Defer Dragon's Burning News
January 19, 2018
From the Principal
Dear Defer Families,
Sincerely,
Dr. Rheaume
Follow Defer on Twitter (@GPDefer) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/GPDefer/)
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.
HALLWAY CONGESTION
Boots, snowpants, mittens and adults! We are well into our routines of the new year and ask that parents no longer walk their children to their classrooms in the morning. If your child is late, please sign in at the office on our late slips and we will take them to class.
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
January 19 - AM School Only
January 22 - 26 - The Great Kindness Challenge Week
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
The Great Kindness Challenge January 22nd-26th
All levels of Grosse Pointe Schools- including Barnes, the nine elementary buildings, middle school, high school groups, and staff have all come together to participate in The Great Kindness Challenge. The Great Kindness Challenge is a positive, proactive bullying prevention initiative that reaches millions of students. GPPSS has added a community service project to engage in socially conscious leadership and promote caring, compassion, and working together to support others in need. Students and staff will be collecting items for Kindness Care Kits during the week of January 22-26 that will be donated to Crossroads service agency. Other activities related to kindness and to help promote a safe and caring school environment may also take place.
GPPSS is happy to be a part of The Great Kindness Challenge which was created by the non-profit Kids for Peace.
Please feel free to bring in your items at any time that is convenient for you. Please see below for the items being collected. Our goal is to meet or exceed the number of students in each class (25 students=25 items). Crossroads is so grateful for these contributions! Thank you for your support.
The collection items are as follows:
Barnes: mittens/gloves (children, adults, men/women)
Pre-kindergarten, Young 5s: quart or gallon size ziplock bags
Kindergarten: soap or body wash
First grade: body lotion
Second grade: toothbrush
Third grade: toothpaste
Fourth grade: shampoo or conditioner
Fifth grade: deodorant
Staff: socks , hats, diapers
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
Defer PTO
We are still in need of LUNCHTIME ENRICHMENT volunteers! PLEASE consider volunteering to run a leisure-time activity during lunchtime recess (11:30-12:30) ONCE a week for six weeks. It starts Feb. 5! We still need volunteers for: reading, computer lab, dance/movement, coding, engineering, cooking and design/art. Please sign up here: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0845a8ac28aafc1-lunch
For additional information or questions, please email parent organizer Dani Raether: raetherd@gmail.com.
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