Gretchko Newsletter

Hello Team WB!

Above, you are seeing photos from another PTO-sponsored learning activity for our students: Oakland County Parks' Star Lab! Each classroom got to sit inside this portable star-gazing bubble and learn all about astronomy! Speaking of PTO, we hope you'll attend our next gretchko PTO meeting on Tuesday, February 6th at 7pm in the iCenter. Lisa Berkey from the Great West Bloomfield Community Coalition will be joining us to share information on the many ways their organization supports our students and families.

Today, your child's 2nd quarter report card is viewable in your parent portal. Please reach out to your child's teacher if you have any questions.

We are now not far away from our Valentine's Day parties. Families are welcome to join us at the following times on February 14th. You do not need an approved iChat on file to attend, but we will ask you to sign in for the event.

• 12:30-1:15 2nd grade

• 1:15-2:00 1st grade

• 2:15-3:00 Kdg/Kdg Prep

Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

Warmly,

Jen Teal

Principal

Featured Book:

Sing a Song by Kelly Starling Lyons

In Jacksonville, Florida, two brothers, one of them the principal of a segregated, all-black school, wrote the song "Lift Every Voice and Sing" so his students could sing it for a tribute to Abraham Lincoln's birthday in 1900. From that moment on, the song has provided inspiration and solace for generations of Black families. Mothers and fathers passed it on to their children who sang it to their children and grandchildren. It has been sung during major moments of the Civil Rights Movement and at family gatherings and college graduations.

Fantastic job Gretchko Students for following our school social contracts. We are very happy to be able to have so many good citizens names in our star bins to be able to draw from. Congratulations to the following Gretchko Star Slip winners for February 2, 2024. Brooklyn Mason, Andrew Young, Sophia Tyson, Jadiel Ascencio-Sanchez, Leilani Brewart, Jackson Newbury, Jesse Sayegh, Chloe Kong, Parker Habba, Everett Prescott, Isabel Huyge, Shayenne Tabares Mora, Adam Danylik, Brendan Gallimore, Hannah Cauley, and Jaya Anderson. Keep up the good work Gretchko Stars! We are very proud of all of our good citizens.

We have been focusing on Melody this past marking period in music class. We have been having fun playing with paper plates, cups and singing games. Here are a few snapshots from some of our classes.

We are so excited to learn that the book BIG by Vashti Harrison was awarded the Caldecott Medal! We read multiple new books, trying to predict which book would be this year's winner. Gretchko readers just loved the book, BIG! In BIG, author Vashti Harrison traces a child’s journey to self-love and shows the power of words to both hurt and heal. With spare text and exquisite illustrations, this emotional exploration of being big in a world that prizes small is a tender portrayal of how you can stand out and feel invisible at the same time. Students discussed Vashti's message of self-love and how words are impactful. Students had the opportunity to reflect on what they love about themselves and share with our Gretchko community by placing a heart in the library window for all to see. We also made calming hearts to focus on our breathing and think positive thoughts. For more information about Vashi's Caldecott winning book, listen HERE!

Congratulations to Wesley Rosemeyer (Pictured center above) and Benjamin Cohen (Pictured above right) for reading "the 100 Books to Read in Kindergarten"!! Way to go Wesley and Benjamin!! We are so proud of your hard work and dedication. Wesley also visited the WBTPL to celebrate his success.

Our math curriculum-Bridges-has terrific resources that you can use at home! Check out this month's links below.

Kindergarten At-Home Resources

1st Grade At-Home Resources

2nd Grade At-Home Resources

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. Thank you for your prompt response.

Kayla Herzog, PTO President

Katy Patra, PTO Vice-President

Carly Wilbur, PTO Treasurer

Erika Ruskin, PTO Recording Secretary

Maria Collins, PTO Corresponding Secretary

PTO Events Calendar

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.

February

2/2 Casino Night

2/6 - PTO General Meeting at 7:00 pm

2/7 - Late Start (10:10)

2/14 - Global Equity Team Meeting at 8:00 am

2/14 -Valentine Parties (during school)

2/17 - 2/20 - Mid Winter Break

2/23 - Bagel Day

2/27 - Millage renewal vote

2/28 - Late Start (10:10)

2/28 - Marco’s Pizza Night

2/26-3/1 - Leap Week

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.