Defer Dragon's Burning News
Friday, January 10
From the Principal
It was a busy week at Defer! It was exciting to see all the lunchtime enrichment opportunities for the students this week. Thank you to all the volunteers for making many different classes available to the students this year.
Next week, NWEA testing starts for some classes. Please check with your child's teacher for more information about the date and time for testing. The Student Leadership Team will also host our Town Hall meeting to celebrate student accomplishments. The Town Hall is scheduled for Wednesday, January 15th at 8:45 am.
We also need your help at drop off and pick up on Kercheval and Nottingham. Please do not park and exit your vehicle during drop off or pick up on Kercheval or Nottingham. Both Kercheval and Nottingham are "stop, drop, and go" zones! Additionally, during drop off and pick up, for the safety of the students please have your child enter and exit the car on the sidewalk side, without walking into the street. Your help will create a safer experience for all students and families at Defer.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Dr. Rheaume
District Information Nights - Mark your calendar for 2020!
January is the GPPSS month of Information Nights:
High School (for parents of incoming 9th graders next fall ) – Wednesday, 1/15/19
Multi-Age Info Night – Thursday, 1/16/20, 6:30 p.m., Richard Elementary Library, 176 McKinley
Middle School Info Night (previously scheduled for January 14) is being postponed until more curricular recommendations work through the district reconfiguration committees. The new date is anticipated in early March and will be announced soon.
Office News
Cold Weather Reminder
Defer students go outdoors for recess two times each day throughout the school year, unless it's raining hard or the windchill is below zero degrees Fahrenheit. Please be sure that your child leaves for school dressed properly for the weather. It might also be helpful to keep an extra set of clothes in your child's locker in case clothes get wet during recess fun.
Please dress your child with a hat and gloves and a winter coat and snowpants when the weather is cold. We also ask that you write your child's name on his or her gloves, hats, boots, coat and snowpants. Our Lost and Found fills up quickly!
BEGINNING OF THE DAY
Please remember to use our 24 hour attendance line at 313-432-4001 to report your child's absence. Thank you.
END OF THE DAY
Our dismissal bell rings at 3:38. Please make sure your child knows his/hers after school plans in the morning when you drop off. The only after school care available is Kids Club. Check out Defer's website for more information. If you need to change pick up plans, please call the office before 3:15 pm to make sure your child receives the message before the end of the school day.
Lunchtime Volunteers
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0445A5A72DA4FB6-defer
If you have not already filled out the Defer Volunteer Release Inquiry form, please click the link below, fill out and submit it prior to your volunteer date.
https://gpschools.formstack.com/forms/ichatdefer
Thank you so much!
Parents for Unity in Diversity
Dear GP Community!
Our Parents For Unity In Diversity Committee is happy to announce that the district-wide parent meetings for this year will take place on Jan. 28th (in the Mason Elementary Library) and April 13th (in the Defer Elementary Library) from 6-7:30 pm. The meetings will be facilitated by Ginni Winters and the topic of our conversations will be centered around how we can help our community heal and become better during this time of transition for all our students. We are asking all participants to come prepared to brainstorm ways we can make our community better for everyone involved. Please consider joining us for these rich conversations; our students and community deserve it!
School Crossing Information
Please contact Dr. Rheaume if you have any questions or would like more information about the survey or the Safe Routes to School committee.
PTO News
Tuesday Jan. 14:
Monthly PTO Meeting, 7 p.m.
PTO will meet in the Defer Library beginning at 7 p.m. Everyone is invited & we offer childcare in partnership with Pierce NJHS students. Please sign up for childcare here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0b4dacaf28a2fd0-january
Planning Meeting for Multicultural Festival
Trombly Elementary PTO has invited Defer to participate in their annual International Festival and there is another planning meeting to prep for the upcoming event! Please join the organizers at Park Grill. Have questions, contact organizer Renee at gobluerb@yahoo.com.
Thursday Jan. 16
Trombly-Defer Roller Skating Party
Trombly Elementary PTO has invited Defer families for their second roller skating party this school year. It's at Great Skate in Roseville. The cost is $4, which includes skate rental. We hope to see you there!
Friday Jan. 31
Multicultural Festival
Trombly Elementary PTO has invited Defer to participate in their annual International Festival--THANK YOU! The festival is from 5-8 p.m. at Trombly. Anyone wishing to help with planning & organization of this year's event is should contact organizer Renee at gobluerb@yahoo.com.
Friday Feb. 7
Defer Family Bingo Night
All Defer students & their families are invited for an evening of bingo games with prizes in the gymnasium. Each student receives 3 bingo sheets, parents may purchase a bingo sheet for $1; pizza and snacks are available for purchase at cost. More information coming soon.
Thursday March 5
Gizmo Game Night
Join Defer families for a night of engaging game play! More details with the schedule and information coming soon.
Defer Upcoming Events
January 14th - Monthly PTO Meeting - 7pm in the Library
- Planning Meeting for Multicultural Event - Park Grill
January 16th - Trombly & Defer Roller Skating Party - Great Skate - 6-8 pm
January 17th - HALF DAY - Student Dismissal @ 11:36 am
January 20th - MLK DAY - NO SCHOOL
January 31 - Multicultural Festival 5-8pm @ Trombly
7 Habits of Happy Kids
Defer Elementary School
Our Vision: One GP → where everyone learns, every day
Our Mission: Promote Innovation → Maximize Potential → Embrace Community
Email: rheauml@gpschools.org
Website: https://mi01000971.schoolwires.net/gpdefer
Phone: 313-432-4000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GPDefer/
Twitter: @GPDefer