Gretchko Newsletter
February 3, 2023
Principal's Update
Hello Team WB!
I can now say I have enjoyed my very first Winter Fest! It was a BLAST! We are sending a very special thank you to our fabulous PTO for this year's Winterfest. They worked very quickly to organize schedules, shop for supplies, notify families and prepare hot chocolate when we got our most recent round of snowfall. The sun, snow, and temperature all lined up to give us a fantastic experience! Who knew Gretchko had such a fantastic hill for sledding?! Thank you to all that helped (including with LOTS of donated sleds) and especially to our staff and parent volunteers for their part making this so much fun for our students!
We still have several student sleds and saucers left from Winterfest. Please don't forget to stop by the front office (lobby) to pick them up.
We would like to thank everyone that filled out their 2023-2024 returning student survey by February 1st. If you did not have a chance to complete the survey, please click here and fill out the important planning information, as our staffing is planned with this information in mind.
Next week, we have our February PTO meeting on Wednesday evening and our Global Equity Team meeting on Thursday evening. Please see below for additional details, and I hope to see you there! In two weeks, Oakland Schools is also hosting their annual African American Read-In. See details below...the first 500 families to sign up get a free book delivered to their home!
Have a wonderful weekend,
Jen Teal, Principal
Featured Book
Meet Henley, an all-around good kid, who hates to read. When he's supposed to be reading, he would rather do anything else. But one day, he gets the scariest homework assignment in the world: find your favorite book to share with the class tomorrow. What's a kid to do? How can Henley find a story that speaks to everything inside of him? Through his advocacy and his books, Malcolm imparts the important message that every story has the potential to become a favorite.
Congratulations Star Slip Winners
Congratulations Melih Kouassi, Emerson Pace, Bently Pardon, Jade Anderson, Jack Larkin, Ruhi Patel, Adonis Fowler, Mae Schimpke, Vincent Munoz, Quinlynn Gandy, Tyler Christenson, Naomie Desjardins, Antonio Paletta, Mia Alexiev, Axel Gandy, and Maya Pluciennik! Keep up the good work Gretchko Stars!
Super Draw Star Slip Winners
Also, today was our once a month second chance Super Draw for all star slip students' names left in our Star Slip bins in the front lobby. Congratulations to Claire Manning, Conor Ruskin and Brooklyn Balutowicz for being our January second chance Star Slip winners. Mrs. Teal will schedule a time next week for these stars to join her for Board Game Bonanza. Great job Gretchko Stars!
Oakland Schools African American Read-In
Oakland Schools is proud to host author Derrick Barnes and illustrator/author Vanessa Brantley Newton as our guests for this year's African American Read-In. These award winning authors have a vast collection of books for readers of all ages. The first 500 Oakland County students who register will receive one of their books.
Date: Thursday, February 16, 2023
Time: 6:00 - 8 pm
Location: Virtual via Zoom
You'll receive a confirmation email that includes the event's Zoom link -- keep an eye out for that information in your email inbox. You can find more information about the National African American Read-In here: https://ncte.org/get-involved/african-american-read-in/. Please contact stacey.lamb@oakland.k12.mi.us with any questions.
PTO Announcement
Global Equity Team
The MLK Peace Parade was thanks to the work of our G.E.T. planning in the month of December. This group of staff, family members, and kids too(!) come together each month. New members ALWAYS welcome!
Our next Global Equity Team meeting will be February 9th at 6:30pm on Zoom: https://wbsd-org.zoom.us/j/86252963878. We hope you will consider joining us!
World Celebrations This Month
If you celebrate something this month and do not see it listed below, please email Jen Teal to add it to our list!
February is Black History Month
- Feb 5: Maghi-Purnima (Hindu festival)
- Feb 5: Magha Puja Day (Budhist holiday)
- Feb 14: Valentine’s Day
- Feb 15: Parinirvana (Buddhist Holiday)
- Feb 18: Maha Shivaratri (Hindu Celebration)
- Feb 18: Lailat Al Miraj (Muslim holiday)
- Feb 21: Mardi Gras
- Feb 21: International Mother Language Day
- Feb 22: Ash Wednesday/Beginning of Lent (Christian Holiday)
- Feb 25-Mar 1: Ayyam-I-Ha (Baha’i celebration)
Media Center News
Throughout this school year we have had several kindergarten students that have read "the 100 books to read in kindergarten" recommended the West Bloomfield Library. We would like to Congratulate and add Jennifer Venturini to that list for reading 100 books for kindergarten!
Special reading presentation - Readers are Leaders
Gretchko readers were entertained by Eugene Clark, local artist, magician and entertainer. Mr. Clark performed an assembly for us that focused on READING! He gave us some insight into famous leaders and their love of reading. Students helped him share the idea of adventure, filling your brain with lots of information learned while reading and the way reading communicates ideas. A play was performed by our students that promoted the strategy of 5 W’s- who, what, where, when and why, and the 1-H- how. We watched the students perform and used the strategy to retell the story we just heard and saw, much like you would do when reading text. Everyone had a great time! Many thanks to the Gretchko PTO for funding this great opportunity to help kick off our Pine Cone Reading Program.
Pine Cone Reading begins February 6th
The Pine Cone Reading Program will begin February 6th!! Pine Cone is a District-wide reading incentive program in partnership with the West Bloomfield Township Public Library, for students enrolled in first or second grade. This dynamic program features a variety of books carefully selected by district librarians. The list encompasses a large variety of genres, diverse topics, and high interest subject matter. More information will come home next week when your child visits the iCenter.
All students in WB are eligible to receive a library card from the West Bloomfield Township Public Libraries. Visit either location, the Main Branch or the West Acres, to see a sneak peek of this year's Pine Cone titles. This year's Pine Cone titles will be available for check out from the Gretchko iCenter and the WBTPL.
iCenter Request
Too many books cluttering up your reader's bookshelf? Do you have books your child has outgrown and just don't want to throw them away? Donate them to the Gretchko iCenter. Mrs. Hammerick will add books to our growing book collection! Thank you so much for helping us grow our library!
WBSD Bridges Math Overviews for February
Join Us For Casino Night!
Mental Health Resources
WBSD has partnered with ParentGuidance.org to give parents free access to resources and helpful information. We have shared this information with our families. We hope that it will be useful for some of you as well!
ParentGuidance.org is an online service by licensed therapists that provides trusted and specialized courses, professional support, and a safe community for parents to learn how to support their children and get answers to mental health questions.
Community Resources
There are many community resources available to families in need. See the Oakland County Community Resource Guide, which includes resources about topics including Abuse & Protective Services; Food Pantries, Clothing & Household Support; Healthcare Services; Housing Assistance; and Parenting & Pregnancy Resources.
211 (United Way) offers resources/connections for family support as well. Parents/adults can call, text, or email. Here is the link to the 211 website, which is searchable by topic. Additionally, see these 211 flyers in English, Spanish, and Arabic.
Finally, here are some resources for Food Pantry/Supplies near WB/Oakland County.
Gretchko Spirit Wear Now Available Online!
Does your child (or you) need some more Gretchko spirit wear? Now you can order online at https://gretchko-pto.square.site/ or see the QR code here:
Gretchko Calendar
February 9 - Gretchko Global Equity Team Meeting @6:30pm
February 13 - Valentines Day Parties
February 20 - NO SCHOOL - Break
February 21 - NO SCOOL - Break
February 22 - Marco's Pizza Day
February 24 - Bagel Day
Gretchko Contact Information
Location: 5300 Greer Road, West Bloomfield Township, MI, USA
Phone:
- Main Office Phone: (248)865-6570
- SAFELINE to report absences: (248) 865-6572. This is a 24 hour answering machine.