Gretchko Newsletter
February 9, 2024
Principal's Update
Hello Team WB!
It was so nice this week to see the sunshine and all the kiddos enjoying their time outside. It may not be the norm for February, but it was fun to see everyone's excitement for spring-like weather.
Thank you to everyone who was able to attend our PTO meeting on Tuesday evening. We were joined by Lisa Berkey from the Greater West Bloomfield Community Coalition. Mrs. Berkey shared information about our partnership with this awesome organization, which brings us many of our social-emotional learning supports, including our yoga program. Board Member Ashleigh Davis also joined us and shared an informational presentation about the operating millage renewal vote coming up on February 27th. Please remember to vote and to remind your friends and neighbors to do so as well!
Next week, we are having our Valentine's Day/Friendship parties on Wednesday. Families are welcome and encouraged 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
You will see an item below inviting you to register for the Annual African American Read-In through Oakland Schools. I have attended this virtual event on many occasions with my own two boys, and it is a truly special event. This year's author is Don Tate. Check out the details below!
Finally, I'd like to remind you that we cannot manage last-minute dismissal changes or end-of-day pick-ups after 3:30pm. This is both logistical for our main office as well as instructional for our students. Thank you for ensuring that your child can remain in school through the end of the day unless you have an unavoidable conflict.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend,
Jen Teal
Principal
Featured Book
Goldy Luck and the Three Pandas by Natasha Yim
It's Chinese New Year, and Goldy Luck’s mother wants her to take a plate of turnip cakes to the neighbors. The Chans aren’t home, but that doesn’t stop Goldy from trying out their rice porridge, their chairs, and their beds—with disastrous results. In this funny and festive retelling of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Natasha Yim and Grace Zong introduce a plucky heroine who takes responsibility for her actions and makes a new friend (and a whole plate of turnip cakes!), just in time for Chinese New Year.
Star Slip Winners
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 9, 2024: Zoey Zohoury, Karsyn Butler, Aurora Metante, Hugh Larkin, George Conklin, Emery Marcozzi, Jermaine McCray, Milena Stevens, Luca D’amore, Kori Ozias, Benjamin Cohen, Aniya Mitambo, Aria Yustick, Quintin Manning, Jack Riebe. and Adalyn Allensworth. Keep up the good work Gretchko Stars! We are very proud of all of our good citizens.
Annual African American Read-In Registration
Oakland Schools is proud to host author/illustrator Don Tate as our guest for this year's African American Read-In. This award-winning author/illustrator have a vast collection of books for readers of all ages. The first 500 Oakland County household who register will receive a copy of Jerry Changed the Game.
Date: Thursday February 29, 2024
Time: 7:00 - 8 pm
Location: Virtual via Zoom
You'll receive a confirmation email that includes the event's Zoom link -- keep an eye out for that information in your email inbox.
You can find more information about the National African American Read-In here: https://ncte.org/get-involved/african-american-read-in/
Please contact stacey.lamb@oakland.k12.mi.us with any questions.
Pine Cone Reading Incentive
The Pine Cone Reading Program is a District-wide reading incentive program in partnership with the West Bloomfield Township Public Library, for students enrolled in first and second grade. This dynamic program features a variety of books carefully selected by your WB teacher librarians. The list encompasses a large variety of genres, diverse topics, reading levels, and high interest subject matter. We are so thankful to the WBTPL for supplying all of these new and exciting titles for our iCenter collections. The purpose of this program is to expose our readers to titles and genres they may not read, in hopes they find a new book or series they enjoy.
Our Pine Cone program will run from February 5th through April 12th, 2023. A Pine Cone poster will be sent home the week of February 5th to keep track of the books they have read. Students should hang up their poster at home to keep track of the books they read AT HOME. Students will make a goal to read a certain number of books and then color in a Pine Cone for each book they have completed. Then they can complete a small book review for their favorite book in each category (also on the same poster). Once the poster is complete, students can turn it in for a small prize and certificate recognizing their accomplishment. Students can also earn a prize for bringing in a library receipt showing they checked out Pine Cone titles from the WBTPL.
Math at Home
Our math curriculum-Bridges-has terrific resources that you can use at home! Check out this month's links below.
Upcoming Celebrations
Equity Corner Upcoming Celebrations
Black History Month
- Feb 10: Lunar New Year (Chinese holiday, also celebrated in Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and Mongolia)
- Feb 13: Mardi Gras
- Feb 14: Valentine's Day
- Feb 14: Ash Wednesday (Christian holiday)
- Feb 14: Vasant Panchami (Hindu holiday)
- Feb 15: Parinirvana Day (Buddhist holiday)
- Feb 19: President's Day
- Feb 20: World Day of Social Justice
- Feb 21: International Mother Language Day
- Feb 24: Maghi-Purnima (Buddhist holiday)
- Feb 26-29: Ayyam-I-Ha or Intercalary Days (Bahá’í holiday)
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.
Mabel's Labels
Don't Forget to Vote!
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
February
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
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.