Pleasant Lake Pleasantries
June 1, 2020
Together We Learn, Together We Lead!
EVERY CHILD, EVERY DAY!
Every Child, Every Day is our intentional commitment to creating a safe and inclusive culture and community where we:
- Prioritize instruction
- Foster meaningful relationships
- Value and empower each learner
- Create growth opportunities for all
WHAT IS NEW
A Message from WLCSD
Dear Parents:
It was very humbling for our staff to see the smiling faces of our high school seniors on Thursday as they picked up their caps and gowns in a curbside pick-up/drop-off fashion. It was so good for our students to be reminded about how amazing and resilient they are in the face of completing high school unlike any other class ever.
Last two weeks of school: Although virtual learning will continue, our elementary teachers may be taking some time away from their computers next week, June 1-5, to pack-up student belongings in individual bags, to prepare for parents to pick up student items the last week of school, June 8-12. Please be patient as our principals will be communicating with families at the end of next week about the staggered curbside pick-up process we will be using to ensure safety. Also, Commerce, Glengary, Walled Lake and Wixom Elementary staff will be packing up their entire classrooms for the bond construction work that will be done this summer. Our community overwhelmingly approved a bond to improve all of our schools in May of 2019. The funds from this bond can only be used for these construction projects.
Retrieval of Middle School and High School belongings is more complicated with individual student lockers, the return of books, instruments and materials, all coupled with the required social distancing. Please be patient as our principals will be communicating before the end of school how and when this will be done to ensure safety.
Next year and your input: As I mentioned last week, we will not be communicating plans for next year until we have both the Governor’s requirements for what will be allowed and the funding to provide the best option(s) for our families, always keeping safety the number one priority. We are reviewing the input from the more than 600 parents and staff who responded to the ongoing Virtual Learning Survey . We are preparing another survey for parents to ensure parent feedback is included in future decisions. Rest assured we are reviewing several options from face-to-face, to virtual, to a variety of hybrid methods, so we are prepared.
Budget: As we explained in this video Budget Update May, 2020, we are preparing a budget that includes sweeping reductions. Thank you for taking some time to review this updated WLCSD Budget Data. We are asking parents to advocate for unrestricted and federal funds with our federal legislators. Here are some important talking points about school funding.
Congratulations to:
- Elise Marra, WL Northern junior, who has written a full musical called Frankie! Congratulations Elis! Elise Marra audio snippet
- The WL Central Red Cross Club led by WLC seniors: Sara Suiter, Sara Xjaha, Emma Anderson, Ashley Gomoluch, and Noor Al-Jelihawi, who made 120 cards and advisor Sandra Brough-Gresh made 35 cloth masks and delivered them last week to Westlake Health Campus—nursing home.
- WL Westrn jazz combo students who created this amazing music video!
Other updated information
- Senior Recognition: This flyer outlines Senior Celebration Events for the Class of 2020 at WLC, WLN and WLW!!! WLCSD Congratulates Senior Class of 2020
- Summer Care: With the Governor’s Stay at Home Executive Order in place until mid-June, WLCSD will not be offering Summer Care for 2020. This is a difficult decision but with the uncertainty of the COVID virus, it is the safe and prudent course to take at this time. We are sorry for the inconvenience this may cause but we hope to see your children this Fall when school resumes.
- Food Distribution continues on Monday, June 1
- Virtual Kindergarten Orientation: Visit our Virtual Kindergarten Orientation process and the fully virtual enrollment process District Enrollment Link.
- Virtual Learning Survey: Please take a moment to complete our Virtual Learning Survey and give us your feedback.
- School Calendar: We continue to negotiate the school calendar for the 2020-2021 school year. When it is available, we will email it to families. Thank you for your patience.
We are committed to communicating what we know, when we know it. Thank you for your partnership in supporting our children and each other. Please be safe and let us know how we can help you at info@wlcsd.org.
Wishing you safety and health,
Kenneth Gutman
Superintendent of Schools
PLE POSTCARDS
By now your child(ren) should have received the PLE Postcards we mailed home to each child. It is simply our way of saying that we miss and care about your children, family and that you are always on our mind!
Nayal Maktari and the PLE Staff
Social Emotional Lessons by PLE Social Worker Miss Erika Emke
The Summer Virtual Book Fair
"We're having a Summer Read-a-Palooza Virtual Book Fair! You can support our school while discovering favorite characters, series, and collections all summer long. Orders are delivered right to your doorstep and you can take advantage of FREE shipping on book-only purchases over $25.
Let's make this a summer to instill a love of reading!"
VIRTUAL KINDERGARTEN ORIENTATION VIDEO & ALL OTHER RESOURCES
Virtual Kindergarten Orientation 2020-2021
Incoming kindergarten parents for the 2020-2021 school year are invited to enroll your child during our Virtual Kindergarten Orientation beginning on Monday, April 27, 2020.
Kindergarten students must be five-years-old on or before September 1, 2020.
Exception: According to Michigan Law, a child may be enrolled in kindergarten
if he/she is not five years of age on September 1, 2020, but will be five years of
age not later than December 1, 2020 and parent or legal guardian notifies the school
district in writing (Kindergarten Waiver Form) that he or she intends to enroll the
child in kindergarten.
VISIT OUR FAPES CLASSROOMS!
MUSIC: Visit the music room the same days you had music when we were in the building. Here are the codes:
Kindergarten: a5qcwr7
1st Grade: ijsedfh
2nd Grade: ryfjw4l
3rd Grade: c7tqewp
4th Grade: fcmzf6c
5th Grade: sgs6g47
ART: Come join Ms. Bitzinger’s Google Art Room (Code: j67hi3) on your regular art day or on a day that works for you. Each day, there will be new learning activities that go along with a weekly theme.
PE: Get active with Mr. A. and Mrs. Eiland as we post activities every day for you and your family to enjoy. On Tuesdays, you can look for a video of Mr. A. teaching a lesson. PE Google classroom code: 45zthp5
MEDIA: Look for a weekly lesson in the Media Classroom. This spring we’ll be diving into Internet Safety and being kind online.
Grade Level Class Codes:
Kindergarten: yvn72uj
1st Grade: vb6j4ym,
2nd Grade: kjnnbad
3rd Grade: ftu7di5
4th Grade: or7zolm
5th Grade: xxwrfpq )
iReady Resource Updates
· NEW! i-Ready.com/Families is a new family support site that houses all of our i-Ready “Guidance for Families.” A link can also be found under i-Ready Personalized Instruction on the /AtHome home page.
· NEW! YouTube Tech Tutorial Videos for Families are available to assist families with common “how to” questions.
· NEW! Spanish Tech and Troubleshooting Guide is now available for direct download here and on the Spanish Guidance for Families page.
NEW! Reading and Writing Activities (in Spanish): Independent Reading Supports and Writing and Language lessons are available here.Outside Food Pantry Available
Please stop by Loon Lake Elementary, Mary Helen Guest Elementary, Walled Lake Elementary and/or Wixom Elementary and help yourself to the food/supplies in the Outdoor Food Pantries. The pantries were filled by many other families from across the WLCSD. On behalf of all elementary schools, we cannot thank you enough for your generosity.
Please take what you need. If you would like to help fill the pantry, you can do that as well. We are all committed to taking good care of each other.
DONATIONS NEEDED
VITAL RESOURCES FOR HUMAN WELL-BEING
- Building Connectedness and Belonging for Students While School Buildings are Closed:
use tomorrow” strategies, as well as virtual systems that can help you to maintain and foster meaningful relationships virtually (Panorama Ed) - CASEL: SEL resources during COVID Pandemic
- Comprehensive COVID Resources for Schools: Curated by educators all over Oakland County for the Teaching and Learning Council.
- EDUCATOR’S GUIDE TO SUPPORTING THE SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL NEEDS OF STUDENTS: Michigan Department of Education and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services April 2020
- Guidance on Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Remote Education guidance /answers to questions/concerns related to high-leverage teaching and learning practices for equity-based remote education. (New York University Metro Center)
- Helping Students Cope: Gathered resources to help staff and parents support their children during the pandemic. National Association of School Psychologists
- Mental and Behavioral Health Resources in Oakland County: Local resources gathered by a variety of Oakland Schools consultants.
- Michigan Model for Health : Digital curriculum, include modules around SEL
- Moving Beyond the Packet: Creating More Culturally Responsive Distance Learning Experiences: Click on link to access webinar
School SEL Resources: Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence is committed to helping all leaders, educators, students, and families in their effort to build and sustain positive emotional climates.
Tools to Address Trauma Here you will find a number of recommendations for trauma screening and assessment tools and trauma-specific interventions (from Michigan Department of Health and Human Services).
JOIN PRINCIPAL NAYAL MAKTARI'S GOOGLE CLASSROOM
Please join my Google Classroom.
Class Code: 72angg3
I've really enjoyed engaging our students and posting videos for students and parents! Please have your child join today!
REMINDERS
RESOURCES-UPDATED EACH WEEK
UPDATED-FOOD DISTRIBUTION INFORMATION
WLCSD Food Distribution
Distribution Date(s) & Time: Mondays 1:45 - 3:00 p.m. or when all the food is distributed.
Where:
- Walled Lake Western High School, 600 Beck Road, Walled Lake
- Walled Lake Central High School, 1600 Oakley Park Road, Walled Lake
Children will receive 7 days of breakfast and 7 days of lunch for all children 18 and under, and adults with disabilities 26 and under.
The meals distributed are provided by the Unanticipated School Closure Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), are available to all children at no cost.
FOOD & FAMILY SUPPORT RESOURCES
IREADY RESOURCES
iREADY FAMILY CENTRAL DURING THIS CLOSURE
Please be sure you visit i-Ready Family Center to learn how you can support your student during the school closure. Family Guides are available in different languages.
GOOGLE CLASSROOM & TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES
LITERACY RESOURCES
SOCIAL EMOTIONAL RESOURCES
PLEASANT LAKE ELEMENTARY CONTACT INFORMATION
Nayal Maktari
Principal nayalmaktari@wlcsd.org
Missy Mergner
Principal's Secretary melissamergner@wlcsd.org
Julie Smith
Building Secretary juliesmith@wlcsd.org
Teach The Leader in Me Habits At Home!
Enjoy!
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'.