Mustang Messenger
2020-2021 School Year: Volume 34: Week of May 24th
Be the Best YOU at Grandview!!!
End of the Year Excitement
Dear Families,
It is the end of the year. We have made it. We are down to three weeks, 13 1/2 days, and 2 more Mustang Messengers. There is a lot of fun happening at Grandview. We have lots of fun activities on the horizon. Career Week is next week (June 1-4). a smaller scale Field Day on Monday, June 7th, 5th grade graduation, and end-of-the-year excitement for all classes. All of these events require lots of effort, planning and time by teachers and our students. Please join us in supporting our teachers as they attempt to close out this very unconventional year.
Though we know that closure is important for everyone as we wrap up this year. Teachers are finding ways to close out this school year for the students. Some classrooms are doing socially distant fun activities for their students. Others are putting things together to give when families pick-up their belongs. Finally, some are organizing fun and virtual things to do with their students during Google Meet and with their learning activities. In the end, we want to do the best we can to celebrate with your child how proud we are of the level of engagement that Grandview students have shown each week during unprecedented year that was filled with lots of changes.
So lets end strong. Three more weeks of learning and we want 100% engagement and participation of all Grandview students. We can do this!!!!
Let's make it another great week at Grandview!!!
Your Proud Principal,
Melissa Carruth, Ed.S
Another Week of Learning!!
Let the planting begin
Kinder Preparers
1st grade planter
5th grade Leaders
Get down to the root
Weed around the garden
How To Writers
Site Word Scavenger Hunt
Math Games
Important Info to support your children at home
Do you have a graduate in your home? If so, mark your calendar....
Do you have a kindergartner in your home?
- Due to COVID protocols that will stay in effect through the remainder of the school year, we have decided to do all kindergarten graduation celebrations within the classroom with the teacher and students. There will be momentos, keepsakes, and photos sent home to commemorate this milestone with your child and to celebrate your child's success in kindergarten. No need to mark anything on your calendar, just keep checking that backpack!!!
Do you have a 5th grader in your home?
- If so, mark your calendar for the following events.......A virtual graduation on Thursday, June 10th at 9:30 am. The Google Meet link will be shared with you closer to the day. Friday, June 11th, there will be a school clap-out for our 5th graders. We will have the 5th graders walk around the school OUTSIDE for one last time. The students, in other classrooms, will be socially-distanced around the school and will be cheering the 5th graders, out of the school, on their last day. Parents may come up to school and stand and participate in this tradition. They can clap their children out too. Please remember that parents may not come into the building, but they may take their child home after the clap-out. Finally, a 5th grade graduation parade for Friday, June 11th at 1:00. The parade will leave from Botsford and will follow the Homecoming route to the middle school. This year, Grandview will lead the parade and Botsford will end the parade. The parade route is below. Please invite others to join us and cheer on our 5th graders along the path!!! Details to follow soon. So get those decorations ready and let's have some fun!!
4th & 5th-Grade Reproductive Health
Reproductive Health Virtual Parent Meeting, May 25th @ 5 PM
Please be sure to read the informational letter outlining the Reproductive Health Curriculum that will be implemented on Friday, May 28th to our Grandview Elementary 4th & 5th-Grade students. The letter was sent home with your child last week or shared virtually. In case you did not see the letter, below is an attachment of the letter.
There will be a virtual parental discussion meeting held on Tuesday, May 25th @ 5 PM. This meeting will provide our families from Botsford & Grandview Elementary the opportunity to understand the content that will be provided to your student(s) & allow for questions to be asked. Please use the link information below to access/enter the parent meeting. There will also be a sign-up schedule for parents or guardians that wish to view the videos in advance of your children.
https://zoom.us/j/96874160893?pwd=WUJwVm4wTW9IalR6cENBaXlLRGNvUT09
Meeting ID: 968 7416 0893
Passcode: 185721
Summer Learning Details FOR ALL STUDENT
Over these next 3 weeks, you will be receiving lots of information to ensure that learning will be happening for ALL Clarenceville students over the summer.
First, we have Kids Read Now for ALL K-4 Clarenceville Students over the summer. 6 reading level specific books will be sent to ALL Clarenceville homes for your child to ensure that the students are reading over the summer. Each book will include a discovery sheet for general information, as well as, a digital parent guide to help support your child with reading comprehension skills. Students that engage in this program will receive rewards and celebrations from me when they return to school in the fall. We will also be calling families throughout the summer to ensure that you are receiving the books. So if you have moved, please be sure Ms. Tammy has your correct address!! More information to come on this!!!
Chromebook Return
Thank you to the families that have already turned in their Chromebooks, but there are still 84 face-to-face Chromebooks that need to be returned. We are giving a popsicle reward to the classrooms that get all of their Chromebooks returned. Ms. Chirunga's class was the first class that got to enjoy popsicles. We can do this Grandview families!!!
Elementary In-Person
Begin collecting in-person chromebooks now through June 1.
ALL elementary CVA
If they are virtual, there will be a drop off day for those families. We are in the process of developing our drop-off schedule.
All Chromebooks are returned to the office to be checked in so that all necessary paperwork can be updated. Remember that there was a contract signed, so families are responsible for any damaged computers or Chromebooks not returned.
Grandview Garden -- We Need HELP!!
In order to make this a community garden, we need your help. We are looking for the following help:
- Lawn bag donations (just drop the bags off at the GV office)
- Weed, weed, and more weeding. You can be on the school property outside during the school day for weeding. We have lawn bags stashed outside to help support GV families that can come up and help weed. You can also be on school property in the evening and on the weekend, if you are helping to weed. All of our students know how to recognize a weed and how to get to the root of the weed!!
Please remember that the Grandview garden is a community garden. It is open to everyone in the Grandview community!
Yearbooks
Mrs. Hayes and Mrs. Thomas did a wonderful job including all of our students, even if they were virtual learners all year. The yearbooks feature both our Grandview Virtual students, as well as, our face-to-face students. #allmeansall
Schools of Choice Application is OPEN!!!
A few answers to a few questions you may have about Schools of Choice.....
- You do not have to fill out a Schools of Choice application each year. Once you are accepted, you are part of the Clarenceville Community.
- If your child is going up to the Middle School, you do not need to fill out a Schools of Choice application. Again, once you are accepted, you are part of our district, not just the school.
- I have been at Grandview and want to stay and I am afraid to fill out the application and not get accepted. Reach out to me and let me know that you are filling out an application. I will do everything to work with Mr. Shepich to have your application accepted.
- If your child attended preschool or GSRP at Grandview and you live out of the district, you STILL need to fill out a Schools of Choice application. Attending those programs did not require you to fill out a Schools of Choice application.
- When do you "accept" Schools of Choice? It is unlimited, so you should not have a problem getting into the district and there should be space for your child. Just be timely in completing your registration.
- If I fill out my application, will I have to go to Botsford. We do not want to have to move students that are already established in a school community. So please specify on the form which school you want your child to attend.
In the end, DO NOT miss the deadline. If you do and you live outside of the district, you will not be able to attend Grandview for the 2021-2022 school year.
MI-STAR Can we count on you?? -- Back OPEN
There was only 25% response rate, therefore we need to re-open this document. Please know that this response is not to lock you into a selection, but allow for us to have a general idea of where our families mindset is at for coming back to school and interested in face-to-face instruction or virtual instruction.
The Mistar Parent survey is available in Mistar. We would like all Grandview families to login to their parent portal and click on the red " Can we Count on You?". Please see the below picture to help you to navigate this request. Each of your students will be listed, answer the questions and click submit for each student. This helps us with planning and hearing where your comfort level is with face to face learning in the fall or are you still interested in virtual learning opportunities.
Enrollment for the 2021-2022 School Year
- One button, entitled Schools of Choice, is for people who do not live in district, but would like to enroll their child into the Clarenceville School District for the 2021-2022 school year. Please note that new to the process this year is that parents must send an affirmation of discipline record form to the school their child most recently attended and that school must return the form to our central office. The form is found on the schools of choice webpage.
- The other button, entitled Pre-enrollment, is for incoming kindergarten in-district families or new families that moved into the district.
- The third button is entitled Kindergarten. This is to guide you through the kindergarten enrollment process. Note.....If you are an incoming kindergarten family, that does not live in the district, you still need to fill out the Schools of Choice forms, even if you have another child attending Grandview. After you have your forms completed, you need to supply the Grandview office with the necessary residency documentation. Questions on any of these enrollment forms, please contact the Grandview main office.
Upcoming Assessment Dates and Information
There are lots of state and districts assessments on the horizon.
M-STEP is over. We are just wrapping up with a few make-ups. Though NWEA is still happening for some classes this week. Also all students will be DIBELS benchark assessed this week.
April 26th-May 31st
All K-5 students will participate in the NWEA, DIBELS benchmark assessment and DIBELS and Math recovery progress monitoring.
Note for CVA Students
Given that your child is still attending school remotely, the State Board of Education has advised us that your child does not need to attend school solely for the purpose of state assessment, and will not be required to come into school for the sole purpose of taking the M-Step State Assessment. However, we are providing the opportunity for ALL students to take the M-Step Assessment. If you would like your child to take this assessment, they will be required to wear a mask while in school and will be spaced a minimum of 6ft. from other students. All COVID-19 protocols will be strictly adhered to. We will provide you with information about when and where your child should report for testing should you choose to do so. Your student will be asked to come in on the same days as the in-person students come to Grandview, but will be in different rooms to ensure cohorting can continue.
The Grandview office will be reaching out to you to set-up your testing day and time to come to Grandview for testing.
Third Grade Reading Law Update
In 2016, the Michigan Legislature passed a law that requires schools to identify learners who are struggling with reading and writing and to provide additional support. The law states that third graders may have to repeat third grade if they are more than one grade level behind based on their M-Step Reading scores. Below you will find specific questions and answers that will provide each family some understanding of the state law, Read By Grade Three (also known as PA 306). If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
The good news is that in looking at the preliminary data, Grandview 3rd graders were ROCK STARS with their Reading M-STEP!!! So proud of them!!!!
Be the "I" in Kind - SPREAD Kindness
The Clarenceville School District has displayed a "Be Kind Livonia" Banner at Shaw Stadium located at Clarenceville Middle School. We are encouraging our learning community to get behind & support this campaign by stopping by & taking a photo where "you" represent the "I" in KIND. Please share your picture on your social media accounts using the hashtag #BeKindLivona.
During a vital period of time, let us come together & spread KINDNESS throughout our school district & the city of Livonia. Mr. Shepich, Superintendent of the Clarenceville School District has challenged our learning community to have the MOST images posted on social media with the hashtag making the city aware that we support this campaign. SPREAD KINDNESS.
Individual #BeKindLivonia lawn signs will also be available to the public for a $20 donation, with proceeds supporting the Blessing Bag Project. Get your own Be Kind Livonia sign at the UPS Store #3011 on Five Mile at Newburgh.
COVID Update
The CDC has come out to make a few changes to mask wearing. They have stated that vaccinated people do not need to wear masks, as well as, mask wearing is not required outside.
Additionally, the CDC and the State of Michigan have stated for schools to continue to wear masks for the remainder of the school year. The Clarenceville School District is not making any changes to our mask protocols. We know our protocols are working and that are students are safe. Therefore, our students will still wear their masks at recess and outside for arrival and dismissal. Also, almost all of the Grandview staff are fully vaccinated. Though our staff will continue to stay masked both inside and outside of school, even though they are vaccinated.
Thank you for supporting us down the home stretch. We do not want to interrupt the great things that are happening at Grandview to ensure our students stay safe.
Kindergarten Registration
Looking for new Kindergarteners or Junior Kindergarteners for this fall!
If you have a child who will be five years old by December 1, 2021, he/she may be eligible for Kindergarten or Junior Kindergarten next fall. Please complete the Round Up Registration form online by visiting this link https://forms.gle/tRdGGq6FchLFjYF77. Please pass this link along to friends and neighbors who have a future Kindergarten student but do not have siblings at Grandview.
For Questions, contact the Grandview Office: 248-919-0404
Grandview Virtual Parent Cafe -- Monthly FOG event
This Tuesday, May 25th at 6:00 pm, is our next VIRTUAL PARENT CAFE!!! This session is our monthly technology training. This is the last technology resource for the year. Mrs. Frost, Grandview and Botsford informational tech teacher, will be leading us on this important work.
Click here for the Link for our Weekly Parent Meeting.......
When should I keep my student home??
Thank you to everyone for being so diligent in screening your child and keeping them home when symptoms appear. We also appreciate the transparency and communication with your classroom teacher and the office to ensure that it is safe to send your child to school.
Remember that if your child just has a runny nose or allergies, you can send them. We want our children in school learning as much as possible!
Free Breakfast and Lunch
On Friday, students will have a choice to bring two breakfast and lunch meals home with them from school. Your child can bring the meals home on the bus. Milk will be sent home too. This is a choice, but strongly encouraged as meals will be made for all parents. If you do not wish to have the food be brought home, please contact your student's teacher or contact the office so that we can put your child's name on the do not send list.
On Thursday, 7-day meal distributions will still happen at the High School. This is a great way for our CVA students to receive meals. Please remember if you cannot get up to school to pick-up your meals, please reach out to Grandview and we will deliver the meals to your home.
Meals for this week:
Monday: Breakfast: Cinnamon Breakfast Round, diced pears and milk
Lunch: Homemade Meatloaf on a bun, steamed corn, baby carrots, peaches, and milk
Tuesday: Breakfast: Lucky Charms with graham crackers, orange slices, and milk
Lunch: Breaded popcorn chicken with roll, california blend veggies, orange slices, and milk
Wednesday: Breakfast: Fluffy blueberry muffin with strong cheese, applesauce cup and milk
Lunch: Cheesy meatball sub spiced green beans, celery sticks, apple, and milk
Thursday: Breakfast: Mini cinnamon waffles, apple, and milk
Lunch: Grilled ham & cheese sandwich, crispy tater tots, cherry tomatoes, pears, and milk
Friday: Breakfast: Oatmeal chocolate chip breakfast round, orange slices and milk
Lunch: Classic pepperoni pizza, crinkle carrots, broccoli florets, fresh pear, and milk
Remember to also visit Food Service Website for up-to-date menu changes and to help with planning ahead.
Arrival and Dismissal
Please remember to stay in your car when you drop off and have your child sitting on the right side of the car so that it is easy for them to get out of the car and for the staff to assist the students. Also, please be patient as we will have more cars in the back and we will need to retrain everyone as we are back to five-day a week instruction.
If your child is a car rider, you should have a tag by now to hang in your car. If you have not received one, please reach out to the office or the classroom teacher. Displaying these in your car makes the process go by faster.
If your child is a walker, please put it in writing and send it in an email to myself and/or the teacher or a written note. Your child will be dismissed from the back with the car riders.
Remember that in the back, please form three lines to help us to get more cars through quicker and more efficient. Do not get out of the car, there will be staff on site to help get your child out of the car.
Bus Schedule
If your child is not riding the bus, they have to be dropped off and picked up in the back of the school. We will NOT allow for parent drop off before or after school. We need to monitor social distancing and that not occur if parent walk up is happening amongst our bussers.
School Attendance
For the students that are returning to school, attendance is taking two times a day. Students are marked tardy starting at 8:40. Please be timely so that absences do not add up.
Truancy laws will be upheld. Under State of Michigan legislation, truancy is defined as a child who has 10 or more unexcused absences per school year. If you are option 1 - hybrid remote, teachers will take a morning and afternoon attendance, just like in brick and mortar. If you are in option 2 - virtual academy. You have a little more flexibility, but daily contact with the teacher is still expected. You can still call into the attendance line to excuse your child, but please do not get yourself into trouble with attendance. Attendance is mandatory.
Spring Weather is HERE....Dress Appropriately
May is here and the weather is getting warmer! The playground can be muddy and we still would ask you to send boots (snow or rain) with your child. Be sure to send in another pair of shoes should your child's shoes get extremely muddy or wet.
We also are noticing that a lot of children are not wearing socks with their boots. Please be sure your child wears socks too!!
Also, please send the kids in layers as the temperature varies from the morning to the afternoons and we keep our windows open all day.
Grandview Parent Website
- Have you attended a Virtual Session and wanted resources from the session?
- Were you unable to attend a parent session, but wanted to gain some new learning?
If you answered yes to either, I would encourage you to check our Grandview Virtual Website. It is a website created just for Grandview families filled with a ton of resources for Grandview students. It is updated with each session that is held on Tuesday nights. So be sure to visit often.
Parent Support Learning Sessions
There are a ton of amazing sessions on super relevant and impactful session!!! I encourage you to take time out of your schedule to support yourself to support your children.
Take a look and let me know if you attend and what you learn!!!
Clarenceville District and Elementary Calendar
Tuesday Night Night
Grandview Sports
In the meantime, check out this great communication piece for our families!!
Important Dates and Upcoming Dates
May Calendar Events
27: Board of Education Meeting - Virtual @ 6:30 pm
28: 4th and 5th Grade Reproductive Health
31: No School -- Memorial Day
June Calendar Events
1-4: Career Awareness Week
7: Field Day
8: Field Day Rain Date
10: 5th grade virtual graduation ceremony @ 9:30 am
Board of Education Meeting - Virtual @ 6:30 pm
11: Last day of school -- 1/2-day for students
5th grade clap-out @ 11:00 am -- line up around the school, parents may NOT enter the building
5th grade car parade @ 1:00 -- starts at Botsford