Wiley Way
Week of October 30, 2023
SCHOOL INFORMATION
Welcome to Wiley ~ Home of the Wiley Coyotes
Office Hours: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
School Hours: 9:00 AM - 3:50 PM; early dismissal @ 12:04 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
- Mrs. Cari Muirhead, Clerk
Dates to Remember
Tuesday, October 31: Happy Halloween! Halloween Parade @ 10:30 AM; Early Dismissal (12:04 PM)
November 1-16: Canned Food Drive and Halloween Candy Drive (See flyer below)
Thursday, November 2: Rink Night
Friday, November 3: Report Cards posted in PowerSchool
Saturday, November 4: Macomb Reads READING CARNIVAL @ MISD 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM (see flyer below)
Monday, November 6-Friday, November 10: Scholastic Book Fair
Tuesday, November 7: No School (Election Day and Teacher PD)
Wednesday, November 8: Parent Teacher Conferences (5:00 -8:00 PM); Book Fair open from 5:00-7:45 PM
Thursday, November 9: Early Dismissal (12:04 PM); Afternoon (1:00-4:00 PM) and Evening (5:00 -8:00 PM) Parent Teacher Conferences; Book Fair open from 5:00-7:45 PM
Wednesday, November 15: Bagel Day, Parent Volunteer Meeting @ 7:00 PM
Tuesday, November 21: Dinner Night Out Fundraiser (Mavrix)
Wednesday, November 22-Friday, November 24: NO SCHOOL ~ Happy Thanksgiving!
Message From Mrs. Merivirta
The first marking period is officially over. Report cards will be available for parents to view in PowerSchool on Wednesday, November 3. This will provide you will an opportunity to discuss your child's report card with them prior to our Fall Conferences. Please be sure to celebrate your child's successes and set goals for areas that need improvement. Help your child set a plan as to how they will work to improve in at least one area. Have them write it down and revisit it weekly throughout the next marking period. This will allow them to see how the effort that they put in impacts the results that they get. Be sure to celebrate small successes along the way!
Thanks to our fantastic Parent Group for sponsoring our Trunk or Treat event this past Saturday. The cars and costumes were great! The Crain family car won for best decorated (Toy Story) and best costume was awarded to Ben Crain. Check out the pictures below.
Conferences will be held both in-person and virtually, on the evenings of November 8th and 9th (from 5:00 PM-8:00 PM) and on the afternoon of November 9th (1:00 PM - 4:00 PM). Our goal is 100% parent participation. If you did not sign up, please be sure to contact your child's teacher.
Throughout the month of November, Student Council will be sponsoring a Canned Good Drive to help support families within our community. They are working in conjunction with the Lions Helping Hand organization. Hopefully, we will all be able to show our gratitude for what we have and support of others by donating one or more canned good/non-perishable food item.
If ever you have a question or a concern, please reach out to me. I am here to help answer questions about happenings at Wiley ~ whether it be transportation, our parking lot, classroom concerns, or anything else! If I cannot provide the answer that you are looking for I will direct you to the person who can assist you.
As always, thank you for all that you do to support your child's education and our school community.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Merivirta
MESSAGE FROM MR. MONROE
Update – Heritage Junior High/Gene L. Klida Utica Academy for International Studies Building Study
Parents, please see the following update from Mr. Monroe:
Utica Community Schools is committed, in partnership with the community, to empower students to positively transform their future and the world. We strive to prepare students for success beyond UCS, focusing on their education and safety today, and ensuring our schools are meeting student needs both now and in the future.
This commitment requires us to constantly review the use of our physical resources, to make certain our buildings are functioning safely and effectively and meeting the needs of the students and families in our community.
As we shared during last year’s Safety and Success Bond election, we are taking a long term approach to our facility needs. This study is based on:
- Safety
- Age of the Facility
- Enrollment Patterns and Trends
This study includes a comprehensive look at the future of the shared site for Heritage Junior High School and the Gene L. Klida for International Studies. This was a need identified during both our strategic planning process and community surveys about future facility improvements. Heritage Junior High School and GLK-UAIS have been sharing a facility for the past 16 years. During that time, enrollment and building needs at Heritage and GLK-UAIS have experienced significant changes.
The district’s long-standing citizens’ committee – the Enrollment Distribution Advisory Committee – began to look at this issue in the spring. Their input will be considered along with enrollment projections, building needs assessments from our auxiliary services department, the efficient use of district resources, and making sure our students have access to programs and experiences that will empower their future.
Additional information is available through a Fact Sheet on this website: https://www.uticak12.org/buildingforthefuture. You can also share your thoughts and questions here: http://www.uticak12.org/feedback. A final determination on the future of this site is expected in November.
Safe, secure, and educationally vibrant schools remain a priority. We also recognize that change can be difficult. By working in partnership, we can position our district to continue supporting student success for today’s students and our future generations.
TREASURE YOUR CHILD'S ART WORK
Please read the flyer below to learn about how you can purchase some of your child's artwork in various forms while helping support Wiley's Art Program.
ACCENTUATING THE POSITIVE!
Teachers at Wiley are recognizing students for great choices and behaviors. Teachers submit Positive Behavior Office Referrals that recognize students who are serving as great role models and meeting our Coyote expectations. Once a form is submitted, students are called down to the office to meet with the principal and celebrate their success. Join us in recognizing this week's recipients!
WHO SHOULD YOU CONTACT?
Often times parents have questions or concerns but do not know who direct them to. Below is information from the UCS handbook in regards to communication flow and creating a winning team. Please read below to help direct you to the correct person.
Your Child’s Teacher
- Classroom curriculum, materials, instruction, and/or assessment questions
- Questions regarding your student’s progress
- Information that may impact your child’s learning
- Minor classroom discipline concerns
Your Child’s Principal
- Program and classroom concerns, following conversation with teacher
- Office Referrals (discipline concerns)
- Building management questions
- School and classroom curriculum, materials, instruction, and/or assessment questions
- Concerns that were brought to teacher's attention but were not resolved
School District - Executive Administrator of Schools
- If questions/concerns have not been addressed after speaking with the building principal, please contact the Executive Administrator of Schools Office at (586) 797-1114
- Parents and eligible students who have questions or concerns regarding pupil rights may contact the Executive Administrator of Schools Office at (586) 797-1114
HAPPENINGS AT WILEY
6th grade Media Center students practiced their graphic design skills by creating inspirational posters in Canva to hang around the school!
Second graders performed their concert, "Us Cake" on Wednesday to the school in an afternoon performance and in the evening for their families. The program featured songs about them becoming their own best selves. Afterward everyone was treated to a piece of delicious cake. Fantastic job Mr. Hulbert and our Wiley Second Graders!
Wiley 1st graders spent a beautiful day at the Detroit Zoo on Thursday, October 26. Students made connections with their in class learning about animals and their habitats.
Friday morning students spent time taping Mr. Hulbert to the wall! Because students surpassed our school fundraiser goal, Mr. Hulbert agreed to be taped. Thank you for being such a great sport Mr. Hulbert ~ the students loved it!
WILEY STUDENT COUNCIL HAPPENINGS
Hello from the Wiley Student Council! We would like to update you on some of the wonderful things we have been doing at Wiley.
Our first fundraiser was the Ghost to Goblin Costume Swap. Thank you to all the parents who donated and/or picked up a costume. If you need costumes for your child{ren}, neighbor, or family member, there are many awesome costumes for free! These costumes are available in the Coyote Closet. Winter gear and other clothing items are available for free too!
We want to thank all our parents and students who donated to our Michigan/ Michigan State Penny Wars. We raised a grand total of $773!
Next, the Pumpkin Raffle! We have 28 pumpkins, beautifully decorated by our wonderful staff. Tickets are sold at lunch and at the front doors during pick-up time. Tickets are also sold classroom to classroom for younger grades throughout the day. The drawing will be held on Friday the 27th.
Lastly, our upcoming event is our Smencil sale! On Nov 13th we will be selling scented pencils! Each Smencil is $1.00! We will sell while supplies last! Some scents are cherry, strawberry, kiwi fruit, banana, and blueberry!
Have a wonderful week ya’ll! This is the Wiley Stu Crew signing out!
Lots of love, Wiley Student Council
(aka the Stu Crew)
FAMILY FUN
SHARE A HALLOWEEN STORY WITH YOUR CHILD
HALLOWEEN IS COMING!
WILEY COMMUNITY CLOSET
At this time they are not accepting any more donations. If you would like information or would like to schedule a visit to the Closet please email Mrs. Kurmas at karrie.kurmas@uticak12.org.
LOST AND FOUND
Please take a moment to look at the items in lost and found to see if they belong to your child.
WAYS TO SUPPORT WILEY AND STAY IN TOUCH
Extended Day Opportunities
Too Sick to Come to School?
Take a Peek at 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.
Utica Community Schools has a no pet policy on school property.
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 provides them with an opportunity to practice 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 attached to the lunch program. 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.
Stay Connected with our Wiley Volunteer Parent Group
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER, AT WILEY...
Previous Newsletters
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