Dolphin Tales
December 1st
Newsletter Overview
Below is a list of the articles in order within this newsletter...
Upcoming events
Materials Pick-Up: Thursday, December 3rd (see article in newsletter for more details)
Live Virtual Yoga on Zoom, Wednesdays at 11 AM (Dress as a Superhero)
Wednesday, November 18th On-Demand Specials Focus: MUSIC
New Social Opportunity via Zoom, Beginning Friday, December 4th (see article in newsletter for more details)
Pro Tips
Link to Pro Tip Video Anthology
Headlines
Virtual Book Fair Results
Morning Announcement Challenges
Diversity Equity & Inclusion December Mantras Calendar
United We Walk 2021 Virtual Button Contest
Technology Support
Free Meals Still Available
In the Know with the PTO
- Thank You to the PTO for Parent-Teacher Conference Virtual Meals
Doherty Family Photo Album
Operations
Attendance for Remote Learning
Accessing Report Card Grades in PowerSchool
Live Zooms for Specials
Technology Help
Capturing Kids’ Hearts Tools Link
COVID Safety Protocols Link
Parking Lot Procedures Link
Canvas Details Link
Questions should be emailed to your child's teacher OR the following group of office staff members:
To-Do List
To-Do List (All Items Have More Details in Newsletter Articles)
- Materials Pick-Up: Thursday, December 3rd
- Wednesday Specials Focus: Music
- Wednesday Virtual Yoga: Optional
- New Zoom Social Opportunity: Begins Friday (each M, W, and F); Completely Optional
Materials Pick-Up
Materials will be ready to pick up on Thursday, December 3rd. We have suggested times for each grade level to ensure that the traffic flow is not too congested. With that in mind, please know that you can come at a time that is most convenient for you. For example, if you have two children in different grade levels, you can pick the time that is most suitable for you. We also have an evening time period in which you can pick up materials.
The available and suggested times are as follows:
- 10 AM-12 PM: 2nd Grade
- 11 AM-1 PM: 1st Grade
- 12-2 PM: Kindergarten
- 6:30-8:30 PM: Evening Pick-Up
When you arrive to Doherty, simply pull into the bus loop and pull up near the main office entrance. From there, we will have a staff member bring materials out to your car.
Wednesday Live Virtual Yoga: Wednesday at 11 AM--Feel Free to Dress Up as a Superhero
Ms. Taylor looks forward to seeing you all this Wednesday at 11 AM for another session of live virtual yoga. The focus will be about STRENGTH, so students and family members can dress up in their favorite superhero outfit. Sounds like a blast!
Once again, thanks to the Greater West Bloomfield Community Coalition, Taylor will be leading her live virtual yoga session this Wednesday and every Wednesday at 11 AM.
Your child can access the Zoom link for Taylor's yoga on his/her teacher's Canvas page OR the specials Canvas pages.
Video Demo Below: For Accessing Wednesday Live Virtual Yoga
Video Introduction Below: Meet Taylor Beardsall, Virtual Live Yoga Instructor
Wednesday, December 2nd Specials Focus: MUSIC
Each week, our children can engage in one on-demand specials activity that is loaded in Canvas for them. The specials focus will rotate each week.
This week, the focus will be MUSIC. If you need help accessing iCenter materials, please contact Mrs. Kutsick. Her email is nicole.kutsick@wbsd.org
December 2nd: Music
December 9th: Art
December 16th: Physical Education
Video for How To Access Specials On-Demand Content
New Social Opportunity via Zoom
As a result, beginning this Friday, December 4th, we will be offering a completely optional Zoom for each grade level if your children want to get on Zoom and just hang out for a bit.
- Beginning Friday, December 4th, these Zooms will be offered every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
- These Zooms will be facilitated by our amazing secretaries and paraprofessionals.
- The Zoom link will be included in your child's Canvas calendar, along with his/her daily Canvas assignments.
- Please note: this is not a requirement; rather it is just an additional opportunity.
Times and Days for Zoom Social Opportunities
- Days: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday (beginning Friday, December 4th)
- Kindergarten: 12-12:30 PM
- 1st Grade: 2:30-3 PM
- 2nd Grade: 11:30 AM-12 PM
Introduction to Pro Tips
Below are videos with bite-sized tips you can use to help make remote learning easier for you, the parent. Feel free to listen to these little clips while walking, driving, or even when winding down for the night. Each video provides tips that have been helpful for me.
As we continue to navigate virtual Wednesdays with my son, I find myself learning more and more about how we can put our children in charge of their learning. Check out the newest editions of Pro Tip videos.
Headlines for Remote-Only Learning
Virtual Book Fair Results
The final numbers are in...We received GREAT NEWS regarding our Virtual Book Fair! I'd like to celebrate that we had 497 visitors to our Scholastic Online Book Fair, along with a total of $2007 in sales. That results in just over $500 in Scholastic Dollar Rewards for our Doherty iCenter! Thank you to our Doherty Families for supporting the love of reading & supporting our school.
All orders, placed through Scholastic, have been processed & shipped directly to family households. Please allow extended time for shipments to arrive, due to the holiday & COVID. If there are any concerns or questions, please reach out to me directly & I'll see what I can do to help out.
SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT PRINCIPAL PICKS
If you and your family purchased either of the Principal Pick books (Not Quite Snow White OR Elbow Grease), you can text/email pictures of your child with the book. These pictures will be included in the morning announcements AND your child will receive a special gift in the mail.
Mrs. Carson
Doherty iCenter Teacher
Morning Announcement Challenges
Your child can be a part of the morning announcement excitement. Anytime he/she wants to try out one of the morning announcement challenges (pictured above), you can text those pictures/videos to me at 248-259-5595. From there, I will make sure it gets in the announcements.
SPECIAL PRINCIPAL PICK (Virtual Book Fair) Challenge:
If you and your child purchased either of the Principal Picks (Not Quite Snow White OR Elbow Grease) from the Virtual Book Fair, you can send in a picture of your child with the books. These pictures will go in the morning announcements AND there will be a special surprise sent home to the kids.
United We Walk 2021 Virtual Button Contest
UWW 2021 Virtual Button Contest
Do you enjoy drawing? Your artwork could be the inspiration for the Annual United We Walk Celebration on Sunday, January 17, 2021.
You must include the following:
THEME: Everyone Can Be Great Because ANYONE Can Serve
- A graphic or photo
- Artwork must be 3 inches in diameter (see the back for actual size)
- Consider contrast, balance, and value
- Artwork must be original, hand-drawn or digital
- Eligible contestants K-12th graders
DEADLINE: Friday, December 6, 2020
SUBMIT TO: Jennifer Graham - Jennifer.Graham@wbsd.org
Technology Support
FAMILY TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANCE
The Service Desk can only assist parents/guardians, not students. On the phone, a parent/guardian can grant verbal approval for their child to work with the Service Desk technician, but they MUST remain present during the entirety of the conversation.
Phone: (248) 209-2060
Email: oshelpdesk@oakland.k12.mi.us
Online Ticket Submission- servicedesk.oakland.k12.mi.us
When entering requests through the online portal or email, please be certain to include your full name, your child’s name and district, school building, the device they have been issued and a good phone number to call you back. This information will allow the Service Desk to provide the best possible service in the most efficient manner.
If you are in need of a district issued Chromebook, please complete an Oakland Schools Service Desk ticket.
District owned hotspots are available for those with no internet in the home due to financial hardship. If you are in need of a district owned hotspot, please submit an Oakland Schools Service Desk ticket.
If you are inquiring about PowerSchool, please email vickie.eis@wbsd.org.
If you are inquiring about student Google account information, this can be found in PowerSchool or your teacher can provide this information to you.
Free Meals Still Available
No cost meals are available for curbside pick-up to all children 18 or younger in the community. Each child will receive 7 breakfast and lunch meals. Children do not have to attend West Bloomfield School District.
Please pre-order meals on the West Bloomfield School District Food Service page or click here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1wVbzmc8iJQHZ10KLSwyS6MjpqtKEgKccMvdC06RtACY/edit
Pick up sites:
West Bloomfield HS main entrance
Pick-up day: Wednesday or by special arrangement
Times: 11:30am-12:30pm or 3:30pm-4:30pm or by special arrangement
Roosevelt Elementary main entrance
Pick-up day: Wednesday
Time: 1100am-1:00pm
Please contact Nutrition Services for special arrangements or questions at (248)865-6733 or email anne.stevens@wbsd.org.
In the Know with the PTO
Thank You to the PTO for Parent-Teacher Conference Virtual Meals!
In years past, when conferences were actually in the building, our PTO has always been generous enough to provide meals for our staff. Indeed, virtual conferences made it a bit more difficult to do so. Yet, as always, our PTO found a way.
This year, our PTO sent virtual gift cards to staff so that they could fuel up during conferences. Thank you, PTO!
Our PTO Board
Also the best way to find out Doherty PTO info is on our Liketree site linktr.ee/dohertypto
Our PTO Board is truly amazing. They embody what we are all about in the Doherty Family, and they always do what is best for our kids and staff. The PTO board includes:
Nicole Calvin, Vice-President
Sesilee Langs, Secretary
Renai Mayle, VP Of Fundraising
Joann Manetta, VP Of Committees
DOherty FAMILY Photo Album
Accessing Report Card Grades in PowerSchool
Live Zooms for Specials on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday
Technology Help
FAMILY ASSISTANCE WITH TECHNOLOGY ISSUES
If you need technical assistance, you can request help from the Oakland Schools Technology Service Desks.
- Phone: (248) 209-2060
- Email: oshelpdesk@oakland.k12.mi.us
- Online Ticket Submission- servicedesk.oakland.k12.mi.us
Information for families is contained on the wbsd.org website under Technology. https://www.wbsd.org/departments/technology/chromebook-accident-and-loss-protection
The first thing families will need to do is submit an Oakland Schools Service Desk ticket if they have a damaged/lost/stolen device to make sure we are taking the proper steps in a timely manner. The steps Oakland Schools will take are outlined below.
· Determine if the issue is accident and loss protection applicable.
· Direct the parent to either one2one or Inacomp
· Deliver a spare to school building, pick up damaged device
· Submit damaged device for repair
· Contact parent to return original device and collect spare
Follow the Doherty Family on Social Media
- Twitter: @Long_DohertyWB
- Facebook: facebook.com/DolphinsWB
- Instagram: @DohertyWB