Woodland Watch
A Woodland Wildcat Always R.O.A.R.S.
April 12, 2024
A Message from the Principal
Dear Woodland Families,
Earlier this week, our students had the incredible opportunity to observe the phenomenon of the nearly total eclipse firsthand, and their reactions were nothing short of remarkable. Throughout the day, you could feel the anticipation building among the students. When the moment finally arrived, and the moon began to obscure the sun, there was a collective sense of wonder that swept over the entire school. Students gathered outside with their eclipse glasses, gazing up at the sky in awe. The experience sparked conversations and questions that will undoubtedly continue to inspire learning in the days and weeks to come.
Additionally, I have a few reminders. In order to ensure the safety of all of our Wildcats, please don't forget that if you drop off your student after 8:32am, you must walk your child into the school and sign them in. Also, due to the arrival of busses and parents lining up in the parking lot, we do not allow early dismissals after 3:00pm. I apologize for any inconveniences this may cause.
Also, please don't forget that Monday, April 15th is the last day to purchase a yearbook. You can find the link do so below. We will only have a limited quantity of yearbooks for purchase from the Main Office.
As we reach the final stretch of the school year, I want to extend a big thank you for your continued support and partnership in your child's education.
Enjoy your weekend,
Mrs. Katalin Rosinski
Principal
UPCOMING EVENTS
May
- 3rd - NO SCHOOL - Teacher PD
- 6th-10th - Woodland Staff Appreciation Week
- 7th - Mrs. Hockman's & Mrs. McNaughton's Music Concert @ 6:30pm-7:30pm
- 9th - Woodland Art Show @ 5pm-8pm
- 13th - "Dine to Donate" Fundraisers at Noodles & Company, Salsarita's & Oberweis
- 14th - PTO Meeting @ 6pm
- 16th - Boys Bonanza @ Classic Lanes @ 6pm-8pm
- 24th-27th - NO SCHOOL - Memorial Day
- 29th - Ms. Casolari's , Mrs. Jalkanen's & Ms. Wheeler's Music Concert @ 6pm-7pm
- 31st - Field Day
June
- 6th - HALF DAY OF SCHOOL - 11:45am Dismissal - Teacher Records
- 7th - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL - End of Quarter 4 - HALF DAY - 11:45am Dismissal
Leadership Team Collecting Eclipse Glasses
Leadership is excited to announce that we are collecting eclipse glasses to recycle and send to students in Latin America for the eclipse in October 2024. If you still have your eclipse glasses and would like to donate them, please send them with your student to turn into their teacher. We are excited to be a part of something so unique! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Mrs. Burmistrzak or Mrs. Jones.
Yearbooks
LAST CHANCE TO ORDER YOUR YEARBOOK!!
Log in to ybpay.lifetouch.com to order your 2023-2024 Woodland yearbook! Order now so you don't forget - we will NOT be ordering extra yearbooks in the Spring!
Yearbook ID Code: 5933224
Order Deadline: April 15, 2024
Smencils For Sale Next Week
M-Step Testing
This week, we administered the Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress (M-STEP) to students in 3rd-5th grade. The M-STEP will measure student knowledge of Michigan’s high academic standards in English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies.
We all want your child’s state assessment experience to be as stress-free as possible. Your positive outlook and supportive manner going into these assessments also will influence your child’s experience.
Remember, testing is a part of learning. State assessment results do not impact student grades. They are designed to provide information on student knowledge and ability to be career- and college-ready upon graduation. Schools and districts use the results for curriculum planning and school improvement initiatives that benefit all students.
The state has provided specific windows for our students to participate in these assessments. We have decided to spread the assessments over several days to allow for as many classroom routines to continue normally. (Make up sessions or opportunities to finish may be held on different days).
We would very much appreciate it if you could do everything possible to have your child in attendance on these days, make sure they are well-rested and have had a good, well-balanced breakfast. Also, on testing days, please keep cell phones and electronic watches at home. This ensures the integrity of the testing process. We encourage you to view the preview test and sample items that are available online at https://wbte.drcedirect.com/MI/portals/mi/ott1, opened in a Google browser.
We are confident that our students will do well and our goal is to provide a positive testing experience. If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the school.
Grade Level Placement
After we return from Spring Break, I begin the planning process for next school year. I would like to share our procedures for moving students to their next grade level teacher for the 2024-2025 school year. We use a comprehensive procedure to determine grade/teacher placement. The process is outlined below:
- Teachers will fill out a student profile on each student in his/her class. The profile will allow teachers to identify each student’s strengths and needs.
- A team consisting of the grade level teachers, principal, and other pertinent staff such as the specials teachers, reading specialist, special education personnel, and/or ELL teacher will meet to place students into classes based on information from the profile sheets, and any additional input. The class lists will be constructed so that each class is relatively equal with regards to the following factors:
- Balance of male and female students.
- A range of reading, writing, and math abilities in each room.
- Consideration of learning needs.
- Separation of behavior conflicts.
- Balance of students with strong leadership qualities.
- Balance of students with independent study habits.
In analyzing all these factors we strive to develop balanced classrooms, which will be minimally affected by the addition of new students as they move into our area.
We do not accept specific teacher requests. Parents are cautioned not to request placement or non-placement based on what they may have heard about a teacher from other parents. Just as each child is unique, so is each teacher. An experience that other parents may have had with their child may be totally different from what your child could have with the same teacher. However, if there is a concern, parents may send an email with information regarding their child’s learning style and specific educational needs. I need to receive this information by April 26th.
Please help your child understand that he/she may not be with the same friends next year, or with a teacher a sibling may have had. Help them know they are capable of working with new friends and teachers, that they are skillful youngsters, and able to handle new situations. Creating a mindset with your child to develop new friendships is imperative to a successful transition to middle school later in his/her educational journey. That mindset doesn’t just begin in fifth grade. It is a mindset that needs to be developed early on. It can help ensure a smooth transition now and in the future. We value your help and appreciate your consideration.
Thank you for your time and interest regarding the Grade Placement Procedures. We are looking forward to using this process and feel confident that each student will be placed in a classroom that will allow him/her to have a successful school year!
Woodland Staff Appreciation Week
We will be accepting donations at school until Friday, May 3rd. Please remember that Woodland is a tree nut/peanut-free school. We will be feeding approximately 60 staff members. All donations can be dropped off in the Main Office to Ms. Caton or Mrs. Montano.
Please click on the link below to sign up. We appreciate your contributions and helping us support and celebrate our Woodland staff.
Teacher Appreciation Week
National Teacher Appreciation Week is May 6-10, 2024. The Michigan Department of Education’s (MDE) Office of Educator Excellence (OEE) wishes to celebrate teachers across Michigan for the entire month of May.
MDE invites parents to submit 15-30 second videos of their students recognizing and thanking a specific teacher for their impact. Nothing fancy is required—cell phones can capture the videos. Please follow the directions on the flyer. Videos and parental consent may be submitted via the Teacher Appreciation Video Project Google Form. Videos are currently being accepted until Friday, April 19, 2024.
Submitted videos may be posted on the Teacher Appreciation Month webpage and the MDE’s YouTube channel. The Office of Educator Excellence Facebook (@MIeducator) and X (formerly Twitter) social media pages will be promoting the videos throughout the month of May.
If you have a child with great things to say about a teacher, don’t hesitate—use the instructions found on our website to submit a video today!
Instructions to submit video (Arabic) - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FGOsFm2UqssthvOfR_map5ghBr8AeqCh/view?usp=sharing
Instructions to submit video (English) - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UOLzeH7wTWukRhwy2IZKdNmCmUYUGp8M/view?usp=sharing
Instructions to submit video (Spanish) - https://drive.google.com/file/d/17_uXaEop73z_bhaVJKAUZtB094MGFtLl/view?usp=sharing
Avondale School District would also like to share your video with our community. Please send your video to Annette McAvoy at 248-217-1759.
Woodland Art Show - Thursday, May 9th
Avondale 2024-2025 School Calendar
Updates from the Woodland Cafeteria
Cafeteria and Hot Lunch
School breakfast and lunch is FREE this year.
Hot Lunch
Monday 4/15: A) French Toast B) Cheese Quesadilla C) Sun Butter & Jelly
Tuesday 4/16: A) Chicken Fried Rice B) Cheese Quesadilla C) Sun Butter & Jelly
Wednesday 4/17: A) Italian Flatbread B) Cheese Quesadilla C) Sun Butter & Jelly
Thursday 4/18: A) Cheeseburger B) Cheese Quesadilla C) Sun Butter & Jelly
Friday 4/19: A) Crispy Chicken Drumstick B) Cheese Quesadilla C) Sun Butter & Jelly
Avondale Food Services would like to remind you of the importance of sharing any allergies that your student may have with our Food Service Department. If your student has any food allergies, please fill out the form here and email it to megan.haase@avondaleschools.org.
Please click on the link below for information regarding free breakfasts and lunches for Avondale students for the 2023-2024 school year.
Important Lunch Information
ALL students have the opportunity to receive free breakfast and lunch this year through the Community Eligibility Program (CEP).
It is important to note that Avondale School District families should still complete the CEP Education Benefits application https://avondale.familyportal.cloud which helps ensure ongoing state funding and can qualify your child’s school or community for other special programs.
To View lunch menus, visit https://avondale.nutrislice.com or download Nutrislice from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android) and search Avondale.
Happy Birthday!!
Make sure to take a birthday picture next to the electronic sign outside in front of the school!
April
April 12: Jacob D., Tucker P., Ms. Plotkowski
April 14: Everly Y.
April 17: Viktor M., Mrs. Ray, Ms. Sue
April 20: Riley K., Ms. Sarah
April 21: Aubrey B.
April 22: Bailey R., Dayton R., Ms. Kayla
April 23: Mrs. Tenuja
April 24: Laira N., Mrs. Bev
April 25: Mrs. Keller
April 26: James A., Devlin (DJ) C., Griffin D., Carlianne F., Ronan F., Karter L., Joey L.
April 27: Mrs. Mergener
April 30: Haemin L.
Positivity Project
This week, we worked on Fairness for our P2 Positivity Project. This means you believe that all people have value. You approach situations with an inbiased mindset and treat everyone with respect.
Fairness is the product of moral judgment - the process by which people determine what is morally right and what is morally wrong. Moral reasoning has been explored and analyzed in two main traditions: the justice reasoning approach and the care reasoning approach.
Why Does It Matter?
For individuals, cultivating the character strength of fairness is correlated with highly desirable developmental outcomes. It helps people to become trustworthy friends, responsible citizens, and generally moral people.
To practice and encourage the character strength of integrity with your child, please visit the Positivity Project’s P2 for Families (password: P2), where together you will watch a video, read a quote, and talk about the answers to three questions.
Next week, we will focus on our P2 Trait, Humor.
Lost & Found - LAST CALL!!
Woodland's Lost and Found is located by the gym and cafeteria. If your child is missing a jacket, sweatshirt, lunchbox, etc., please remind your child to look in the Lost and Found. Please plan on taking a peek ASAP because all unclaimed items will be donated after this weekend.
Please Pack an Extra Change of Clothes
Text "Yes" to Receive Woodland Text Messages
Text "YES" to 67587
If you are not receiving text messages from Woodland Elementary or Avondale School District and would like to in the future, text the word "YES" to 67587.
WOODLAND AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS
Young Rembrandts
STEAM & Amigos Spanish Club
WOODLAND PTO CORNER
"Dine to Donate" Fundraisers at Noodles, Salsarita's & Oberweis Monday, May 13th
Boys Bonanza - Thursday, May 16th
The Woodland PTO is still on the hunt for passionate individuals to join us on our mission to create amazing events! Whether you're a seasoned volunteer or new to the game, we have a place for you!
We've got some awesome events lined up and need YOUR help to make them happen. Check out the links below, to see the dates available and find the perfect fit for your schedule. Don't miss this opportunity to be part of a community that cares! Head over to the signup genius link and Let's create some magic together!
Boys Bonanza
http://track.spe.schoolmessenger.com/.../RgRngtFUP0REaHR0...
Woodland Field Day
Kroger Community Rewards
Do you have a Kroger Plus card? If so, you can link your cad to our school and Kroger will donate a percentage to Woodland! You still get all the great savings and all the fuel points! Link your card online at www.kroger/communityrewards by entering our account number: SQ402 or searching for Woodland PTO.
AVONDALE HAPPENINGS
SpringFest 2024 - Everyone is Welcome!
4-H Discovery Day 2024 - Saturday, April 27th
Avondale Town Hall Meeting - Thursday, May 2nd
Blessings in a Backpack Charity Golf Scramble
Avondale Blessings in a Backpack is teaming with SFL Companies to host a Golf Scramble Fundraiser on May 6, 2024. Please consider participating in this great (and fun) event that supports our Avondale students!
$800 / foursome
$200 / single golfer (will be paired with other singles or to complete a team)
Includes: 18 holes of golf, cart, practice facility, lunch, dinner, and non-alcoholic beverages
Learn about sponsorship opportunities here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OdMEpclvzpYkOmJ9sguk91VJYDZi3c3c/view?usp=sharing
You can register for the outing at this link: https://blessingsinabackpackmi.org/events/.
Avondale ELC Summer Camp Registration
Enrollment for Summer Camp and the 2024-2025 school year is open! Click on one of the following links to start the enrollment process for your student:
- If you want to enroll your student in the ELC Summer Camp, please fill out this form.
- If you want to enroll your student in a 3 Year Old classroom, please fill out this form.
- If you want to enroll your student in a 4 Year Old classroom, please fill out this form.
All current ELC students are only eligible to attend the ELC Summer Camp, not the Busy Bee Summer Camp. Busy Bee Summer Camp is for students who have completed a year of TK/Kindergarten.
Busy Bee Summer Camp Registration Open
Avondale Youth Theatre Summer Camp Registration
Oakland Schools 2024 Career Write Essay Contest
Oakland Schools K-12 Career Readiness Department is sponsoring a student essay contest developed to promote awareness, exploration, and preparation associated with five career pathways: Information Technology, Health, Advanced Manufacturing, Construction, and TMLE (Transportation, Mobility, Logistics, Energy). There are three entry levels based on the students grade: 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12. Oakland Schools Career Readiness Education staff members will read and score the essays anonymously according to an internal rubric focusing on creativity, connection to a pathway area, and future career aspirations. Visit this link for more info.
Avondale School District Curriculum Newsletter
Please take a moment to enjoy the March edition of the Avondale School District Curriculum Newsletter written by our Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction, Coleen Brunni. Have a wonderful holiday season!
Avondale Busy Bee is Hiring!
FREE Covid Tests Available to Avondale Families
We have a shipment of COVID tests from MDHHS that arrived this week. These are available free of charge to all Woodland students and families. Please contact our main office at 248-537-6900 if you are in need of any tests, and we will get them to you!
Avondale School District Calendar UPDATED
Please note - there has been a small update to the Avondale District Calendar as of 9/5/2023. The testing, day off, and half day that were originally scheduled for April 18th have been moved to April 11th. Changes have been made on the calendar below. Please disregard any previous versions of the calendar.
Blessings in a Backpack
Considering the tough economic times and the rising food costs facing our area, we are attempting to help Avondale families by making sure all our children have enough food.
“Blessings in a Backpack” is a program designed to provide students on the free and reduced lunch program with enough food for three meals a day during the weekends.
Click below to sign your child(ren) up online to receive Blessings in a Backpack.
More Information:
**If you would like to contribute food or snacks to help with Blessings in a Backpack, there is an Amazon Wish List set up below to purchase from. Thank you so much for your help and please feel free to share this list with others who may wish to donate!
Gleaners Mobile Food Pantry Schedule
COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS
Staying Connected
Please see the the Woodland Elementary website and the Avondale School District website as resources for valuable information. We also post reminders and information on our Woodland Facebook Page. Please like us to stay connected with Woodland and the community.
Woodland Elementary School
Email: katalin.rosinski@avondaleschools.org
Website: avondaleschools.org
Location: 6465 Livernois Road, Troy, MI, USA
Phone: 248-537-6900
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WoodlandROARS/