Pleasant Lake Pleasantries
December 21, 2020
Together We Learn, Together We Lead!
A MESSAGE FROM OUR SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Dear WLCSD Families,
Gratitude is the word of the day in Walled Lake Schools. We are grateful for our Board of Education and our Board of Education President Greg Janicki who presided over his last Board meeting last night. Thank you Mr. Janicki for 12 years of dedicated service to our District. We are thankful for all of the holiday giving projects in each of the Walled Lake Schools and the District offices and other programs as well. The generosity we see is an outpouring of kindness that extends to everyone in our District. Please see this list of giving projects in WLCSD this season.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL UPDATES:
- Elementary Parent/Teacher Conferences have been changed to Jan. 28, 2021. As always, parents can contact and check in with teachers at any time via email using the District Staff Directory. This is the updated District Calendar with this change added.
MIDDLE SCHOOL/HIGH SCHOOL RETURN TO LEARN UPDATE:
- UPDATED FAQ- Middle School/High School Return to Learn
- Presentation on Middle School/High School Return to Learn.
- PARENT INFORMATION SESSION ON Middle School/High School Return to Learn
- Middle School & High School Mask Waiver – Due Dec. 18
- Middle School & High School Parent Safety Pact – Due Dec. 18
CONGRATULATIONS TO:
· WLW’s Model UN Club has best showing in school history
· WLC’s Sharpe named District 12 Soccer Coach of the Year
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS:
- The Monday, Jan. 18, Dr. Martin Luther King Celebration will be virtual, we hope to top our in-person attendance. This is an Invitation to share multicultural recipes and pictures for our MLK Day Virtual Celebration. We look forward to receiving your photos and recipes!
· The In-District Student Transfer Request Application period for the 2020-2021 school year will be open from Monday, Jan. 4, 2021 – Friday, Jan. 22, 2021. The In-District Student Transfer Request Application will be live on the District website beginning on Monday, Jan. 4, 2021.
- Give us your feedback on Fall Athletics: LINK to the Athletics Survey
ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT UPDATES:
- WLCSD COVID-19 dashboard
- Consider making a year-end tax deductible donation to the Foundation for Excellence - Walled Lake Schools. View the FFE You make the Difference message from community members advocating for FFE/WLCSD, and the Be Inspired message from Jen Phillips-Weckstein: WLCSD teacher, parent & FFE trustee.
- Food distribution is available for curbside pick-up on Mondays at WL Central and WL Western on Mondays including December 21 and December 28. WLCSD Food Flyer
- EasterSeals of Michigan - School-Based Behavioral Health Services -this is access to social emotional resources.
- Walled Lake seniors from all three high schools are encouraged to apply for a Legacy Scholarship - (Deadline Friday, Jan. 8, 2021)
- Girl Scouts Free Virtual Animal Dance Party (Wednesday, Jan. 6)
· Oakland County Schools’ Meal Distribution through Friday, Dec. 18. Oakland County School’s Holiday Food Distribution
- Scholarships for Success Award Program, available for seniors attending one of the Oakland Schools Technical Campuses (Deadline Friday, Feb. 12)
- Partnerships at Home: A Learning Series for Parents & Caregivers
- WLCSD Social Work Corner (Dec. 2020)
· Lakes Area Baseball Registration
- Mary Helen Guest needs your help reaching their goal of filling 100 bags of shoes, during their gently used Shoe Drive, the deadline to donate is extended to January. We have 93 bags – just need 7 more! Also, if any students need community service hours, please consider volunteering to help us pair shoes and sort into bags. Masks and gloves will be provided and it's easy to socially distance. If interested, email PTA president, Hillary Glaser, at hlglaser@gmail.com. They are also collecting pop cans if you’re looking for a place to donate yours. Lastly, consider ordering from Panda Express on Tuesday, Dec. 29. This link is national and we will get 28 %!
Thank you for your patience, understanding, and support as together we continue to navigate this global pandemic and provide educational services for our children.
Sincerely,
Kenneth Gutman
Superintendent of Schools
Important Pleasant Lake Updates
Dear Pleasant Lake Elementary Parents,
Below are some changes and reminders to continue to make the processes we have in place safe and more efficient.
Morning Drop Off
To accommodate the volume of vehicles we have in the morning, you can form two lanes once you’ve passed the bus loop. You will then merge into one lane once you pass the modular classrooms. It will be a similar process to Anchors Away.
We are adding the additional lane to accommodate the increase in the number of vehicles dropping off children.
Anchors Away Dismissal Process
We please need your help with the following:
- Take the time to help your child memorize their Anchors Away number at home
- Be sure that siblings wait for each other at the designated outdoor area
- Remind your child(ren) to look at all the way done the Anchors Away line if they don’t immediately see your vehicle
- Please remain in your vehicle and we will assist children, if needed, into your vehicle
- Please pull up to the right side of the line if you need some additional time to buckle your child into their car seat.
Safety Protocols
Please be sure to bring a Picture ID when coming to pick up your child from school. We have new staff members working in our main office and I’ve directed them to always ask for the Picture ID of anyone that they do not recognize prior to allowing them to enter our school.
Some of the before mentioned requests normally come with the start of each school year and others are new requests due to some of the changes we’ve made to keep our school community safe and healthy.
Lasty, please remember that school ends at 3:00 p.m. each Friday. We thank you for your continued support and patience.
Respectfully,
Nayal Maktari
PrincipalSCHOOLS OF CHOICE AND TRANSFER APPLICATONS
Monday, January 4th through Friday, January 22nd – Transfer Requests (District residents)
Monday, January 18th through Friday, February 5th – Schools of Choice (Non-District residents)
Please visit the our district website www.wlcsd.org following Winter Break to complete an application.
I strongly recommend that you complete an application if there is any possibility you may move but want to remain at Pleasant Lake Elementary. There is no penalty in completing one or both applications and not needing it in the future.
CHILDREN WILL NOT GO OUTDOORS IF THE FEEL LIKE TEMPERATURE IS 0 DEGREES OR BELOW
LIFETOUCH PICTURE DAY AND SPRING PICTURE DAY DATES
SPRING PICTURE DAY ON APRIL 13, 2021
We will share the format of picture day as we get closer to the before mentioned dates.
CONGRATULATIONS!
MR. A
MRS. JENNIFER ZANG
MRS. MARCIA SPONTELLI
MISS KARA HELGEMO
MRS. SUE HENDERLONG
MRS. SANDRA BRASZA
Pleasant Lake Elementary Pizza Kit Fundraiser
Dear Pleasant Lake Elementary Families,
The Pizza Kit Fundraiser will run through January 2nd!
To get started follow this link Registration to create your very own Seller page. You can customize your page, upload a video, create an avatar, and watch how many pizza kits you’ve sold. You’ll get your own special link to send to your friends and family so they can buy delicious pizza kits and support our fundraiser.
Pizza Kits will be delivered directly to their home by FedEx, so send the link to your out of state family and friends, too. Kits will be packaged with 2 reusable freezer packs and ship frozen and arrive either fully frozen or partially frozen. They can go directly in the freezer again when you receive them. You can even post your Seller link on your social media pages. Parents, this is where you come in. Your child has to register under your email. They will not be eligible for prizes under their student emails. Pizza kits can be shipped to anyone in the Lower 48 states. Cannot be shipped to Alaska or Hawaii.
We will have 3 tiers of prizes. But 1st we need to sell 250 pizza kits, that will be a simple task for PLE.
- Tier 1: Sell 5 pizza kits and get entered into a drawing to win a $10 Amazon Gift Card
- Tier 2: Sell 10 pizza kits and get entered into a drawing to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card
- Tier 3: Sell 25 pizza kits and get entered into a drawing to win a $50 Amazon Gift Card!!!
The more kits we sell the more prizes we can give away! 250 kits is just our goal. If we can double that number and sell 500 kits not only will we double our prize amounts but also do multiple name drawings for each tier!
Prizes will be awarded after the Holiday break. Don’t forget to buy some for yourself!
Thank you,
Dan Monkman, Pleasant Lake Elementary PTA President
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.
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
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
December
- 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'.