Brewster Weekly
4.30.21
We are here to do good things for our students, our coworkers, and our community.
We represent qualities such as caring, sharing, connection, integrity, and excellence.
Our culture mirrors those attributes. Let’s continue to make our school the best place to work and learn where everyone is inspired to be the best they can be. What we do, we do well.
Let’s keep the courage to shape a better future for our students.
Teacher and Ancillary Staff Appreciation
Our Brewster Elementary School community is invited to share their appreciation next week. Please see the PTA Update for ideas that may be a match to support sharing your appreciation with those that support your child's academic and social emotional growth and development!
Breakfast and Lunch Menus!
Calendar Updates
Dates to Plan For:
MSTEP Testing Window and IReady Testing Window Continues
May 3-7 TEACHER, ANCILLARY STAFF, COUNSELOR APPRECIATION WEEK
TUESDAY is the recognized APPRECIATION DAY, we just like to spoil everyone for a week! More information sent soon
May 5: Walk/Bike to School Day
May 7: NO SCHOOL- this is a recent update.
May 24: Authors In April Week!
May 31: Memorial Day, No School
June 1: Science Day!
June 7: Fifth Grade Farewell ( Mr. Golden's Class- See Information Below)
June 8: Fifth Grade Farewell (Ms. Perry's Class- See Information Below)
June 9: Half-Day Last Day for ALL BREWSTER BULLDOGS!!
Spring Testing
April, 2021
Dear Third, Fourth, and Fifth Grade Parents,
M-STEP testing is right around the corner. We would like to share some important information with you regarding the testing window, along with how you can help your child be ready to do their best.
· The M-STEP testing window is April 12th through May 21st. It is of the utmost importance for students to be present during the testing days.
o 4th grade will test April 26th-May 7th
o 3rd grade will test April 26th-May 7th
· Students do their best when they have had a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast and lunch.
· Students will be given periodic breaks during the testing.
· For portions of the test, students will need a headset/ear buds that have a cord to connect to the Chromebook. Your child is welcome to bring their own. Please label the cord with masking tape and place in a Ziploc bag with the student’s name. No attached microphones are allowed.
Thank you so much for your cooperation and assistance!
5th Grade Farewell Planning in Full Swing!
Due to mitigation and current Covid Protocols for cohorts at Brewster, we will celebrate our 5th graders as individual classrooms during two morning celebrations.
June 7: Mr. Golden's Class
June 8: Ms. Perry's Class
- Guests will be invited into our gym/cafeteria at 8:45 am with the farewell ceremony beginning at 9am. Our celebration is anticipated to last approximately 30-45 minutes.
- Each student will be allowed 2 adult guests only. There will be assigned seating and masks will be required for all students and guests.
- Weather permitting a 15 minute picture opportunity will be given outside before our fifth graders will be required to return back to their classrooms for the remainder of their day.
- Our celebrations will be live streamed or recorded to share with guests not in attendance.
- 5th Grade Virtual Campus students are encouraged and welcome to attend. Please email Mrs. Dessy to confirm the date you will be joining to celebrate your fifth grader. kdessy@rochester.k12.mi.us
Congratulations to all of our 5th graders AND families for their dedication, diligence, and personal accomplishments through a unique and challenging year.
Once a Bulldog, Always a Bulldog!!
Brewster Elementary School
PTA News
Brewster PTA Update
Teacher Appreciation Week and Other Activities
May 2 - Families are invited to use chalk to decorate Brewster’s sidewalks with encouraging words and pictures for our teachers.
May 3 - Students can bring in a note and a flower for their teacher today or any day this week. If you would like to use a template for your child’s note, here’s one to try Teacher Appreciation Note Template
May 4 - The PTA is bringing in lunch for our teachers. Carnival Market Street Food had generously offered to donate ALL the lunches!
May 5 - Walk or Bike to School day and a Book sale!
Authors in April Book sales will be set up near the Brewster Road bike racks from 7:45 – 8:15AM. Cash or Check only please. Authors in April In Person Book Sale. You can also order Authors in April books by using this link https://www.brewsterauthorsinapril.com/
Can Drive
Start saving your empties! The Green School Committee is holding a can drive to raise funds for the Brewster PTA. New date to be announced soon.
1st Day School Supply
It's hard to think about school supply shopping already. That is why we are so excited to announce our continued partnership with 1st Day School Supplies! This year, 1st Day School Supplies is going to help parents and teachers get the exact supplies needed for next school year without the headache of last minute shopping with everyone else. The kits are made from lists approved by Brewster teachers at all grade levels. On top of that they are offering all the accessories we need including Vera Bradley, JanSport, and Under Armour backpacks, lunch boxes and water bottles! So this year avoid the "germy" experience of back to school shopping at retailers and shop online with confidence knowing you are getting the exact supplies your teacher requested. Order 1st Day School Supplies Here
Questions about the PTA?
Check out our website https://rhillsbrewsterpta.membershiptoolkit.com/ or email brewsterptapresident@gmail.com
Community COVID-19 Testing
Community COVID-19 testing, May 2 from 12 – 6 p.m. at Rochester High School
Optional drive-up COVID-19 testing will be offered on Sunday, May 2, from 12 – 6 p.m. at Rochester High School, 1361 Walton Blvd., Rochester Hills.
Testing is provided as a community courtesy through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), in a partnership with the Oakland County Health Division (OCHD). Rochester Community Schools is the host site. Honu Management Group will provide diagnostic testing through an MDHHS contract.
Any community member may participate and there are no out-of-pocket expenses. Individuals will remain in their car for the duration of the testing. Advance registration is preferred using the following link: http://honumg.info/RochesterHS.
The testing process should be completed within an hour, depending on the number of participants. Once the nasal swab is administered and the specimen is collected, individuals will receive their rapid results within 20-30 minutes via email and/or text, according to their preference.
Both rapid antigen and molecular PCR tests will be available. Trained personnel will determine which test is required based on personal circumstances. If a person requires a confirmatory PCR test, the specimen will be sent to the Michigan Bureau of Labs for analysis, and results can be expected within 48-72 hours.
This MDHHS pilot program offers the opportunity for optional COVID-19 testing in high-demand areas, such as school districts like RCS. A convenient pop-up testing location allows families to make informed personal decisions about their own health and safety.
The MDHHS expects to offer another post-spring break testing opportunity at an RCS location for interested individuals. Testing remains optional and details will follow.
The Greater Rochester community is invited to take advantage of this opportunity. An additional testing will be available on Sunday, May 16, from 12- 6 p.m. The location is still to be determined.
Click here for a printable flyer with QR code and MAP:
WELCOME NEW KINDERGARTEN FAMILIES!
Hello and Welcome to our Incoming TK/ Kindergarten Families,
Welcome to RCS and expressing interest in our Brewster Kindergarten program. We are excited to welcome our youngest Brewster Bulldogs into our school community! It is always an exciting and emotional time. It’s very important to register as soon as you are ready to be included in school communications, to support planning for the fall, and to begin forming relationships with our Brewster community.
Online registration is open and our student enrollment team is available to assist with any questions families have with the process.
Student Enrollment Link: https://www.rochester.k12.mi.us/about-us/departments/dept-enrollment
The Brewster kindergarten teachers hosted a brief presentation to share a snapshot of the life of a kindergarten student at Brewster and begin our journey together. The link below is available for families to review.
Families will be able to view the presentation at this link: https://youtu.be/eefCAnlBerg
Families also may consider watching this district informational video at any time: https://www.rochester.k12.mi.us/academics/curriculum/tkkindergarten
Should you have any questions, we are here to support! We understand current Covid Health protocols keep us from having an event at school; however, should we be able to, we will do our best to offer opportunities in the future to invite families in to our beautiful school. Another great reason to enroll early and participate in those opportunities should they be able to be planned!
Please reach out to our teachers or myself using the contact information below with any questions after viewing the presentations provided. We look forward to the magic and excitement the transitional kindergarten and kindergarten year offers! Welcome to RCS and Brewster Elementary!!
Kindergarten Teacher, Ms. Colleen Devlin: cdevlin@rochester.k12.mi.us
Kindergarten Teacher, Ms. Jennifer Schneider: jschneider@rochester.k12.mi.us
Transitional Kindergarten Teacher, Mrs. Lauren Barterian: lbarterian@rochester.k12.mi.us
Principal, Mrs. Kelly Dessy: kdessy@rochester.k12.mi.us, 248-726-3300
Wishing you well and sharing in Brewster Pride,
Mrs. Dessy
RCS KINDERGARTEN INFORMATION
Career Connections April Newsletter
Media Update by Mrs. O'Rourke April 2021
Authors in April in May
We are excited to announce that we will be having our authors visit Brewster on May 24th this year, but it will look different. This is the plan we have in place right now: Authors will share part of their presentation through a recorded video shared during media class before their visit. During the live portion, on May 24th , all students will be part of a Zoom call from the Media Center & a small group of students will be part of a panel discussion for a ‘Q&A’.
If a student would like to be on the panel there are two things they may do:
1. Enter & win the bookmark contest; Create a bookmark inspired by their author. (See attachment.) Winning bookmarks will be signed by their author, copied for their grade & the student will be able to be part of the panel discussion if they would like.
2. Enter & win the speech contest to introduce their Author. (See attachment.)
*Students may get a copy of these forms at school. You do not need to print them at home. J
As with many activities during COVID, we’ve had to make adjustments & we plan on having just as much fun celebrating these great authors & illustrators as we always do!
To that end, All students will participate in an Author parade outside the school at the end of the Author visit where they will show-off the lovely art they have made in Art class and get to see the author ‘in person’ at a safe distance. Although this is different for all of us, I am so happy our great Authors in April tradition continues & I can’t thank our amazing volunteer team of Mrs. Sobczack & Mrs. Banks enough for the work they’ve been doing all year!!
Books will be signed in school, just like in the past & your child may still purchase books through this link. Signed books will be returned within a week (more info to come.)
If you are still in need of some of these fun books; Don’t worry! You may come to school Fri. April 16th from 3:30-4:15 at the bike rack or buy them online here:
Brewster Media Center Library is on Twitter, please follow us! https://twitter.com/brewster_mc
Brewster Specials Team is on Facebook !
https://www.facebook.com/Brewster-Elementary-Specials-Art-Library-Music-Phys-Ed-107405554261016
Stay Connected!
Email: kdessy@rochester.k12.mi.us
Website: https://www.rochester.k12.mi.us/pages/319/brewster
Location: 1535 Brewster Road, Rochester Hills, MI, USA
Phone: 248-726-3300
Twitter: @BrewsterRCS