Defer Dragon's Burning News
December 1, 2017
From the Principal
Dear Defer Families,
It has been a pleasure watching your children learn and grow during the first card marking. Our Defer Dragons have grown socially, emotionally, and academically over the past few months. When you receive your child's report card next week, please keep in mind that all children progress at different rates. The report card benchmarks are the end of the year goals for our students. Report cards and conferences are just a snapshot of your learner's progress. I cannot wait to see how your children continue to learn and lead at Defer. I look forward to seeing everyone at parent-teacher conferences next week and to our continued collaboration with your family.
Please let us know how we can help support you and your child during their educational journey. Thank you for your continued support!
"Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all." ~ Aristotle
Sincerely,
Dr. Rheaume
Follow Defer on Twitter (@GPDefer) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/GPDefer/)
Defer's Family Flag
The Defer Staff would like to invite each family to create a Family Flag! Each flag will be unique just like each of our families at Defer! We want to celebrate all families.
Your child should have brought home a flyer (attached below) with instructions. We will have plenty of blank flags available for you to pick up next week during Parent/Teachers at our Family Flag table.
We will have a Family Flag Night, Wednesday, January 10th at 6:30 if you'd like to bring your family to Defer's gym to create your flag.
All flags should be returned to your child's teacher by January 12th.
Office News
ATTENDANCE INFO
We all run late occasionally, but please remember to sign your child in at the office upon arriving to school. Your child will then take an arrival slip to his/her teacher. At this time, your child's attendance will be updated. When this step is forgotten, an automated unexcused absence call is generated.
Thank you for your help!
RECESS IN COLD WEATHER
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.
Please dress your child with a hat and gloves and a winter coat when the weather is frigid. We also ask that you write your child's name on his or her gloves, hats, boots and coat. 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 rather than an email to his/her teacher. There are times a teacher is out of the building for meetings, or simply sick at home and will not see your email in a timely matter.
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 their prices.
Leader in Me Family Information
Dear Defer families,
As the school year progresses, your child continues to learn the language and meaning of the 7 Habits. When we work together to use the same language both at home and at school, we are sending the important message that we are on the same team- which is a partnership to help each and every child succeed.
Below is a summary of each of the 7 Habits:
Habit 1: Be Proactive (You’re in Charge)
Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind (Have a Plan)
Habit 3: Put First Things First (Work First, Then Play)
Habit 4: Think Win-Win (Everyone Can Win)
Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood (Listen Before You Talk)
Habit 6: Synergize (Together is Better)
Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw (Balance Feels Best)
The family friendly video below celebrates the Combs’ school’s journey. We know that our children are learners and leaders. Let’s work together to support them on this journey.
We are excited about cultivating leadership at Defer!
Third Grade Retention Law
Please check out the link below for the parent letter describing this new law.
Defer PTO
Check out the information from the Defer PTO! Click on each of the links below for more information:
Defer Directory--if you paid for it earlier this year, it'll be arriving home this week! If you did not pay but are still interested, please send in either a check made out to Defer PTO or cash in an envelope labeled with 'Directory' & your child's name to the office. The cost is $10.
The Craft Fair is this Saturday, Dec. 2 starting at 9 a.m. Additionally, the Scholastic Book Fair will open Saturday morning as well. The book fair is in the library and will be open throughout next week. Student Leadership Team will be operating a baked goods/coffee stand Saturday morning as well & Defer Spirit Wear will have a table with samples. Stop by to check out what's new!
We are still in need of volunteers for both the Craft Fair and Book Fair. Please sign-up below to help!
- Help at Craft Fair: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0845a8ac28aafc1-defer9
- Help with Book Fair: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c48acae2babf49-december
Defer Spirit Wear--All orders placed by Sunday Dec. 10 will include free gift-bagging and home delivery. This means gifts will be ready for the giving without any wrapping! Online orders may be placed here: https://gpschools.formstack.com/forms/deferspiritwear
Box Tops: The first class to earn a popcorn party for Box Top Collection was Mrs. High's first grade. They celebrated earlier this week. Mrs. Mannino & Mrs. Morris' class also earned a party. Classrooms earn a popcorn party for every 500 box tops collected. Please send any box tops you collect in with your child in an envelope or sealable bag to help Defer!
We are looking for more clinic volunteers to help out mid-day with providing band-aids and ice packs during lunch recess. This is a SIBLING-FRIENDLY volunteer post with a view of the playground! Mrs. Hines was kind enough to allow us to photograph her during her hour. It's from 11:30-12:30 p.m. daily. Contact parveensiddiqui@comcast.netfor additional information.
Library News
The Young 5's and Kindergarteners have been doing some research on Farm Animals in the library. Grade 2 is working on an adaptation of the book Old Black Fly. Each student will have their own page to write and illustrate for our library. The librarians look forward to seeing you at our fabulous Defer Book Fair next week.
Please click on our Library Link below for more information:
December Digital Library PicksUpcoming Events at Defer
December 2 - Defer PTO Craft Fair 9am - 1pm (registration closed)
December 5 - Town Hall Meeting @ 9:30 am
Report Cards Distributed
December 6 - Evening Parent/Teacher Conferences
December 7 - AM School Only
December 7 - Afternoon and Evening Parent/Teacher Conferences
December 12 - Winter Vocal Music Concert -Grades 1, 3 with 3/4 Split, 5 and Choir @Pierce 7:00pm
December 25 - January 2nd Winter Break
January 10 - Family Flag creating in Defer's gym @6:30 pm
January 12 - Family Flags due
January 15 - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day NO SCHOOL
January 19 - AM School Only
Defer Spirit Wear
- The Defer Elementary PTO is pleased to offer on-line ordering for all your Defer Dragon wearables. What a great way for you and your Dragon show your Dragon pride.
- All orders placed via the Spirit Store will be delivered to Defer Elementary School.
- If you have any questions about the items offered, please feel free to send your questions to – defer.spirit.store@gmail.com
- All purchases are safely processed through PayPal
- https://gpschools.formstack.com/forms/deferspiritwear
Stay Informed by...
- Reading the weekly Defer Dragon's Burning News
- Check out the Defer Elementary Homepage for updates to the calendar and other information
- Follow us on Twitter @GPDefer, @DeferElementary (PTO), and Facebook- DeferElementaryPTO
7 Habits of Happy Kids
Grosse Pointe Public Schools
Our Vision: One GP → where everyone learns, every day
Our Mission: Promote Innovation → Maximize Potential → Embrace Community
Defer Elementary School
Email: rheauml@gpschools.org
Website: www.gpschools.org/defer
Location: 15425 Kercheval Avenue, Grosse Pointe Park, MI, United States
Phone: 313-432-4000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GPDefer/
Twitter: @GPDefer