WILDCAT NEWSLETTER vol. 9
News and Information for the Guest Elementary Community


ARRIVAL & DISMISSAL
Please review our procedures. Your support is appreciated and necessary to ensure a safe, orderly, and efficient process at all times.
We have had a significant increase in people coming to the school to drop-off/pick-up their child this year, creating a great deal of congestion in the parking lot and office.
Please adhere to the following guidelines to support a safe, respectful, responsible, and efficient process
- If your child receives bus services, please try to utilize these services to alleviate traffic in the parking lot.
- Remember that there is an AM drop off from 8:45-8:55. Please pull as far forward as possible. Do not get out of your car. Students exit from the passenger side.
- Dismissal begins at 3:58pm. Buses leave at approximately 4:06 and Wildcat ends at approximately 4:08. As you can see, our process is efficient taking no more than 10-12 minutes to complete the dismissal of almost 400 children.
- Consider the drop off and pick up loop a NO CELL PHONE zone. Limit this distraction unless you are in a parking space.
- Do not exit your vehicle unless you are in a clearly marked parking space.
- Never exit your vehicle if you are in the LOOP
- Students should know how to buckle themselves; please practice
- Only park in Handicap Accessible spaces if you have an identified need. Please park in the spot and not sideways.
Students fall into one of the categories for their transportation needs:
- Wildcat Pickup
- Walkers
- Bus Riders
- Change of plans for a particular day
Below, please find information regarding all three categories.
On behalf of the entire MHG staff, we appreciate and thank you for adhering to our school procedures. Together we can create a safe and optimal learning environment for Guest Elementary. If you have any questions, please contact the main office.
WILDCAT PICKUP
The Wildcat Pickup dismissal plan was created to allow parents to pick up their children without coming into the building to sign their student out on a daily basis.
If you are signed up for Prime Time Care, or your student has a bus, you are not eligible for Wildcat Pickup solely because of space for vehicles to line up in our drop off and pickup loop.
Priority will be given to the following:
- School of choice families
- In-district transfer families
- Families designated as walkers
APPLICATION PROCESS & INFORMATION:
1. Visit the main office to fill out an application, or ask your child's classroom teacher to send an application home.
2. The main office will create a car sign and backpack Wildcat Pickup tags.
If you already have a number, you DO NOT have to apply again and most families will have the same number. However, please update any pickup information by contacting the main office. You can also email any updates to heatherpengelly@wlcsd.org
3. You should arrive no later than 3:55 to pick up your children.
4. Students in the Wildcat Pickup will be dismissed at the front of the building exiting through the front doors by the office.
5. Cars wait in line with “Wildcat” signs visible. While waiting in line, please adhere to kind, considerate, and safe driving procedures. Make sure that your vehicle is not blocking others, pull as far forward as possible and keep moving forward with the traffic, do not get out of your car,
6. Please do not let cell phone usage distract the process.
The Traffic Engineer stated that if the pickup line begins to back up, it would be helpful if you would make a right turn to move the process along.
7. Do not enter the building looking for your student
8. We found it is helpful for you to practice the following with your student:
- independently put on their seat belt
- have backpack and other belongings easily accessible to grab quickly from the vehicle
- Exit ONLY from the passenger side
WALKERS
Students that are WALKERS will follow the process listed below:
1. Arrival - students wait outside for the first bell to ring. Please do not arrive before 8:45am.
2. Dismissal - students that are designated as "WALKERS" will exit the building by the main office and wait by a WALKER sign and blue bench. This is where families can meet their students.
4. Families - for the safety and security of all students, please do not enter the building - no one should be in the vestibule or hallways. We ask that you wait outside by the sign and bench.
BUS RIDERS
Students that ride the bus will follow the process listed below:
Bus Riders in the morning - Students riding the bus will be dropped off in the bus loop and allowed off the bus just before the first bell. If students are getting breakfast they are allowed off the bus a minute or two earlier. Please refer to the district’s transportation hot-line (248-956-5199) for information regarding any late buses.
Bus Riders in the afternoon - Students riding the bus home will exit through the south end doors. Staff will assist all students.
CHANGE OF PLANS FOR A PARTICULAR DAY
If your student attends Prime Time and you have a change of plans, be sure to call the Prime Time number and leave a message.
Procedure:
1. Call the office by 3:00pm, or send in a note to the office and teacher
2. If you are picking your child up at dismissal - buzz to enter the office, sign your student out, and then exit the building. Families will wait by blue bench until dismissal. The office will escort your student outside.
3. If you are picking your child up early - Please NOTE this is an Early Dismissal and treated like a tardy - buzz to enter the office, sign your child out wait in the office for your student. The office staff will call down to their classroom. Please stay in the office at all times.
BABY FOOD AVAILABLE FROM HOSPITALITY HOUSE
Hospitality House has baby food available and want to share it with those in need. If this is something that you or someone you know can use, please contact Hospitality House by either calling or emailing Donovan Neal, Hospitality House Director, at 248-960-9975 or email, donovan@hhfp.org.
GUEST PRIME TIME CELEBRATE OUR VETERANS
ABIGAIL SUMMERS GUEST ELEMENTARY STUDENT PAYS IT FORWARD!
Thank you Abigail for making the world a better place!
READ ABIGAIL'S STORY!
UPDATING SKYWARD INFORMATION
In an effort to make sure we have the most current and up-to-date information, we ask that all parents update their information in Skyward regularly.
This is very important as we enter the winter season. When there are snow days and other school cancellations, we need to make sure we are in contact with all families.
Parents can update, add, delete, and make changes to their contact information. If you are unable to update your information or need assistance, please give our office a call and our secretaries will assist you.
Thank you for your help and support with this important matter.
FACILITY NEEDS & ASSESSMENT MEETINGS
Parents, Staff, and community members are invited to attend any of the four meetings listed below to hear about the comprehensive facility assessment that has been compiled with information about all 19 schools and Walled Lake Schools buildings. These meetings will give community members an opportunity to learn about both upgrades and needs and also to give input on expectations for our school learning environments.
Thank you for considering attending one of these meetings:
- Tuesday, Nov. 13 at 2 p.m. at the Commerce Public Library
- Tuesday, Nov. 13 at 6:30 p.m. WL Western High School Media Center
- Wednesday, Nov. 14 at 6:30 p.m. at Dublin Elementary School Media Center
- Monday, Nov. 19 at 6:30 p.m. Walnut Creek Middle School
FUN RUN RESULTS
On Friday, October 19, the Guest students put on their shades, bandannas, and crazy cool grade level t-shirts, and celebrated a day of fun. Our annual Color Splash and Dash Run got students and staff moving! Everyone dashed through various color stations along the course, getting splashed with bold and bright powder paints! The entire event, including some dancing, was spectacular. On behalf of the Guest students and staff, we thank our new PTA President, Rachel Justin, and Co-chair Devon Kmet for making this event a success. Thank you to all the amazing volunteers as well! Thank you to all the families, businesses, and friends that made a donation to our Color Run Fundraiser. All proceeds benefit our children and school community.
Video coming soon.
Our color run was followed by the PTA Family Movie Night. Once again, our volunteers and event coordinator, Alicia Randell, made sure everyone had a great time. It was nice to relax and watch a fun movie with so many students and their families. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT!
CONGRATULATIONS to Mrs. Payton's room as the TOP sellers for the entire school!
Top Grade level winners all received a Red Robin gift card.
Top Class winners all received an Emagine gift card
TOTAL AMOUNT COLLECTED before expenses was just over $9.000.00

OTIS SPUNKMEYER FUNDRAISER
Otis Spunkmeyer Fundraiser
MHG PTA
Start: HAPPENING NOW!
End: Monday, November 12th, 2018
Delivery of products: approx. 1st week of Dec (2nd week at the latest)
Make checks payable to: Mary Helen Guest PTA
Profit: 35% of sales (as long as we sell 350 items- if not, we pay a $1 per item under the minimum out of our profits)
CHECK OUT the easy TEXT to pay method!
This year we are trying a new to us fundraiser-
The Otis Spunkmeyer Cookie Collection Plus More! The catalog includes many different types of cookie dough as well as muffins, brownies, cakes, pretzels and various pizza snacks. What a perfect time of year to stock your freezer with goodies. Pop some cookies or snacks in the oven and you are ready for all your holiday get togethers!
- Students can sell from the catalog using the included order form and collect cash and/or checks (made out to Mary Helen Guest PTA)
- Friends and family that want to pay by credit card can text PAY to 555888
- Friends and family can also purchase items online- here you have access to all of the various orders- wrapping paper, magazines, jewelry, gifts and more!
- Turn in coupons as they sell items to choose their adopt a pet key-chains
- Earn prizes that come when the order is delivered- see back side of sale envelope

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING STUDENT COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES
- Lilliana Lewis
- Amelia Price
- Kaia Mead
- Wayne White
- Madyson Crespo
- Lawson Hawkins
4th Grade Representatives:
- Mac Martin
- Hayden House
- Carson Justin
- Amari Campbell
5th Grade Representative:
- Katie Cardenas
- Lydia Chase
- Leo Boone
- Caidyn Sockow
NATIONAL DIVERSITY WEEK
Mary Helen Guest students have been learning about “Heroes”. Last month, students learned about the qualities that heroes have during our “Wildcat Time”. Check out this 4-year old hero: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJFlO9-poJ8
As part of the Walled Lake Schools Diversity Week, each classroom will research the diversity of female heroes making a difference! Each class will then complete a pennant that will be displayed at the MLKJ Celebration as part of our school display. The theme for this year's MLKJ Celebration is "Heroes in The Community; Women Making a Difference".
Students will also have the option to write about his/her personal female hero in his/her life. We are planning on entering the student “Express Yourself” contest with a video of students sharing their personal female hero pennants. If chosen, this video will be played at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration on January 21, 2019.
Thank You!
Mrs. Murray, Guest Elementary Diversity Chair
PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES
Parent/Teacher conferences will be held on 12/13/18 from 12:00-8:00pm.
This is also a HALF DAY of school for elementary students. School will be dismissed an hour earlier on this day at 11:00 AM.
This time is an important opportunity to talk with your learner’s teacher to discuss the progress that your child has made thus far this school year and to share your perspective with us for the year. Conferences are a two-way conversation and your insights with regard to your child’s strengths and needs, learning style, and other non-school learning opportunities can help us to shape our instruction.
Conferences are scheduled through Family Access. If you do not have a Family Access account, please contact FamilyAccess@wlcsd.org or contact the Family Access hotline at 248-956-2190. Be sure to include your name, the name of each child in the district, your email address and a daytime phone number.
Online scheduling through Family Access will open Monday, 11/19 and stay open until Friday, 12/7. Watch the video of how to schedule your conference time or use the written directions.
If you need any assistance with this process, please contact your child’s teacher. If you need support accessing the internet, please contact our main office at 248-956-3300.
As many of our fine arts, physical education, and media staff are in multiple buildings throughout the week and/or see hundreds of students, they will need to have modified schedules for this day.
Our Special Services teachers will be joining your child's conferences, and are also available for additional time if needed.
CALENDAR
NOVEMBER 2018
12 Last day to order cookie dough
12 Guest PTA Meeting 6:30-7:30pm
12 Dining to Donate @ Chipotle in Novi 4:00-8:00pm.
13 Kindergarten Field Trip to Outdoor Center 9:15 - 11:45am
13 Middle School Delayed start student begin @ 10:10am
15 Guest PTA Bonaventure skate night 6:00 - 8:30pm
19 Music Informance 6:30-7:30pm 5th & Kindergarten
22 - 25 Thanksgiving break
23 Middle School Delayed start student begin @ 10:10am
29 Wildcat Hat Day
29 Wildcat Time 3:00-3:40pm - 5th grade will have BLOCK in the morning 10:20-11:20am
30 Family Access Closed
30 End of 1st Trimester
OCTOBER 31st PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF
Walled Lake Western Performing Arts
Proudly Presents
Fiddler on the Roof
Friday November 9, 2018 @ 7:00pm
Saturday November 10, 2018 @ 7:00pm
Friday November 16, 2018 @ 7:00pm
Saturday November 17, 2018 @ 7:00pm
Sunday November 18, 2018 @ 2:00pm
NOVEMBER 19th - KINDERGARTEN AND 5TH GRADE INFORMANCE CONCERT
All K and 5 students are performing in an evening concert on Monday, November 19th in the Guest cafeteria! Students will be showing off songs, dances, and instrument parts they have learned so far this school year. Families are invited to attend the performance that runs from 6:30-7:30pm. K and 5 students wear their color run wildcat tshirts – pink for K and purple for 5th. Why call it an informance? The students teach you, the audience, about the musical concepts behind the fun songs they perform. Inform + perform = Informance!
MHG GIVES BACK - FAMILY FOOD DRIVE!
Through November 20th MHG will collect unexpired goods & Non-perishable food items.
Thank you Brownie Girl Scout Troop #76556 for planning the food drive.

HOLIDAY SHOPPING VENDOR
The best part is that all proceeds go to the walking track fund which will add to our community for many years to come.
If you are interested in being a vendor or have any questions please contact Rachael Justin by email rachjustin85@gmail.com
WINTER CLOTHING
Colder temperatures have arrived! We want all children to feel comfortable and enjoy being outside so we ask that you please send your student to school with all of the winter gear they may need including warm coats, hats, gloves, boots, and snow pants. Please label everything with your child's name in the event that their items become separated from them during the school day.
See guidelines below and be sure to discuss your expectations with your student(s):
- We go outside unless it is below zero degrees (windchill)
- Boots & Snow pants are required for students to play off the blacktop. We don't call home for dry clothes. This is their best protection.
- Anytime it is 32 degree and below, students are expected to wear hats/gloves/mittens. Above 32 degrees, we leave it up to your discretion, but do give reminders and encouragement.
- If a student wears a coat to school, they will need to wear it to recess unless the temperature rises to over 50 degrees.
CHAMP!
HOW DO YOU COPE? Check out the A to Z list of coping skills to use!

WALKING TRACK FUNDRAISING
ALL DINING TO DONATE PROCEEDS GO TO WALKING TRACK | Wildcat HAT DAYS - All Welcome to wear a hat! Wildcat Hat Day! Every child is invited to wear a hat; $1.00 donations are welcomed but not necessary. See you in your hat on: NOVEMBER 29 JANUARY 17 MARCH 14 MAY 23 | NEVER ENDING BOTTLE & CAN DRIVE Accepting your bottles and cans at all times. Look for the marked bins by both entrances of the school. Please be sure to rinse bottles and cans. We appreciate your support! |
Wildcat HAT DAYS - All Welcome to wear a hat!
$1.00 donations are welcomed but not necessary.
See you in your hat on:
NOVEMBER 29
JANUARY 17
MARCH 14
MAY 23
GUEST PTA
PTA MEETINGS 6:30 - 7:30pm in the MEDIA CENTERNovember 12th December 3rd January 7th February 4th March 4th April 8th May 6th June 3rd PTA Board Planning Meeting for 2019-2020 TBD | PTA BONAVENTURE SKATE NIGHT DATESBonaventure is located at: 24505 Halsted Farmington Hills, MI 48335 $8.50 NOVEMBER 15th from 6:00-8:30pm DECEMBER 12th from 6:00-8:30pm APRIL 18th from 6:00-8:30pm MAY 3rd from 5:00-7:00pm | PTA DINING TO DONATE DATES
|
PTA MEETINGS 6:30 - 7:30pm in the MEDIA CENTER
November 12th
December 3rd
January 7th
February 4th
March 4th
April 8th
May 6th
June 3rd
PTA Board Planning Meeting for 2019-2020 TBD
PTA BONAVENTURE SKATE NIGHT DATES
Bonaventure is located at:
24505 Halsted
Farmington Hills, MI 48335
$8.50
NOVEMBER 15th from 6:00-8:30pm
DECEMBER 12th from 6:00-8:30pm
APRIL 18th from 6:00-8:30pm
MAY 3rd from 5:00-7:00pm
STUDENT COUNCIL MEETING DATES
November 7
December 5
January 9
February 6
March 13
April 10
May 1
June 5th 5:00-6:00 Student Council Celebration - students will go home and then return for the Student Council End-of-Year Celebration Dinner
MSTEP INFORMATION AND RESOURCES
FOOD SERVICE
GUEST OFFICE ANNOUNCEMENTS

HOME - SCHOOL CONNECTION

ABSENCES, CHANGES IN SCHEDULE, & NOTES TO SCHOOL
If you intend to keep your child home on a school day for any reason, please use our attendance hotline at 248-956-3390. 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 and sometimes 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 AND the office. If this changes during the school day, please call our secretaries BEFORE 3:00 PM. We will do our best to ensure 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!
LUNCH SCHEDULE FOR 2018-2019

THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING BUSINESSES FOR THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT
Magoo's Pet Outlet in Union Lake | Union Lake Veterinary Hospital | Main's Landscape Supply |
Main's Landscape Supply
REMAX CLASSIC 26870 Beck Road Novi, MI 48374 | WAGS N' WHISKERS |
LAKES ORAL & MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY | Lakes Chiropractic | Salon Tress |
LAKES ORAL & MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY
Lakes Chiropractic
Glamour Nails | Nakisher & Freidman Orthodontics |
Nakisher & Freidman Orthodontics
GUEST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CONTACT INFORMATION
Sherry Ikegami
Principal Secretary sherryikegami@wlcsd.org
248-956-3300
Heather Pengelly heatherpengelly@wlcsd.org
Building Secretary
248-956-3302
FAX: 248-956-3305
Safe-line for Absences: 248-956-3390
Sharon Becker sharonbecker@wlcsd.org
Prime Time Supervisor
248-956-3399
Direct Link to PTA page click HERE
Principal Contact Information
Michelle Fiebke-Lang
Mary Helen Guest Elementary, Principal
Walled Lake Consolidated School District
Main Office: 248.956.3300
Office: 248.956.3332
Cell or text: 248.766.5771