Gretchko Newsletter
August 31, 2023
REMINDER: NO SCHOOL FRIDAY, 9/1 OR MONDAY, 9/4
Principal's Update
Hello Team WB!
What a terrific start to the school year! Thank you so much for sharing your children with us. We have loved the smiles and laughter filling our classrooms again!
New this year, we are offering a volunteer training for those of you who would like to help out at Gretchko throughout the year. We want to make sure our volunteers feel comfortable with our safety and security procedures, know a bit about how to support teachers in the classroom, and even know a bit about our Maker Space. We are offering two trainings:
- September 19, 9:15-10:15am
- September 20, 6:00-7:00pm
Speaking of volunteers, we are looking for volunteers who might like to join us for Kindergarten lunch and recess one or more days a week. As our kindergarten students learn all the procedures, extra hands on deck are always welcome. If you could spare some time between 12:30-1:10 any day of the week, we'd love to have you. It's quick and easy to fill out an iChat form. You just need to fill it out and then send/bring it back to us along with a photocopy of your driver's license.
As I shared yesterday, there was unfortunately an accident right at the entrance to Gretchko from Greer Rd. as dismissal began. Please be extra careful if you are approaching Gretchko from the west to come completely to the top of the hill and check for oncoming traffic before turning left. Thank you!
Next Friday night is our Family Fun Night. We are so excited to spend an evening of fun with our families. Please see the flyer and video below for more details!
Regarding dismissal, we know that sometimes dismissal plans change. If you sign up for the bus, please verify that the teacher and the office (kitrina.van-meter@wbsd.org or suzanne.pokley@wbsd.org) have responded before expecting the change to take effect. It is usually a 24-hour turn-around time to confirm new bus additions.
We hope you will find the information here helpful. As a reminder, tomorrow and Monday are no school days in observance of Labor Day. See you on Tuesday!
Warmly,
Jen Teal, Principal
Featured Book
The Deaf Musicians by Pete Seeger and Paul Dubois Jacobs
Poor Lee! He used to be a jazzman who could make the piano go yimbatimba- TANG—zang-zang. But now he's lost his hearing, and the bandleader had to let him go. So Lee goes to a school for the deaf to learn sign language. There, he meets Max, who used to play the sax. Riding the subway to class, they start signing about all the songs they love. A bass player named Rose joins in and soon they've got a little sign language band. And in no time they're performing for audiences in the subway, night after night. So, who will listen to a deaf musician? Everyone!
Do you have 45 minutes to spare?
We are looking for volunteers who might like to join us for Kindergarten lunch and recess one or more days a week. As our kindergarten students learn all the procedures, extra hands on deck are always welcome. If you could spare some time between 12:30-1:10 any day of the week, we'd love to have you. Please email Mrs. Teal if you are interested!
Just fill out an iChat form and then email/bring it back to us along with a photocopy of your driver's license.
Join Us for Family Fun Night September 8th!
Safety Turning Into Gretchko From Greer Rd
As I shared yesterday, there was unfortunately an accident right at the entrance to Gretchko from Greer Rd. as dismissal began. If you are approaching Gretchko from the West, please come completely to the top of the hill and check for oncoming traffic before turning left. Thank you!
Picture Day: Sept 7, 2023
Math Is Fun!
Our students use a math curriculum called Bridges. Each month, we will send you resources in our newsletter to let you know what unit the students are working on as well as to give you ideas on how to extend your child's math learning at home. For the month of September, the resources are as follows:
ADDITIONAL BACK TO SCHOOL INFORMATION
ALLERGIES/ASTHMA/MEDICAL CONDITIONS – Students are not allowed to carry medication. The office must have a complete, signed West Bloomfield School District Medical Action Plan to be able to carry out any medication distribution. Each medication requires a separate form. Each year we need an updated plan for students needing medication. If your child requires medication the first day of school you must contact the office before school to verify paperwork and deliver the medication to the office. Further questions, please contact the school office at 248-865-6570.
ATTENDANCE – West Bloomfield School District expects students to be in school and on time for school on a daily basis. Absent and tardy students will be recorded daily and parents will be notified.
- If your child will not be in school or will be late to school, you must call the 24-hour answering machine at 248-865-6572. Leave your student’s name, teacher’s name and reason for absence. For the safety of our students, please do your best to remember to call before the start of school (even if you are only going to be “a little” late).
- To excuse a health-related absence from the county-counted total, please provide the main office with a note from the medical facility your child visited.
- Students arriving after 10:15 a.m. will be marked absent for the full morning. If a student is picked up before 3:00 p.m. they will be marked absent for the full afternoon.
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS – Gretchko School celebrates student birthdays in a fun, activity-based manner. We do not celebrate birthdays with food-based treats. Please contact your student’s teacher for suggested birthday celebration activities at school.
LATE STARTS – throughout the school year we will participate in professional development that delays the start of the school day. On these days, school will start at 10:10 a.m., and the doors will be open for students beginning at 9:55 a.m.
IMMUNIZATIONS – All students that attend West Bloomfield School District must have accurate shot record information on file. Please be sure records are up to date. New students that do not have a shot record or a waiver on file are not allowed to attend school.
MONEY TO SCHOOL –Any time you send money to school, please put cash or checks into a sealed envelope clearly marked with the student name, teacher’s name and what the money should be used for.
NEWSLETTER – Our Gretchko newsletter, school calendar and teacher news is available regularly online through the West Bloomfield Web site – https://www.wbsd.org/gretchko-elementary-school-home.
DROP OFF AND PICK UP – Any changes in a child’s routine transportation “the day of” must be written and received by the school. We cannot accept any transportation changes after 3:00 p.m. Please do not EMAIL OR LEAVE VOICE MAIL MESSAGES regarding student transportation on the day of the change. Teachers may not receive the message in time regarding the change.
- If your child will be riding home with a friend on the bus, both parents must send in a signed note giving the children's names and bus number. This should be used sparingly, not as a regular occurence.
DROP OFF AND PICK UP TRAFFIC PROCEDURE While waiting in line on Greer Road, pull past the Gretchko entrance, go to the bottom of the hill, make your left turn there and pull into the right turn lane whenever there is a line waiting to enter the school. Please no parking in the front loops of the school. Do not get out of your car to drop off or to retrieve your child. Have your child ready to exit-say your goodbyes beforehand. Pull forward when directed by staff, as we load more than 1 car at a time. (Please see the map/directions enclosed for further directions).
PICTURE DAY– September 7 – all kindergarten, first, and second grade students will have their picture taken. Picture packets may be purchased and paid for the day the pictures are taken. Retakes will be provided if necessary. (You may order online or order forms will be available at the start of school). School Name: Gretchko Elementary School.
New this year: Yearbooks are not included in the picture package. A separate yearbook order form will be provided at a later date.
POSITIVE BEHAVIOR – At Gretchko we have established three school-wide rules for the behaviors we expect in all areas of our school. The behavior expectations are: Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Safe. Students are directly taught what it looks like to be responsible, respectful, and safe throughout the building. When good behavior and good teaching come together, our students will excel in their learning.
PTO MEMBERSHIP- Become an active member of the PTO today. Look for us on facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/GretchkoPTO
RECESS –Students go outside daily. Please dress students accordingly, including closed-toe shoes. Lunchtime recess is approximately 20 minutes.
SCHOOL-OF-CHOICE SHUTTLE BUS ROUTES– We recommend use of our district's shuttle service. Online forms are available here. Don’t delay, busses fill up quickly.
SNACKS – We expect snacks at Gretchko to be healthy. ALL CLASSROOMS ARE PEANUT FREE FOR SNACK TIME. No drinks for snack time please. Each classroom has a drinking fountain.
SPECIAL CLASSES – Students participate in art, physical education, music, and icenter classes regularly. Please have students wear tennis shoes on gym days.
FunD Run 2023!
Kids Klub Services and Update
Families with students in elementary school who would like to utilize Kids Klub services on Late Start Wednesdays may register for a drop-in contract through the Eleyo registration site. Drop-in rates are $15 per drop-in session, per day. A non-refundable registration fee of $60 per child or $90 per family will be collected at the time of registration. Automatic Payment is required.
All children who attend Kids Klub must be registered for services for the state of Michigan licensing compliance. Children who are not registered will not be accepted. If you are interested in registering for Kids Klub services, please click here. Families must notify Beth Helka the Monday before a Late Start Wednesday to ensure staffing compliance. To view the 2023-2024 calendar, click here.
After careful consideration and research amongst the surrounding Districts, WBSD will not offer Tween Time Services for middle school students. This decision is based on previous enrollment numbers, which have not been high enough to justify staffing
Scholastic News
World Celebrations
September is Hispanic Heritage Month
September 4: Labor Day
September 6: Arbaeen
September 11: National Day of Service and Remembrance
September 15 – 17: Rosh Hashanah
September 16: Mexican Independence Day
September 17: Constitution Day
September 22: American Indian Day
September 24 – 25: Yom Kippur
September 26 – 27: Mawlid al-Nabi
September 29 – October 6: Sukkot
September 29 – October 14: Pitru Paksha
Gretchko PTO Calendar
August
8/28 - First Day of School
September
9/1 - No School
9/4 - Labor Day (No School)
9/8 - WBSD Family Fun Night
9/13 - PTO General Meeting at 7:00 pm
9/14 - Curriculum Night 6:00-8:00 pm
9/19 - Volunteer Training Option 1 from 9:15-10:15 am
9/20 - Volunteer Training Option 2 from 6:00-7:00 pm
-HRP meeting to follow 7:00-8:00 pm
9/22 - FunD Run during the school day
9/25 - No School
9/27 - Marco’s Pizza Night
9/29- Bagel Day and Gretchko Spirit Wear Day
October
10/10 - PTO General Meeting at 7:00
10/11 - Late Start (10:10)
10/25 - Late Start (10:10)
- Marco’s Pizza Night
10/27- Spooktacular 5:00-7:00 pm
10/27- Bagel Day and Hat Day
November
11/3- Fall Parties (during school)
11/7 - No School
11/8 - PTO General Meeting at 7:00 pm
11/13 - 11/16 - Marco’s Pizza Box Week
11/14 - Conferences
11/17- Half Day of School (Dismissal 12:12)
- Bagel Day and Favorite Sports Team Day
11/22-11/26 - Thanksgiving Break
11/29 - Late Start (10:10)
December
12/13 - Late Start (10:10)
12/15 - Bagel Day and Crazy Hair Day
12/20 - Marco’s Pizza Night
12/23-1/7 - Winter Break
*All dates are subject to change*
Gretchko Spirit Wear Now Available Online!
Does your child (or you) need some more Gretchko spirit wear? Now you can order online at https://gretchko-pto.square.site/
Gretchko Contact Information
Website: https://www.wbsd.org/Domain/12
Location: 5300 Greer Road, West Bloomfield Township, MI, USA
Phone:
- Main Office Phone: (248)865-6570
- SAFELINE to report absences: (248) 865-6572. This is a 24 hour answering machine.