The Pez Press
Week of October 7th
Last call for Fun Run Donations
A Note from Mr. Pez
West Maple Families,
Welcome, week two of October, and with it, those fall temperatures. Please remember to send your child in with a hoodie or light jacket as we will continue going out to recess each day.
Last week we had the return of our Pawsitive Office Notes. These notes are given to our students from any of our staff members when they see them showing an example of the West Maple Way- Empathy, Integrity, Kindness, and/or Responsibility. Their Pawsitive notes are read over the morning announcements and give their classmates a reason to celebrate them. Students come down to the office and take a picture with Luna and their note is sent home to families as well.
Our Flu Clinic will be rescheduled to October 22nd from 4-5 PM a new link to sign up will be coming out soon!
This weeks update is jam packed. Please see the table of contents to ensure you reach all areas.
Many of our West Maple families will be celebrating Yom Kippur, this weekend. Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the year for the Jewish community. The name of the holiday means “Day of Atonement.” On Yom Kippur, Jews ask for forgiveness for the things they have done wrong during the year. They pray and fast from sundown one day to sundown on the next day.
G'mar chatimah tovah to those celebrating.
Have a wonderful week,
Jason
Walnut Lake Road Upcoming Construction
Here is a message from the road commission:
RCOC’s contractor is anticipating starting work on the preservation overlay on Walnut Lake Rd (Haggerty to Inkster Rd) the week of 10-7-24.
All work is done under flagging control, however anticipate delays. The milling operations will likely start prior to schools starting, however that is a quicker operation. Paving will not start until schools are in, but will impact dismal times.
The work is anticipated to last at least 2 weeks weather dependent.
Please pass this onto to parents as delays are going to happen. Please also note that when paving, traffic has to wait until the fresh asphalt is rolled at least 1 time to traverse over it. Therefore, flaggers sometimes tell people they cannot enter/exit or to turn around. Please note that if drivers are patient they can pass within 5 minutes or so.
Thank you,
Kyle Breining
Project Supervisor, Highway Maintenance
Highway Maintenance Department
Afterschool Classes
Sign-Up for Classes Below
Halloween Costume Guidelines
As we stroll to the end of October, many of you are thinking ahead to Halloween. I will do my best to answer questions around the activities, costumes, and for those who may not celebrate Halloween.
We are looking forward to our Halloween festivities at West Maple over the next few weeks. This is a friendly reminder that we have students from the ages of 3 and up to 12 years old at our school. We have two wonderful family friendly events this year that include the Trunk or Treat on Friday, October 18th from 5:30 - 7:30 pm (See flyer below) and Halloween on Thursday, October 31st.
All West Maple students and staff will enjoy an OUTDOOR Halloween costume parade and indoor classroom parties on Thursday, October 31st. Parents and guests are welcome to view the OUTDOOR parade, which will begin at 10:00 a.m. If there is inclement weather, we will move the parade inside in which parents will be asked to go to designated locations within the building. This parade has become an annual tradition at our school and is enjoyed by all who attend. During the course of the parade, students will follow a designated route so that all parents will have an opportunity to see their child and the entirety of the parade.
The parade will be followed by classroom parties. The classroom parties will be reserved for students, room parents and a specific number of volunteers needed for that classroom for the party activities. Our classroom spaces do not allow for all of the parents/guests and students to be in the classrooms at the same time. All volunteers will need to have a background check, if you haven’t completed one yet for the 24-25 school year, fill out the i-Chat form found below and email it to Virginia Roberts in the Main Office.
We are encouraging students to wear their costumes to class on Thursday, October 31st. We want to make the day fun and not a scary one for our littlest students so we have developed a few “costume rules."
When planning your child’s costume, we would like to request that the children select costumes for school that are non-violent and appropriate themed to wear at this all-school event. In particular, costumes that portray blood, death, violence, and those of similar nature are not permitted. Please, no masks or extreme makeup that will hide your identity. We are working to create a celebration with students as young as three. Thank you in advance for your mindfulness to this.
Lastly, our goal is to ensure that all families and students feel completely accepted, included, valued and connected to the West Maple school community. We teach all students to be proud of their identities, view diversity as an asset, and to demonstrate empathy and compassion for others. If your family does NOT celebrate Halloween, each year we will provide alternative fun activities for students who do not celebrate. Please notify your child’s teacher if you would prefer that your son/daughter not participate in Halloween festivities.
COSTUME RULES
1. All costumes need to be age-appropriate for elementary students.
2. Costumes should not be based on making fun of real people, real human traits or cultures.
3. If the costume is scary, is the fear factor appropriate to this age children?
4. Students MAY NOT under any circumstances bring toy guns, knives, swords or other weapons to school, even if they are parts of their costumes. Included in this ban are hockey sticks, baseball bats and other pieces of sports equipment because these items present potential safety hazards.
5. No Masks or extreme make up that hides your identity. And please avoid any costumes that have fake blood or gore – too scary for many of our students.
Math Pentathlon Sign-Up
Stock the Staff Lounge
West Maple Miler's Club 24-25- Volunteers Needed
Seeking Volunteers for Miler’s Club -- everyone’s favorite midday Monday PTA sponsored activity!
Volunteer parent/family members are needed to help set up & break down, count & record laps and cheer on our West Maple kids. Each Monday we are looking for 4-5 volunteers who will work together to make the day's run a success. Volunteering is a fun way to connect with your child and encourage physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle as students run laps around the field and earn foot shaped-charms for every mile they run.
To volunteer for an upcoming Monday, please click on the sign-up genius below.
Link:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B084EADA729A75-51165611-west#/
Trunk or Treat
4th and 5th Grade Peacemakers Sign-Up
Peacemakers
Dear Families,
The Peacemakers are a leadership group at West Maple, comprised of 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. These students embody and model the West Maple character traits to the rest of the school, as well as create service-learning opportunities, school beautification projects, newsletters and PSAs, and more.
All meetings start at 8:00 a.m. Please make sure that your child can commit to all dates, so they get the most of this experience. Please don’t worry if your child missed the first meeting, we’d love to have them join us.
If your 4th or 5th grader would like to be a Peacemaker, please email us at ldelgado@birmingham.k12.mi.us, kfry@birmingham.k12.mi.us, and amitevski@birmingham.k12.mi.us with your child’s name and “Peacemakers” as the title.
2024-25 Peacemaker Meeting Dates are:
September 26th (4th & 5th only) January 30th
October 24th February 27th
November 21st March 13th
December 19th April 24th
May 29th
Thanks for all you do,
Mrs. Delgado, Mrs. Fry, & Mr. Mitevski
West Maple Covid and Flu Vaccine Clinic- October 22nd
PTA Meeting
SAVE THE DATE: Our next PTA meeting is Tuesday, October 8 @ 7 PM in the West Maple Library. We had a wonderful group in September and we hope to see you all back again!
West Maple Ski Club
The 2025 ski season will be here before we know it! The West Maple Ski Club is open to kids 7+ and meets at Pine Knob every Monday evening starting January 6th. Kids (and parents, if they choose) can ski or snowboard at a discounted ski club rate. The ski club sponsors, Brian and Hillary Orlowski, look forward to skiing with returning members and welcoming new members to the club. An email with the information for the upcoming season will be sent to past participants by October 7th. If you do not receive the email, or would like to join as a new member, please reach out to Hillary at the email address below. We hope to see you on the slopes!
hillaryorlowski@gmail.com
Picture Day- October 15th
Picture day is Tuesday, October 15th. Picture forms went home with students last week. All students will have their pictures taken for the yearbook and ID cards. Smile!
i-Ready Results Fall Letter
Bagel Sale-Still able to sign up
Reporting Your Student's Absence
Please remember to report your child’s tardy or absence directly to the school by dialing 248-851-2667 and Press the #2. To fully exempt an absence, documentation is required, a doctor’s note, etc. These can be dropped in the main office by your student or emailed directly to Mrs. Reilly at MReilly@birmingham.k12.mi.us and Mrs. Roberts at VRoberts@birmingham.k12.mi.us
Volunteering- i-Chat Forms
Volunteering at West Maple
Noon Aides Needed
West Maple is looking to hire noon aides for the upcoming school year. If you are interested, please send an email to Virginia Roberts vroberts@birmingham.k12.mi.us. We would love to hire 5 days a week but are also open to a job share possibility.
Important Dates- Month of October
Monday, October 7th- Miler's Club (During lunch recess time); Vison Screening
Tuesday, October 8th- Honors Choir @ 8 AM in Mrs. Richardson's Room; PTA Meeting @ 7 PM in the Media Center
Friday, October 11th- Yom Kippur begins at sundown
Monday, October 14th- Miler's Club (During lunch recess time)
Tuesday, October 15th- Honors Choir @ 8 AM in Mrs. Richardson's Room; Picture Day
Friday, October 18th- Wolf Packs @ 8:55 AM; Trunk or Treat 5:30-7:30 PM
Monday, October 21st- Miler's Club (During lunch recess time)
Tuesday, October 22nd- Honors Choir @ 8 AM in Mrs. Richardson's Room
Wednesday, October 23rd- Student Council Meeting in the Media Center @ 8:15 am; 4th Grade Field Trip to the DIA
Thursday, October 24th- Peacemakers @ 8 AM in the Art Room/Media Center
Monday, October 28th- Miler's Club (During lunch recess time)
Tuesday, October 29th- Honors Choir @ 8 AM in Mrs. Richardson's Room
Thursday, October 31st- 1/2 Day Dismissal at 11:50 AM; Halloween Parties; Diwali
ABCD Calendar and Lunch Menu
District and Community Information
Groves will host its Victory Day event on Tuesday, Oct. 8, during halftime of the Powder Puff football game. Athletes participating in Victory Day are requested to report to the football field by 7 p.m. for check-in and to change into their uniforms. The Groves LINKS club will be organizing a pizza tailgate prior to the event at the concession stand. All athletes are cordially invited to attend. Students are encouraged to arrive at 6:15 PM. Registration is open through Oct. 1 for interested families.
This event is a unique opportunity for students with disabilities to take the field while being supported by family members, caregivers, teachers, and peers. Victory Day was created in 2010 by a New Jersey cancer survivor as a way to give back to those who supported him during his cancer battle. The event inspired the president of the St. Clair Down Support Group in Michigan to contact a local football coach and expand the concept to focus on those with special needs. It has expanded to several states since.
JOIN US: The Birmingham PTSA Council will be hosting a candidate forum at 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 21, at Groves Little Theater. This event is open to the community. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about the four candidates vying for the three available positions on the Board of Education. School board candidates include: Amy Hochkammer, Nancy Pomish, Jennifer Rass and Jason Tejani.
Community Education Classes
Birmingham Community Education is offering the following classes:
Belightful Adaptive Yoga
Location: Berkshire Middle School Cafeteria
Grades: K-5
Tuesdays, 5:00 - 5:45 PM
Dates: October 1, 8, 15, 22
Tuition: $100
This 4-week therapeutic yoga series promotes the physical, mental, and emotional health of children in a safe environment. The sessions foster concentration, focus, self-regulation, and motor-planning skills and include yoga poses/movement, breathing exercises, and relaxation strategies. They are designed to inspire kids to come into alignment with joyful well-being to be their authentic selves. Children must be able to participate independently with minimal assistance from the instructor, if increased assistance is needed, please provide the documentation from your child’s IEP.
Be light. Be full. Be U.
Taught by Belightful Yoga. www.belightfulyoga.com. Bring a yoga mat (preferred) or large towel.
Community Open Swim: Open Swim is back, at the Groves pool on Sundays from 1-3 p.m.
Community Open Swim
Groves High School
Sundays 1-3 p.m.
DATES: November 3, 10 / December 8, 22 / January 12, 26 / February 2, 9 / March 2, 9
General Admission: $5.00per person/per date
Accompanying Adult: No Charge (But must register too.)
All ages are welcome!
Participants must pre-register and pay online at www.communityed.net by midnight on the Thursday preceding the Sunday on which they wish to swim.
Autastic Athletics
Community Education will be offering Autastic Athletics, coming in November for students 8-13!
Class#: 20352
Tuesdays: November 12-December 10, No class 11/26/24
Times: 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Location: Greenfield Elementary Gymnasium
Instructor: Andrew Ackner, Autastic Athletics
Tuition: $175.00
Learn the fundamentals of movement, and fitness to get the body moving the right way! Aside from the health benefits, good fitness is very helpful in developing self-regulation, executive functioning, and social thinking skills in autistic individuals. Learn how to get a good work out and move the body in functional, athletic ways, from a trainer on the Spectrum who gets the struggle of being the last kid picked in gym class, and what it's like to struggle with kinesthetic awareness more than the typical child, and can help show how it's done and break it down in the autistic person's language!Children must be able to participate independently with minimal assistance from the instructor, if increased assistance is needed, please provide the documentation from your child’s IEP
BPS Book Study Opportunity
Birmingham Public Schools is excited to invite you to participate in a special book study this school year, where we will be reading and discussing The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. This powerful book explores the impact of social media and other digital technologies on our children’s mental health and well-being, a topic we believe is crucial for our community to engage with.
BPS is partnering with our incredibly passionate and dedicated librarians for these discussions. Their expertise will be invaluable as we digest and process this information. Together, we will dive into the book, explore key themes and share strategies for navigating the challenges our children face in today’s digital world.
Our discussions will take place virtually over the course of the school year, offering parents the chance to learn from one another and gain valuable insights. If you’re interested in joining us, please fill out the Google form to express your interest. Space is limited, and we may not be able to accommodate everyone, but please let us know if you are interested.
Birmingham Education Foundation
PURE IMAGINATION: Save the date for the 2025 Unabashed Bash that's happening Saturday, Feb. 1 at the Daxton Hotel in downtown Birmingham. This year's theme draws inspiration from Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, the fall musical put on by Groves Performing Arts Company (GPAC). We're excited to have GPAC students perform for us again at Bash 2025!
Additional details about tickets will be shared later this fall. If you would like to sponsor Bash or give to the Bash Auction, please do not hesitate to reach out to BEF Executive Director Kathy Zanolli at BEF@Birmingham.k12.mi.us or call 248.203.3030.