Defer Dragon's Burning News
March 16, 2018
From the Principal
Dear Defer Families,
It was great to see so many families at Parent-Teacher conferences this week. Our goal each year is to have 100% of families participate in conferences. If you were unable to attend your conference this past week, please contact your child's teacher to set up a time to meet.
As you set goals for your children for the third marking period, begin with the end in mind. Ask your children about their personal goals and help them write down an action plan to achieve their goals for the spring. We are all learners at Defer! Continue to focus on the strengths of your learners. Celebrate the social, emotional, and academic growth of your learner. Please let me know how I can support you and your children at Defer.
Sincerely,
Dr. Rheaume
Follow Defer on Twitter (@GPDefer) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/GPDefer/)
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.
If you complete the survey by March 27th, your family will be entered into a drawing to win a prize! Please return the purple sheet shared at conferences to be eligible to win.
https://theleaderinmeonline.org/assessments/assessment/acde947674d553af
News from the Office
Upon entering the Defer building, please report directly to the office. Please do not go to your child's locker or classroom! We strive to minimize classroom disruptions during school hours. Thank you for your cooperation.
In order to protect student instruction time, we are streamlining the many daily deliveries of lunches, homework and instruments that we receive. Students will monitor this area and deliver to classes once in the morning and once again before the end of the day.
It's easy!
Bring the forgotten item to the Publishing Center (directly across from the office).
Complete the drop off tag (includes the student and teacher names).
Attach tag to the item.
Place in the appropriate cubby bin (each grade has its own section).
And you are done!
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.
Hallways
Before school and after school our hallways are very crowded. We ask that you wait outside for your child and no longer walk to his/her locker.
One Book, One School - Charlotte's Web
Please read Charlotte's Web Chapters 13- 16 at home. There will be another Tuesday Trivia question next week!
The Barnyard Read-In was a huge success! Students brought in books, blankets, and barnyard stuffed animals.
On Monday, March 26th students might “get caught reading” at home from a teacher at Defer! Defer staff will calling families to catch students reading on Monday evening. We might catch you reading on your own, or with your family. You might be reading Charlotte's Web, your just right book, a picture book, or magazine! K - 2 students will be called between 6:30 - 7:00 pm and students in grades 3 - 5 will be called between 7:00 - 7:30 pm. Students who "get caught" will receive a gift certificate to use towards the Scholastic Book Fair from our Defer PTO.
We are also asking families to snap a selfie reading Charlotte’s Web at home! We will display photos in the hallway during March is Reading Month. Email or send your pictures to your classroom teachers. We look forward to seeing pictures of students and families reading Charlotte’s Web!
Upcoming Events at Defer
March 23 - Family Bingo Night
March 26 - Get Caught Reading Night! Grades K-2 6:30 - 7:00 pm; Grades 3-5 7:00 - 7:30 pm
March 28 - Donuts with your Dragon 8:00 am in the gym
March 29 - One Book One School Movie at Pierce 1:00
March 30 - April 6 - Spring Break No School
April 27 - Disability Awareness Day (4th Graders)
Camp Invention is back!
Check out the flyer for more information.
Leader in Me Family Information - March Edition
Welcome to the March 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.
Habit 3 - Put First Things First
Looking for less stress? Put First Things First is an organizational strategy. It means to decide what is most important and take care of that first. Then, focus on tasks that are less important. Thinking about what needs to be done tomorrow or by the end of the week can be overwhelming. This is especially true for children. But with practice, children can learn to prioritize the things that are most important and will most likely start taking care of them first! Using calendars, check-lists, daily check-in with planners are all ways to put this habit into action.
For example, if your child tells you on Sunday they need poster board for a project due on Wednesday or the field trip permission slip turned in on Monday, the family is more prepared to take care of things in a manageable way. Decide when the tasks will be completed so that you and/or your child are prepared.
As the grades progress, more responsibility is placed on students. Teaching your child now how to put first things first will become a strategy that will be a lifesaver in the years to come.
Ways to incorporate Habit 3 at home-
March is reading month and what a great way to incorporate literature in the reinforcement of Habit 3. Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett or Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan are some choices to reinforce Habit 3.
Practice Habit 3 by doing a family project together (such as cleaning a closet or the toy area) and then have some fun afterwards by playing a game as a family.
At home reinforce and model for your child words and phrases like prioritize, most important, responsibility, put first things first, sequencing, and planning.
This video helps demonstrate student understanding of Habit 3!
VIDEO LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGppyL14U68
Library News
March is Reading Month and our winners of the Library Bookmark Contest will be posted on the Defer website. Congratulations to all our lucky winners!
Bookmark Winners:
Y5 - Alexander K.
K - Andrew W.
1 - Norah B.
2 - Andrew H.
3 - Lauren C.
4 - Emilia K.
5 - Lujaine S.
Library rotation will be ending on March 26th and Spanish rotation will begin.
Please click on the link below to access March's Library Digital Picks:
Defer PTO
Defer Diversity Group
The RESCHEDULED Defer Diversity Group first meeting is for Monday March 19! Similar to other GP elementary schools, the group will generate conversation regarding topics of diversity & inclusion specific to our building. Additionally, the district Diversity group will meet March 22 at Mason Elementary School. A flyer with more information is attached. Defer Parent Susan Sutorka is helping organize Defer's group and helps with the district group as well. For more information, email susan_sutorka@yahoo.com
Family Bingo Night: Friday March 23
Enjoy rounds of bingo with your family in the Defer gym. Students receive free bingo sheets; parents & siblings may purchase boards for $1. This annual event is a gathering of Defer families in the gymnasium and features varied prizes for bingo winners. Pizza & bingo dotters are available at cost. Anyone who can help out that night, please sign up here: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c48acae2babf49-bingo1
Donuts with your Dragon: Weds. March 28, 8-8:25 a.m.
Enjoy donuts, juice, coffee including an allergy friendly table to start the day with your child. Parent(s) are encouraged to join their student(s) for a donut/coffee/juice in the gym! This is a complimentary treat we do each year. There will be a table for our students with allergies. Allergy free treats are provided by the Motown Freedom Bakery and are allergy free of the top 8 most-common allergens: wheat, dairy, egg, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish. MFB treats are also free of corn, sesame, xanthan and guar gums. For parents who need specific info please email them directly at motownfreedombakery@gmail.com.
We are in need of some help the morning of Donuts with your Dragon. Please sign up to volunteer here: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c4aaba62ea6f94-donuts
Spring Book Fair: March 26-29
Spring PARENT Social: April 21
Join us for a spring parent gathering at Atwater on Kercheval. Space is limited to the first 100 people due to allowable capacity at the restaurant. Registration forms will be available beginning next week. See attached photo for additional information. We hope to see you there!
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