Gretchko Newsletter
April 12, 2024
Principal's Update
Good Afternoon!
It was such a pleasure to meet so many families on Thursday evening at our 2024-2025 open house. If you were not able to attend, please find all four elementary slide presentations below. We look forward to getting to know all of our families in the months to come!
I want to say a big thank to PTO and all of our families for helping to make this year's solar eclipse a special event. The kiddos loved the sun-themed treats, and whether inside or out, we all enjoyed watching the eclipse take place.
As we look ahead to next week, I am very excited for our author visit. Students will have the chance to meet children's author Supriya Kelkar! Be sure to ask your child about it after school on Monday.
Please see below for other special updates and reminders.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend,
Jen Teal
Principal
Featured Book
Jump at the Sun: The True Life Tale of Unstoppable Storycatcher Zora Neale Hurston by Alicia Williams (watch from 11:18-18:36)
Zora was a girl who hankered for tales like bees for honey. Now, her mama always told her that if she wanted something, “to jump at de sun”, because even though you might not land quite that high, at least you’d get off the ground. So Zora jumped from place to place, from the porch of the general store where she listened to folktales, to Howard University, to Harlem. And everywhere she jumped, she shined sunlight on the tales most people hadn’t been bothered to listen to until Zora. The tales no one had written down until Zora. Tales on a whole culture of literature overlooked…until Zora. Until Zora jumped.
Gretchko Star Slip Winners!
Fantastic job Gretchko Students for following our school social contracts. We are very happy to be able to have so many good citizens names in our star bins to be able to draw from. Congratulations to the following Gretchko Star Slip winners for April 12, 2024: Aria Miras, Parker Smith, Tyson Fedrick, Natalie Appling, Maya Pluciennik, Parker Weekes, Jude Ftayeh, Laney Sproat,Sullivan Lee, Juliana Ursing, Keenan Gingras, Maya Mourtada, Isidro Diaz-Saucedo, Evelyn Doerscher,Elliott Egnater and John Schraffenberger.
Pine Cone Readers
Congratulations to our final group of Pine Cone readers! Look at all the books these students read! Some of their favorites were Our Friend Hedgehog, and the Ballet Cat Series. Gretchko is so thankful to add all of this year's Pine Conte titles to our school's library collection. Thank you to the West Bloomfield Public Township Library for supporting our readers. Congratulations to Gavin McDuff, Mason Ajo, Mila Alexiev, Devan Nair, Harlow James, Naomie Desjardins, Saoirse McDuff, Ria Gupte, and Luke Herzog.
Famous Author Visits Gretchko!
Monday, April 15th featured Pine Cone author, Supriya Kelkar, will visit Gretchko to tell our readers about her experience writing and illustrating children's picture books. We are so thankful to the West Bloomfield Township Public Library for bringing Supriya to all of our elementary schools here in West Bloomfield. We have read numerous books together in iCenter and can’t wait to ask her an abundance of questions related to her stories.
Congratulation Math Panthathletes
Wow…what a tournament! We cannot be more proud of our Pentathletes! They all played with such heart and great sportsmanship. We are so proud of each student and hope that they all have learned from their 5 matches. Congratulations to all of our participants! Including: Liam Arghavani, Ava Burnett, Anacelia Diaz-Saucedo, Elliott Egnater, Aubrey Jobin, , Zachary Ryba, Ian Taylor - Bronze Medal, Kingston Goble (2nd Grade Doherty) - Gold Medal (14 points), Ephram, Nyquist (2nd Grade Gretchko) - Gold Medal (14 points), Filip Djokic (3rd Grade Scotch) - Silver Medal (13 points), Ethan Munson (3rd Grade Sheiko) - Silver Medal (13 points), Konrad Weiss (2nd Grade Doherty) - Silver Medal (13 points), Alivia Diab (2nd Grade Gretchko) - Bronze Medal(12points), Grady Long (3rd Grade Sheiko) - Bronze Medal (12 Points), Oliver Makries (2nd Grade Gretchko) - Bronze Medal (12 points), Frankie Polhamus (3rd Grade Sheiko) - Bronze Medal (12 points), Avi Schwartz (2nd Grade Doherty) - Bronze Medal (12 points), Aubrey Smith (2nd Grade Roosevelt) - Bronze Medal (12 points), Ian Taylor (2nd Grade Gretchko) - Bronze Medal (12 points), Nora Duvnjak (2nd Grade Gretchko) - Honorable Mention (11 points), Zayden Ibbetson (3rd Grade Scotch) - Honorable Mention (11 points), Beckett Krull (2nd Grade Gretchko) - Honorable Mention (11 points),Jaxon Neal (3rd Grade Roosevelt) - Honorable Mention (11 points), Jimmy Polhamus (2nd Grade Doherty) - Honorable Mention (11 points).
See the Gretchko Team below!
Congratulations! for reading 100 Books to read in Kindergarten
Congratulations to Brooks Wariszak on completing the 100 BOOKS TO READ IN KINDERGARTEN program provided by the West Bloomfield Township Public Library! Brooks really enjoyed reading the books Creepy Carrots! Way to go, Brooks!
Equity Corner
Month-Long Celebrations
Arab American Heritage Month
Chaldean American Month
Tartan (Scottish American) Heritage Month
Autism Acceptance/Awareness Month
Bilingual/Multilingual Learner Advocacy Month
Deaf History Month
Celebrate Diversity Month
Upcoming Celebrations
April 12 – National Day of Silence (LGBTQIAA+)April 21 – Ridvan (Baha’i)
April 22 - Earth Day
April 22-30 – Passover (Judaism)
Gretchko Night at Red Robin
Come Check Out WBSD Robotics on April 20th
A Great Way to Get Involved!
Mama Mia Tickets Now On Sale!
Tickets for the WBHS production of Mamma Mia! are available for purchase on the website https://wbhstheatrearts.ludus.com. The show dates are April 25-27th at 7pm and one ASL interpreted matinee on Sat, April 27th at 1pm.
All WB student tickets are only $5!
All WBMS 8th grade students are invited to the Sat matinee at 1pm for no cost at all.
Football Camp by the Champ at WBHS with WBHS Alum Semaj Morgan!
WB Lacrosse Kids Day
WB Lacrosse is hosting Kids Day Saturday, April 27th.
WB Boys Lacrosse is hosting Kids Day Saturday, April 27 at West Bloomfield High School Athletic Field after the Varsity game finishes for students who are interested in learning more about Lacrosse. Meet and Play LAX with the high school team on the West Bloomfield High School Athletic Field after the Varsity game. The JV game starts at 10:30am and the Varsity Game starts at 12 noon Saturday April 27th.
The first 100 registered participants will receive West Bloomfield Lacrosse Tee shirts generously donated by Maple Orthodontics located in West Bloomfield. Sign up early. You don't want to miss out on your free WB Lacrosse swag. Show your school spirit and wear your Tee to the game. Free admission for ALL Students wearing their WB Lacrosse Tee shirt!
Sign up now for a great time!
West Bloomfield Youth Assistance Camp Scholarship Available
West Bloomfield Youth Assistance Camp and Skill Building scholarship
Apply here for the WB Youth Assistance Camp and Skill Building Scholarship! Parents/Guardians of applicants will be notified within two weeks of eligibility after the completion of this application. Please apply three weeks prior to the start of the camp/program to ensure payment of the scholarship is received by the camp/program before its start date. Please email info@wbyouthassistance.org if you have any questions.
The purpose of the West Bloomfield Youth Assistance (WBYA) Camp and Skill Building Scholarship is to offer enrichment opportunities to economically disadvantaged children between the ages of 5 - 17 years old. This application can be used for the following:
- Summer Camp
- Skill Building/Workshop
- Educational and Enrichment Activity
Process and Guidelines:
- Application must be completed and submitted to West Bloomfield Youth Assistance.
- The recipient must reside in the West Bloomfield School District.
- WBYA will award scholarship money on merit and a first come, first served basis while funding is available, and until all available funding is exhausted.
- Families may apply for more than one program per child. However, the maximum awarded is $250 per child per calendar year.
- WBYA agrees to cover ninety percent (90%) of the total cost, while families are responsible for the remaining ten percent (10%).
- Please apply three weeks prior to the start of the camp/program to ensure payment of the scholarship is received by the camp/program before its start date. WBYA will pay the program provider or vendor directly. Funding for scholarships is limited, as is the number of students able to attend each camp/program, so please apply as early as possible.
- Applications must be accompanied by a copy of the determination letter (or email) sent to the Parents/Guardians of the applicant(s) by the Food Service Department or State for free/reduced price meals.
- If the scholarship is accepted and not used, or the applicant is a no-show for the camp or program, then the applicant must contact WBYA to let the organization know the reason(s). The applicant may apply for a different program using the same application form (subject to Board approval).
- Families are encouraged to submit a thank you letter and/or a drawing/photo of the applicant at the activity, to share with WBYA Board. If the family chooses to remain anonymous, WBYA will accept the notes without identifying features.
WBSD Community Education Summer Camp-2024
Math at Home
Our math curriculum-Bridges-has terrific resources that you can use at home! Check out this month's links below.
Need Tech Help
For assistance with Google accounts, student Chromebooks or teacher laptops:
Phone: (248) 209-2060
Email: oshelpdesk@oakland.k12.mi.us
Gretchko PTO officers
Kayla Herzog, PTO President
Katy Patra, PTO Vice-President
Carly Wilbur, PTO Treasurer
Erika Ruskin, PTO Recording Secretary
Maria Collins, PTO Corresponding Secretary
The PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) is a volunteer organization that works to support all students by providing a communication link between families, teachers and administrators. The PTO also provides curricular materials, enrichment programs and community service projects through various fundraisers.
We cordially invite you to join our organization and support our efforts to continue making Gretchko a wonderful place to learn and to be a part of! Please reach out to pto.gretchko@gmail.com if you are interested in getting involved or if you have any questions.
Updated Gretchko Calendar - 3/11/24
April
4/16 - Red Robin Fundraiser, Commerce Location (all day)
4/17 - PTO General Meeting at 7:00 pm
4/19 - Bagel Day (rescheduled) and Camo Day
4/24 - Late Start
4/24 - Marco’s Pizza Night
May
6-10- Staff Appreciation Week
5/8 - Sheiko AND Doherty family meetings are now moved to 5:30-6:30pm
5 /8 - Late Start (10:10)
5/14 - PTO General Meeting with Elections at 7:00 pm
5/22 - Late Start (10:10)
-Marco’s Pizza Night
5/24 - Bagel and Sunglasses/ Gretchko Spirit wear Day
5/27 - Memorial Day - No School
5/31 - Field Day (during school)
June
6/6 - Half Day (Dismissal 12:12)
6/7 - Last Day of School - Half Day (Dismissal 12:12)
Last Day of School events TBD
**All events are subject to change**
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.