The R. Grant Graham Star Reporter
April 16, 2021
R. Grant Graham Elementary School
Main Office: 248-537-6800
Attendance Line: 248-537-6810Tony Harris- Principal: 248-537-6899
Dawn Cuthrell-Secretary
Gretchen Dietz-Secretary
Website: www.avondale.k12.mi.us
Location: 2450 Old Salem Road, Auburn Hills, MI, USA
From the Principal
Dear Graham Families:
M-Step testing will begin on April 20th. All in seat students in 3rd through 5th grade will be taking the test. Remote students have the option to come into the school and take the M-Step. It cannot be taken at home. A survey was sent to your email last week.
The chromebook that your child uses is district issued. Please make sure your child is only going on sites that have been approved by their teacher. Any other sites can cause issues with the chromebook.
Just a reminder: The Covid positive quarantine has now changed from 10 days to 14 days. Please contact the school if anyone in your household has tested positive or if anyone has been exposed.
A few reminders:
Parents of In Person Students---Please remember to complete the daily Clear to Go screening for each student prior to coming to school. Children must have this completed before they come to school each morning or afternoon!
Packet/Class Materials pick up will be on Wednesdays only. The school will be closed during school hours on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
Yearbooks are on sale- see below for ordering information.
As always, thank you for your patience and understanding.
Remember, it takes a village to raise our children.
Sincerely,
Tony O. Harris
Tony O. Harris
Principal
Important Dates
April 15, 20: Oakland County Hearing Screening
April 22-23: Oakland County Vision Screening
April 12 - May 11: Avondale School of Choice Applications Accepted
May 7: NO SCHOOL
May 31: NO SCHOOL - Memorial Day
June 10: Half day
June 11: Half day/Last day of school
2021/2022 School Calendar
Student-Centered District Calendar for 2021/2022
Student-Centered District School Calendar 2021-22
After months of work and collaboration with stakeholders around the Avondale School District, we have developed our calendar for the 2021-2022 school year.
While adhering to government mandates and myriad other details, the calendar reflects our commitment to student and staff growth. It contains opportunities for student remediation and enrichment through staff-provided intersessions that we feel will help reverse the academic losses that may have occurred for some students over the past year. The new calendar also honors our commitment to our staff members to provide opportunities for them to advance their teaching skills and enhance their content knowledge in the ever-changing world of education.
The new calendar is considered student-centered but we feel that it really is learning community-centered as it is designed to create an environment conducive to a healthy and intentional educational experience for all.
If you are interested in participating in a committee to discuss and plan intersession and enrichment opportunities for our students please fill out the form at this link: Intersession Planning Committee Interest Form.
The new calendar is attached to this email so that you can begin to plan your coming months. Barring any surprise mandates from the state or the occurrence of national or global events that may interrupt our 2021-2022 school year, there should be little to no changes to it.
Please let us know if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
James V. Schwarz, Ph.D.
Superintendent
Avondale School District
Order your yearbook! Deadline is April 26th!
Elementary Menu For In Person Students
New Graham Bus Schedule
Avondale open enrollment
Absence Call In Procedures
Please DO NOT send your child to school if:
- They have had a fever within the last 24 hours
- They have vomited or had diarrhea within the last 24 hours
If your child will be late or not attending school, please call the attendance line directly @ 248-537-6810 before 9am. The attendance line is available to call 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. On your message, leave your child's name and teacher, your name, and the reason for the absence including symptoms.
- If your child has 1 High Risk symptom or 2 Low Risk symptoms, we will be recommending a COVID test. If the COVID test is negative or you visit your doctor and get a doctor's note that says the child is sick for another reason, your child may return to school when they are symptom free for 24 hours.
- If you choose not to get a COVID test or the doctor does not issue a note, students will need to remain at home for the 10 day quarantine.
High Risk--new cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, new loss of taste or smell
Low Risk--fever (100.4 or higher), chills, muscle aches, headaches, sore throat, fatigue, diarrhea (2 times in 24 hours), nausea or vomiting (2 times in 24 hours), congestion/runny nose
Food Drive
Summer Camp
Covid-19 Updates
Updated K-12 School Opening Guidance
New guidance has been issued by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) with support from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE); the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA); and the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) for schools to keep students, staff, and communities safe during the COVID-19 pandemic while providing the in-person instruction that is crucial to learning and development.
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mde/Updated_School_Opening_712811_7.pdf
* To access all COVID-19 Updates, go to the MDE website at www.michigan.gov/mde.
Happy Birthday Graham Stars!
Yukthika Manepalli 4/1
Micheaux Spann 4/1
Ashton Lyons 4/2
Mason McMullen 4/2
Jaya Escobedo 4/4
Sahasra Kathula 4/4
Naga Venkata Tummala 4/5
Raphael Godette 4/6
Enas Zain 4/6
Lucas Gales 4/7
Muni Gundala 4/9
Donaven White 4/9
Camerson Underdown 4/11
Milan Holland 4/13
Nasir Jackson 4/13
Thejaswini Karthick 4/13
Cassidy Moore 4/13
Annalisse Santiago 4/15
Josiah Jones 4/17
Marguerite Underdown 4/17
Cayden Montgomery 4/18
Eric Melchor 4/20
Landan Nowicki 4/20
Olin Ford 4/22
Venkata Tummala 4/23
Gracy Dadiala 4/24
Munzie Mir 4/24
Akshada Shinde 4/24
Omarion Innerarity 4/25
Raina Jones 4/26
Peighton Lyons 4/26
Jordyn Jones 4/27
Charita Madhi 4/27
Tyree Lacy 4/28
Gabriela Adams 4/29
Corey Bradley 4/30
Cameron Brotherton 4/30
Mountain Bike and Youth Cycling
Virtual 5k Run/Walk to support the Avondale Band
You're a Good Man Charlie Brown
Health Fair
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES!
Free Breakfast and Lunch- New Schedule
Helpful Hints if Your Child's Teacher is Using Seasaw
BLESSINGS IN A BACKPACK
Avondale families wishing to enroll their student(s) in our Blessings in a Backpack program, please fill out the form at this link:
https://forms.gle/PdsACS8KPo7tWKtf9.
Blessings in a Backpack provides simple meals at NO COST each week during the school year for families who need assistance. While Avondale Schools is conducting remote learning, meals will be disbursed in conjunction with the Chartwells Food Service Breakfast and Lunch distributions. (Watch for details about distribution dates, times, and locations.) Sign up today!
Google Quick Tips and Reference for Remote Learning
Useful Google "cheat sheets" embedded into the PDF. Here's a link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZOoceYTr1QMei62Tw3UPAJaEkphjXnCy/view?usp=sharing
NEW DISTRICT WEBSITE
New District Website
Avondale School District launched our new website! It is the same web address, but it has an updated look and it's much easier to navigate!
Check it out here: www.avondaleschools.org.