Pleasant Lake Pleasantries
June 23, 2020 Summer Edition Volume 1
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
A Message From WLCSD
Dear Parents:
At the Board of Education last week, regrettably a budget with $10.6 million in reductions was approved, though we have not yet been told by the State what dollars will be available for next year. This is the June 2020 Budget video that outlines the reductions. We respectfully request that you advocate for unrestricted federal funds for schools with our federal legislators as Michigan’s budget woes will result in significant cuts to schools’ budgets. Here are some important talking points about school funding. I want to remind all parents that bond funds may only be used for the specified, approved bond work. Finally, please log onto the WLCSD Citizen’s Committee Facebook page and Our Kids, Our Future – Contact Congress to help us send a message to our legislators.
- Superintendent Gutman interview with Civic Center TV (June 18)
- Superintendent Gutman interview with WDIV-4’s Paula Tutman (June 18)
- Gov. Whitmer says schools will reopen this fall for in-person learning (Detroit Free Press)
- Spinal Column: WLCSD cuts teachers and other staff positions. Makes budget cuts in anticipation of decreased school funding.
1. District honors 41 retirees: The Board of Education and WLCSD administration wish our retirees well in this video. List of 2020 Retirees
2. Winter sports recognition: The Board honored the WLCD winter student athletes with this presentation.
3. Athletic conditioning: As a result of the Governor’s recent orders, outdoor fall sports conditioning will begin Monday, June 22, for our high school athletes and programs. This document outlines the safety protocols that will be followed for safety. WLCSD Comprehensive Plan to return to Athletics & Activities
4. Chromebook Return, June 22 - 26: WLCSD encourages families to return devices to the District.
5. Class of 2020: Congratulations to the Class of 2020 who were honored at the Senior Celebrations last Sunday. If you did not get the Commemorative Edition of the Spinal Column last Sunday you can Request to mail the Class of 2020 Special Edition of the Spinal Column.
6. Walled Lake Schools Greater West Bloomfield student volunteer leaders will be honored at 7 p.m., on Wednesday, June 24, during a WB Civic Center TV broadcast. Michigan Week Award Winners
7. The 2020/21 WLCSD School Calendar.
8. Food Distribution will continue through Monday, June 22. Other food distribution sites include:
a. North Oakland County Food Distribution
b. South Oakland County Food Distribution
c. Hospitality House Food Pantry
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.
Have a safe and restful summer,
Kenneth Gutman
Superintendent of Schools
Chrome Book Return
Please return Chrome Books the week of June 22-26th if you have not done so already.
There is a drop box* available 8AM-4PM Monday-Friday at the Educational Service Center, 850 Ladd Rd Bldg D, Walled Lake.
Please follow the signs directing you to door #5, under a white canopy tent.
Your unit is tracked by serial number so no paperwork will need to be completed for return. Please remember to also return the power cord.
*Please note the drop box will only be monitored during the days and times listed. Please do not drop off any equipment outside of the time frame listed above. Thank you!
Summer Learning Resources and Opportunities
Resources include:
- Best Summer Reading Programs for Kids & Teens.
- Think-A-Palooza – a summer learning site available on our district website for our elementary students.
- Elementary Student Resources on district site.
- Free Online History Camps for Elementary Students.
In addition, students can continue to access their Google Classroom and complete any assignments missed (until the classroom is archived). Teachers will NOT be responding.
All students should complete no less than 60 minutes of iReady for math and reading. The iReady licenses are expected to expire mid-August.
iReady Resources Available This Summer
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!"
SUMMER FOOD DISTRIBUTION
2020-2021 Grade Level Classroom Supply Lists
Yearbook Update
Yearbooks have not yet been delivered. However, no worries, once yearbooks are delivered, we will be sure to develop a plan to get them to EACH child. Please note though this may not take place till August or September. Thank you for your patience with this. All students will receive a yearbook!
A message from Lifetouch: Due to the Coronavirus and state mandates we are working with a reduced staff, social distancing, and making sure that the labs are sanitized and safe for our fellow employees to work in. With this being said, we currently cannot give you an exact date that you can expect your yearbooks to deliver, but we promise to keep you posted as the information is communicated with us.
WE LOVE OUR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES!
Dear Pleasant Lake Elementary Families,
While this school year did not go as planned, I am very grateful for the positivity, understanding and support you provided our staff and each other the last few months. It makes me proud to be a part of our special school community.
Thank you for the positive feedback you provided our staff and myself during this challenging time. You and your children are always on our minds and we missed you very much.
This week you will receive the final school newsletter of the year but please continue to check your email for important information and updates.
We wish you a safe and enjoyable summer and hope to see you in August!
Respectfully,
Nayal Maktari and the Pleasant Lake Staff
GREAT THINGS ARE HAPPENING AT PLE!
Lastly, we are scheduled to have our Leader in Me Lighthouse Recertification Review next school year.. A reminder that were one of the first schools in Michigan to achieve Lighthouse School Status and are proud of the ownership that our children take in their learning and daily choices. We truly have an environment that is conducive to learning and that promotes student leadership!
With your continued support, we look forward to the continuing the great things taking place at Pleasant Lake in the fall.
Social Emotional Lessons by PLE Social Worker Miss Erika Emke
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.
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).
FOOD & FAMILY SUPPORT 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'.