Dragon's Tale

January 12, 2024

Hello Dragon Families,

We had a wonderful week of learning at Keith! Our students had a tremendous week writing, reading, working on problem solving skills in math and more. When I visited classrooms, it was wonderful to see our students engaged in learning.

I hope everyone stays safe this weekend with the expected snow accumulation. Please be reminded that there is no school on Monday, January 15, 2024. We are excited to celebrate our student’s Express Yourself work, which will be displayed at the MLK Day Celebration at Walled Lake Northern High School on Monday, January 12, 2024 from 5-7:30pm. There is additional information in our Dragon’s Tale Newsletter.

We are also gearing up for our Keith Talent Show on Friday, January 26, 2024. Call time is 5:30pm and the show will begin at 6:00pm. Our amazing PTA will have concessions and the Foundation For Excellence will have Tuition Expedition raffle tickets on sale. One ticket is $50 and three tickets are $100 will all FFE proceeds going to WLCSD classrooms. Last year, the FFE granted Keith Elementary School over $5,000 in classroom grants. Please know how much we appreciate your support of this important organization.

Thank you for your support and partnership. Have a wonderful weekend ahead with your awesome kids!

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.

January, 2024

1/3 - School resumes

1/15 - No School - MLK Day Celebration at WLN (additional details below)

1/22 - WLN Concert for 5th Grade - additional details to come

1/26 - Keith's Got Talent Show 5:30pm Call Time, 6:00pm Show Time at WLC Auditorium

1/29-2/2 - Spelling Bee Week at Keith!

The entire Walled Lake Consolidated Schools community is invited to attend the District's 25th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration on Monday, January 15, 2024. This year's celebration will at Walled Lake Northern High School with a tour of student exhibits starting at 5 p.m. and a formal program starting at 6:15 p.m.

This year’s theme is “You Belong” with the focus on inclusivity. Our keynote speaker is Kevin Szawala, aka “Mr. Peace”. Kevin is a National Youth Speaker and Michigan native who travels the county speaking to students and schools on the topics of bullying prevention, diversity and inclusion, teen mental health, and suicide awareness.

Hello Keith Community,

Keith’s Got Talent, our annual variety show is back, and it’s coming soon! Please mark your calendars for Friday, January 26th, 2024 at 6:00 pm for a night of fabulous performances by our very own students. The event will be held in Walled Lake Central’s auditorium. The price of admission will be $3.00.

If your child would like to perform, please fill out the form linked below and return it to the main office.

Please note: Each act must submit a taped video of their act to Mrs. Matyus along with a file of their music track (if needed) to:

(ShannonMatyus@teachers.wlcsd.org)

Submissions are due by Friday, January 19th. Any type of electronic submission will be accepted, including Google files and CD’s. Our variety acts might include singing, dancing, acting, gymnastics, comedy, instrumental music, magic, athletic abilities, and more. All acts must be under 1 ½ minutes, making sure any music/content is age appropriate. In order to keep the show to a reasonable time frame, we strongly encourage group acts. Please turn in one form for each child, even if they are in the same act.

**Any further inquiries may be sent to ShannonMatyus@wlcsd.org or MatthewHewitt@wlcsd.org**

- The “Keith’s Got Talent” Team

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.

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.

Dear Walled Lake Schools families:

The Walled Lake Consolidated School District is pleased to offer Junior Kindergarten to families for the 2024-25 school year. The District’s Junior Kindergarten team is hard at work preparing for next school year, and they need your help to support their work.

Families interested in Junior Kindergarten in 2024-25 should fill out the Junior Kindergarten Interest Form by Friday, January 5, 2024. This input will assist the Junior Kindergarten team in determining program needs for the next school year.

More information on Junior Kindergarten in Walled Lake Schools can be found on the District website:

• https://www.wlcsd.org/programs/junior-kindergarten

Thank you and have a wonderful Winter Break!

Sincerely,

The WLCSD Junior Kindergarten team

Back by popular demand! It's Pizza!Pizza! Time. The Little Caesar's Pizza Kits are back and ready to fill freezers with easy lunches, dinners, & snacks.

-Check backpacks for brochures

-Online orders due by Sun., Jan. 21st, at 11:59 PM

-Brochures due back to office by Fri., Jan. 19, 2024. Checks payable to Keith Elementary PTA.

-Online ordering instructions: PizzaKit.com-->Products-->Shop -->Ship My Order to the Group--> Fundraiser ID 432252

- Pick up will be the week of Feb. 12th. Watch the Dragon's Tale for the exact dates.

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

Hello Ski and Snowboard Families! Club cards for 2024 are officially on sale now! They're on sale until Thursday January 4th 2024, which is the first day of Keith Ski club 2024!

Keith Ski Club Website

Ski club card order form: Keith Ski- Club Card Order Form

Thanks to all the families who came out for our Vanessa Williams Concert. We had a blast and her encore performance had all of us on our feet dancing and singing along!

Our next club concert meet is this Saturday, December 9th for Tchaikovsky's 6th Symphony Concert. We will be meeting at 7:40pm under the cube sign for a pre-concert club meet. Kindly email me back should you be attending either the club meet or concert.

Please see below for more information about the concert and the artists who would be performing. Should you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me: monique.levu@gmail.com 248-301-1415

I look forward to seeing those families who will be joining us!

TCHAIKOVSKY'S SIXTH SYMPHONY

When: Saturday, December 9, 2023, 8pm

Where: Orchestra Hall, 2hrs

• For more information about our conductor Jader Bignamini click here:
• https://www.dso.org/events-and-tickets/artists/jader-bignamini
• For more information about our special guest pianist Sergei Babayan click here:
• https://www.dso.org/events-and-tickets/artists/sergei-babayan
• For more information about our DSO click here:
• https://www.dso.org/about-the-dso/meet-the-orchestra

If you have not had a chance to join the Music Appreciation Club please fill out this Google Form
https://forms.gle/3eAmCFB4Vf9FCP626 . Do forward this link to any interested student. After attending one concert, the student membership will have paid for itself. We welcome any interested students!

What to watch for:

Fri, Jan 5th ~ Tubby's Sub & Ice Cream Day ~ $1.00 ice cream

Thur, Jan 11th ~ Pizza Day ~ $1.75 / extra slice, $1.00 chips

Fri, Jan 19th ~ Chocolate Chip Cookie Day ~ $1.50 ea

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

Join us for a family dance night!

Parent(s) / Guardian(s) accompany their child(ren) for a fun-filled evening in a winter wonderland to include dancing, crafts, and a photo booth! This is a community event offered to families with children in grades PreSchool-5th Grade. Refreshments and snacks will be provided. Must purchase tickets in advance.

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.

January 9, 2024 at 6:30pm - Keith Media Center

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

DianaTyrrel@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