Defer Dragon's Burning News
October 19, 2018
From the Principal
Dear Defer Families,
It was another great week at Defer! Thank you for all you do at home to help your child be successful at school.
Family Flag Activity
For our new families, we would like to invite everyone to create a family flag! Flags are displayed in the gym and more information can be found in the link below. Extra flags can be found in the office.
Have a great weekend!
Dr. Rheaume
Third Grade Reading Law Information
Please contact Dr. Rheaume if you have any questions or concerns about the Third Grade Reading Law.
Defer Upcoming Events
October 20 - Garden Days at Defer 9 - 11 am
October 26 - Haunted Garage
October 31 - Halloween! 1/2 day for students (morning only)
- Parade 8:45 am, Classroom Parties, Assembly 10:15 am
November 1 - Picture Retake Day
November 6 - No School for Students - Election Day
November 13 - PTO Meeting
Defer Diversity Parent Group
Defer Diversity Meeting Wednesday, October 24th 6:30 pm in the library.
School Bond 2018 Information
Vote November 6
There is no school for students on Tuesday, November 6. On that day, we encourage you to take your student to the polls and model the voting process, or discuss the ballot initiatives with them.
On the ballot is a School Bond Proposal. It is designed to:
· Enhance student safety and school security
· Make infrastructure improvements (roofs, boilers, HVAC)
· Upgrade technology infrastructure (no student devices)
Projects fall into four main categories to keep students:
· Safe - secure vestibules, cameras, PA systems, asbestos abatement, locks from inside classrooms
· Warm - energy efficient HVAC (boilers, air handlers)
· Dry - roofs, mechanical systems
· Connected - technology infrastructure and classroom technology (no student devices)
Key Points:
· To calculate your annual cost multiply 1/2 the market value of your home by 0.0015 (Example: $300,000 market value divided by 2 = $150,000 x 0.0015 = $225/year or $19/month)
· The average age of a GPPSS school is 77 years.
· 100% of the funds raised stay in GPPSS for our students.
· The district will continue to act as wise fiscal stewards. On 10/08/18 another clean audit was presented to the Board highlighting how fund equity has increased to our goal of 10%.
· If you have questions or need more information, call any principal or call Superintendent Gary Niehaus at 313/432-3010.
· More facts, including a line by line list of projects by school, are posted at www.gpschools.org - click School Bond 2018
Defer Art Information
What's Happening in the Art Room:
Y5 - Purple Spiders
K - Mouse Paint
1 - Matisse Fishbowls
2 - Starry Night Collages
3 - Clay Owls
4 - Midnight Pumpkins & Chalk Cupcakes
5 - Clay Piggy Banks
Check out Defer's Online Art Gallery: https://tinyurl.com/deferartsonia
Follow us on Facebook & Instagram @deferartroom
Defer PTO Information
The Defer PTO was recently targeted in an email phishing scam. Thankfully no one fell victim, however, we feel it is important to share this information with the Defer community. Please know that the PTO and its board members will never use email to request you to make purchases. If you see an email that looks suspicious, please call the Defer office immediately. Thank you for your help!
Friday, Oct. 26
- Haunted Garage: It's Defer night at the Haunted Garage on Mack Ave. in Grosse Pointe Woods. Tickets may be purchased in advance at the school. Use the attached form for purchase. For more information, see attached flyer and form.
Tuesday Treats for Teachers!
- We love to love on our teachers at Defer. Every Tuesday we try to recognize them with snacks and treats in the teacher's lounge. Any family is welcome to sign up to bring in the treats. Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0e4dabae2ea4f58-tuesday
Please click on the link below for:
Service/Safety Information
This year we have 33 Safety/Service members. They are the highly visible helpers in their fluorescent yellow belts in and around the school. The position of Safety/Service is a respected one, whose roots trace back to approximately 1920. Helping children to cross the street safely, become safe pedestrians and to become leaders and good citizens are some of the aims of the Safety/Service at Defer. To reward their hard work and dedication, Defer School and its PTO sponsor several fun events throughout the year. In October our members will be sworn in by the Honorable Judge Carl Jarboe at the Grosse Pointe Park Municipal Court.
If you see a Safety/service member doing a good job, tell them.
Thank you,
Helen Srebernak
Safety/Service Coordinator
Leader in Me
Currently, your child is learning the 7 Habits. These habits are continuously reviewed, practiced and integrated daily at Defer. Our purpose is to review the 7 Habits with you monthly. It is our hope that the home/school connection will reinforce your child’s leadership skills.
Tired of reminding your child about …Home practice? Cleaning their room? Picking up? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if they just did it on their own?
Habit 1 is Be Proactive- “I am in charge of me.”
This Habit is the key to moving from dependence to personal responsibility. To be proactive means to take responsibility for one’s choices and behaviors. Proactive says, “I am a responsible person. I take initiative. I choose my actions, attitudes and moods. I do not blame others for my actions. I do the right thing even when no one is looking.”
Skills that can be learned by this habit:
Motivation and taking pride in one’s work
Acting responsible toward self, family, school, community, nation and world
Initiative
Using talents and abilities
Thinking about choices and being accountable and responsible for actions and results while understanding that choices affect others
Read more Parent Pointers about Being Proactive in the link below:
News from The Family Center
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
Email: rheauml@gpschools.org
Website: https://mi01000971.schoolwires.net/Domain/1099
Location: 15425 Kercheval Avenue, Grosse Pointe Park, MI, USA
Phone: 313-432-4000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GPDefer/
Twitter: @GPDefer