Gretchko Newsletter
December 15, 2023
Principal's Update
Hello Team WB!
This was such a fun day to end the week. We had bagel day, crazy hair day, and sunshine all wrapped in one. It was fun to see many students' crazy hairstyles as well as plenty of smiles during outdoor recess!
Next week is our last before the winter break. Friday, December 22 is a full day of school, and then there is no school from December 25 to January 5.
Enjoy your weekend!
Warmly,
Jen Teal
Principal
Featured Book:
Kevin’s Kwanzaa by Lisa Bullard
Kevin helps his mom decorate the Kwanzaa table. They light candles with Grandma and Grandpa and learn a special word each day. They talk about working together and solving problems. On the sixth day, everyone eats and dances at a big feast!
Star Slip Winners
Congratulations to the following students whose names were drawn from our star slip bins for the week of December 15. Great job! Ella Katzaman, Kingston Spratt, Alexa Pfenninger, Jack Maher, Jude Ftayeh, Ayah Gandee, Stanley D’Ortenzio, Henry Escurel, Quinlynn Gandy, Nathan Reamer, Giovana Burch, Keenan Gingras, Edison Flannery, Kamora Johnson, Anacelia Diaz-Saucedo, and Clara Pustelnik. We are very proud to have so many students that are striving to be good citizens.
Book Fair Principal's Pick
The Principal's Pick from the book fair was called A Duck Called Brian. Please click on the link here to hear Mrs. Teal's read aloud of this funny and sweet book!
ICenter Update
First and second grade readers used our library search engine, Destiny Discover, to locate book titles and topics in our Gretchko iCenter. We are practicing classifying books by genre, book format, and series. This week’s book checkout was found by using Destiny Discover.
Please consider donating any of the materials listed above. They are needed for our Gretchko Makerspace! You can also purchase items from our Amazon Wish List. Thank you for supporting our learning.
Kindergarten Round Up
Upcoming Celebrations
December 16-24 - Las Posadas (Mexican Holiday)
December 21 - Winter Solstice
December 25 - Christmas (Christianity)
December 26 – Zartosht No-Diso (Zoroastrianism)
December 26 - January 1 - Kwanzaa (African-American tribute to African festivals of harvest)
Marco's Pizza Night: December 20
Remember to Vote
After School Offerings
MLK DAY Camp Details
Location: 6363 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield, MI
Day: January 15th
Time: 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
What to bring: Martial arts uniform, 2 Snacks, 1 Lunch, and an AWESOME ATTITUDE!
Have Questions? Email me at info@true-ma.com
Sincerely,
Sensei Dristy
TRUE Martial Arts
248-706-0000
WBEF Casino Night Volunteers Needed
The WBEF has impacted every grade at every school in the district. Can we count on you to attend the event? Tickets are on sale now for the WBEF Casino Night Friday, February 2, 2024. This is their one fundraiser to support all the grants they give to the District.
December Lunch Menu
Join the Fun in Lego League
Attention 1st - 3rd WBSD Grade Parents:
FIRST Lego League EXPLORE makes learning STEM and coding skills fun! All skill levels welcome!
This season, we’re stepping into the world of exploring how people share their hobbies and interests in creative and captivating ways.
If you and your child are interested in participating, please join us for a Parent Info Meeting via Zoom on Wednesday, December 13, 2023 from 7-7:30 p.m. The Zoom meeting is to provide parents with basic information about the FLL Explore Program. Zoom Meeting Link below.
Click here to view the MASTERPIECE Explore Set and here to check out the EXPLORE story.
Program Highlights:
-Students will work in teams of 6, with 1 or 2 parent coaches per team
-Team Meetings will begin in February, the week of February 8th
-Ten meetings total, plus the Extravaganza (Showcase Event).
Our Lego Extravaganza Festival will take place Saturday, April 20, 2024 from 9 am - 12 pm at West Bloomfield Middle School Auditeria
-One 90 minute in-person meeting per week at Doherty, Roosevelt & Gretchko directly after school
-Scotch 3rd-grade students will be bussed to Gretchko & Sheiko 3rd grade students will be bussed to Doherty (TBD)
-Each school will have 1 "Teacher Leader" as a facilitator, however, we will need 1 parent volunteer for every 6 students to help coach teams. The number of volunteers will determine the number of teams we will offer. Guarantee your child's participation by volunteering to coach.
Gretchko Calendar
December
12/20 - Marco’s Pizza Night
12/23-1/7 - Winter Break
January
1/ 4 - Gretchko at Kalahari
1/ 8 - School Back in Session
1/10 - Late Start (10:10)
1/15 - MLK Jr. Day - No School
1/17 - Global Equity Team Meeting at 8:00 am
1/18 - Half Day (Dismissal 12:12)
1/19 - Half Day (Dismissal 12:12)
1/24 - Late Start (10:10)
1/26- Bagel and Tie Dye Day
1/31 - Marco’s Pizza Night
Gretchko Contact Information
Website: https://www.wbsd.org/gretchko-elementary-school-home
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.