Defer Dragon's Burning News
March 29, 2018
From the Principal
Dear Defer Families,
The GaGa Ball Court is officially open! The rain did not keep the Student Leadership Team from celebrating the first game at the Opening Ceremony Celebration after school on Thursday! A special thanks to our amazing PTO and Park Grill for purchasing our newly installed GaGa Ball Court. Thank you to ToccoMannino Landscape for installing the GaGa Ball Court. The students enjoyed learning the rules of the game and practicing during lunch recess. They are excited to use the GaGa Ball Court after Spring Break.
When we return to school in April the fifth grade students will begin M-Step Testing. This year the M-Step test will be administered on the computer. Third and Fourth Grade students will begin M-Step Testing in May. The M-Step is an opportunity for our students to demonstrate their current levels of understanding in core subject areas. We are asking parents to be especially alert to their child’s needs for:
- getting plenty of rest,
- eating a good breakfast each morning,
- and being in school and on time on testing days.
Please ask your child's classroom teacher for the specific assessment dates.
Have a wonderful Spring Break!
Dr. Rheaume
Follow Defer on Twitter (@GPDefer) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/GPDefer/)
Parent Survey
Defer Elementary is a Leader in Me School, we teach 21st century leadership and life skills to students to create a culture of student empowerment based on the idea that every child can be a leader. To learn more about our areas of strength and growth in our school we use a Leader in Me survey to collect data from families.
We need your help! We are asking for adults from every household to complete the survey to share feedback about our school. The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete.
https://theleaderinmeonline.org/assessments/assessment/acde947674d553af
March Writing Opportunity
Students who write a response on one of the following topics will have an opportunity to share their writing at the April Townhall meeting. All writing should be turned into the Defer office or Dr. Rheaume by Wednesday, April 11.
2. Write about a historical figure who was a great leader. What made him or her so influential?
3. Write about someone in your life who is a great leader. How does he or she inspire you?
Notes from the Office
Reminders:
- PLEASE DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL IF THEY HAVE BEEN SICK AND ARE NOT 100% BACK TO HEALTH. In an effort to reduce the spread of germs, school policy dictates that students must be fever-free, vomiting-free and diarrhea-free for 24 hours before they may return to school. We will make sure that the school is properly disinfected and cleaned over break.
- PLEASE DO NOT enter the building through the doors with your children during morning admittance. We want to encourage independence in our students, as well as promote a safe and secure school environment for everyone.
- Every person who enters our building should be buzzed in at the parking lot doors and report directly to the office to sign in and receive a visitors' badge.
- If you need to talk to someone in the office or a teacher, please come directly to the office or call/email to set up an appointment rather than entering with your children.
We strive to maximize instructional time during school hours. Thank you for your help and cooperation.
Attendance Line
We have a 24 hour attendance line for your convenience. If your child will not be at school, please call 313-432-4001 to report the absence by 8:00 am. This will avoid an unexcused absence phone call.
Upcoming Events at Defer
March 30 - April 6 - Spring Break No School
April 9 - Welcome back to School/Late Start Monday
April 10 - M-Step Testing Begins for 5th Graders
April 27 - Disability Awareness Day (4th Graders)
April 30 - Defer Diversity Group meeting 6:30 pm
Camp Invention is back!
Check out the flyer for more information.
Special Offer from Robot Garage
Leader in Me Family Information - March Edition
Welcome to the March edition of our Leader in Me newsletter!
Published by the Defer Family Learning Team
The 7 Habits are reviewed, practiced and integrated daily at Defer. We will review the 7 Habits with you monthly. Thank you for your partnership in reinforcing your child’s leadership skills.
Habit 3 - Put First Things First
Looking for less stress? Put First Things First is an organizational strategy. It means to decide what is most important and take care of that first. Then, focus on tasks that are less important. Thinking about what needs to be done tomorrow or by the end of the week can be overwhelming. This is especially true for children. But with practice, children can learn to prioritize the things that are most important and will most likely start taking care of them first! Using calendars, check-lists, daily check-in with planners are all ways to put this habit into action.
For example, if your child tells you on Sunday they need poster board for a project due on Wednesday or the field trip permission slip turned in on Monday, the family is more prepared to take care of things in a manageable way. Decide when the tasks will be completed so that you and/or your child are prepared.
As the grades progress, more responsibility is placed on students. Teaching your child now how to put first things first will become a strategy that will be a lifesaver in the years to come.
Ways to incorporate Habit 3 at home-
March is reading month and what a great way to incorporate literature in the reinforcement of Habit 3. Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett or Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan are some choices to reinforce Habit 3.
Practice Habit 3 by doing a family project together (such as cleaning a closet or the toy area) and then have some fun afterwards by playing a game as a family.
At home reinforce and model for your child words and phrases like prioritize, most important, responsibility, put first things first, sequencing, and planning.
This video helps demonstrate student understanding of Habit 3!
VIDEO LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGppyL14U68
Library News
Service & Safety
Defer PTO
Defer Garden Days, Spring Clean Up: April 14, 9-11:30 a.m.
Please bring gloves, weeding tools, a bucket and a water bottle. (We will have a limited number of extra gloves and weeding tools on hand.) For more information, please reach out to the Beatification Co-Chair, Diana Degen Gifford, dianaelaine4@gmail.com.
Spring PARENT Social: April 21
Join fellow Defer parents at Atwater in the Park for dinner and a cash bar. This is an adults-only evening limited to the first 100 people who sign up. Reserve your spot with the attached RSVP form and payment. For more information contact parents: lindyh51178@gmail.com or christyandcameron@gmail.com
Defer Garden Days, Mulch Spreading: May 19, 9-11:30 a.m.
Please bring gloves, weeding tools, a bucket and a water bottle. (We will have a limited number of extra gloves and weeding tools on hand.) For more information, please reach out to the Beatification Co-Chair, Diana Degen Gifford, dianaelaine4@gmail.com.
Spring Social Evening with Student Art Show: Thursday May 24
Enjoy a family friendly gathering on the blacktop/field of Defer with live music, bounce houses & more entertainment. Pizza and frozen custard available for purchase. Student artwork to be on display in the gym.
Parents of Defer Night Out at Atwater in the Park
One Book, One School - Charlotte's Web
We hope you enjoyed Charlotte's Web as much as we did at school! Remember to keep reading at home each night. Happy reading!
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