Dear Families of Deerfield,

It is hard to believe we are already looking towards the end of the year and all of the fun activities that come with that. We will be having our Field Day and Family Picnic on May 31st, and our Deerfield Carnival on June 3rd. These are going to be so much fun! It will be great opportunities for students and their families to have fun and celebrate the approaching end of the school year. You can find more information on both events below.

This week we began implementing the use of our weapons detection system for all who enter our building, including students. This system has been in place for visitors for many weeks, and students have been able to acclimate themselves to the addition. This Thursday we began having all students pass through on their way into the building in the mornings. Avondale Middle School and High School have been utilizing this system with their students for a few weeks now, and we are happy to be now using it with our students. The decision to utilize this system with our students was made in the best interest of ensuring safety and security for all who are in our building, students and staff alike.

There is no school next Friday May 26th and Monday May 29th for Memorial Day. I hope you all enjoy the extra time with family, and hopefully nice weather.

Have a great weekend,

Mr. Goetz

May 26-29- NO SCHOOL Memorial Day

May 31- Field Day and Family Picnic

June 3- Deerfield Carnival

June 7- 5th Grade Honors Ceremony and Picnic at Innovation Hills

June 8- Half Day

June 9- Half Day LAST DAY OF SCHOOL

Students are able to get breakfast beginning at 8:20am each morning. You can add funds for breakfast or lunch on Meal Magic. Breakfast is $1.50 and Lunch is $2.85.

It is difficult to believe, but we are already making plans for next year. Each year the staff at Deerfield spends many hours and takes special care assigning students to their next year’s classes. In performing this task, many factors are taken into account, from governmental guidelines to social and academic considerations. The factors involved in this process are as follows:

- Balance of male and female students

- A range of reading, writing, and math abilities in each room

- Consideration of learning needs

- Separation of behavior conflicts

- Balance of students with strong leadership qualities

- Balance of students with independent study habits

In analyzing all these factors we strive to develop balanced classrooms, which will be minimally affected by the addition of new students as they move into our area. If you have additional information regarding your child's specific educational needs, we offer you the opportunity to share your input. This information must be submitted in writing to Mr. Goetz by May 21st (david.goetz@avondaleschools.org)

We understand that sometimes, things come up that can prevent you from picking up your child from school on time and needing to drop them off early in the morning. However, for the safety of your student, we ask that you do not drop your child off in the mornings before 8:20, when they are able to go down to breakfast or the gym. We are unable to allow your child to sit in the office in the mornings for extended periods of time. We ask that you drop your child off in the parent pickup loop to keep the bus lane clear for incoming busses. If you are unable to pickup your child on time at 3:39, we ask that you give us a call as soon as possible with your updated ETA. If you have difficulties in the afternoons or mornings with transportation of your child, please reach out to Busy Bees for enrollment information. You can reach out to the Busy Bee coordinator Aleesha Hollis at 248-285-2336.

As the year is coming to a close, we are working on our annual end of year slide show, and we need your help. Every year we have our 5th grade parents send in a baby picture of their student so we can include it in the slide show. It is fun for the kids to see if they can recognize their friends from their baby pictures. Please send in either a printed picture with your student's name on the back (pictures will be returned), or email a digital image. Digital images can be emailed to victoria.sheldon@avondaleschools.org. Please send in your pictures by May 19th (earlier is always welcome), so we have time to complete the slide show.

The Deerfield Carnival is coming up on Saturday, June 3rd from 12-3. This is a great way to celebrate the end of a fantastic school year. There will be food, games, bounce houses, a photo booth, and fun for all! Admission to the carnival is free for all families. To make the event a success, we are looking for some donations and volunteers. Please visit the Signup Genius link below to sign up. Items can be dropped off in the main office by Wednesday, May 31st. Thank you for your help and generosity! We hope to see you at the carnival!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0e4baaa728a7ff2-deerfield4#/

Mrs. Larson is looking some help taking down all of the Art from Artfest. If you are available to help, please sign up on this sign up genius: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0549a5af2aa6fc1-artfest1#/

Don't miss out on joining the Avondale Theatre Company's production of School House Rock Jr this summer! You can find information below, and we also have flyers available in the main office.

School nurses are still committed to health prevention and testing will still be carried out within school settings until further notice. If there are any interested parties that would like or need boxes of the home rapid test kits for the summer, please reach out to our Covid-19 Nurse, Lourdes, at lourdes.alcala-lopez@avondaleschools.org. or you may contact her at (947)-235-1067, so that she

may arrange delivery to the school.

We have 10 boxes of chocolate bars that still need to be sold. We are offering a chance to win one of three great prizes to the students who help us sell the boxes. Please visit the following link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0E4BAAA728A7FF2-chocolate1 to register and prepay the $60. No need to send anything into school. Boxes will be delivered to students during school hours. You may sign up to sell more than 1 box in order to be entered into the raffle more than once.

After all boxes have been signed up for, Mr. Goetz will conduct a raffle for 3 prizes during the morning announcements. The raffle is limited to the first 31 people to sign up. Thank you in advance for your help and support!

The prizes are:

First raffle ticket pulled: a pizza party with 3 friends

Second raffle ticket pulled: a Smencils bundle

Third raffle ticket pulled: a Deerfield swag bag

Oakland University is hosting several writing camps for students this summer!

• Their unique camp draws in students from all over the US every summer. Students entering grades K-12 have the opportunity to explore their own voice and creativity while also exploring Meadow Brook Hall mansion and grounds. This is an experience every young writer will cherish.
• These week long camps are offered July 10th-August 11th for all age groups. We also have a virtual camp and a full day camp.
• To register or for more information, visit https://www.oakland.edu/mbwp/youthwritingcamps/ or contact Rebecca Vornberger.

Parents, you can find great resources at the link below.

https://parentguidance.org/

Caregiver Resources:

Parent E-Safety Resource

https://nationalonlinesafety.com/guides

The Avondale Family Resource and Support Package has been created to support families, students, and staff during times of need. This is a document that continues to be updated based on resources available. Please review supports and use as needed. Families in need of any of our Avondale Support Team members may also connect with us by email or phone.