Pleasant Lake Pleasantries
January 25, 2021
Together We Learn, Together We Lead!
WALLED LAKE CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
Dear WLCSD Parents:
With three middle and high school Limited In-Person days of school completed, we are pleased to report that our students and staff pivoted into utilizing our safety protocols to ensure a safe school environment. Our middle and high school staff and students also transitioned to working with In-Person and Our Path students simultaneously. Thank you to staff, students, and families for your flexibility, patience, and grace as we continue to refine our practices and to offer three learning options.
- HS asynchronous learning day on Tuesday, Jan. 26 for HS testing
Since testing dates and times have been altered a few times this year, please know that Tuesday, Jan. 26 will be an asynchronous learning day for ninth-and-12th-grade high school students only.
· The tenth-and 11th-grade students taking the PSAT/NMSQT ARE THE ONLY STUDENTS to Report to School on Tuesday, Jan. 26 from 7:20- 11:15 a.m.
· Tenth and 11th-graders who are NOT taking the PSAT do not come to school.
· We understand this is short notice and apologize for the inconvenience. We believe this is the most efficient way to ensure our students who have registered for the tests have a safe, socially-distanced environment in which to take the test without other distractions.
· Middle and High School report cards are available now on Skyward Family Access.
· Virtual PTSA Council meeting is on Monday, Jan. 25. Register here to attend
Snow day update: Although our teachers’ acumen with technology and virtual learning may allow for us to minimize snow days in the future, the current environment also calls for a little joy, freedom, and normalcy. Therefore, if weather conditions warrant it, we will have some snow days this school year with no synchronous or asynchronous learning.
CONGRATULATIONS & THANK YOU TO:
- Kathy Murray, first-grade teacher at Mary Helen Guest Elementary, who is known for her long term commitment to social justice advocacy and Sophia Lafayette-Lause, former WLCSD administrator and co-chair of the WLCSD Social Justice committee, who received the Alec Bender Friend of Diversity Awards, at the Dr. Martin Luther King Celebration, on Monday.
- Tyler Harding, WL Northern High School 12th-grade student, Cayden Brown, Walnut Creek Middle School eighth-grade student and Archita Paul Nath, Sarah Banks Middle School sixth-grade student, who delivered the powerful keynote speeches on Monday at the Dr. Martin Luther King Celebration.
- Jeff Drewno, newly retired Dublin Elementary principal, who recently appeared on Civic Center TV; you may watch the interview here.
IMPORTANT LINKS:
- Chromebook Distribution: At the WLCSD District Office, 850 Ladd Road, Bldg. D, Room 900, Tuesday and Thursdays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Secondary Bus Routes have been posted to the WLCSD website.
- Middle School Athletics Returns with intramural offerings!
- The In-District Student Transfer Request Application period for the 2021-2022 school ends tonight, Friday, Jan. 22, 2021, at midnight. The In-District Student Transfer Request Application will be live on the District website.
- Navigating the Challenges of COVID and Mental Health Resources Parent Information Session
- Schools of Choice will take place from Monday, Jan. 18 – Friday, Feb 5.
- WLCSD Food Distribution will be Monday, Jan. 25, 1:45 – 3 p.m.
- Lakes Area Baseball Registration
- CW3 Soccer Registration
- Inter-Lakes Girls Softball League Registration
- Oakland County Parks Winter Programs
- 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
Lakes Area Community Coalition – Jan. 2021 Newsletter
Lakes Area Youth Assistance Referral Form
Thank you for your continued support during these challenging times.
Sincerely,
Kenneth Gutman
Superintendent of Schools
WL SCHOOLS ANNUAL MLK DAY CELEBRATION PRE-SHOW
WALLED LAKE SCHOOLS ANNUAL MLK DAY CELEBRATION
WLCSD to host virtual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration
Parent Teacher Conferences
Conferences will be conducted via Zoom and you can find your teacher's sign up link in the tab below.
School will be dismissed at 11:30 a.m. and conferences held from 12:15 p.m.-8:15 p.m. on Thursday, January 28th.
STEPS LIFETOUCH IS TAKING TO ENSURE PICTURE DAY IS SAFE
LIFETOUCH PICTURE DAY FOR MY PATH AND OUR PATH STUDENTS
We are so thankful to be able to invite our Pleasant Lake Elementary My Path and Our Path students to the building on February 11th for Picture Day.
Parents and students will be required to wear masks and stay socially distanced. Below are the two options that families can select from:
- Thursday, February 11th from 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Pictures will be taken in the Main Gym area. Please park in the main parking lot and enter through the main doors. A staff member will be at the main door to accompany your child to get their picture taken and return them to the main doors once they are done.
- Thursday, February 11th 4:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Pictures will be taken in the Main Gym area. Please park in the back of our building, near our portable classrooms, and enter through the building doors across from the portable classrooms.
Parents and family members must remain outside of the building. You can remain outside the doors your child entered, socially distant from others and wearing a mask. Your child must have a mask on but will be allowed to take their mask off for their photo, unless you state otherwise.
Students and photographers will be socially distanced and all photographers will keep masks on at all times. If you have questions about procedures, please contact the main office at 248.956.2800and the secretaries can assist you.
Please click on the link below to sign up for picture time slot for your child. It is recommended that you preorder your child's pictures from Lifetouch at https://lifetouch.com/
Picture Day ID: EVTXWVWQP
Thank you,
Nayal Maktari
Principal
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 will be shared in the next few weeks.
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
SCHOOLS OF CHOICE AND TRANSFER APPLICATONS
Monday, January 4th through Friday, January 22nd – Transfer Requests (District residents)
Monday, January 18th through Friday, February 5th – Schools of Choice (Non-District residents)
Please visit the our district website www.wlcsd.org following Winter Break to complete an application.
I strongly recommend that you complete an application if there is any possibility you may move but want to remain at Pleasant Lake Elementary. There is no penalty in completing one or both applications and not needing it in the future.
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.
SAVE THE DAVE-VIRTUAL BINGO NIGHT ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5TH
CHILDREN WILL NOT GO OUTDOORS IF THE FEEL LIKE TEMPERATURE IS 0 DEGREES OR BELOW
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
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
Walled Lake Schools’ Foundation for Excellence (FFE)
Our school has truly benefited for nearly 30 years from the support of Walled Lake Schools’ Foundation for Excellence (FFE), a 501 ( c) 3 nonprofit. Please view snapshot of recent Foundation grant awards received by our school and allocated to the District to benefit K-12 students and educators. FFE’s outreach also includes the Shuman CDJR Performing Arts Student Grant Program and 5th Grade Camp Scholarship fund for our District’s title 1 elementary schools. Check out FFE’s fall flyer or visit the Foundation’s website to more fully understand the FFE’s commitment to WLCSD.
The Foundation is sustained through annual fundraising (Tuition Expedition 50/50 Scholarship Raffle, Count on Me Program-WLCSD staff payroll donations, & golf scramble), private and public sector donations and receipt of memorials, honorariums, and alumni gifts. Donations can be made online to help sustain FFE’s mission and support for our schools. Checks are also accepted and can be made payable to the Foundation for Excellence and mailed to 850 Ladd Rd., Bldg. D, Walled Lake, MI 48390.
Questions? Email Foundation’s exec. director, MichelleBianco@wlcsd.org.
Parent Tech Support Submission Form
Upcoming Important Events
JANUARY 2021
- Thursday, January 28th-1/2 Day of School, dismissal is at 11:30 a.m.
- Thursday, January 28th-Parent Teacher Conferences from 12:15 p.m.-8:15 p.m.
FEBRUARY 2021
- Tuesday, February 2nd-1/2 Day of School, dismissal is at 12:30 p.m.
- Friday, February 5th-PTA Sponsored Virtual Bingo Night at 7:00 p.m.
- Thursday, February 11th-Lifetouch Picture Day for ALL Students.
EVERYTHING GOOGLE!
WLCSD FOOD SERVICE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH
School breakfast and school lunch will be served FREE to all students that are attending in person learning in their classrooms daily. You may pick up breakfast & lunch for Saturday, Sunday and all closed school days every Monday from 12:00PM – 1:30PM at each of our high schools.
For our virtual learners and children under the age of 18 who are not being served daily in our buildings, we will continue to provide 7 days of meals, through pickup at our high schools every Monday from 12:00PM – 1:30PM until further notice.
PLEASE NOTE THAT WE WILL ASK STUDENTS THAT STUDENTS INTERESTED IN BREAKFAST MUST NOTIFY THEIR TEACHER THE DAY PRIOR AND FOR LUNCH WILL NOTIFY THE TEACHER THE DAY OF. WE ONLY HAVE ONE SELECTION FOR LUNCH AND BREAKFAST. BREAKFAST IS NOW SERVED IN THE CLASSROOM AND LUNCH WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE CAFETERIA.
WE ALSO ASK THAT EACH CHILD THAT BRINGS A LUNCH TO SCHOOL PLEASE BRING A DISPOSABLE LUNCH (BROWN BAG, SANDWICH BAGS, PLASTIC UTENSILS, ETC.)
Breakfast will be delivered each day the first week of school but starting next week will ask students to notify us.
Please direct questions you may have to our Food Services Department.
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'.