Pleasant Lake Pleasantries
December 7, 2020
Together We Learn, Together We Lead!
IMPORTANT-PLEASE READ!
The WLCSD K-5 and Middle and High School Basic Special Services programs will return to in-person learning beginning Wednesday, Dec. 9. This includes in-person Preschool
We will continue to follow Oakland County and CDC safety protocols and expectations for our children, parents, and staff. We are committed to informing parents, and instituting safety precautions, including quarantine periods and possible interval closures, when situations arise.
Dear Pleasant Lake Families,
Please remember that is VERY IMPORTANT for all families and staff members to REPORT TO OUR MAIN OFFICE any COVID exposures, positive cases, and quarantine details to keep everyone safe at school. We keep important track of cases for the safety of all at school.
With the return to IN PERSON learning on Wednesday, December 9th, it is even more important that we keep track of these important details.
Please also remember to WEAR A MASK, SOCIAL DISTANCE, and WASH HANDS. This must be done to help stop the spread of COVID at home, in public, and at school.
Please see the important DEFINITIONS below.
- "Quarantine" is the practice of keeping someone who might have been exposed to COVID-19 away from others. People in quarantine must stay home (usually 14 days), separate themselves from others, monitor their health, and follow directions from their state or local health department.
- "Isolation" is the practice of separating people infected with the virus from those who are not infected. People in isolation (usually 10 days) must stay home until it's safe to be around others.
- "Close Contact" indicates someone who has been within six (6) feet for a time greater than fifteen (15) minutes of someone who has COVID-19 symptoms with or without a mask within a 24 hour period.
- "Positive" includes only those individuals with a lab-confirmed positive test.
Thank you for reporting important COVID information to our school office in a timely way for the safety of all.
We need the support of our entire school community to keep everyone at school safe and our school open.
Respectfully,
Nayal Maktari
Principal
A MESSAGE FROM OUR SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Dear WLCSD Parents:
Though we live in a challenging, imperfect, and uncertain environment, we are in this together. As we transition back to in-person learning, there will most likely be times when we must close classrooms and schools due to COVID cases and quarantined. Our mutual acceptance of this and willingness to give each other grace will aid us on this journey as we continue to do our best to provide the best educational services we can for our children.
That being said, after much discussion, realizing these are continuously changing circumstances, and knowing the best learning environment for our children is in school, the Board of Education concluded last night that the WLCSD K-5 and Middle and High School Basic Special Services programs will return to in-person learning beginning Wednesday, Dec. 9. This includes in-person Preschool and Prime Time Care programs. We will continue to follow Oakland County and CDC safety protocols and expectations for our children, parents, and staff. We are committed to informing parents, and instituting safety precautions, including quarantine periods and possible interval closures, when situations arise.
Elementary Student Progress Profiles out Dec. 10 and Parent Teacher Conferences Changed to Jan. 28, 2021: The Student Progress Profiles for elementary students (in lieu of the traditional report card for first trimester) will be available to parents by the end of the day next Thursday, Dec. 10 in Skyward. As we mentioned last week, we are rescheduling the Dec. 10 Elementary Parent/Teacher Conferences to Jan. 28, 2021. As always, parents can contact and check in with teachers at any time via email using the District Staff Directory. This is the updated District Calendar with this change added.
DISTRICT LAUNCHES MIDDLE SCHOOL/HIGH SCHOOL RETURN TO IN-PERSON LEARNING PLANNING for SECOND SEMESTER:
Also at last night’s Board meeting, the Board listened to and discussed the District’s Plan for Middle School/High School Return to In-Person Learning. The Plan includes options for Limited In-Person, Our Path (remote learning) and My Path using the Edgenuity curriculum that is currently offered. As the District plans for this Return to Learn for Second semester, beginning Tuesday, Jan. 19, we encourage parents to attend the Parent Information Session on Monday, Dec. 7. There will be a Frequently Asked Questions, FAQ, document on the Middle School/High School Return to Learn process, AFTER the Parent Information Session. . Please see the links below for information on this planning.
· Presentation on Middle School/High School Return to Learn.
· PARENT INFORMATION SESSION ON Middle School/High School Return to Learn, Monday, Dec. 7, at 7 p.m.
· Submit Questions to be answered at the Parent Information Session - Due by 5 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 7
· Middle School & High School Parent Return to Learn Selection Survey - Due Dec. 10
· Middle School & High School Mask Waiver – Due Dec. 18
· Middle School & High School Parent Safety Pact – Due Dec. 18
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1. Superintendent Gutman, will appear on the Oakland County Megacast on Tuesday, Dec. 8, at 11:20 a.m. The public can watch live or on-demand on the District’s Facebook page.
2. Mary Helen Guest needs your help reaching their goal of filling 100 bags of shoes, during their gently used Shoe Drive, the deadline to donate is Monday, Dec. 7.
3. Our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion District Committee is hard at work planning our virtual Dr. Martin Luther King Celebration and we believe, virtually, we will top our in-person attendance. This is an Invitation to share multicultural recipes and pictures for our MLK Day Virtual Celebration. We look forward to receiving your photos and recipes!
4. You are invited to learn about the WLCSD IB Programme: Families with children in grades 7-10 are encouraged to attend Walled Lake Western’s International Baccalaureate informational meeting. The meeting will take place on Monday, Dec. 7, via Zoom, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Here is the Event Flyer. Make sure to RSVP Today.
ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT UPDATES:
· DISTRICT Holiday Giving: Each of the Walled Lake Schools has “giving” projects for families. Please reach out to your building principal if you are in need or you know someone in need. Also,
this Facebook link is connecting needs with those who can help.
· Consider making a year end tax deductible donation to the Foundation for Excellence - Walled Lake Schools. View the FFE You make the Difference message from community members advocating for FFE/WLCSD, and the
Be Inspired message from Jen Phillips-Weckstein: WLCSD teacher, parent & FFE trustee.
· Food distribution is available for curbside pick-up on Mondays at WL Central and Wl Western. WLCSD Food Flyer
· EasterSeals of Michigan - School-Based Behavioral Health Services -this is access to social emotions resources.
· Walled Lake seniors from all three high schools are encouraged to apply for a Legacy Scholarship - Due Jan. 8, 2021
· Girl Scouts Free Virtual Robot Building Party - Dec. 9
· Oakland County Schools’ Meal Distribution through Friday, Dec. 18.
Thank you for your patience, understanding and support, as together we continue to navigate the COVID-19 global pandemic world, and provide educational services for our children.
Sincerely,
Kenneth Gutman
Superintendent of Schools
Pleasant Lake Elementary Pizza Kit Fundraiser
Dear Pleasant Lake Elementary Families,
It's time for our 1st Fundraiser. PLE PTA wanted this 1st fundraiser to be geared towards family time and the best time to do that is at dinner!
It’s pizza time! Starting today and for the next 4 weeks, we’re selling Pizza Kits to raise money so we can keep putting those smiles on our children’s faces. We may not be face to face right now and will not be doing the normal school year activities but we are doing our best to think outside the box. To reach our goal and be successful, we need everyone’s help. It’s super easy to join the fun!
To get started follow this link Registration to create your very own Seller page. You can customize your page, upload a video, create an avatar, and watch how many pizza kits you’ve sold. You’ll get your own special link to send to your friends and family so they can buy delicious pizza kits and support our fundraiser.
Pizza Kits will be delivered directly to their home by FedEx, so send the link to your out of state family and friends, too. Kits will be packaged with 2 reusable freezer packs and ship frozen and arrive either fully frozen or partially frozen. They can go directly in the freezer again when you receive them. You can even post your Seller link on your social media pages. Parents, this is where you come in. Your child has to register under your email. They will not be eligible for prizes under their student emails. Pizza kits can be shipped to anyone in the Lower 48 states. Cannot be shipped to Alaska or Hawaii.
We will have 3 tiers of prizes. But 1st we need to sell 250 pizza kits, that will be a simple task for PLE.
- Tier 1: Sell 5 pizza kits and get entered into a drawing to win a $10 Amazon Gift Card
- Tier 2: Sell 10 pizza kits and get entered into a drawing to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card
- Tier 3: Sell 25 pizza kits and get entered into a drawing to win a $50 Amazon Gift Card!!!
The more kits we sell the more prizes we can give away! 250 kits is just our goal. If we can double that number and sell 500 kits not only will we double our prize amounts but also do multiple name drawings for each tier!
Prizes will be awarded after the Holiday break. Don’t forget to buy some for yourself!
Thank you,
Dan Monkman, Pleasant Lake Elementary PTA President
IREADY WINDOW I DIAGNOSTIC RESULTS
Dear Pleasant Lake Elementary Families,
Your child took the iReady Diagnostic last month. The diagnostic results have been mailed to your home. There is a math and reading report. The iReady Diagnostic allows us to monitor your child’s growth in mathematics and reading. All the questions are based on the Common Core State Standards for each grade level.
The assessment adjusts up and down depending upon how well your child performs on the questions. Their first question is based on the grade level standards and then adapts to more challenging questions or adapts to easier questions. It is not graded like a test rather it is scored on a rating scale.
What is important to note is that your child makes and demonstrates growth on our next diagnostic. These scores, along with other data points and observations, are helpful to guide future whole classroom, small group and individual instruction.
Your child will be taking the iReady Diagnostic again in January and your child’s teacher will share and discuss the results with you at our scheduled Parent Teacher Conferences on Thursday, January 28th.
Please contact your current child’s teacher with any questions and thank you for your continued support.
Together We Learn, Together We Lead!
Respectfully,
Nayal A. Maktari
Elementary Student Progress Profiles
Student Progress Profiles have been created by teachers instead of the traditional report card for the first trimester.
Please click on the link below to view a letter describing the profiles and to see an example.
These Student Progress Profiles will be available to parents to view on Skyward Family Access by the end of the day on Thursday, Dec. 10th.
We are rescheduling the Dec. 10 Elementary Parent/Teacher Conferences to Jan. 28, 2021.
As always, parents can contact and check in with teachers at any time via email using the District Staff Directory.
This is the updated District Calendar with this change added.
WALLED LAKE SCHOOLS DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY CELEBRATION
SEEKING RECIPES!
Each year, the Walled Lake Consolidated Schools Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, (DEI), committee hosts a Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration at Walled Lake Northern High School. This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event will be held virtually on January 18, 2021.
One of the wonderful traditions of this event is the shared experience of a multicultural dinner that feeds hundreds of participants. In an effort to keep this 21-year tradition alive, we are planning to share a virtual meal, but we need your help! The committee is seeking photos of a traditional dish enjoyed by the families within our community. Staff, students, and community members are invited to take a picture of a dish that they make and a picture of the recipe and send them to JulieAmann@wlcsd.org or NayalMaktari@wlcsd.org.
We plan to create a virtual recipe book to share with those that attend the MLK Day Celebration, so that our community can continue to share in a multicultural meal. This is a great tradition that celebrates and honors the diversity within our community.
PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES UPDATE
After much consultation with staff and to ensure parents receive accurate and complete information about children’s progress, we are rescheduling the December 10th Elementary Parent/Teacher Conferences to Thursday, January 28th.
With the change in staffing and classes that just took place with our in-person transition, we believe December 10th is too soon to give substantive feedback to parents. As always, parents can contact and check in with teachers at any time.
December 10th will now be a full day of school and January 28th will be a half-day for Elementary Schools ONLY.
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SCHOOL AND CHILDREN
Dear Pleasant Lake Elementary Parents,
Your PTA needs you now more than ever! Your membership will help with so many great opportunities for our children. Below are a list of just a few amazing things your membership dues will provide our children:
- Literacy supplies and books
- Student supplies that are sent home with children during remote learning
- Technology and online instructional resources
- Virtual events
- Grants & scholarships to assist students and teachers with field trips, including virtual field trips
- Authors and presenters visit, including virtual visits
- The Leader in Me Program
In addition to all that we provide for our children, this year we will have the opportunity to host virtual events for our community. Your PTA Board has been brainstorming some fantastic ideas for fundraising and activities we would normally do in person. The 1st 50 people to sign up for a membership will get an exclusive offer for our 1st virtual event.
Lastly, you may think with school being held remotely that we not need your support but it is the exact opposite. So many in our school community need support more than ever during this pandemic. Please become a PTA Member and sign up for the programs below. It’s an easy process that will take minutes but go a long way in supporting our children, parents and staff.
Please click on the link below to join. Remember that your membership does not require you to volunteer at any events and/or fundraisers. Only one parent/member per household needs to register with the PLE PTA.
https://ple.new.memberhub.store/store
AMAZON SMILE PROGRAM
We all shop on Amazon, why not give back to Pleasant Lake while we shop?
Pleasant Lake is set up on the Amazon Smile program, which
donates 0.5% of eligible purchases straight to our school!
Here's what to do:
1) Log on to http://smile.amazon.com/
2) Select Pleasant Lake Elementary PTA as the organization you are supporting.
3) Shop away!
KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS
It's simple. Login to your account online and look for Pleasant Lake.
PLEASE JOIN US AT OUR PTA MEETING ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 7TH AT 6:00 P.M.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81122651934?pwd=V25sY1hqRjRYV3BBY1pBQU1rQnZXQT09
Meeting ID: 811 2265 1934
Passcode: 7n0psX
SUPPORT
Hello Pleasant Lake Families,
As we approach the holiday season and continue to experience the hardships that go along with this pandemic, it is important that we take care of our mental health now more than ever! At this time, Michigan is offering free confidential counseling through the Stay Well COVID 19 hotline. Counselors are available 24/7 and the service is completely free! If you are experiencing stress and anxiety and are more comfortable texting with someone, a texting option is also available. As parents, many may feel the pressure of balancing family, jobs, finances, running a home, and now virtual schooling. Please know that there are resources available to help ease some of that stress. Additionally, if you feel like your little one is struggling with the uncertainty of the times, stress with school, or the loneliness of staying at home, Easter Seals is resource that provides therapy for your children. For more information and resources please visit https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/0,9753,7-406-98178_99557---,00.html. I have included the free counseling hotline, texting line, and Eastr Seals information below.
Michigan Stay Well Counseling via the COVID-19 Hotline
Call 1-888-535-6136
Press "8" to talk to a Michigan Stay Well counselor.
Counselors available 24/7 - confidential and free
If you are experiencing emotional stress and anxiety but are more comfortable texting than talking, get help from:
Michigan Crisis Text Line
Text the keyword RESTORE to 741741
Open 24/7
Be well,
Erika Emke LLMSW
WALLED LAKE TRANSPORTATION QUESTIONS
Walled Lake Schools Transportation Department Website
OFFICE HOURS: 5:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
46740 W. Pontiac Trail, Walled Lake - 48390
Phone: 248-956-3090
Hotline: 248-956-5199
MEDICAL AUTHORIZATION FORMS
You can drop off your form to Pleasant Lake, have it scanned to JulieSmith@wlcsd.org or faxed to 248.956.2805 .
IMPORTANT CHROMEBOOK INFORMATION
PLEASE READ THE IIMPORTANT INFORMAITON BELOW REGARDING CHROMEBOOKS.
I STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU PICK UP A DISTRICT CHROMEBOOK INSTEAD OF BRINGING YOUR OWN DEVICE TO SCHOOL.
Parents can still get Chromebooks for their children every Tuesday and Thursday from 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. at the Educational Services Center located at 850 Ladd Road, Building D, Walled Lake.
Choose K-12 Walled Lake Students for Year-End Giving
The Foundation for Excellence’s support for Walled Lake Schools’ 13,000 students is needed now more than ever for such critical areas of education as literacy and social and emotional learning. Don’t miss out on making your one-time tax, deductible donation of $300 to the Foundation, as provided by the CARES Act. Vital diversification for an entire classroom’s literacy library can happen with $300. You make the difference for our children-future employees, business owners and leaders. Be inspired to continue or begin your Foundation support and hear from our community leaders why they prioritize support for our District and from Jen Phillips-Weckstein; Dublin teacher, WLCSD parent and longstanding FFE trustee, regarding how FFE changed the trajectory of her teaching.
QUESTIONS? Email Foundation Executive Director MichelleBianco@wlcsd.org or phone 248.956.2116. Checks can be made payable to Foundation for Excellence-Walled Lake Schools, 850 Ladd Rd., Bldg. D, Walled Lake, MI 48390.
Walled Lake Schools’ Foundation for Excellence (FFE)
Our school has truly benefited for nearly 30 years from the support of Walled Lake Schools’ Foundation for Excellence (FFE), a 501 ( c) 3 nonprofit. Please view snapshot of recent Foundation grant awards received by our school and allocated to the District to benefit K-12 students and educators. FFE’s outreach also includes the Shuman CDJR Performing Arts Student Grant Program and 5th Grade Camp Scholarship fund for our District’s title 1 elementary schools. Check out FFE’s fall flyer or visit the Foundation’s website to more fully understand the FFE’s commitment to WLCSD.
The Foundation is sustained through annual fundraising (Tuition Expedition 50/50 Scholarship Raffle, Count on Me Program-WLCSD staff payroll donations, & golf scramble), private and public sector donations and receipt of memorials, honorariums, and alumni gifts. Donations can be made online to help sustain FFE’s mission and support for our schools. Checks are also accepted and can be made payable to the Foundation for Excellence and mailed to 850 Ladd Rd., Bldg. D, Walled Lake, MI 48390.
Questions? Email Foundation’s exec. director, MichelleBianco@wlcsd.org.
Parent Tech Support Submission Form
Upcoming Important Events
November
- December 7-PTA Meeting at 6:00 p.m.
- December 23- First Day of Winter Break
- January 4-School Resumes
EVERYTHING GOOGLE!
WLCSD FOOD SERVICE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH
School breakfast and school lunch will be served FREE to all students that are attending in person learning in their classrooms daily. You may pick up breakfast & lunch for Saturday, Sunday and all closed school days every Monday from 12:00PM – 1:30PM at each of our high schools.
For our virtual learners and children under the age of 18 who are not being served daily in our buildings, we will continue to provide 7 days of meals, through pickup at our high schools every Monday from 12:00PM – 1:30PM until further notice.
PLEASE NOTE THAT WE WILL ASK STUDENTS THAT STUDENTS INTERESTED IN BREAKFAST MUST NOTIFY THEIR TEACHER THE DAY PRIOR AND FOR LUNCH WILL NOTIFY THE TEACHER THE DAY OF. WE ONLY HAVE ONE SELECTION FOR LUNCH AND BREAKFAST. BREAKFAST IS NOW SERVED IN THE CLASSROOM AND LUNCH WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE CAFETERIA.
WE ALSO ASK THAT EACH CHILD THAT BRINGS A LUNCH TO SCHOOL PLEASE BRING A DISPOSABLE LUNCH (BROWN BAG, SANDWICH BAGS, PLASTIC UTENSILS, ETC.)
Breakfast will be delivered each day the first week of school but starting next week will ask students to notify us.
Please direct questions you may have to our Food Services Department.
Support our School!
We all shop on Amazon, why not give back to Pleasant Lake while we shop?!
Pleasant Lake is set up on the Amazon Smile program, which
donates 0.5% of eligible purchases straight to our school!
Here's what to do:
1) Log on to http://smile.amazon.com/
2) Select Pleasant Lake Elementary PTA as the organization you are supporting.
3) Shop away!
Kroger Rewards
BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION
See below for important steps to follow:
#1: Reminder to clip and use the digital app.
Please continue to send clipped box tops into school as usual.
Additionally, Box Tops for Education is moving towards digital submissions.
How can you help?
1. Download the free app.
2. Create an account (choose Pleasant Lake Elementary as your school).
3. Scan receipts as you make purchases (and within 14 days).
** Back by popular demand... Want to designate a classroom for box top counts to help your child's classroom win contests? Start by scanning your receipt. Once the photo is taken, new options will show up across the bottom. Choose the star "Credit" button and enter the last name of your child's teacher. Hit done, then submit. **
#2: Do you shop for groceries online?
You can submit your email receipts from select retailers to earn Box Tops for your school too. Here's how...
Option A
1. Make sure you have a Box Tops for Education account
(create one via the Box Tops app or website).
2. Forward your email receipt to receipts@boxtops4education.com using the same email that’s associated with your BTFE account. Box Tops will be credited within 10 business days – view your earnings detail in the MY EARNINGS section of the app or website
The following email receipts are currently eligible (as of July 17, 2019):
Instacart, jet.com, SamsClub.com, Shipt, Target.com, Target Pick-Up/Drive-Up,
Walmart Grocery, Walmart.com
Option B
For purchases from online retailers not listed above, please follow the process below.
1. Take a screen shot (or multiple) of your entire receipt from your online purchase, including retailer name, all items, transaction total, and date of purchase
2. Open the Box Tops Contact Us form
3. In the Comments field, please include: Your email address, name, school's name, the amount of Box Tops earned with the purchases from that receipt.
4. Use the “Upload Image Files” feature (at the bottom of the form to add the screen shot(s) of your receipt. Your receipt will be processed within 2 weeks.
Teach The Leader in Me Habits At Home!
Enjoy!
PLEASANT LAKE ELEMENTARY CONTACT INFORMATION
Main Office Number: 248.956.2800
Fax Line: 248.956.2805
Attendance: 248.956.2890
Nayal Maktari
Principal nayalmaktari@wlcsd.org
Terri Szymanski
Principal's Secretary terriszymanski@wlcsd.org
Julie Smith
Building Secretary juliesmith@wlcsd.org
Know What's Going On At Pleasant Lake Elementary!
SKYWARD FAMILY ACCESS
It is critical that parents keep an updated email address and let us know if it changes as soon as possible. Parents may update this information for us on Skyward Family Access. All teachers at Pleasant Lake utilize Skyward Family Access to communicate with parents. Report cards, lunch account information, progress reports, attendance and other important information will always be posted on Skyward Family Access. If you are a new family to Walled Lake Schools or have misplaced or lost your Family Access ID and password, please click HERE to get connected.
PLEASANT LAKE PLEASANTRIES AND SCHOOL WEBSITE
Our school newsletter will be sent electronically to parents once a week. An archive of newsletters is also posted to our school website under the For Parents tab. Our school website can be found HERE. Please visit this page often for information about our school. You will find links to important documents, websites from your child's classroom, PTA forms and information, and important updates and forms that you will need to access.
Please follow us on Twitter @PleasantLakeEl to be updated regularly on important events at our school and fun pictures of student events and learning!
REMIND 101
We also offer Remind 101 to all PLE parents. How does it work? If you would like to receive a quick text message on your cell phone or device, just sign up with us and you receive a quick text to remind you of important school events, deadlines, time frames, etc. at PLE. You can unsubscribe at any time.
To join, send a text to (586) 649-3482 and enter the message @mrmakt
You can opt-out of messages at anytime by replying, 'unsubscribe @mrmakt'.