Gretchko Newsletter
March 3, 2023
Principal's Update
This was another exciting week at Gretchko. Our main attraction was probably our first series of assemblies with Supe's Exotic Jungle animals. This experience is fully funded by YOUR donations to our PTO. Brent Barrick, co-owner of Supe's and former educator for the Detroit Zoo, brings several animals to our classrooms to engage students in learning about wild animals, their habitats and features, and the importance of preservation. Almost all of their animals have been rescued from poor conditions where people were keeping them as pets. Classes get to interact with the animals in small groups. They got to meet a parrot, Ally the alligator, a boa constrictor, a wallaby, and more. Our students were so well-behaved...being calm with the animals, listening to learn, and being gentle if they wanted to touch one of the animals. More assemblies will take place next week for those classes that did not see the experience this week. Thank you again to our PTO for sponsoring this phenomenal learning experience!
We also kicked off March is Reading this month on Wednesday. Check out the articles below to see more information about our daily reading themes! And don't forget that you can send in a gently used book on Fridays in March so your child can swap to get a new book from the book bus!
Next week, I hope you will join us for our monthly PTO meeting on Wednesday, March 8 at 7pm in the Gretchko iCenter. We'll be joined by Superintendent Dr. Bazzi. She and I will share information about the WBSD Bond proposal on the May 2nd ballot. There will be a brief slideshow followed by time for questions and answers!
I hope this finds you safe at home on this snowy Friday evening. Wishing everyone a warm weekend,
Jen Teal, Principal
Featured Book
Malala’s Magic Pencil by Malala Yousafzai
As a child in Pakistan, Malala made a wish for a magic pencil. She would use it to make everyone happy, to erase the smell of garbage from her city, to sleep an extra hour in the morning. But as she grew older, Malala saw that there were more important things to wish for. She saw a world that needed fixing. And even if she never found a magic pencil, Malala realized that she could still work hard every day to make her wishes come true.
Star Slip Winners
Congratulations to this week's Star Slip winners. These students were picked from all those star slips that were given out this week for students who were safe, responsible, and respectful at school. Way to go, Faith Mosley, Sienna Stevens, Parker Smith, Rithik Subnani, Elizabeth Zawalski, Alexander Renaud, Ruby Smiley, Benno Goeres, Adam Danylik, Emma Alvarado, Miles Gottschall, Evelyn Doerscher, Riley Diep, Micah Sampson, Alexis Cseresznyes, Ewan McDonald, and Jameson Beavers!
Super Draw Star Slip Winners
Also, today was our once a month second chance Super Draw for all star slip students' names left in our Star Slip bins in the front lobby. Congratulations to Rian Riley, Londyn Beavers and Keyonna Sangster (not pictured) for being our February second chance Star Slip winners. Mrs. Teal will schedule a time next week for these stars to join her for Board Game Bonanza. Great job Gretchko Stars!
Bond 2023
World Celebrations This Month
If you celebrate something this month and do not see it listed below, please email Jen Teal to add it to our list!
National Women’s History Month
Greek American Heritage Month
Irish American Heritage Month
March 5- 11 National School Social Work Week
March 6 – Purim (Judaism)
March 8 – International Women’s Day
March 8 – Holi (Hinduism)
March 10- Harriet Tubman's birthday (observed)
March 15 – Equal Pay Day
March 17 – St. Patrick’s Day (Christianity)
March 21 – World Down Syndrome Day
March 21 – Persian New Year (Nowruz)
March 21- International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
March 22 to April 21 – Ramadan begins (Islam)
March 23 – International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade
Congratulations 100 Book Reader!
Lucas Herzog read the 100 BOOKS TO READ IN KINDERGARTEN! Congratulations, Lucas!! Be sure to visit the WBTPL to be recognized, as well.
Congratulations 300 BOOK READER!
Liliana Patra read 100 BOOKS READ BY ME!! This is her third poster in the 100 Books reading program. We are so proud of Liliana for reading 300 books in kindergarten. Way to go!
I center Question of the Month
Congratulations to Ephram Nyquist for answering the question of the month correctly in the iCenter for the month of February. This month's question was "What is the symbol for Valentine's Day in Germany?" Ephram answered correctly with "The Pig!"
Pinecone Reading Update
Continue to read, read, read those Pine Cone books!! Students may return their books first thing in the morning to the iCenter and checkout a new Pine Cone book on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. Also visit the WBTPL to check out as may Pine Cone books as you would like.
March is Reading Month!
We have lots of fun happenings in March to celebrate reading. Check out our daily calendar, as well as the return of the Book Swap Bus! Please send in gently used books with your child/children on Fridays to participate. At the end of the month, excess donated books will be used for future reading initiatives or donated to our local community.
Great Reading Tips for Families
Read to or with your child daily.
Before reading, ask your child to make predictions about what they think the story is going to be about or ask them what they already know about the topic.
During reading, ask your child to attempt a tricky word using the sounds they know. If the word is too hard, tell them the word and continue enjoying the story. Keep reading fun and engaging!
Remember that you can read to your child, your child can read to you, and you can read together.
After reading, ask your child to tell you about what happened in the story or what they learned about the topic.
Point out any new vocabulary words and discuss the meanings.
Please remember that reading with your child should be a positive experience. This is a great time to connect and bond with your child and create a love of reading together!
WBSD Bridges Math Overviews for March and April
https://ybpay.lifetouch.com/ Gretchko code: 12960123
Mental Health Resources
WBSD has partnered with ParentGuidance.org to give parents free access to resources and helpful information. We have shared this information with our families. We hope that it will be useful for some of you as well!
ParentGuidance.org is an online service by licensed therapists that provides trusted and specialized courses, professional support, and a safe community for parents to learn how to support their children and get answers to mental health questions.
Community Resources
There are many community resources available to families in need. See the Oakland County Community Resource Guide, which includes resources about topics including Abuse & Protective Services; Food Pantries, Clothing & Household Support; Healthcare Services; Housing Assistance; and Parenting & Pregnancy Resources.
211 (United Way) offers resources/connections for family support as well. Parents/adults can call, text, or email. Here is the link to the 211 website, which is searchable by topic. Additionally, see these 211 flyers in English, Spanish, and Arabic.
Finally, here are some resources for Food Pantry/Supplies near WB/Oakland County.
Gretchko Spirit Wear Now Available Online!
Does your child (or you) need some more Gretchko spirit wear? Now you can order online at https://gretchko-pto.square.site/
Gretchko Calendar
March 8: Gretchko PTO Meeting at 7:00pm in the iCenter
March 15: No School for Students (Teacher Professional Development)
March 27 - March 31 - NO SCHOOL - Spring Break!
Gretchko Contact Information
Location: 5300 Greer Road, West Bloomfield Township, MI, USA
Phone:
- Main Office Phone: (248)865-6570
- SAFELINE to report absences: (248) 865-6572. This is a 24 hour answering machine.