Dublin Times
January 29, 2021
Our Walled Lake and Dublin Purpose
Every Child, Every Day is our intentional commitment to creating a safe and inclusive culture and community where we:
- Prioritize instruction
- Foster meaningful relationships
- Value and empower each learner
- Create growth opportunities for all
The purpose of Dublin Elementary School is to develop academic and social LEADERS who are lifelong LEARNERS.
Upcoming Important Dates...
February 1 PICTURE DAY (See below for more information)
February 2 1/2 day for students: Dismissal at 12:25 (We will begin our Shamrock Pick-Up Procedures at approximately 11:55)
February 3 February PTA Meeting, 7 PM on Zoom
February 4 Virtual Board of Education Meeting, 7 p.m.
February 8 Virtual Kindergarten Orientation Opens (Incoming 2021-22)
February 10 Count Day
February 12 Valentine Celebrations (teachers will send more information in the coming days)
February 15-19 Mid-Winter Break
February 22 - School Resumes
IMPORTANT: School Bell Times
Dublin will remain on the following bell schedule for the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year:
Monday - Thursday 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Friday 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
1/2 Day Dismissal Time: 12:25 pm
Students arriving after our car rider drop-off line has ended must be signed in by a parent/adult and will be marked tardy.
If you need to pick up your child from school for any reason at the end of the day and need to do this from the office, this must be done before 3:30 PM or after our car rider line is finished at 4PM.
February PTA Meeting
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82671230757
Meeting ID: 826 7123 0757
Passcode: Shamrocks
Picture Day
My Path and Our Path students have the opportunity to sign-up for a picture time from 5 - 7 PM the evening of February 1st. Pictures will be held in the media center, so we will arrange for students coming in the evening to enter and exit the building from the side media center doors. If your child is a My Path or Our Path student, please use the link below to sign-up for a time on our Sign-Up Genius. Please sign-up for a time for each child in your family who will be getting his or her picture taken. There are more detailed directions on how this evening will work on the sign-up genius link.
Regardless of path, please visit mylifetouch.com and use the Picture Day ID: EVT8C36B4 for more information on picture packages and how to purchase. Click the Flyer linked below for more picture information from Lifetouch. Hard copies of this flyer were sent home earlier this week.
My Path and Our Path Families MUST sign their children up for a time slot on picture day by clicking on the link below.
A Letter From Our New Dublin Principal
Dear Dublin Students and Families,
I am humbled and honored to introduce myself as the new principal of Dublin Elementary School. I feel very fortunate to be part of this school and to support the students and families of Dublin. The values of the Dublin school community in caring for the whole child and providing the best education possible each day for every learner are ones that I share.
I began working for Walled Lake Schools in 2011. During my time in the district I have worked at several elementary schools, most recently Hickory Woods Elementary. Along with the roles of interventionist and classroom teacher, last year I served as the Head Teacher at Hickory Woods. My educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and Master of Arts in Curriculum and Teaching, both from Michigan State University. I am thrilled to bring my skills as an educational leader to Dublin Elementary and to work with you as a partner in your child’s education.
My personal educational philosophy includes providing what is best for each individual and supporting the whole learner. Additionally, I believe in a strong partnership between schools and families and look forward to collaborating with you in your child’s education. I see school as a place to help our learners achieve their highest potential and grow academically, socially, and emotionally.
I cannot wait to meet and get to know all of our students and families! My goal is to get to know each student as an individual and to forge strong connections with our Dublin families. The Dublin team knows that each child should come to school and feel that they are cared for and loved. I look forward to being a part of this team and showing your children that same care and love. Together we will continue to build on the fantastic relationships and learning that happen on a daily basis at Dublin.
Over the next few weeks I will work with Mrs. Rogers to ensure a smooth transition. Please know that I will work tirelessly to support our students, staff, and families of Dublin. Again, I am truly honored to be given this opportunity. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns. I am looking forward to meeting you all soon!
Sincerely,
Danielle Bigi
Rewarding Employment Opportunities
Walled Lake Consolidated Schools is looking for community members interested in working as support staff personnel. Have you thought about the rewards of working with students and making additional income at the same time? If yes, we may have the right employment opportunity for you. Across all K-12 levels, positions are available starting at $12.74 per hour up to $13.33 to start, and range from two hours per day up to six hours per day. These roles include lunchroom paraeducators, classroom paraeducators, and food servers. If you are interested in learning more about the specific jobs available in Walled Lake, along with the perks included, please contact Brad Paddock at bradleypaddock@wlcsd.org, tele: 248 956 2192, or visit our Human Resources employment opportunities page on the District website. Assistance with filling out a job application on-line can be made available. Click here to access existing, available positions and sort by Walled Lake Consolidated Schools.
Hickory Woods Elementary (on Novi Road between 13 Mile and 14 Mile Roads) is in need of 2 Playground Paraeducators (10:30-2:30 daily). If you are interested in a part-time position at one of our great WL schools, please click on this link which will lead you to the application process. You will need to set up an account for yourself and include three references. To view the job description, please visit this link, select "Search by District,” and select Walled Lake from the list of districts in Oakland County. To see the paraprofessional postings, type in the "filter results" box at the top right of the screen "Hickory Woods.” Please feel free to contact the principal, Patricia Chinn, and to share this opportunity with others that you think may be interested as well.
A Message Regarding The COVID Vaccine
Dear Dublin Families,
Recently it was determined that educators along with others would be provided the opportunity to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. As you can imagine, many people throughout Michigan scheduled a vaccine appointment as soon as possible in an effort to continue to combat the COVID-19 virus. While this opportunity is welcomed by many staff, the process was not without its faults and some staff will be traveling longer distances to receive their vaccine while others were only able to get a vaccine during the school day.
As a district, we want to ensure that everyone is able to do their part to stop this virus, should they choose to receive the vaccine. This means that we needed to find a way to support staff members that were only able to get an appointment during the school day while continuing to manage the difficulties that we have in filling sub positions.
To achieve this goal, district level administration determined that we will provide an Asynchronous Instruction Day (i.e. learning at home through Google Classroom) if a teacher needs to be absent to receive the vaccine. This means that individual classrooms may receive communication from their teacher or me that indicates that her class will learn from home through the Google Classroom one or two days, depending on the appointments that the teacher was able to get. We know that this change may present a challenge for families. We have asked that your teacher provide advanced notice to families of their absence should their scheduled vaccine appointment fall during school hours.
What does this mean for your learner IF your child's teacher needs to be absent for the vaccine?
My Path students should not see any disruption to their instruction.
Our Path students will experience a shift from the Zoom classroom to the Google Classroom for their instruction. Teachers will also prepare students the day before their absence when in the Zoom classroom.
In-Person students will learn from home (i.e., not report to school for the day), receiving their instruction through Google Classroom. Teachers will also prepare students the day before their absence when the students are at school. Advance notice will be provided so families can plan accordingly.
Please reach out to me, should you have any questions about this decision from our District. I know this adds another layer of challenge for some families, but it also provides some hope that the end of this pandemic is near as we continue to work together to combat COVID-19.
Sincerely,
Martha Rogers
Dublin Interim Principal
School of Choice Window
Walled Lake Consolidated Schools is a participant in Schools of Choice 105 on a ‘limited’ basis, limited meaning not all buildings and grade levels will have openings. Typically we accept applications for grades K-10. Under Schools of Choice 105 we may enroll students who are not residents of our district but still reside in one of the other 27 Oakland County school districts who meet application guidelines.
The application window will be Monday Jan. 18 through Friday, Feb.5. Applications cannot be accepted before the window opens or after it closes.
Schools of Choice Fact Sheet
Schools of Choice Application
Please visit our Schools of Choice - Enrollment page on the WLCSD website for more information.
Kindergarten 20-21 Information
Incoming Kindergarten 21-22 Dates
Tuesday, March 2, 2021-Kindergarten Orientation on at 6 p.m. via Zoom.
Free Vision Screening Available for Incoming Kindergartners
Food Service Update--Free Breakfast and Lunch For All Students
After Monday 1/18/2021, there will be a new Monday pick up time starting on 1/25/2021. The new Food Distribution time will change to 1:45-3 p.m.
School breakfast and school lunch will be served FREE to all students that are attending in person learning in their classrooms daily. You may pick up breakfast & lunch for Saturday, Sunday and all closed school days every Monday afternoon at Walled Lake Central High School.
On Monday January 25, the Food Distribution time will change to 1:45-3 p.m. (from the prior time of 12:00-1:30 p.m. through 1/18)
For our virtual learners and children under the age of 18 who are not being served daily in our buildings, we will continue to provide 7 days of meals, through pickup at Walled Lake Central High School every Monday from 1:45-3 p.m.
Update from Prime Time Care
Prime Time Care will be open as long as school is in session at your school and we have at least 5 students registered per day.
If you have not already registered please visit the website at https://wlcsd.org/programs/prime-time-care/.
Full instructions will be available.
For questions, please email kathybirdseye@wlcsd.org.
School-Wide Morning Meeting
During our school-wide Monday Morning Meeting we recognize students that have been exhibiting positive actions or words while being leaders in our school. We also celebrate birthdays for the week, review important announcements for everyone, say the Pledge and Dublin Promise together as a school community.
We are currently focusing on the following important Social Emotional Learning Skills...
- Being Welcoming
- Being Safe
- Being Responsible
- Being Respectful
Please talk with your child about our morning meeting time. Talk with them about the skills for learning.
If you have questions about Dublin's Morning Meeting, please ask your child's teacher. They will be happy to talk to you about it, or better yet....talk with your child about it. Students are excited and learning a lot in this short time at the beginning of every week at school.
We look forward to this each and every week!
Please see our monthly themes and skills below..
Reporting COVID Exposures and Quarantine
Please remember that is VERY IMPORTANT for all families and staff members to REPORT TO OUR MAIN OFFICE any COVID exposures, positive cases, and quarantine details to keep everyone safe at school. We keep important track of cases for the safety of all at school.
Please also remember to WEAR A MASK, SOCIAL DISTANCE, and WASH HANDS. This must be done to help stop the spread of COVID at home, in public, and at school.
Please see the important DEFINITIONS below.
"Quarantine" is the practice of keeping someone who might have been exposed to COVID-19 away from others. People in quarantine must stay home (usually 14 days), separate themselves from others, monitor their health, and follow directions from their state or local health department.
"Isolation" is the practice of separating people infected with the virus from those who are not infected. People in isolation (usually 10 days) must stay home until it's safe to be around others.
"Close Contact" indicates someone who has been within six (6) feet for a time greater than fifteen (15) minutes of someone who has COVID-19 symptoms with or without a mask within a 24 hour period.
"Positive" includes only those individuals with a lab-confirmed positive test.
Thank you for reporting important COVID information to our school office in a timely way for the safety of all.
Dublin PTA's Giveback Program
Help us reach our goals to raise money for the PTA, which in turn is used to support our teachers and students.
Here’s what you need to do:
1. Go to our eStore https://dublinelementary.new.memberhub.store/store?category=Sponsors to shop, save, and support.
2. Our PTA automatically gets up to 20% donated back!
3. We’ll be adding new Givebacks about every week from brands you know and love, plus some new finds to discover.
This is the perfect way to jump start your holiday shopping or if you need a few last-minute gifts!
It’s that Simple - CLICK - SAVE - SUPPORT
Don’t forget to share your purchases on social media! The more you share, the more funds we raise.
Thank you for your support!
Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday season!
-The Dublin Elementary PTA
P.S. If YOU own a business and you're interested in doing a Givebacks to benefit our school, please let us know! We want to include your business.
Helping Your Child with Reading, Writing, and Phonics
We recognize that in these unprecedented times parents are working hard to support their child’s literacy learning at home as best they can. We want to help.
To that end, we have created free offerings for families. We hope these will bring more joy into home literacy learning.
Family Videos
In these family videos—each less than ten minutes— we draw on a combination of research, classroom experience, and educator knowledge to help parents and caregivers support young people, pre-k to grade 9, with their reading and writing. Some of these videos show you games that to play at home while others help you support phonics, avid reading, creative writing, study skills, research, vocabulary, or abstract thinking.
View all on our YouTube Channel
Book Collections
Want help finding some books your child will love to read? We’ve curated book collections of all-time and brand-new favorites, designed to hook readers young and old. We have lists for fantasy novels and graphic novels, for high interest series, and even a collection of courses of study for your teen readers. We update these lists regularly, so check back for more.
Free Office Hours for Parents and Caregivers: Ask a Literacy Expert
Have questions about your child’s reading or writing? Talk over zoom with Lucy Calkins and experienced Reading and Writing Project faculty. You might…
Check in about your child’s literacy development.
Ask what you can do (and should not do) to support your child at home with particular issues, or in general.
Inquire about what to expect across developmental stages in reading, writing or language acquisition, early to later years.
Schedule for office hours:
K-2 Families: Wednesdays 8-9 PM Eastern
Dates: December 16, January 6, January 13, January 20 (with more to come!)
3-8 Families: Thursdays 8-9 PM Eastern
Dates: December 17, January 7, January 14, January 21 (with more to come!)
Free Parent and Caregiver Workshops
If you’d like to learn more about ways to support your child’s literacy education at home, or learn more about what or how they are learning in school, or how to best engage in home literacy projects, consider attending part or all of our virtual workshop days for parents.
These days are typically 3 hours long, composed of a series of 15-minute small-group presentations. Parents and caregivers can choose the workshops that match their needs and are free to come for one workshop or many. These sessions are not recorded; the days are live.
Next Workshop: Thursday, January 28, 1-3 PM Eastern Time
REGISTRATION COMING SOON!
Main Office Protocols-Visitors and Volunteers
Michigan’s Return to School Roadmap states that schools must restrict visitors, volunteers, and family members in order to reduce risk. Therefore, no visitors/volunteers will be permitted in schools at this time.
Student Drop Off:
- Ring the buzzer outside of our main entrance. Give your name, child's name, and purpose.
- Sign your child in using our binder on the small table inside the vestibule.
- Have your child enter the office by themselves.
- We will make sure they get to their classroom safely!
Student Pick Up:
- Ring the buzzer and give your name, child's name, and purpose.
- Picture ID is required.
- Sign your child out using our binder on the small table inside the vestibule.
- Wait in the vestibule or outside until your child arrives in the Main Office.
- When your child arrives, we'll buzz your child out to you.
Dropping Off Items:
Ring the buzzer and give your name and purpose.
Leave any items on the small table in the vestibule.
Label items with your child's name and teacher's name.
We will deliver all items throughout the day and soon as we are able.
Social Work Corner
DEALING WITH GRIEF DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON:
10 Things to help get you through this difficult time:
1. Only do what feels right.
2. Accept your feelings
3. Call on your family and friends
4. Focus on the kids
5. Plan ahead
6. Scale back
7. Give
8. Acknowledge those who have passed on
9. Do something different
10. Skip it
To read the entire article visit: https://www.aarp.org/home-family/friends-family/info-12-2012/death-loss-christmas-holidays-goyer.html
Ele’s Place Virtual Grief Groups for
Children and Adults
Call: 517-482-1315
Food Resources
Hospitality House
2075 E. West Maple
Suite B204
Walled Lake, MI 48390
Call: 248-960-9975
Walled Lake Missionary
1795 North Pontiac Trail
Walled Lake, MI 48390
Call: 248-624-2595
Open Door Outreach
7170 Cooley Lake Road
Waterford, MI 48327
Call: 248-360-2930
Oakland Hope
373 Summit Drive
Waterford, MI 48328
Call: 248-309-3658
Our Daily Bread
1360 N Hickory Ridge Trail
Milford, MI 48380
Call: 248-685-3520Mental Health Resources
Easter Seals Telehealth Platform Services for Students and/or Families
Call: 248- 475-2150
Michigan Stay Well Counseling via COVID-19 Hotline
Call: 1-888-535-6136
Press “8” to talk to a Counselor. Counselors are available 24-7 Confidential and free
National Disaster Distress Helpline
Call: 1-800-985-5950 / Available 24-7
If you want help from the nearest Community Mental Health Services Program
Call: 211
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Call: 1-800-273-8255
Text: TALK to 741741
Available 24-7
Student Drop-Off and Arrival Reminders
- Please remember that our doors do not open for students to enter the building until 8:50 AM each morning.
- Please pull all the way forward and do not stop in the middle or end of our drop off lane. Students should use our sidewalk to walk to their doorway.
- Students must exit their cars from the passenger side along the sidewalk for safety purposes.
- Students must enter at their designated entry points each morning when being dropped off by car. (See map below)
- Students must walk directly to their classroom wearing their mask.
- Parents must stay in their cars.
- If you are dropping off your child late, you must park your car and walk your child up to the office to sign him or her in. Please do not send your child in unattended. Thank you!
Student Drop-Off Arrival Map
For efficiency and safety, please enter the car rider line with the flow of traffic. Please do not make a left turn into the car rider line during arrival and dismissal as this disrupts the flow of traffic and often causes a back-up on Farnsworth. Thank you for your cooperation.
Shamrock Pick Up and Dismissal Reminders
As we have always had, Dublin will have a TIERED dismissal for the safety of all of our students at the end of the day. Our dismissal process is comprised of four tiers.
- Shamrock Pick Up
- Walkers
- Prime Time Care
- Buses
We discourage any parent pick ups in our office at the end of the day unless there is an emergency or early release needed for an appointment.
If you need to pick up your child from school for any reason at the end of the day, this must be done before 3:30 PM.
After 3:30 PM, students MUST use one of the tiers of dismissal above.
We cannot have parents congregating in our main office at the end of the day.
- Parents who pick up their children before 3:30 PM must buzz in at our main office.
- Our secretaries will let the parent come in to our secure vestibule where there is a sign out book.
- Parents must sign out their child there.
- Secretaries will check ID.
- Your child will be called down to meet you there.
Students will not be called out of class after 3:30 PM. This is a disruption to our dismissal process.
- Parents must wear masks to pick up their children and must social distance in the vestibule or outside of our main office doors.
1. Our Shamrock Pick Up Students will be dismissed from their classrooms starting at 3:30 PM. We use a special application called BEELINE to notify students in their classrooms. Students will walk down to the gym and will be dismissed from there.
**PARENTS MUST HAVE A DUBLIN CAR RIDER SIGN IN THEIR CAR in order for your child to be dismissed to you. If you do not have one, you will be asked to park and go to our main office to get one. This is imperative for the safety of your child.
2. Our Walker Students will be dismissed at approximately 3:45 PM. Our Crossing Guards will be instructed to meet students at the West and East Walker door entrances to assist students walking home. The West Walker Door Entrance is at our playground doors in the back of the building. Our East Walker Door Entrance is the Media Center doors in the front of the building. Parents may not gather at either of these entrances to walk with students. Parents should wait until our students have crossed Farnsworth or Union Lake Road to meet their children. Our crossing guards will assist our walking students.
3. Prime Time Care Students will be dismissed at 3:50 PM. These students will go directly to the cafeteria from their classrooms.
4. We will begin to dismiss our Bus Rider students at approximately 3:55 PM. We will call buses one at a time. Students will remain in classrooms until their bus is called. Teachers will supervise students in classrooms.
Shamrock Pick Up Dismissal Map
Dublin Spirit Wear
It is time to order your Dublin Spirit Wear! Our Dublin PTA has set up spirit wear for purchase with a new company this year.
You can order with the order form below OR online all year long!!
Please see the flyer below for ordering and details, and also visit the Dublin Spirit Wear Store below. Each month, the website offers a new incentive. This month you can receive 15% off a T-shirt.
Face masks are also available.
The spirit wear flyer and web store will always be on our Dublin web page for future orders under the FOR PARENTS tab and placed in our Dublin Times newsletter. Please watch for monthly coupons too!
Here is the information flyer:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1d2uVRVZvlX3UD2E1tSNpfRNt-35By5Q5/view?usp=sharing
Here is the direct link to our Dublin Store.
WLCSD Foundation for Excellence-Be Inspired!
Choose K-12 Walled Lake Students for Year-End Giving
The Foundation for Excellence’s support for Walled Lake Schools’ 13,000 students is needed now more than ever for such critical areas of education as literacy and social and emotional learning.
Don’t miss out on making your one-time tax, deductible donation of $300 to the Foundation, as provided by the CARES Act. Vital diversification for an entire classroom’s literacy library can happen with $300. You make the difference for our children-future employees, business owners and leaders.
Be inspired to continue or begin your Foundation support and hear from our community leaders why they prioritize support for our District and from Jen Phillips-Weckstein; Dublin teacher, WLCSD parent and longstanding FFE trustee, regarding how FFE changed the trajectory of her teaching.
QUESTIONS? Email Foundation Executive Director MichelleBianco@wlcsd.org or phone 248.956.2116.
Checks can be made payable to Foundation for Excellence-Walled Lake Schools, 850 Ladd Rd., Bldg. D, Walled Lake, MI 48390.
Links:
You make the Difference: FFE video
Be Inspired: Message from Jen Phillips-Weckstein: WLCSD teacher, parent & FFE trustee
Choose WLCSD K-12 Students for Year-end Giving - FFE electronic newsletter (SMORE)
Need a Chrome Book?
How Can I Get a Chromebook for my Child?
Parents can still get Chromebooks for their children every Tuesday and Thursday from 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. at the Educational Services Center located at 850 Ladd Road, Building D, Walled Lake.
Need Tech Support?
In an effort to help with technical issues that you may have at home while learning online, WLCSD has developed a STUDENT TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT REQUEST FORM. To help with technical issues, this should be the first step in letting us know the issue you are experiencing with technology at home. We can then help you as quickly as we can.
This form is always located on our Dublin web page under the FOR PARENTS tab.
There is a button below too!
Attendance Hotline-248-956-3890
Please be reminded that our teachers will take AM and PM attendance as well as record tardies.
If your child will be absent or late, or will need to end the remote day early due to illness or a scheduled appointment, you must call the attendance phone line and leave us a message to tell us.
Every teaching and learning moment is crucial and we appreciate your partnership to ensure good attendance and participation.
We recognize that there will be a learning curve during these first few weeks and we promise to be flexible and understanding as we all become comfortable with the digital platforms of Google and Zoom.
Attendance Line: 248-956-3890
Google Login Information
Families - You can now access your child’s Google login information via Skyward Family Access. It can be found on the Report Cards tab as the very top report. If you still do not see it, please use the emails below to contact our school. If you are a parent of a new Kindergarten student and don’t see your student login, please check back on Skyward in a day as we are continuing to process enrollments. Thank you!
Support our School!
Dublin Elementary is now set up on the Amazon Smile program, which
donates 0.5% of eligible purchases straight to our school!
Here's what to do:
1) Log on to http://smile.amazon.com/
2) Select Dublin Elementary PTA as the organization you are supporting.
3) Shop away!
Communication is Key at Dublin!
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 Dublin 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.
DUBLIN TIMES AND SCHOOL WEB PAGE
Our Dublin Times newsletter will be sent electronically to parents. An archive of newsletters will be posted to our school website. 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 and blogs 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 @DublinWL to be updated regularly on important events at our school and fun pictures of student events and learning!
OFFICIAL FACEBOOK PAGE
Please LIKE US on our OFFICIAL Dublin Elementary Facebook page! See the button below!
Dublin Contact Information
Interim Principal: MarthaRogers@wlcsd.org
248-956-3832
Diane Yanalunas
Principal's Secretary: DianeYanalunas@wlcsd.org
248-956-3829
Mary Austin-Harris
Building Secretary: MaryAustin-Harris@wlcsd.org
248-956-3841
Email: jeffreydrewno@wlcsd.org
Website: http://wlcsd.org/dublin.cfm
Location: 425 Farnsworth Street, White Lake, MI, United States
Phone: 248-956-3800
Twitter: @DublinWL