Pleasant Lake Pleasantries
Week of January 3, 2019
Together We Learn, Together We Lead!
The 20th annual Walled Lake Schools community-wide Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration is planned for Monday, January 21, 2019, from 5:00 - 7:30 p.m., at Walled Lake Northern High School. The celebration will begin with a multicultural dinner from 5:00-6:00 p.m. with food from a wide variety of restaurants. During the dinner, participants will visit student displays from each of our 19 schools, focusing on our theme, “Heroes in the Community: Women Making a Difference.” WLCSD’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration is made possible thanks to generous donations from the PTA/PTSA groups from across our district, the Walled Lake Education Association, the Walled Lake School Administrators Association, the Walled Lake Schools Federal Credit Union, and the Meemic Insurance Company.
From 6:15 - 7:30 p.m. there will be a program in the auditorium, featuring keynote speaker, Dr. Sylvia Hollifield, an MSU program Coordinator for elementary and secondary student teachers in the Detroit area. Dr. Hollifield will speak about this year’s theme, “Heroes in the Community: Women Making a Difference.” Several student choirs will perform, students will present their “Express Yourself” projects, and the Walled Lake Schools Alec Bender Friend of Diversity Awards will be presented.
Everyone in the community is invited to the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration. This program, including dinner, is free.
For more information, please contact Nayal Maktari, 248-956-2800, Dr. Patrick Cavanaugh, 248-956-2400, or Julie Amann, 248-956-4848, co-chairs of the Walled Lake Schools Diversity Committee.
Congratulations Mr. River Eubanks, the 2018-19 Teacher of the Year!
STRIDE Coaches Wanted
Parents of 3rd through 5th grade boys,
Girls on the Run was introduced to Pleasant Lake Elementary in the spring of 2018. We had such a successful season that we are not only continuing GOTR this year but we would like to bring the boys program, STRIDE, to our school as well.
STRIDE stands for Success + Teamwork + Respect + Inspiration + Determination = Excellence in Character.
It is a fun fitness and running program for boys in grades 3-5. Boys have the chance to share their thoughts and opinions about various life topics in a safe, encouraging environment that helps them develop character, while building their running endurance to compete in a 5k. Topics that are explored throughout the program include bullying, eating healthy, and teamwork.
In order for this program to kick off this spring, we need at least one coach. This a volunteer position that will run from March – May. Practices are scheduled on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00 -5:30 PM. If you are interested in becoming a STRIDE coach at PLE, please contact Christie Bernard at christinabernard@wlcsd.org. We would love to have a coach from within our community to help build self-confidence and synergize with the boys at PLE!
Christie Bernard
Girls on the Run Coach
2018-2019 PLE Calendar of Events
PTA Sponsored Annual Pastries with Parents
Congratulations PLE Building Level Reflections Winners!
Visual arts
Case Lang
Larry Darden
Madisen Ben
Madison Hood
Poetry
Noon Bedreldin
Music composition
Erik Tringaj
Evan Tringaj
2019-2020 Walled Lake Schools Transfer Request and Schools of Choice Applications
The Schools of Choice Application period is from January 14-February 1st. Visit the Walled Lake Schools of Choice (for families living in Oakland County, but not Walled Lake) site for more information.
The Student Transfer Request window (for Walled Lake residents wishing for their child to attend a different school than their home school) is from January 3rd-January 18th. Visit the Walled Lake Student Transfer site for more information.
I strongly encourage any current Pleasant Lake Elementary families who may move but wish to remain at Pleasant Lake Elementary to complete a Student Transfer and/or School of Choice Application for the 2019-2020 School Year. There is no penalty for completing an application that is then not needed for the following school year.
If you know of anyone who has children wishing to attend Walled Lake Schools next year, please encourage them to apply.
10 Tips for Raising Grateful Kids. How to help kids show (and feel) appreciation from the Child Mind Institute
Saying thank you is one of the first social rules many parents teach their children, and for good reason. We want our kids to be appreciative and not take things for granted, and learning to be grateful can improve kids’ relationships, ability to empathize, and overall happiness. If you are looking for ways to reinforce the importance of gratitude or would like to find other meaningful ways your kids can show appreciation, here are some tips:
1. Set an example. Kids learn a lot from watching their parents. Show them what it means to be grateful by offering a genuine “thank you!” to a waitress who serves your food, a helpful neighbor, someone who holds the door open for you. But don’t stop there — include your kids, too. Thanking children for doing things that are helpful, even when they are chores like putting away toys, reinforces the behavior and lets them know they’re appreciated.
2. Point out generosity. Call attention to it when people (including your kids!) do things that go beyond what’s expected — helping without being asked, being especially thoughtful, or taking extra time to do something because it’s important to someone else. Send the message that you will notice if they knock themselves out for you, or for someone else.
3. Have a talk. For some kids, especially young children or those who have trouble understanding emotions, it can help to have a talk about how showing appreciation makes other people feel. Try asking your child how he feels when people say thank you to him for doing something nice, and then how he feels when they don’t. Going over his own feelings will help him understand how his behavior affects others and make it easier for him to understand the emotional benefits of being grateful.
4. Find fun ways to say thanks. There are lots of ways to show gratitude. If your child isn’t comfortable talking to strangers or has a hard time expressing herself in writing, work together to come up with a different way for her to show her appreciation. She could try giving a smile or a thumbs up if someone holds the door, or show grandma how much she loves her new coat by drawing a thank you picture (or taking a smiling selfie!) instead of writing a card.
5. Share the love. Encourage kids to think of people who help them, from coaches to neighbors to the local firemen, and say thanks with cookies or cupcakes. Making them and giving them are fun, and they help kids see how connected we all are.
6. Put things in perspective. Talk to your kids about those who are less fortunate. Don’t scare them, but don’t keep them in the dark either. Understanding that not everyone has the same advantages will help them develop compassion for others and gratitude for their own privileges.
7. Let kids choose. Encourage kids to turn their interests into action. Whether it’s a fundraising drive at school, a bake sale, or a run for charity, expressing her interests and using her skills for a good cause is a great way to boost her confidence and give her a chance to give back at the same time.
8. Get involved. If kids are too young to go alone or aren’t comfortable dealing with strangers solo, make giving back a family affair. Find places where you can volunteer together or let your child choose a charity to donate to. Giving and gratitude go hand in hand, and doing it as a family will bring everyone closer and help you make some great memories.
9. Make gratitude part of bedtime. When you tuck him in at night, ask your child to tell you three things he’s grateful for. Even if he’s had a bad day it will help him—and you—end each day on a positive note.
10. Give kids credit. Be mindful of the fact that your child may have her own way of expressing gratitude, even if it doesn’t fit your expectations. Different kids communicate in different ways. For example, your child may be more comfortable giving a hug than a verbal thank you, or might show her appreciation by helping out around the house or drawing you a picture. Tuning in to your child’s unique way of being thankful will let her know that even as she’s learning new ways to give back, you see and appreciate the thoughtful person she already is.
PLE PTA Membership and Volunteer Sign Up
We need your support! It's our goal to have each parent a member of our PTA. Please join our PTA. Your support is needed to continue the great things we provide our children. Membership Forms can be found in our main office and under the PTA Tab on our school website.
We also need volunteers. Please sign up for PTA volunteer opportunities. Help others and have an opportunity to spend time with your child at fun PTA Events, it's a Win Win!
Thank you again for supporting our children, families and staff!
PLE Parents-We Need Your Support At Home
PLE 5th Grade Camp Meeting
Our expectations and hope is that EVERY 5th grader attends camp and financial assistance is available. Please attend the meeting if you have any questions and/or concerns. You can also attend the Open House noted in the flyer below.
PLE FAPES Newsletter
School Bell Schedule
Drop Off: 8:45 AM
School Begins: 8:55 AM (Tardy Bell)
Dismissal: 3:58 PM
Departure: 4:05 PM
Half-Day Dismissal: 12:00-12:09 PM
Pleasant Lake Elementary
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday
8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Prime Time Care Hours
Monday - Friday
6:30 AM-6:00 PM
Main Office:
248-956-2800
Fax Number:
248-956-2805
Attendance Hotline:
248-956-2890
School Times:
Drop off: 8:50 AM
Late Bell: 8:55 AM
Dismissal: 3:58 PM
Departure: 4:05 PM
Email: NayalMaktari@wlcsd.org
Website: www.wlcsd.org/pleasantlake
Location: 4900 Halsted Road, West Bloomfield Township, MI, United States
Phone: (248) 956-2800
Twitter: @PleasantLakeEl
Absences and Notes to School
If you intend to keep your child home on a school day for any reason, please use our attendance hotline at 248-956-2890. You may leave a voicemail message 24 hours a day. If we do not receive a call from you, we will call you to make sure that your child is indeed absent.
The Transportation Department will not issue bus passes for after school study, play dates etc. Bus passes will be issued for shared custody, day care, babysitting, or other emergencies. The Transportation Department will also issue year-long passes for in-district transfer and school of choice students when there is room on the bus.
If your child's transportation/dismissal for the end of the day changes in any way, please send in a note at the beginning of the day to your child's teacher or the office. If this changes during the school day, please call our secretaries before 3:00 p.m. We will always make sure your child gets to the correct place at the end of the day, but we ask for your help with this by notifying us early in the day or with a note. Thank you!
Safety First at Pleasant Lake Elementary
- If your child needs to be picked up during the school day, he/she will only be released to a parent, custodial parent, person listed on the school emergency form or a person identified in a permission note from the parent. We will require a photo ID.
- Any legal documents containing custodial restrictions or court orders must be on file in our office.
- If you are visiting our school or dropping off a student, please park in our main parking and come through our main entrance doors to our office area to sign your child in. All doors are locked and will not be opened by staff members or students. This includes students who are tardy to school. Do not drop off students in the parking lot if they are tardy for school. Parents must come into the office to sign tardy students in. When using the main entrance, please buzz in and the main office staff will open the door for you.
- To maintain a safe and secure learning environment, parents and visitors may not go to any classroom unless they have made prior arrangements with the classroom teacher. Parent volunteers are welcome at Pleasant Lake, but must sign in each time they volunteer in a classroom or in the building. Please remember to sign out when you are finished. Parents may not visit classrooms unexpectedly when volunteering or visiting the school. Students walk to their classrooms on their own each day and will be called down to the office if leaving early. Students will be called down to the office for any forgotten items brought in to the office.
Lunch and Food Service Information
The cost for a hot lunch will be $2.75 this year. The cost for a reduced lunch will be $.40. Breakfast will be available every day and will also begin the first day of school. The cost for breakfast will be $1.25. Breakfast is $.30 for eligible free and reduced lunch students. .
Please click HERE for the January Elementary Lunch Menu.
You can always visit Walled Lake's Food Service Website for information by clicking HERE.
Teach The Leader in Me Habits At Home!
Enjoy!
Kroger Community Rewards Program
The PTA needs your help in providing our students and staff with as many resources as possible. One way the PTA helps is by contributing the funds earned through the Kroger Community Rewards program. If you shop at Kroger, we ask you to enroll your card to earn money for the PTA. This program does not take away your rewards earned toward gas or any other benefits. It is an additional way that Kroger gives back to the community. If you were enrolled in the past, please make sure to re-enroll and select Pleasant Lake Elementary PTA to earn the community rewards. You can follow the link provided here https://www.kroger.com/account/enrollCommunityRewardsNow
Also, if you have other family members (grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.) that shop at Kroger or Kroger affiliated stores encourage them to enroll their rewards card and select your student’s PTA for community rewards. Every little bit helps our students and staff.
Thank you,
Katarina Gasevski
PTA Co-V.P. and Scrips Coordinator
Busch's Cash For Education
Don’t forget to re-enroll by January 1st to participate in the 2019 Cash for Education program. All participants must re-enroll annually. Once registered, simply shop, provide your Busch’s MyWay phone number or key tag at the register and receive credit for your schools. It’s that easy! Just be sure to follow the below steps to participate for the New Year.
Steps to Take:
- Sign into your MyWay account and select “Cash for Education” from the dropdown menu underneath your name to reselect your schools and/or organizations.
- If you haven’t done so already, you must include a valid email and opt-in to receive emails to participate in this program. You can check this under My Account > Account Holder when logged into MyWay. Busch’s will use this email to communicate any updates or changes to the Cash for Education Program. Email is also a great way to receive information regarding weekly specials, offers and Busch’s coupons, which are sent exclusively to MyWay members.
- Select up to four organizations that you would like to support for each quarter using the drop down menu. Purchases will be allocated equally between your chosen organizations.
- You may now also include the student you’re supporting.
- You may change your organizations and student at any time, but only those selected at the end of each quarter will receive credit.
Participants will be required to re-enroll on an annual basis.
If you have any questions please email us at welisten@buschs.com or refer to the FAQ, which can be found at buschs.com/community.
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 month. 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'.