the school day, peer conflicts still arise, especially as our kids get older. I wanted to take a moment to remind everyone to pay close attention to your children’s use of social media and cell phones. This week, I learned of several hurtful messages that were inappropriate and sent on cell phones in the evening at home. If we can have your support with monitoring children’s cell phone usage, especially with group chats and you tube. Thank you for paying close attention to your children’s use of cell phones and teaching them appropriate behavior online matters just as much as when we are in person.
Thank you for all that you do to send your children ready to school to learn. It has been fun listening to our students talk about their March is Reading Month efforts and all that they did to participate this week. We appreciate your partnership. Please be sure to read this week’s Dragon’s Tale Newsletter.
Enjoy the weekend ahead with your amazing children.
Warm Regards,
Marci Augenstein, Principal
Keith Purpose and Beliefs
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.
We are hiring!
Please email Dr. A. or reach out to our HR department if you might be interested in working at our crossing guard position. We are also always looking for substitute teachers. Again, please reach out to Dr. A. or visit the WLCSD webpage under our Human Resources department you will find all of the information you need to begin your application process.
March Events at Keith
March, 2024 - MARCH IS READING MONTH
3/1 - Life Touch Activity Group Photo Day
3/4 - 5th Grade Students - Transition Meeting with CHS Admin/Counselor at Keith
3/5 - Keith PTA Meeting - 6:30pm Learning Commons
3/11 - 5th Grade Parent Transition Meeting at Clifford Smart Middle School 6:30pm Gym (additional information and links below)
3/12 - 1/2 Day for Students - Teacher PD Day 12:25pm - Dragon Dismissal, 12:30pm Walkers, 12:42pm Buses Depart Keith
3/13 - Kindergarten Orientation at Keith 6:00pm Learning Commons
3/19 - Kindergarten Round Up - Keith Cafeteria 9:30-11:00am
3/21 - Kindergarten Round Up - Keith Cafeteria 9:30-11:00am
3/18-3/22 - Keith and WLCSD Inclusion Week - See Details below including Spirit Week Days!
3/21 - World Down Syndrome Day (Walk/Run during Recess if students would like to participate)
3/25-3/29 - Spring Break
April, 2024
4/3 - Kindergarten Round Up - Keith Cafeteria 9:30-11:00am
Parent Support and Help - Duplo Blocks Needed
Hello Dragon Families,
As part of inclusion week, the week of March 18th, our school is hoping to build a Duplo display with all students at Keith adding a piece to the sculpture. Would you please consider donations of DUPLO blocks so that every child has one block (Keith has 535 students)? Thank you so much for your help and support with making this activity a fun one for your children. Please have your child turn the block in to his or her teacher.
Thank you for your help and support!
Marci Augenstein, Principal
Keith's Inclusion Revolution - WLCSD Inclusion Week - March 18-22
We are excited to have a week focused on Inclusion and making sure that all children feel a sense of belonging here at Keith Elementary School. Teachers have planned a fun week focused on inclusion and kindness. We will be having a "Spirit Week" in addition to fun activities each day. Please also note the "Incredible Kid Day" 5th grade fundraiser, where we hope every child will receive an "Incredible Kid Gram."
Monday: Tie Dye Day and School-wide message, buddy classes will make special bead bracelets together and every classroom will read The Invisible Boy and discuss it with their teachers.
Tuesday: Hat Day and classes will make a Kindness Quilt and display in the hallway
Wednesday: Dragon Shirt Day and classes will create a "Kind Hands around Keith" display tracing hands and writing kind words
Thursday: Rock Your Socks - mismatched sock day, World Down Syndrome Day - students will do a special walk/run during recess if they'd like to and teachers will do a special read aloud of Mahaly's Super Powers
Friday: Pajama Day and School-Wide Read-In, Duplo Block Project - where school-wide students will write their name on a Duplo Lego and write a word having to do with inclusion or kindness that they learned this week and display it in our school.
Keith's Incredible Kid Day - 5th Grade Party Fundraiser
Dear Keith Elementary Families,
We want to show our Keith Elementary students how incredible and important they are to our Keith family by providing each one of them with an Incredible Kid Gram. To make this happen, we need your support. The slot number is the dollar amount needed to ensure each child gets an Incredible Kid gram.
Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. Each class has the amount needed to grant an incredible kid gram to each student . You can choose to pay for the entire class or part; whatever you are able to give is appreciated. Each gram costs $2. Please make checks out to Keith PTA or send cash in an envelope marked Incredible Kid Gram. To make it a bit easier, you can also Venmo me at @Jessica-Trotter-16, and I can turn in one check to the Keith PTA. Please put "Incredible Kid Gram" in the notes on Venmo.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at 616-780-1667 or Jrosetrotter82@gmail.com. Thank you again for your support!
CHS Incoming 6th Grade Encore Sign Up - Due 5/15/24
Dear incoming 6th grade parents,
Today, Mr. Maktari, the principal at Clifford Smart Middle School, and Mrs. Bratke, the 6th grade counselor, visited the 5th graders today to present information about the middle school. One of the highlights of the presentation included a discussion about the encores offered at Smart. Please sit down with your child to go over the course descriptions that were handed out today (also linked in the google form), and select the encore choices in order of preference for the upcoming school year by filling out this google form. Please fill out this form by Friday, March 15th. Thank you!
https://forms.gle/sg2jaYBHARQW6MLp8
Maureen Bratke
8th Grade Counselor
Clifford Smart Middle School
248.956.3517 | maureenbratke@wlcsd.org
Kindergarten Orientation 2024-2025
Attention Future Dragons!
The Walled Lake Consolidated School District is hosting Kindergarten Orientation for the 2024-25 school year on Wednesday, March 13 at 6:00 PM at all twelve elementary schools. This event is an adult only informational evening for incoming Kindergarten Parents. You are invited to join us for this important informational evening at Keith Elementary School.
Please click HERE to visit the Walled Lake Consolidated Schools Kindergarten webpage and learn more about the Kindergarten registration process. The webpage also includes an important informational video that should be viewed before March 13.
Thank you for forwarding to any families who may be interested in our 2024-2025 Kindergarten Orientation presentation.
Warm Regards,
Marci Augenstein, Principal
PTSA Reflections Award Winners for Keith Elementary School
Hello, everyone!
Thank you so much to all of our super creative students for their participation in the Reflections competition this year and for your support and encouragement along the way! We had so many amazing entries representing Keith Elementary this year and I'm so proud of our Dragons! School and District judging has been completed and I'm excited to share the results.
The following students made it to the District round:
District Entries | Keith Elementary 2023-2024
Literature: Mariam Aman, Noah Dabesh, Brody Fried, Christos Hanna, Ethan Tomasik
Music Composition: Liliana Alpert, Poppy Kraft
Visual Arts: Noah Dabesh, Emelia Kelso, Adhi Kiran, Silas Leger, Blake Mikho, Isabelle Rivera, Elisha Rodas, Juliet Trotter
Photography: Alex Bascom, Blake Mikho, Briella Muir
Congratulations to all of our students whose entries moved onto Districts!
There will be a WLCSD celebration on March 18th for all entries that advanced to the District level (above). The award ceremony is scheduled for 5:30PM at Walled Lake Western on Monday, March 18th. This is an exciting annual event where all of those students' entries will be displayed. If I don't have a hard copy of your child's piece already, I will need it by March 1st to include it in the display. Please email me with any questions. We can't wait to celebrate all of this amazing work! I will send out more details about the District celebration in the coming weeks.
An extra round of applause, please, for students whose entries advanced to the State level of competition after District judging!
The following students made it to the State round:
State Entries | Keith Elementary 2023-2024
Literature: Noah Dabesh, Brody Fried, Christos Hanna
Music Composition: Liliana Alpert, Poppy Kraft
Visual Arts: Noah Dabesh, Adhi Kiran, Silas Leger, Blake Mikho
Photography: Alex Bascom, Blake Mikho
WAY TO GO!
Making it to the State round is such an amazing accomplishment! I will let you know when State judging has been completed and if any of our artists will be moving on to the National level.
Please let me know if you have any questions. Thanks again to all of your children (and also to you) for your participation!
Kristen Meisnitzer
Keith PTA Reflections Chair
WLCSD Math Course Skipping Information
Our current math standards are more rigorous and demanding than ever. Students are expected to develop a deep understanding of concepts leading to fluency with facts and procedures, and the ability to clearly communicate their mathematical thinking. Further, students must pass a demanding sequence of high school math courses in order to meet graduation requirements. In response to the increased expectations for all students, we have adjusted the content focus and instructional approaches in all of our math courses.
Because of the higher standards and to ensure student success at all points of their
mathematical education, we are using the procedures described below to accelerate students.
In order to skip a course in the math sequence, students must demonstrate proficiency in
the content and skills of the course they are attempting to skip.
The process and procedures described on the following pages apply to all students
currently in grades 2 through 7. Students attempting to test-out of high school courses will
use the existing process described on the district website. If you have questions after
reviewing the process, please contact your building principal or me.
2024-2025 Junior Kindergarten
The Walled Lake Consolidated School District is pleased to offer Junior Kindergarten to families for the 2024-25 school year. Based on the results from the Junior Kindergarten Interest Survey, tentative JK locations for 24-25 are as follows: Commerce, Dublin, Keith, Guest, Loon Lake, Meadowbrook, Oakley Park, Wixom. *Please note that these tentative locations may still be subject to change if enrollment fluctuations occur.
Families interested in and eligible for Junior Kindergarten in 2024-25 (See the chart below for eligibility guidelines.) should fill out the Junior Kindergarten Interest Application by Monday, February 12, 2024. More information on Junior Kindergarten in Walled Lake Schools can be found on the District website: https://www.wlcsd.org/programs/junior-kindergarten
Attention 5th Grade Families
CHS MIDDLE SCHOOL INCOMING 6TH GRADE PARENT NIGHT
Parents are welcomed and encouraged to attend our Incoming 6th Grade Parent Night on Monday, March 11th from 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. in the Main Gym.
CHS MIDDLE SCHOOL SMART START
CHS Middle School Smart Start will be on Tuesday, August 20th from 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Smart Start is our middle school registration day for ALL students. Students will get their lockers, schedules, books, student IDs and school pictures taken. It’s also a great time for students and family members to walk around the school and locate their lockers and classrooms.
Nayal A. Maktari, Principal
Clifford H. Smart Middle School
8500 Commerce Road
Commerce Township, MI 48382
Phone: 248.956.3500
KEITH PTA ELECTIONS ANNOUNCEMENT: APRIL 3, 2024
Eras begin and march onward, shed pieces of themselves and gather more along the way, ever changing until the era recognizes itself no longer. And a whole new era unfolds only to greet the cycle once more.
Board members come, and Board members must go, but the Keith PTA carries on with new faces, new ideas, and new contributions. While we say goodbye to graduating members, we hold out torches of opportunity for new members to claim and carry on. The time goes by so quickly. What will you do while you are here to shape your own Keith era?
Because here we have it! Elections for Keith PTA Board positions are upon us for the 2024-2025 school year. Come claim your spot. Dare yourself to be a part of something bigger! Find PTA and find out.
OPEN POSITIONS FOR 2024-25 KEITH PTA BOARD (Board members manage budget, decide on contributions, vote on the business of the organization):
-CORRESPONDENCE SECRETARY ⦁Maintains social media correspondences
-VICE PRESIDENT - FUNDRAISING ⦁In charge of Fun Run, spirit wear, flower sale
-SECRETARY ⦁Takes meeting minutes
-REFLECTIONS ART CONTEST CHAIR ⦁Runs the art contest
-LEGISLATIVE CHAIR - Reports on new laws affecting education
-HOSPITALITY – Gives attention and care to teachers and staff
Elections happen at the General Meeting, Wednesday APRIL 3rd in the Media Center. We will present the full election slate and take floor nominations from desiring members. Nominations can be sent to: K8Tomasik@yahoo.com
Want to specialize in something amazing and stamp it yours? Next Year’s Era will need someone to take command of: BOOK FAIR or KEITH’S GOT TALENT / Take advantage of our current talent while they are here! Seek Kirsten Woodby at kmwoodby@gmail.com for training at April bookfair. Help these great programs to continue.
Green Team News:
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
Keith Cafeteria Updates
What to watch for:
Fri, Mar 1st ~ Chocolate Chip Cookie Day ~ $1.50 ea
Mon, Mar 4th ~ Lucky Tray Day
Tue, Mar 5th ~ Pizza Day ~ $1.75 / extra slice, $1.00 chips
Fri, Mar 8th ~ Tubby's Sub & Ice Cream Day ~ $1.00 ice cream
Fri, Mar 15th ~ Chocolate Chip Cookie Day ~ $1.50 ea
Fri, Mar 22nd ~ $1.00 ice cream
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
Staff Shout Out Nominations
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: https://keith.wlcsd.org/
Location: 2800 Keith Road, West Bloomfield Township, MI, United States
Phone: (248)956-3700
Twitter: @KeithElementary