Pleasant Lake Pleasantries
October 5, 2020
Together We Learn, Together We Lead!
A MESSAGE FROM OUR SUPERINTENDENT
Dear WLCSD Parents:
This has been an arduous process that has run the gamut of every emotion, for you and your children, as well as for the Board, administration, and staff. At last night’s Board of Education meeting, our Board approved an Extended Continuity of Learning plan that includes the following:
- K-5 students will have the option to return in-person, all day, five days per week, beginning to transition back the first week of November. The original health and safety plans and protocols created by the Return to Learn subcommittee will be implemented. Elementary parents will choose from in-person, Our Path, and My Path.
- 6-12 students will remain online (Our Path or My Path) for the balance of the first semester, ending Friday, January 15, 2021.
- Pre-K to 26 students with IEP’s in self-contained classrooms will have the option to return in person. These programs include ECSE, EI, CI, ASD, SXI, Cross Categorical, and Adult Transitions. Additionally, students with IEP’s, but not in one of these programs, can be referred to in-person drop in services by the IEP team; these drop in services will be housed at Geisler Middle School.
Elementary teachers will not have to teach in person while also teaching virtually. Rather, there will be elementary teachers solely dedicated to virtual learning which should lower in-person class sizes. We will not have those numbers until we survey you as to which option you choose for their child(ren).
Undoubtedly you will have many questions, and we will work to answer them as quickly as possible as we solidify details with our staff. By the end of next week we will provide:
- Dates and times for informational parent meetings. Similar to previous virtual meetings, they will be taped and available on the website.
- A Frequently Asked Questions document.
- A timeline to make your selection of in-person, Our Path, or My Path.
- An in-person safety etiquette form to be signed and returned for families who select the in-person option.
I assure you that your concerns are our concerns as well, and we will work with you to make this safe and educationally beneficial for all. While additional communication will be forthcoming, please review this PPE Return to Learn Video as well as the original Return to Learn plan. We will be sharing the Oakland County Health Department guidance that we plan to implement when COVID-19 cases arise. As always, all information will be on our website in the Return to Learn link. To view the Board of Education meeting click on the following link.
Pay to Participate Fees Reduced for 2020-2021
Last night we shared with the Board of Education that we are reducing, by half, the Pay to Participate athletic fees, for both middle and high school athletes for the 2020-21 school year. Those who have already paid will receive a refund. Middle school fees will be reduced from $200 to $100 per student with a $200 family cap and high school fees will be reduced from $425 to $212.50 per student with a $425 family cap. We realize the athletic seasons may be shortened and the number of competitions reduced. Please be patient if you have already paid, the WLCSD business office will process refunds over the next month.
Thank you for sharing your questions, comments, concerns, and praise throughout the Return to Learn process. We know this has posed many hardships for families and that children are experiencing screen-time fatigue and social emotional challenges as a result of this global pandemic.
We appreciate your patience and continued support, and we will be communicating more next week.
Respectfully,
Kenneth Gutman
Superintendent of Schools
JOIN MR. MAKTARI FOR A VIRTUAL LUNCH!
JOIN THE PLEASANT LAKE PTA!
Your PTA needs you now more than ever! Get a head start on signing up for PTA now. Your membership will help with so many great opportunities for our children. Just to list a few amazing things your membership dues give to our children
- Literacy supplies and books.
- Technology and online instructional resources.
- Before and after school events.
- Grants & scholarships to assist students and teachers with field trips.
- When Authors and presenters visit.
- The Leader in Me
We are able to provide all of the above and much more for our children only with your help.
In addition to all that we provide for our children, this year we will have the opportunity to host Virtual Events for our community. Your PTA Board has been brainstorming some fantastic ideas for Fundraising and activities we would normally do in person. The first 50 people to sign up for membership will get an exclusive offer for our 1st virtual event. Details to follow. Also all PTA members will get access to our "Members Only" EXCLUSIVE virtual fundraiser! This one is going to be super cool! Details to follow.
If you know any of our board members please reach out to them via text, email or Facebook message and say "Thank You"!
President - Dan Monkman
Vice President Operations - Bashar Kirma
Vice President Fundraising - Tim Ferguson
Secretary - Jehann Zaid
Membership - Karen Matti
Reflections - Aparna Yelurpati
Please click here to join the PTA
https://ple.new.memberhub.store/store
*only one parent/member per household needs to register with the PLE PTA
We encourage you to follow our Facebook page. Our Facebook page is a great resource for everything PLE! Please click here https://www.facebook.com/MIPLEPTA
Thank you, your PLE PTA!
Go Sharks!!!
PTA MEETING ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 5TH
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81783809817?pwd=MForTFA2MVFBaU5DbzlUYkhJWmMyZz09
Meeting ID: 817 8380 9817
Passcode: M5AG0U
Together We Learn, Together We Lead!
MEET OUR WONDERFUL PLEASANT LAKE FAPES TEAM!
HELPING PARENTS WITH COVID-19 AND BEYOND
LAYA - Non Taste of the Lakes
Due to COVID restrictions, this year's Taste of the Lakes will be a virtual "non-event" with special door prize drawings including a 40-inch Big Screen Smart TV, an iPad, a Social Membership to Walden Woods (a value of $1,300) and two separate Adirondack chairs (note: one chair per drawing, the winner can select either the University of Michigan or Michigan State logo to be applied) to support the work of the Lakes Area Youth Assistance.
Lakes Area Youth Assistance (LAYA) is a non-profit organization designed to help at-risk children and their families who live in the Walled Lake Consolidated School District. Oakland County, local municipalities and volunteers work together to provide services and programs, which assisted more than 600 students in 2019.
To support our kids, please consider purchasing one ticket for $25 or you can buy four tickets for $100 and receive one more free. Tickets may be purchased now through Friday, October 9, 2020, at www.wlcstickets.com.
The drawing will be held on Monday, October 12, 2020, and you will be notified via phone if you are one of the lucky winners. Thank you for your support of our children.
Walled Lake Schools’ Foundation for Excellence (FFE)
Our school has truly benefited for nearly 30 years from the support of Walled Lake Schools’ Foundation for Excellence (FFE), a 501 ( c) 3 nonprofit. Please view snapshot of recent Foundation grant awards received by our school and allocated to the District to benefit K-12 students and educators. FFE’s outreach also includes the Shuman CDJR Performing Arts Student Grant Program and 5th Grade Camp Scholarship fund for our District’s title 1 elementary schools. Check out FFE’s fall flyer or visit the Foundation’s website to more fully understand the FFE’s commitment to WLCSD.
The Foundation is sustained through annual fundraising (Tuition Expedition 50/50 Scholarship Raffle, Count on Me Program-WLCSD staff payroll donations, & golf scramble), private and public sector donations and receipt of memorials, honorariums, and alumni gifts. Donations can be made online to help sustain FFE’s mission and support for our schools. Checks are also accepted and can be made payable to the Foundation for Excellence and mailed to 850 Ladd Rd., Bldg. D, Walled Lake, MI 48390.
Questions? Email Foundation’s exec. director, MichelleBianco@wlcsd.org.
Pleasant Lake Elmentary Kudos to your child's Teacher(s)
Our teachers are working SO hard to help our children have a successful start to the school year. Let's shower them with some love.
Take a minute and click on the form below and send your child's teacher(s) a positive note.
Enjoy Mr. Maktari reading Jumping Into Kindergarten to our awesome Kindergarteners!
Zoom Do and Don't
Thank you.
iReady Diagnostic Testing Information
Between September 21st - October 16th, your child will be taking the iReady Diagnostic Assessment at home. During a normal school year, this would be done at school. But this year, since we are learning virtually, we will be testing virtually.
The information is used to guide teacher instruction and helps your child's teacher identify areas of strength and weakness. This is why we need you to let your child do the work on their own.
As a parent myself, I know how difficult it is to stand by and watch your child struggle when they don't know the answer to something. When your child takes the iReady Diagnostic, he/she will not know all of the answers. THIS IS OK! We need you to let your child take this assessment completely on his/her own....Even if it means watching every question be answered incorrectly.
Please take some time to explore the information below. It's extremely important and we need you to be aware of what the iReady Diagnostic really is, what it will look like as it is administered at home, and how you can support us.
Your child's teacher will follow up with you and provide more information about testing.
Parent Tech Support Submission Form
School Supply Needs Request
Upcoming Important Events
October 2020
- October 5 PTA Meeting 6:00 PM
- October 7 Student Count Day
- October 12 LAYA Non Taste of the Lakes Drawing
Our Path Attendance Information
Please note that attendance continues to be a priority during remote learning. It is extremely important for students to log in on time, be present in the remote setting, and remain engaged throughout the entirety of the school day.
Please be reminded that our teachers will take AM and PM attendance as well as record tardies. If your child will be absent or late, or will need to end the remote day early due to illness or a scheduled appointment, you must call the attendance phone line and leave us a message to tell us.
Every teaching and learning moment is crucial and we appreciate your partnership to ensure good attendance and participation.
Attendance Line: 248-956-2800
EVERYTHING GOOGLE!
Family Chromebook/Device Troubleshooting
Thank you everyone for being patient as we embark on this new, unchartered “adventure”. We have been working through many beginning of the year bugs, glitches, and other tech issues. Below we have compiled some suggestions for families to try when their school chromebook and/or personal device is experiencing problems. We are also including several tips for teachers as well. Please share the Family portion with your community. These tips can also be found at https://sites.google.com/teachers.wlcsd.org/virtual-classroom-resources/chromebook-resources
WLCSD FOOD SERVICE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH
We are pleased to inform you that meals will be available to all Walled Lake Consolidated School District Students for the upcoming school year.
Please pre-order breakfasts and lunches by completing this Food Service Order Form. Forms must be submitted prior to midnight on Thursday, September 3rd for the week of September 8th.
This is available for all scheduled school days for registered Walled Lake Consolidated School District Students only. Anyone may pick up meals for your student(s).
Pick up locations will be at the three high schools between the hours of 12 P.M. and 1:30 P.M.
Breakfast Pricing
$1.25 Full Pay
$0.30 Reduced
$0.00 Free
Lunch Pricing
$2.85 Full Pay
$0.40 Reduced
$0.00 Free
- Breakfast is free for students who received a free meal approval letter, $0.30 per day for those who received a reduced meal approval letter and $1.25 per day for those who are full pay.
- Lunch is free for students who received a free meal approval letter, $0.40 per day for those who received a reduced meal approval letter, and $2.85 per day for those who are full pay.
We would like to limit cash transactions. It is preferred that you place money on your students account via family access through e-funds. We are unable to make change for cash transactions but we will apply change to your student's account.
Please direct questions you may have to our Food Services Department.
Support our School!
We all shop on Amazon, why not give back to Pleasant Lake while we shop?!
Pleasant Lake is set up on the Amazon Smile program, which
donates 0.5% of eligible purchases straight to our school!
Here's what to do:
1) Log on to http://smile.amazon.com/
2) Select Pleasant Lake Elementary PTA as the organization you are supporting.
3) Shop away!
Kroger Rewards
BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION
See below for important steps to follow:
#1: Reminder to clip and use the digital app.
Please continue to send clipped box tops into school as usual.
Additionally, Box Tops for Education is moving towards digital submissions.
How can you help?
1. Download the free app.
2. Create an account (choose Pleasant Lake Elementary as your school).
3. Scan receipts as you make purchases (and within 14 days).
** Back by popular demand... Want to designate a classroom for box top counts to help your child's classroom win contests? Start by scanning your receipt. Once the photo is taken, new options will show up across the bottom. Choose the star "Credit" button and enter the last name of your child's teacher. Hit done, then submit. **
#2: Do you shop for groceries online?
You can submit your email receipts from select retailers to earn Box Tops for your school too. Here's how...
Option A
1. Make sure you have a Box Tops for Education account
(create one via the Box Tops app or website).
2. Forward your email receipt to receipts@boxtops4education.com using the same email that’s associated with your BTFE account. Box Tops will be credited within 10 business days – view your earnings detail in the MY EARNINGS section of the app or website
The following email receipts are currently eligible (as of July 17, 2019):
Instacart, jet.com, SamsClub.com, Shipt, Target.com, Target Pick-Up/Drive-Up,
Walmart Grocery, Walmart.com
Option B
For purchases from online retailers not listed above, please follow the process below.
1. Take a screen shot (or multiple) of your entire receipt from your online purchase, including retailer name, all items, transaction total, and date of purchase
2. Open the Box Tops Contact Us form
3. In the Comments field, please include: Your email address, name, school's name, the amount of Box Tops earned with the purchases from that receipt.
4. Use the “Upload Image Files” feature (at the bottom of the form to add the screen shot(s) of your receipt. Your receipt will be processed within 2 weeks.
Teach The Leader in Me Habits At Home!
Enjoy!
Voluntary Student Accident Insurance
WALLED LAKE CONSOLIDATED SCHOOLS DOES NOT CARRY HEALTH OR ACCIDENT INSURANCE FOR STUDENTS. If your child is injured while at school, medical costs are the responsibility of the parents and/or guardians.
As a service to students and their families, our District is making available a student accident insurance plan for your child at a very nominal cost. The District offers this program because of trends in rising family health and dental insurance costs, increased deductibles, co-payments or lack of health or dental insurance coverage.
REASONS TO PURCHASE THIS COVERAGE:
- Deductible and co-pays in your health plan. Many health plans have increased the amount of out-of-pocket expenses.
- No insurance.
This plan will provide benefits for medical expenses incurred because of an accident. If you have other insurance, benefits can be applied to your deductible or co-pay. If you have no other insurance, this will become your primary accident plan.
TO PURCHASE COVERAGE ONLINE (by Credit/Debit Card) go to:
www.1stAgency.com/voluntaryaccidentcoverage.htm -- Follow directions by choosing STATE and SCHOOL DISTRICT. Visa or MasterCard is accepted.
OR
TO PAY WITH CHECK OR MONEY ORDER, PRINT BROCHURE PDF from First Agency’s website at www.1stAgency.com/voluntaryaccidentcoverage.htm -- Follow directions by choosing STATE and SCHOOL DISTRICT.
All questions regarding this coverage should be directed to First Agency, Inc., at (269) 381-6630 or toll free at (800) 243-6298.
We are pleased to make this student accident insurance plan available.
PLEASANT LAKE ELEMENTARY CONTACT INFORMATION
MAIN OFFICE PHONE NUMBER
248.956.2800
Nayal Maktari
Principal nayalmaktari@wlcsd.org
Terri Szymanski
Principal's Secretary terriszymanski@wlcsd.org
Julie Smith
Building Secretary juliesmith@wlcsd.org
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'.