Gretchko Newsletter
September 15, 2022
PRINCIPAL'S UPDATE
Dear Team WB!
What a wonderful week this has been. It was great to see so many of you at Curriculum Night. Our teachers were excited to share details about our curriculum with you and are grateful for the time you took to be here.
Our 1st and 2nd graders enjoyed an assembly on Wednesday this week, sponsored by the Greater West Bloomfield Community Coalition and Vibe Credit Union, called Bucket Fillers. Our kindergarteners have been talking about this in their classrooms as well. Ask your kiddo about ways you can fill someone's bucket, to avoid being a "bucket dipper!"
To finish this week, we have two terrific events: Fund Run here at Gretchko during the school day tomorrow (guests will remain outside and can join us by the track on the north playground) and the District Family Fun Night at WBHS starting at 5:00 pm, followed by the home football game at 7:00 pm. We hope to see you at either or both events. See below for important details about each.
Wishing you a wonderful Friday and weekend,
Jen Teal, Principal
FEATURED BOOK
Palatero Man by Lucky Diaz
Remember to click the title for the read aloud!
Follow along with our narrator as he passes through his busy neighborhood in search of the Paletero Man. But when he finally catches up with him, our narrator’s pockets are empty. Oh no! What happened to his dinero? It will take the help of the entire community to get the tasty treat now.
FUND RUN TOMORROW
Lunch/playground monitors needed
Important COVID-19 Updates and Sick Policy
1. It remains District policy that if your child is sick, please report their absence to the Safeline number (248-865-6572) and keep them home until their symptoms have improved. The District's sick policy can be found HERE.
2. Please note there is no longer a COVID-19 Dashboard on our website. WBSD is in frequent contact with and follows the guidance of the Oakland County Health Department. If you would like more information about this guidance, please visit: https://www.oakgov.com/covid
3. A distinction will no longer be made between potential exposures and “close contacts.” Families will receive a letter if a student is exposed to someone with COVID-19.
4. ALL Covid-19 updates can be found on this page: https://www.wbsd.org/parents/covid-19
PRESCHOOL'S FIRST WEEK
Preschool had an exciting start this week. We noticed lots of smiles on children's faces and proud adults. We thank you all for your patience as our new families become familiar with the traffic patterns and drop off/pick up procedures.
I Center Update
All of our Gretchko readers have visited the iCenter a couple times now. We have been busy reading stories and learning what elements make up a FICTION book. We are communicating, collaborating, and thinking critically, while we learn and explore our library centers. We are learning how to be respectful, responsible, and safe in our iCenter.
An Update from Ms. Hubbard, Gretchko's PE Teacher
Check out what we're doing in PE in the month of September. This includes a reminder of which days each class has PE! I would like to share the following link for September!
Math Rocks--September Resources
Please take a look at the links below to find a brief and informative resource that will give you insight into your child's learning with our math curriculum, Bridges.
Emergency information needed
Please don't forget to update your student's emergency information. In your Meet and Greet or first day packet, an emergency sheet was sent home. If you have not already done so, please fill out, correct and return the form to school as soon as possible. Thank you for your prompt response.
BLESSINGS IN A BACKPACK
The goal is to make sure that no child goes hungry on the weekend. Run by volunteers, there is NO cost to families.This program sends six non-perishable meals home each Friday of the school year.
Staff: If you know of a family that could benefit, please forward along the application. For more information visit: https://www.blessingsinabackpackmi.org/west-bloomfield-keego-harbor/
NEIGHBORHOOD STUDENTS WALKING HOME
For the safety of all students, neighborhood families walking their students home should:
- Have a signed note on file in the school
- Pick up their student at the front entrance
- Enter at the lobby and sign their child out
SHUTTLES AVAILABE TO EASE CAR LOOP LINE
WBSD offers parents and guardians the opportunity to have their students ride a shuttle bus at a couple of locations to allow parents to pick up their students in a shorter time. Gretchko has a shuttle that drops students off/picks up at Bethany Baptist Church located on Hiller Road. A second shuttle is dropping off at Spirit of Grace Church on Orchard Lake Road near Middlebelt. If you are interested in having your student ride either of these shuttles, PLEASE CLICK HERE. You will need to fill out the form digitally and email to greg.campbell@wbsd.org or hand deliver to the Transportation Department at 3340 Orchard Lake Road. Students will be assigned a seat on the bus based on order received and space availability.
STUDENT SAFETY
We are all interested in a very basic issue: Student Safety. The provision of a safe environment in which your students can learn is, and will continue to be, our first priority. We work to provide quality programs for our children to help drive home the meaning of the words respect, responsibility, caring, citizenship, trustworthiness, and fairness. As adults, we can also remind ourselves that our adult behavior and treatment of each other and young people provides the most visible model for the behavior of our students. For the good of all students, caregivers and staff members, please review and follow this partial list of general safety procedures in place at Gretchko.
All doors will be locked after the school day has begun.
All adults entering the building are required to sign in at the front lobby.
All volunteers will submit and be approved through i Chat documentation.
Late students, visitors and volunteers will buzz at the front WEST door, wait for the door to be unlocked then enter the building.
Adults will wear a visitor’s sticker until they leave the building.
Adults must sign students out from the office when leaving the building. (This includes the end of the school day).
Student transportation changes should be written out and recorded in the office.
Students will not be dismissed from the classroom door.
Students boarding busses will be escorted outside by adult staff.
Students riding with parents/caregivers will be escorted from the cars by adult staff during designated drop-off and pick-up times.
Resident students pre-arranged to walk to and from school will be signed out in the front lobby at the end of the day.
The welcome atmosphere felt at Gretchko would not be complete without the participation of our parents and their families. We count on their support throughout all of our educational efforts. We are hoping to see you at as many school activities as possible.
ADDITIONAL BACK TO SCHOOL INFORMATION
ATTENDANCE – West Bloomfield School District expects students to be in school and on time for school on a daily basis. Absent and tardy students will be recorded daily and parents will be notified. Students arriving after 10:15 a.m. will be marked absent for the morning. If a student is picked up before 3:00 p.m. they will be marked absent for the afternoon.
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS – Gretchko School celebrates student birthday’s in a fun activity-based manner. We do not celebrate birthdays with food-based treats. Please contact your student’s teacher for suggested birthday celebration activities at school.
ALLERGIES/ASTHMA/MEDICAL CONDITIONS – Students are not allowed to carry medication. The office must have a complete, signed WEST BLOOMFIELD SCHOOL DISTRICT medical action plan to be able to carry out any medication distribution. Further questions, please contact the school office at 248-865-6570.
MONEY TO SCHOOL –any time you send money to school, please put cash or checks into a sealed envelope clearly marked with the student name, teacher’s name and what the money should be used for.
DROP OFF AND PICK UP – Any changes in a child’s routine transportation “the day of” must be written and received by the school. We cannot accept any transportation changes after 3:00 p.m. Please do not EMAIL OR LEAVE VOICE MAIL MESSAGES regarding student transportation on the day of the change. Teachers may not receive the message in time regarding the change.
SNACKS – We expect snacks at Gretchko to be healthy. There will be one snack time for students during the day. ALL CLASSROOMS ARE PEANUT FREE FOR SNACK TIME. No drinks for snack time please. Each classroom has a drinking fountain.
PTO Update
The PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) is a volunteer organization that works to support all students by providing a communication link between parents, teachers and administrators. The PTO also provides curricular materials, enrichment programs and community service projects through various fundraisers.
Jen Amato, PTO President
Amy Ventimiglia, PTO Vice-President
Carly Wilbur, PTO Treasurer
Erika Ruskin, PTO Recording Secretary
Ashleigh Davis, PTO Corresponding Secretary
STAY CONNECTED!
In order to stay up to date on all events, resources, and programs, please access the district website, www.wbsd.org. Join in the conversations by connecting with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
At this point in time, new students and students that have moved or changed their information, may not be receiving direct emails. We are in the process of updating all the information and expect to have the additions and changes recorded shortly. In the meantime, we are sending this newsletter to provide information we have that you may have missed.
SEPTEMBER CALENDAR
16th- FunD Run - Du;ring the school day
16th- Family Fun Night (district wide) @ West Bloomfield High School, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
21st- Gretchko PTO General Meeting 7:00 pm
23rd- No School
26th- No School
28th- Marco’s Pizza Fundraiser Day
30th- Bagel Day - $1
30th- Gretchko Spirit Day
30th- Meet the Families 4:30-6:30 pm
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.