Dear Glengary Families,

Thank you for your continued partnership! This month is a busy one. Please take time to read Glengary Gazette to stay informed and learn about the great happenings and opportunities at Glengary!

Here's to a GREAT week!

-RosaLeigh Johnson, Principal

Below you will find the topics of focus for the next 2 weeks. I strongly encourage families to click on the links below and use the family resources to reinforce the learning at home! Once you click on the P2 for Families, you’ll find 1 quote, 1 video, and 3 questions to help you and your children discuss The Positivity Project’s character strength of the week. Please join us!

This week our students are learning one of the 5 pillars of the Positivity Project, Being Present & Giving Others My Attention (October 10-16).

The character strength of focus for next week is Integrity (Oct 17-23) . Please take a look at the links below about integrity as they will provide you with the knowledge and tools needed to partner in this important work. The resources in the links below were created to help parents reinforce this important learning at home. Thank you!

The Positivity Project's Other People Mindset includes five elements that are intended to help people understand way to build positive relationships in their own lives. This week we will focus on one element of the Other People Mindset- Being present and giving others my attention. This element of the Other People Mindset is especially important today due to the increasing number of distractions vying for our time and attention. Phone calls, text messages, emails, social media notifications all pull us away from the present moment and what's most important-our relationships with other people.

Integrity means that you tell the truth and are honest in the way you act. It means doing the right thing even when no one is watching.

As we continue to refine our practice and keep student and staff safety at the forefront of our minds, it is important that all individuals follow the protocol of buzzing the doorbell, identifying who they are, and then entering the building once the office opens the door. If there is an individual behind you, please do NOT hold the door open and allow them entry into the building. Each individual must follow this process to ensure safety for all.

Additionally, it is critical and required that any individual visiting or volunteering check into the main office first to sign in and receive a badge. Thank you!

This is a friendly reminder that bell times for morning arrival are as follows:

First Bell rings at 8:50am - Students enter the building. Glengary staff will open the doors.

Second Bell rings at 8:55am - Students should be in their classrooms and/or getting breakfast. Front Doors are closed by 9am and staff return to the building. Therefore, if you arrive after 9am, it is critical that you walk your student to the front doors, buzz the door, and then sign your child in. Thank you for your understanding!

*Additional Reminder: Please be cognizant of our Woodbury neighbors and do not block driveway.

As we prepare for the colder fall/winter weather to hit, please take a moment to review the recess wear guidelines.

Please make sure your child has an appropriate coat or jacket for the weather. Many classes have an early morning block recess and we are looking ahead at some chilly mornings.

Hopefully we are still a ways away from snow, put please note that IT IS ESSENTIAL that students have boots and snow pants when there is snow on the ground.

If you need help providing winter wear for your child, please reach out to me and we will help you! We want all of our Gators to have the items that they need!

Happy birthday to our sweet boy, Romeo! This past year, Romeo has grown so much, both physically and within his role as Therapy Dog. He is patient, loving, and amazing with all of the students and staff, sensing and responding to students and staff that need him the most. His training is ongoing with consistent reminders of his commands and expectations. He is off-leash with Mrs. Locke and in several other classrooms. He often roams the room and then finds a spot that is most comfortable for the time that he is in the classroom. On occasion, he gets silly and wants a belly rub. Romeo is also making an impact in our community outside of school, often being recognized outside of school hours. Our Glengary Gators love to read to him, talk to him, and just be near him. We hope you have a “pawesome” 2nd birthday, Romeo!

The Walled Lake Consolidated Schools is again participating in a program to honor exemplary teachers/educators. We hope you will join us in an effort that will result in the selection of the Teacher/Educator of the Year for the Walled Lake Consolidated School District at the elementary, middle school, and high school levels. This honor will be bestowed at our Thursday, January 12, 2023 school board meeting.

Please use the attached fillable nomination form to nominate a deserving Glengary educator and return to Glengary Elementary NO later than Friday, October 21, 2022. Nominations can be emailed directly to rosaleighjohnson@wlcsd.org or turned into the front office. Any full time, certified, tenured teacher/educator who spends 50% of his/her time in a classroom with a minimum of five (5) full years of classroom teaching experience is eligible to receive this award. Any person in the school community may nominate any teacher/educator in the District for this honor.

Thank you for your help in honoring a deserving Glengary Educator!

i-Ready Diagnostic 1 is almost complete! Thank you for your partnership in helping your child prepare to take this important diagnostic. Once the class has completed both reading and math, you can expect to receive a Parent Report for both reading and math from the classroom teacher, along with an accompanying Parent Letter from Cathy Kochanski, Assistant Superintendent of Learning Services. The cover letter is also linked below for your reference.

K-3 families should have recieved a hard copy of a letter from Cathy Kochanski, Assistant Superintendent of Learning, earlier this week. The letter explains the Third Grade Reading Law and the supports in place in Walled Lake Schools. The letter is linked below for your reference.

Since the 2019-2020 school year, we have shared information about district-wide efforts to improve our emergency responses. Most recently, our district has adopted ALICE, a research-based training program to ensure schools are prepared to respond to potential intruder events. ALICE is about empowering individuals and providing options or strategies beyond the traditional lockdown methods. On 9/29 the Oakland County Sherriff’s Office facilitated ALICE training with Glengary Elementary Staff.

Last week, all K-5 classrooms read the book, “I’m not scared, I’m prepared,” by Julia Cook, as we did during the 2021-22 school year. In the book by Julia Cook, comparisons to stranger danger, and additional resources linked below may be helpful for families that discuss the drills at home with their children.

In October, students at Glengary Elementary are participating in two ALICE safety drills. During the October drills, all classrooms will review ALICE principles in an age appropriate manner. Teachers will use similar language and will utilize the same materials to ensure consistent implementation. Please see the chart below for what each drill will entail:

Halloween this year is a half day with dismissal at 12:25 p.m. Students at GLE are welcome to wear a school-appropriate costume. Please do not send students with scary masks, look-alike weapons, fake blood/gore, or scary costumes. Non-scary masks will only be permitted during the parade. During transportation and the rest of the school day students’ faces must be visible.

Students who ride the bus are permitted to wear their costume as long as their faces are visible and the costume meets the same criteria above. It would be helpful if students arrive already dressed in their costume.

At 11:00 a.m. we will host our outdoor parade*. Parents/guardians and younger siblings are invited to view the parade from the inside of the walking track. There is no need to check-in at the main office because visitors will be outside and not coming into the school. Gates will be open to accommodate overflow parking on the blacktop. Please do NOT park in the road. With safety at the forefront of our minds, please note that local law enforcement may be joining us for the parade.

*In case of rain, students will parade through the building and an alternate plan will be communicated.

After the parade, students will return to the classroom. Students are NOT permitted to leave with parents directly from the parade. For the safety or our students, they MUST return to class with their classroom teacher and we STRONGLY encourage you to utilize your regular afternoon transportation schedule. In the event that you need sign your child our early, you MUST still follow the normal procedure of checking into the office first. Again, to minimize traffic congestion, maintain order and ensure safety for all, we STRONGLY encourage you to utilize your regular afternoon transportation schedule.

Classroom teachers are collaborating with Room Parents to plan a Halloween celebration prior to the parade. Again, with safety at the forefront of our minds, we are limiting classroom volunteers for the Halloween parties. If your classroom requests volunteers, and your child’s teacher confirms that you have been selected, please sign-in at the main office and get a visitor’s badge. Only pre-arranged volunteers will be permitted. **We kindly ask that you make arrangements for any younger siblings if you plan to volunteer in your child’s classroom.**

Most importantly, we ask for your cooperation and patience, as it will be a very busy day here at school. Student safety is our top priority.

This is an important reminder that Monday, 10/31 is a half day of school with a 12:25 dismissal time. We will utilize a tiered dismissal process, just as we do on full days. Dismissal times are detailed below:

12:15- APU and Walkers

12:20 -Prime Time Care

12:23- Begin loading busses

12:30-12:32- Departure

**Note: This half day is also Halloween. Plans for Halloween will be shared in the next edition of the Glengary Gazette.

Parent Volunteer’s needed in the Media Center at Glengary on Mondays and Wednesdays.

- Shelf books

- Check in books

- Help student find books

If you are interested, please email me at pamelabrucker@wlcsd.com . Thank you!

Check out the resources below from our school social worker, Ms. Abbo! It contains a lot of resources to support families in need. It also has ideas to support our students at home. This week's edition includes ideas for what questions to ask to get your child talking about his/her school day.

During the Aug. 11 Special Board meeting, the Walled Lake Schools Board of Education unanimously approved a motion to ask the residents of the Walled Lake School District to renew the half mill levy for the District Building and Site Sinking Fund (.5 mil, 10 year levy). The election for this renewal is Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022.

The District will be hosting three different community presentations for ALL members of the Walled Lake Schools community to attend and learn more about the Sinking Fund and its renewal. Dates, times and locations are listed below:

• Tuesday, Oct. 11 at 6pm - Keith Elementary
• Wednesday, Oct. 12 at 6:30pm - Dublin Elementary
• Monday, Oct. 17 at 6pm - WL Western High School

In Walled Lake Schools, our schools and facilities are in good repair as a result of the Sinking Fund that voters approved back in 2004 and renewed in 2012. The District has been able to complete construction, repair and renovation projects annually, with Board approval, because of the current Building and Site Sinking Fund.

For more information, please visit www.wlcsd.org/elections or click the image below.

Thank you for voting on Nov. 8!

In an effort to find additional ways to celebrate our staff, the WLCSD Community Relations department requests that families fill out the information below for staff who are rock stars in their classrooms and school communities. Please complete the form below and contact Dan Durkin (danieldurkin@wlcsd.org) with any questions you may have.

The October PTA meeting will take place on Tuesday, October 11 at 6:30 PM in the Media Center. Please enter the meeting at the Media Center doors. Childcare is provided!

We are in the final stretch to the Glengary Fun Run! We have raised 17,322.99 thus far! We are SO close to reaching our school-wide goal of $18,000! Thank you!! Please see a few important updates/reminders below:

Important:

• Raffle Tickets: Envelopes with Raffle Tickets will go home on Tuesday, 10/11 with students. Please review the prize list, especially Kindergarten and First grade students, and help them think about which prizes they want to try to win. Students need to return raffle tickets on Wednesday, 10/12 so that they can place them into the canisters that align with the prizes they are hoping to win.
• Fundraising: Fundraising continues through 10/21. Any funds raised from this point forward to NOT earn additional raffle tickets, but they will help students earn a school-wide prize!
• Registration: There is still time to register your child for fundraising through Fud Hub which is linked below.
• Fun Run: The actual Fun Run will take place on Friday, 10/14. With safety at the forefront of our minds, please note that ONLY volunteers who have signed up using the Sign Up Genius can attend the Fun Run. Some additional volunteer opportunities have opened up at each grade-level and are included in the Sign-Up Genius Link below. If you are part of the cheer squad, please feel free to make some fun signs and bring them with you. Volunteers should park and enter through the playground entrance. There is no need to go to the office but volunteers MUST check-in at the Volunteer Table outside.
• Parking: Gates will be open to accommodate overflow parking on the blacktop. Please do NOT park in the road.

Calling all Gators! It's that time of year again for Reflections! This year's program theme is "Show Your Voice!"

Tell us your interpretations of "Show Your Voice!" through any of the seven categories below. Only new and original works of art will be accepted:

1. Dance Choreography
2. Film Production
3. Literature
4. Music Composition
5. Photography
6. Visual Arts (2D and 3D)
7. Special Artist (must qualify)

Please Join us for a Reflections Creativity Nights! Students are invited to stay after school and put the character strength of creativity to work as they create a submission for Reflections using supplies provided by the PTA!

K ~ 2nd: Wed 11/2 and Thr 11/3

3rd ~ 5th: Wed 11/9 and Thr 11/10

After school in the Media Center 4 ~ 5:30pm

There will be snacks and supplies will be provided. Send your RSVP by Sunday 10/23 to GlengaryReflections@gmail.com, or text/call parent, Yoko Metcalf, at 734-837-3984.

We will send out a Sign-Up link for volunteers on Creativity Night. Stay tuned!

This year, the PTA is excited to use their own communication platform to help organize important information all in one place. The Glengary Gazette is often loaded with info and sometimes the PTA updates can become buried. The link to the first edition of the PTA Post is linked below and will be regularly blasted out via Skyward and linked in the Glengary Gazette! Be sure to check it out!

We are encouraging all families to join the Glengary PTA! To join, simply click the link below. The fee is $10.00 and can now easily be done electronically below. Joining the PTA does not commit you to anything but it does ensure you have a voice and partnership with the Parent/Teacher Association at Glengary Elementary!

Click on the links below to see the great offerings currently available!

The Walled Lake Consolidated School District, following the guidance of the Oakland County Health Division, requires individuals that are positive for COVID-19 AND individuals that exhibit symptoms of COVID-19, (one symptom from the top section or two symptoms from the second section), to follow certain steps before they can return to school. The link below contains a symptom screener as well as the options a family can take for their student to be eligible to return to school when a student is suggestive of COVID.

Many symptoms of COVID overlap with symptoms of other common illnesses and seasonal allergies. Current guidance requires us to follow COVID protocols for individuals that cannot pass the health screener until COVID is medically ruled out or a certain period of time has passed.

At this time, communication to families regarding COVID-19 cases at school is the same as it was at the end of the 2021-22 school year. When I learn of a positive case, I will send a letter to the classroom of the positive individual, as well as a letter to the entire grade level, to notify families of a possible exposure. For privacy reasons, names and identifying information will not be disclosed.

If you have any questions or need additional guidance regarding a sick child and school attendance, please contact our GLE Main Office. We recognize the added layer of responsibility on parents and school staff when an individual presents with symptoms during the pandemic and appreciate your partnership.

If your child tests positive for COVID-19, it is critical that the office staff and classroom teacher are quickly informed.

Please send an email to:

RosaLeigh Johnson - rosaleighjohnson@wlcsd.org

Melissa Roth - melissaroth@wlcsd.org

Cheryl Maten- cherylmaten@wlcsd.org

Your child's teacher

In the email, please include ALL of the following information:

Your child's name

Your child's grade

Your child's teacher

Your name

Your contact phone number

The date of symptom onset

The date your child was tested

The last date your child was in school

Type of test that was given (Home test, Rapid test at a testing site, PCR test at a testing site)

Name of testing site, if tested in a facility

*Note: Once staff are informed, the following action items occur.

1. Office reports to WL Human Resources Department

2. Families receive quarantine timeline via email from WL Human Resource Department

2. Office alerts custodians who deep clean the impacted classroom

3. Office sends a letter to the classroom of the positive individual & a letter to the entire grade level, to notify families of a possible exposure. Individual's names and identifying information is NOT shared.

A strong home/school partnership is one of our core values at Glengary Elementary. As parents or guardians, we welcome your engagement and collaboration. When concerns arise, we ask that you assume positive intent and seek information first, before drawing conclusions.

When you have a concern specific to your child:

1. Contact the teacher or staff member involved first.

2. Ask for information, express a concern, suggest a solution through a respectful conversation or meeting.

3. Collaborate to generate a plan and agree to a timeline for resolving the issue.

4. Monitor and evaluate the success of your plan and make adjustments as needed.

After genuine collaboration and open communication with your child’s teacher, if resolution cannot be reached, it is then appropriate to contact the principal. Working with the teacher and principal, generate a plan that meets the situation’s needs and agree to a timeline for trying the solution. If you are unable to agree to a solution at the building level, the principal will invite the next most appropriate administrator to join the process.

Not receiving district and/or building communications?

If you are not receiving emails from Mrs. Johnson like The Glengary Gazette, or District Weekly Updates, please use the link below to double-check your preferences are correct.

Signing Up for SMS Messages via Skylert

In addition to receiving phone calls and email notifications from the school district in the event of a school closing or emergency, parents can also sign up to receive SMS Text messages.

Please find the helpful step-by-step instructions linked below as well as the video tutorial on signing up for SMS messages.

• Signing Up for SMS Messages via Skylert

The Student Pantry is a local resource we have available for any families in need. If your family has a need for basic school supplies, clothing, or food, please email RosaLeigh Johnson, Principal, Kristen Abbo, Social Worker, or Laura Locke, Teacher Liason. We will work in partnership with the Student Pantry to get you resources and supplies at no cost while respecting your privacy.

rosaleighjohnson@wlcsd.org

kristenabbo@wlcsd.org

lauralocke@wlcsd.org

Those who are interested in volunteering or making a donation should visit the Student Pantry website, www.thestudentpantry.weebly.com.

During the 2022-2023 school year, breakfast and lunch will NO LONGER BE FREE for ALL students. It will only be free (or reduced) for those who qualify.

Congress voted not to extend the waiver which provided free breakfast and free lunch for all students. The waiver ended June 30, 2022.

Your family may qualify for free meals or for reduced-price meals. You can complete a free and reduced lunch application during registration in August.

If you do not qualify for free or reduced meals, you may begin depositing money into student accounts at any time to prepare for the cost of school lunches next year. Information on meal prices for the 2022-2023 school year are listed below

Breakfast costs

• $1.50 for Elementary
• $1.75 for Middle/High School

Lunch costs

• $3.00 for Elementary
• $3.25 for Middle/High School

If your student has a negative lunch account balance, we encourage you to pay it off as soon as possible and then begin depositing money into the account to prepare for the 2022-2023 school year.

Your family may qualify for free meals or for reduced-price meals. Reduced-price is $.30 for breakfast and $.40 for lunch. Completing an application is the only way to be considered for free or reduced meals next school year. Please take action now. You can complete the online free and reduced meal application located in Family Access once registration is open.

This free and reduced meal application information is critical in determining the amount of money that the District receives from a variety of State and Federal supplemental programs like Title I A, At-risk (31a), Title II A, E-Rate, etc.

These supplemental programs have the potential to offer supports and services for our students including, but not limited to:

• Instructional supports (staff, supplies & materials, etc.)
• Non-instructional services (counseling, social work, health services, etc.)
• Professional Learning for staff
• Parent and Community engagement supplies and activities
• Technology
• Pandemic-EBT

Our food service department is asking families to complete and submit the free and reduced meal application as soon as possible to ensure that additional funding for our school is available to meet the needs of our students. All information on the application submitted is confidential.

Please contact Anne Merchant at 248-956-3081 or at annemerchant@wlcsd.org with questions.

Glengary Elementary welcomed Romeo, our therapy dog, in the fall of 2021. We are thrilled to welcome Romeo as therapy dogs provide a host of benefits to students and staff.

Our program would not be possible with the support of many donors and sponsors. If you are interested in making a donation for Romeo's ongoing care, you can contact lauralocke@wlcsd.org or rosaleighjohnson@wlcsd.org.

Thank you to our AWESOME sponsors below!

Communication is important to us at Glengary. Parents will be notified and updated in a variety of ways throughout the school year. The majority of information for parents will be available on our school and District website and through email.

SKYWARD FAMILY ACCESS

It is critical that parents keep an updated email address and let us know if it changes as soon as possible. Parents may update this information for us on Skyward Family Access. All teachers at Glengary utilize Skyward Family Access to communicate with parents.Report cards, lunch account information, progress reports, attendance, and other important information will always be posted on Skyward Family Access. If you are a new family to Walled Lake Schools or have misplaced or lost your Family Access ID and password, please click HERE to get connected.

Glengary Gazette AND School Web Page

Our Glengary Gazette newsletter will be sent electronically to families. This is typically a bi-weekly communication filled with all important school and PTA updates. As we begin the year, the communication may be sent on a weekly basis if needed. An archive of newsletters will be posted to our school website. Please visit this page often for information about our school. You will find links to important documents, websites and blogs from your child's classroom, PTA forms and information, and important updates and forms that you will need to access.

PTA Post & Website

Our PTA will share updates via a PTA Post. Additionally, the PTA has an excellent website with upcoming events, fundraiser information, PTA membership links, and other pertinent information and forms.

Social Media

Glengary Elementary also has a Facebook page, Instagram, and Twitter which are linked below!

RosaLeigh Johnson

Principal: rosaleighjohnson@wlcsd.org

Cheryl Maten

Principal's Secretary: cherylmaten@wlcsd.org

Melissa Roth

Building Secretary: melissaroth@wlcsd.org

Important Phone Numbers:

Main Line: 248-956-3100

Fax Line: 248-956-3105
Attendance: 248-956-3190