Gretchko Newsletter
October 27, 2023
Principal's Update
Hello Team WB!
As I type this, I am looking forward to our Spooktacular this evening, an event that brings our community together for costumes, games, dancing, and more. Thank you to our PTO for hosting this annual event and for all of our families who are able to join us. I know it will be a wonderful evening!
Last week, I shared that we had participated in Safety Week. One of the drills that may be new to some of our families, especially those with kindergarteners, is our lockdown drills. We do our best to prepare students for these drills in much the same way we do for fire drills, helping kiddos to know that we practice what to do in emergencies because practice makes perfect. While we cannot share the specifics of what our processes look like for safety reasons, I did want to share this article that you might find helpful in talking to your child/children about emergency drills.
As you may have seen in my email earlier this week, our fall NWEA assessments are now completed. Students took part in the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) assessment this fall. Family Reports will be coming home in backpack mail with students on or before Friday, November 3rd.
We are excited to share that we will be participating in the Lighthouse of Oakland County Thanksgiving Food Drive. Please see the flyer below for designated items for each class. As always, items are suggestions, but food items from anywhere on the list would be appreciated. We will be collecting food items beginning through Friday, November 3. On November 3rd we will be having a full school pajama day ($1.00 donations accepted) along with our scheduled fall classroom parties. This special school-wide pajama day is to help celebrate the final day of our food drive and to raise funds for turkeys to be purchased by the Lighthouse of Oakland County.
Finally, we are excited to welcome families in for our November 3rd PTO-sponsored fall class parties. We would love to have you join us. Times are as follows, with more information to follow from classroom teachers. As a reminder, NO Halloween costumes are allowed for this event.
- 12:30-1:15 2nd grade
- 1:15-2:00 1st grade
- 2:15-3:00 Kindergarten
We hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Warmly,
Jen Teal, Principal
Featured Book
Lakas and the Manilatown Fish by Anthony D. Robles
Can a fish talk? Can it jump and play and run -- especially run -- just like a small boy? When Lakas and his dad go shopping, they meet a very special fish that can do all these things and more! But this fish won't stay put in its fish tank. Once it leaps out, a cast of unusual Manilatown characters chases it down Kearny Street and all the way to San Francisco Bay. Hoy, hoy! Will Lakas and his friends ever catch this sly and charming fish? Lakas and the Manilatown Fish/Si Lakas at ang Isdang Manilatown is the first-ever bilingual English-Tagalog story set in the U.S., reflecting the historical heart of the Filipino community.
Star Slip Winners
Why Reading With and To Your Child is Important
Art Workshop
This week Gretchko students participated in Art Workshop during class time. This day is a break from our regular class and happens 4 times per year. Art workshop provides kids with imaginative play and fine motor experience. They paint on easels, make crafts, use modeling clay, draw toys , and make villages with roads, etc. We also had a pizza parlour, pumpkin town and farm play stations.
November Menu
Help Kids Balance Their Media Lives
WBSD - Trivia Night - November 3, 2023
October is AAC Awareness Month!
AAC stands for Augmentative or Alternative Communication. AAC is all of the ways that someone communicates besides talking. At Gretchko, we have core boards in our classrooms and on the playground. Core words are defined as the 50-100 words that make up the majority of everything we say. Core vocabulary is beneficial for all students. School staff will be modeling the use of core vocabulary throughout the building. Some students at Gretchko use speech-generating communication devices due to difficulty with verbal communication. Research shows that core vocabulary enhances expressive language, improves comprehension, motivates learners, and improves relationships.
Check out the Communication Bill of Rights.
Math Is Fun!
Our students use a math curriculum called Bridges. Each month, we will send you resources in our newsletter to let you know what unit the students are working on as well as to give you ideas on how to extend your child's math learning at home. For the month of September, the resources are as follows:
District Health Policies
It remains the District’s goal to keep our students and staff as healthy as possible. Please see the attached link for the sick policy.
Upcoming Celebrations
- 11/1-2: Dia de los Muertos (Day Of The Dead)
- 11/11: Veteran’s Day
- 11/20: Transgender Day of Remembrance
- 11/24: Thanksgiving
Gretchko Calendar -Newly revised edition 10/10/23
November
11/3 - Fall Parties (during school)
11/6 - Zap Zone Fundraiser night 5:00-8:00 pm
11/7 - No School
11/8 - Global Equity Team Meeting at 8:00 am
- PTO General Meeting at 7:00 pm
11/14 - Conferences
11/15 - Marco’s Pizza Night
11/17- Half Day of School (Dismissal 12:12)
- Bagel Day and Favorite Sports Team Day
11/22-11/26 - Thanksgiving Break
11/29 - Late Start (10:10)
December
12/1 - Movie Night 6:30
12/13 - Late Start (10:10)
12/15 - Bagel Day and Crazy Hair Day
12/20 - Marco’s Pizza Night
12/23-1/7 - Winter Break
January
1/ 4 - Gretchko at Kalahari
1/ 8 - School Back in Session
1/10 - Late Start (10:10)
1/15 - MLK Jr. Day - No School
1/17 - Global Equity Team Meeting at 8:00 am
1/18 - Half Day (Dismissal 12:12)
1/19 - Half Day (Dismissal 12:12)
1/24 - Late Start (10:10)
1/26- Bagel and Tie Dye Day
1/31 - Marco’s Pizza Night
Technology Assistance Links
- Help with Canvas
- Help with Chromebook: www.wbsd.org/departments/technology
- Help with PowerSchool: www.wbsd.org/parents/powerschool
Gretchko Spirit Wear Now Available Online!
Does your child (or you) need some more Gretchko spirit wear? Now you can order online at https://gretchko-pto.square.site/
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.