Gretchko Newsletter
Gretchko Newsletter -August 19, 2022
PRINCIPAL'S UPDATE
Hello Team WB!
As the first day of school draws near, we are busy getting the building ready for all of our Gretchko Stars! The first day of school is Monday, August 29th, and the school day begins at 9:10 a.m. and ends at 4:02 p.m.
For those who are able to join us, we look forward to meeting you and your child at our Meet-and-Greet on August 24th. You will be emailed your child’s teacher's welcome letter with the room number of your student's classroom today, August 19th. Please take a moment to locate your student’s classroom on the map below before dropping by the school on Wednesday, August 24th. Parking is available all around the building. Kindergarten families, don't forget to grab a lawn sign from the front foyer on your way out.
4:30-5:15 p.m. : Kindergarten/Kindergarten Plus/Kindergarten Level Classroom
5:15-6:00 p.m. : First Grade
5:30-6:00 p.m. : 1st and 2nd Grade Level Classroom
5:45-6:30 p.m. : Second Grade
Please plan to enter through the main front door, where you'll be greeted by staff and PTO volunteers. You and your child should pick up a map and head to their classroom. There, you can drop off any school supplies you may have and take a look around. After a quick visit to the classroom, I hope you'll stop into the i-Center to say hello to me as well! Thank you for keeping in mind that teachers will only just have returned to work next Wednesday and their classroom set-ups and some of our common areas will still be works in-progress when you stop by.
If you are unable to attend the Meet-and-Greet, the information that is available will be saved for your student until the first day of school.
This newsletter is full of information that we hope you will find helpful as you prepare for the start of the year, but feel free to reach out with any additional questions.
Warmly,
Jen Teal, Principal
FEATURED BOOK
School’s First Day of School by Adam Rex
It's the first day of school at Frederick Douglass Elementary and everyone's just a little bit nervous, especially the school itself. What will the children do once they come? Will they like the school? Will they be nice to him?
Click the title above for a read-aloud to listen to/watch with your child to start getting ready for the first day of school.
CLASS PLACEMENT AND TEACHER LETTERS GO OUT TODAY
Today you will receive your child's teacher's welcome letter in your parent/guardian email. This is a special day to celebrate the start of another great year, and teachers are so excited to meet their new students very soon.
Please keep in mind that, in the best interest of all students and teachers, administration-initiated changes to the placement of any student may occur during the first two weeks of school. As the school year begins, the success of each and every student is evaluated, new students enter school and adjustments to the classroom configurations may become necessary. We appreciate the confidence, understanding and support you place in our decision making process for all students. We look forward to working with you and your student to provide an environment where the best possible education for all students is considered.
TRAFFIC MAP AND DIRECTIONS
Do not drop your student off if our staff is not present.
(Park your car in a lined parking space, walk your child to the FRONT ENTRANCE and sign your child into school).
NO STAFF AVAILABLE after 9:09 a.m. All staff are assigned duties with students after drop off
Kindergarten, First Grade and Second Grade -- Car Drop from 8:55 - 9:09 a.m. EAST(Right Side)
Kindergarten, First Grade and Second Grade -- CAR Pick Up from 4:02 - 4:17 p.m.
Students not picked up in a timely manner will be delivered to Kids Klub in the cafeteria. You must park in a line parking spot and sign them out at Kids Klub There will be a charge for this service.
PRESCHOOL STUDENTS WILL USE EAST LOOP - - - DO NOT EXIT ON THE RIGHT(EAST SIDE)
Preschool students will use the front(BUS) loop to drop off and pick up their students. (see THE MAP).
STUDENT BUSSES ARE DROPPED off AT THE EAST/FRONT LOOP (see THE MAP).
IMPORTANT - Please follow designated GREEN Arrows for car drop off and pick up.
DROP-OFF - Please enter the Left(WEST) loop. Drive around Gretchko to the Right(EAST) side of the building.(see map). Drop students off then circle around and exit through the same entrance you came in. On the Left(WEST) area of the building.
PICK-UP - Enter the West(LEFT) loop. Wait in line for the cars ahead of you, follow around to the Right(EAST), pick up your child then exit at the same entrance you came in Left(EAST) (see map).
Please drop off students between 8:55 a.m. and 9:09 a.m. Students begin their day in the classroom promptly at 9:10 a.m. Students should be in seats and ready to begin at 9:10 a.m. ar Loop -
Adults Should:
* Remain in their vehicle.
* Pull all the way forward in the loop. (adult staff will be present to direct you).
* Observe our staff for further direction/instructions.
Car Loop Students Should:
* Be ready to get out of your vehicle when you arrive at the exit area. (including shoes, coats, hats).
* Be on the right side of the car, rady to exit.
* Say good-bye before your student's expected exit from the car.
* Positioned so the child does not have to climb over others in the car.
* Have car doors unlocked and student ready to go.
* If your child is not ready to exit, please pull all the way forward so others may exit their vehicles.
* If your child is unable to put on or take off their seatbelt, please pull ahead immediately so other students may exit and continue on their way.
IMPORTANT STUDENT INFORMATION NEEDED
NEW THIS YEAR, ALL parents/guardians MUST complete the Back to School Form by August 26, 2022, at 3 p.m. The form can be found HERE.
The form can also be found on our Back to School Central page on our website at: https://www.wbsd.org/parents/back-to-school-central
We will continue to update Back to School Central over the next few weeks. Therefore, please refer back to this link for additional important announcements.
If you have any questions or problems with the form, please reach out to Johanna Mracna at johanna.mracna@wbsd.org.
Thank you for helping us streamline our processes! We can’t wait to see our students back in our schools and we are looking forward to a great year of learning, growing, and connecting!
Kind Regards,
Kendra Montante
Public Relations & Marketing Coordinator
TRANSPORTATION
Bus information for all WB residents will be sent from the Transportation Department to your parent/guardian email. It will include the location and time of resident in-district routes. Bus information will not be available until very close to the start of school and will NOT be available through the Gretchko office. If you are a School-of-Choice parent and would like to request a shuttle, the shuttle request is on the WB website. The shuttle busses are limited and are provided as a first come first served basis and you must sign up every year. If you have not received transportation information by August 28, or unable to locate the shuttle bus information, please contact the Transportation Department at 248-865-3680.
WBSD transportation department also provides a bus tracker application so parents are able to follow their student's bus location. Click here for instructions on how to sign up!
Food service update
FREE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH FOR ALL STUDENTS HAS ENDED
We want to share important news that will affect many families. The federal waivers – administered through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) – that made it possible for us to serve school breakfast and lunch meals to students for free throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, have expired.
Income eligibility guidelines for no-cost meals have changed and your student(s) may be eligible for no-cost meals. There are important steps you can take NOW to be sure your student receives the meals they need for the 2022/2023 school year. We encourage you to apply for meal benefits on our website on our nutrition page. In addition to no cost meals, these supplemental programs have the potential to offer additional support for reduced priced sports, ACT, SAT, college application, and AP exam waivers. You must take action to make it happen. Students who qualify for reduced meal benefits will receive meals at no charge.
If you do not qualify for meal benefits, you may begin depositing money into student accounts on our website at any time to prepare for the cost of school lunches next year. There is no fee for online deposits. Information on meal prices for the 2022/2023 school year are listed below.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Breakfast Meal Price 1.25 Lunch Meal Price $2.60
If your student had a credit from the previous year, it will be available in the lunch account at the start of school.
If your student has a negative lunch account balance, we encourage you to pay it off as soon as possible and then begin depositing money into the account to prepare for the 2022/2023 school year. Completing an application is the only way to be considered for free or reduced meals next school year. No charging of meals or al la carte will be permitted. An alternate meal will be provided if a student does not have the full amount of cash or money on their cafeteria account per WBSD Board Policy and Procedure 8500.
If you need additional assistance, please contact our Nutrition Services Department at (248) 865-6733.
In Partnership,
Anne Stevens
Director of Nutrition Services
*This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
SCHOOL SUPPLY LISTS
UPDATE YOUR POWERSCHOOL INFORMATION
Please review and update the powerschool access information for your child and prepare to use the Powerschool program to locate your student’s educational progress. If you are new to Gretchko and West Bloomfield School District, please sign up for a Powerschool Access Account by following the procedures we will provide in the packet of information that you receive at our "Meet and Greet" or during the first few days of school.
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.
BUS LOOP AND CAR LINE
We hope that as many families as possible will take advantage of our safe and efficient busing to and from school. For those who do so, we ask that you please be patient with the bus schedule. You may be assured that your child’s safety is of primary concern to all of us. Please have your student follow the same transportation pattern for a few weeks before making changes such as visiting friends, some days bus pick up, other days parents pick up, etc. We anticipate busses will arrive home late for the first couple of weeks of school.
If your child is driven to school, please plan to drop them off between 8:55 a.m. - 9:05 a.m. Students will need to be in class and ready to learn at 9:10 a.m. Dismissal will begin at 4:02 p.m. We will provide large name tags in your "Meet and Greet" packet. Please use the name tag in your windshield when picking up students. Please review the enclosed map and become familiar with the procedures. The first two weeks of school we may see long lines and traffic congestion at our Drop-Off and Pick-Up areas. We ask for your patience as students and adults become familiar with procedures.
ADDITIONAL BACK TO SCHOOL INFORMATION
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. Each medication requires a separate form. Each year we need an updated plan for students needing medication. If your child requires medication the first day of school you must contact the office before school to verify paperwork and deliver the medication to the office. Further questions, please contact the school office at 248-865-6570.
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, or goodie bags. Please contact your student’s teacher for suggested birthday celebration activities at school.
CAR WINDSHIELD SIGNS–We will provide 2 windshield (student name sheets) tags for each student at the start of school. All adults responsible for your child should have car windshield tags with the student's name on them when they pick up their student at the car loop. The use of pick up signs will greatly improve the amount of time it takes to retrieve your child from the pick-up area. Remind your child to listen carefully for their name to be called. Please stay in your car, have your child sit in the right rear passenger’s seat, and teach your child how to buckle his or her own seat belt. If you need extra time to secure your child, please pull all the way forward in the car loop.
FOOD SERVICE - a bagged breakfast is available daily for $1.25. Students may purchase and eat breakfast when they arrive at the beginning of the school day. LUNCH – (including milk) is available daily for $2.60 –daily. Milk can be ordered separately for $.50 cents. The menu is posted online. Breakfast and lunch is available beginning the first day of school. Lunch is ordered first thing in the morning and served at lunch time. Further questions, please contact - 248-865-6732 anne.stevens@wbsd.org To sign up for free or reduced lunch go to https://westbloomfield.familyportal.cloud/
HALF DAYS – throughout the school year we will participate in professional development days. School will be dismissed 12:10 p.m. Busses will be available as normal at the end of the school day. Kids Klub is also available for on Half Days. Please call Community Education at 248-865-6468 to register.
IMMUNIZATIONS – All students that attend West Bloomfield School District must have accurate shot record information on file. Please be sure records are up to date. (New students that do not have a shot record/or a waiver on file are not allowed to attend school).
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.
NEWSLETTER – Our Gretchko newsletter, school calendar and teacher news is available regularly online through the West Bloomfield Web site – www.wbsd.org
DROP OFF AND PICK UP – For the first few weeks of school(DAILY) please provide information on the transportation tag (that was in your Meet and Greet packet) that clearly states how your child is getting home from school at the end of the day. (Kids Klub, school bus, car loop, etc.) Include the child's first and last name, and teacher’s name. If you were unable to attend our Meet and Greet an index card with the transportation information would work. Please securely attach the tag to your child/or child's backpack so it is visible. Please have a regular routine for your student in place before the start of school if at all possible. Changes during the school day are very stressful for all. 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.
DROP OFF AND PICK UP TRAFFIC PROCEDURE- IMPORTANT - While waiting in line on Greer Road, pull past the Gretchko entrance, go to the bottom of the hill, make your left turn there and pull into the right turn lane whenever there is a line waiting to enter the school. Please no parking in the front loops of the school. Do not get out of your car to drop off or to retrieve your child. Have your child ready to exit-say your goodbyes beforehand. Pull forward when directed by staff, as we load more than 1 car at a time. (Please see the map/directions enclosed for further directions).
PICTURE DAY– September 8 – all kindergarten, first, and second grade students will have their picture taken. Picture packets may be purchased and paid for the day the pictures are taken. Retakes will be provided if necessary. (You may order online or order forms will be available at the start of school). School Name: Gretchko Elementary School
Picture Day Date: Thursday, September 8
Picture Day ID: EVTQKT2S4
New this year: Yearbooks are not included in the picture package. A separate yearbook order form will be provided at a later date.
POSITIVE BEHAVIOR – At Gretchko we have established three school-wide rules for the behaviors we expect in all areas of our school. The behavior expectations are: Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Safe. Students are directly taught what it looks like to be responsible, respectful, and safe throughout the building. When good behavior and good teaching come together, our students will excel in their learning.
PTO MEMBERSHIP- Become an active member of the PTO today. Look for us on facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/GretchkoPTO
RECESS –Students go outside daily. Please dress students accordingly, including ‘covered” toe shoes, no flip flops, no sandals please. Lunchtime recess is approximately 15 minutes.
SAFELINE – IMPORTANT -If your student will be late or absent, you must call the 24 - hour answering machine at 248-865-6572 or your student's absence will not be excused. Leave your student’s name, teacher’s name and reason for absence. Any unreported student absences is considered unexcused. For the safety of our students, please do your best to remember to call before the start of school. (Even if you are only going to be “a little” late).
SHUTTLE BUS ROUTES– We recommend use of our districtś shuttle service, online forms are available, please refer to the West Bloomfield website. Don’t delay, busses fill up quickly. Go to - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EpO4BxtujFbj87Bount-anI212n_UtUgvD25fbaMr4M/edit
SNACKS – We expect Snacks at Gretchko to be healthy - fruit or vegetables. There will only be one snack per day. ALL CLASSROOMS ARE PEANUT FREE FOR SNACK TIME. No drinks for snack time please. Each classroom has a drinking fountain.
SPECIAL CLASSES – Students participate in art, physical education, music, and icenter classes regularly. Please have students wear tennis shoes on gym days.
UPCOMING EVENTS
PTO President's Welcome, Jen Amato
Dear Team WB,
We are so excited to start the new 2022-2023 school year. We hope you are having a relaxing and fun summer. The Gretchko PTO is looking forward to working with you to make your child’s school experience memorable and rewarding.
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.
The Gretchko PTO cordially invites you to join our organization. The PTO works towards making Gretchko an even better place to be and to learn. Your involvement, whether at home or in school, will make a huge difference to both your child and the Gretchko community. If you are interested in volunteering for the PTO, please contact me at amato.jen@gmail.com
We are grateful to be working with you as a community of parents, teachers and staff and look forward to the many events, memories, opportunities and successes we will share this year.
Jen Amato, PTO President
Amy Ventimiglia, PTO Vice-President
Carly Wilbur, PTO Treasurer
Erika Ruskin, PTO Recording Secretary
Ashleigh Davis, PTO Corresponding Secretary
PTO news
PTO - At the start of school, Gretchko PTO would like to collect a total of $15.00 per student. This fee is for the payment of a classroom publication that each child will utilize at school (Scholastic News or Weekly Reader) and for two PTO sponsored classroom party activities or crafts throughout the school year. Please make the $15.00 check payable to Gretchko PTO or cash in a sealed envelope clearly marked for PTO with your student’s first and last name and the teacher’s name. See flier included in newsletter.
PTO Events 2022 - 23
Gretchko and PTO Events 2022-2023
Join our Gretchko Elementary PTO Facebook GROUP for all PTO news and updates.
*1st Day of School: Monday, August 29th*
September
2nd- No School
5th- Labor Day - No School
8th- Picture Day
13th- Curriculum Night - 5:30 p.m.
16th- FunD Run - Class times TBD
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
October
5th- No School
19th- Gretchko PTO General Meeting 7:00 pm
26th- Marco’s Pizza Fundraiser Day
28th- Bagel Day - $1
21st- Spooktacular - 5:00 - 7:00 pm (costumes welcome)
28th- Fall Classroom Parties - afternoon, Spirit Day (Orange and Black)
November
1st- No School
8th- No School
9th- Gretchko PTO General Meeting 7:00 pm
14th-17th- Marco’s Pizza Fundraiser WEEK, BOX WEEK! (Excluding Friday)
15th- Evening Parent-Teacher Conferences, grades K-2
18th- Half Day of School - Dismissal 12:12 pm, P.M. Conferences
18th-Bagel Day - $1
18th- Spirit Day (Crazy Hair Day and Gretchko Spirit Wear Day)
23rd -25th- Thanksgiving Break-No School
December
NO Meeting this month
7th- Marco’s Pizza Fundraiser Day
16th- Bagel Day - $1
23rd- Spirit Day (Mismatch Day)
26th- January 6th- Winter Break - No School
PTO Events - January
January
No PTO Meeting this month
9th -Return to school
16th- MLK Day - No School
19th- Half Day - Dismissal 12:12 pm
20th- Half Day - Dismissal 12:12 pm
25th -Marco’s Pizza Fundraiser Day
27th- Bagel Day - $1
27th- Spirit Day (Tie Dye Day)
February
1st- No School
8th- Gretchko PTO General Meeting 7:00 pm
14th- Classroom Valentine Parties - morning, Spirit Day (Pink and Red)
20th-21st - Mid-Winter Break - No School
22nd- Marco’s Pizza Fundraiser Day
24th- Bagel Day - $1
24th- Spirit Day (Favorite Sports Team Day)
March
8th- Gretchko PTO General Meeting 7:00 pm
15th-No School
22nd-Marco’s Pizza Fundraiser Day
24th- Bagel Day - $1
27th - 31st - Spring Break - No School
April
7th- No School
12th- Gretchko PTO General Meeting @ Scotch 7:00 pm
26th- Marco’s Pizza Fundraiser Day
28th- Bagel Day - $1
28th- Spirit Day (Camo Day)
May
1st - 5th- Staff Appreciation Week
17th- Gretchko PTO General Meeting (Elections) 7:00 pm
24th- Marco’s Pizza Fundraiser Day
26th- Bagel Day - $1
26th- Spirit Day (Sunglasses Day and Gretchko Spirit Wear Day)
29th- Memorial Day - No School
June
9th- Bagel Day - $1
9th- Gretchko Spirit Wear Day
14th- Half Day - Dismissal 12:12 pm
15th- Half Day - Dismissal 12:12 pm, Last Day of School for Students
**********ALL EVENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE**********
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.
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.