Pleasant Lake Pleasantries
September 7, 2020
Together We Learn, Together We Lead!
THANK YOU!
Dear Families,
Thank you for your support and patience during this first week of remote learning. We will continue to improve each week and our wonderful staff and I are here for your children.
We will get through the next several weeks by working together, assuming the best, having honest communication and by supporting each other. Please know that as a school we are working on lessons and organizing a full day of learning, yet understand we also need to address screen time concerns. We will be working with our grade level teams, district curriculum department, and administration to ensure that every child has the best learning experience.
Next week we will begin our FAPEs (Fine and Performing Arts Education) classes with physical education, art, media, and music. The FAPEs teachers will be sharing zoom links, that will be posted in the chat box of our remote classrooms, so your children will only need to click on a link to join their classrooms and also return to our classrooms. Our teachers will be sure to post FAPES links in our google classrooms as well in the event there is a technical glitch out of our control.
In addition, please know that we spent a tremendous amount of time building relationships, establishing routines, and ensuring that your children understood remote learning protocols and virtual classroom rules. In the coming weeks as the teaching and learning process evolves, our goal would be to reduce the amount of screen time throughout the day.
Should you have questions or concerns, please reach out to me and we can work together to find a solution. I can be reached at NayalMaktari@wlcsd.org or at 248-956-2800. Please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Together We Learn, Together We Lead!
Nayal Maktari
Proud Principal of Pleasant Lake Elementary
Curriculum Nights
Please be sure to mark your calendars and join us for our annual Pleasant Lake Elementary Curriculum Nights. Teachers have been working hard preparing for the new school year. There are many new and exciting curricular programs and materials being implemented in the coming school year, and we are excited to share these with you. We are focused and ready to increase student achievement at our school.
Our Curriculum Nights will be VIRTUAL and online this year, and will take place on three separate nights to discuss the curriculum at each grade level.
Curriculum Night is designed for parents only. Parents will learn about the curriculum, program, meet classroom teachers and other staff members, and view materials for each grade level.
LINKS AND MORE SPECIFIC INFORMATION WILL BE COMING TO JOIN THESE IMPORTANT MEETINGS ONLINE!
NO SCHOOL ON FRIDAY, SEPT. 4 AND MONDAY, SEPT. 7
Upcoming Important Events
September 2020
- September 7 No School-Labor Day
- September 10 Virtual Board of Education Meeting (7:00 PM)
September 14th Kindergarten 5:30 p.m. and 1st Grade Virtual Curriculum Night 6:30 p.m.
- September 15th 2nd Grade 5:30 p.m. and 3rd Grade Virtual Curriculum Night at 6:30 p.m.
- September 16th 4th Grade 5:30 p.m. and 5th Grade Virtual Curriculum Night at 6:30 p.m.
- September 17 Virtual Middle School Curriculum Night (6:30-8:00 PM)
- September 21 Virtual High School Curriculum Night (6:30-8:00 PM)
- September 25 Half Day-Staff Professional Development
- September 28 No School for Students and Staff (Yom Kippur)
PLE Supply Pick Up Date
We will have a supply pick for students on Tuesday, September 8th from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. The supplies will include pencils, a pencil sharpener, spiral notebook, Math Journal and 2019-2020 Yearbook (Grades 1-5).
Kindergarten and 1st grade students that missed their pick up date can come by on Tuesday.
The pickup process will be similar to our Anchors Away process and last spring’s pickup and drop off.
We will also have student bags that were not picked up in the spring available for pickup.
Simply pull around to the back of the building and be ready to share your child’s grade level and a staff member will provide you a bag of supplies.
I it is my hope that everyone can make the before mentioned day and time but please contact me directly if you cannot.
Thank you for all of your support and patience. Please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher, myself and/or our main office if you need any help.
Updated Daily Learning Schedule
Our first week of school teachers spent time getting to know their students and families. They prepared team building activities and connectors. This was also a time to trouble-shoot technical issues and to get students on a good schedule that is conducive to learning.
The week of September 7th, teachers will begin to follow a much more specific learning schedule that will include FAPES, all curricular areas, and more. Of course there will be adjustments along the way. This schedule of learning will be shared with families as well.
TYPICAL OUR PATH SCHEDULE
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Lunch: 12:00 p.m. - 12:40 p.m.
Half Day Dismissal: 12:25 p.m.
Our Path Attendance Information
Despite the fact that we are starting the 2020 - 2021 school year remotely, attendance must continue to be a priority. It is extremely important for students to log in on time, be present in the remote setting, and remain engaged throughout the entirety of the school day.
Please be reminded that our teachers will take AM and PM attendance as well as record tardies. If your child will be absent or late, or will need to end the remote day early due to illness or a scheduled appointment, you must call the attendance phone line and leave us a message to tell us.
Every teaching and learning moment is crucial and we appreciate your partnership to ensure good attendance and participation.
We recognize that there will be a learning curve during these first few weeks and we promise to be flexible and understanding as we all become comfortable with the digital platforms of Google and Zoom.
Attendance Line: 248-956-2800
Welcome New Staff Members
ASD Teacher Ms. Sarah Przybylo
ESL Teacher Mrs. Janine Baur
ASD Paraeducator Mr. Doug Goodwin
ASD Paraeducator Mrs. Anita Jumaah
ASD Paraeducator Mrs. Jennifer Buechel
ASD Paraeducator Mr. Dan Monkman
Speech Pathologist Mrs. Joey Kerby
School Social Worker Eileen Derengowski
Check out our ESL Department Welcome Video
Check out Mr. A's Welcome Video
Check out Mr. Bowyer's Welcome Video
PLE Grade Level Staffing
Mrs. Lori Carter, Mr. River Eubanks and Mrs. Marcia Spontelli
1st Grade
Mrs.Sandra Brasza, Mrs. Tracie Goebl, and Mrs. Brenda Raymond
2nd Grade
Mrs. April Homer, Mrs. Angie Smith and Mrs. Jen Zang
3rd Grade
Mrs. Mandy Gordon, Mrs. Ashley Thomas, and Mrs. Karen Wilson
4th Grade
Mrs. Jeanie Brown, Mrs. Sue Henderlong, and Mrs. Jana Kaatz
5th Grade
Mrs. Kim Granger, Ms. Kara Helgemo, and Mr. Ryan Thomas
TIPS FOR LEARNING FROM HOME
SUGGESTED CLASSROOM AND FAPES SUPPLY LISTS
Pleasant Lake Elementary Elementary School Supply List
Please click on the button below to view a Pleasant Lake Elementary Suggested School Supply List for at-home learning.
Remember this is a SUGGESTED supply list for parents for students in grades K-2 and 3-5 while we are learning from home.
Teachers have other suggested school supply lists on our website, but those lists are primarily for face-to-face instruction.
SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE
EVERYTHING GOOGLE!
Parent Tech Support Submission Form
Technology Updates
Our Instructional Technology (IT) Team has been working diligently to support the issues that have come with Zoom for Chromebooks including the inability to see gallery view and the sound distortions. Yesterday afternoon we were able to get the Zoom App to install on the Chromebooks, which was previously not possible. We are hopeful that this will allow for students to see their entire class (gallery view) and will support a more positive audio and visual experience. When your child selects their Zoom link in the Google Classroom, they will automatically launch the Zoom App, eliminating the need to “join with browser."
Should your child continue to experience audio/visual issues, as an interim work around, please try having them turn off their camera unless they need to be working directly with the teacher or speaking to their class. They should not need to do this for the whole meeting, but muting their cameras will allow the Chromebook resources to focus on the audio, potentially cleaning up the student’s experience. Here is an easy to follow tutorial for parents!
Should you continue to have technical difficulties, please submit a tech support form (also found on the FOR PARENTS tab on our school website). Our IT Team will continue to support issues as they arise.
Family Chromebook/Device Troubleshooting
Thank you everyone for being patient as we embark on this new, unchartered “adventure”. We have been working through many beginning of the year bugs, glitches, and other tech issues. Below we have compiled some suggestions for families to try when their school chromebook and/or personal device is experiencing problems. We are also including several tips for teachers as well. Please share the Family portion with your community. These tips can also be found at https://sites.google.com/teachers.wlcsd.org/virtual-classroom-resources/chromebook-resources
Google Login Information
Families - You can now access your child’s Google login information via Skyward Family Access. It can be found on the Report Cards tab as the very top report. If you still do not see it, please use the emails below to contact our school. If you are a parent of a new Kindergarten student and don’t see your student login, please check back on Skyward in a day as we are continuing to process enrollments. Thank you!
WLCSD FOOD SERVICE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH
We are pleased to inform you that meals will be available to all Walled Lake Consolidated School District Students for the upcoming school year.
Please pre-order breakfasts and lunches by completing this Food Service Order Form. Forms must be submitted prior to midnight on Thursday, September 3rd for the week of September 8th.
This is available for all scheduled school days for registered Walled Lake Consolidated School District Students only. Anyone may pick up meals for your student(s).
Pick up locations will be at the three high schools on Monday August 31st between the hours of 12 P.M. and 1:30 P.M.
Breakfast Pricing
$1.25 Full Pay
$0.30 Reduced
$0.00 Free
Lunch Pricing
$2.85 Full Pay
$0.40 Reduced
$0.00 Free
- Breakfast is free for students who received a free meal approval letter, $0.30 per day for those who received a reduced meal approval letter and $1.25 per day for those who are full pay.
- Lunch is free for students who received a free meal approval letter, $0.40 per day for those who received a reduced meal approval letter, and $2.85 per day for those who are full pay.
We would like to limit cash transactions. It is preferred that you place money on your students account via family access through e-funds. We are unable to make change for cash transactions but we will apply change to your student's account.
Please direct questions you may have to our Food Services Department.
ALL K-12 FAMILIES MUST COMPLETE
Walled Lake Schools has streamlined the annual registration/first-day packet process for ALL K-12 families. The District will be using the Family Access/Skyward system to automate the process for updating and completing documents such as the emergency card, Food Service application, FERPA form, fee payments, Code of Conduct, and other important annual school forms that require parent approval.
A Skyward Family Access parent account is required in order to complete the Online Back-to-School Packet process for all schools. (A parent account username is alphanumeric - SMITHMAD000; a student account username is the student's ID number - 1234567.) To obtain a Family Access account, email familyaccess@wlcsd.org from your email account on file with the district or call 248-956-2190 (email is best). Please include ALL of the following information in the body of your message. You will be contacted within 3 business days.
- Guardian Name
- Your student name(s) and name of schools they attend in Walled Lake Schools
- Guardian's email address currently on file with the district
- Daytime phone number
Questions and Support
If you are having trouble with Back-to-School packet, please visit the Troubleshooting & FAQ page. If you are still having issues, please contact familyaccess@wlcsd.org. Be sure to include your name, the student's name, and the specific question you may have.
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 PHONE NUMBER
248.956.2800
Nayal Maktari
Principal nayalmaktari@wlcsd.org
Missy Mergner
Principal's Secretary melissamergner@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'.