Family Newsletter

Hello Lakers!

We had such a fun end to our week with our Read-In today. Each class participated in three kinds of reading activities: reading on their own with snack and drink delivery from the PTO, reading with their buddy class, and listening to guest readers. And it didn't hurt that we were dressed in pajamas to enjoy the day! A big thank you to our guest readers from our central administration office: Dr. Bazzi, Dr. Cohen, and Mrs. Fannon came to volunteer their time as well!

March will be the culminating month of our 3-month reading challenge. This month, students are encouraged to read 100 minutes per week beyond their in-school reading time. Those who do will earn a raffle ticket and a chance to win a prize at the end of the month. March reading calendars will come home on Monday with your kiddos.

On Wednesday of this week, I stopped by the Oakland Schools Art Show, at which many Gretchko students were highlighted. Thank you to our art teacher, Mrs. Stutesman, and to all of our Gretchko artists for representing us so well at the county show.

This week's newsletter has lots of important information. Please scroll carefully, and especially look for grade-level specific announcements in the news items below.

We hope you enjoy a wonderful weekend,

Jen Teal

Principal

Stacey's Extraordinary Words by Stacey Abrams

Stacey is a little girl who loves words more than anything. She loves reading them, sounding them out, and finding comfort in them when things are hard. But when her teacher chooses her to compete in the local spelling bee, she isn’t as excited as she thought she’d be. What if she messes up? Or worse, if she can’t bring herself to speak up, like sometimes happens when facing bullies at school? Stacey will learn that win or lose . . . her words are powerful, and sometimes perseverance is the most important word of all.

Every month the Superintendent and the Board of Education recognize one WBSD student for academic excellence. In addition, the student must be dedicated to their studies, clubs and organizations, and exhibit qualities of a role model. This month, Mrs. Pace nominated Carter Kimball, who was then selected as this month's winner. As part of her nomination, Mrs. Pace wrote, "Carter is a student who doesn’t just show up, he shows up ready to learn, grow, and help those around him. Whether it’s tackling tough assignments, diving into new challenges, or encouraging his classmates, Carter leads with enthusiasm and determination. His teachers see it, his peers feel it, and we are all better because of the positive energy he brings every day." Congratulations to Carter for this achievement and recognition!

During the month of February, PTO hosted a bookmark design contest. All Gretchko students were invited to participate by designing a bookmark. Designs were voted on by staff, and we selected 1 winning bookmark design for each grade. Those were then copied and laminated, and every student in the building received one of the bookmarks today during our Read-In to kick off March is Reading Month. Congratulations to Layla Noureddine (Kdg), Evan Sabri (1st), Devan Nair (2nd), Helena Hynes (3rd), Oliver Rosemeyer (4th), and Emilia Harmala (5th).

Dear Second Grade Families,

West Bloomfield Schools would like to provide important information about our District-wide program for academically curious and imaginative students entering the third grade, the Magnet Program at Scotch Elementary School. This unique program is designed to meet the specific needs of the highly motivated learner in a rigorous multi-age class community. Students are placed into flexible groups of third, fourth, and fifth graders that vary with the curriculum taught. Students have an opportunity to stretch the boundaries of learning in a collaborative and innovative environment. Please visit our District website for more information on program details.

Magnet Selection Process

The process for identifying and selecting students who meet the criteria to be accepted into the Magnet Program is as follows:

1. Initial Criteria Screening (NWEA Math & Reading Scores). All 2nd graders that meet initial district criteria for further consideration to be accepted into the Magnet Program will be invited to take additional assessments prior to being selected for the program.
2. Communication to Qualifying Students. An email notification will be sent to the family of any rising third grade student that qualifies regarding their opportunity to take additional testing to be accepted into the Magnet Program.
3. Opt-Out Form Option. After receiving notification that a student has met initial criteria, families have the option to opt out of Magnet Testing by completing an opt-out form that will be made available to the family.
4. Magnet Testing. Students that qualify for further testing will take the CogAT screener assessment and a writing assessment. The testing window will be between March 10th - March 21st, unless you hear differently from your building, and each building determines its specific assessment dates and times.
5. Final Selection Communication. Families of all students that took the Magnet Testing will receive email communication about the results of their child’s status for Magnet acceptance.
6. Magnet Family Information Meeting. In May, selected Magnet families are invited to a Magnet Parent Information meeting
7. Magnet Tour. In May, selected Magnet students have the opportunity to visit the Magnet program during the school day.

Final Selection of Magnet Students

An overall Magnet Profile Score is calculated for each student based on: NWEA MAP Assessment scores in reading and math, the CogAT screener, the writing sample, and teacher recommendation. These measures evaluate reasoning, problem-solving, reading, mathematics, and academic skills. Students are ranked and selected based on their overall Magnet Profile Score.

Next Steps

You will receive an email if your child meets district criteria to test for the Magnet Program. You will then have the option to opt out by March 5th. Please contact amy.quinn@wbsd.org with any questions.

Sincerely,

Scott Long

Assistant Superintendent for Learning Services

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

Over the past 6 weeks, students have been learning about the history of the Caldecott Medal. The Caldecott Medal was named in honor of nineteenth-century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott. It is awarded annually by the Association of the Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children. The WB librarians try to predict which picture books written the previous year will win this award. We've immersed ourselves into 5 new picture books ...paying special attention to the illustrations. It's been so fun rating each book and voting on who we think should win! For the very first time, Gretchko students voted. Mrs Hammerick had the honor of placing a gold medal to the cover of our winning book, This book shall live forever in our library as the Gretchko 2025 winner! Hopefully your reader will check it out soon!

The Pine Tree Reading Program is a District-wide reading incentive program in partnership with the West Bloomfield Township Public Library, for students enrolled in 1st - 5th GRADE. This dynamic program features a variety of books carefully selected by your WB teacher librarians. The list encompasses a large variety of genres, diverse topics, reading levels, and high interest subject matter. We are so thankful to the WBTPL for supplying all of these new and exciting titles for our iCenter collections. The purpose of this program is to expose our readers to titles and genres they may not read, in hopes they find a new book or series they enjoy.

Our Pine Tree program will run February and March. Students can keep track of the books they read on their Pine Tree POSTER. Once the poster is complete, students can turn it in to me (Mrs. Hammerick) for a small prize and certificate recognizing their accomplishment.

In Mrs. Virta's music classes, we have continued to have many musical experiences in February! We learned some simple circle dances to do with partners and the parachute. We have practiced songs like "Count On Me" and learned about musicians like "Black Violin," Scott Joplin and Louis Armstrong.

Here are the third graders singing "Sweetly the Choir Sings"

Here are the kindergartners performing "Skinnamarink" and making flowers for spring!

If you would like to see pictures/videos from your child's weekly STEAM class, please join the private Facebook group "Gretchko STEAM." The teacher will give access to parents/guardians listed in PowerSchool for students taking STEAM at Gretchko.

We are looking for fathers and father figures to volunteer in March! Please consider volunteering an hour of your time (or more) if you can!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E094DA4AF2EA2FA7-55232268-march

Only students that pre-order Spring photos will be photographed on Picture Day. All orders must be placed by Tuesday, March 11.

Important Dates to Note:

Thank you to all the volunteers who helped make the Read-In special today! We hope your kids came home and told you all about it!

Important Dates to Note:

3-11 Spring Picture Day

3-11 Urban Air Night (4-8pm)

3-13 PTO Meeting @7pm in the iCenter

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

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!

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

WBHS 8th Grade Parent Info Night (for parents of incoming freshmen)

3/4/2025, 7 p.m., West Bloomfield High School, 4925 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield

Come learn about West Bloomfield High School -- and how we work with families to develop socially responsible citizens empowered to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing global society, and who are characterized by curiosity, creativity, critical thinking and the ability to effectively communicate and collaborate. Meet staff. Ask questions. Call or email Principal Eric Pace to schedule a personal tour (248) 865-6720 eric.pace@wbsd.org. There is a link to last year's presentation at the bottom of this page:https://www.wbsd.org/west-bloomfield-high-school

Oakland Early College Info Night Webinar

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

At Oakland Early College, we do school differently; 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.

Phone:

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