Wiley Way
May 9, 2022
SCHOOL INFORMATION
Welcome to Wiley ~ Home of the Wiley Coyotes
Office Hours: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM.
School Hours: 9:20 AM - 4:10 PM (full days) and 9:20 AM -12:24 PM (half days) PLEASE NOTE THESE NEW TIMES
If you need anything, PLEASE EMAIL or phone the office staff at officewiley@uticak12.org/586-797-6700 ; someone will respond promptly.
24 hr Attendance Line: (586) 797-6799
Office Staff:
- Mrs. Candice Merivirta, Principal
- Mrs. Cathy Baumgartner, Administrative Assistant
Dates to Remember
May is National Asian American Heritage Month
Tuesday, May 10: 5th Grade Maturation Program
Wednesday, May 11: Wiley Volunteer Parent Meeting @ 7:00 PM; click link to join us: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87921686100?pwd=T2hiUlFGY0x3SEdEcjBIYU5CUlFOdz09
Thursday, May 12: Donuts for 3rd Quarter All A's/B's
Saturday, May 14: Wiley Spring Clean Up (see flyer below)
Monday, May 16- Thursday, May 26: NWEA Testing (Grades K-6)
Thursday, May 19: Last Rink Night of the Year
Friday, May 27: No School
Monday, May 30: No School; Memorial Day
Thursday, June 2: Field Day (See Sign-Up Genius below to volunteer)
Friday, June 3: 6th Grade Field Trip
Tuesday, June 7: Kindergarten Celebration
Wednesday, June 8: 6th Grade Kickball Game @ 2:15 PM
Thursday, June 9: 6th Grade Celebration; 12:24 Dismissal
Friday, June 10: Last Day of School; 12:24 Dismissal; Wiley Elementary Senior Clap Out (see flyer below)
A Note of Thanks
Message from Mrs. Merivirta
M STEP testing is in the home stretch! We just have a few students who need to make up and/or finish testing. Thank you for you support in getting them to school each day, ready to do their personal best.
Mark your calendars for lots of end of year activities and celebrations! At this time, we are planning for an in-person end of year Kindergarten Celebration, Sixth Grade Celebration and Field Day. In addition, we hope that you can join us on May 14th for a Wiley Clean Up (see flyer below). There are numerous opportunities for students to participate in as well; see flyers below.
This Thursday, we will recognize nearly two hundred 3rd-6th graders who earned all A's or all A's and B's for the 3rd Marking Period. This number represents almost 64% of all students achieving this level of academics. Way to go Wiley Coyotes!!!
With the last making period upon us, it is important for students to stay focused on their learning. As always, please stay in communication with your child's teacher regarding their progress if you have concerns.
At this time, classroom teachers, learning center teachers, our EL teacher, as well as our literacy consultant and myself will collaborate to place your child in the most appropriate classroom. They know their students, and together we will design stable classrooms. As students are placed together in classroom groups, many factors are considered, including general academics, gender, reading abilities, social and emotional needs and disciplinary situations to create well-balanced classrooms. Once classroom groups are designed, t teacher is assigned to a group of students. If you have specific concerns regarding your child's learning environment, it is best to have a conversation with your child's teacher.
Please know that I am unable to honor specific teacher requests, as it is extremely difficult to keep the balance needed throughout the grade level. Thank you in advance for your trust and support.
Below you will find a link to a brief parent survey regarding Wiley's Title 1 Program. Please take time to provide feedback as we work on our continuous improvement to meet the needs of all students.
If you are able to, please join us on Saturday, May 14 @ 10:00 AM as we work to spruce up the school grounds at Wiley. Many hands will make light work of weeding and cleaning up. We hope that you can make it!
As always, thank you for all you do to make Wiley a truly wonderful and welcoming learning community! Together, we are making a difference in the lives of our children.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Merivirta
Second Graders Learn About Arbor Day
On Friday Mr. Born, father of Lukas Born, came to visit our second graders to teach them about trees for Arbor Day. Along with his presentation, Mr. Born gifted Wiley Elementary with a crabapple tree that the second graders helped plant on our school grounds.
Wiley Title 1 Parent Survey
Celebrating Asian American Heritage Month
Below is a story, Wishes, written and illustrated by an Asian American author and illustrator. The simple but beautiful story
The second video is a short interview with the author and illustrator; they share their work on the story and why it meant so much to them to create this work of art.
Enjoy!
FREE MEALS COMING TO AN END JUNE 30, 2022
- f you would still like to get free and reduced meals, you must fill out an application after July 1
- If you are not approved for free or reduced meals, you will be required to pay for all meals for the 2022-2023 school year
- Apply online at Utica Family Portal or https://utica.familyportal.cloud
Enter “Utica Community Schools” and follow the prompts. - Most applications are processed within two (2) working days
- Quicker than paper!
Apply using a paper application
- Paper applications & Household Income Forms for CEP sites are distributed to all student households or are available at your child’s school.
- Complete the application and return it to your child’s school or mail to Utica Community Schools, Food & Nutrition Services, 11303 Greendale, Sterling Heights, MI 48312
- Processing may take 7-10 working days
Community Education Walk-In Interviews
community education walk-in interviews
Join Utica Community Schools Community Education on Tuesday, May 10, 2022 for our walk-in recruitment drive. Apply and interview onsite for a variety of jobs – catering to all experience levels – within our Community Education Department including Early Childhood, Adult Education, Great Start Readiness Program and School Age Child Care.
We have several part-time and full-time opportunities available, many of which will follow the school year:
- Lead Preschool Teacher
- Community Education Clerical
- Early Childhood Coordinator
- Early Childhood Assistant Teacher
- Early Childhood Infant-Toddler Assistant Teacher
- Adult Education and English as a Second Language Supervisor
- Adult Education Testing Assistant
- Adult Education Secretary
- Great Start Readiness Program Lead Teacher
- Great Start Readiness Program Associate Teacher
- School Age Child Care Director
- School Age Child Care Assistant
We look forward to seeing you there. For more information, please visit: www.UticaK12.org/UCSjobs.
Kindergarten Readiness
Happenings in the VA
Summer School Opportunities
Summer academic programs for students in grades one through twelve begin on Monday, June 20, 2022 and end on Friday, July 29, 2022. All summer academic programs will be supported by grant funds and will be free of charge for all participants. Information will be available on the UCS website at: https://www.uticak12.org/SummerPrograms
Registration begins on Monday, May 2, 2022, through Community Education using the following link:
Summer School Opportunities for Students Entering 1st Grade Fall of 2022
•Early Literacy gives children the foundation they need in order to learn, grow, and become self-confident learners!
•All participating students will receive a learning kit. The kits are designed for parents to support and advance their children’s summer learning through educational and home-based activities.
•Transportation will be provided for in-district families.
Breakfast and lunch will be provided free of charge for Students will be engaged in daily literacy experiences through interactive and meaningful activities.
Summer School Opportunities for Students Entering Grades 2-5 Fall of 2022
- Students will be engaged in comprehensive and meaningful literacy and math instruction using evidenced based practices to address their individual needs.
- The goal of the Summer School Program is to strengthen literacy and math achievement for students.
- Transportation will be provided for in-district families. Breakfast and lunch will be provided free of charge for students.
- Program runs Monday through Friday 8:30 – 12:00 p.m. Daily attendance is required for all participating students.
Summer School Opportunities for Students Entering Grades 6 and 7 Fall of 2022
Summer SACC Program
Check out these upcoming opportunities
Author Festival May 21st
Please check out the information below regarding an Author Festival that will
bring local Michigan authors who have been part of the distance learning program to the MISD. Open to the public and is a great opportunity to get books signed by the author.STUDENT HANDBOOK GUIDELINES FOR CELL PHONES AND ECDs
Possession or use of cell phones or other electronic communications devices (ECDs) by elementary students is prohibited at any time while in school or in a district vehicle unless permission has been given by an administrator – this includes text messaging and camera usage.
CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO NOMINATE A UCS CHAMPION
UCS Family Literacy Connection
UCS Family Literacy Connection is a bimonthly communication compiled by the Elementary Literacy Coaches/Consultants of the UCS Literacy Department. Each edition will highlight activities to support literacy development at home. Please use the link below to access the newsletter.
Please read the LATEST LITERACY CONNECTION below!
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FROM UCS WELLNESS
UTICA CARES: SUPPORT AND WELLNESS
Each Wiley Way Newsletter will include a Monday Moment that will include a quote, a thought, and a challenge to help promote well being for self and others. Please take time to read and take the challenge!
The theme for May is Get Compassionate - Life can be both beautiful and messy. We have all felt and witnessed it before. In these moments we feel our heart, and collective hearts, sing or break. And, we believe that compassion is one of the greatest answers for all of it. Compassion evokes many images, thoughts, and emotions. Other words might pop into our minds, like empathy, sympathy, support, and care. While all of these have a link to compassion, this month, we want to take a deeper dive. Compassion isn’t sympathy or helping someone at the expense of your own health; it’s being able to try to understand someone’s experience without making their problems your own. Sometimes, just being there to say, “I’m here with you during this time” or “I believe in your strength to push through” is enough. We may not know a solution to the problem they are facing and that’s okay. In fact, sometimes it’s better to hold off on “fixing” and just be present. So let’s take a moment to think about what a more compassionate world would be like. This month, let’s GET COMPASSIONATE.
Check Out This Resource From Our UCS Wellness Team
UCS Wellness Podcasts
The UCS Wellness team is happy to announce the fourth episode of the podcast series will be released on Wednesday, March 16, 2022. The topic is CARE of Southeastern Michigan and the services they offer to the community. The team worked with community members to create a podcast regarding different areas of physical, mental, and social health for UCS staff, students and families. The podcasts are available on the UCS Wellness page: UCS Wellness - Utica Community Schools (uticak12.org). Below is a list of the podcasts released and the upcoming schedule.
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE VA
Stay Connected with our Wiley Volunteer Group
SUPPORT WILEY WHILE YOU SHOP!
IMPORTANT REMINDERS FROM PAST NEWSLETTERS
Dress Code Reminder
Students apparel should not be disruptive to the educational process. The following are the guidelines for school attire:
Indecent, tattered or unsafe dress in footwear or attire that calls undo attention to the student or has letterings or symbols that are disrespectful or derogatory are not allowed.
Beachwear, low tank tops or shirts, spaghetti strap tank tops, sleeveless tops, muscle shirts, see-through clothing, short skirts or shorts, tight clothing without proper coverage and clothing that allows exposure to shoulders or midsection are not allowed.
Clothing that promotes illegal substances or drugs illegal activities violence tobacco or alcohol is prohibited
Clothing or head coverings born as a group identifier that promote disruptive school and climate are prohibited
Assistive Technology Accessibility
will help users explore accessibility features and tools to reduce learning challenges as well as the assistive technology supports that are available. Please check the resources out!
If you would like more information on Assistive Technology, please click on the article below.
PARKING LOT SAFETY
Also, it is necessary for parents to get out of cars and pick up their child; students are not permitted to cross the parking lot without an adult.
Especially of importance, the expectation is that when school buses are pulling out ALL CARS MUST WAIT until all buses have departed; please do not cut into the bus line.
Thank you for following the expectations; this will ensure safety for all!
HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS
Updated COVID-19 Protocols from the MCHD
Dear UCS Community,
Since the beginning of the pandemic, Utica Community Schools has worked closely with the Macomb County Health Department (MCHD) and its expert guidance in the development of health and safety protocols. This week, the MCHD has revised its guidance for how schools should approach the isolation and quarantine of students and staff for in-school exposure. The most important pieces have remained the same:
- Keep those who are sick home
- Staff/families must report positive COVID-19 cases and isolation/quarantine remains at five days
- The district will notify families of positive cases in school buildings
- Cases will continue to be reported on the district’s COVID-19 Dashboard
PROTOCOL CHANGE
The Macomb County Health Department has adjusted its contact tracing and school-based case notification from individual to entire classroom. No longer will individuals be identified as close contacts. Instead, the entire class where a positive case was reported will be notified of the potential exposure.
- All students and staff in the impacted classroom should monitor for symptoms.
- Those who have or develop symptoms should isolate/quarantine and test for COVID-19.
- Others may quarantine individually but are not required to unless symptoms develop.
These changes follow CDC guidance and will support our commitment to ensure healthy students who do not have symptoms remain in school. They will also help with staffing issues and the significant amount of resources being spent in schools on individual contact tracing. The continued daily contact tracing has moved the focus of our staff from other critical work, including supporting students’ social/emotional needs, school safety measures, staff development and educational leadership of our schools. We need our education professionals focused on the education and well-being of our students and staff.
The countywide protocol changes will become effective on Friday, January 21. Staff and students currently quarantined due to in-school exposure or are on day 6 or later of a COVID-19 illness and have significantly improved symptoms, can return to school on Monday, January 24. The MCHD website reflects the new protocols.
Your partnership remains critical. Our communities should continue to self-screen every morning and students that do not feel well should remain at home. In addition, I encourage you to take advantage of a federal program that provides up to four free COVID-19 testing kits to families.
Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Robert S. Monroe
Birthday Celebration Reminder
All teachers and staff at Wiley support and encourage the recognition of a child’s birthday during the school day. It is an annual milestone in every child’s life that should be celebrated! While there are many wonderful and creative ways to celebrate a child’s birthday in school, birthday celebrations at Wiley will not include food treats or items delivered to the school.
As adults, we will certainly acknowledge children who are celebrating a birthday in the same way as usual (for example: a crown, a sticker, a visit to the Principal). Some possibilities for recognizing the day in a variety of special ways that do not include food treats include:
· Class sings “Happy Birthday”
· Happy Birthday Recess gift to class from child
· Morning “Happy Birthday” PA announcement
· Parent makes a donation of book to class library/read to class
· Student reads favorite book to class
Your child’s teacher will have more information on how birthdays will be celebrated in the classroom. As educators, caregivers and loved ones we all want the best for our students. Thank you for joining us in giving students healthy opportunities to celebrate important events and achievements.
POWERSCHOOL ACCOUNT
PowerSchool is the District's student information system used for attendance, grades, and delivery of report cards. Helpful instructional guides are listed below.
FORGOT YOUR POWERSCHOOL PASSWORD? TO RESET:
-navigate to https://classroom.powerschool.com
-click FORGOT PASSWORD under the password field.
-On the next screen, enter the email address associated with the Unified Classroom account and click SEND REQUEST.
-Please wait patiently for an email from- devmail.powerschool.com When the email is received, click the link inside ONCE to be taken to a page
to set your password.
-Enter a new password and re-type it to confirm, click submit.
-Powerschool password policy: minimum of 8 characters, cannot be one of your last six passwords, cannot contain sets of repeated characters
(ie: abcabcabc, 11112222)
PARENT - SET UP NEW ACCOUNT:
Unified Classroom account for a New Parent
Click here for detailed instructions
Use: Parent Access - NEW PARENT
Unified Classroom account for a parent who has an original Parent Portal Account
Click here for detailed instructions
Use: Parent Access - EXISTING PARENT
STUDENT - SET UP NEW ACCOUNT:
Unified Classroom account for a student
Click here for detailed instructions
Use: Student Access
Unified Classroom login URL: https://classroom.powerschool.com
Mobile App Parents and students will still be able to access student grades and attendance by using the mobile PowerSchool App.
If you are experiencing issues with the PowerSchool Mobile App, please see the appropriate Frequently Asked Questions document below:
For all users:
Click here for detailed instructions and FAQ
To login to PowerSchool:
Click here or paste link into browser: ps.ucs.misd.net/public/
STUDENT VIRTUAL LIBRARY CARD AND TUTORING
SELF-SCREENING
Before your child leaves in the morning, ask these two questions:
- In the last 24 hours has your child developed any of the following symptoms that are new/different/worse from baseline chronic illness: subjective fever (felt feverish) or measured a temperature 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, chills or rigors (severe chills with shivering), headache, sore throat , muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, runny noseor congestion and fatigue?
- In the last 24 hours, has your child developed any of the following symptoms that are new/different/worse from baseline of any chronic illness: cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, new loss of smell and new loss of taste?
The answer should be NO to BOTH questions. If not, your child should remain home for their protection and the health and safety of classmates and the adults in your school. Please call the school office to communicate the absence.
MASK WEARING
The exception to this is if we are under a building-wide/classroom mask mandate; when cases are extremely high it may be necessary for the building/classroom to mask for 14 days. Parents and staff will be notified of the beginning and end date via email.
DAILY ATTENDANCE
If your child is going to be absent for the day, you must call the Attendance Line at (586) 797- 6799. This line is a 24-hour automated line so you may call at any time. If your child will be late, please report that on the attendance line as well. For early dismissals, parents should call the school office prior to 3:30 pm and send a note for your child's teacher. Parents must come into the vestibule to sign students in and out. Be prepared to show photo ID when picking up a student.
Many Wiley students are experiencing learning loss based on their leaving before the end of day. Not only is the child who is leaving suffering a loss, but also those students in their class; when the office staff class for student, the teacher has to stop instruction for the entire class to give the child their homework, end of day information, notes, etc. Naturally some early dismissals are unavoidable and supported for medical appointments. These should be infrequent and followed up with a doctor's note. Please, whenever possible, schedule these appointments after school hours. And if it is not medical related (such as attending a sibling's game or wanting to avoid the parking lot), please refrain from an early dismissal; 15-20 minutes several times a week adds up to hours of lost instructional time (just like tardies).
If your child does not attend regularly, the staff and I will be reaching out to find out how we can assist. If absences persist, it may constitute truancy and the matter will be addressed with the truancy officer.
Thank you for your help in this important matter! If we can be assistance, please let us know.
MEALS AT SCHOOL
PLEASE NOTE: DUE TO SHORTAGES IN THE SUPPLY CHANGE, THE MENU MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. Students/families will be notified as soon as possible. Thank you for your understandinag.
You can check the monthly menu at https://uticak12.nutrislice.com/.
LUNCH SUPERVISORS
for more information.
Become a WILEY COYOTE! Please consider joining us and becoming a member of our fantastic crew. We need support in the cafeteria and on the playground.
What we offer:
- Great students
- Dedicated and caring staff
- School environment that feels like "home"
- Paid positions at $9.65
- Work 1-5 days a week
- 1 -1.5 hours a day
Looking for moms, dads, guardians, and grandparents to support lunch supervision.
We look forward to welcoming you!
Safety Procedures
- Please press the buzzer to speak with someone in the office
- You will be asked to state your name and reason for visiting
- You will need to show your Photo ID into the security camera
- Office staff will buzz you into the vestibule
- All visitors must immediately sign in
Additionally, if you are entering the building please self-screen before entering, ensuring that you do not have COVID--19 or COVID symptoms. Also, please do not let any other visitors in the door as you enter (if they come up behind you).
The Wiley Staff are committed to student safety and security. We appreciate your help in keeping our students safe!
2021-2022 Yearlong Calendar Dates
- Half Day: April 1
- Spring Break: April 4-8 (no school)
- Good Friday: April 15 (no school)
- Memorial Weekend: May 27-30 (no school)
- June 9: Early dismissal
- June 10: Early dismissal; last day of school
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER, AT WILEY...
STAY CONNECTED WITH WILEY
Email: candice.merivirta@uticak12.org
Website: wiley.uticak12.org
Location: 47240 Shelby Road, Shelby Charter Township, MI, USA
Phone: (586) 797-6700
Facebook: facebook.com/ucswiley