A Message from Dr. A.
August 29, 2024
Dear Dragon Families,
I hope this message finds you well and enjoying the start of the new school year. It has been a pleasure welcoming your children back to school, and we are excited for the learning and growth that lies ahead.
I wanted to extend a heartfelt thank you for your patience and understanding regarding the unexpected power outage that caused a school closure yesterday. We truly appreciate your flexibility and support as we navigated the situation.
As we look forward to the upcoming days, please remember that there will be no school on Friday and Monday due to the Labor Day weekend. We hope you have a restful and enjoyable break with your family.
Mark your calendars for some important upcoming events:
- Keith PTA Meeting: Join us on Wednesday, September 4, at 6:30 PM in the Learning Commons. This is a wonderful opportunity to get involved with our school community and hear about exciting plans for the year.
- Fall Picture Day: On Friday, September 6th, we will be capturing those smiling faces! Please ensure your child is prepared for their photo session.
- Curriculum Nights: During the week of September 9th, we will host our Curriculum Nights. These events are a great chance for you to learn more about what your child will be studying this year and how you can support their learning at home.
- WLN Homecoming Parade: We are also excited to invite you to attend the WLN Homecoming Parade on Friday, September 13th, at 5:00 PM. It’s a fantastic community event, and we’d love to see you there!
For additional details on everything mentioned above and more, please be sure to read this week’s Dragon’s Tale Newsletter.
Thank you once again for your partnership and support as we embark on this exciting 2024-2025 school year. Your involvement and enthusiasm make a significant difference in our school community, and we look forward to working together to ensure a successful year for all our students.
Warm regards,
Marci Augenstein
Principal, Keith Elementary School
Welcome Back Lunch for Teachers
Thank you to all of our amazing parent volunteers who made our First Day of School a wonderful success! Having extra parent volunteers to help our youngest learners on their first day of school, as well as a special lunch for our teachers was appreciated so much. It was so awesome to see our kids back at Keith and get energized for learning this school year! Thank you to all who were able to help! A special thank you to Lauren Jaffe for bringing in water for our bus drivers during extremely hot weather!
Food Allergies at Keith
8/23/24
Dear Parents & Guardians:
Please be aware that we have several children at Keith Elementary that have a life-threatening allergy to peanuts and nuts. Some may neither eat, touch nor even inhale the aroma of peanuts without life-threatening consequences. As a result, it is imperative that we all keep this in mind when planning for any food brought into school.
We are asking for your help and cooperation as we work together to keep all of our students safe. Please remember this serious allergy situation when sending any food to school with your child. Parents are encouraged to make alternative choices when sending food to school with their children. All classrooms encourage and allow healthy snacks of fruits and vegetables.
Although Keith Elementary is not a peanut free building, we must keep any products out of the “peanut free” classrooms that could cause a negative reaction. A detailed letter will be sent to families in the peanut free classrooms from your child's teacher prior to the start of school. All students will participate in a discussion about the special prevention needs of a classmate who is peanut/nut allergic. This will be an age appropriate explanation that may need reinforcement at home.
We have designated certain areas and classrooms in the building as “peanut/nut free”.
Allergic students will receive close supervision during lunch and on field trips, and will be eating only in an area where peanuts and nut products are not allowed, using sanitized blue trays in the cafeteria. There is an emergency plan in place for unexpected exposure, but our most effective tool is prevention and education.
We appreciate the support of all families in helping to minimize the possible exposure for these children to peanuts and other nut products. As always, the health, safety, and well-being of each and every child at our school continues to be of the utmost importance to all of us.
Sincerely,
Marci Augenstein, Ph.D.
Keith Elementary Principal
Mix, Mingle, & PTA!
Each month, the Keith PTA Board Members, Dr. A, & teachers gather to talk all things students, staff, & activities. It's our goal to create the story of our Keith Dragon's schoolyear memories. Join us Wed, Sept 4th as we discuss plans for family fun nights, in-school assemblies, spirit wear, clubs (let's go LEGO!), & fundraising goals like our newly proposed, outdoor learning space. We'll meet at 6:30pm in the Learning Commons (Media Center) where child care WILL be provided. Meetings run approximately 1 hour. We encourage new & returning families to sit in on the conversation. No commitments, no sign ups, just conversation.
When you think about it, if you have a compelling reason, like our kiddos, you can do anything! So, what are you waiting for?
Wed, Sept 4th 6:30PM @ Keith Elementary Learning Commons.
Kindly,
Alison Link, Keith PTA President
Fun Run Student T-Shirt Sizing Needed!
Every year the Keith PTA provides Fun Run t-shirts to its students & staff. If you didn't submit your student(s) t-shirt size(s) during the enrollment packet, please CLICK HERE. This year's in-school Fun Run event will be Friday, October 11th on the Keith track. What's the "Fun Run", you ask? Throughout the day on Oct 11th, grade levels will run & walk laps around the track in support of Keith's fundraiser to beautify the playground, its equipment, & a newly proposed, outdoor learning space. More details to come on that learning space at Wednesday, September 4th's 630PM PTA meeting! We meet in the Learning Commons (Media Center) for 1 hour & would love for you to meet & join us.
Stay tuned for volunteer opportunities during the Fun Run! Until then, shoot us your shirt sizes, please.
Parent Volunteers
At Keith Elementary School, we value the help and support of our parent volunteers! Our district requires that all parent volunteers complete a criminal history background/reference check. The form is linked for you below. If you think you may be volunteering in any capacity at Keith, please complete the form as soon as possible and turn it into the main office at Keith. Our amazing secretaries will be able to take it from there. Thank you for your willingness to volunteer at Keith!
WLN Homecoming Parade Invitation
This year's WLN Homecoming Parade will take place on September 13th, and we're excited to have your students join us for this event.
As in previous years, we ask each elementary school to create a poster or bring a banner or flag displaying their school's name. The students will hold these posters while walking in the parade. Additionally, we will be providing "Future Knight" shirts for all participating students! If your child has been given one in previous years, please have them wear it to the parade so that we can reserve the shirts for students new to your school and our district.
To ensure everything runs smoothly, we request that parents accompany the students during the parade.
The lineup for the parade will begin at 5:00 PM, with the parade officially starting at 5:30 PM. Please have your students arrive by 5:00 PM and direct them to the North side of the school, near the picnic tables. Signs will be placed around the school to guide you, and we will assist in directing each school to their designated spot in the parade.
We look forward to a wonderful parade and appreciate your support and participation!
WLN Student Leadership Team
Vision and Hearing Screenings for Keith Students
Keith Vision Screening Schedule:
Grades to be assessed: J/K, 1, 3, 5
TECHNICIAN: TERRI ALCOCER
10/16, 10/17, 10/18, 10/22, 10/23, 10/24, 10/25/2024 AM
Keith Hearing Screening Schedule:
Grades to be assessed: J/K, K, 2, 4
TECHNICIAN: DENISE GAARDER
03/14, 03/17, 03/18, 03/19, 03/20/2025
Michigan Department of Education - Teacher of the Year
Dear Educational Partner,
The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) opened the nomination period for the 2025-26 Michigan Teacher of the Year this past spring. The nomination window remains open until Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. MDE welcomes nominations from students, parents, coworkers, and school community members. Individuals wishing to nominate a teacher for this recognition are asked to complete this online form.
District newsletters and social media serve as valuable channels to share the online form, providing an opportunity to acknowledge the contributions of dedicated educators. We encourage your district to consider including the nomination information provided (below) in your communications.
MDE recognizes that some districts and intermediate school districts have an established process to award local teachers of the year. If so, your designated district representatives may email teacher nominations directly to MTOY@Michigan.gov. Please include teacher name, personal identification code (PIC), email address, and school employed. An email verifying receipt will be sent within 48 hours. Nominations from districts will be accepted now until September 25, 2024.
More information about the program is available on the Michigan Teacher of the Year webpage. Please contact the Office of Educator Excellence at MTOY@Michigan.gov with any questions regarding the program or nomination process. We genuinely appreciate your assistance in sharing this information with your district.
________________________________________________________________________________
2025-26 Michigan Teacher of the Year Nominations
Please take a moment to nominate one or more teachers for the Michigan Department of Education’s 2025-26 Michigan Teacher of the Year. Celebrate a deserving teacher by simply completing this online form. The nomination window is open now until Wednesday, September 25, 2024.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Respectfully,
Michigan Teacher of the Year Team
News from the Keith Cafe
What to watch for:
Mon, Sept 9th ~ Lucky Tray Day!
Fri, Sept 13th ~ Snack Cart Day ($0.50-$1.25)
Thurs, Sept 19th ~ Pizza Day ~$2.00 / extra slice, $1.25 chips
Fri, Sept 27th ~ Snack Cart Day ($0.50-$1.25)
Breakfasts & lunches are free this year for all students. For snacks or 2nd entrees, parents can add funds to student accounts via Skyward, or cash / check brought to the kitchen. Want to avoid online payment fees? Send cash / check, clearly labeled with student's name, to the Keith kitchen for direct, fee-free deposit.
Alison Link
Keith Kitchen Server, Keith Elementary
956-3735
Food Service Update - Free Meals in 2024-25
During the 2024-25 school year, all Michigan public school students in grades Pre-K through 12 will have access to free breakfast and free lunch everyday through the "Healthy School Meals for All" program. This includes a meat/meat alternative, grain, fruit/vegetable and milk. A la carte items will be available for purchase.
Families are still encouraged to complete the Child Nutrition and Education Benefits Application in Skyward to help secure additional funding for the District including Title I funding. By completing the form, eligible families may also receive access to other benefit programs including reduced registration fees for standardized testing, discounted college application fees, pay to participate, discounted home internet access, and more.
WLCSD Health and Immunization Information
District begins the strategic planning process
Walled Lake Consolidated Schools is focused on building on its successes over the past decade and set a new course for our district based on the context of the current academic, social, emotional, and economic environment of the community we serve.
As we focus on the future of our district in creating a new strategic plan, we value the input of all of our stakeholders. We are working with G&D Associates to gather perspectives from our community to inform the next strategic plan. Opportunities will include:
A brief community survey aimed at identifying key themes for in-depth focus group discussions.
Focus groups and community forums involving students, families, staff, community members, and local partners.
Numerous opportunities for feedback throughout the entire process.
Share your voice by completing a short survey that will assist in creating our next strategic plan. The survey opens on Wednesday, September 4, and will close on Wednesday, September 25.
More information about strategic planning can be found at www.wlcsd.org/strategic-plan
District seeks operating millage replacement in November Election
The Walled Lake Consolidated Schools’ Board of Education approved seeking a replacement of the district’s operating millage in the upcoming November election during its August 8, 2024 special meeting.
Walled Lake Consolidated Schools is asking the community to replace its current operating millage with an 18 mill non-homestead millage that represents roughly $31 million and a 3.6297 mill hold harmless that represents approximately $2 million of the district’s budget. The total of $33 million accounts for 18 percent of the district’s $187 million revenue budget.
Every District in the state is expected to levy, with voter approval, 18 mills on all non-homestead properties in order to receive full state funding under Proposal A. The 3 mill "Headlee cushion" will allow the district to collect the full 18 mills over the duration of the operating millage. The proposal will not increase property taxes on any primary residence property that is within Walled Lake Consolidated Schools boundaries. Since the approval of Proposal A in 1994, the Walled Lake Consolidated Schools’ community has overwhelmingly supported the operating millage, most recently in 2014.
If the November 5, 2024 proposal is not approved, the school district will lose more than $33 million in operating revenue every year and the state will not make up the shortfall.
More information about the 2024 Operating Millage Replacement can be found at www.wlcsd.org/elections.
Bring Your Own Device Program K-12
After the increased use of technology last year, we recognize that many of your children have their own devices. They are all welcome and encouraged to participate in our "Bring Your Own Device" program. Please use the link below to print off the BOYD Form and give it to your child's teacher at our Meet and Greet event on August 24th or send it in with your child on the first day of school. You are also welcome to complete the online version of the form and save paper!
Please take a moment to visit the WLCSD Bring Your Own Device Policy Website for additional information as well as a link to the printable form.
Please know we appreciate your continued partnership as we work to ensure every child has access to the best resources available! If you choose not to participate, we are going to once again have our chrome book carts available for use at Keith Elementary School during the school day for children who do not have a device from home.
Kroger Rewards - $$$ For Keith!
Keith Elementary School
Diana Tyrrell - Principal's Secretary
Alice Johnson - Building Secretary
Marci Augenstein, Ph.D. - Principal, Keith Elementary
Email: DianaTyrrell@wlcsd.org
Website: http://wlcsd.org/schools/elementary/keith/
Location: 2800 Keith Road, West Bloomfield Township, MI, United States
Phone: (248)956-3700
Twitter: @KeithElementary