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Gretchko Newsletter
February 23, 2024
Next Late Start: Wednesday, February 28
Principal's Update
Hello Team WB!
I hope this finds you enjoying this continued spring-like weather! We've had a great, albeit short, week here at Gretchko and just have a few items to put on your radar.
First, I want to thank everyone who sent in a valentine for a staff member last week. The messages were so meaningful, and staff were incredibly grateful.
We are currently hiring for a lunch/recess monitor position. If you or someone you know would like to apply, please complete the application process here (scroll down to job ID 6328). The hours are from 10:45-1:45pm daily. Come join our team!
Next week, we will be celebrating "Leap Week" spirit week to celebrate it being a leap year. Check out the news item below for the daily themes, and on February 29th, ask your student(s) about a special gift item they received from PTO!
Lastly, I'd like to highlight our upcoming evening event for multilingual families. This event is open to any multilingual adult with elementary-aged children in the district. Child care is available. See the new item below for additional information.
Warmly,
Jen Teal
Principal
Featured Book:
Abdul’s Story by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow (read aloud by the author)
Abdul loves to tell stories. But writing them down is hard. His letters refuse to stay straight and face the right way. And despite all his attempts, his papers often wind up with more eraser smudges than actual words. Abdul decides his stories just aren’t meant to be written down…until a special visitor comes to class and shows Abdul that even the best writers—and superheroes—make mistakes.
WBSD K-5 Transition Update
WBSD has been hard at work planning activities that will make our transition to four K-5 elementary schools more successful for students, families and staff next fall. See below for an outline of major activities.
We welcome your ideas for additional transition activities. While we cannot guarantee we will be able to implement them all, we will do our best to ensure students, staff and families feel supported through this change.
Please know that while we work on these important connections, several committees have been formed to address details in these key areas:
Don't Forget To Vote
Multilingual Family Night
Annual African American Read-In Registration
Oakland Schools is proud to host author/illustrator Don Tate as our guest for this year's African American Read-In. This award-winning author/illustrator have a vast collection of books for readers of all ages. The first 500 Oakland County household who register will receive a copy of Jerry Changed the Game.
Date: Thursday February 29, 2024
Time: 7:00 - 8 pm
Location: Virtual via Zoom
You'll receive a confirmation email that includes the event's Zoom link -- keep an eye out for that information in your email inbox.
You can find more information about the National African American Read-In here: https://ncte.org/get-involved/african-american-read-in/
Please contact stacey.lamb@oakland.k12.mi.us with any questions.
ICenter Update
First and second grade readers participated in a book tasting in iCenter! Students sampled our Pine Cone books and made a plan of which ones they would like to check out and read. Be sure to visit the WBTPL to check out all of these amazing new titles!
Pine Cone Reading Incentive
The Pine Cone Reading Program is a District-wide reading incentive program in partnership with the West Bloomfield Township Public Library, for students enrolled in first and second 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 Cone program will run from February 5th through April 12th, 2023. A Pine Cone poster will be sent home the week of February 5th to keep track of the books they have read. Students should hang up their poster at home to keep track of the books they read AT HOME. Students will make a goal to read a certain number of books and then color in a Pine Cone for each book they have completed. Then they can complete a small book review for their favorite book in each category (also on the same poster). Once the poster is complete, students can turn it in for a small prize and certificate recognizing their accomplishment. Students can also earn a prize for bringing in a library receipt showing they checked out Pine Cone titles from the WBTPL.
Math at Home
Our math curriculum-Bridges-has terrific resources that you can use at home! Check out this month's links below.
Upcoming Celebrations
Equity Corner Upcoming Celebrations
Black History Month
- Feb 26-29: Ayyam-I-Ha or Intercalary Days (Bahá’í holiday)
Powerschool Parent Portal Update Open
It is extremely important to keep your contact information current and correct. WBSD has temporarily opened the parent portal so parents are able to make changes, additions, and updates. Please log into your parent account, click on forms, click the general tab, you will see the form to add or correct the information.
Need Tech Help
For assistance with Google accounts, student Chromebooks or teacher laptops:
Phone: (248) 209-2060
Email: oshelpdesk@oakland.k12.mi.us
Gretchko PTO officers
Kayla Herzog, PTO President
Katy Patra, PTO Vice-President
Carly Wilbur, PTO Treasurer
Erika Ruskin, PTO Recording Secretary
Maria Collins, PTO Corresponding Secretary
The PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) is a volunteer organization that works to support all students by providing a communication link between families, teachers and administrators. The PTO also provides curricular materials, enrichment programs and community service projects through various fundraisers.
We cordially invite you to join our organization and support our efforts to continue making Gretchko a wonderful place to learn and to be a part of! Please reach out to pto.gretchko@gmail.com if you are interested in getting involved or if you have any questions.
Gretchko Calendar
February
F2/27 Mileage vote today!
2/28 - Late Start (10:10)
- Marco’s Pizza Night
2/26-3/1 - Leap Week
March
3/6 - Global Equity Team Meeting at 8:00 am
3/13 - Late Start (10:10)
- PTO General Meeting at 7:00 pm
3/20 - Marco’s Pizza Night
3/22 - Bagel Day
3/23-3/31 - Spring Break
April
4/1 - Back to School
4/3 - Late Start (10:10)
4/16 - Red Robin Fundraiser, Commerce Location (all day)
4/17 - PTO General Meeting at 7:00 pm
4/24 - Late Start
- Marco’s Pizza Night
4/26 - Bagel and Camo Day
May
May 6-10- Staff Appreciation Week
5 /8 - Late Start (10:10)
5/14 - PTO General Meeting with Elections at 7:00 pm
5/22 - Late Start (10:10)
-Marco’s Pizza Night
5/24 - Bagel and Sunglasses/ Gretchko Spirit wear Day
5/27 - Memorial Day - No School
June
6/6 - Half Day (Dismissal 12:12)
6/7 - Last Day of School - Half Day (Dismissal 12:12)
Last Day of School events TBD
**All events are subject to change**
Gretchko Contact Information
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.