Defer Dragon's Burning News
January 26, 2018
From the Principal
Dear Defer Families,
On Thursday, February 1st at 6:30 pm Defer will host a Facilities Town Hall Meeting. The meeting will be held in the Defer library. We would like to encourage all families to join us for the Town Hall Meeting. During the meeting, we will share information from the Blue Ribbon facilities study and seek input on critical needs at the building. I look forward to seeing many parents at the meeting next week, please feel free to bring a friend!
Sincerely,
Dr. Rheaume
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Office News
Drop Off and Pick Up Reminders
Please help us keep all the students safe during drop off and pick up at Defer!
- There is No Parking along either side of Nottingham near Defer. Parking on the west side of Nottingham is allowed only during posted times and locations.
- Since there is no parking anywhere on the east side of Nottingham, parents can drop off students at any point along the full length of Nottingham from Vernor to Kercheval on the Defer side of the street. You do not need to wait until you get in front of the Defer gate to drop off or pick up your child.
- Bottom line---Please Stop, Drop and Go! This will help the traffic to flow smoothly.
The Grosse Pointe Park police are aware of our safety concerns with drivers not following the posted signs. Failure to follow the posted signs may result in a written violation. Our goal is to keep all the students safe arriving and departing from school.
Green Squad News
As part of our Earth Day celebrations, our Green Squad is sponsoring an Earth Day Poster contest. Students can pick up a poster and entry form in the office. Posters are due by Friday, February 9th! Please check out the link below for more details.
Upcoming Events at Defer
February 1 - Facilities Town Hall Meeting 6:30 pm in the Defer Library
February 9 - Earth Day Posters due
February 19 - 23 Mid Winter Break No School
March 6 - AM School Only
March 14 - PM Parent/Teacher Conferences
March 15 - Afternoon & Evening Parent/Teacher Conferences
March 30 - NO SCHOOL
Leader in Me Family Information - January Edition
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
Parent Pointers to help your child: You are in charge of your attitudes. Use proactive language, as opposed to reactive language. Proactive Language Reactive Language I’ll do it I’ll try I can do better than that That’s just how I am Let’s look at our options There’s nothing I can do I choose to I have to There has to be a way I can’t I’m not going to let your bad mood rub off on me You ruined my day Focus on things you can control (ex. your actions & behaviors) vs. things out of your control (classmates, teacher, siblings, past mistakes, etc.) You are in charge of your choices. Stop and ask yourself, “What is the right thing to do?” At Home – be responsible for yourself (getting dressed, preparing backpack, brushing teeth) and your family (doing chores, helping family members) At School – doing class assignments, good listening, following directions You are in charge of your responses. Encourage your child to stop and think before acting. Others do not “make” you feel a certain way, you choose to feel that way. Be aware of your feelings (mad, sad, happy, etc.) and learn healthy ways to manage your emotions, for example: Mad – Take deep breaths, count to 10, take a walk, Sad – Find ways to feel better (ex. funny movie, exercise, friend) VIDEO LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEM8CJf27B0 Published by the Defer Family Learning Team
Library News
Library rotation has started again for grades 3-5. Third graders are starting a dictionary unit and will become Dictionary Detectives! Grade 4 will soon begin research on Planets and Space; and 5th graders are starting off with research for Black History Month and will turn their research into a cool Word Cloud Project. Look for them by the library! Kindergarten finished learning about Penguins, First graders learned about Arctic Animals in nonfiction books, and grade 2 has been studying Story Elements. We're off to an exciting new semester!
Defer PTO
Save the Date!
The Spring Social is May 24. This family friendly outdoor event features entertainment (think bounce houses, challenges, etc.), music and other activities. Pizza slices & ice cream are available for purchase throughout the event. Plan to attend--it's a fun gathering of Defer families and potential future Defer families.
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
Defer Elementary School
Email: rheauml@gpschools.org
Website: www.gpschools.org/defer
Location: 15425 Kercheval Avenue, Grosse Pointe Park, MI, United States
Phone: 313-432-4000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GPDefer/
Twitter: @GPDefer