Defer Dragon's Burning News
April 27, 2018
From the Principal
Dear Defer Families,
Spring finally arrived this week! Students celebrated Earth Week at Defer with activities such as creating a green pledge, waste-free lunch, and walk to school day. Many classes also celebrated Earth Day in their classroom reading books and talking about the small activities we can do each day to help our Earth.
Fourth graders also participated in Disability Awareness Day today. Disability Awareness
Day provided students with interactive lessons to build awareness and empathy related to people who live with disabilities. Thank you to the coordinators and volunteers that made the day successful for our students.
Just a reminder, the students brought home a top-secret assignment last week that should be returned to the office by Friday, May 4. Ask your Dragon about their assignment to write a message to a teacher or staff member explaining why they are a superstar!
Have a wonderful weekend,
Dr. Rheaume
Follow Defer on Twitter (@GPDefer) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/GPDefer/)
Spring Assessments
Third and Fourth Grade students will begin M-Step Testing next week. This year the M-Step test will be administered on the computer. The M-Step is an opportunity for our students to demonstrate their current levels of understanding in core subject areas. Some students will also complete the NWEA test next week. We are asking parents to be especially alert to their child’s needs for:
- getting plenty of rest,
- eating a good breakfast each morning,
- and being in school and on time on testing days.
Parent Survey
Defer Elementary is a Leader in Me School, we teach 21st century leadership and life skills to students to create a culture of student empowerment based on the idea that every child can be a leader. To learn more about our areas of strength and growth in our school we use a Leader in Me survey to collect data from families.
We need your help! We are asking for adults from every household to complete the survey to share feedback about our school. The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete.
https://theleaderinmeonline.org/assessments/assessment/acde947674d553af
April Writing Opportunity
Students who write a response on one of the following topics will have an opportunity to share their writing at the May Townhall meeting. All writing should be turned into the Defer office or Dr. Rheaume by Friday, May 4.
2. What is sportsmanship? Describe a time you demonstrated good sportsmanship.
3. Write about someone in your life who is a great leader. How does he or she inspire you?
Notes from the Office
Reminders:
- PLEASE DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL IF THEY HAVE BEEN SICK AND ARE NOT 100% BACK TO HEALTH. In an effort to reduce the spread of germs, school policy dictates that students must be fever-free, vomiting-free and diarrhea-free for 24 hours before they may return to school. We will make sure that the school is properly disinfected and cleaned over break.
- PLEASE DO NOT enter the building through the doors with your children during morning admittance. We want to encourage independence in our students, as well as promote a safe and secure school environment for everyone.
- Every person who enters our building should be buzzed in at the parking lot doors and report directly to the office to sign in and receive a visitors' badge.
- If you need to talk to someone in the office or a teacher, please come directly to the office or call/email to set up an appointment rather than entering with your children.
We strive to maximize instructional time during school hours. Thank you for your help and cooperation.
Attendance Line
We have a 24 hour attendance line for your convenience. If your child will not be at school, please call 313-432-4001 to report the absence by 8:00 am. This will avoid an unexcused absence phone call.
Upcoming Events at Defer
April 30 - Defer Diversity Group meeting 6:30 pm
May 3 - Fifth Grade Instrumental Concert 7 pm
May 4 - Fifth Grade Instrumental Concert 10:30 am
May 9 - Spring Music Concert 7 pm at Pierce (K, 2, 2/3 Magnet, 4, 4/5 Magnet, and the Defer Choir)
May 24 - PTO Spring Social
Volunteer Forms for Parents and Guests
Camp Invention is back!
Check out the flyer for more information.
Leader in Me Family Information - April Edition
Welcome to the April edition of our Leader in Me newsletter!
Published by the Defer Family Learning Team
The 7 Habits are reviewed, practiced and integrated daily at Defer. We will review the 7 Habits with you monthly. Thank you for your partnership in reinforcing your child’s leadership skills.
We are learning about Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood. Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood means that it is better to listen first and to talk second.
This habit is best approached by introducing listening as a skill, something that should be practiced. Simply put, we have two ears and one mouth and should use them accordingly.
Books that reinforce Habit 5:
Stellaluna by Janell Cannon; The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka; The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown; Are You My Mother? by P. D. Eastman; Is Your Mama a Llama? by Deborah Guarino; Rules by Cynthia Lord
You may hear your child use words and phrases like listening first, listening with your ears, eyes, and heart, and seeking first to understand in their conversations. You can encourage your child by using some of this language at home.
Video to reinforce Habit 5:
Library News
A big thank you to our wonderful PTO Parents for the fabulous Book Fair! Both students and teachers had a chance to choose some great books to read. The library will now have lots of choices for students to check out! Thank you!!
Mrs. Quinlan and Mrs. Martin
Defer Library Specialists
Service & Safety
Defer PTO
Defer Garden Days, Mulch Spreading: May 19, 9-11:30 a.m.
Please bring gloves, weeding tools, a bucket and a water bottle. (We will have a limited number of extra gloves and weeding tools on hand.) For more information, please reach out to the Beatification Co-Chair, Diana Degen Gifford, dianaelaine4@gmail.com.
Spring Social Evening with Student Art Show: Thursday May 24
Enjoy a family friendly gathering on the blacktop/field of Defer with live music, bounce houses & more entertainment. Pizza and frozen custard available for purchase. Student artwork to be on display in the gym.
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