Pleasant Lake Pleasantries
February 15, 2021
Together We Learn, Together We Lead!
SCHOOL WILL BE CLOSED FEB. 15-19 AND REOPEN MONDAY, FEB. 22
A MESSAGE FOR OUR SUPERINTENDENT
Dear WLCSD Parents,
With children in all 19 of our schools, it is great to see the activity, creativity, and learning that is taking place, albeit with masks on and ever vigilant safety measures being taken. Thank you for your continued support as we consistently ensure our schools are safe. With Hickory Woods Elementary and some classrooms and programs around the District quarantining until after mid-winter break, our students and staff have shown great resiliency as they pivot to virtual learning to continue their academic, social, emotional, and physical learning. As always, we appreciate your patience and grace. The WLCSD COVID-19 Dashboard is updated daily on the District website to keep you informed.
CALLING ALL PERFORMERS (band, orchestra, theatre, choir, dance and more!)
WLCSD is proud to announce the Wonders of Walled Lake Virtual Talent Showcases which provides a great opportunity for our K-12 students to perform by offering a virtual showcase for their talent. The audition video submissions deadline is March 5. See the Wonders of Walled Lake Virtual Talent Showcase page for more information or contact Matt Weber.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PARENTS: Please complete the Third Semester Learning Path Selection Form for the final trimester which starts March 15. The form is due at 5:00 p.m. TODAY. Letter about this process.
- Please complete the Parent Pact: In-Person Safety Standards Please complete a separate pact for each of your elementary students who will be attending in-person learning for the final trimester which starts March 15. THE PARENT PACT IS DUE FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26 AT 5:00 p.m.
- Please complete the Face Mask Exemption Request Form Please complete only if your student has a medical condition that would prevent them from wearing a face mask while in school. THE EXEMPTION FORM IS DUE FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26 AT 5:00 p.m.
- Kindergarten Orientation: The Walled Lake Consolidated School District is hosting Virtual Kindergarten Orientation for the 2021-22 school year beginning on Monday, Feb. 8. Each of the 12 Walled Lake Elementary Schools will host individual Zoom meetings on Tuesday, March 2, 2021, at 6:00 p.m.
- Elementary Parent Timeline
- Prime Time Care – Space is available at each of the Prime Time Care programs. All of the same safety protocols have been instituted and our children are thriving.
Parents of senior athletes whose student has accepted a college invitation to play collegiate sports are requested to complete this Walled Lake Google Form for College Athletes. Signing Day events are being planned at each of the three high schools. Tentative dates for these recognition “Signing Day” events are: WL Central – MAY 11, WL Western – MAY 12 and WL Northern – MAY 19. More information will be sent to those participating.
Network Update:
ALL WLCSD network services will be unavailable 4:15 p.m.-6:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb, 12. This includes email, Skyward, and Family Access. Phones will be operational. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we perform necessary upgrades to our network infrastructure.
CONGRATULATIONS & THANK YOU TO:
- All of our kindergarten children and staff who celebrated the 100th day of school with a host of creative projects that merged math and literacy concepts.
- The committee that continues to work on programs for the Early Childhood Center that is under construction.
- The WLCSD PTAs and PTSA Council who conducted its annual Reflections creative expression program. Many WLCSD entries have been sent to the state Reflections program to be judged.
IMPORTANT DISTRICT LINKS:
- Wellness Wednesday topic – Is it ADD or Anxiety – Ways to Help Your Child. Wed., Feb. 17, 6:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
- Prime Time Care is available for before and after care – please visit our website, https://wlcsd.org/programs/prime-time-care/
- WLCSD Athletic Department is also launching ESports for middle and high school students. Please see this important communication and complete this form.
- Chromebook Distribution: At the WLCSD District Office, 850 Ladd Road, Bldg. D, Room 900, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (this will be open during the break week)
- WLCSD Food Distribution will be Monday, Feb. 16, 1:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. (this will be open during break)
- Submit a nomination for the Shining Star Award. The deadline is April 5.
- Purchase Tuition Expedition 50/50 Scholarship Raffle tickets! Your chance to win BIG and support WL Schools’ K-12 students! Details and official rules for 16th annual raffle. Need not be present to win.
- WLCSD PAC Newsletter
- Fundraiser for Glengary Elementary on Feb. 26. Nationwide Dine to Donate with Panda Express.
- Need a hand feeding your family? Neighbors want to help. Lasagna Love
- Lakes Area Community Coalition – Jan. 2021 Newsletter
- Lakes Area Youth Assistance Referral Form
IMPORTANT COMMUNITY LINKS:
- 2021 Passion for Life Run/Walk, Saturday March 27, 2021. Run Sign Up Page: PassionForLife5Kand5Mile, Website to learn more about Passion for Life and the inspirational family of the year.
- Parent Connect Call – Children’s Special Health Care Services 101 - Wednesday, Feb. 17
- How to Appeal Your Property Tax Assessments a Virtual Forum with Senator Jim Runestad – Monday, Feb. 22
- Oakland County School District 2nd Semester Food Distribution
- Lakes Area Baseball Registration
- Commerce Little League Spring Registration
- Lakes Area Hawks Football and Cheer Registration - Feb 8-9
- There's still time to register for soccer! Register today:CW3 Soccer Registration
- Inter-Lakes Girls Softball League Registration
- Walled Lake United Girls Lacrosse is looking for any WLW or WLC student interested in playing lacrosse this spring. No cuts. Please visit wlgirlslacrosse.com
- Oakland County Parks Winter Programs - read their press release with updated information.
May you and your family have a safe, restful, and peaceful mid-winter break this coming week. We look forward to seeing you on Monday, Feb. 22 when school resumes. Thank you for your support!
Sincerely,
Kenneth Gutman
Superintendent of Schools
Action Needed: Pleasant Lake Learning Path Selection
Dear Pleasant Lake Elementary Families,
This is a friendly reminder to please complete the Third Semester Learning Path Selection Form for the final trimester which starts March 15th. The form is due at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, February 12th. ALL PARENTS must complete the learning path selection form.
Prior to completing the form, please note:
- Making a change of pathway may be disruptive to your child’s education.
- Pacing from teacher to teacher may be different.
- Class sizes in all pathways may increase.
- The more families that choose a new pathway, the more teacher changes there will be (although we will try to keep the possible changing of teacher assignments at a minimum).
- This is the last time elementary parents will have a chance to make a pathway change this school year.
Please remember that ALL elementary parents, including those who have their children enrolled in the in person learning path, must complete the above selection form.
Thank you and please don’t hesitate to call our main office at 248.956.2800 if you have any questions.
CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH
In March we'll be sharing facts and participating in activities related to Women's History Month!
Nayal Maktari
Pleasant Lake Elementary Principal
WLCSD Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee Co-Chair
INCOMING KINDERGARTEN INFORMATION FOR THE 2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR
KINDERGARTEN 2021-2022
If you have a child entering Kindergarten for the 2021-22 school year, please contact our main office at (248) 956-2800 so that we may include you in future information regarding this important transition for your child.
Please Save the Date for our Kindergarten Orientation on Tuesday, March 2nd at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom. The Zoom link in contained in the above newsletter.
Please visit our district page for further information regarding Kindergarten Enrollment and please note that due to COVID-19 restrictions on visitors and volunteers, we cannot offer building tours at this time.
Enrollment Information Hotline: 248-956-5250.
Kindergarten students need to be age 5 by September 1 of the school year in which you are enrolling. If your child will not be 5 by Sept 1 (but will be 5 by December 1), you will need to contact the district to complete a waiver to enroll your child in Kindergarten. If you are unsure about your child's readiness, please review this chart of Kindergarten readiness skills and be sure to view the district website for orientation information.
All students enrolling in Kindergarten must have a vision screening completed between the ages of 3-5, prior to entering Kindergarten. Free vision screening, by appointment, is available to Oakland County residents at two Health Division offices and at the Walled Lake Community Education Center. Please call 248-424-7070 to set an appointment for your child.
Here are the links from the website documents in case they do not transfer:
· District Page: https://wlcsd.org/parents/kindergarten/
· Vision Screening: https://wlcsd.org/downloads/hickory_woods/vision_screening.pdf
· Kindergarten Readiness: https://wlcsd.org/downloads/hickory_woods/hwe_kindergarten_readiness_1.pdf
MATH COURSE SKIPPING INFORMATION
SLOW DOWN PLEASE
Please be conscious of your speeds, especially with snow and ice covering much of our roads and parking lots. We also have children and staff that are walking into our building and want to be proactive in avoiding any potential accidents and harm to members of our school community.
Rewarding Employment Opportunities
Walled Lake Consolidated Schools is looking for community members interested in working as support staff personnel. Have you thought about the rewards of working with students and making additional income at the same time? If yes, we may have the right employment opportunity for you. Across all K-12 levels, positions are available starting at $12.74 per hour up to $13.33 to start, and range from two hours per day up to six hours per day. These roles include lunchroom paraeducators, classroom paraeducators, and food servers.
If you are interested in learning more about the specific jobs available in Walled Lake, along with the perks included, please contact Brad Paddock at bradleypaddock@wlcsd.org, tele: 248 956 2192, or visit our Human Resources employment opportunities page on the District website. Assistance with filling out a job application on-line can be made available.
Click here to access existing, available positions and sort by Walled Lake Consolidated Schools.
Opportunities at Hickory Woods Elementary
Hickory Woods Elementary (on Novi Road between 13 Mile and 14 Mile Roads) is in need of 2 Playground Paraeducators (10:30-2:30 daily). If you are interested in a part-time position at one of our great WL schools, please click on this link which will lead you to the application process. You will need to set up an account for yourself and include three references. To view the job description, please visit this link, select "Search by District,” and select Walled Lake from the list of districts in Oakland County. To see the paraprofessional postings, type in the "filter results" box at the top right of the screen "Hickory Woods.” Please feel free to contact the principal, Patricia Chinn, and to share this opportunity with others that you think may be interested as well.
CHILDREN WILL NOT GO OUTDOORS IF THE FEEL LIKE TEMPERATURE IS 0 DEGREES OR BELOW
WLSCD FEBRUARY SOCIAL WORK RESOURCES
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
Parent Tech Support Submission Form
Upcoming Important Events
FEBRUARY 2021
- February 15-19- NO SCHOOL MID WINTER BREAK
- Monday, February 22-School Resumes
EVERYTHING GOOGLE!
PTA SPONSORED VIRTUAL BINGO NIGHT!
Thanks to our PTA, children received their bingo prizes this week. Please consider joining our PTA so we can continue to provide our children the instructional resources, safety items and fun events that we would like to offer for the reminder of this school year.
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 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'.