Gretchko Newsletter
October 13, 2023
Principal's Update
Hello Team WB!
I want to start by sharing that our hearts go out to all of you with loved ones in the Middle East. During difficult times, families often wonder how to best support their children. The National Association of School Psychologists has this resource to help, with specific suggestions for children from elementary age all the way to young adulthood. Please let us know if you feel your child would benefit from an additional check-in at school as well.
This week, we celebrated Indigenous People's Day on Monday by looking at a neat resource. Check out this interactive map. You can type in any address and see which Indigenous Peoples originally lived on that land. Additionally, there are two buttons where you can layer on the languages spoken AND the treaties that led to change in ownership of the land. Did you know that Gretchko sits on
Anishinaabe land? The Anishinaabe is a group of culturally related peoples including the Ojibwe, Odawa, Potawatomi, Mississaugas, Nipissing, and Algonquin peoples.
Next week, we will be participating in Safe Schools Week. We will engage in activities to help remind our Gretchko students of the many ways we practice safety at school. This national week of activities highlights the importance of keeping campuses free of crime and violence, improving discipline, and increasing student attendance. We look forward to sharing more next week!
Halloween is one of the most universally celebrated holidays in the United States today. Each year, many children pour over costume ideas, dream about the treats they'll collect and enjoy fun, fall-themed activities at school. But Halloween isn't easy for every child. This how-to guide guide offers tips and additional information to help families and the surrounding communities create more inclusive Halloween celebrations. Tips include: How to make your Halloween more sensory inclusive, considering non-food treat alternatives for those with food allergies, and making/buying gender affirming costumes.
Here at Gretchko, we host an evening event on October 27th called Spooktacular, for which children (and grownups) are invited to dress in costume. We then host our fall class parties on Nov 3 to celebrate all things fall (no costumes please). We would love to have you join us on Nov 3 for your child's class party if you are available. Times are as follows, with more information to follow from classroom teachers:
- 12:30-1:15 2nd grade
- 1:15-2:00 1st grade
- 2:15-3:00 Kdg
We hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Warmly,
Jen Teal, Principal
Featured Book
Jack & Agyu by Justine Villanueva
Jack & Agyu tells the story of an imaginative and adventurous young boy, Jack, who longs to find himself in the books that he reads. Crushed when he realizes he is different looking from all his favorite book characters, he goes off to right what he feels is a wrong. His path leads him to trouble but, also, to healing and empowerment as he reconnects with the stories of his ancestors from the Philippines.
Star Slip Winners
Bus Evacuation Practice
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 October 17. 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.
District Global Equity Team Invitation: October 18th, 6:00pm @WBHS
You’re Invited to be part of WBSD’s Global Equity Team
You are formally invited to be part of the West Bloomfield School District’s 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.
Who will we be as a team?
We are students, caregivers, staff; and anyone who is part of the West Bloomfield community! Are you passionate about diversity, equity, inclusion, and social-emotional health and well-being? If so, please join us. Meetings will be held monthly along with opportunity for participation in subcommittees and special programs/projects.
What kind of work might G.E.T. be involved in?
Shared articles, learning, and discussion around various topics relevant to our school and district
Examining school materials with an equity lens
Development of language protocols on school documents
Reviewing and updating school policies and practices through an equity lens
Sharing classroom practices that lift up equity work
Discussion of concerns that arise around equity within a building
Elevating student, parent and community voices
If you are interested in being a member of the Global Equity Team click here. Our inaugural meeting will take place at West Bloomfield High School in the Media Center on October 18, at 6 p.m. We encourage your participation and engagement in this transformative initiative.
What other resources may be helpful in understanding our work?
October is AAC Awareness Month!
AAC stands for Augmentative or Alternative Communication. AAC is all of the ways that someone communicates besides talking. At Gretchko, we have core boards in our classrooms and on the playground. Core words are defined as the 50-100 words that make up the majority of everything we say. Core vocabulary is beneficial for all students. School staff will be modeling the use of core vocabulary throughout the building. Some students at Gretchko use speech-generating communication devices due to difficulty with verbal communication. Research shows that core vocabulary enhances expressive language, improves comprehension, motivates learners, and improves relationships.
Check out the Communication Bill of Rights.
Social Emotional Learning Tip for Home
How to Model Regulation as a Parent or Caregiver
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:
Way to GLOW, Gretchko!
Lunch Menu
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.
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 Mont
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 -Newly revised edition 10/10/23
October
10/10 - PTO General Meeting at 7:00 pm
10/11 - Late Start (10:10)
10/18 - Global Equity Team Meeting at 8:00 am
10/25 - Late Start (10:10)
- Marco’s Pizza Night
10/27- Bagel Day and Hat Day
-Spooktacular 5:00-7:00 pm
November
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
11/29 - Late Start (10:10)
December
12/1 - Movie Night 6:30
12/13 - Late Start (10:10)
12/15 - Bagel Day and Crazy Hair Day
12/20 - Marco’s Pizza Night
12/23-1/7 - Winter Break
January
1/ 4 - Gretchko at Kalahari
1/ 8 - School Back in Session
1/10 - Late Start (10:10)
1/15 - MLK Jr. Day - No School
1/17 - Global Equity Team Meeting at 8:00 am
1/18 - Half Day (Dismissal 12:12)
1/19 - Half Day (Dismissal 12:12)
1/24 - Late Start (10:10)
1/26- Bagel and Tie Dye Day
1/31 - Marco’s Pizza Night
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.