March 1, 2024

Dear Dragon Families,

Thank you for another wonderful week of learning with your children. I appreciate everyone’s understanding with no school on Tuesday, but it was wonderful to be back after our mid-winter break. Despite no school Tuesday, our kids have been busy reading, writing, working to solve math problems and more. Thank you for sending them to school ready to learn. I know the bedtime routines can be difficult after a break, but we do appreciate your efforts at home.

Please be sure to read our Dragon’s Tale Newsletter with upcoming information about our March is Reading Month activities, our upcoming Inclusion Week activities and more. We are hoping to receive donations of Duplo blocks – enough for all 535 students to have one for a school-wide project. Thank you in advance if you are willing and able to support our efforts.

I hope everyone has an amazing weekend ahead with your awesome kids.

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.

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, 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

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

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

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

Thank you to all of our parent volunteers and supporters of our Keith's Got Talent Show! This year was another wonderful success and we are so thankful to share a few highlights with our community in the video linked below. Thank you again to our amazing PTA and all who helped our students have their moment in the spotlight this year!

Hospitality House invites you to "A Taste of Spring" a strolling fundraiser hosted at our very own Hospitality House. On March 6th, 2024, from 6pm to 9pm, immerse yourself in an evening of culinary excellence, drinks, and lively entertainment.

'A Taste of Spring 2024' is not just a celebration; it's an opportunity to showcase and support our client-choice food pantry and the Weekend Food Program. Learn about our mission to provide individuals with the dignity of choice in selecting their own groceries, and discover how your involvement can make a tangible impact on the lives of those we serve.

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

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

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.

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, 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

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

Get ready to show off your school pride with our brand-new Keith Elementary spirit wear! Available for purchase now through the end of the year, these stylish and comfortable items are the perfect way to support our school community.

From cozy hoodies to trendy t-shirts, we have a variety of options for students, parents, and staff. Don't miss out on this limited-time opportunity to elevate your school spirit.

Also, It’s that time of year again for multi-purpose bags! They are great for winter gear, keeping your child’s belongings in one place, traveling, camping, and so much more. They cost $13.50 and come complete with a cord lock and your student’s name. Eight different colors to choose from.

Visit our online store today and gear up for a spirited end to the year! Available for free pickup before the holiday.

Click here or visit www.brodysonline.com

Best regards,

Alison Link

Keith PTA President

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

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.

February 6, 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