Wiley Way
Week of February 22, 2021
SCHOOL INFORMATION
Attendance Line: (586) 797-6799 (May access 24/7)
If you need anything, PLEASE EMAIL the office staff at officewiley@uticak12.org ; someone will respond promptly.
Reach the Office @ (586) 797-6700 or officewiley@uticak12.org
Office Staff:
- Mrs. Candice Merivirta, Principal
- Mrs. Rita Savage, Administrative Assistant
- Mrs. Cathy Baumgartner, Office Clerk
LOOKING AHEAD
FEBRUARY ~ Black History Month
FEB 22 - School Resumes
FEB 24 - WEDNESDAY: Online learning only. No in-person instruction.
MAR 3 - WEDNESDAY: Online learning only. No in-person instruction.
MAR 4- Pathways to Success (6:00-9:00 PM)
MAR 18 - Virtual Kindergarten Open House @ 7:00 PM
Student Schedule
Our kindergarten – sixth grade students will continue to follow the ½ day AM and PM hybrid schedule . Through the week of March 1st, we will be embedding a remote instructional day every Wednesday for all kindergarten – sixth grade students. These days allow for more personalized instruction for our students. The schedule is critical to supporting our students and our school’s academic mission during this continued transition. We recognize that developmentally our students need consistency with learning routines, socialization, connecting with their teacher and classmates on a regular basis.
MESSAGE FROM MRS. MERIVIRTA
I hope this finds you well ~ and that you enjoyed a relaxing week with your family. I know that I truly appreciated the gift of time and the opportunity to visit with my daughter's family and our grandchildren. They are food for the soul. Our granddaughter, who is attending Kindergarten virtually, appreciated the diversion of snow and playing outside with grandparents almost as much as we did!
These cold winter days and nights are the perfect times to sit down with your child(ren) and enjoy a story or two. Spending time engaged in reading with your child sends a positive and important message to them; you value reading! Reading together allows you opportunities to share stories (and introduce rich vocabulary) that might be above your child's reading level. It also provides opportunities for you to ask questions about the story, make predictions and inferences, and help with unknown words.
If you have questions about how you can help your child, please contact Mrs. Gabriel our Title 1 Reading Consultant (candace.gabriel@uticak12.org); she can provide you with resources to help your child succeed!
March is just around the corner and this year Wiley families will be participating in a reading event ~ One School, One Book. Each family will be provided a copy of the same book that we encourage to you to read aloud/with your children. Students will complete activities related to the book in class. What a great opportunity to foster a love of reading for pleasure as a family!
With the cold weather that this time of year brings please be sure that your child is dressed appropriately ~ boots, winter coat, mittens, hats and scarves. If you are in need of a winter coat for your child please call the office and we will help!
As always, thank you for all you do to help support your child and the Wiley school community. We truly appreciate your support; we could not do it without you!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Merivirta
Black History Month
As we continue to celebrate the many achievements of notable African Americans, students have been learning about these accomplishments in a variety of ways, making connections across content areas. Please read about a few:
Our 6th grade students have been focusing on a weekly spotlight of local and national African American figures that have made contributions to society. Using the news/media as a source, students focused on medical research milestones. They learned that the beginnings of the smallpox vaccine were started by a slave, Onesimus and that today, an African-American scientist is at the Fore-front of creating the Moderna COVID vaccine. Students were able to make connections to their current science unit of study as well where they were learning about cholera and the virus spreading.
Fifth graders researched famous African Americans and wrote min-biographies that they shared with their classmates.
Our Kindergarteners have shared many read alouds, both featuring African American authors and stories about contributions they have made.
At the heart of many of the activities is children's literature.
Below is a short video of the children's story, The Ghanaian Goldilocks, which is a twist on the traditional Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Read the synopsis provided by Good Reads to learn more about it. After watching, discuss the similarities and differences of the two stories with your child.
The Ghanaian Goldilocks by Tamara Pizzoli, Phil Howell (Illustrator)
Rating details · 53 ratings · 12 reviews
Set in Accra, Ghana, The Ghanaian Goldilocks is a modern twist on the classic Goldilocks fairytale. Like traditional kente cloth, West African culture and themes are woven seamlessly into the story of a boy with sun lightened hair named Kofi, better known to his friends and family as Goldilocks. Like the Goldilocks in the traditional tale, Kofi has been known to get into some trouble here and there, but it's an unexpected visit to a neighbor's house that teaches him a valuable lesson of a lifetime.
Enjoy your time together!
Welcome Class of 2034! Online Open House
2021-22 kindergarten registration now open in Utica Community Schools
Calling parents of the Class of 2034!
Registration materials are now available for families of students who will be entering the Utica Community Schools kindergarten program this fall.
In addition, families will be invited to multiple virtual or face-to-face activities to welcome them to the UCS family, including a March 18 virtual kindergarten open house.
“Kindergarten is an exciting time for children and parents, and we are pleased to begin welcoming our newest members of the Utica Community Schools family,” interim superintendent Robert Monroe said. “We are proud of our nationally-recognized, developmentally appropriate kindergarten program offered in a nurturing, supportive and safe learning environment.”
UCS provides students comprehensive instruction in core academic areas of reading, writing, mathematics, science and social studies. Students also receive instruction from specialized teachers for media center/technology, art, music and physical education.
In addition, UCS offers a personalized blended learning program at the early elementary level that allows teachers to use technology – iPads, laptops and SMART boards – to support an environment based on each student’s learning style and pace. The program has been honored at national and state levels for its innovation and impact on learning. All kindergarten students receive a personal device that is preloaded with apps tailored to their instructional needs and used by UCS teachers.
Children are eligible for kindergarten if they turn five years old on or before September 1, 2021. However, children who turn five between September 1 and December 1, 2021 are eligible to enroll in kindergarten if their parents submit a waiver form.
Parents can begin the registration process by visiting http://www.uticak12.org/kindergarten.
The on-line process will allow families to sign up for kindergarten and upload necessary documents. Documents include:
- Child's birth certificate
- Michigan driver's license, Michigan ID or appropriate employment picture ID
- Lease agreement, closing papers or property tax bill
- Immunization records detailing the day, month and year your child was vaccinated against measles, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, polio, hepatitis B and other serious illnesses.
Once registered, parents will receive an outreach from their child’s schools with information and activities that will help their child transition during this exciting time.
One important activity for 2021-22 kindergarten families is a virtual kindergarten open house, scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 18.
At the virtual open house, parents will have the opportunity to learn about the district's curriculum and interact with school staff.
Thursday, Mar 18, 2021, 07:00 PM
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PARKING LOT SAFETY
Also, it is necessary for parents to get out of cars and pick up their child; students are not permitted to cross the parking lot without an adult.
Especially of importance, the expectation is that when school buses are pulling out ALL CARS MUST WAIT until all buses have departed; please do not cut into the bus line.
Thank you for following the expectations; this will ensure safety for all!
Looking for a Few Good Moms, Dads, Grandmas and Grandpas
We are looking for adults who would like to make a positive difference in the lives of our Wiley Coyotes ~ people who enjoy working with children, are energetic and have a positive attitude.
The daily commitment will be approximately 3 hours a day and we will accommodate the days that you can work!
If you are interested, please contact the Wiley Office and they will help you start the process and provide more details.
Pathways to Success (formerly Academic Blitz)
Pathways to Success, formerly known as the Academic Blitz, is an opportunity for all current and prospective Utica Community Schools students and families to find out more about the extensive portfolio of opportunities and programs available through its schools.
All UCS community members are invited to this free virtual event on March 4 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Pathways to Success is designed for families with elementary, junior high and high school students. It features a variety of interactive booths and live Question & Answer sessions with instructors and current students.
Pre-registration is strongly encouraged, and now open, for the March 4 event: https://www.accelevents.com/e/PathwaystoSuccess
All registered attendees have the option to customize their agenda as well as receive post-event access for 30-days to re-watch sessions and view other recorded options.
Below is a sample of sessions and booths to be offered during the event:
Help is Just a Click Away!
The Virtual Library Card gives students access to digital resources from the local library. The Virtual Library Card - Tutor.com provides online tutoring and homework help for students.
DRESSING FOR THE WEATHER
Don't forget that students will be walking around the school to line up at their outside classroom doors for class, and dismissal will be from classroom doors as well. On snowy or slushy days they may be standing on an un-shoveled area to remain social distanced from classmates, and wearing appropriate winter gear will help keep feet warm and dry. Even just getting through the parking lot can be wet and slushy during these winter months - remind your children to wear boots daily to avoid cold and wet feet! Please contact the office if you could use a helping hand in providing winter boots for your child/ren.
Safety Protocols
Staff, students and visitors are required to self screen daily. Please be sure to review the following screener every day before sending your child to school or visiting:
Please note, if your child is sent home due to exhibiting symptoms, they will be released from the ISM room (in the SAM Suite) as this is where our Health Room is located.
ENTERING THE BUILDING
Now that construction is complete, please note that all visitors to the building will enter through the secure entrance marked MAIN ENTRANCE. Parents will continue to be required to be buzzed in and show identification when entering the building. The sheet for signing in and out of the building will be in the vestibule area.
Once again, thank you for your support of the last bond vote; those funds have made these projects possible!
Kindergarten enters through the front double doors. All other grade levels enter and exit through their grade level doors around the back of the school. 1st and 2nd through Door 5, 3rd and 4th (and Mrs. Klida's 5th) through Door 6, 5th and 6th through Doors 7 and 8. If you have a Kindergarten student, please pick them up first and then walk to the back to get your other child(ren).
All students enter the building at 9:05 AM for the morning session and 1:20 PM for the afternoon session. There will be adult supervision at each of the doors until 9:15 AM and 1:25 PM to let students in. IF you arrive later than that, please have your child come to the main office to enter (as we do not want students behind the building without supervision).
DAILY ATTENDANCE
While attending school online, attendance is required. For Virtual Academy students, attendance will be taken at 8:20 AM and 12:10 PM. For students following the district plan (remote or face to face), attendance will be taken daily at 9:10 AM and at 1:30 PM.
Students that do not log on will be marked absent for the day; if they sign in within the first 20 minutes after attendance has been taken (9:30 AM for remote learners and 8:40 AM for VA students/1:40 PM for remote learners and 12:50 for VA learners) students will be marked tardy.
It is important for consistency and for fostering student responsibility that students remain online throughout the day. In addition, the morning meeting and end of day meeting (3:00 PM Virtual Academy and 3:50 PM remote learners) are very important as teachers will be focusing on meeting social and emotional needs of students.
If your child is going to be absent for the day, please call the 24 hour Attendance Line at (586) 797- 6799. In addition, you may choose to send an email to your child's teacher.
If your child does not attend regularly, the staff and I will be reaching out to find out how we can assist. If absences persist, it may constitute truancy and the matter will be addressed with the truancy officer.
Thank you for your help in this important matter! If we can be assistance, please let us know.
UTICA CARES: SUPPORT AND WELLNESS
The Utica Teaching and Learning Staff is happy to announce a POSITIVE weekly message to encourage all members of our school community to spread a little kindness and optimism!
Each week you will receive a MONDAY MOMENTS which includes a quote, a thought, and a challenge.
Please support the initiative and find ways to intentionally brighten someone else's life during these challenging times.
This month's theme is Get Optimistic; please read the note below and consider "training your brain" to see the positive and optimistic perspective of situations whenever possible.
District Employment Opportunities
In anticipation of the need for various positions upon return to in-person instruction, Utica Community Schools Human Resource Department is actively recruiting for various personnel positions. Please click on the letter below to learn about the various positions and how to apply if interested.
MEAL DISTRIBUTION SITES
STAY CONNECTED WITH WILEY
Email: candice.merivirta@uticak12.org
Website: wiley.uticak12.org
Location: 47240 Shelby Road, Shelby Charter Township, MI, USA
Phone: (586) 797-6700
Facebook: facebook.com/ucswiley