Family Newsletter

Hello Lakers!

On this sunny but chilly Friday, I thought I would remind you that we do send kiddos outside for recess if the real-feel is above zero degrees, unless it is too icy on the playground or it is raining. Please be sure to continue sending in appropriate cold-weather gear.

This week, we enjoyed several assemblies in Kindergarten, 3rd grade, and 5th grade. Kindergarteners were visited by KB Dental of West Bloomfield for a presentation on oral health. Students were excited to learn all about keeping their teeth clean, and everyone got to take home a new toothbrush. The Greater West Bloomfield Community Coalition brought in ReNEWed Jr. (3rd grade) and ReNEWed (5th grade), programs designed to provide students with tools for dealing with stress, anxiety, and other difficult feelings. And the 5th graders also got to meet one of the West Bloomfield Middle School counselors to start getting excited about their transition!

Next week, we have several great events I want to put on your radar. February 26th is the Oakland Schools Art Show, showcasing many Gretchko student artists. February 27th is the Annual African American Read-In, this year featuring esteemed author Jacqueline Woodson. We are hosting a watch-party for this event at West Bloomfield Middle School on at 5pm. See below for more information. Additionally, next Friday February 28th during the day, we are hosting an all-school read-in to launch our March is Reading Month activities. Be sure to check out the sign-up genius link here if you can join us as a guest reader in your child's classroom.

Enjoy a wonderful weekend,

Jen Teal

Principal

Ayah Gandee, Maria Lopez-Barrera, Landon McElwee, Parker Weekes, Miles Gottschall, RJ Ladue, Zoey Ross Jones, Emery Marcozzi, Nyla Mchone-Sosnowski, Antonio Paletta, Isla Kowalski, Sullivan Lee, Dallas Winton, Grayson Starling, Vanessa Ashaka, and Camden Manning.

Gretchko artists have been working hard on many creative projects including printmaking, construction paper projects and painting! We had several artists selected to participate in the West Bloomfield art show at Oakland Schools, be sure to check out the virtual art show here! Keep up the great work Lakers! -Mrs. Stutesman

Congratulations to Jade Zietlow...she read the 100 BOOKS TO READ IN KINDERGARTEN! Some of Jade's favorite books were Ursula Upsidedown and Beautiful Blackbird. Thank you you to WBTPL for supporting our young, avid readers here at Gretchko. Keep up the great reading, Jade!

Only students that pre-order Spring photos will be photographed on Picture Day. All orders must be placed by Tuesday, March 11.

We are very excited to host this event for the kiddos, please sign up to be a part of the Read-In! Each class will have 3 special themed reading times throughout the day, 2 of which we are looking for helpers. The first is to be a guest reader with a book or reading no longer than 10 minutes and to help do snack cart during solo reading. Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. Thank you!

https://www.signupgenius.com/.../10C094AA4AC29A6F8C61...

MARCOS PIZZA FUNDRAISER - THIS WEEK!

Meal prepping for the week? This Wednesday is Marco’s Pizza Night! (Wednesday, February 26)

Placing your order online is the way to go

Select ------- Gretchko

Students' 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.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gwbMPIoMHhpAqqoq3KSUDhG1w8ut7KWu/view?usp=drivesdk

Important Dates to Note:

2-26 Marco's Pizza Night

2-26 PTO Meeting @7pm in the iCenter

2-28 Read-In (during school)

3-11 Spring Picture Day

3-11 Urban Air Night (4-8pm)

3-13 PTO Meeting @7pm in the iCenter

Ongoing Fundraisers: Box Tops, Kroger Rewards and Mabel's Labels:

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://www.signupgenius.com/go/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

In celebration of Black History Month, enjoy booths, demos and displays highlighting careers, resources and black-owned businesses.

• Free Admission
• Family Friendly
• Over 75 Vendors

This event is presented by the West Bloomfield Diversity Task Force. The West Bloomfield Diversity Task Force is a partnership between WB Parks, the WB Public Library, WB Township and community volunteers.

Oakland Schools is proud to host author Jacqueline Woodson as our guest for this year's African American Read-In. She's the award-winning author/illustrator of numerous critically acclaimed books for children. The first 500 Oakland County households who register will receive a copy of one of Jacqueline Woodson's books.

All West Bloomfield Families are invited! Join us at WBMS to enjoy food, books, and crafts for all ages.

Date: Thursday February 27, 2025
Time: 5:00 PM
Location: West Bloomfield Middle School iCenter

REGISTER HERE

Are your children safe while online? Michigan families, especially minors, are becoming inundated with advertisements from alcohol, tobacco, pornography, illegal drugs and gambling marketers through different internet and cell phone inboxes. Thankfully, the State of Michigan offers a free program to stop adult advertisements from reaching e-mails, text messages, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, Discord, TikTok, Twitch and Twitter. The Michigan Child Protection Registry, is a free do-not-contact service for Michigan’s families and can be located at www.ProtectMIChild.com.

To sign up only takes seconds. Just go to www.ProtectMIChild.com and keep your family safe.

• Feb 26: Maha Shivratri (Hinduism)

  Black History Month Theme: African Americans and Labors

  Oakland Schools SMORE

  Black History Month Read Aloud Recommendations

  • Feb 21: International Mother Language Day

  • Feb 26: Maha Shivratri (Hinduism)

  • Feb 28-Mar 2: Losar (Tibetan New Year)

• Feb 28-Mar 2: Losar (Tibetan New Year)

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.

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.