Wiley Way
September 8, 2023
SCHOOL INFORMATION
Welcome to Wiley ~ Home of the Wiley Coyotes
Office Hours: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
School Hours: 9:00 AM - 3:50 PM; early dismissal @ 12:04 PM
If you need anything, PLEASE EMAIL or phone the office staff at officewiley@uticak12.org/
586-797-6700 ; someone will respond promptly.
24 hr. Attendance Line: (586) 797-6799
Office Staff:
- Mrs. Candice Merivirta, Principal
- Mrs. Cathy Baumgartner, Administrative Assistant
- Mrs. Cari Muirhead, Clerk
Dates to Remember
Sunday, September 10: Happy Grandparent's Day!
Tuesday, September 12: Wiley Annual Title 1 Meeting @ 6:30 PM (Media Center) followed by the Wiley Parent Volunteer Meeting @ 7:00 PM (Media Center)
Friday, September 15: Constitution Day Celebrated
Monday, September 18-Friday, September 29: Fun Run Fundraiser (details to follow)
Tuesday, September 19: Family Movie Night @ 6:00 PM (details to follow)
Wednesday, September 20: NO SCHOOL; Teacher Professional Development
Saturday, September 23: Autumn begins
Friday, September 29: Half-way through the First Quarter; Progress Reports sent out
Message From Mrs. Merivirta
It was wonderful to see so many parents attend our Curriculum Night/Open House on Thursday evening. Hopefully you had the opportunity to meet your child's teacher and learn about what the new school year holds for them. Establishing and maintaining communication with your child's teacher will prove to be invaluable throughout the school year; please be sure to check backpacks, read emails, and let your child's teacher know when you have a concern.
We are pleased to welcome Mrs. Cari Muirhead as our new clerk. She will be supporting Mrs. Cathy Baumgartner in the office. Please welcome her to the Wiley Family.
Many of our students have begun taking their fall NWEA Assessments. Students in grades K-6 will test in both Reading and Mathematics. The information provided from these assessments will help teachers to identify strengths and areas of concern and help drive instruction in the classroom. The NWEA assessments are taken three times a year (fall, winter and spring) and are used to determine individual student growth. Please encourage your child to take their time and do their personal best.
As you know, our parking lot can be challenging, especially on game days for Utica and Eisenhower High Schools, both of which utilize Swinehart Field. The High Schools and the Athletic Departments are working to resolve issues and support us when possible on game days. Of special importance, we have been approved to hire a person to help with traffic safety at the end of the school day/event days to monitor traffic attempting to enter our lot. If you are at all interested and available, please contact the office to discuss. We will continue to work on making our parking lot as safe as possible for all. We appreciate your patience and support.
Lots of exciting things are happening at Wiley this upcoming week. On Tuesday evening we will hold our annual Title 1 Meeting. This meeting will provide you with an opportunity to meet our new Literacy Coach, Mrs. Nicolie LaLone and learn about the resources and services available to our students through our Title funding. The meeting will take place in the Media Center at 6:30 PM, prior to our first Parent Volunteer Meeting, which will be held at 7:00 PM. Friday, September 15, we will be celebrating Constitution Day; students will participate in activities throughout the day to help them understand the importance of our Constitution and what it symbolizes. Encourage your child to show their support by wearing their red, white and blue! Lastly, Friday night will be the UHS Homecoming game. We are planning on additional district support that day to ensure that our Wiley Families can get in and out of our lot safely and easily. The parade will begin at 4:15 PM; busses will alter their routes to ensure students are home safely before the parade reaches them.
As always, we look forward to working in partnership this year to help every child succeed! I hope that you enjoy a wonderful holiday weekend.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Merivirta
Curriculum/Open House Night
Thank you to those of you who were able to join us! Whether you did or not, you can click on the QR code below to learn about the district's goals, bond issue updates for the year as well as watch Mr. Monroe's Welcome Back announcement.
Join Our Amazing Parent Volunteer Group!
Annual Title 1 Meeting
Please plan to join us on Tuesday, September 12 @ 6:30 PM in the Media Center (prior to our first Parent Volunteer Meeting) to meet our new Literacy Coach, Mrs. Nicolie LaLone and learn about our Title 1 program and how it benefits your child and our entire school. Title 1 provides our students with additional supports and resources to ensure their success! We hope to see you there.
Support For Our Students and Families
Making Time for Positive Mental Health
Over 50 organizations in Macomb County will join together Saturday, September 23, 2023 from 10am to 2pm for the Macomb County Health and Wellness Fair. The fair will be held at the Macomb Intermediate School District, 44001 Garfield Rd, Clinton Township, MI 48038.
This free event is open to the public and will include: Opening remarks by Mark Hackel, Macomb County Executive, Michael DeVault, Superintendent of the Macomb Intermediate School District and Traci Smith, Macomb County Community Mental Health COO. Get Inspired and amazed at the Magic of Hope presented by Anthony Grupido. He is sure to educate and entertain you with a timely and relevant show about the importance of mental wellness.
The day will provide an opportunity for all to learn about the many resources in our county that stand ready to help individuals develop, promote and sustain healthy lives—both mental wellness and physical wellness. We encourage all to come out on September 23 from 10am to 2pm to meet these community partners and see how they help you live healthier lives.
Free food (while supplies last), health screenings, face painting, 10 minute massages, meditation and more for those that come by to join us.
This event is a collaborative effort by all community partners and is made possible through leadership and grants awarded by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to Macomb County Community Mental Health.
“Macomb County enjoys a rich history of strong collaboration and this event is proof that when organizations work together, we help our community learn about how to access the many resources that our agencies provide. This event will be showcasing the best of Macomb County and we hope you will join us.
Michael DeVault, Superintendent
Macomb County Intermediate School District
“Mental health issues have an impact on all our lives. We see it in our schools, places of worship, in the work-place, where we shop, and even in the privacy of our homes. It is important to realize we are not alone. Our team at Community Mental Health is committed to providing the much needed resources and services to support our community.”
Mark A. Hackel
Macomb County Executive
“Macomb County Community Mental Health (MCCMH) provides quality services to individuals with mental health disorders, substance use disorders, and those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. By putting people first, MCCMH recognizes the importance of integrated care for the overall health and general well-being of the individuals served and promotes services that foster recovery, community participation, self-sufficiency and independence.”
MCCMH Team
“Join us Saturday, September 23rd, from 10am to 2pm, for day filled with community fellowship as you meet our local Health and Wellness providers, enjoy an inspiring speaker, and receive a copy of a Wellness Resource Guide”!
No registration is required. “We hope to see you there”!
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Extended Day Opportunities
Birthday Celebrations
The teachers and staff at Wiley support and encourage the recognition of a child’s birthday during the school day. It is an annual milestone in every child’s life that should be celebrated not just at home, but in school as well, where children spend one-third of their day with teachers, classmates, and peers. While there are many wonderful and creative ways to celebrate a child’s birthday in school, birthday celebrations at Wiley will not include food treats. Instead, the focus at Wiley will be recognizing the day in a variety of special ways that do not include food treats. Some possibilities include:
· Class sings “Happy Birthday”
· Happy Birthday Recess/Gift
· Morning “Happy Birthday” PA announcement
· Parent makes a donation of book to class library or a classroom game
· Student reads favorite book to class
· Parent/special someone reads story to class
Your child’s teacher will have more information on how birthdays will be celebrated in the classroom. As educators, caregivers and loved ones we all want the best for our students. Thank you for joining us in giving students healthy opportunities to celebrate important events and achievements.
Too Sick to Come to School?
Take a Peek at These Health Department Guidelines
When is your child too sick to attend school? The following guidelines, along with the advice of your family doctor, will help you decide when your child should stay home:
• Cold and/or cough – a child with deep mucus that causes a cough and heavy nose drainage cannot function at school.
• Fever – fever is a warning that something is wrong. A child should remain at home for 24 hours after the fever is gone without the use of medication.
• Rash – a rash, spots or blotches on the skin can be the first sign of many illnesses. Rashes require a physician’s release stating they are not contagious.
• Stomachache/Upset – a child who is vomiting or has diarrhea should be kept at home and may return 24 hours after the symptoms are gone.
• Head Lice – a child with head lice must remain at home until treatment is complete and school officials confirm he or she is free of lice. Check your child’s head before school begins in the fall and routinely during the school year or if he or she complains of an itchy scalp. Look around your child’s ears and back of the neck for nits, which are tiny, 8 white, oval-shaped lice eggs that are attached to the hair near the scalp. Nits may look like dandruff or scalp flakes, but nits do not move and are difficult to dislodge. Notify the school office immediately if your child has head lice. Begin treatment immediately by contacting your doctor or purchasing over the counter medication from the drug store. To prevent spreading head lice, wash all infested garments, hair accessories, bedding and other surfaces with hot water and disinfectant. You must sign your child in at the office when he or she is returning to school after treatment for head lice.
Policy on Personal Items
Cell phones should remain at home. However, if a student brings a cell phone it MUST be turned OFF and stored securely during school hours AND while on the bus.
Students may NOT bring toys, game boys, Nintendo DS or any hand-held electronic games, CD players, MP3 or IPods, PDA’s, memorabilia, special cards or other collectible or expensive items to school (unless allowed by a teacher for a special event).
Wiley Elementary School is not responsible for personal items that are lost or damaged.
Such items will be collected and kept in the office. A parent must come and retrieve any items they wish to have returned.
Pet Policy
Utica Community Schools has a no pet policy on school property.
Recess
Students will have the opportunity to go outside with their classmates during designated times throughout the day. Recess helps to promote social and emotional learning and development for all children. Allowing time for our students to engage in peer interactions provides them with an opportunity to practice essential social skills. Recess also benefits our students by increasing their level of physical activity improving their memory, attention, and concentration. Each class will have a recess attached to the lunch program. We go outside whenever possible and stay inside if it is raining or the temperatures are below 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Students will have an optional second recess each day with their classroom teacher. Please have children dress for the weather.
Reminders - Important Information
Security Procedures
We are asking for your assistance to ensure that our security procedures during the school day are effective and efficient. When you wish to visit Wiley Elementary, you will go to the main office door. At this door we have a security camera, intercom, and buzzer. To help us assist you when you would like to enter our school:
- Please press the buzzer to speak with someone in the office
- You will be asked to state your name and reason for visiting
- You will be asked to show your photo id into the security camera above the outside door
- Office staff will assist you
In addition, we are asking you to not let any visitors in the door as you enter (as they come up behind you) or as you exit the building.
The teachers and staff are committed to student safety and security, and we would like to thank you for your assistance in helping keep the students of Wiley safe.
Arrival Procedures
School begins promptly at 9:00 AM daily. Outside supervision of all students will start at 8:50 AM at our outside doors. Please DO NOT drop your child off at school prior to 8:50 AM (unless they are getting breakfast) because there will be no outside supervision. We are asking that students be here at 8:55 AM as all students in grades 1-6 will enter the building at that time. Our Kindergarten students will begin entering the building at 8:50 AM.
As a reminder, due to our security protocols, parents WILL NOT be allowed into the building through outside doors; you must come to the Main Office to enter the building.
If your arrive AFTER 9:00 AM, you must accompany your child into the building and sign them in.
Breakfast: Just a reminder that free breakfast is available to every student. We will serve breakfast from 8:40 AM- 9:00 AM daily. If your child would like breakfast and arrives between 8:40-8:50 AM, they will enter through the main office door. If they arrive from 8:50 until all students enter the building, they will enter at Door #4. Students will remain in the gym until they can be released to their classroom at 8:55 AM; they will then travel to their classroom through the inside of the building. Students who ride he bus will be let off to go to breakfast as well.
Lunch: All students are eligible for free hot lunch this year as well. Please be sure to look the menu over with your child. We must make an accurate count daily of students that will be having hot lunch for that day, as well as ordering for the next day (to limit waste and ensure enough lunches for everyone). Even though there is no charge for meals, please complete the MEAL APPLICATION FORM. This information ensures that we receive funding to support needed resources for our students.
Arrival Procedures:
- Bus Drop Off: Busses will park along the sidewalk just beyond the gym. Busses will park close together. There will be NO CROSSING between busses at any time to ensure student safety.
- Parent Drop Off: Parents must park and and walk your child to the doors. Students are not allowed to walk across/through the parking lot without an adult. IF there are no available spots to park, you will need to make another trip around the parking lot until a spot becomes available. PLEASE do NOT create a spot or block another parking spot to accommodate your needs.
- Parent Quick Drop: This will be for parents who wish to drive up and drop their child off without parking. Your child must be ready to quickly get out of the car on the RIGHT side and walk on the sidewalk to their class. No child will be allowed to exit the car on the left side closest to the parking lot. This drop off will be behind where the busses park, along the sidewalk. Please DO NOT drop students between buses. Additionally, please pull up so that we do not have parents on Shelby Road.
Dismissal Procedures
Bus Dismissal:
We currently have 4 busses. They will park in the same designated space as morning drop off. Younger students will enter the bus from the gym and older students will walk from their classrooms to the bus. Once all students have been dismissed from the building and all students are seated on the bus, traffic will be stopped, and the busses will be released to leave. PLEASE allow the busses to get out quickly. Do not cross in front of a bus. Thank you!
Parent Pick Up:
All students who are being picked up by their parent will be asked to come to the front of the building and wait on the sidewalk. Kinders will be released first (main doors and Media Center doors). Our first graders will exit out the main double doors and our second grade will exit out the Media Center doors. Our third through sixth graders will exit out of the SAM Suite doors (#10) and walk down the sidewalk to meet parents with younger siblings near the flagpole/front entrance.
Late Pick Up:
If you are running late, you must call the office at 586-797-6700 and let us know. You can also let your child's teacher know through their designated messaging preference. If you are not here at dismissal your child will be sent to the office to wait.
Parking Lot Etiquette:
Please be patient and courteous in the parking lot. We are continuously working to ensure the safety of students and adults. Remember, you are modeling behaviors to your child.
Interested in Being a Volunteer?
If you are interested in volunteering for the 2023-2024 school year (field trips, classroom helpers, copy moms, book fair events, holiday shop, field day, and more!) each adult must fill out a volunteer background check. I have attached the form below and it will be included in your child's 1st day of school paperwork. The form takes approximately 2-3 weeks to process, if you would like to check one thing off your "to do" list a little early, please feel free to email it to officewiley@uticak12.org.
Pay Schools 2023-2024
PaySchools has improved its platform this year to provide a system that is consistently more reliable and user-friendly. The end result for parents will be that the information they need will be personalized for their child.
As a result, families will be asked to recreate an account (even if you previously had a PaySchools account). Once created, you will be provided with the product choices that directly relate to your child.
Just follow these easy steps:
- Create an account from your computer or tablet at: www.payschoolscentral.com
- Complete the account registration by selecting register, entering your profile details, setting up your password via the email link that will be sent to you, then logging in.
- Add your children to your account using their student ID numbers. ID numbers are found on their report card available through PowerSchool.
- If you like, enter credit card and/or banking information as forms of payments to use with your PaySchools account.
- A complete guide (with screen shots) is available at this link.
Need help with your PaySchools Central account?
8:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. ET (M-F)
psc_help@payschools.com
877-393-6628
Education Benefits Form
Even though all meals are free, we need your help to continue many of our other educational benefits here at Wiley. Many of our programs including our Literacy Coach, additional curriculum resources, training and much more depend on all of our families filling this out. Please check out the information below and click on the link to fill your Education Benefits form today!
BE SURE THAT YOU HAVE COMPLETED ALL FORMS
Allergy Forms
Students with food allergies that wish to use school meals must have a Special Dietary Needs form (11A) completed and signed by a physician. Forms need to be turned in to the office of Food and Nutrition Service. Without this form we cannot make accommodations. This form must be updated every year to ensure accuracy. Since all schools have vegetarian options, parents do not need to complete a form for that option.
Medication at School/Health Plans
All children needing medication at school (whether it is over the counter or prescribed) must have a completed Medication Authorization Form on file in the office. This includes prescription drugs as well as cough drops and/or aspirin/Tylenol. If your child has a health condition, you will be required to complete a health plan with our school nurse. Please call the office at 586-797-6700 if you have questions.
Stay Connected with our Wiley Volunteer Group
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER, AT WILEY...
Previous Newsletters
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