Family Newsletter

Hello Laker Nation!

I can't thank everyone enough for the fabulous turnout for FunD Run today and a truly magical morning on the track. Thank you to our FunD Run co-chairs, Lindsay and Jake Steinbrecher, as well as the MANY volunteers who made everything "run" so smoothly. The kiddos had an absolute blast, and we have raised important funds to support classroom supplies, field trips, guest speakers, and more throughout the year.

Speaking of field trips, next week our 4th and 5th graders will be going over to West Bloomfield Middle School to learn all about the Michigan Design Prize. And on Tuesday, our kindergarteners will enjoy a field trip to the West Bloomfield Township Public Library.

As we head into October, we have more fun events to look forward to. If you are volunteering in the building during the school day, please don't forget to make sure your iChat form is filled out and turned in to the main office, along with a copy of your driver's license.

Finally, I want to take a moment to explain an important event in our school calendar called Count Day, which will be this coming Wednesday, October 2nd. This day is crucial for our school’s funding and resources. On Count Day, we take attendance to determine how many students are enrolled. The number of students present helps allocate funds from the state, which supports programs, staffing, and materials for our school. Your child's presence on Count Day is essential! It helps ensure that we receive the resources needed to provide the best possible education. If you have any questions about Count Day or its significance, please feel free to reach out. Thank you for your support!

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

Jen Teal, Principal

The Rainbow Fish read aloud in English and British Sign Language (Sept is Deaf Awareness Month!)

The rainbow fish with its iridescent scales is the most beautiful fish in the whole ocean. But since he is also vain and proud, he becomes more and more lonely over time. Then he realizes that you can’t win friends through beauty. He overcomes his pride and begins to distribute his glitter scales to the other fish.

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 have been handing out Rockin' Croc tickets. Half goes home so you can celebrate them as well, and the other half gets entered into our Friday drawing. This week's winners are:Nora Marcus, Nathan Laforest, Isaiah Richardson, Mia Flores, Luca Rozycki, Cadence Riggs, Kai Salina, Adeline Sarata, Amelia Bianconi, Ethan Mahoney, Jameson Reynolds, Layla Risden, Parker Weekes, Mia Johnson, Austin Threets, and Braxton Neal.

RJ Ladue is our Laker Leader of the Month! RJ was nominated by Ms. Miller, whose class he is a safety for. Ms. Miller says, "He consistently demonstrates responsibility and support, always stepping up to help with any tasks I assign. His leadership during our afternoon meetings contributes to a positive classroom environment, and he leads by example for the younger students." Congratulations, RJ!

This is the first episode of the PE newsletter! It has been so fun and exciting to teach physical education to our new and returning Gretchko Lakers. Mother Nature has blessed us with some beautiful August and September weather. Our Lakers have enjoyed a lot of PE time outside to start the year.

Starting off the year for PE our focus was on the rules and procedures for class, teamwork, cardio, spacial awareness, and locomotor skills! We practiced stretching, warming up, working together, giving each other space, and involving a lot of cardio in the process.

Activities this month have included: freeze tag games, sharks and minnows, cat and mouse tag, blob tag, musical hoops, and locomotor skill practice. Locomotor movements are movements that take us from to place. During locomotor skill practice our lakers have learned how to properly skip, hop, gallop, leap, shuffle, and much more!

Until next time, Zachary Cohen, PE Teacher

Fund Run was a blast!!!! Remember- donations are accepted through October 2nd and then we will be distributing prizes.

Thank you everyone for your help and support to make this a FunD Event. Thank you HBI Orthodontics for sponsoring our Spirit Wear for Fund Run!

• October 4 is Blizzard Day (orders were already due, I am sorry we cannot accept late ones)
• October 9- PTO Meeting in the iCenter at 7pm
• October 11- Bagel Day
• October 18- Spooktacular 5:30-8:30pm
• To volunteer, click here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094AA4AC29A6F8C61-50974124-spooktacular#/

We're a team of parent volunteers who are ready to tackle the time consuming jobs that bog down our wonderful teachers! From copies to display boards to anything in between, we're here to fill in the gaps!

We'll have 3 groups, 9-12 for our K-2 teachers, 1-4 for our 3-5 teachers & a special 'take home team' who will be managing projects from the comfort of home for anyone who can't make it in during the school day!

If you have time to spare on a Wednesday during the school day OR at home throughout the week, sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4FA4A922A6FDC70-51534931-buoy#/

“Dads of Great Students” is a nationally recognized program that has brought over a million fathers and father figures into the school classrooms and hallways across the country, creating millions of hours of “in school” volunteer time and having a tremendously positive impact on the educational process. Have an hour, half a day, or a whole day when you'd like to volunteer? Click here to sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E094DA4AF2EA2FA7-50407833-october

Did you know our school community speaks over 60 languages at WB? The new English Language Program Handbook can be found in the WBSD Staff portal.

If you drop off or pick up via car line, please be sure to only use the LEFT lane of our driveway as you enter the school property. Please do not block the right-hand bus lane!

Math Pentathlon teaches and reinforces basic math concepts and skills, stimulates creative thinking, develops problem-solving skills, develops spatial computational and logical reasoning, and good sportsmanship. Registration is OPEN! Practice Dates and More Info, Click Here

Division 1: K-1st Grade

Division 2: 2nd & 3rd Grade

Division 3: 4th & 5th Grade

Division 4: 6th & 7th Grade

School pictures are ready! To order, log in to your account on mylifetouch.com or create an account using your student's school ID number. All families can also log on and order a FREE Digital SmileSafe card. More about the Smilesafe program here.

If you missed the September 5th picture day at Gretchko, retakes will be taken October 30th.

On October, 5th at 2pm come see The Rainbow Fish 45 minute play at West Bloomfield High School, and for an additional $5 you can get a special backstage pass in which children can get their photo taken on stage after the show with their favorite cast members, get to hold a jellyfish umbrella, and receive a signed copy of the program. All proceeds go toward the WBHS Theatre IV class's traveling production they take to MIFA this year.

West Bloomfield Wrestling Club focuses on developing the fundamentals of folk-style wrestling, while also focusing on the discipline and mental toughness that are needed to be successful in the sport.

Ages: Kindergarten thru 8th Grade (boys and girls)
Location: West Bloomfield Middle School Multipurpose Room & Gym
Season: November thru March
Coaches: Tom DeGrand, Carlos Acosta, Mike Zimnicki, James Hitchcock, Tim Burzynski, and Greg Goidosik

Contacts: Coach DeGrand (thomas.degrand@wbsd.org) or Andrea Frank (andrea.frank@wbsd.org)

Registration: CLICK HERE

Club Facebook Page: Facebook

Club Website: Club Website

WBSD Community Education offers an array of enrichment and recreation classes. For more information and online registration, click here. Use the search feature to type in the program.
Stay tuned for Math Pentathlon, FIRST Lego League info, and more!

Fall elementary programming at Gretchko includes:

• Sunset Theatre on Mondays starting 9/23 for 1st-5th
• Soccer on Tuesdays starting 9/24 for 3rd-5th
• Karate on Wednesdays starting 11/13 for 1st-5th

We have some job openings! Please share these opportunities with your friends and family.

Job Postings.

For HR related questions, visit https://www.wbsd.org/departments/human-resources

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.