Family Newsletter

Hello Laker Nation!

I hope you are getting ready to join us at United We Walk at 2 p.m., this Sunday at West Bloomfield Middle School for the 31st annual United We Walk event. Due to inclement weather the march will be held indoors. There will also be multiple student activities and service projects. We hope you will join us in "Continuing the Dream: Building Bridges of Unity."

Huge shout-out today to our very brave students who participated in the first-ever spelling bees at Gretchko Elementary and to 4th grade teacher Mrs. Pace, our school spelling bee coordinator. See below for our K-2 and 3-5 winners and runners-up!

This time of year always flies by, so we wanted to let you know our plans for February 14th.

• K-3rd grade classes will have their friendship parties from 2-3pm
• 4th and 5th grade classes will have their Michigan Design Prize "Day of Design" and teachers will communicate details a bit closer to the date. They will be looking for adult volunteers to help out!

Stay warm!

Jen Teal

Principal

Martin’s Big Words by Doreen Rappaport

Doreen Rappaport uses quotes from some of Dr. King’s most beloved speeches to tell the story of his life and his work in an accessible way, while Bryan Collier's stunning collage art combines remarkable watercolor paintings with vibrant patterns and textures. A timeline and other backmatter round out this addition to the acclaimed Big Words series of biographies.

We are thrilled to share the winners and runners-up of our K-2 and 3-5 spelling bees. Congratulations to all of our amazing spellers! Our 5th grade winner will go on to the county spelling bee!

K-2 Bee

Winner: Solomon Bunnell

Runner-Up: Armani Daniels

3-5 Bee

Winner: Niko Kopanakis

Runners-Up: Luca Rozycki, Jaina Benjamin, and Harper Kincaid

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 we have been handing out many Rockin' Croc tickets. A copy of the ticket goes home so you can celebrate with your student as well, and the other half is entered into our Friday drawing. ROCKIN CROC winners for January 17, 2025 are: Melih Kouassi, Niko Kopanakis, Minahil Shaik, Jack Riebe, Amelia Lee, Gloria Sinishtaj, Brooks Waryszak, Teddy White, Sienna Francois, Wyatt Langlais, Gabby Sulla, Kasen Johnson, Johnnae Wilson, Evie Doerscher, Aria Yustick, and Stella Winowiecki.

Congratulations to Vivian Kong for reading the 100 BOOKS TO READ IN KINDERGARTEN! Some of Vivian's favorite books were Rain School and I am Amelia Earhart. Thank you WBTPL for your continued support as we grow great readers here at Gretchko!

Meal prepping? Marco's pizza night is this Wednesday!

• Placing your order online is the way to go!
• Select Gretchko > Student's Teacher
• The class with the most online orders will receive a Pizza Party!
• Pro Tip: Place your order online earlier in the day to schedule your pickup or delivery time.

WBMS Middle School Parent Info Night

1/28/25 at 6 p.m. in the West Bloomfield Middle School Auditeria, 6000 Orchard Lake Road

This evening is designed for parents and guardians of current 5th grade students who will be entering middle school in the fall of 2025. Come learn about our curriculum, extracurricular opportunities, fine and performing arts, school philosophy and schedule. You will have time to meet staff, ask questions and tour our beautiful, award-winning building.

WBSD Kindergarten Parent Info Night

1/30/25 at 6:30 p.m. in the West Bloomfield Middle School Auditeria, 6000 Orchard Lake Road

Kindergarten Parent Info Night will be 6:30-8 p.m., Thursday, January 30, 2025, at West Bloomfield Middle School's Auditeria, 6000 Orchard Lake Road. Come meet the principals, learn about the curriculum, and ask questions. Our partners the PTOs, West Bloomfield Public Library, and West Bloomfield Parks & Rec will also be there to show how we partner with you to provide a rich educational experience for each individual child. The program starts promptly at 6:30 p.m. this year so please allow time to check in. We can’t wait to see you!

West Bloomfield Preschool Pop Up & Play

2/5/25 from 6-7 p.m., ACS, 5810 Commerce Road (corner of Commerce & Hiller)

Children are welcome to join parents for this informal WBSD Preschool Pop Up & Play. Get to know our staff and learn more about our amazing preschool options and flexible scheduling. For more information, call 248-865-6466.

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.

School of Choice/STEAM

WBSD School of Choice application window is open January 8 - February 6. Apply today SOC

We are thrilled to bring back our yoga, movement & mindfulness program to all students in kindergarten through fifth grade! Students and their teacher will participate in yoga once a week for 30 minutes over the course of seven weeks. Our yoga & mindfulness experience will be led by Emma Loudermilk of Soul Happy Kids Yoga. Each session has been carefully crafted with an age appropriate curriculum just for our Lakers.

At Gretchko, some classes will have yoga once a week between Feb 3-March 21 and others will have yoga once a week from March 31-May 21. Please click here to find out more information about our yoga program!

New in 2025, we are now sending letters home for students with a high number of tardies or early pick-ups, in addition to our absence letters. It is so important for student success that students are here for the full school day. This means students need to be in class and ready to learn by 9:10am. Our goal is to help eliminate any barriers you may have to getting your student here on time or avoiding early pickups. Thank you for your partnership!

Happy Friday Gretchko!

Important Dates to Note:

1-22 Marco's Pizza Night an Blizard Orders Due

1-24 Bagel Day and Spirit Day- Wear Tie Dye

1-29 PTO Meeting @7pm in the iCenter

1-31 Blizzard Day* (changed from 1-10)

2-4 Rolladium Night 6:30-8:30pm

2-14 Bagel Day

2-21 Blizzard Day

2-26 Marco's Pizza Night

2-26 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!

https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/10C0D4FA4A922A6FDC70-51534931-buoy

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

With the new year under way, we are looking to grow our Watch DOG (Dads of Great Students) volunteer pool. Are you a father or father figure of a Gretchko student? Do you have an hour, a half day, or a whole day when you could come help out? Please consider signing up for a time at the link below. We'll provide you with all the details you need to know!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E094DA4AF2EA2FA7-54238676-february

• Jan 20: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Day

• Jan 26-27: Lailat Al Miraj (Muslim Holiday)

• Jan 27: International Holocaust Remembrance Day

• Jan 29: Lunar New Year

After the Bell Programs (meet after the final bell at Gretchko Elementary School)

Sunset Theatre Wicked Wiz of OZ
Mondays 4:02-5:30 p.m. Pick up info will be emailed
1st-5th Graders dance, sing, and act!
For more information and to register, click here. Be sure to click on Gretchko Elementary, Drawing is offered at multiple locations.

Drawing in the Art Room for K-5th Grades
Tuesdays 4:02 - 5:02 p.m. Pick up at Main Doors
1/14-2/4 and/or 2/25-3/18
All skill levels welcome, each class will have a new lesson.
Maximum number of kids in class is 12. All supplies are included.
For more information and to register, click here. Be sure to click on Gretchko Elementary, Drawing is offered at multiple locations.

W is for Winter (one day only class)

All Grades, Winter Crafts & Snacks with Teacher Mrs. Monica Hammerick
Monday, January 27

4-5:15 p.m. Pick up at Main Doors
All supplies are included.
Register here, it is sure to sell out! Be sure to click on Gretchko Elementary, W for Winter is offered at multiple locations.

For Community Education questions, contact: andrea.frank@wbsd.org

Attention 1st - 3rd Grade Parents

FIRST Lego League EXPLORE makes learning STEM and coding skills fun! All skill levels are welcome!

STUDENT SEASON THEME: Using creative thinking and LEGO technology to explore the layers of the ocean as they “sea” into the future.

Click here to view the SUBMERGED Explore Set and here to check out the EXPLORE story.

Program Highlights:

• Students will work in teams of 6, with 1 or 2 parent coaches per team
• Team Meetings will begin in late Jan/early February
• Ten meetings total, plus the LakerBot Event (Showcase Event in April, date TBD).
• One 90 minute in-person meeting per week at Doherty, Gretchko, Sheiko, and Scotch directly after school
• Each school will have 1 "Teacher Leader" as a facilitator, however, we will need 1-2 parent volunteer for every 6 students to help coach teams. The number of volunteers will determine the number of teams we will offer. Guarantee your child's participation by volunteering to coach.

STAY TUNED FOR REGISTRATION INFO. Email andrea.frank@wbsd.org for questions.

The WBSD 3-year-old program is tuition based. Call or visit the website for information on the two preschool options available through West Bloomfield Preschool Academy.

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.