Brewster Weekly
12.4.20
We are here to do good things for our students, our coworkers, and our community.
We represent qualities such as caring, sharing, connection, integrity, and excellence.
Our culture mirrors those attributes. Let’s continue to make our school the best place to work and learn where everyone is inspired to be the best they can be. What we do, we do well.
Let’s keep the courage to shape a better future for our students.
Happy December Birthday Wishes!!
Calendar Updates
Dates to Plan For:
Dec. 8: PrinciPAL Lunch Zoom for Kindergarten/TK at 12:00
PrinciPAL Lunch Zoom for First grade at 12:30
Dec.9: PrinciPAL Lunch Zoom for 2nd Grade at 12:00
PrinciPAL Lunch Zoom for 3rd Grade at 12:30
Dec. 10: PrinciPAL Lunch Zoom for 4th Grade at 12:00
PrinciPAL Lunch Zoom for 5th Grade at 12:30
Twas the Last Week before Winter Break Spirit Week (all optional participation days):
Monday, Dec.14th: Mad for Plaid Day, wear a comfy plaid or flannel shirt!
Tuesday, Dec.15th: Brewster Spirit Day- We just can't hide our Brewster PRIDE!
Wednesday, Dec. 16th: Spread Cheer, Not Germs! Wear positive message shirts.
Thursday, Dec.17th: Ugly Winter Sweater Day--Let's see what you've got!! Create one if you would like!
Friday, Dec.18th: We made it! Dreams for comfort and JOY. PJ and comfy clothes DAY!!
Dec. 21-Jan. 4: Holiday Recess
Jan. 18 Martin Luther King Jr. Day-No School
Jan. 19 No School
Jan. 29: PTA VIRTUAL BINGO NIGHT
Princi"PAL" LUNCHES
Are you missing your friends and eating together like we do at school? If so, these special lunch Zooms are for you and your PALS! Let's imagine we are gathering at our Brewster Cafe~
Bring your PAWSOME manners and join Mrs. Dessy for lunchtime conversation. Settle in at your kitchen table with you favorite lunch or snack and join our ZOOM. We will be practicing the art of conversation through a lunch zoom and you will be with your PrinciPAL! Don't forget to think Pawsitive and know that YOU are PAWSITIVELY THE BEST STUDENTS AROUND!
Parents/Caregivers: Zoom link will be sent through School Messenger the morning of the lunch date.
Looking forward to seeing lots of Brewster PALS soon! Stay Pawsome Bulldogs!
Warmly,
Mrs. Dessy
Positivity Project (P2)
Jeff Bryan leader of Positivity Project shares these insights into our focus next week, Knowing my words and actions affect others.
This OPM element means that everything we do, say, text, tweet, snap, or post can positively or negatively impact other people. According to research from McKinsey & Co, “the typical American hears or reads more than one hundred thousand words every day.” Think about that for a moment: 100,000 words every single day. Now, stop and ask yourself, “Are the percentage of words someone else hears or reads from me helping or hurting that person?” As Rachel Wolchin says, “Be mindful with words. A string of some that don’t mean much to you may stick with someone for a lifetime.”
And, moving beyond our words and social media posts, our actions can have ripple effects long after we make them. Deeds highlighting our character – such as forgiving a sibling, being present and enthusiastic about a colleague’s presentation, or kindly holding the elevator door for a stranger – can impact the people we love, work with, or even just bump into on the street. Through your actions – and the character strengths you do/don’t exemplify in them – you have the power to make somebody happy, sad, inspired, or discouraged. And, always remember, our words and actions are our choices to make.
Please explore more this week with your family at home. You may access videos, discussion starters, at this link https://posproject.org/p2-for-families/ . Password is P2.
Resources For Families
All sessions will be virtual.
Various Wednesdays, 7:00 - 7:45 pm
No charge
Please register separately for each session.
Once you are registered, you will receive a Zoom link for the session.
First Session
Ensuring the Well-Being of Your Family, Especially During COVID-19
December 9 | 7:00-7:45 PM | Zoom
Facilitator: Julie McDaniel, Ph.D., Safety and Well-Being Consultant
Well-being is the foundation for learning and growing. The impact of these times is affecting our well-being. This session will help you understand this impact and provide practical tools, ideas and suggestions for your family.
Mrs. Dessy's Kitchen Table Tips
Recently, I came across this quote and it gave me focus for this busy time; maybe it will help you too...
"Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can." ~Arthur Ashe
Often, we have multiple plates spinning and it's quite possible that a sense of overwhelm can creep into, disrupt, or monopolize our thoughts and actions. Taking a moment to reframe and focus on what we can control in the moment can prove helpful. Name and notice the small celebrations you have each day and before you know it, the sense of overwhelm becomes a sense of accomplishment.
For support this week, please review the parent resources included in the Supporting Learning at Home document below. This incredible resource was compiled by Oakland Schools and has MANY supports and strategies for families. Feel free to digest and review on your own time, but please take a look.
Together in Learning,
Mrs. Dessy
BOOK FAIR
Brewster Elementary School
PTA News
Brewster PTA Updates
Upcoming PTA Dates
December 4 – Nominations due for Founders Day awards
December 6 – Last day to Stock the Staff Lounge
December 7 – Final day to drop off Giving Tree gifts for the Neighborhood House
December 9 – Last day to record Brewster Reads information in Membership Toolkit
December 11 – Deadline to submit artwork for the Yearbook cover contest
For more detailed information about these events use this link Brewster PTA Website
Science Fair Questionnaire
The Science Fair committee would like input from the Brewster community. Please click on this link to fill out a brief survey by December 14, 2020. We appreciate your help! Science Fair Survey
Questions about the PTA
Contact Jessica Westness brewsterptapresident@gmail.com
RECYCLING OPPORTUNITY
Recycle Broken Holiday Lights
December 1 -January 10
A collection bin will be placed in the vestibule just outside the main office at Brewster
Questions? Contact Nitya Rai
IMPORTANT NOTES From Food Services
Please note the following updates to the RCS food services program. As a reminder, registration is required. If you have already signed up, no further action is needed. To complete a new food services registration, please use this link: https://forms.gle/m8m3AvD4KN6Y6rtv5. Beginning Dec. 9, 2020, meals will be distributed in 7-day increments, including breakfast and lunch. Weekly distributions will continue on Wednesdays between 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., however pickup locations are being consolidated. *NEW consolidated pickup locations, beginning Dec. 9, are below. *These schools will continue to pick up meals onsite at their own buildings: The USDA approved a waiver, effective August 31, 2020, that provides breakfast and lunchtime meals, free of charge, for all children 18 years of age and younger, including ATPS students 26 years of age and younger. Curbside meal pickup is available, and adults may collect food for a student without the child being present. This program will run through spring 2021 or until funding is no longer available. Meals are available for pickup on Wednesdays between 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at the locations noted above. If your student is new to the district and enrolled in the RCS Virtual Campus, please use the RCS boundary map link to find the designated home school for distribution: https://www.rochester.k12.mi.us/pages/5055/attendance-boundary-maps. Only one registration is needed per family. This registration includes all students enrolled in RCS in-person learning and the RCS Virtual Campus. Free and reduced-price meal application. Families are encouraged to continue to fill out the online free and reduced-price meal application for the 2020-2021 school year. A new application is required at the beginning of each school year. If you have already applied for this year, you do not need to resubmit an application. Applications for this program also support the district beyond food service including Title I and 31a funding. This program also connects families to additional community resources including Blessings In a Backpack, Neighborhood House and possible individual support for district programs. For the online free and reduced-price meal application process, please use this link: https://www.myschoolapps.com/Home/DistrictRedirect/ROCHESTER_MI?langid=1. If there are specific dietary questions or concerns, please contact the Food Services office at 248-726-4618 or email focfoodservice@rochester.k12.mi.us.
Stay Connected!
Email: kdessy@rochester.k12.mi.us
Website: https://www.rochester.k12.mi.us/pages/319/brewster
Location: 1535 Brewster Road, Rochester Hills, MI, USA
Phone: 248-726-3300
Twitter: @BrewsterRCS