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Gretchko Newsletter
March 8, 2024
Principal's Update
Hello Team WB!
We hope you have had a great week. We've certainly been busy here at school! Of particular note this week was our announcement of the Gretchko Teacher and Support Staff Member of the Year. Mary Ann Ayar, 2nd grade teacher, is our teacher of the year, and Judith Lopez Alcaide is our support staff member of the year. We are so grateful for all they do to support our students, staff, and families. Congratulations to these two deserving Gretchko Stars!
We are still looking for a lunch/recess monitor. If you or someone you know would like to apply, please complete the application process here (scroll down to job ID 6328). The hours are from 10:45-1:45pm daily. Come join our team!
Spring picture day will be Tuesday, March 12. Only those students that have purchased picture packages will be photographed. Please see the flyers that came home today in backpack mail. Speaking of pictures, don't forget to order your student's 2023-2024 yearbook. This is a wonderful keepsake to remember a terrific year together and students really enjoy seeing themselves and their friends and teachers in the yearbook. See below for ordering information.
Finally, have you heard about our March Madness Book Bracket? We started with 16 books in the tournament, each battling it out to win students' votes. We're down to the final 4. The winning book will be announced by our very own Dr. Bazzi during an assembly on March 22. Ask your kiddo which book they hope will win!
Don't forget that this weekend, Daylight Savings Time begins...our clocks "spring forward" one hour.
Warmly,
Jen Teal
Principal
Featured Book:
Fiona’s Luck by Teresa Bateman
The luck of the Irish has waned after the greedy Leprechaun King has taken all the good fortune in Ireland and locked it away. It is up to one cunning girl, Fiona to come up with a plan to get the luck and good tidings back from the leprechauns to help the people of Ireland. Through clever charades, Fiona uses her wit to outsmart the powerful Leprechaun King and restore luck to the Emerald Isle.
Gretchko Star Slip Winners!
We are so very proud of all of our Gretchko Stars. We have learned so much about how to be safe, responsible and respectful! Fantastic job Gretchko Students for following our school social contracts. Congratulations to the following Gretchko Star Slip winners for March 8, 2024: Isla Laessle, William Farms,, Kristian Pishel, Emily Kagel, Melody Young, Walter, Desjardins, Hudson Genereaux, Eli Yatoma, Peyton Humphrey-Knowles, Devan Nair, Elizabeth, Cwiertak, Nolan Jarco, Isabel Huyge, Milan Sowell, Aiden, Asselin, and Demi Smith.
Have an idea for a transition activity?
As we approach our transition to K-5 buildings, we know you have ideas to share about activities. We'd love your input. Please share ideas in this Transition Activity Ideas form.
I Center Update
Spring has sprung in the Gretchko Maker Space! Students are making observations of various seeds, researching what animals do in the spring on Pebble Go, building rainbows and birdhouses with all our engineering manipulatives, creating butterflies, flowers, and bird feeders with art...and so much more!!
Some items we are still in need of in the Maker Space are pipe cleaners, pony beads, glue, coffee filters, and pom poms. Thank you all your Maker Space donations.
Kindergarten Student Reading Success-100 Books to Read
Congratulations to Amelia Bianconi Nicholas Korchash, Amelia Bianconi and Carter Bergstrom and for completing the 100 BOOKS TO READ IN KINDERGARTEN! We are so proud of you! Way to go, Super Readers! Be sure to visit the WBTPL to share your success with the library!
Student Intent to Return to WB Schools
To help us plan for the upcoming school year, we are asking parents to submit a form. The form is currently open and will close on March 8th. To complete the form, families will need to:
- Log into your PowerSchool Parent Portal Account
- Under the General tab, select Student Intent to Return
Thank you for your help!
On Sight Approved Registration Support
WBSD Enrollment will be offering on-site kindergarten registration support for residents on March 12th from 9 a.m. -11 a.m. in the ACS Main Conference Room, 5810 Commerce Road.
Families can complete enrollment online. But if they would like assistance, please bring all required materials with you to the March 12th session. This site has a translated list of documents and video tutorials: https://www.wbsd.org/parents/enrollment
2nd Graders Get Coping Skills Bags for Home
This week, 2nd grade students brought home a "Coping Skills Bag" that is filled with items to handle big emotions. This Coping Skills Bag, sponsored by The Greater West Bloomfield Community Coalition and funded by Vibe Credit Union, includes a Coping Skills Choice Board and a few items students can use to help calm down and express emotions in healthy ways. The items in this bag help to ground children in the present moment, gives a sense of control, and triggers positive, healthy thoughts.
During stressful situations, it is difficult (especially for children) to make healthy, positive choices to calm down. The Coping Skills Choice Board allows them to pick which coping skill they want to use to calm down.
The items in the bag are just a few options to decrease stress and return to a positive, well-being state. Feel free to add additional items to the bag. Using this Coping Skills Bag and the Coping Skills Choice Board can help children to manage anxiety, and develop self-regulation skills, resilience and confidence. Ask your student what they learned in class about coping.
The mission of the Greater West Bloomfield Community Coalition (GWBCC) is to build community partnerships to reduce high risk behaviors including alcohol, tobacco and other drug use, to help ensure that our youth may grow to their greatest potential.
If you would like to learn more about the Greater West Bloomfield Community Coalition and/or make a donation-you can visit their website www.gwbcoalition.org Or you can mail a donation to:
GWBCC PO Box 250072 West Bloomfield, MI 48325-0072.
This was paid for by Vibe Credit Union.
West Bloomfield Township Public Library
Book Lists
Winter Reading Finale: Celebrate Mario Day!
Saturday, March 9 from 10-1pm
Main Library Meeting Room
March 10 is Mario Day, but we’re celebrating a day early! Come Mario party with us and make some Mario themed crafts, play some Mario themed games and say hello to some Mario characters. Come dressed as your favorite Mario character. The program is for all ages.
No registration required.
Winter Reading Continues
Now - Sunday, March 10
Library cardholders of all ages are encouraged to enroll in the library’s Winter Reading Program to earn incentives for time spent reading. Students under age 18 can earn up to 3 books to keep! Get started on the Beanstack app or at westbloomlib.beanstack.org.
WBSD Elementary Transition Update
From Scott Long, Assistant Superintendent of Learning Services
West Bloomfield Elementary Families,
By now, you should have received your child’s final elementary placement for the 2024-25 school year. Additionally, this placement letter was also sent home with students in their backpacks Wednesday. Please feel free to reach out to your child’s current office staff if you have questions about your child’s placement. We are here to support you with this process. The purpose of this communication is to highlight student & family transition plans, as well as provide reminders about the STEAM programming that will occur at each building.
Redistricting Transition Activities and Events
- Welcoming Caregivers to a New Elementary Building
- Doherty and Sheiko - April 9
- Gretchko and Scotch - April 11
- Students Meet the Principal
- Doherty and Sheiko - April 4
- Gretchko, Roosevelt and Scotch - April 5
- Student Mingle Field Trip
- Rising K/1st Grade - April 26
- Rising 2nd/3rd Grades - May 10
- Rising 4th/5th grades - May 14th
- Preparing all Families for Launch
- At Doherty and Sheiko - May 8
- At Gretchko and Scotch - May 16
- Popsicles with the Principal for Families (dates in August TBD)
STEAM Information
STEAM programming & experiences will be available to residents & School of Choice (SoC) students. Students that meet STEAM criteria will still attend regular K-5 classes and specials with their classmates.
The difference: they will have access to additional learning experiences during the school day, outside of core academic content.
Eligibility is determined as follows:
Current Students - all current students are in the application pool. NWEA testing will be used to determine who meets criteria. No extra testing is needed. Notification of students that meet criteria will be provided in March.
Incoming Kindergarten Residents - Kindergarten Readiness/STEAM Assessment will be used to determine who meets criteria.
Incoming School of Choice Students - SoC STEAM assessment (Kindergarten Readiness/STEAM Assessment OR 1st-5th NWEA) will be used to determine who meets criteria.
All current STEAM students (Roosevelt) are eligible.
TO VIEW THE LETTER THAT CONTAINS DATES AND MORE INFORMATION, CLICK HERE.
Equity Corner
Greek-American Heritage Month
Irish-American Heritage Month
National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
National Multiple Sclerosis Education and Awareness Month
National Women’s History Month
Upcoming Celebrations
March 8 – Maha Shivarati (Hindu)
March 8 - International Women’s Day
March 10 – April 9 – Ramadan (Islam)
March 17 – St. Patrick’s Day
March 21 – International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
March 21 - World Down Syndrome Day
March 20 – Naw-Ruz (Baha’i New Year)
March 25 - Holi (Hindu)
March 29 - Good Friday (Christian)
March 31 - Easter (Christian)
March 31 - International Transgender Day of Visibility
March 31 – Cesar Chavez Day
PTO Volunteer Positions Check It Out
WBSD Community Education Summer Camp
WBSD Community Education 2024 Summer Camp
At this time the location and duration of Summer Camp is to be determined. Please complete the form and we will notify you as we secure a location and dates. THIS FORM DOES NOT GUARANTEE A SPOT IN SUMMER CAMP. THIS IS AN INQUIRY FORM ONLY.
Parent Summer Camp Interest Form
If you need to make Summer Plans as soon as possible check out these camps:
Math at Home
Our math curriculum-Bridges-has terrific resources that you can use at home! Check out this month's links below.
Powerschool Parent Portal Update Open
It is extremely important to keep your contact information current and correct. WBSD has temporarily opened the parent portal so parents are able to make changes, additions, and updates. Please log into your parent account, click on forms, click the general tab, you will see the form to add or correct the information.
Need Tech Help
For assistance with Google accounts, student Chromebooks or teacher laptops:
Phone: (248) 209-2060
Email: oshelpdesk@oakland.k12.mi.us
Gretchko PTO officers
Kayla Herzog, PTO President
Katy Patra, PTO Vice-President
Carly Wilbur, PTO Treasurer
Erika Ruskin, PTO Recording Secretary
Maria Collins, PTO Corresponding Secretary
The PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) is a volunteer organization that works to support all students by providing a communication link between families, teachers and administrators. The PTO also provides curricular materials, enrichment programs and community service projects through various fundraisers.
We cordially invite you to join our organization and support our efforts to continue making Gretchko a wonderful place to learn and to be a part of! Please reach out to pto.gretchko@gmail.com if you are interested in getting involved or if you have any questions.
Gretchko Calendar
March
3/12 - Spring Picture Day - Only for students that have ordered photos
3/13 - Late Start (10:10)
- PTO General Meeting at 7:00 pm
3/20 - Marco’s Pizza Night
3/22 - Bagel Day
3/23-3/31 - Spring Break
April
4/1 - Back to School
4/3 - Late Start (10:10)
4/16 - Red Robin Fundraiser, Commerce Location (all day)
4/17 - PTO General Meeting at 7:00 pm
4/24 - Late Start
- Marco’s Pizza Night
4/26 - Bagel and Camo Day
May
May 6-10- Staff Appreciation Week
5 /8 - Late Start (10:10)
5/14 - PTO General Meeting with Elections at 7:00 pm
5/22 - Late Start (10:10)
-Marco’s Pizza Night
5/24 - Bagel and Sunglasses/ Gretchko Spirit wear Day
5/27 - Memorial Day - No School
June
6/6 - Half Day (Dismissal 12:12)
6/7 - Last Day of School - Half Day (Dismissal 12:12)
Last Day of School events TBD
**All events are subject to change**
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.