Tiger Tales
February 2020
Pine Knob Elementary School Hours
8:13 a.m. Bell Rings to Enter
8:15 a.m. School Begins
8:25 a.m. Tardy Bell Rings
11:31 a.m. Half-day Dismissal
3:28 p.m. Young 5's, K, 1 & 2 grade dismissed
3:30 p.m. School Ends
Upcoming Dates to Remember
3 Jump Rope for Heart Assembly
7 Half-day for Students (Dismissal at 11:31 a.m.)
12 Student Count Day14 Valentine's Celebration (Students Only)
17-18 Mid-Winter Recess (No School)
20 3rd Grade Field trip to Lansing Captial
28 PTA Movie Night (6:30-8.00 p.m.)
Birthday Book Club Members
Tyler Sowards (2/5/2008)
Vivian Swick (2/5/2010)
Carson McIntyre (2/5/2010)
Sean Sinclair (2/15/2010)
Charlotte Addison (2/21/2014)
Sarah Marcy (2/23/2010)
Evan Schneider (2/26/2010)
Dean Hogan (2/26/2014)
Lucas Ostrom (2/27/2009)
Laney Arbeiter (2/28/2013)
Welcome to PKE 'Señora Koslowski
'Señora K' taught Spanish and ELL in Baltimore, Maryland and was the director of an ELL program for 11 years before the Koslowskis moved to Michigan. Prior to joining the PKE team, she worked as a Shared Time schools Evaluator for Berkley and ELL teacher for Troy Schools for the past two and a half years.
Señora Koslowski lives in Clarkston with her husband, Jason, and their four kids, Jacob, Anna, Olivia and James. Her big kids are already PKE Tigers and the two little ones will be here soon!
Other than learning other languages and cultures, Señora Koslowski loves sports, music and spending time at the beach in Maryland with her family. Her favorite teams are the Baltimore Orioles and Ravens. When Señora Koslowski’s not at PKE, she’s cheering on her own kids at baseball, hockey, gymnastics, ballet, tap, soccer and teaching 2nd grade faith formation at her church! She can’t wait to get to know all of the students, staff and families at PKE!
Please help me welcome Señora Koslowski as one of our newest staff members at PKE. Her first day with students was Friday, January 17th.
Your partner in education,
Jodi Yeloushan
Principal
Student Count Day is February 12th!!
Gentle reminder on bringing toys to school
TOYS
Our focus at school is learning. Toys can be a major disruption to learning. Please do not bring toys, electronic equipment, trading cards or any valuables to school. In the event of a special classroom activity the teacher will notify you in writing. Skateboards, scooters, and shoes with wheels are not allowed at school or on the bus for safety reasons.
The Yearbook Winners Are...
Evie Williams, yearbook cover winner from Mrs. Borgula's class;
Lindsey Hartman, Y5, runner-up from Mrs. Sweet's class;
Caelyn Shehan, Kdg., runner-up from Miss Chilcote's class;
Mylee Richter, 1st grade runner-up from Miss Deighton's class;
Levi Baldwin, 2nd grade runner-up from Mrs. Borgula's class;
Isla Haley, 3rd grade runner-up from Miss Chorazyczewski's class;
Lyla To, 4th grade runner-up from Mrs. Kumon's class; and
Jolene Marcy, 5th grade runner-up from Mrs. Leitner class.
Thank you to Mrs. Eaton and Mr. Sinischo who reviewed all the entries and chose our cover contest winner and runners-up.
Great Job to All of the Spelling Bee Participants
The following fifth grade students competed in a PKE Spelling Bee on Monday, January 13th and did a fantastic job: Salma Dasuqi, Avery DeGrendel, Max Harmon, Paul Frezza, Roland Kio,
Jolene Marcy, Jackson Miller, Owen Murray, Jamison Nash, Grace Paganes, Mira Pietras, Morgan Pratt, Carson Schramm and Charlie Swick.
A HUGE congratulations and good luck needs to go out to these students! Charlie Swick will be representing PKE at the Oakland Spelling Bee on Wednesday, February 29th.
Spelling Bee Winner - Charlie Swick
Top Spelling Bee Participants
Mira Pietras - 2nd place
Avery DeGrendel - 3rd place
Salma Dasqui - 3rd place
Geo Bee Winners
On Wednesday, January 15 some of our 5th graders participated in a Geography Bee among their peers led by Mr. Brazier, District Coordinator. Congratulations to Camden Byers, Abby Gardner, Delaney Hempton, AJ Koczenasz, Thomas Kyne, Asher Lamz, Anika McMurray, Will Seidel and Percival Valascho.
A special CONGRATULATIONS is extended to the winner Jackson Miller and runner-up Abby Gardner.
Jump Rope for Heart
Hello PKE Families! On Monday, February 3 we will be kicking off our annual Kids Heart Challenge (a.k.a Jump Rope for Heart)! We will be raising money for The American Heart Association and learning about healthy heart habits in P.E. class. Students will also be working on their rope jumping skills in class and it will be a ton of fun! Pine Knob has a rich history of participation with the American Heart Association and we are looking forward to continuing this tradition!!! If you have any questions please give me a call 248-623-3940.
Please click on the link below to sign-up for the Kids Heart Challenge.
Thanks Mr. Sinischo
Bus Drop-offs and Inclement Weather
To ensure students are able to get into their homes and not stuck outside in the cold weather, parents must follow the directive below from Clarkston Schools Transportation Department.
The parent/caregiver is responsible to inform their child of an alternative location to go if the parent/caregiver is not at home in time of the bus drop off. Parents/caregivers must be available for students anytime after school is dismissed.
The office will communicate with PKE families via E-blasts and text messages (using REMIND) if buses are running late due to bad weather conditions. If you have not signed up to receive text messages from PKE, please contact the main office for instructions.
Should severe conditions occur after classes are in session, our general policy will be keep bus students in their buildings until we can safely operate the buses. Students will be released only to their parents, to approved adults, or by phone parental authorization.
Snow Day Announcements
- Clarkston School District https://www.clarkston.k12.mi.us/
- WDIV Channel 4 - http://www.clickondetroit.com
- WXYZ Channel7 - http://www.WXYZ.com
- WJBK Channel 2 - http://www.myfoxdetroit.com
- WJR 760 AM - http://www/wjr.com
Please do not contact the school. The district will communicate closings via text message system, eblast, phones messaging, Twitter and Facebook. If Clarkston Community Schools or Pine Knob Elementary is not listed, then school will be in session.
Important Parking Lot Information/Parking Lot Procedures/Transportation
Parking Lot Safety
Our goal at PKE is to keep all students safe in the parking lot, and to keep traffic flowing. To accomplish this, please follow the following guidelines below:
Student drop off time is 8:10-8:25 a.m
Our student drop off doors open at 8:10 a.m to assist with traffic flow drop off.
Constantly watch for children!
Drive single file along the perimeter of the drop-off area.
Drive slow and be patient...everyone is in a hurry but an accident, no matter how minor, will only slow everyone down.
When dropping off your child(ren): pull as far forward as possible (near the crosswalk) along the sidewalk in the parent drop off area.
All children should exit (and enter) the vehicle through the passenger right side door for their own safety.
Do not cut in front of another car because you’re in a hurry or there appears to be room.
Please make your ‘good day wishes’ quick so as to move the cars in line along as quickly and as safely as possible if you need more time, feel free to park in a parking spot.
We will have orange traffic cones to help guide you as well as volunteer traffic advisors. Please work with us to make our parking lot safe for everyone.
Drop Off/Pick-Up
Morning Procedure:
Please remember that in the morning students are not to enter the building until the doors open at 8:10 a.m. unless you have a meeting with a staff member.
Students may go to classrooms with the 8:12 a.m. bell.
Students/parents should not go directly to the classroom before the bell rings.
Students should wait by the parent drop-off entrance and should be supervised by a parent if brought in early.
The tardy bell will ring at 8:25 a.m. and all doors will be locked at this time. Students arriving after the tardy bell must be accompanied into the office and signed in by an adult.
End of the Day Procedure:
For the safety of all students, teachers will not dismiss students prior to the end of the day bell without notification from the office.
Parents should never go directly to the classroom to get a student. If you must pick up your child prior to the end of school (half day dismissal 11:31 a.m./full day dismissal 3:30 p.m.) please come to the office to sign your child out. The office will call to have your child released.
Please send a note to your child’s teacher if there is a change in dismissal arrangements (please, no “reminder” calls to the classroom).
In the case of emergency during the day, we are more than happy to get a message to your child.
Parents who routinely come into the building to pick up children after school should wait in the hallway outside of the gym/cafeteria once all Y5 and kindergarten
Neighbor for Neighbor
PKE Jr. Optimist Club
Not pictured: Micaela Brown
Calling All 2020-2021 Kindergartners
If your child turns five (5) years old on or before September 1, 2020, he/she is eligible to attend Kindergarten in 2020-2021.
In the Fall of 2020, two Kindergarten options will be offered:
- Full Day Kindergarten at every elementary school.
- Young 5's Kindergarten (available for students that turn 5 between June 1st-December 1st). This is a full-day program offered at each elementary pending enrollment. Students that attend Young 5's will attend Kindergarten the following year at their home school.
To learn more about these options, as well as information about enrollment, we encourage our future Kindergarten parents to attend Kindergarten/Y5's Information Night on Tuesday, February 11th starting at 7:00 p.m. This evening event is held at Clarkston Junior High School located at 6595 Waldon Road. Click here for more information
KINDERGARTEN ENROLLMENT BEGINS Tuesday, February 20th
- Any enrollment questions, please call 248-623-5401
- Kindergarten Orientation at Pine Knob Elementary is Tuesday, April 28th
- Y5's Orientation at Pine Knob Elementary is Thursday, April 30th at 6:00 p.m.
*Additional information, including specific times, will be provided soon.
Attention High School Seniors (Former PKE Students)!
New Companions at PKE Charlie and Vinny
Dear PKE Families
I am excited to share the news that Pine Knob Elementary will be employing two therapy dogs in the fall of 2020. As the first school in Clarkston to work with our own therapy dogs, we know there are many benefits to having the companionship of a dog in school and our model is based on successful therapy dog programs we have seen in other districts. Please click on the attached link for more information and photos of our new companions, Charlie and Vinny.
Over the coming months, I look forward to continuing to share with you photos of Charlie and Vinny as well as our growing number of businesses and people who are supporting our exciting new relationships.
Your partner in education,
Jodi Yeloushan
Please Mark Your Calendar for the Second Grade Music Performance
Hearing Screening at PKE
2020 Census
• Special education
• Free and reduced-price lunch
• Class size reduction
• Classroom technology
• Teacher training
• After-school programs
• Head Start preschool
For more information about the 2020 Census, please take a look at this fact sheet or visit https://2020census.gov/en/what-is-2020-census.html.
Lost and Found
Spring M-Step Testing is Just Around the Corner
5th Grade: (Testing window April 13th- May 8th)
April 21st - April 22nd, April 29th, May 5th and 7th
4th Grade: (Testing window April 27th - May 22nd)
May 11th, May 19th - May 20th
3rd Grade: (Testing window April 27th - May 22nd)
May 12th - May 13th, May 18th
Amazon Smile
Here is the link if anyone wishes to use it and pass it along according to the above guidelines.
Contact Information
Vicky Pike, Office Secretary....248-623-3900
Office Fax #:.............................248-623-3905
Attendance Line.......................248-623-3990
Board of Education and Central Office Administration
Board of Education 2019-2020
Kelli Horst, President
Gregory Need, Vice President
Cheryl McGinnis, Treasurer
Stephen J. Hyer, Secretary
Andrea Catalina, Trustee
Stefanie Crane, Trustee
Elizabeth Egan, Trustee
Central Administration
Shawn Ryan, Superintendent
John Lucido, Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services
Nancy Mahoney, Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services
Kathy Christopher, Executive Director of Student Support Services
Mary Beth Rogers, Executive Director of Business Services
Radhika Issac, Administrator of Data Structure & Analysis
Staci Puzio, Director of Student Growth and Well-Being
Mary Ellen Rowe, Marketing Director
MISSION STATEMENT
Clarkston Community Schools creates a learning environment where students, staff, and families are challenged, healthy, engaged, safe, and supported.
The Clarkston Community Schools, in compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and the Americans with Disability Act of 1990, states that it is the policy of the Clarkston Community School District that no person shall, on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, or ancestry, age, gender, marital status, disability, height, weight, and/or any other legally protected characteristic, be discriminated against, excluded from participation, in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to, discrimination in any program or activity for which the Board is responsible or for which it receives financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Education.
If any person believes that the Clarkston Community School District or any part of the school organization is guilty of discrimination as noted above, he/she may bring forward a complaint which should be referred to as an grievance to the following public officials: Deputy Superintendent (Section 504 Coordinator).
Clarkston Community Schools
6389 Clarkston Road
Clarkston, MI 48346
(All other inquiries related to discrimination)
Mr. John Lucido, Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services
Clarkston Community Schools, 6389 Clarkston Road, Clarkston, MI 48346