Defer Dragon's Burning News
March 2, 2018
From the Principal
Dear Defer Families,
I hope everyone had a wonderful mid-winter break! As we come back to school, I wanted to send a couple reminders about entering our building.
- Every person who enters our building should be buzzed in at the parking lot doors and report directly to the office to sign in and receive a visitors' badge.
- PLEASE DO NOT enter the building through the playground doors with your children during morning admittance. We want to encourage independence in our students, as well as promote a safe and secure school environment for everyone.
- If you need to talk to someone in the office or a teacher, please come to the office or call/email to set up an appointment rather than entering with your children.
Defer staff is also excited to have started our One Book, One School this week! Each family received a copy of the book on Monday. Families will have the opportunity to read together at home and we will have other fun-filled reading activities throughout the month of March.
Sincerely,
Dr. Rheaume
Follow Defer on Twitter (@GPDefer) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/GPDefer/)
News from the Office
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!
One Book, One School - Charlotte's Web
Please read Charlotte's Web Chapters 1 - 6 at home. Tuesday Trivia starts next week!
Lost and Found
Service/Safety News
In January, Defer Safety/Service ventured across Kercheval to the Pierce Pool to celebrate another great month of service. It was a beautiful day and perfect for a swim. Everyone enjoyed a relaxing swim, as well as drinks and snacks.
Mr. Senska joined the team as Lifeguard to supervise the safety of the swimmers. Mrs. Kern, Mr. Cantin and Mr. Palmer also were there for support. It was great to reward the hard-working student volunteers for serving Defer on a daily basis.
The Safeties love drinking their hot cocoa on cold winter mornings to “Warm the Safeties.” Thank you to the PTO for this treat: it is greatly appreciated.
If you see a Safety/Service doing a good job, please tell them.
Diversity Group
The Defer Diversity Meeting was canceled on Thursday, March 1. We will let everyone know the rescheduled meeting date as soon as possible.
The District Diversity Meeting is scheduled for March 22nd from 6:30 - 7:30 pm at Mason Elementary School. There will childcare available for kids 3 and up. Please RSVP to Susan Sutorka at susan_sutorka@yahoo.com for childcare. Please see the flyer for more information.
Upcoming Events at Defer
March 6 - AM School Only/TownHall Meeting 10:40 am/End of Second Marking Period
March 13 - Adopt an Endangered Animal day-wear a t shirt with an animal or bring a stuffed animal to school
March 14 - PM Parent/Teacher Conferences; Report Cards go home
March 15 - 1/2 Day AM school only;Afternoon & Evening Parent/Teacher Conferences
March 16 - Barnyard Read In;1/2 Day AM school Only
March 28 - Donuts with your Dragon 8:00am gym
March 30 - April 6 - Spring Break No School
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
Green Squad Update
Defer has once again been awarded the highest status as an Evergreen Green School by Southeast Michigan's Green School Initiative. The program which runs in Oakland, Wayne and Macomb counties was developed to encourage students to participate in activities which help them learn about preserving natural resources, protect the environment and promote energy efficiency. Congratulations to our students, our teachers, our staff and most importantly, our Green Squad for all you do to lead our green efforts.
Mark Your Calendars!
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.
Donuts with your Dragon: Weds. March 28, 8-8:20 a.m.
Donuts with your Dragon is scheduled for Wednesday, March 28, 2018 at 8 am in the Defer Gym. For those of you who are new to the school or have never attended the event, this is a free treat put on by the PTO. The event starts from 8:00 am until 8:20 am.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.
Spring Book Fair: March 26-29
Spring PARENT Social: April 21
More information to be shared as arrangements are finalized.
Spring Social Evening with Student Art Show: Thursday May 24 starting at 6 p.m. 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