Pleasant Lake Pleasantries
The Week of January 30, 2017
Calendar of Events
Shark’s Den School Store Tuesday-Thursday 8:40 -8:55 a.m.
Girl Scouts every Thursday evening at 6:00 p.m.
Division II Math Pentathlon every Tuesday from 7:45-8:45 a.m.
S.A.I.L Team every Friday at 8:00 a.m.
- Wednesday, Feb. 1-1/2 Day of School for Students, dismissal at 12:09 p.m.
- Wednesday, Feb. 1-Zap Zone Fundraiser from 5-8 p.m.
- Wednesday, Feb. 1-Global School Play Day
- Thursday, Feb. 2-Jump Rope for Heart Fundraiser 4:15-6:00 p.m.
- Thursday, Feb. 2-School Board of Education Meeting at 7:30 p.m.
- Friday, Feb. 3-Star Students at 3:00 p.m.
- Monday, Feb. 6-PTA Meeting at 7:00 p.m. Meet Walnut Creek's Principal, Mr. Pat Cavanaugh.
- Feb. 6-10 5th Grade Camp
- Tuesday, Feb. 7-Bus Evacuation Practice Drill
- Wednesday, Feb. 8-State of Michigan Student Count Day
- Thursday, Feb. 9-Preschool Open House from 5:00-6:30 p.m.
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
Great Time at Family Pizza and Bingo Night!
Global School Play Day
This Wednesday, February 1st, is Global School Play Day. The goal of Global School Play Day is to raise awareness about the necessity for unstructured play. Please click HERE for more information.
Many students at Pleasant Lake will be participating in Global School Play Day. Look for a letter from your child's teacher!
January 2017 S.A.I.L Issue
MLK Day Celebration!
Pleasant Lake Elementary ranked in the 80th Percentile in the State of Michigan!
Each year the State of Michigan ranks all schools based off their state assessment results. The last two years schools have administered the Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress (M-STEP) and previous to that it was the Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP). The M-STEP is administered to children in 3rd-5th Grade each Spring. Below you will find Pleasant Lake Elementary's Statewide Percentile Rank the last several years:
2011/2012 -58%
2012/2013-60%
2013/2014-64%
2014/2015- (percentile rank unavailable due to the transition from the MEAP to the M-STEP)
2015/2016-80%
The M-STEP is simply one of several student assessment data points that we analyze to assist us in determining our individual student and building wide needs. Nonetheless, we are proud of our school community in the continuous improvement we've exhibited each school year.
Together We Learn, Together We Lead!
Zap Zone Family Fun Night This Wednesday!
Leader in Me Student Videos Wanted
Calling all PLE students who have found the 8th Leader in Me Habit of “finding their voices” and who would like to display their unique skill or talent to inspire others! Please click HERE for more information and video submission rules.
Email your videos to pleelementary55@gmail.com with your child’s name and activity they are doing in the subject line.
Box Tops Contest!
Turn in your Box Tops!
ALL FAMILIES PLEASE SEND IN YOUR BOX TOPS BY FEBRUARY 24, 2017
1. BUY YOUR FAVORITE BOX TOP PRODUCTS.
2. TRIM EACH BOX TOP ON DOTTED LINE.
3. CHECK EXPIRATION DATES.
4. SEND WITH YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL.
5. EARN MONEY FOR YOUR SCHOOL.
THE CLASS THAT COLLECTS THE MOST BOX TOPS IN EACH GRADE LEVEL GETS AN ICE CREAM TREAT.
Super Car Wash Booklets Are Back!
Purchase a book of 7 Super Car Wash passes for $20 and PLEASANT LAKE WILL RECEIVE $10.00 FOR EVERY BOOK SOLD! The passes are redeemable at any of Super Car Wash’s nine locations. There are 4 locations close to Pleasant Lake: Maple and Haggerty, Maple and Decker, Richardson and Union Lake, and Orchard Lake and 12 Mile (a complete list of locations and addresses can be found at www.supercarwash.net. Each wash is normally $3.99, so buying a book will not only save you approximately $8, but you will also be supporting our school. This is a great opportunity to raise money for Pleasant Lake and to keep your car clean this winter! Remember, salt eats cars!
Research Finds The Effects Of Homework On Elementary School Students, And The Results Are Surprising by Maria Onzain
After over 25 years of studying and analyzing homework, Harris Coopers’ research demonstrates a clear conclusion: homework wrecks elementary school students. In his book, The Battle over Homework: Common Ground for Administrators, Teachers, and Parents, the homework guru gives details about the relationship between homework and success at different grade levels. While homework has a significant benefit at the high school level, the benefit drops off for middle school students and “there’s no benefit at the elementary school level,” agrees Etta Kralovec, an education professor at the University of Arizona.
Why teachers shouldn’t assign homework to elementary school students
According to research, there are a number of reasons why teachers shouldn’t assign homework to elementary school students:
- Homework can generate a negative impact on children’s attitudes toward school. Children who are just beginning at school have so many years ahead of them. The last thing teachers should do is to turn them against school. Instead, young kids should have fun while learning.
- Premature homework can damage personal relationships in the long term. While homework is meant to reinforce the relationship between parents and children and get parents involved in their children’s education, with elementary school kids this can have the opposite effect. At that age, children need to be reminded by their parents about their homework. After a long day at school, something that includes the word “work” is not exactly what kids want to do before going to bed. This ends up too often in a sorrowful battle that can be extended to the later years when homework does have benefits.
- Homework gives a false sense of responsibility. Those who support homework will say that daily homework helps kids become more responsible, but this is only true at a later age. When parents have to remind their kids to do their homework every night, this purpose completely fades away.
- Homework leaves less time for kids to be kids. According to the information gathered by Open Colleges and presented in their article The Tyranny of Homework: 20 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Assign Homework Over The Holidays, many kids don’t get enough exercise. All students, and especially the youngest ones, should use their evenings and holiday time to do more physical activities, playing outdoors and participating in sports with friends. Both teachers and parents can encourage children to do these kinds of activities more often.
- Kids need to rest to be productive in school. Another problem with elementary school homework is that it often takes time away from their sleeping hours. Children need, on average, ten hours of sleep a day. For kids to be 100% the next day at school, they need to have a proper rest.
Alternatives to homework for young students
As an alternative to overloading young students with homework, there are so many things that teachers and parents can do to make sure that students are motivated and open to learning more:
- To encourage fun reading. According to research, at the elementary level what works way better than homework is reading. Parents and teachers may find subjects that kids are interested in and either stimulate them to read themselves or read out loud and let them listen. Although personalizing this activity for each kid will require more effort than homogeneous homework, the benefits of fun reading will be noticeable.
- Teach responsibility with daily chores. Instead of relying on homework to develop a kid’s sense of responsibility, there are so many everyday habits that can teach them to be responsible, such as getting up and ready in the morning, making the bed, helping out with chores, or even looking after a pet.
- Teach them that they are always learners. Elementary school students are continuously learning, so when parents and teachers make sure that children understand this concept, doing homework to learn more becomes secondary.
- Take them to visit a museum. So much can be learnt in a science or art exhibition. More importantly, the knowledge and experience acquired in this kind of field cannot be learnt in any other way. Parents might look for upcoming exhibitions or activities that will awaken their children’s interest.
Overall, administrators, parents, and teachers may leverage after-school experiences where creativity, sociability, and learning converge to enhance elementary schools students’ educations.
Please take a moment if you haven't already, to read our Homework Policy Pamphlet and watch our Homework Policy Video.
10 WAYS TO EMPOWER YOUR KIDS TO BE BETTER HUMANS by Casey Mulllins
It sure is nice to see your kids grow up and start doing things on their own. I mean, it’s somewhat terrifying to realize that someday soon they won’t need you anymore, but still, good job for teaching your kids how to tie their own shoe! One moment almost every parent remembers is that glorious day when your children can get themselves dressed and buckle (and unbuckle!) themselves from their car seat! OH HAPPY DAY! As parents it’s our job to keep these little people alive, well fed and taken care of — but there comes a point where you have to let go and let them start trying things on their own. How does one prepare for such a day? How do you empower kids and send them out into the big huge world with a sense of self worth and confidence that gives them an upper hand in both their personal and professional relationships? Here’s a few things I’ve learned in getting my own baby to nine, I’m not saying I’ve done perfectly, but it sure is nice to see things I tried so hard to teach her begin to take hold and serve her well in her day-to-day life.
1. Let them learn patience.
I’m 30 and I can still have problems with patience, but if I’ve learned one thing, it’s that being impatient rarely gets anyone what they want and just the simple act of being patient is a dying virtue. One thing I vowed not to do (except under extreme duress) is rely on screens and technology to entertain a bored child. While the process of teaching patience is a long and sometimes unrewarding one, I now have at least one kid who can handle long road trips, sit through movies, plays and shows quietly, and who I can take out to dinner without the fear of her acting up out of boredom. If it worked once, my hope is it will work with the toddler as well — because being able to take your older kids out in public and not have them act foolishly is a reward in itself.
2. Give them responsibility.
Vivi is almost 3 and already believes that if she doesn’t feed the cats they will surely starve to death. That’s the funny thing about kids, when they’re little they see helping you as the greatest thing in the world, grasp onto that desire and they will come to see responsibility as being part of a family. Chores everyday, do them or deal with the consequences — it’s how both my husband and I were raised and it’s how we’re trying to raise our girls.
3. Give them something to care for.
Maybe it’s something as simple as a plant, but when kids can see the direct result of their care for something it gives them a sense of pride nothing else can. Addie has had a special fondness for one of our cats since we first brought him home from the shelter, her patience and love with him has paid off in the form of a friendship no one can mess with. The cat follows her to bed each night, curls up by her head and stays by her side all night.
4. Teach them respect.
Respect, something I’m afraid will be lost on the next generation if we don’t teach our children about it now. When children respect themselves and those around them it gives them an upper hand in almost everything they do. They can’t be as easily persuaded into bad decisions, they stand out in a professional crowd when they are capable of looking someone in the eye and shaking their hand like they mean it. They begin to care about how their actions affect those around them and take their relationships, both personally and professionally, more seriously.
5. Lead by example.
I’ve always tried to be a good example to my kids, keeping complaints to myself and using constructive criticism and complaints when I do have grievances to air. Sometimes I’m not so sure they’re paying attention to any of it, but every once in a while some of it gets through and comes out when I least expect it. Nothing quite like being schooled by your own kid in a proper response to a difficult situation. Of all the people in my children’s lives, I realize they’re watching me the closest, with that in mind I stay very mindful of my behavior and it has paid off in major ways.
6. Instill gratitude.
There are certain values we all try to instill in our kids, and gratitude is at the top of my list of virtues I wish to instill in my children. The more time I spend around the generation between my own and my daughters’, the more I notice a sincere lack of gratitude. People remember when you say thank you, they remember when what they do for you is appreciated — and the best way to keep good things happening is to be grateful for the things that already have happened.
7. Don’t bail them out.
One of the best things my mom ever did for me was to never bail me out. If I forgot my homework? I got a bad grade. If I forgot my lunch? I went hungry. If I had been arrested? I would have been spending the night in jail. Want to know what the best motivation to never get arrested is? Knowing you have no one to bail you out. I don’t rely on anyone else to take care of me, if I mess up I know it’s my fault — which leads me to stay responsible for my own actions and obligations.
8. Let them make decisions, and deal with the consequences.
It can be hard to let my kids make their own choices sometimes, but it has to be done. I won’t be there with them in college to tell them to grab a sweater because it’s chilly out or eat a good breakfast because lunch is a long ways away. While I’m still in charge of the major decisions (no, you may not play with matches) leaving smaller ones up to them, and letting them deal with (or enjoy) the consequences of their choices, allows them to see cause and effect in their daily lives and the control they have over it.
9. Teach them self-care.
I don’t know what it is about 9 year old children, but I’m fairly certain they would never be clean if they didn’t have someone watching out for them (or at least forced to smell them every once in awhile.) There’s basic cleanliness needs that need to be addressed early on, not only because they’re good habits to form, but also because it keeps them from becoming embarrassing problems later on. Again, it’s one of those times you can teach them to wash their armpits, but it’s their decision to listen. If they don’t? They may learn a pretty embarrassing lesson in front of their friends.
10. Let them be self-sufficient.
This one is not only for the good of my children, it’s for the good of myself. I don’t want to be doing everything for my kids until they leave the house. Self sufficiency is one of the greatest side effects of not bailing your kids out. They learn to take care of things themselves, not relying on you or others around them to take care of things for them. It teaches them to think a situation through, how it will affect them and others around them. What’s more, is when a child is self sufficient they may be even more capable of helping others around them (hi! you!) as their needs are taken care of by themselves. The path to self sufficiency is sometimes a bumpy one, but it’s not our job to criticize their attempts (Oh! You made yourself a bread sandwich for lunch?) only encourage (What do you think you could add to make your sandwich even better next time?).
Teach The Leader in Me Habits At Home!
Enjoy!
Preschool Open House
Jump Rope for Heart!
We'll be helping to support the American Heart Association at our Annual Jump Rope for Heart on Thursday, February 2nd from 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Students will be collecting money for the Association throughout the month of February.
Click HERE to access the link for the Pleasant Lake Jump Rope for Heart donations page.
Thank you for helping us raise money for this worthwhile organization and don't forget to mark your calendars for this Thursday!
Student Count Day
Wednesday, February 8th is Student Count Day across the state of Michigan. Please make every effort to have your child in attendance and on time. Be sure to have your child attend school and be on time for school on a regular basis. School attendance is very important to your child's academic and social success. Thank you.
Kindergarten Orientation on March 14th
Incoming kindergarten parents for the 2017-2018 school year are cordially invited to attend the Kindergarten Orientation on Tuesday, March, 14, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. at each of our elementary schools.
Kindergarten Information
Incoming kindergartners must be five-years-old on or before September 1, 2017.
Exception: According to Michigan Law, a child may be enrolled in kindergarten
if he/she is not five years of age on September 1, 2017 but will be five years of
age not later than December 1, 2017 and parent or legal guardian notifies the school
district in writing (Kindergarten Waiver Form) that he or she intends to enroll the
child in kindergarten.
Research indicates that developmentally appropriate full-day schedules benefit kindergarten children academically, socially and emotionally. Our principals and teachers understand this and are well equipped to meet the needs of our kindergarten students.
Our kindergarten students begin to learn a whole host of reading, writing and mathematics concepts and learning strategies that give them the foundation for a successful elementary school career in Walled Lake Schools.
Kindergarten Vision Screen Available. Please call the Oakland County Health Department at 248-424-7070 to schedule an appointment.
Enrollment Information Hotline: 248-956-5250
Kindergarten Resources
- Kindergarten Orientation 2016-17 School Year Presentation
- Criteria for Enrollment
- Enrollment Instructions
- Enrollment Instructions in Spanish
- Enrollment Instructions in Japanese
- Enrollment Instructions in Arabic
- Elementary School Contact Information
- Oakland County Health Division (OCHD) Immunization Action Plan(Video)
- Full Day Kindergarten (PowerPoint Presentation)
- Full-Day Kindergarten Research Article 1
- Full-Day Kindergarten Research Article 2
- Full-Day Kindergarten Research Article 3
Two Hour Delay Procedures
Click HERE for our District Two Hour Delay Procedures in the case of inclement weather.
Tuition Expedition Scholarship Raffle
CHANCE TO WIN BIG!
SUPPORT FOR WALLED LAKE SCHOOLS!
· Tickets $50 each or 3 for $100
· 1,000 tickets for sale. Purchase now.
· Chance to win scholarship funds: 50% of gross proceeds
· Lump sum payment option: 40% gross proceeds
· Visit www.wlcsd.org/foundation to purchase tickets online & for info. regarding secondary prize, chance to win FREE ticket & raffle details!
Grand Prize Drawing March 27, 2017 at WL District Reflections Celebration
Need not be present to win
Checks accepted payable to Foundation for Excellence:
850 Ladd Rd, Bldg. D, Walled Lake, MI 48390
Questions? Contact Foundation for Excellence @ 248-956-2116 or email MichelleBianco@wlcsd.org
MI License # 38701
School Spirit Wear Volunteer
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
Access ConnectED, i-Ready and Reading A-Z at Home
In addition to ConnectED many of our classrooms have additional math and literacy online resources, like Reading A-Z and i-Ready, that your child and you and can access at home. If you're not sure what resources are available ask your child and/or their teacher.
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 every two weeks. 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'.
Walled Lake School’s Recess Wear Guidelines
Please make sure your child’s name appears on any of their outdoor apparel, so we can reunite any lost items with their owners. Also please remember to dress them appropriately for outdoor recess. Our students will have outdoor recess unless the actual temperature or the wind chill (“feels like”) temperature dips below 0 degrees or if it is raining. Below are the Walled Lake School’s Recess Wear Guidelines.
Coats/Jackets
50 degrees + - Child/parent discretion
40-49 degrees - Recommended
39 degrees and below - Required
Hats/Gloves/Mittens
45 degrees + - Child/parent discretion
35-44 degrees - Recommended
32 degrees and below - Required
Boots and Snow Pants
Required when off of the blacktop
if there is slush or snow
**Please note: Temperature degrees are based on wind-chill/ “feels like” temperatures. **