Gretchko Newsletter
March 15, 2024
Principal's Update
Hello Team WB!
You will definitely see some exciting pictures this week. Thanks to our ongoing support from PTO, this week began our annual enjoyment of Supe's Exotic Animals. Each classroom is getting its own special assembly to learn about various exotic animals, understand the risks to the animals when they are kept as pets, and even touch some of the animals if they choose. This is another example of the fantastic support our Gretchko families provide us to enrich the learning experiences of our students. These activities, family volunteers, and partnering with you on your children's learning all remind us that it takes a village! We hope you will consider being involved in PTO next year. Please see below for a variety of opportunities to volunteer your time, from a position on the board to chairing a committee. Thank you!
We have noticed a recent uptick in student pick-ups before the end of the day. While we understand that sometimes last-minute things come up or no other appointment time is available, please help us by keeping kids here at school as much as possible. Between curriculum, time with friends, and learning extensions, we don't want anyone to miss out!
Finally, we'd like to invite you to join us to enjoy our "Solar-bration" of the solar eclipse on April 8th from 3:00-3:30pm. The eclipse will be closest to complete for our area at 3:13pm. If you plan to join us, we highly recommend stopping at your local library to pick up a pair of solar eclipse viewing glasses for free, or you can purchase them in many local stores or online. Students will each get a pair at school!
Enjoy the weekend!
Jen Teal
Principal
Featured Book
From the Stars in the Sky to the Fish in the Sea by Kai Cheng Thom
In the magical time between night and day, when both the sun and the moon are in the sky, a child is born in a little blue house on a hill. And Miu Lan is not just any child, but one who can change into any shape they can imagine. At school, they must endure inquisitive looks and difficult questions from the other children, and they have trouble finding friends who will accept them for who they are. But they find comfort in the loving arms of their mother, who always offers them the same loving refrain: “whatever you dream of / I believe you can be / from the stars in the sky to the fish in the sea.”
Gretchko Star Slip Winners!
We are so very proud of all of our Gretchko Stars. We have learned so much about how to be safe, responsible and respectful! Fantastic job Gretchko Students for following our school social contracts. Congratulations to the following Gretchko Star Slip winners for March 15, 2024: Darla Tota, Jameson Beavers, Grayson Davis, Karsyn Butler, Lilly Spratt, Stevie Petersen, Carter Bergstrom, Matthew Ketty, Zelda Kimmel, Karam Ftayeh, Evie Czyzak, Cooper Smith, Gabriella Sulla, Kennedy Markarian, Adonis Fowler, Harlow James, and Isaiah Richardson.
I Center Update
Congratulations Pine Cone Readers
Congratulations to all of our Pinecone readers thus far! The students pictured below checked out and read a book from all of our reading genres including fiction, nonfiction, easy readers, chapter books, graphic novels, and our featured author’s book, Brown is Beautiful. Thank you to the WBTPL for our Pinecone reading program! Way to go…Bently Pardon, Scarlett Zietlow, Oliver, Makries, Beckett Krull, Eleonora Duvnjak, Ruhi Patel, Megyn, Obua, Camryn Dooley, Brooklyn Paul, Vera Monson.
March Madness Book Results
We are down to the final 2! Which book will win? Next Friday, students will gather together at the end of the day to hear a special guest announce the winner of our March Madness Book Bracket. Stay tuned!
PE Update
Welcome to PE class! What’s poppin?
This week our focus was on striking and volleying curriculum. We achieved this by working with balloons! We accomplished a lot of goals and had to be great listeners and volleyers in order to win our challenges. Our Gretchko Stars really enjoyed improving their motor skills with the use of balloons.
Our challenges included:
- Testing how many times we could volley the balloons upwards within a specific time frame consecutively.
- Testing to see how well we could volley the balloon upwards while sitting, standing, and moving around.
- Testing to see how well we could volley the balloons using different body parts.
- Testing to see how well we could volley and aim the balloon at a target.
- Survival volleying with a partner without the balloon hitting the floor.
- Volleying in a unidirectional race.
That’s what’s "UP" :),
Zachary Cohen, PE Teacher”
WBSD Elementary Transition Update
From Scott Long, Assistant Superintendent of Learning Services
West Bloomfield Elementary Families,
By now, you should have received your child’s final elementary placement for the 2024-25 school year. Additionally, this placement letter was also sent home with students in their backpacks Wednesday. Please feel free to reach out to your child’s current office staff if you have questions about your child’s placement. We are here to support you with this process. The purpose of this communication is to highlight student & family transition plans, as well as provide reminders about the STEAM programming that will occur at each building.
Redistricting Transition Activities and Events
- Welcoming Caregivers to a New Elementary Building
- Doherty and Sheiko - April 9
- Gretchko and Scotch - April 11
- Students Meet the Principal
- Doherty and Sheiko - April 4
- Gretchko, Roosevelt and Scotch - April 5
- Student Mingle Field Trip
- Rising K/1st Grade - April 26
- Rising 2nd/3rd Grades - May 10
- Rising 4th/5th grades - May 14th
- Preparing all Families for Launch
- At Doherty and Sheiko - May 8
- At Gretchko and Scotch - May 16
- Popsicles with the Principal for Families (dates in August TBD)
STEAM Information
STEAM programming & experiences will be available to residents & School of Choice (SoC) students. Students that meet STEAM criteria will still attend regular K-5 classes and specials with their classmates.
The difference: they will have access to additional learning experiences during the school day, outside of core academic content.
Eligibility is determined as follows:
Current Students - all current students are in the application pool. NWEA testing will be used to determine who meets criteria. No extra testing is needed. Notification of students that meet criteria will be provided in March.
Incoming Kindergarten Residents - Kindergarten Readiness/STEAM Assessment will be used to determine who meets criteria.
Incoming School of Choice Students - SoC STEAM assessment (Kindergarten Readiness/STEAM Assessment OR 1st-5th NWEA) will be used to determine who meets criteria.
All current STEAM students (Roosevelt) are eligible.
TO VIEW THE LETTER THAT CONTAINS DATES AND MORE INFORMATION, CLICK HERE.
Equity Corner
Greek-American Heritage Month
Irish-American Heritage Month
National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
National Multiple Sclerosis Education and Awareness Month
National Women’s History Month
Upcoming Celebrations
March 17 – St. Patrick’s Day
March 21 – International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
March 21 - World Down Syndrome Day
March 20 – Naw-Ruz (Baha’i New Year)
March 25 - Holi (Hindu)
March 29 - Good Friday (Christian)
March 31 - Easter (Christian)
March 31 - International Transgender Day of Visibility
March 31 – Cesar Chavez Day
West Bloomfield Township Public Library
Book Lists
Winter Reading Finale: Celebrate Mario Day!
Saturday, March 9 from 10-1pm
Main Library Meeting Room
March 10 is Mario Day, but we’re celebrating a day early! Come Mario party with us and make some Mario themed crafts, play some Mario themed games and say hello to some Mario characters. Come dressed as your favorite Mario character. The program is for all ages.
No registration required.
Winter Reading Continues
Now - Sunday, March 10
Library cardholders of all ages are encouraged to enroll in the library’s Winter Reading Program to earn incentives for time spent reading. Students under age 18 can earn up to 3 books to keep! Get started on the Beanstack app or at westbloomlib.beanstack.org.
PTO Volunteer Positions Check It Out
WBSD Community Education Summer Camp-2024
FOR PARENTS:
Location: Doherty Elementary School
5 weeks
July 1 - August 2, 2024
Registration Opens the week of March 18
Other Summer Camps In the Area:
The Sports Club of West Bloomfield
Farmington Hills Community Center-The Hawk
FOR STAFF:
Location: Doherty Elementary School
5 weeks
July 1 - August 2, 2024
Stay tuned for more information.
If you need to secure Summer Employment as soon as possible, please do not hesitate to check out:
Math at Home
Our math curriculum-Bridges-has terrific resources that you can use at home! Check out this month's links below.
Powerschool Parent Portal Update Open
It is extremely important to keep your contact information current and correct. WBSD has temporarily opened the parent portal so parents are able to make changes, additions, and updates. Please log into your parent account, click on forms, click the general tab, you will see the form to add or correct the information.
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
March
3/20 - Marco’s Pizza Night
3/22 - Bagel Day
3/23-3/31 - Spring Break
April
4/1 - Back to School
4/3 - Late Start (10:10)
4/8 - Gretchko Star Solar-bration (eclipse viewing during school)
4/16 - Red Robin Fundraiser, Commerce Location (all day)
4/17 - PTO General Meeting at 7:00 pm
4/24 - Late Start
- Marco’s Pizza Night
4/26 - Bagel and Camo Day
May
May 6-10- Staff Appreciation Week
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.