Gretchko Newsletter
October 6, 2023
Principal's Update
Hello Team WB!
We are excited to share that this week, we kicked off a school-wide challenge called "30 Read Alouds by Thanksgiving" to celebrate the importance of reading aloud and reading together. We hope you will join us! See if you and your kiddos can read 30 books together (or 30 chapters if you have older children!) by Thanksgiving break. For classes that reach 30 read alouds sooner, they will get another tally sheet to see how many books they can read!
We have lots of important information in our newsletter today. Please especially check out the date of our next PTO Meeting (October 10) and our reminder to please return your FunD Run donations!
You may have seen a district-wide communication sent out by Dr. Bazzi earlier this afternoon. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to reach out to me or to Dr. Bazzi directly (dania.bazzi@wbsd.org).
We hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Warmly,
Jen Teal, Principal
Featured Book
A Picnic in October by Eve Bunting
Tony thinks it's dumb to go all the way to Liberty Island for a birthday picnic. But that's before he understands what the Statue of Liberty means to Grandma.
Star Slip Winners
Alexis Cseresznyes, Travis King, Rian Riley, Aubree Threets, Menzo Kibitlewski, Maya Pluciennik, Matthew Ketty, Zelda Kimmel, Roman Senawi, Autumn Cannon, Sophia Kizy, Isidro Diaz-Saucedo, Ewan McDonald, Sophia Tyson, Mia Garza Carcamo, and Carter Adnson.
We are very happy to have so many good citizens!
What's up in Physical Education at Gretchko?
Welcome to PE class! The last couple of weeks our students have focused on cooperation and teamwork. Our goal is to improve our sportsmanship school-wide. This week we worked through ways to say positive things to our teammates and competitors. We accomplished this through team activities like relay races, hula hoop chains, and Extreme Tock Paper Scissors! Here are some pictures from this week! Zach Cohen, Gretchko physical education teacher.
Icenter Update
The West Bloomfield Township Public Library has some amazing and fun events happening in the upcoming months. One of our favorites is READ TO A DOG! Some of our Gretchko readers enjoyed cuddling with these adorable pooches all while practicing their reading skills! Be sure to check out the WBTPL's event calendar to see what other fun events are scheduled! https://catalog.wblib.org/iii/calendar/month
Social Emotional Learning Tip for Home
Provide Choices and Help Your Child Regulate Their Emotions
Check out this 6:00 minute video that may help give you some ideas for how to address an all-too-familiar challenge as a parent.
Math Is Fun!
Our students use a math curriculum called Bridges. Each month, we will send you resources in our newsletter to let you know what unit the students are working on as well as to give you ideas on how to extend your child's math learning at home. For the month of September, the resources are as follows:
Join Math Pentathlon!
Bus Evacuation Month
In conjunction with School Bus Safety Week, which is October 16-20, the WBSD transportation department will be conducting bus evacuation practices during that week. The Michigan Department of Education recommends these drills be performed twice a year. Our drill will be held on Tuesday, October 17th. Our drivers will go straight to Marshbank Park on the morning of the drill and perform the practice. Both Scotch and Gretchko will participate in the drill on the same day. Once the drill is over (7-10 minutes) the buses will then proceed to school and drop off their students. Please keep in mind that your buses will be a bit late arriving on the evacuation day. (Specific date of the drill to follow next week).
Fund Run Update
Family Benefits When You Qualify for Free/Reduced Meals
Family Benefits for Qualifying for Free/Reduced Meals
When families qualify for free/reduced price meals, students may be eligible for the following benefits:
Reduced Summer School fees
Reduced field trip fees with request
Reduced SAT, ACT and AP testing fees
Reduced college application fees
Potential additional benefits for Bridge Cards/P-EBT
Potential support for household cable/internet
Potential programs that provide holiday support
West Bloomfield School District Benefits for Qualifying Free/Reduced Meal Families
Did you know the federal government uses the number of free/reduced meal eligible students to determine how much money the district receives in grant funding?
West Bloomfield School District becomes eligible for Federal funds (Title I) when qualifying families fill out their free/reduced meal applications. If families do not fill out their forms, the District is at risk of losing funding for staff who provide critical services to our students.
FREE Clothing
District Health Policies
It remains the District’s goal to keep our students and staff as healthy as possible. Please see the attached link for the sick policy.
Global Equity Team (G.E.T.)
G.E.T. exists to build a community that supports a restorative culture through relationships and educational equity for all. The three main focus points of the Global Equity Team are student outreach, culture and climate, and training and development.
Our next meeting will be held on Oct 18, 2023.
Upcoming Celebrations
Italian American Heritage Month
Down Syndrome Awareness Month
LGBT History Month
National Disability Employment Awareness Month
National Polish American Heritage Month
Red Ribbon and Anti-Bullying Month
September 29 - October 6 -- Sukkot (Judaism)
October 2 – International Day of Nonviolence
October 9 – National Indigenous Peoples’ Day (United States)
October 10 – Thanksgiving Day (Canada)
October 10 – World Mental Health Day
October 11 – National Coming Out Day (LGBTQ+)
October 15 – Navratri begins (Hindu)
October 15-21 Safe Schools Week
October 16 – Birth of the Bab (Baha’i)
October 19 – Spirit Day (LGBTQ+ anti-bullying)
October 20 – Sikh Holy Day (birth of Guru Granth)
October 22 – International Stuttering Awareness Day
October 23-31 Red Ribbon Week Theme "Be Kind to your Mind"
October 25 – Birth of Baha’u’llah (Baha’i)
October 31 – Halloween
Lacrosse Available for Students
Don't be afraid to try something new - no experience necessary!
Opportunities for those as young as Kindergarten (boys and girls)
All America Lacrosse in Pontiac and Rochester offers programs for K - 2, and a beginner clinic for grades 3 - 12 - no equipment or experience necessary to participate and cost includes a new stick. http://www.all-americanlacrosse.com/
Woodward Bears Lacrosse (located in Royal Oak-Berkley). Offers beginner clinics and teams for ages 8 and up for boys and girls during fall, spring, and summer. Beginners welcome on all team levels. More info on Instagram: Woodwardbearlax or call Paul Banacki: 248-259-4178.
Birmingham Bulldogs: Offers programs and teams for boys and girls - Open to all - programs start as young as 1st grade and typically practice at Berkshire Middle School. https://www.birminghambulldogs.org/
Trivia Night November 2, 2023
Gretchko Calendar
Includes PTO revised Calendar
October
10/10 - PTO General Meeting at 7:00 pm
10/11 - Late Start (10:10)
11/17 - Bus Evacuation practice
10/18 - Global Equity Team Meeting at 8:00 am
10/23 - 26 - Vision screening at Gretchko
10/25 - Late Start 10:10 a.m.
- Marco’s Pizza Night
10/27- Bagel Day and Hat Day
-Spooktacular 5:00-7:00 pm
November
11/1 - Picture retake day
11/3 - Fall Parties (during school)
11/6 - Zap Zone Fundraiser night 5:00-8:00 pm
11/7 - No School
11/8 - Global Equity Team Meeting at 8:00 am
- PTO General Meeting at 7:00 pm
11/14 - Conferences
11/15 - Marco’s Pizza Night
11/17- Half Day of School (Dismissal 12:12)
- Bagel Day and Favorite Sports Team Day
11/22-11/26 - Thanksgiving Break
11/27,28,30 - Hearing Screening at Gretchko
11/29 - Late Start (10:10)
December
12/13 - Late Start (10:10)
12/15 - Bagel Day and Crazy Hair Day
- Movie Night at 5:30 pm
12/20 - Marco’s Pizza Night
12/23-1/7 - Winter Break
*All dates are subject to change*
Technology Assistance Links
- Help with Canvas
- Help with Chromebook: www.wbsd.org/departments/technology
- Help with PowerSchool: www.wbsd.org/parents/powerschool
Gretchko Spirit Wear Now Available Online!
Does your child (or you) need some more Gretchko spirit wear? Now you can order online at https://gretchko-pto.square.site/
Gretchko Contact Information
Website: https://www.wbsd.org/gretchko-elementary-school-home
Location: 5300 Greer Road, West Bloomfield Township, MI, USA
Phone:
- Main Office Phone: (248)865-6570
- SAFELINE to report absences: (248) 865-6572. This is a 24 hour answering machine.