Webber Elementary Newsletter

Greetings Webber Elementary Students and Parents,

It's fall, and next week we break into the month of October. Easy for me to confess - it's my favorite season and I love everything that goes along with it. The cider mill, donuts, and apples. Pumpkins and the cooler temperatures. While I love watching football, I'm often conflicted because fall is the perfect time to spend outdoors, enjoying things that don't require a TV screen or the digital tether (known as a smart phone) that we all have in our pockets and purses. I see some of the trees just beginning to change color, a sure sign that their hibernation is coming soon. So, my recommendation is simple. Take advantage of the outdoors, the optimum weather, the fresh air, and the daylight (which is obviously getting shorter as each day passes by).

It feels foolish bragging about how good the weather is, because mother nature might not be very cooperative this weekend. The already rescheduled PTO Movie Night has been cancelled. Unfortunately, the heavy precipitation forecasted will create problems, even if things clear up for the event. We have a PTO Meeting here at Webber on Wednesday, October 2, at 7:00 p.m. in the Media Center. Any parents who are interested in getting involved are welcomed to attend. Childcare for elementary-aged children will be available.

Attendance matters - coming to school is very important! I'm pleased to report that we are witnessing very strong attendance habits to start this school year. Overwhelmingly, research has demonstrated that consistent attendance is directly correlated with academic achievement and other important aspects related to the growth and development of children. Mental health, relationship building, and developing capacity for independence are just a few of them. Even missing as few as two days each month has been correlated to very undesirable outcomes. Affirming the importance of coming to school and solidifying good habits are extremely important early on during the elementary years. Please remember to communicate with the Webber staff (classroom teacher) when your child is going to be absent, including an email to Lyla Dyer (lyla.dyer@lok12.org).

Thank you so much for your support. Have a wonderful weekend.

Tony Palmeri

Principal, Webber Elementary

LOCS is hosting "Parent University" information sessions. On session is focused on early (K-1) literacy and phonics at each elementary in the district (all sessions are the same). That Parent U will be here at Webber on October 15, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. For more information, or to explore alternate dates at one of the other buildings, review the flyer attached below.

Another Parent University seminar will be focused on "Bullying Awareness: What Parents Need to Know" (Grades K - 5). That session is taking place on October 9, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. at Orion Oaks Elementary. Corresponding flyer is attached below.

Lake Orion Community Schools' prevention partner, the North Oakland Community Coalition, is conducting a Parent and Community Survey to collect input regarding the programs and area resources that support student mental and physical health. Your input will help guide future initiatives and enable both NOCC and LOCS to better understand and address the needs of families in our community. Data collected in this anonymous survey will be made available to the public as well as to the many organizations that partner to support our youth. The survey can be found here: North Oakland Community Coalition: Community & Parent Survey. Thank you for your help!

Parents - For students in grades first through fifth, Lake Orion Community Schools utilize the Social, Academic, and Emotional Behavior Risk Screener (SAEBRS). The screener is valuable for collecting trend data and assessing individual student needs. The screening window will run from 10/7 to 10/11. For more information regarding SAEBRS, please review the letter provided below. Opt-out submissions are due by October 4.

Thank you for following the procedures that have been communicated previously. We encourage pick-ups to be conducted in the loop and parents should remain in their vehicle. If you are utilizing the lower parking lot, be mindful that our overflow traffic "snakes" through the lot. Be patient and wait for traffic to clear before attempting to back out. Those following the designed traffic pattern have priority. Procedures provided if you would like to review.

Welcome back to the 2024 – 2025 school year!

Mrs. Burks and Mrs. Mucci are hoping to start a Garden Club/Webber Beautification program this year along with our fabulous PTO. Come join Mrs. Burks and Mrs. Mucci in late October/early November when families, students, and teachers could serve Webber by raking leaves, trimming trees and decorative grasses, picking up garbage, and pulling weeds. Be on the lookout for more information near the end of October!

If you are a parent interested in becoming involved, please consider attending the PTO Meeting on Wednesday, October 2. Meeting will take place here at Webber in the Media Center.

The WONDERFUL Webber PTO have some very fun events coming up.

"Boo" Fundraiser - For $30, you can sign up to have a friend or family member’s yard “Boo’d” (decorated with Halloween themed signs). Flyer also provided below.

Sign Up - To "BOO" Your Friends and Family

Spirit Wear Store - The Webber Elementary Spirit Wear Store is up and running. Visit the link or QR code if you are interested in purchasing any Lake Orion gear.

Spirit Wear Store – Webber Elementary

Flyers available below for all PTO Events

See below!

Up-to-date menus are available on the LOCS website: https://www.lakeorionschools.org/departments/food-nutrition/menus-and-nutritional-information

September 27 - September Birthday Lunch with Mr. Palmeri

September 30 - PTO "Boo" Fundraiser Begins. Sign-up and more info coming soon!

October 2 - Mumkin Fundraiser flowers are delivered

October 6 - Homecoming Parade - Downtown Lake Orion (3:30 p.m.)

October 7 - 13 - Homecoming Week

Throughout the school year, if you would like to recognize a staff member from Webber, we encourage you to submit a Distinguished Dragon nomination. The intent of the Distinguished Dragon program is to ensure that staff members who go above and beyond their regular duties are appreciated. The additional effort or support can range from helping an individual to helping a group or any effort that seems worthy of praise.

The staff member can be nominated by a student, parent, community member or a colleague by completing the form at LakeOrionSchools.org/DistinguishedDragon. We ask for the submitter's name and contact information to follow up with specific questions if necessary. Please make sure to select the appropriate school/department form so the message is routed in the proper direction.

Please complete the form entirely so the individual can be appropriately honored for their contributions.