Dragon's Tale

February 2, 2024

Dear Dragon Families,

We had a wonderful week of learning at Keith. Our 5th grade students had their instrument fittings this week and they are looking forward to the opportunity for band or orchestra in middle school. It was fun to see our first graders working on writing and fourth graders honing in on math skills. One of our fourth grade classrooms had a fun time working on multiplication top it – a game with cards where they had to multiply the numbers and decide which partner had the greater number. Watching our kids take turns, help each other, and demonstrate kindness during learning was awesome and I want to thank you all for the extra efforts with your children at home. Thank you for preparing your children for learning every day.

We have two more weeks of learning before our upcoming February break. Next week, I am looking forward to our school-wide spelling bee and welcoming our Cabinet Level administration to Keith for a visit. It is excellent to show off our learning, routines, kindness and more. Our students have always enjoyed these visits in the past, showing off what they know.

Our teachers will be in touch with regards to classroom Valentine’s Day celebrations, and I know our Keith Student Council is hoping for a wonderful Cereal Box challenge this year. Thank you to all of our families who are able to donate boxes of cereal for our local food pantries. Our kids are looking forward to the “domino” cereal boxes in the hallways. I know this week and next our teacher will be getting students excited for this, so be sure to talk about this with your kids.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend ahead. I am so thankful that we all may even get to see the sunshine. Enjoy your amazing kids this weekend and be sure to read our Dragon’s Tale Newsletter.

Warm Regards,

Marci Augenstein, Principal

The Keith Elementary School Community will collaboratively inspire and empower all – academically, socially, and emotionally.

We are a dragon family united with a common purpose.

Dragons believe…

…in welcoming and trusting one another;

…in learning beyond the school day and for the future;

…in empowering every member of our community to be helpful, respectful, and kind;

…learning is engaging, purposeful, and fun.

Please email Dr. A. or reach out to our HR department if you might be interested in working at our crossing guard position. We are also always looking for substitute teachers. Again, please reach out to Dr. A. or visit the WLCSD webpage under our Human Resources department you will find all of the information you need to begin your application process.

February, 2024

2/1 - 5th Grade Instrument Fitting

2/5 - School-wide Spelling Bee

2/6 - Keith PTA Meeting - Learning Commons 6:30pm

2/14 - 3:00pm Classroom Valentine's Day Parties - Teachers will share more information

2/19-2/23 - Mid-Winter Break

2/27 - No School - Election

3/1 - Life Touch Activity Group Photo Day

Pizza Kit Pick Up Fri Feb 9th @ 3PM

Friday, February 9th, the Little Caesar's pizza kits will be available for pick up at Keith.

Beginning at 3pm, you can pick up your orders at Keith, just outside of the main office doors. Pick up in the bus loop will be closed at 3:45pm, and will resume after busses depart for the day. Kits will be sorted alphabetically, stored outdoors, & ready for curbside pick up.

Any purchaser with unclaimed boxes after 7PM on Friday will receive 1 reminder text/call for product pickup. It’s the responsibility of the purchaser to pick up product, as there is no available refrigeration & storage options inside the building.

Lost & Found – Donation Day Fri Feb 16th

As temperatures have changed, as they do in Michigan, your children have been taking off jackets and sweatshirts and forgetting them. School employees do work to check the inside of coats/sweatshirts for your child's name, so writing their names on the inside is helpful for us to be able to return lost items. Attached you'll find a photo of today's L&F items: Lost and Found 020524.pdf

All unclaimed clothing will be donated Friday, February 16th. Please tell your children to stop by the L&F located just outside of the Art Room. We will have the L&F items moved to the front of the school on 2/14 - 2/16/24 so that you might check them when you pick up or drop off your children.

Cereal Box Challenge has begun! To help spread love throughout our community, Keith Elementary School is collecting unopened cereal boxes from now until Feb. 13. Our goal is set them up like dominoes across the entire school on Valentine's Day and then donate them to our local food pantry. Thank you so much to all the families who have already begun sending in boxes.

The students have set a school-wide goal of 500 boxes by February 13th. So far we have 91 boxes. We appreciate your help and support. We want to keep the momentum going so on Friday, Feb. 9th we will have a school wide pajama day. Bring in a box of unopened cereal as "payment" for being able to enjoy a comfy day learning in your pajamas. Or - feel free to send your child in pajamas to show their support! Thank you for supporting this important initiative.

Here is a fun video you can share with your kids to continue to get them excited.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0zJx_OJgDk

Hello Parents,

Please take a moment to read the letter from Mrs. Catherine Kochanski, Assistant Superintendent for Learning Services for WLCSD. Our students have been working hard to complete their second diagnostic assessment for iReady. Your child's teacher will be sending home the parent report and a copy of the letter linked below by February 16th. Should you have any questions or concerns about iReady, please reach out to your child's teacher. Thank you for your partnership.

Warm regards,

Marci Augenstein, Principal

WLCSD Calendar Update - School CLOSED on Feb. 27, 2024

Since publishing our current school year calendar in early 2023, the State of Michigan’s legislature recently decided to adjust the date of our state’s upcoming presidential primary from March 12, 2024, to February 27, 2024. As you may know, many of our schools serve as polling places for our local municipalities, and this particular election is sure to draw a larger-than-average voter turnout causing increased foot and vehicle traffic around our schools.

After thorough consideration, the Walled Lake Consolidated School District will be CLOSED on Tuesday, February 27, 2024. We acknowledge the potential inconvenience this calendar change may pose for your family and apologize. This decision is rooted in the unique circumstances surrounding this election; a national election outside the traditional election cycle, and an anticipated larger-than-average voter turnout.

The Walled Lake Consolidated School District is pleased to offer Junior Kindergarten to families for the 2024-25 school year. Based on the results from the Junior Kindergarten Interest Survey, tentative JK locations for 24-25 are as follows: Commerce, Dublin, Guest, Loon Lake, Meadowbrook, Oakley Park, Wixom. *Please note that these tentative locations may still be subject to change if enrollment fluctuations occur.

Families interested in and eligible for Junior Kindergarten in 2024-25 (See the chart below for eligibility guidelines.) should fill out the Junior Kindergarten Interest Application by Monday, February 12, 2024. More information on Junior Kindergarten in Walled Lake Schools can be found on the District website: https://www.wlcsd.org/programs/junior-kindergarten

Dear Dragon Families,

Since the 2019-2020 school year, we have shared information about district-wide efforts to improve our emergency responses. Walled Lake Consolidated Schools uses ALICE, a research-based training program to ensure schools are prepared to respond to potential intruder events. ALICE is about empowering individuals and providing options or strategies beyond the traditional lockdown methods. We will continue with this work in the coming weeks as listed below:

Week of 2/5/24

Students will review ALICE options in each of the following areas that they visit during the school week: Art room, Gymnasium, Music room, Learning Commons (Media Center), Non-load bearing classrooms

Week of 2/12/24

Students will review ALICE options in each of the following areas that they visit during the school day: Lunchroom, Hallways/Bathrooms

Week of 2/12/24

The entire school will participate in a drill, at the same date and time, in which each class will choose an option based on their location in the building. The scenario presented will NOT include a specific threat, but rather read, “if there was something dangerous happening in the (a specific location in the school.)” Although possible in a real emergency, at no time during the drill will any student(s) evacuate through a window, nor will they travel off of school property.

The book, “I’m not scared, I’m prepared,” by Julia Cook, read in classrooms this fall, comparisons to stranger danger, and additional resources linked below may be helpful for families that discuss the drills at home with their children.

Lesson teaching points that may assist families with at-home discussions include:

· We practice so we know what to do in an emergency. We’re not scared, we’re prepared!

· Our job is to keep you safe. Your job is to listen and follow the adults’ directions.

· Evacuation means to leave the building. Your teacher or a trusted adult may tell you to leave the building and go to a safe place.

· If an adult tells you to leave the building. Listen, quickly go to a safe place, and then wait for helpers (police officers, firefighters, trusted adults, etc.)

Student safety continues to be our first priority. We will continue to collaborate with local law enforcement and families to ensure a safe learning environment for our children.

In partnership,

Marci Augenstein, Principal

Keith Elementary School

Helpful Links:

Talking to your Child about Safety - K-2

Talking to your Child about Safety - 3-5

Talking to Children about Violence - Tips for Parents and Teachers

Is My School Safe: How to Ease Your Child’s Anxiety

While it may seem a bit early to be thinking about our 5th grade children transitioning to Middle School next year, CHS Middle School Principal, Mr. Nayal Maktari asked that I forward the 5th Grade Transition Information to our 5th grade Dragon Families.

Please save the date:

THURSDAY, MARCH 11th FROM 6:30 P.M.-7:30 P.M.

The evening will be dedicated to sharing what you can expect next school year at CHS Middle School. We'll also be available to answer any questions you may have following our presentation. We look forward to seeing you in the CHS Middle School Main Gym on March 11th beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Get ready to show off your school pride with our brand-new Keith Elementary spirit wear! Available for purchase now through the end of the year, these stylish and comfortable items are the perfect way to support our school community.

From cozy hoodies to trendy t-shirts, we have a variety of options for students, parents, and staff. Don't miss out on this limited-time opportunity to elevate your school spirit.

Also, It’s that time of year again for multi-purpose bags! They are great for winter gear, keeping your child’s belongings in one place, traveling, camping, and so much more. They cost $13.50 and come complete with a cord lock and your student’s name. Eight different colors to choose from.

Visit our online store today and gear up for a spirited end to the year! Available for free pickup before the holiday.

Click here or visit www.brodysonline.com

Best regards,

Alison Link

Keith PTA President

What to watch for:

Fri, Feb 2nd ~ Tubby's Sub & Ice Cream Day ~ $1.00 ice cream

Thur, Feb 8th ~ Pizza Day ~ $1.75 / extra slice, $1.00 chips

Fri, Feb 9th ~ Chocolate Chip Cookie Day ~ $1.50 ea

Mon, Feb 12th ~ Lucky Tray Day

Fri, Feb 16th ~ $1.00 ice cream

As always, parents can add funds to student accounts via Skyward, or cash / check can be given to Mrs. Link in the kitchen.

Alison Link, Keith Kitchen Server

Keith Elementary, 956-3735

In an effort to celebrate our staff, the WLCSD Community Relations department requests that families fill out the form below to nominate staff who are rock stars in their classrooms and school communities. A sample of what these shout outs will look like on social media and in our district newsletters is on the right.

Please remember to register or re-register your Kroger Plus card to Keith Elementary. Last year we made just over $2,000! It’s easy! Just go to www.krogercommunityrewards.com and go to the community rewards section. You must re-register your card annually. Anyone having an issue with their email address or password can call 1-800-KROGERS for customer service.

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.

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.

February 6, 2024 at 6:30pm - Keith Learning Commons

Visit our PTA's Facebook Page

https://www.facebook.com/KeithElemPTA/

The Keith Elementary School Community will inspire and empower all- academically, socially, and emotionally.

Diana Tyrrell - Principal's Secretary

DianaTyrrell@wlcsd.org

Alice Johnson - Building Secretary

AliceJohnson@wlcsd.org

Marci Augenstein, Ph.D. - Principal, Keith Elementary

MarciAugenstein@wlcsd.org

Email: DianaTyrrell@wlcsd.org
Website: https://keith.wlcsd.org/
Location: 2800 Keith Road, West Bloomfield Township, MI, United States
Phone: (248)956-3700
Twitter: @KeithElementary