Pleasant Lake Pleasantries
November 30, 2020
Together We Learn, Together We Lead!
BEING THANKFUL
I hope you had a relaxing and enjoyable Thanksgiving. The last several months I've attempted to focus on what I am thankful for versus what I miss and/or what I cannot change. While I am not perfect in consistently keeping this mindset, I do always come back to it.
I was again reminded of what I have to be thankful for when I visited several classrooms last week and heard our children share what they were thankful for. It was an amazing experience hearing how positive and appreciative our children are.
This week focus on what you do have and not what we cannot control. Stay positive and focus on the relationships you have with the people in your lives and acts of kindness towards those that you do not know.
We will get through anything together and those around you will remember the kindness, empathy you showed them and how you made them feel during these challenging times.
Respectfully,
Nayal Maktari
WALLED LAKE SCHOOLS DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY CELEBRATION
SEEKING RECIPES!
Each year, the Walled Lake Consolidated Schools Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, (DEI), committee hosts a Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration at Walled Lake Northern High School. This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event will be held virtually on January 18, 2021.
One of the wonderful traditions of this event is the shared experience of a multicultural dinner that feeds hundreds of participants. In an effort to keep this 21-year tradition alive, we are planning to share a virtual meal, but we need your help! The committee is seeking photos of a traditional dish enjoyed by the families within our community. Staff, students, and community members are invited to take a picture of a dish that they make and a picture of the recipe and send them to JulieAmann@wlcsd.org or NayalMaktari@wlcsd.org.
We plan to create a virtual recipe book to share with those that attend the MLK Day Celebration, so that our community can continue to share in a multicultural meal. This is a great tradition that celebrates and honors the diversity within our community.
PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES UPDATE
After much consultation with staff and to ensure parents receive accurate and complete information about children’s progress, we are rescheduling the December 10th Elementary Parent/Teacher Conferences to Thursday, January 28th.
With the change in staffing and classes that just took place with our in-person transition, we believe December 10th is too soon to give substantive feedback to parents. As always, parents can contact and check in with teachers at any time.
December 10th will now be a full day of school and January 28th will be a half-day for Elementary Schools ONLY.
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SCHOOL AND CHILDREN
Dear Pleasant Lake Elementary Parents,
Your PTA needs you now more than ever! Your membership will help with so many great opportunities for our children. Below are a list of just a few amazing things your membership dues will provide our children:
- Literacy supplies and books
- Student supplies that are sent home with children during remote learning
- Technology and online instructional resources
- Virtual events
- Grants & scholarships to assist students and teachers with field trips, including virtual field trips
- Authors and presenters visit, including virtual visits
- The Leader in Me Program
In addition to all that we provide for our children, this year we will have the opportunity to host virtual events for our community. Your PTA Board has been brainstorming some fantastic ideas for fundraising and activities we would normally do in person. The 1st 50 people to sign up for a membership will get an exclusive offer for our 1st virtual event.
Lastly, you may think with school being held remotely that we not need your support but it is the exact opposite. So many in our school community need support more than ever during this pandemic. Please become a PTA Member and sign up for the programs below. It’s an easy process that will take minutes but go a long way in supporting our children, parents and staff.
Please click on the link below to join. Remember that your membership does not require you to volunteer at any events and/or fundraisers. Only one parent/member per household needs to register with the PLE PTA.
https://ple.new.memberhub.store/store
AMAZON SMILE PROGRAM
We all shop on Amazon, why not give back to Pleasant Lake while we shop?
Pleasant Lake is set up on the Amazon Smile program, which
donates 0.5% of eligible purchases straight to our school!
Here's what to do:
1) Log on to http://smile.amazon.com/
2) Select Pleasant Lake Elementary PTA as the organization you are supporting.
3) Shop away!
KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS
It's simple. Login to your account online and look for Pleasant Lake.
1/2 DAY OF SCHOOL THIS WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2ND
SUPPORT
Hello Pleasant Lake Families,
As we approach the holiday season and continue to experience the hardships that go along with this pandemic, it is important that we take care of our mental health now more than ever! At this time, Michigan is offering free confidential counseling through the Stay Well COVID 19 hotline. Counselors are available 24/7 and the service is completely free! If you are experiencing stress and anxiety and are more comfortable texting with someone, a texting option is also available. As parents, many may feel the pressure of balancing family, jobs, finances, running a home, and now virtual schooling. Please know that there are resources available to help ease some of that stress. Additionally, if you feel like your little one is struggling with the uncertainty of the times, stress with school, or the loneliness of staying at home, Easter Seals is resource that provides therapy for your children. For more information and resources please visit https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/0,9753,7-406-98178_99557---,00.html. I have included the free counseling hotline, texting line, and Eastr Seals information below.
Michigan Stay Well Counseling via the COVID-19 Hotline
Call 1-888-535-6136
Press "8" to talk to a Michigan Stay Well counselor.
Counselors available 24/7 - confidential and free
If you are experiencing emotional stress and anxiety but are more comfortable texting than talking, get help from:
Michigan Crisis Text Line
Text the keyword RESTORE to 741741
Open 24/7
Be well,
Erika Emke LLMSW
WALLED LAKE TRANSPORTATION QUESTIONS
Walled Lake Schools Transportation Department Website
OFFICE HOURS: 5:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
46740 W. Pontiac Trail, Walled Lake - 48390
Phone: 248-956-3090
Hotline: 248-956-5199
MEDICAL AUTHORIZATION FORMS
You can drop off your form to Pleasant Lake, have it scanned to JulieSmith@wlcsd.org or faxed to 248.956.2805 .
IMPORTANT CHROMEBOOK INFORMATION
PLEASE READ THE IIMPORTANT INFORMAITON BELOW REGARDING CHROMEBOOKS.
I STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU PICK UP A DISTRICT CHROMEBOOK INSTEAD OF BRINGING YOUR OWN DEVICE TO SCHOOL.
Parents can still get Chromebooks for their children every Tuesday and Thursday from 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. at the Educational Services Center located at 850 Ladd Road, Building D, Walled Lake.
PTSA REFLECTIONS
Each year many of our students participate in our annual National Reflections Contest. It's a great opportunity to recognize and honor our children. Please consider participating!
Rules
Submission is one per child per category. So if a student wants to submit a music composition and visual arts, they can submit only 1 per category.
The submissions are entirely online this year, this means the students/parents need to take pictures/recordings of their work and submit it online.
Submissions have been extended through November
Please click on the tab below for much more information!
Choose K-12 Walled Lake Students for Year-End Giving
The Foundation for Excellence’s support for Walled Lake Schools’ 13,000 students is needed now more than ever for such critical areas of education as literacy and social and emotional learning. Don’t miss out on making your one-time tax, deductible donation of $300 to the Foundation, as provided by the CARES Act. Vital diversification for an entire classroom’s literacy library can happen with $300. You make the difference for our children-future employees, business owners and leaders. Be inspired to continue or begin your Foundation support and hear from our community leaders why they prioritize support for our District and from Jen Phillips-Weckstein; Dublin teacher, WLCSD parent and longstanding FFE trustee, regarding how FFE changed the trajectory of her teaching.
QUESTIONS? Email Foundation Executive Director MichelleBianco@wlcsd.org or phone 248.956.2116. Checks can be made payable to Foundation for Excellence-Walled Lake Schools, 850 Ladd Rd., Bldg. D, Walled Lake, MI 48390.
Walled Lake Schools’ Foundation for Excellence (FFE)
Our school has truly benefited for nearly 30 years from the support of Walled Lake Schools’ Foundation for Excellence (FFE), a 501 ( c) 3 nonprofit. Please view snapshot of recent Foundation grant awards received by our school and allocated to the District to benefit K-12 students and educators. FFE’s outreach also includes the Shuman CDJR Performing Arts Student Grant Program and 5th Grade Camp Scholarship fund for our District’s title 1 elementary schools. Check out FFE’s fall flyer or visit the Foundation’s website to more fully understand the FFE’s commitment to WLCSD.
The Foundation is sustained through annual fundraising (Tuition Expedition 50/50 Scholarship Raffle, Count on Me Program-WLCSD staff payroll donations, & golf scramble), private and public sector donations and receipt of memorials, honorariums, and alumni gifts. Donations can be made online to help sustain FFE’s mission and support for our schools. Checks are also accepted and can be made payable to the Foundation for Excellence and mailed to 850 Ladd Rd., Bldg. D, Walled Lake, MI 48390.
Questions? Email Foundation’s exec. director, MichelleBianco@wlcsd.org.
Parent Tech Support Submission Form
Upcoming Important Events
November
- December 2- 1/2 Day of School for Students
- December 7-PTA Meeting at 6:00 p.m.
- December 23- First Day of Winter Break
- January 4-School Resumes
EVERYTHING GOOGLE!
WLCSD FOOD SERVICE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH
School breakfast and school lunch will be served FREE to all students that are attending in person learning in their classrooms daily. You may pick up breakfast & lunch for Saturday, Sunday and all closed school days every Monday from 12:00PM – 1:30PM at each of our high schools.
For our virtual learners and children under the age of 18 who are not being served daily in our buildings, we will continue to provide 7 days of meals, through pickup at our high schools every Monday from 12:00PM – 1:30PM until further notice.
PLEASE NOTE THAT WE WILL ASK STUDENTS THAT STUDENTS INTERESTED IN BREAKFAST MUST NOTIFY THEIR TEACHER THE DAY PRIOR AND FOR LUNCH WILL NOTIFY THE TEACHER THE DAY OF. WE ONLY HAVE ONE SELECTION FOR LUNCH AND BREAKFAST. BREAKFAST IS NOW SERVED IN THE CLASSROOM AND LUNCH WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE CAFETERIA.
WE ALSO ASK THAT EACH CHILD THAT BRINGS A LUNCH TO SCHOOL PLEASE BRING A DISPOSABLE LUNCH (BROWN BAG, SANDWICH BAGS, PLASTIC UTENSILS, ETC.)
Breakfast will be delivered each day the first week of school but starting next week will ask students to notify us.
Please direct questions you may have to our Food Services Department.
Support our School!
We all shop on Amazon, why not give back to Pleasant Lake while we shop?!
Pleasant Lake is set up on the Amazon Smile program, which
donates 0.5% of eligible purchases straight to our school!
Here's what to do:
1) Log on to http://smile.amazon.com/
2) Select Pleasant Lake Elementary PTA as the organization you are supporting.
3) Shop away!
Kroger Rewards
BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION
See below for important steps to follow:
#1: Reminder to clip and use the digital app.
Please continue to send clipped box tops into school as usual.
Additionally, Box Tops for Education is moving towards digital submissions.
How can you help?
1. Download the free app.
2. Create an account (choose Pleasant Lake Elementary as your school).
3. Scan receipts as you make purchases (and within 14 days).
** Back by popular demand... Want to designate a classroom for box top counts to help your child's classroom win contests? Start by scanning your receipt. Once the photo is taken, new options will show up across the bottom. Choose the star "Credit" button and enter the last name of your child's teacher. Hit done, then submit. **
#2: Do you shop for groceries online?
You can submit your email receipts from select retailers to earn Box Tops for your school too. Here's how...
Option A
1. Make sure you have a Box Tops for Education account
(create one via the Box Tops app or website).
2. Forward your email receipt to receipts@boxtops4education.com using the same email that’s associated with your BTFE account. Box Tops will be credited within 10 business days – view your earnings detail in the MY EARNINGS section of the app or website
The following email receipts are currently eligible (as of July 17, 2019):
Instacart, jet.com, SamsClub.com, Shipt, Target.com, Target Pick-Up/Drive-Up,
Walmart Grocery, Walmart.com
Option B
For purchases from online retailers not listed above, please follow the process below.
1. Take a screen shot (or multiple) of your entire receipt from your online purchase, including retailer name, all items, transaction total, and date of purchase
2. Open the Box Tops Contact Us form
3. In the Comments field, please include: Your email address, name, school's name, the amount of Box Tops earned with the purchases from that receipt.
4. Use the “Upload Image Files” feature (at the bottom of the form to add the screen shot(s) of your receipt. Your receipt will be processed within 2 weeks.
Teach The Leader in Me Habits At Home!
Enjoy!
PLEASANT LAKE ELEMENTARY CONTACT INFORMATION
Main Office Number: 248.956.2800
Fax Line: 248.956.2805
Attendance: 248.956.2890
Nayal Maktari
Principal nayalmaktari@wlcsd.org
Terri Szymanski
Principal's Secretary terriszymanski@wlcsd.org
Julie Smith
Building Secretary juliesmith@wlcsd.org
Know What's Going On At Pleasant Lake Elementary!
SKYWARD FAMILY ACCESS
It is critical that parents keep an updated email address and let us know if it changes as soon as possible. Parents may update this information for us on Skyward Family Access. All teachers at Pleasant Lake utilize Skyward Family Access to communicate with parents. Report cards, lunch account information, progress reports, attendance and other important information will always be posted on Skyward Family Access. If you are a new family to Walled Lake Schools or have misplaced or lost your Family Access ID and password, please click HERE to get connected.
PLEASANT LAKE PLEASANTRIES AND SCHOOL WEBSITE
Our school newsletter will be sent electronically to parents once a week. An archive of newsletters is also posted to our school website under the For Parents tab. Our school website can be found HERE. Please visit this page often for information about our school. You will find links to important documents, websites from your child's classroom, PTA forms and information, and important updates and forms that you will need to access.
Please follow us on Twitter @PleasantLakeEl to be updated regularly on important events at our school and fun pictures of student events and learning!
REMIND 101
We also offer Remind 101 to all PLE parents. How does it work? If you would like to receive a quick text message on your cell phone or device, just sign up with us and you receive a quick text to remind you of important school events, deadlines, time frames, etc. at PLE. You can unsubscribe at any time.
To join, send a text to (586) 649-3482 and enter the message @mrmakt
You can opt-out of messages at anytime by replying, 'unsubscribe @mrmakt'.