Dear Garfield Family,

As November begins, we settle comfortably into fall and the rhythm of the school year. This month brings cozy sweaters, brisk air, and a peaceful pause between October’s Halloween festivities and December’s holiday rush.

Thanksgiving captures what makes November so special: a day free from the hustle of gift-giving, where we can pause, gather, give thanks, and of course… enjoy plenty of pie!

A Focus on Gratitude

This month, we’re embracing gratitude together. Research tells us that those who regularly feel and express gratitude experience greater life satisfaction, are less likely to feel anxious or depressed, and develop a more positive outlook on life. Grateful individuals are also more likely to engage in behaviors that benefit others, giving back as a natural extension of their appreciation.

Practicing Gratitude as a Family

November is a perfect time to explore gratitude as a family! This could be as simple as sharing something you’re thankful for at the dinner table, writing notes of appreciation, or taking moments to notice and talk about the good around you. Practicing gratitude can help us all approach the coming months with a mindset of warmth, kindness, and contentment.

We’d love your support in encouraging these moments at home, as we continue fostering gratitude in our lessons and discussions at school. Together, let’s make November a month of reflection, warmth, and gratitude.

5 Ways To Practice Gratitude As A Family

1. Three Good Things Exercise - the idea is to think of positive things that happened to you today and also think about why it went well and how it made you feel.

We will continue to ensure that students have a fulfilling, rewarding and safe school year. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

2. Rose-Bud-Thorn Exercise - We each take turns naming something great (a rose) and something not-so-great (a thorn) that happened to us today. We finish with something we’re looking forward to (a bud).

3. Conversation Cards - With 120 thought-provoking questions, you can explore each other's interests and encourage meaningful conversations.

4. Reading/Journaling Together - Making it a habit to slow down and read/journal together is worth it.

5. Gratitude Board & Thankfulness Jar - A gratitude jar is a container that holds reminders and memories of things that you and your family are thankful for.

Our overall theme this year at Garfield is: GROWTH MINDSET

As we embrace November and all the warmth it brings, let’s make this month a celebration of gratitude, connection, and kindness. We’re thankful for our wonderful school community and the chance to grow and learn together. Wishing each of you a joyful and reflective month filled with moments of appreciation and togetherness. Here’s to a season of gratitude!

Lauren Feigel

Principal

Garfield Skills Center & Livonia Transition Program

Updated 11.13.24

On Wednesday, October 23rd, we acknowledged the opening of our new greenhouse with a ceremonial ribbon cutting. The dedication and generosity was truly inspiring, and it’s because of our donors that our students and staff now have this wonderful greenhouse. This is not just a structure—it’s a symbol of growth, opportunity, and learning.

Please support those who support us:

Breaking Barriers for Kids and Families

MASCO

Alpha USA

D&B Landscaping

Healthy Livonia

Wednesday, October 30 - Mobile Dentist

Friday, November 1 - Fall Dance (During School Hours)

Tuesday, November 5 - Professional Development Day - No School

Thursday, November 21 - GSC Picture Re-Take Day

Tuesday, November 26 - Turkey Trot

Wednesday, November 27 - Friday, November 29 - Thanksgiving Break - No School

Friday, December 13 - GSC Winter Craft Show

Monday, December 16 - Teacher Workday - No School

Monday, December 23 - Friday, January 3 - Winter Break - No School

Hello,

Please click this link or use the QR code below to access a very brief survey regarding special education services in our county.

https://hanover-research.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4J9gBhNcAJR7dfo

Thank you!

Join us for the exciting Grand Opening of the Tiger Den! 🐯

Students, get ready to shop for all your favorites, including:

• Snacks 🍿
• Drinks 🥤
• Frozen Desserts 🍨
• Garfield Gear 🧢👕
• And so much more!

Don’t miss out on this fun event, and come check out what we have in store for you. Whether you’re looking for a quick treat or some awesome school spirit gear, the Tiger Den has something for everyone!

Be there on October 14th to explore, shop, and enjoy!

Mr. Mike Shine will be a long term substitute covering for Ms. Mary Baharozian (Woodshop/Oak Lanes). Should your student be assigned to these courses, you will be receiving a welcome letter from Mr. Mike.

Each year, we ask all families to complete the “Back to School Checklist” in Parent Connect. As we prepare for the new school year, it is important that we have current and reliable information posted in our Student Information System.

Please complete the “Back to School Checklist” in Parent Connect at your earliest convenience. This is the electronic version of the previous paper packet and “pink emergency cards.”

We are asking that you update your information in Parent Connect by clicking on the link “Back to School Checklist” (located at the top of the screen in red) by August 19, 2024. This is a requirement for all students. Please complete the updates for each student in your household.

As a reminder, you can access Parent Connect via the district website www.livoniapublicschools.org by clicking on the Parents tab. If you have trouble accessing your Parent Connect account, please send an email with your student’s name and the issue you are experiencing to parentconnect@livoniapublicschools.org.

I'm sure you've run into many of the road construction sites as you've been driving through Livonia, particularly near 5 mile & Farmington. It seems you can't turn a corner without running into road construction. While this will be great for long term road traveling, I have a feeling it's not going to bode well for our students' bus routes.

Late buses are always a frustration point, whether it's a bus that's dropping off students to school, or a bus that's picking up a group of students for a worksite. It's that time of the year for road construction and, from what we've been told, the City of Livonia received funds from the county and the state to do road work, so they're hitting it hard.

Please keep in mind, the LPS Transportation Department is always trying to stay on schedule, and they also are frustrated with road construction delays. Let's all work together during Michigan's fifth season...road construction season!

Livonia Public Schools, in an effort to ensure the safety and security of its students, is continuing our safety procedure for all visitor and volunteers.

It is necessary for anyone visiting or volunteering in a classroom to provide information for a criminal conviction/background check. Please use the following link to go to the ICHAT form: I-Chat Form. This needs to be completed each school for each individual.

Garfield Tigers are SAFE, RESPECTFUL and RESPONSIBLE!

Please consider the Winter Wonderland Fundraiser provided by the Livonia Transition Program. All funds will benefit their positive behavior intervention support program, ensuring that students are safe, respectful and responsible in the classroom and the community.

This is the application and information about MRS and the summer employment program. There is an application for PreETS included, if a student is not yet enrolled to MRS. By enrolling, students can be part of their summer programming and get paid work experience. There are also many other services provide, they are listed in the brochure attached. Julie McLaughlin is our representative for MRS, parents/guardians can contact her if they have any questions. Her contact is also in the attached documents.

Please use the LINK below to complete the sign up form for students who are interested in working with MRS.

MRS Contact information:

Julie McLaughlin, MA, LPC, Site Manager

Western Wayne District- Monroe Office

Michigan Rehabilitation Services

903 S. Telegraph Rd.

Monroe, MI 48161

734-241-2440 Office

734-731-0955 Cell

734-241-1523 Fax

Mclaughlinj3@michigan.gov

Dear Parent,

Blessings in a Backpack-Livonia is an all-volunteer program designed to provide students who are in need, with enough food for three meals a day during the weekends. If you participate in this program, your student will receive a bag at the end of every week of school (Thursday or Friday), filled with non-perishable food for the weekend. There is no cost to you for participating in this program. No further information is required. Your information will not be shared. If you would like to have your student participate in this program, fill out and submit the form using the link below as soon as possible. We are requesting your name and email address, so that a confirmation of registration will be emailed to you. Delivery will begin the week of September 11th.

https://forms.gle/oifKHq56fSvQ4Pis8

If your student participated in the program last year we do need a new enrollment form for this school year.

Currently, we are providing prepackaged bags, so we are unable to customize for allergies or religious dietary needs. We apologize for any inconvenience.

****You will need to complete a separate form for each student that you wish to enroll.****

If you have any additional questions, please feel free to email us at biablivonia@gmail.com

Dear Parents and Guardians of the Livonia Public Schools School Community,

As the new school year begins, supporting our youth's mental health is more important than ever. The new school year can bring feelings of both anxiety and excitement as students transition into a new grade, perhaps a new school, and are all in turn learning and growing into who they are.

We have provided a Back to School resource packet for parents and teachers who are navigating through this time. Click here to access to the flyer.

By working together, we can create an environment where our children thrive. Remember, Care Solace offers valuable mental health care coordination services to connect you with community-based providers for counseling, therapy, and more.

To access Care Solace:

• Call 888-515-0595: Their multilingual helpline is staffed 24/7/365.
• Visit www.caresolace.com/livonia: Explore mental health providers independently or click "Book Appointment" for personalized assistance.

By joining hands as a community, we can provide a nurturing environment that supports the mental health and well-being of our youth. Let's prioritize their emotional growth and create a brighter future together.

Thank you for being dedicated parents in the Livonia Public Schools community. Your commitment to our youth is truly commendable.

If you have medical questions or medication to bring for your student, Ms. Laura Flavin, Garfield's Administrative Assistant, will be available to learn how to support your student's health needs. If you have any questions, she can be reached by email at lflavin@livoniapublicschools.org.

When you bring in paperwork and medication, please come to the main office. She will review the information and make sure the appropriate signatures are present and the medication is not expired. Also, it would be very helpful if you could label the medication and any equipment with your student's name.

With the Michigan School Meals program underway, free meals are available for all students throughout this school year.

Please click on the logo to load event flyers from around the LPS community.

Mission

Educate, Advocate, Empower

Vision

To empower students with the skills to make their transition plan come to life.

Email: lfeigel@livoniapublicschools.org
Website: https://garfield.livoniapublicschools.org/
Location: 10218 Garfield, Livonia, MI 48150
Phone: (734)744-2810