Defer Dragon's Burning News
January 4, 2019
From the Principal
Dear Defer Families,
I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday break with their families. There will be many exciting events happening at Defer in 2019!
Sincerely,
Dr. Rheaume
Defer Upcoming Events
January 8- PTO meeting in the Library 7:00 pm
January 15 - Middle School Information Night 6:30 pm
January 17 - Young Fives/Kindergarten Information Night 6:30 pm
January 21-MLK Day- No School
District Upcoming Events
Do you know a student who might be interested in our Upcoming Info Nights? Invite them! Perhaps you know someone with a student attending a private or parochial school, or a family considering relocating to the area? Encourage them to attend a GPPSS Info Night and learn more about our amazing public schools.
- High School Info Night - 6:30 p.m., Wednesday 1/9/19 (parents of current 8th graders attending high school in the fall) attend your neighborhood high school
- Middle School Info Night - 6:30 p.m., Tuesday 1/15/19 (parents of current 5th graders attending middle school in the fall) attend your neighborhood middle school
- Kindergarten and Young Fives Info Night - 6:30 p.m., Thursday 1/17/19 (parents of current preschoolers attending kindergarten or Young Fives in the fall) attend your neighborhood elementary school
- Multi-Age Info Night - 6:30 p.m., Tuesday 1/15/19 (parents interested in learning more about our district's Multi-Age program housed at Trombly Elementary, in the Trombly library, 820 Beaconsfield, Grosse Pointe Park
Safety Reminder
Please remind your children they are to cross streets at the safety cross points, and always at the lights with crossing guards when crossing Kercheval Avenue and Nottingham Street. We do not want to have any accidents this year, and we have noticed some children trying to cross at unsafe crossing points. Thank you for your help in this matter.
Lunchtime Enrichment
A big thank you to our PTO, teachers and parents volunteering time and talent to make these amazing classes available. Without your help, these next couple weeks would not be possible. Thank you!
Cold and Flu Season
For more information on the importance of hand washing with non-antibacterial soap, please see the links below:
- Arlington Public Schools Hand Washing Policy: https://apsshab.weebly.com/hand-washing-policy.html
- CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/index.html
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 is filling up quickly!
In the event your child has a cold, and is healthy enough to attend school, they will participate in recess- playing outside with their peers twice a day. Exceptions will only be made with a doctor's note stating they are healthy enough to attend school, with reason and number of days they are required not to participate in recess play. Thank you for your understanding concerning this matter.
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 3:20 pm to make sure your child receives the message before the end of the school day.
Defer Diversity Parent Group
District Diversity Meetings (GPPUD)Upcoming Meetings: Thursday, January 31st 6:30 pm at Defer
Share Your Culture! We want to hear more about your family’s cultural background and traditions. New in 2019 we will be creating a bulletin board that will be changed monthly. We are looking for families to decorate the board to help us learn more about diverse cultures and families. Bulletin boards could include family photos, traditional customs, recipes, suggested reading and any additional information you would like to share. Please email Sarah skswanson@gmail.com or Heather hbendure@gmail.com for more information and to let us know you are interested in participating!
Please contact Dr. Rheaume or one of our parent organizers Susan Sutorka at susansuto@yahoo.com or Janice Fox at jcfcreative@gmail.com for more information about our Diversity Parent Group.
Leader in Me
The Leader in Me- Family Learning team is interested in how we can better support families with information and activities to incorporate Leader in Me habits at home. We would appreciate your response to this quick survey. Thank you!
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
Email: rheauml@gpschools.org
Website: https://mi01000971.schoolwires.net/Domain/1099
Location: 15425 Kercheval Avenue, Grosse Pointe Park, MI, USA
Phone: 313-432-4000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GPDefer/
Twitter: @GPDefer