PARKING LOT REMINDERS!
Please use the sidewalks in the car loop lane to drop off your children. Let the children out all along the U shape of the car loop drop off-not only in front of the entry doors. ALL of our Bulldogs know where to line up and can access all entry points from the safe sidewalk routes. Let's build independence and help the car loop move efficiently by having students ready to exit.
THANK YOU FOR NOT ILLEGALLY PARKING YOUR CAR TO DROP YOUR CHILD OFF OR PICK THEM UP.
The front parking lot is for bus needs. When parents try to drop off and have children run across to the sidewalk, it is dangerous and is not a sidewalk safe route.
We are a school community that wants the best for our kids.
We all would be devastated with any injury or accident.
Please always model safety, respect, responsibility, and kindness each day.
THANK YOU TO ALL THAT POSITIVELY PROMOTE AND PRACTICE SAFE PROCEDURES!!
Positivity Project
Dear Families,
Next week our school community will be focusing on the character strength of Forgiveness. Forgiveness means you forgive those who have done wrong and you accept that people make mistakes.
Forgiveness is the ability to move past being injured, and allow yourself to reconcile with the person who hurt you. Forgiveness can often be seen as a selfless act, but it also carries many benefits for those who practice it. Those who demonstrate forgiveness have the ability to move forward after someone has hurt them. Forgiveness is often rooted in the idea that all people are valuable and worthy of a second chance. Many who forgive have the ability to consider things from another’s perspective.
The ability to reconcile differences and move forward positively is a trait of any effective group. When people work together, conflict is inevitable. However, when people value each other’s contribution and believe in the group’s goal, they become more capable of moving past conflict toward genuinely positive behavior. A group member’s willingness to forgive imperfections of both other members and the group as a whole contribute to overall success.
To practice and encourage the character strength of forgiveness with your child, please visit the Positivity Project’s P2 for Families (password: P2) where together you will watch a video, read a quote and talk about the answers to three questions.
Have a wonderful week!
Media Update by Mrs. O'Rourke Jan. 2022
Adopt A Book is going strong. If you would like to ‘Adopt A Book’ in honor of a birthday or other occasion please look for the link in the PTA Toolkit. We just got some new books ready to be ‘adopted’!
Thank you for your support of the media center!
Fourth & Fifth grade classes this week reviewed more Digital Citizenship, including ways to handle cyberbullying. I reminded them that we also have the OK2Say link in their RCS bookmarks. Please talk to your child about this. Much of what we learn is found in Common Sense Media. This is a great resource to use at home to be smart & safe online & also evaluate movies & other media for your family. Check it out: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/
Third graders began using more of our Google Apps for Education, including Gmail. The Gmail accounts students have through their RCS accounts are used to teach them proper email & internet etiquette & they are limited to being able to email only other RCS accounts. Please read the letter your child brings home. It is a good idea to check your child’s email, regularly & discuss it with them. Please let me know if you have any questions. *If your child has Media Class on Monday, they will do this next week.
Of course, we are also reading many of the wonderful Authors in April books & are looking forward to the authors visits in a few months!
Media Center Donations: We accept & appreciate donations made to our school.
Right now we need:
*Markers! All kinds, colors & sizes!
*Small containers of new play-dough
*Old, random legos (or sets J)
*’Pipe cleaners’
*Small Ziplock Bags
*plastic cups
*empty clean paper towel or TP rolls
*any kind of tape
*any kind of ribbon
Thanks so much! ~Mrs. O’Rourke
The Specials Team is on Facebook! Please follow us at https://www.facebook.com/people/Brewster-Elementary-Specials-Art-Library-Music-Phys-Ed/100063552367921/
A Note From Ms. Z in Physical Education
Just a Friendly Reminder…
Dear Parents/Guardians:
As the weather starts to change, it is easy to forget about gym shoes. In order for your child to participate safely and successfully in class activities, it is important for him/her to wear the proper footwear (i.e. tennis shoes, running shoes, or sneakers). I ask that you please remind your child to lay their gym shoes out or place them in your child's backpack so they will be ready for their physical education class! Your cooperation for their safety and active participation is very much appreciated.
Ms. Zarzycki
Brewster PTA
Brewster Reads
Hopefully everyone has been enjoying some good books and spending time reading since the start of school. Each month starting on the 25th reporting for that month can be entered into the form in the store on Toolkit and will be open until the 5th of the next month. This year only electronic copies will be accepted and instead of 25 minutes per day the goal is 500 total minutes for the month. If you have any question please reach out to Kellie Newman kellie.newman@mac.com or Katie Baron katie.baron@icloud.com. Happy reading
Bulldogs!
Committee Chairs Needed
We have a great group of families at Brewster and we need your help! We have the following committee chairs open or in need of a co-chair. Please reach out to BrewsterPTAPresident@gmail.com if you are interested in helping or learning more!
· Bingo Night – An evening of fun with fellow Brewster families. We have great notes and plans that we will assist with.
· Founders Day - Help decide what teachers, staff, and volunteers in our schools get rewarded for all their hard work.
· Nominating co-chair – Help in finding new parents to fulfill the roles of the board, explain the roles, and help with voting process
· PAC Rep co-chair – Represent families that have IEPs and 504Bs. Must have a child with one of these in order to be the chair.
Ski Club
Deadline to join the Ski Club is January 30th - this should hopefully ensure everyone has at least a month of ski season (depending on the weather, of course).
Contact Skye Thietten for more information skye.thietten@gmail.com, or to pick up your membership cards if you've already purchased them and want to ski over the holiday (students $10 off lift pass ONLY, no adult discount - sorry!).
Science Fair
We need a few parents to help out with the Science Fair on February 9th. Use this link to sign up to help the day of the event Science Fair Volunteer Sign Up. If you can help during the week leading up to the science fair, email jessica.westness@gmail.com
Oakland University Men’s Basketball
Brewster families can get together for an afternoon of college basketball at Oakland University on February 4 at 1pm. Please see the attached flyer for how to order tickets and Go Grizzlies!
Adams Boy’s Varsity vs Dutton Farms Basketball
A Charity game will be held on February 10 at 7pm at Adams High School. All donations will benefit Dutton Farms.
Stride Program
Practices will be Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:30-4:45 at Brewster. Begins March 13 and goes until May 22. There are no practices the week of our spring break. The cost is $155 (for registration before March 13, $170 after) and includes a snack each practice, cinch bag and water bottle, t-shirt and medal, and 5K entry. The 5K is 5/21/23. This is open to Brewster students only, boys grade 3-5.
There are payment options when you register that allow for 3 payments over the 2 months, instead of paying all at once. The YMCA also offers assistance on an individual basis if needed- they can contact Tracy O'Brien directly for that and her info is on the attached flyer.
We currently have openings for 16 spots because we have 2 coaches but can open more spots if we have coaches. Anyone with questions or interest can contact Tracey directly at 248-410-4587 or TraceyStemen@hotmail.com
Sign up Link:
Founder’s Day
Please see the attached flyers for the Founder’s Day celebration on February 7.
Drama Club
Drama Club is back this year thanks to our amazing committee chairs. This is a wonderful way for 4th and 5th grade students to show off their talents in acting and set building. Please see the attached flyer for more information!
Nominating Committee
We are nearing the time of year when we seek out Nominations for the PTA board for the next school year. For the 2023-2024 school year we are looking for the following:
· President
· VP of Fundraising
If you are interested or you know someone that would be great, please send your nominations to Jessica Westness at Jessica.Westness@gmail.com
Yearbook
The yearbook committee needs your help collecting pictures of your kiddos from the first day of school through now! When sending pictures be sure to include the following:
1. High resolution photos (the higher the better)
2. First and last name of child(ren)
3. Teacher’s name and grade
4. Event – i.e. the first day of school
Please send all photos to BrewsterYearbook@gmail.com
Author’s in April
The AIA committee is looking to start book clubs this year for the kids to get more exposure to the books! The dates will be March 9 and 16. If you are interested in helping out as a parent volunteer please reach out to Beth Sobczak easobczak@gmail.com or Beth Banks at bethlynn032@gmail.com
STEAM Career Fair
The district STEAM committee will be hosting a STEAM Career Fair on Saturday, March 18 from 10a-12p at Rochester High School They are currently looking for Presenters and other volunteers in the district to make this a success! Please see the attached flyer if you are interested in helping.
Adopt-a-Book
Our Adopt-a-Book program is up and running for the year! If you are interested in adopting a book for your child please fill out the form in the Membership Toolkit Store.
Buddy the Bulldog
Have you seen Buddy the Bulldog at school events or in a neighbor’s yard? Would you like to have him visit your yard? Buddy can be rented by filling out a form in Membership Toolkit. He loves to visit so please fill out a form so he can come and visit you.
Membership Toolkit
Membership Toolkit is a website and app used by the Brewster PTA. On Membership Toolkit you can find a Brewster directory, calendar of events, and make secure purchases. You do not need to be a PTA member to use most of the features on Membership Toolkit. To create an account, you need to go the website first. Once you create your account on the website, you can download the app on your mobile device. If you already use Membership Toolkit, please log in to update your student’s information for the new school year. Use this link to create or update your account https://rhillsbrewsterpta.membershiptoolkit.com/
Brewster Facebook Group
The Brewster Facebook group is a great way to connect with Brewster families and learn about upcoming events. If you are a member of the Brewster Facebook group, please send an invite to Brewster families that are not yet members. For the safety of our students, the Brewster Facebook group is private. To join, you need to be a current Brewster family and answer the questions to join the group.
Join the PTA
You can join the PTA by going to the store on the Membership Toolkit app or clicking this link Join the Brewster PTA. By joining the PTA you will have access to the Brewster directory on the Membership Toolkit website and app.
Annual Fundraiser
The Brewster PTA has launched its Annual Fundraiser and a yellow flyer came home with your oldest child at Brewster. Our hope is to pivot from ongoing fundraising activities throughout the year that support Brewster students, teachers and staff, to a one-time donation made by each family at the beginning of the year. To make a donation use this link General PTA Donation or go to the store on Membership Toolkit. While there is no set amount that we are requesting, as we are sensitive to every family’s financial capacity, we hope and suggest the following amounts: $60 per family with one Brewster student or $85 per family with two or more Brewster students.
PTA Board Names and Contact Information
President – Jackie Bieber BrewsterPTAPresident@gmail.com
VP of Fundraising –
VP of Membership – Michelle Endres
Treasurer – Susanna Brennan
Secretary – Grant Kosch
Stay Connected!
Email: kdessy@rochester.k12.mi.us
Website: https://brewster.rochester.k12.mi.us/
Location: 1535 Brewster Road, Rochester Hills, MI, USA
Phone: 248-726-3300
Twitter: @BrewsterRCS