Defer Dragon's Burning News
October 26, 2018
From the Principal
Dear Defer Families,
Can you believe Halloween is right around the corner? Tonight is our Haunted Garage "Fun"- raiser and it looks like a perfect fall evening for the event! Please check out our Halloween reminders for costumes worn at school and safety tips below.
We would also like to welcome Mrs. Kodanko as the new Office Clerk at school.
Family Flag Activity
For our new families, we would like to invite everyone to create a family flag! Flags are displayed in the gym and more information can be found in the link below. Extra flags can be found in the office.
Have a great weekend!
Dr. Rheaume
Defer Upcoming Events
October 26 - Haunted Garage
October 31 - Halloween! 1/2 day for students (morning only)
- Parade 8:45 am, Classroom Parties, Assembly 10:15 am
November 1 - Picture Retake Day and Group Pictures
November 6 - No School for Students - Election Day
November 13 - PTO Meeting
Office News
BEGINNING OF THE DAY
Please remember to use our 24 hour attendance line at 313-432-4001 to report your child's absence.
END OF THE DAY
Our dismissal bell rings at 3:38. Please make sure your child knows his/hers after school plans in the morning when you drop off. The only after school care available is Kids Club. Check out Defer's website for more information.
Halloween Reminders for school costumes
- No toy guns, knives, or swords
- No fake blood
- No masks
Halloween Safety Tips
- Always go trick or treating with an adult
- Walk, slither or haunt on sidewalks, NEVER in the street
- Be sure to look both ways before crossing the street
- Always cross the street at the corner
- Wear reflective clothing with your costumes in order to be seen by drivers
- Light your path with a flashlight
- Only trick or treat at homes with a porch light on
- Never go inside a stranger's house, stay at the doorway
- All treats should be inspected by an adult before eating or sharing
Defer Diversity Parent Group
District Diversity Meetings (GPPUD)- Thursday, November 8 at 6:30 pm at Pierce Middle School. Information about Upcoming Meetings: GPPUD
Defer Diversity Meeting Information:
The Defer Diversity Meeting was Wednesday, October 24. The topic of discussion was Implicit Bias. Implicit Bias refers to the attitudes or stereotypes that affect our understanding, actions, and decisions in an unconscious manner. The next Defer Diversity meeting is tentatively planned for the last week of November.
https://www.pbs.org/video/pov-implicit-bias-peanut-butter-jelly-and-racism/
If you have culturally rich materials and resources that can be shared with the school or if would you be willing to share your own culture/experiences with students please contact Dr. Rheaume or one of our parent organizers Susan Sutorka at susansuto@yahoo.com or Janice Fox at jcfcreative@gmail.com.
Lunchroom and Playground Supervisors Needed!
We still have a few paid lunchroom and playground supervisor positions open. If you are interested, please contact Denise Embree. This is a great way to get involved in our
Defer community.
If you are interested, please call Denise Embree 313-432-4003.
School Bond 2018 Information
Vote November 6
There is no school for students on Tuesday, November 6. On that day, we encourage you to take your student to the polls and model the voting process, or discuss the ballot initiatives with them.
On the ballot is a School Bond Proposal. It is designed to:
· Enhance student safety and school security
· Make infrastructure improvements (roofs, boilers, HVAC)
· Upgrade technology infrastructure (no student devices)
Projects fall into four main categories to keep students:
· Safe - secure vestibules, cameras, PA systems, asbestos abatement, locks from inside classrooms
· Warm - energy efficient HVAC (boilers, air handlers)
· Dry - roofs, mechanical systems
· Connected - technology infrastructure and classroom technology (no student devices)
Key Points:
· To calculate your annual cost multiply 1/2 the market value of your home by 0.0015 (Example: $300,000 market value divided by 2 = $150,000 x 0.0015 = $225/year or $19/month)
· The average age of a GPPSS school is 77 years.
· 100% of the funds raised stay in GPPSS for our students.
· The district will continue to act as wise fiscal stewards. On 10/08/18 another clean audit was presented to the Board highlighting how fund equity has increased to our goal of 10%.
· If you have questions or need more information, call any principal or call Superintendent Gary Niehaus at 313/432-3010.
· More facts, including a line by line list of projects by school, are posted at www.gpschools.org - click School Bond 2018
Defer Art Information
What's Happening in the Art Room:
Y5 - Colorful Penguins
K - Primary/Secondary Color Paintings
1 - Matisse Fishbowls
2 - Starry Night Collages/Ancient Beetles
3 - Clay Owls/Sunset Cities
4 - Chalk Cupcakes
5 - Clay Piggy Banks
Check out Defer's Online Art Gallery: https://tinyurl.com/deferartsonia
Follow us on Facebook & Instagram @deferartroom
Defer PTO Information
Friday, Oct. 26
- Haunted Garage: It's Defer night at the Haunted Garage on Mack Ave. in Grosse Pointe Woods. Tickets may be purchased in advance at the school. Use the attached form for purchase. For more information, see attached flyer and form.
Tuesday Treats for Teachers!
- We love to love on our teachers at Defer. Every Tuesday we try to recognize them with snacks and treats in the teacher's lounge. Any family is welcome to sign up to bring in the treats. Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0e4dabae2ea4f58-tuesday
Please click on the link below for:
Service/Safety Information
In October our 33 members were sworn in by the Honorable Judge Carl Jarboe at the Grosse Pointe Park Municipal Court. Judge Jarboe does a wonderful job swearing our safeties in and ensuring they understand the importance of their volunteer job.
If you see a Safety/Service member doing a good job, tell them.
Thank you,
Helen Srebernak
Safety/Service Coordinator
Safety/Service Members of the Month-September
Safety: Brendan Stafford
Service: Kyle Fox
Leader in Me
Currently, your child is learning the 7 Habits. These habits are continuously reviewed, practiced and integrated daily at Defer. Our purpose is to review the 7 Habits with you monthly. It is our hope that the home/school connection will reinforce your child’s leadership skills.
Tired of reminding your child about …Home practice? Cleaning their room? Picking up? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if they just did it on their own?
Habit 1 is Be Proactive- “I am in charge of me.”
This Habit is the key to moving from dependence to personal responsibility. To be proactive means to take responsibility for one’s choices and behaviors. Proactive says, “I am a responsible person. I take initiative. I choose my actions, attitudes and moods. I do not blame others for my actions. I do the right thing even when no one is looking.”
Skills that can be learned by this habit:
Motivation and taking pride in one’s work
Acting responsible toward self, family, school, community, nation and world
Initiative
Using talents and abilities
Thinking about choices and being accountable and responsible for actions and results while understanding that choices affect others
Read more Parent Pointers about Being Proactive in the link below:
News from The Family Center
7 Habits of Happy Kids
Grosse Pointe Public Schools
Our Vision: One GP → where everyone learns, every day
Our Mission: Promote Innovation → Maximize Potential → Embrace Community
Email: rheauml@gpschools.org
Website: https://mi01000971.schoolwires.net/Domain/1099
Location: 15425 Kercheval Avenue, Grosse Pointe Park, MI, USA
Phone: 313-432-4000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GPDefer/
Twitter: @GPDefer