A Message from Dr. A.
August 18, 2023
Dear Dragon Families,
I cannot believe we are just 10 days away from our First Day of School! At Keith Elementary School, teachers are extremely excited about the start of the school year and many have already been in to start setting up their classrooms. The excitement is building and our entire staff are looking forward to the return of your awesome kids.
Please be sure to read our Dragon’s Tale Newsletter with a few additions from the last message. Everything you need to know about the start of the school year including school supply lists, kindergarten staggered start, lunch menus, yearbook and school picture information, and more is included in our newsletter.
With only 10 days before the start of the school year, it's a great time to start bed time routines with your kids now so they are set up for a successful start to the school year.
Enjoy the remaining days of summer and know that we cannot wait to see you all at Keith Elementary School on August 24th for our Meet and Greet event from 3-4pm and our PTA Popsicles on the Playground from 3-5pm.
Warm Regards,
Marci Augenstein, Principal
Welcome Back to School!
I would like to welcome our new families to the Keith Community. I look forward to meeting you and your children very soon. This is my 8th year serving as Keith Elementary Principal and my 16th year as a school administrator.
Thank you in advance for ensuring your children are well rested, prepared, and ready to learn. We look forward to working with you and your children in having an academically and socially successful school year.
Respectfully,
Marci Augenstein, Principal
Attention Adult Education Students!
There is still time to register for Adult Education classes for the new school year. Many of our families seek to improve their communication with children’s teachers and wish to be better prepared to help with homework. Others may be ready to complete a GED so that they have more chances of success at work or just to prove to themselves that they can do it. Our goal is to help!
Location: ESC (Educational Services Center) – 850 Ladd Road, Building D, Walled Lake, 48390 Door 6
Date: TUESDAY – August 22
Time: 4:30 – 7:00
For more information, call: 248-956-5020
Families New to Keith and Incoming Kindergarten Students
Back to School Registration Packet
Please see the important message below regarding the Back-to-School Family Access Packet for the 23-24 school year, which MUST be completed before August 22 by all families.
Parents/Guardians must complete the Back-to-School Family Access Packet each school year. This packet differs from enrollment and is required for all students, new and returning. The packet should be completed promptly, so your student may start school on August 28.
The district uses Skyward Family Access to complete things such as the emergency card, end-of-day dismissal plan, requests for Apple Pick Up cards, Food Service application, FERPA form, and other crucial annual school forms requiring parent approval. The 2023-24 Back-to-School Family Access Packet is completed online.
Beginning August 1, parents/guardians must log in to Family Access and use their alphanumeric parent account code to complete the Back-to-School Family Access Packet. A parent account username is alphanumeric - SMITHMAD000; a student account username is the student's ID number - 1234567. You will receive your child's classroom placement when those are posted in Skyward, only if the Family Access Packet is complete.
Log in here to begin: Skyward.
A Skyward Family Access parent account is required to complete the Online Back-to-School Packet. Email FamilyAccess@wlcsd.org or call (248) 956-2190 to acquire a new or lost parent account code. Include ALL of the following information in the body of your message.
- Guardian name
- The name of each child in the district and school they attend
- Guardian's email address that is currently on file with the district
- Daytime phone number
Questions and Support
- If you need help with the Back-to-School packet, visit the Skyward Family Access Page.
- If you still have issues, contact familyaccess@wlcsd.org. Include your name, the student's name, and your specific question.
- Skyward Family Access Page
Thank you for your attention to this important beginning of the year action item! I look forward to a great year together!
2023-2024 Classroom Assignments
Classroom Placement and Release of Class Lists
Teacher placements will be available to all families the evening of August 22nd. You can log into your Skyward Family Access account to view your child's teacher then. If you have not completed the Online Back to School Packet Registration, you will not be able to view your child's teacher.
Please remember that it is our top priority to develop appropriate classroom groupings that will provide all of our children with the best opportunity for academic and social success. Our staff has worked extremely hard in determining the most appropriate classroom placements for all students individually and collectively. It is so important to us that all of our children have the best opportunity for academic and social success this upcoming school year. As a result, no changes to class assignments will be made. Rest assured that our entire teaching staff is highly qualified, experienced and care about your child’s well-being and education. We are committed to providing each child an exceptional education and overall great school experience.
Please remember, you must have completed the Back to School Packet Information online before you can view your child's classroom placement.
Remember to consistently communicate any questions, concerns, or praise to your child’s teacher. Proactive and open communication along with a trusting and positive relationship plays an important role in your child having an academically and socially successful school year.
Staggered Start for Kindergarten on Monday, August 28
The beginning of Kindergarten is a very exciting time in your child’s life and we look forward to a great school year. Your child is in kind, capable hands with our kindergarten teachers and our entire staff.
To help our youngest learners transition into kindergarten, WLCSD will be utilizing a staggered start on the first day of school, Monday, August 28th.
Staggered starts on August 28th last names beginning with:
- Last Names A-M - 8:55-11:30 am
- Last Names N-Z - 1:30-4:00 pm
*Lunch will not be served to Kindergarten students on this first day.
*For those eligible to receive it, transportation WILL be provided to and from school for both AM and PM students.
Welcome to Kindergarten!
If you have questions regarding the staggered start please call the main office at 248-956-3700.
First Day of School - August 28th
We ask that parents and students practice walking to your child's classroom and take any pictures with your child's teacher during our Meet and Greet event on August 24th. After the Meet and Greet event, we respectfully ask that students walk to their classroom on their own starting on the first day of school.
Our staff and safeties are available to help all students during this time every day. Thank you for your help with this. We respectfully ask that any volunteers and visitors sign in at the main office.
A Note from WLCSD Prime Time Care
K-5 PRIME TIME CARE REGISTRATION FOR 2023-2024 IS NOW ONLINE!
THREE IMPORTANT NOTES:
1. To start using Prime Time Care on the first day of school, your registration must submitted no later than August 18. 2023. If it is done after this date, you will be given a new start date via email.
2. There is NO half day Prime Time Care for Kindergarten on the first day of school. If your child is attending AM Kindergarten, they may only use Prime Time in the AM. If your child is attending PM Kindergarten, they may only use Prime Time in the PM.
3. If you have ANY (Prime Time, Summer Care, Chromebooks, Food Service, Athletic Fees, etc) outstanding balances in the district, your Prime Time registration will not be processed until your balance is paid.
All parents are required to complete the online registration process each year for Prime Time Care.
You will need your Skyward Family Access login. If you do not have one or do not remember your password, you will need to obtain one. Go to: www.wlcsd.org, click "Skyward" at the top, then click "Skyward Family Access Login" and click “forgot password” and enter your email.
To register: log into https://www.wlcsd.org/programs/primetime-care
using your Skyward Family Access login information. Your login is CASE SENSITIVE. If you cannot remember your password and have to reset it, You must wait 24 hours after changing your Skyward Family Access password before attempting to use the new password in the Prime Time Registration Portal.
IF YOUR CHILD IS ENROLLED IN JUNIOR KINDERGARTEN, PLEASE CHOOSE "K" AS THEIR GRADE IN THE REGISTRATION SYSTEM.
Many thanks,
Judy Scott
Prime Time Care/Sumer Care/Teen Club Manager
Walled Lake Educational Services Center - Room#804
850 Ladd Road – Bldg. D
Walled Lake MI 48390
248-956-5111
WLCSD Health and Immunization Information
School Picture Day Information
School Name: Keith Elementary School
Picture Day Date: Friday, September 8
Picture Day ID: EVTBM86GC
Yearbook Reminder: Yearbooks are no longer provided through the school picture program. Yearbooks must be purchased separately, to receive a copy. A yearbook order form is linked for you below.
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.
Staffing Updates
Please know that staffing remains very fluid. As soon as I am able, I will email the community all of our staffing updates.
I wanted to provide you with some staffing updates for the 23-24 school year. It is so important to me that our community is informed. We have worked very hard to ensure excellent candidates are ready to help serve our students and community this fall.
Welcome to Keith:
Mrs. Keri Tomczyk: Mrs. Tomczyk is joining our Dragon family this year, starting her 18th year as a teacher. Mrs. Tomczyk has previously taught first grade, and will join our first grade team at Keith for the 23-24 school year. She has a passion for helping children find or grow their confidence, voice, interests, talents, strong relationships for friends, and a never-ending love for learning. She is looking forward to her first year as a Keith Dragon!
Ms. Catie Sandoval: Ms. Sandoval is joining our Dragon family as a para-educator in our lower-elementary classroom for our students with autism. She has a degree in social work and a passion for helping all children learn and grow. We are thrilled to welcome Catie to our Dragon team!
Dr. Schelley Wasvary: Dr. Wasvary is a school psychologist with over 25 years of experience in the field. Most recently, she served as a school psychologist in the Ferndale school district. Dr. Wasvary will be serving not only Keith Elementary School students, but will also be serving students at other elementary schools. We are thankful to have Dr. Wasvary’s expertise on our Dragon team!
Ms. Mikayla Zimmerman: Ms. Zimmerman recently graduated from Central Michigan University, completed a very successful student teaching year. She is ready to engage students in our lower-elementary cross-categorical classroom meeting their individual, special needs. She has a plethora of experiences working with students who have special needs that will serve our students well. Welcome Ms. Zimmerman!
Mrs. Rochelle Sansom: Mrs. Sansom will be joining our Dragon team in our Resource Room. She comes to us with previous teaching experience in Nairobi, Kenya. Mrs. Sansom recently completed her Master’s Degree in Special Education from Oakland University. She is excited to meet all of her students and their families and is looking forward to her first year as a Dragon at Keith!
Ms. Hannah Barnes: Ms. Barnes will be joining our Dragon family as our new Speech Pathologist. She comes to Keith with previous experience in the South Lyon school district. Ms. Barnes is thrilled to meet her new students and their families this fall.
Changes at Keith:
Mrs. Teri Mazer: Mrs. Mazer will be teaching 2nd grade for the 23-24 school year.
Mrs. Annie Sesi: Mrs. Sesi will be teaching 4th grade for the 23-24 school year.
Mr. William Rayburn: Mr. Rayburn will be teaching our lower-elementary students with autism.
Goodbye from your Dragon Family:
Dr. Ewa Omahen: Dr. Omahen worked this past year at Keith as our school psychologist. Dr. Omahen has worked in the WLCSD for almost 30 years and has had a tremendous career advocating for all students. We will certainly miss Dr. Omahen’s expertise and wish her the best in her retirement.
Mrs. Suzette Reuter: Mrs. Reuter has taught 3rd grade at Keith for the past 6 years and taught ESL students in our district prior to coming to Keith. She has been our PTA Teacher Liaison and has worked hard to build positive relationships with all of her students, families, and colleagues. We are going to miss Mrs. Reuter’s enthusiasm and wish her all of the best in her retirement.
Ms. Abbi Colvin: Ms. Colvin, Keith resource room teacher, has accepted a position in a different school district and while she only taught at Keith for one year, we will miss her passion for student achievement when working with our resource room students.
Mrs. Maria Kraska: Mrs. Kraska, Speech Pathologist, will still be a part of the WLCSD family and will be serving students in the Loon Lake Elementary School community for the 23-24 school year. We wish her nothing but the best as she continues to do outstanding work for WLCSD students.
Ms. Phallon Ryan: Ms. Ryan was a part-time speech pathologist at Keith and will be serving students in a different capacity next fall. We wish Ms. Ryan nothing but the best in her future endeavors.
Mrs. Kelly Powers: Mrs. Powers has taught in the WLCSD for many years, most recently serving our Keith Dragons in our ASD program. Mrs. Powers has been at Keith for the past seven years and has left a wonderful legacy with our SNAPs program. She will be serving the WLCSD in a new capacity for the 23-24 school year as a district Behavior Coach, working with students and teachers around our district. While we will miss Mrs. Powers at Keith, we are thankful for her continued support in this new role.
Ms. Laynie Hackman: Ms. Laynie Hackman was a para-educator in our ASD program and has done an outstanding job serving our students with autism. While we will miss Ms. Hackman, we support her pursuing her own educational endeavors, going back to school to work to become a special education teacher in the future. Best of luck Ms. Hackman!
Current Keith Vacancies:
We are still working to hire a part-time Speech Pathologist for the 2023-2024 fall start. Please know I will work hard to inform our community, as I am able to do so.
I am looking forward to having our Dragons return to Keith this fall and I know that the staff and I cannot wait to welcome our newest Kindergarten Dragons to our school family.
Enjoy the summer with your amazing children.
Warm Regards,
Marci Augenstein, Principal
WLCSD 2023-24 Calendar
WLCSD Employment Opportunities
WLCSD has several paraprofessional openings in our elementary schools - including at Keith! Training will be provided. You can learn more about these positions on the Oakland Schools website. Please apply if interested...or help spread the word!
1. Visit Oakland Schools website
2. Select “Search by District”
3. Select Walled Lake Consolidated Schools
To apply, you will create an account and complete an application.
If you are interested in a part-time position at one of our great WL schools, please follow the steps above and look for the job postings in Walled Lake Schools. Please feel free to contact principals with questions. Please also share this opportunity with others who may be interested.
Fall - Save the Dates for the 2023-24 School Year!
The following calendar dates and times for Keith Specific events are TENTATIVE for the 2023-24 School Year. Not every event we will hold is included in this calendar yet, but it will be updated for all families as we work to finalize our events with our amazing PTA and district. The 2023-24 District Calendar dates for school breaks and no school days is set and that calendar can also be found on the WLCSD website and is linked above for your convenience.
8/24/23 – Popsicles w/the Principal on the Playground 3-5pm (Teacher meet and greet 3-4pm)
8/28/23 - First Day of School *Kindergarten Staggered Start
9/1/23 - No School
9/4/23 - No School Labor Day
9/5/23 – 6:30pm Keith PTA Meeting - Media Center
9/8/23 - Fall Picture Day
9/12/23 – K-2 Curriculum Night 6:00-7:30pm (Start times: K–6:00pm, 1–6:30pm, 2–7:00pm)
9/13/23 – 3-5 Curriculum Night 6:00-7:30pm (Start times: 3–6:00pm, 4–6:30pm, 5–7:00pm)
9/21/23 - ½ Day for Students - Staff PD Day
9/22/23 - WLN Homecoming Parade
9/25/23 - No School
10/4/23 - Student Count Day
10/6/23 - Keith Fun Run
10/13/23 - Keith PTA Fall Fest 5:00-7:00pm Keith Playground
10/20/23 – Lifetouch Retake Picture Day
10/31/23 - ½ Day for Students - Staff PD Day
11/5 to 11/15/23 – Fall PTA Book Fair
11/7/23 - No School Election Day
11/8/23 – 6:30pm Keith PTA Meeting – Media Center
11/14/23 - ½ Day for Students - Staff PD Day
11/23 & 11/24/23 - No School Thanksgiving
12/5/23 - 6:30pm Keith PTA Meeting – Media Center
12/14/23 - ½ Day for Elementary *Dismissal 1 hour earlier for Parent Teacher Conferences
12/22/23 - 1/2/24 No School Winter Break *School Resumes 1/3/24
1/9/24 - 6:30pm Keith PTA Meeting – Media Center
1/15/24 - No School 25th Annual MLK Day Celebration at WLN
1/26/24 – Keith Talent Show at WLC High School 5:30pm Call Time, 6:00pm Show Time
1/31/24 - ½ Day for Students - Staff PD Day
2/6/24 - 6:30pm Keith PTA Meeting – Media Center
2/7/24 – Student Count Day
2/14/24 – Classroom Valentines Celebrations 3pm
2/19 - 2/23/24 - No School Mid-Winter Break
3/1/24 – Lifetouch Activity Photos
3/5/24 – 6:30pm Keith PTA Meeting – Media Center
3/7 to 3/15/24 – Spring PTA Book Fair
3/12/24 - ½ Day for Students - Staff PD Day
3/25 - 3/29/24 - No School Spring Break *School Resumes 4/1/24
4/9/23 - 6:30pm Keith PTA Meeting – Media Center
4/19/24 - Lifetouch Spring Picture Day
4/23/24 - ½ Day for Students - Staff PD Day
5/6 to 5/10/24 – Staff Appreciation Week
5/7/24 - 6:30pm Keith PTA Meeting – Media Center
5/9/24 - ½ Day for Students - Staff PD Day
5/24/24 - ½ Day for Memorial Day Weekend
5/27/24 - No School Memorial Day
5/30/24 – Keith Field Day
6/6/24 – 5th Grade Ceremony 9:30am – 5th Grade Celebration to follow
6/7/24 – Final Day of School – ½ Day – 5th Grade Clap out at 11:30am
2023-24 Supply List
If you are in need of assistance with school supplies, please email MarciAugenstein@wlcsd.org and we will assist you confidentially to get you what you need to support you child.
PTA Supply Kits
NEW! CUSTOMIZED SCHOOL SUPPLY KITS FOR KEITH ELEMENTARY ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE. WHERE? AT SCHOOLKITZ.COM
Keith Elementary is partnering with Bright SchoolKitz® to provide supply kits to match your teacher’s supply list. Free up your summer and enjoy it! Order now and eliminate the back-to-school shopping hassle. Kits are filled with brand names (Crayola, Elmer's, etc.) and quality products that are competitively priced with local and large retailers. Plus, our school earns $5 per kit to fund school projects. Hurry!
Questions? Contact info@schoolkitz.com or 1-844-937-5489.
Kroger Rewards - $$$ For Keith!
Transportation Updates
For additional information regarding our Transportation Department, please visit our website!
- Bus transportation will be provided on the first day of school for those students who are eligible for bus transportation throughout the regular school year.
- Transportation postcards will not be sent. Bus routes will be posted on the district website and in Skyward Family Access after 8:00 am on August 18, 2023.
- Bus drivers will be contacting Kindergarten families by August 20th (drop off times for students attending in the AM and pick up times for the PM students will be provided in that call.)
- If your child is eligible for bus transportation, it is recommended that they start this routine on the first day of school. Parents are welcome to follow the bus to school to see your child off to their first day of school, but it is highly recommended that they ride the bus to and from school this first day if they will be riding daily during the school year.
Lunch and Food Service Information
Our hot lunch program begins on Monday, August 28th for students in grades K-5. Please see below for additional details.
During the 2023-24 school year, all Michigan public school students in grades Pre-K through 12 will have access to free breakfast and free lunch every day 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 free/reduced meal form in Skyward help secure additional funding for the District including Title I funding. By completing the form, eligible families may also receive access to other free and reduced programs within the District including SAT testing, pay to participate, and more.
You can always visit Walled Lake's Food Service Website for information by clicking HERE.
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