Wiley Way
October 24, 2022
SCHOOL INFORMATION
Welcome to Wiley ~ Home of the Wiley Coyotes
Office Hours: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
School Hours: 9:20 AM -4:10 PM; early dismissal @ 12:24 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
Dates to Remember
October 24: Pumpkin Raffle Drawing
October 25: Conference Sign-Up begins
October 26 and 27: Penny Wars at lunch (see below)
October 28: Early Dismissal (12:24 PM); End of Marking Period
October 31: Early Dismissal (12:24 PM); Happy Halloween! Parade, weather permitting, @ 10:45 AM
November 5: MISD Macomb Reads Event for Families (see below)
November 8: No School (Election Day); PD for teachers
November 9: Evening Conferences (more information to come soon)
November 10: Early Dismissal (12:24 PM); Afternoon and Evening Conferences
November 17: Picture Retakes
November 23-25: No School ~ Thanksgiving Break
Message from Mrs. Merivirta
Trunk or Treat was a huge success and fun for everyone! Thank you to our Parent Volunteer group for sponsoring this family event. (See photos below). Today winners for the Pumpkin Raffle were drawn; tickets were drawn randomly and students were able to take their prized pumpkins with them. Thank you to all the staff that decorated a pumpkin and to all students who purchased raffle tickets.
On another note, we ask for your patience and understanding as we work through a challenging time in our office. Our very dear Ms. Cathy recently broke her leg and will not be here for the next several months and we have not had a clerk for some time. The district is working to provide temporary support which will help; however, they do not know our students/building. Please know that if it takes a little longer to answer the phone and/or respond, we are working to meet your needs in a timely and accurate manner.
With weather changing daily, please be sure that your child is dressed appropriately.
Scheduling a conference with your child's teacher begins this week. Please see the information below to learn how to set up an account (if you need to do) and schedule a meeting to discuss your child's successes and areas of continued growth. Parents have the choice of either scheduling an in-person or virtual conference; the important thing is to set a time to meet. Parent-Teacher Conferences allow you to be an active participant in your child's educational journey.
As always, thank you for the opportunity to partner with you and your child, and for all that you do to ensure their success. We appreciate your support.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Merivirta
WAY TO GO WILEY FAMILIES!!!
- The first place team was the RED TEAM.
- The first place class was Mrs. Vollmert's class.
- Colton Wright is the student that raised the most money and will soon be principal for the day.
- The students that earned the VIP movie reward will watch the movie in the afternoon on Friday, November 11.
Thank you to all who participated!
WILEY TRUNK OR TREAT!
Please check out the group photo of those who attended as well as a picture of the winning trunk (the Deek family) decorated with a Harry Potter theme.
COLLABOARATIVE LEARNING
HALLOWEEN PARADE AND COSTUME GUIDELINES
Halloween is a time of year where some of our students get super excited about picking out their Halloween costumes, and as parents/guardians we know that sometimes those "popular" costumes are hard to find the longer we wait to go shopping. With that being said I thought it may be helpful for you to have an idea of what those "school appropriate" costumes are here at Wiley. Keep in mind, or as I like to put things in perspective with my older students.... we have students as young as 3-4 years old and while some costumes are "age appropriate for them", they may not be appropriate for the all school parade. After reading the guidelines below if you have any questions regarding suitability, please contact the office or your child's teacher.
Students should refrain from violent characterization and may not use any fake weapons, fake blood, or any references to victims or perpetrators of violence for their costume choice at school. Violent characterization is unacceptable for school parades and where younger students might be frightened. If deemed inappropriate by school personnel, students will be asked to remove the costume and/or wash makeup.
Book, cartoon, folk heroes, historical figures, and period costumes are all good ideas to consider when thinking of the perfect costume.
Since Halloween is a half day of school (12:24 dismissal), students will be allowed to wear partial costumes to school. Check to be sure that your child can walk freely, and that the costume will be comfortable enough for the classroom setting. Masks may be worn (frightening masks not permitted) but those that impede vision should be left at home. Plan to have your child bring any costume props (wigs and other add-ons) to school in a bag or backpack.
Weather permitting we will hold our parade at 10:45 AM. Students will walk around the building, exiting out the front doors and walking on the sidewalk along the gym. around to the back and re-enter the building at the 6th grade doors. Parents are encouraged to stand in the parking lot (approximately 6 feet from the sidewalk) and all along the back of the building (again about 6 week from the walk). Please do not stand along the side of the gym where students turn the corner to walk to the back. If it rains there will not be a parade.
Teachers will notify you of their plans for classroom celebrations. Only parents that have volunteered for their child's party and have made arrangements with the teacher will come into the building.
Just a reminder that homemade treats will not be permitted; store bought food times that are peanut/tree nut free will be accepted. Your child's teacher will let you know if there are other allergies as well.
SHARE A HALLOWEEN STORY
Show Your Team Spirit for a Great Cause
The volunteer group will be holding a Penny War next week on Wednesday (October 26) & Thursday (October 27) during lunch.
All donations will be used to make the holidays special for some of our Wiley families in need.
Please read below:
PARKING LOT REMINDERS - SCHOOL THEME - BE KIND
The parking lot provides us with an opportunity to model to our children/students courtesy, patience and respect. Please be sure that as you interact with other parents/drivers/busses that you are demonstrating our building wide theme of KINDNESS to one another. Safety Patrol Several of our 6th grade students volunteer to serve as members of our Safety Patrol. Please refrain from being discourteous or yelling at them. If you have a concern or question, please address one of the teachers that are on duty or come to the office to voice your concern with another adult.
Below are reminders about parking lot expectations.
Morning Drop-off
- Drop and go lane is for parents who are not parking and walking their children up to the school. Please drop off BEFORE near the receiving door/preschool/latchkey door so that you do not interfere with the buses.
- Parents do not exit their vehicle in this lane. If staff is available, they will open the passenger side door and help your child out. If they are not available, please have your child exit quickly; they may only exit from the passenger side for their safety.
- Do not try to drop students off near the buses; they may not see your child trying to cross.
Afternoon Pick-up
- All parents park their car and walk up to guide their children safely back to their car.
- If there are no parking spots left in the lot when you arrive, please continue to drive out of the lot and back in to park in an available spot. Two minutes after the bell rings, spots begin to open.
Early pick-up and Late drop-off
- Late drop offs need to park in a parking spot and sign their children in at the office.
Early pick ups need to park in a parking spot and sign their children out in the office
Please do not stop/ park in the fire lane in front of the school.
4TH ANNUAL MACOMB READS FESTIVAL
The Macomb Intermediate School District invites you to join them for the free, 4th Annual #MacombReads Festival! This year's theme is Reading Carnival, and the celebration is sure to be fun!
FALL PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES
Conferences will be held the evening of November 9th, the afternoon of November 10th and the evening of November 10th. We will again be using a web-based process this year to schedule conferences. The system we are using is called School Soft Conference Manager and it will allow you to check our teachers’ conference schedules and book an appointment on-line.
This year, we will be offering BOTH virtual (online) and in-person conference sessions. We are strongly recommending in-person conferences and realize that for some families, virtual (on-line) may be the only option. If you are unable to schedule a preferred type of conference due to time slots, please reach out to your child's teacher to arrange.
Conferences will be held on November 9th from 5:00-8:00 PM (in-Person) , Thursday, November 10th from 1:00-4:00 PM (In-Person) and from 5:00-8:00 PM (Virtual). Conferences will be 15 minutes.
The first time you use the Conference Manager you will be required to register and create a parent account. (If you already have an account from previous years, you can skip this step). Setup only takes a minute or two. You will continue to use this same account for the duration of the time you have children in the school, so please record your password where you can reference it later.
If you have questions, please contact your child's teacher or the office.
HELPING ONE ANOTHER
FOCUS ON WELLNESS
Monday Moments
We are excited to share MONDAY MOMENTS with staff, students, and community members.
MONDAY MOMENTS are an opportunity for teachers to share the message with students to prompt discussion, journal writing, think-pair-share or personal reflection time.
MONDAY MOMENTS assists stakeholders to build the tools in their toolbox of resiliency strategies.
Let’s continue to make a change one week at a time.
MONDAY MOMENTS include a quote, a thought, and a challenge.
The theme for October is Get Courageous. The focus this week is to Conquer a Fear.
UCS WELLNESS PODCAST
The UCS Wellness team is happy to announce the seventh episode of their podcast series. The team worked with community members to create a podcast regarding different areas of physical, mental, and social health for UCS staff, students, and families. These podcasts are available on the UCS Wellness page. UCS Wellness - Utica Community Schools (uticak12.org)
The seventh podcast in the series is titled “Our Youth and Vaping.” Below is a list of the podcasts available on the Wellness page:
- Mental Health with guest, Nancy Buyle
- Grief and the Grieving Process for Children
- Family Communication
- CARE of Southeastern Michigan
- Discussing Dating Violence with Turning Point
- Tackling Tough Topics with the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office
- Our Youth and Vaping
GET YOUR WILEY SPIRIT WEAR HERE:
FROM PREVIOUS ISSUES OF THE WILEY WAY
MISD FOURTH AND FIFTH GRADE DAUGHTERS/MOTHERS MATURATION PROGRAM
The Macomb Intermediate School District (MISD) will be presenting maturation programs for fourth grade and fifth grade girls and their mothers/guardians, at which time they will answer growth and development questions. The virtual events will take place on Thursday, January 19, 2023, and Thursday, March 16, 2023, from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. The attached has registration details.
School Times
School starts at 9:20 AM daily. Students can be dropped off no sooner than 9:10 am. Parents with students arriving earlier should plan to use the services of SACC or be arriving for breakfast. Students arriving after 9:20 am will be marked “tardy.” On half days, students are dismissed at 12:24 PM. Regular school days are dismissed at 4:10 PM.
If you need to change your regular arrangements for your child (i.e. being picked up vs. going home on the bus), please be sure to notify your child's teacher and the office. If need be, you can call the office and we will get a message to your child. Please be sure you contact the office before 3:30 PM.
ATTENDANCE MATTERS
Please make attendance a priority for your child; establish bedtime routines to ensure that your child is rested and ready for the new day. Try to schedule vacations when we have breaks. Also, if possible schedule dentist and doctor appointments after school. If not possible, please try to schedule first thing or near end of day so that there are minimal interruptions.
Students arriving tardy and leaving early create gaps in learning as well as having negative social and emotional consequences; they often miss out on social interactions that occur as students start and end the day.
If your child is chronically tardy, leaving early or absent, we will be reaching out to inform you. If the situation persists, you will receive truancy letters and further action may result.
Working together, we can ensure that your child can be successful in school and succeed academically as well as socially and emotionally!
The Attendance line is open 24 hours a day; please call (586) 797-6799. Please include your child's name, teacher's name and the reason for the absence.
Late Arrival
If your child comes in after the 9:20 AM bell, YOU MUST ACCOMPANY THEM to the office to sign them in. Please note, they will be marked absent without a parent signature.
Early Dismissal
If it becomes necessary for you to have your child leave the building during the school day, please conform to the following:
• Notify the office by phone or note beforehand of the reason for and time of dismissal.
• At the designated time, the parent/guardian or other person designated on the child’s emergency contact designee must come into the office to sign the child out of school.
• All adults must be prepared to show photo ID.
Birthday Celebrations
The teachers and staff at Wiley strongly 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/read to class
· 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? Please Follow 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
Any cell phones must be turned off and out of view during school hours or while on the bus OR IT WILL BE CONFISCATED and an adult must come up to school to pick it up.
Students should 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.
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.
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 allows them to role play 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 immediately following their lunch. 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.
VOLUNTEERS
We welcome volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering for the 2022-2023 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.
WE NEED LUNCH SUPERVISORS
A warm and friendly school environment
Paid $9.65 per hour
Work 1-5 days a week
1-1.5 hours a day
WHAT WE NEED:
Moms, Dads, Guardians and/or Grandparents to support lunch supervision!
POWERSCHOOL PASSWORD RESET
IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING UPDATING POWERSCHOOL ACCOUNTS
There are several items that all parents will need to indicate they have reviewed on their PowerSchool accounts in the Forms section:
1) Student Address, Student Contacts and Health Information
2) Parent Student Handbook
3) Technology Device Use Agreement
4) Technology Device Insurance Opportunity (due September 8, 2022)
SECURITY PROCEDURES
Wiley Families:
We are asking for your assistance to ensure that our security procedures during the school day are effective. As many of you know, our school has a security camera, intercom, and buzzer at the front entrance for use during the school day. To help us assist you when you would like to enter the school:
1. Please press the buzzer to speak with someone in the office
2. You will be asked to state your name and reason for visiting
3. You will be asked to show your photo ID into the security camera above the outside door
4. Office staff will assist you.
In addition, we are asking you to not let any visitors in the door as you enter (and 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.
Breakfast and Lunch Information
Breakfast and Lunch Information
Breakfast Cost- $1.75
Lunch Cost- $2.75
Breakfast will be served daily (in the gym) from 9:00 -9:15 AM
Since 2020 we were able to offer free meals to all students, however, this pandemic assistance is no longer available. In order to pay for your child's meals, you will need to set up an account and to set up an account you will need your child's ID number. This number is located on their report card or please email the office and they can get you that information.
- Go to https://utica.familyportal.cloud
- If you had an old Sendmoneytoschool.com account it will help you migrate over to the new site.
- Please review this video for instructions how to set up your account. Https://utica.familyportal.cloud/tutorials
- You will need your child’s 9-digit ID number to set it up (you can get this from the office)
- You can access student meal accounts 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to view account balances, deposit histories, or your child’s meal or snack selections free of charge
- You can also make deposits to your child’s cafeteria account using Visa, MasterCard or Discover-a bank service fee of $1.50 will be charged to your credit card
- Breakfasts & Lunches may still be purchased with cash or check; however amounts of $20 or more are recommended
- Checks should be made to Utica Community Schools Food Service Department
- Checks returned for Non-Sufficient Funds (NSF) will be assessed a $25 fee
Stay Connected with our Wiley Volunteer Group
Free Meals Have Ended
- If you would still like to get free and reduced meals, you must fill out an application after July 1
- If you are not approved for free or reduced meals, you will be required to pay for all meals for the 2022-2023 school year
- Apply online at Utica Family Portal or https://utica.familyportal.cloud
Enter “Utica Community Schools” and follow the prompts. - Most applications are processed within two (2) working days compared to 10 using paper!
- Quicker than paper!
SCHOOL AGE CHILD CARE (S.A.C.C.)
SCHOOL AGE CHILD CARE
Utica Community Schools is pleased to provide an opportunity for School Age Child Care, beginning August 30, 2022 Monday - Friday, 6:45am-9:20 AM and 4:10 – 6:00 PM at Wiley Elementary. Please be sure to read the following pricing and scheduling updates before pre-registering for the 2022-2023 school year.
Families must pre-register online.
Registrations will not be done on site or over the phone.
- Registrations will be processed on a first come first served basis, availability is limited.
- If the program is full at your location, you will receive an email indicating you have been placed on the waitlist. Families on the waitlist will be contacted as space become available.
For more information and to register, please visit https://ucscommunityeducation.org/school_age_child_care
MEDICAL/HEALTH PLANS
Utica Community Schools are committed to providing a healthy and safe environment for each of our students. A health plan is required to be completed at the beginning of every school year. For your child's safety we ask that all health forms are turned in prior to the first day of school, August 31st, 2021.
Health plans should be completed for any condition that may involve special dietary considerations, activity levels, medications, or treatment of urgent problems. Completion of health plans allows our staff to take the best possible care of your child.
A physician signature is required on all health plans. Any medications that are to be distributed by school staff or used by student at school must have an Authorization for Medication completed and signed by a physician, including any over-the-counter medications.
Health Care Plans and Authorization for Medication forms are available at https://www.uticak12.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=578321&pageId=5042259. Two transportation forms are required for every student that rides the bus with a COLOR picture attached to each form. Depending on your child’s diagnosis, the following forms are required by the school:
· Food Allergies/Insect Allergies/Latex Allergies: FARE Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan, Michigan Department of Education Medical Statement to Request Special Meals and/or Accommodations, 2 Authorization for Medications (one for an anti-histamine and one for Epinephrine), 2 Transportation Forms (if your child is a bus rider)
· MDE Dietary Accommodations: Required for Food Services for students with Food Allergies.
· Asthma: Asthma Health Care Plan, Authorization for Medication for a rescue inhaler, 2 Transportation Forms (if your child is a bus rider)
· Seizure: Seizure Health Care Plan, Authorization for Medication for rescue medications and/or other medications, 2 Transportation Forms (if your child is a bus rider)
· Diabetes: Diabetes Health Care Plan, 2 Transportation Forms (if your child is a bus rider) and you must submit your Diabetes Medical Management Plan from your Endocrinologist
· Heart Condition: Heart Condition Health Care Plan and 2 Transportation Forms (if your child is a bus rider).
· Any other diagnosis: General Health Care Plan, Authorization for Medication (if needed), 2 Transportation Forms (if your child is a bus rider)
Please return all the necessary, completed and signed forms (dated after June 11th) prior to August 31st, 2021 to: officewiley@uticak12.org.
Your cooperation will help ensure a safe and healthy school year. Any questions can be directed to: Megan Holmes Utica Community School’s District Nurse megan.holmes@uticak12.org
ALLERGENS FORM
We take food allergies and student safety very seriously. If your student has any food allergies please have your physician fill out the MDE Dietary Needs Form and return it to the food service office. MDE dietary Needs form.pdf
1- You must fill out a physician signed MDE Special Needs Accommodation form and send it to the Food Service office. Without this we cannot make any accommodations. Please make sure to be specific with regards to the allergy (Example: all dairy or just fluid milk intolerance, etc.)
2-Because allergies change you MUST fill out a new form EVERY YEAR.
3- You must indicate to your child's school which days and which menu item you would like at least 48 hours in advance. We will not automatically have these available if we do not hear from parents in advance.
4-A vegetarian and nut free options are available every day so please see regular menu.
5-Juice or water are not acceptable substitutes per USDA guidelines. At this time we have Kikkoman Soy milk as a substitute. You're welcome to send in your own milk with your child if they don't like it.
6-We will do the best we can to accommodate other requests but there may be some limitations. For questions please call our food service off at 586-797-1180
Elementary menus are available online under the Allergy Menu tab. For Secondary Allergy menu items please submit the same form and then contact Food Service at 586-797-1180 to meals
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER, AT WILEY...
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