Dragon's Tale
4/12/19
April 15 and April 16
9:15am - Mrs. Mazer
9:45am - Mrs. Gerber
10:15am - Mrs. Faber
10:45am - Mrs. Zarek
Fifth Grade Musical Informances April 16
6:00pm - Mrs. Harmsworth and Mrs. Brewer
6:30pm - Mr. Hewitt and Ms. Tyrrell
April 18
Picture Day Flyer is posted below.
April 19
Michigan Department of Education state testing to begin in April
Michigan Department of Education state testing begins soon: M-STEP, Mi-Access, PSAT, & SAT. Please see the letter from Interim State Superintendent, Sheila A. Alles at https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mde/Parent_Letter_032417_jl_555114_7.pdf.
A few highlights from the Michigan Department of Education regarding state testing:
· While we support parents in making choices for their children, there is no allowable way in state or federal law to “opt out” of state assessments. Students who are not assessed will count against their schools' participation rate and create an incomplete picture of school performance. Schools rely on accurate test results to focus on students or programs that may need more academic support. That’s one reason federal law requires a 95% participation rate target on state assessments be used in a school’s accountability rating.
· M-STEP testing time has been significantly reduced since its introduction in 2015. In fact, students—on average--will spend no more than 3 hours on state tests in math and English language arts. Students in 5th and 8th grade who take state assessments in science and social studies will spend an additional two hours on those tests. State assessments in total take up less than 1 percent of total instructional time for the school year.
Please refer to the resources below for additional information about state testing.
· State testing schedule https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mde/Testing_Schedule_for_Summative_Assessments_635008_7.pdf
· What Parents Should Know about Assessments https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mde/What_Parents_Should_Know_618061_7.pdf
· Parent/Student: M-STEP Video Featuring Computer Adaptive Testinghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIkseBmywig&feature=youtu.be
· State Assessment in Michigan: What It Is, What It Means, And What It Offershttps://www.michigan.gov/documents/mde/2017_MDE_Assessment_System_What_it_is_flyer_final_jl_597162_7.pdf
· What Parents Can Do to Help Students Prepare https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mde/Student_Testing_What_Parents_Can_Do_to_Help_Students_Prepare_635046_7.pdf
· M-STEP-What can students expect when taking the test https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkVI15wsG4Y&feature=youtu.be
Keith Announcements
Keith Awarded Evergreen Designation for 2018-2019!
On behalf of Oakland County and Oakland Schools, I am very pleased to inform you that your school’s Michigan Green Schools Program application has been accepted. A Review Panel has thoroughly examined and evaluated your application for adherence to PA 301 (2010) as well as to the Guidelines set forth by the Southeast Michigan Green Schools collaborative group which consists of Macomb, Oakland and Wayne County coordinators.
After a review and evaluation, your school has earned the designation of EVERGREEN for the 2018-19 program year.
The extra hours and effort you have made to participate in this important endeavor is appreciated. We wish to congratulate and recognize your school for its outstanding leadership in environmental stewardship efforts and for spearheading activities which involve the students, staff, parents, volunteers and community!
Karen Crawford
Michigan Green School Coordinator and Project Coordinator
April is Autism Awareness Month
April is Autism Awareness Month. This month gives us the opportunity to promote autism awareness, autism acceptance, and to draw attention to the tens of thousands facing an autism diagnosis each year.
Here at Keith we will be promoting autism awareness in a few different ways:
- Each Monday we encourage students to wear Blue. We wear blue to support and show understanding of those with autism. Wear Blue Mondays (4/8, 4/15, 4/22, 4/29)
- Each day a fact about Autism will be read aloud on the announcements. They will be read by SNAP (Students Need A Pal) students.
Placement for 2019-2020
WLCSD Buildings, Infrastructure and Equity Bond - Election on May 7
At its Feb. 7 meeting, the Walled Lake Schools’ Board of Education approved moving forward with a $316 million bond election May 7, 2019. It will not be a tax increase to District residents. Superintendent Kenneth Gutman said: “We have a unique opportunity at this time where we can request a $316 million bond without a tax increase. The District currently has five outstanding debt obligations, four of which will be paid off within five years, and other factors that give the District this opportunity.”
To learn more about the Buildings, Infrastructure and Equity Bond, please be sure to visit the WLCSD website.
2018-2019 Keith Mileage Club
The spring Keith Mileage Club starts Monday, April 8. Mr. Marijanovich is in need of parent volunteers for the lunch recess mileage club. Volunteers only need to stamp cards one lunch recess every other week until the second week of June. Please contact Mr. M by email at robertmarijanovich@wlcsd.org if you would like to volunteer!
Thank you for helping me encourage our students to live healthy lives!
Bob Marijanovich
Keith Physical Education Teacher
SHAPE Michigan President Elect
Keith Spirit!!!
Friday’s are Spirit Day here at Keith.
Your child is encouraged to wear a Keith shirt or the color red each and every Friday. The upper elementary and lower elementary classroom with the highest number of participants will win a visit from “Sparky” our Keith Dragon for the week.
This week's winners are:
Upper Elementary Room:
Lower Elementary Room:
Second Step Announcement!
Parents, this week your children focused on the second step lesson below. Please take a moment to talk with your children about how they took time to show positive behavior at school.
Inviting to Play:
At Keith Elementary School it’s important to notice and have empathy when other kids are being left out. Inviting other student to play is caring thing to do. When we invite others to play, we will get to know them. At recess this week, notice if anyone is being left out and be sure to ask that person to join in and play.
Our focus for next week is listed below. We will review the following with your children when they return to school on Monday.
Playing Fairly:
At Keith Elementary School we play in fair ways. Being able to play fairly with others will help you make and keep friends. When you can’t agree on how to play together, it’s a problem. Finding a respectful way to agree on rules during a game helps you get along better with others. Sharing, trading, and taking turns are also fair and fun ways to play together. Think about how you can play fairly with your friends this week.
Middle School STEM Summer Camp Opportunities for current 5th Grade Students
Lakes Area Youth Assistance (LAYA) Summer Camp Scholarships
Upcoming Keith Pizza Nights!
Order your dinner from our local Hungry Howie's and a portion of the proceeds will benefit Keith Elementary School!
Remaining dates: April 24th, May 29th
Upcoming 5th Grade Party Fundraisers
Defy - May 3
The Defy 5th Grade Fundraiser has been rescheduled for Friday, May 3rd. You MUST bring the paper flier in order for us to get credit. Snacks will be available for $1 at the event between 4:30 and 8:30. 5th grade parents, please watch for a sign-up to help out with this event.
You can arrive at anytime, show the paper flier that will be coming home soon, and 20% of admissions will be donated! We will also be selling snacks and drinks for $1 each. If you haven't already, please complete the online waver form BEFORE you attend.
Bagel Sale
Bagels from New York Bagel on Orchard Lake Road will be available for $1 on Monday, April 22nd. Order forms and money are due on Wednesday, April 17th. Order forms will be sent home early next week.
5th Grade Facebook Page
If you are a 5th grade parent and you are on Facebook, please consider joining our closed group. We share a lot of information, especially about fundraising, events and volunteer opportunities for the 5th grade party. If you are not on Facebook and have any questions about the 5th grade party, please email: Keith5thGradeParty2019@gmail.com
Smart PTA for 5th Grade Families
If you will have a student at Smart Middle School this fall, please consider taking on a leadership role with the Smart PTSA. There are many opportunities to join our great team of volunteers. The election of officers will take place at the May 8th meeting. All PTSA members are eligible to vote. Nominations may be taken from the floor at the meeting.
2019-20 Executive Board and committee chairs - Nominations
President - Jillian Moutafis
VP: Volunteers - Jackie Gurwin
Recording Secretary – Lisa Massat
Treasurer – Aimee Gurski
Membership Chair - Jackie Gurwin
Teacher Representative - Kim Quinn-Haver
Open Officer Positions – Incoming sixth grade parents welcome!
VP: Awards - OPEN
VP: Fundraising - OPEN
Corresponding Secretary - OPEN
Open Chair Positions: Incoming sixth grade parents welcome!
Box Tops
Reflections
Staff Appreciation
GAP
Book Fair – Fall and Spring
Health and Wellness
Legislative Representative
Please contact Kim Quinn-Haver or Jackie Gurwin if you are interested in being a chair or board member next school year. Thank you!
April Lunch Menu
Announcements From our Keith PTA:
Next Keith PTA Meeting - Tuesday, May 7 at 7pm -Keith Media Center
Keith Green Team
Green Team is meeting next week on Thursday, April 17th, at 8:00 am in Mrs. Matyus' classroom. Since it is spring picture day, Green Team shirts are optional. Please remember to turn in Field Trip slips by April 15th.
Keith Green Team - Junior Gardener Class
Junior Gardener Class
Do you have a child who loves helping out in the Keith Giving Garden and would like to learn more about gardening? Tollgate Farms is hosting a class for 7-11 year olds April 23 - June 11, Tuesday evenings from 5:00-6:30. The class is taught by certified Master Gardeners. Please see the flier for more information or contact Samantha Stokes at stokess4@msu.edu.
Keith Elementary School
Andrea McFarland - Principal's Secretary
Diana Tyrrell - Building Secretary
Marci Augenstein, Ph.D. - Principal, Keith Elementary
Email: AndreaMcFarland@wlcsd.org
Website: http://wlcsd.org/schools/elementary/keith/
Location: 2800 Keith Road, West Bloomfield Township, MI, United States
Phone: (248)956-3700
Twitter: @KeithElementary