Mustang Messenger
2021-2022 School Year: Volume 24 - Week of February 28, 2022
Be the Best YOU at Grandview!!!
From the Principal's Desk....March is Reading Month.....a month for all types of readers!!
On Tuesday, we will kick off March is Reading Month!!! Our theme this year is Grandview Reading Olympics.....Go for the Gold!!
As part of promoting reading – especially this month – the major goal is to promote and encourage the importance of early childhood learning, reading development, and parent engagement by getting all Grandview children reading and finding love of reading both at home and at school.
Most of us take reading for granted. Yet, there are many children and adults who struggle to read. Research shows that children typically learn to read by the third grade – then read to learn after that. Research also shows that children who cannot read by the third grade often experience developmental and academic challenges throughout their K-12 education and beyond.
Books can be life changing. It doesn’t matter if you are five or a mid-career professional. Take a moment and think about a book that may have inspired you. Has a book impacted your life? Share that with your child.
The importance of reading cannot be overstated. Each night before you turn off the light, pick up a book and read with your child and read for yourself. Also be an active participant to our month of reading fun. Have fun with our reading challenges. Encourage your child to turn off the electronics and pick up a book. Come and join us on this Thursday, March 3rd to celebrate reading at our Milk and Bookies night. Our first in the school event in almost two years. Come and support the book fair this week and help to build up your child's home library. Just find the joy of reading with your child this month!
As Dr. Suess says, “You’re never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read to a child.”
Thank you for your continued support at at home! Please join us for our monthly FOG meeting at 6 pm, Tuesday Night Night at 8 pm or join us for Milk and Bookies on Thursday from 6-8.
Your Proud Principal,
Mrs. Melissa Carruth, Ed.S
Two-Day Celebration on Tuesday, 2-22-22
Important Dates and Upcoming Dates
MARCH
28-4: Spring Book Fair
1: Green Eggs and Ham School Lunch
Pizza Kit Pick-up Day
Kick-off to March is Reading Month
FOG Meeting @ 6 pm
2: Dr. Seuss Bday
Fire Drill
Early Release at 2:10
3: Milk and Bookies IN-PERSON from 6-8:00
4: Reading Jogs Your Mind -- Wear your sweatsuits, athletic gear, and sweats
7: Mr. Miller's 1st official day as the Grandview principal
8: FOG dinner event - Livonia Town Grill 6-8 pm
9: Popcorn Wednesday
Early release at 2:10
10: Board of Education meeting at 6:30 pm
11: Twin Day - Twin like a friend, author or book character
16: Early release at 2:10
17: Happy St. Patty's Day -- Wear your green and orange!!!
18: Tornado Drill at 9:30
Flashlight Friday with a Friend
22: Grandview Kinder Round-up
23: Popcorn Wednesday
Statewide Tornado Drill at 1:00
Botsford Kinder Round-up
24: Board of Education Meeting at 6:30 pm
25: WIDA Ends
End of the 3rd Marking Period
USA Day -- Wear your red, white and blue
March is Reading Month Closing Ceremony Parade and Celebration at 2:00
26-April 3: Spring Break
Welcome Mr. James Miller!
On Thursday, the Clarenceville Board of Education approved the recommendation of Mr. James Miller III as Grandview's New Building Principal. He will be on-site this week joining the FOG meeting and Milk and Bookies and cannot wait to meet the Grandview community. His first official day is Monday, March 7th. Below is his note introducing himself to all of you....
Grandview Community:
I am honored and humbled to be selected as the new principal of Grandview Elementary. I know that Claranceville, especially Grandview, is known for its community spirit and pride. I am a dedicated life-long learner, and I am excited to apply my experiences and passion as your new principal. I look forward to working with the talented staff, dedicated families, and involved community members. I will work hard to provide an engaging learning environment where all students can thrive and succeed.
A little about me: I received my bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Eastern Michigan University. I come to Grandview with 20 years of experience in education. I began my career in Monroe Public Schools, the community I was born and raised in. I have had the opportunity to be a classroom teacher in several elementary grade levels and also a technology integration specialist. The last five years, I have served as an administrator at both the elementary and high school level.
When I am not at school, I enjoy spending time with my wife, Valarie, who is also an educator and our dog, Toby. We live in Canton and enjoy taking Toby for long walks which help to exercise and tire him out. My favorite hobbies are golf and watching Detroit sporting events. I also claim to be a techie.
I will bring the energy, enthusiasm, and passion needed to continue the great traditions of Grandview Elementary. I look forward to getting to know you and building relationships with all families. My door is always open for conversation and input to help our students reach their potential.
Best Regards,
James L. Miller III
Mask Mandate Update
Friday, February 11th, Oakland County Health Department stated that they will lift its requirement to wear masks in schools and daycares on Feb. 28. The full news release is attached below.
Mr. Shepich sent a letter to the Clarenceville community on Friday discussing the change in mask wearing mandate. Below are a few highlights and attached is Mr. Shepich's letter.
The Clarenceville Board of Education voted at their Thursday, February 24, 2022, meeting to update our COVID Mitigation Plan to allow families and staff to make individual choices regarding the wearing of masks based on their own circumstances in response to the updated recommendations from both our county health departments and our state health department.
This masking option takes effect on Monday, February 28, 2022. Individuals may choose to wear a mask in all Clarenceville School District buildings. Masks will still be made available for those who request one for use in our buildings.
In this regard it means that the Clarenceville School District values respectful interactions between our students, staff, and visitors concerning everyone’s personal choice to wear a mask or not. Our expectation is that each of us will treat one another with respect concerning the personal choice. We encourage families to discuss the importance of allowing friends, classmates, and school staff to choose the masking option that is best for them, without judgment or negative comments or reactions to those individuals whose choices do not align with their own. Any type of disregard for other’s choice or any type of bullying or harassment will not be tolerated.
Please note that there are some areas where masks will still be required:
• The federal mask requirement remains in place on public transportation which includes when riding on school buses.
• Individuals who have tested positive should follow our current guidelines including quarantine and masking.
COMMUNICATION WITH DISTRICT PERSONNEL OR BOARD OF EDUCATION
Last week's Board of Education meeting had a great turnout from parents and we hope it continues.
If you would like to communicate with District officials or the Board of Education but aren't sure how, you can use the help desk email at help@clarencevilleschools.org
March is Reading Month
Throughout the month, we will be tracking our reading progress. There are many ways that we are keeping track of our reading. For every book that our students read in the month of March, they will fill out an Olympic Ring in the classroom. We will hang up the rings in the hallway in hopes that all classrooms can connect and our rings will go all around the school. For every book or ring that your child fills out, they receive a “go for the gold” reading point. Attached to this letter, you will find a sheet of Olympic rings to help keep track of your child’s reading progress for the month of March. Each time your child completes 20 minutes of reading, have your child fill out a reading ticket and return it to your child’s teacher to score some “go for the gold” reading points! Finally, attached to this letter are reading challenge tickets. The students will have fun reading challenges to participate in throughout March. If your child participates in the challenge, then they earn a “go for the gold” reading point for each challenge completed. Teachers will be keeping track of the students reading progress and participation and their total “go for the gold” reading points. They will also be rewarding students throughout the month in their classroom to celebrate their reading progress and participation. At the end of the month, the students that earn 44 or more points will be deemed a Gold Medal winner. Students that earn 35-43 points will be a Silver Medal winner. Finally, students that earn 25-34 points will be a Bronze Medal winner. Be sure to stay focused on your goals and keep reading for your chance to earn your spot on the podium!
It will be a super fun month!!! Below are the fun Friday events, as well as, the Book Drive that we will be running all month long for Royal Oak Beaumont.
We will also have Green Eggs and Ham on Tuesday. Celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday on Wednesday, as well as, so much more.
Spring Book Fair is THIS WEEK!
Below is the link to shop on-line.
Also there is a promotions that for every $5 spent, kids can get a raffle ticket to win a poster.
Teachers will have a wish list for their classroom library, as well as, we are hoping for books to be purchased for the Royal Oak Children's Hospital.
FOG Update
1). Next FOG meeting is on March 1st. This event WILL BE in person. Our new Grandview principal will be joining us for this event.
2). Flower Power Fundraiser is underway. Order early to be ready for spring. It will be here before we know it, despite what the Groundhog says. Friends of Grandview is Grandview Elementary's FOG. We raise money for school equipment and supplies, and for school activities that kids and families participate in, such as Back to School BBQ, Fall Festival, Spring Fling and more. We will be using this fundraiser to finance this year's Spring Fling. The link for ordering is below.
3). The next dinner event is on March 8th at the Livonia Town Grill from 6-8:00. Take a night off from cooking and support a great event.
Little Caesar's Fundraiser Pick-Up Day
Kindergarten Round-Up
Looking for new Kindergarteners or Junior Kindergarteners for this fall!
Grandview's Round-Up is Tuesday, March 22 at 6:00 P.M.
Botsford's Round-Up is Wednesday, March 23 at 6:00 P.M.
If you have a child who will be five years old by December 1, 2022, he/she may be eligible for Kindergarten or Junior Kindergarten next fall. The Round Up Registration form will be available online soon.
For Questions, contact the Grandview Office: 248-919-0404
WIDA
All students who have a language other than English spoken at home and are identified as English Learners must take a state test called WIDA ACCESS for ELLs (Accessing Comprehension and Communication in English State to State for English Language Learners). The testing session is February 7th - March 25th.
The Enrollment Office form that was completed when your son/daughter enrolled in Clarenceville Schools tells us this information. Students will take the test even if they are not attending ESL/EL classes. The test is for Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking and Comprehension in English. Even though we are in a pandemic, we still have to test your child. Even if your child is a virtual learner, we still have to test your child. We did not receive an exemption from the State of Michigan, therefore, we are testing all. We will mail your child's test results to you when we receive them from the Michigan Department of Education. If you have any questions, please contact Karen Morrison at 248-919-0404.
Math Tips for Home
We have talked a lot about forward counting this year and how it helps build number sense. But, did you know that learning how to count backwards is just as important? If students can successfully count backwards, they will increase their overall number sense and have a better understanding of subtraction and division concepts. Counting backwards also helps students become flexible thinkers. This means they can think of numbers in a different way. So next time you are in the car, taking a walk and making dinner, practice counting backwards with your child.
COVID Quarantine Guidelines
The district will follow the newly issued (1/12/22) OCHD department guidance for School Quarantine and Isolation Guidance effective Friday. The main changes to the guidelines are that the quarantine / isolation does not have to be 10 days and that we are not quarantining / isolating close contacts. Students living in the household with someone, who is positive, will have to still quarantine, but again, for a potential shorter duration.
The Grandview GSRP programs still requires a10-day quarantine period for close contacts and a 10- day isolation periods for students testing positive.
A copy of the 1/12/22 OCHD guidance document is attached.
School Store Fundraiser - Goes until the end of May
A school fundraiser is underway. It is 100% online so there is no selling or handling of money or products. This is a Win-Win fundraiser as the school earns money, as well as, the classroom teacher. This fundraiser helped to purchase the clay that is used for art, paint to , as well as, the supplies for March is Reading Month, among other classroom resources. If you hear the students coming home wanting a huggable stuffed animal, it is due to this fundraiser. Your child can earn that without spending any money, you just invite family, friends and co-workers to support your student.
School Store is an online shopping mall. There are three ways your family, friends, and co-workers can help our school.
1). Make a 1005 tax-deductable donation to your child's classroom with the purchase of a CaringForClassroms.org gift card for your child's teacher to use for classroom supplies and equipment.
2). Shop online at The Family Book Store for wrapping paper, magazines, popcorn, cookbooks, and more. We earn up to 50% of their purchases.
3). Shop online with over 400 major merchants like Walmart, Kohl's, Best Buy, Disney, and more. We earn a small percentage of their purchase.
All you need to do is going to www.schoolstore.net and enter Grandview Elementary School's code (9438) and then shop away. This is an optional fundraiser and we appreciate your participation.
Incoming Kindergarten Vision Screening
As kindergarten registration time approaches, I would like to share the information to potential incoming kindergarten families of the hearing and vision screening requirement.
According to the Michigan Public Health Code (Act 368 of 1978), children entering kindergarten must have their hearing and vision tested before the first day of school and parents must submit a certificate of hearing and vision screening or statement of exemption to the school district.
Additionally, the Revised School Code (Act 451 of 1976, section 380.1177 requires that parents of children entering kindergarten present a statement to school officials confirming they have received the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Vision Screening or a statement signed a Health Department Technician, a licensed eye care provider (optometrist or ophthalmologist) or medical/osteopathic physician. School officials are required to enter vision screening data into the MCIR/SIRS system for all kindergarten students new entrants by November 1st of each year. A separate report to MDHHS or the Oakland County Health Division is no longer required.
The goal of the law is early identification and treatment of hearing and vision problems that can affect the child’s ability to learn. Although the Public Health Code rules state hearing and vision screening shall be done at least once during the ages of 3 through 5 years, best practice is within six to twelve months of entering kindergarten.
Oakland County Health Division offers free hearing and vision screening by appointment for all children who will attend Kindergarten in Oakland County. Please consider including the hearing and vision screening information listed in the attachments below.
Thank you for helping to assure that your kindergartners have the vision they need to do their best at school. Feel free to call me at (248) 424-7071 if you have questions.
Tardy
Illness Reminder
With cold and flu season here along with the ongoing pandemic, please use good judgement when sending your child to school. For the health and safety of all, please keep your student home if they are not feeling well. If they are showing signs and symptoms of COVID-19 get them tested with a PCR test and don’t send them to school unless you receive a negative test result and they are feeling better. Please report any positive cases to the school.
Winter Weather is here.....Dress Appropriately
At Grandview, we go outside as long as it is above 10 degrees Fahrenheit. We combine the temperature and wind chill in making this decision. Therefore, we need the children to come prepared with hats, gloves, mittens, snow pants, winter coat and boots. If you have trouble providing your child with this necessary and essential winter gear, please reach out to us and we will help to support your child. If your child is not dressed appropriately, we will not be sending them outside.
Students need boots and snow pants to be able to play in the snow. If they do not have the necessary gear, then the students will be asked to stay on the sidewalk and plowed and salted areas.
Additionally, if your child medical conditions restricts them to be outside, please do not just send a note in from you. We need to have a medical note. Our office is becoming packed with kids that say, "my parents told me to stay in." We welcome them to stay in, but we need the medical note as we have kids that have medical restrictions and they do not have anywhere to sit due to the kids that do not have the medical note.
Run Hide Fight
On Tuesday, December 14th, we will have a lockdown at 1:30 in the afternoon. We will be using the Run-Hide-Fight protocol with this lockdown. We will not discuss that we are doing this because of Oxford, we are doing this to be safe.
What is Run Hide Fight?
Run Hide Fight is a safety protocol recognized by law enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security. The Clarenceville School District chose to implement the Run Hide Fight method based on the recommendation from the Livonia Police Department and because it shows students and staff they have options in threatening situations. Before implementing Run Hide Fight, the District will teach students and staff to barricade and hide. While this is sometimes the best option, the Run Hide Fight concept illustrates there are other options. The District believes that knowing your options — run, hide or fight — increases your chance of survival.
Some important information regarding active shooter lockdown drills:
- Student training includes practicing the hide portion of Run, Hide, Fight.
- At the elementary level, staff will discuss Run, Hide, Fight with students.
- In all schools, the drill begins with the announcement “Lockdown.....Lockdown......Lockdown.....This is a drill. This is a drill. This is a drill.” and ends with the announcement “The drill is now over. Resume normal operations."
- Following the drill, parents may receive an informational email from their building principal to notify them that the drill was conducted.
The goal of any drill is to improve our ability to protect students. While students and staff are aware the drill will be occurring, in the future, date and time will not be shared so we can better evaluate our emergency preparedness plans and improve our response skills.
Shop and Give Back to Grandview
Are you an on-line shopper. If so, you can shop and give back to Grandview FOG. By clicking on the link below, you can have a proceed of your purchases to go back to Grandview. You can also go to Amazonsmile.com and select Friends of Grandview as their charity and FOG will get 0.5% of each purchase.
Yearbooks are on sale!!!
It has been an awesome start to the 2021-2022 school year. To remember such a memorable year, consider purchasing a yearbook for your child.
The yearbook is not part of your child's fall picture package, you need to purchase it separately. Below is the yearbook flyer with the details on how to order.
Free Breakfast and Lunch
This week's menu choices....We can only report Monday's choice due to delivery delays. We will send the rest of the menu out via school messenger.
Monday
Breakfast: Maple Mini Waffles
Lunch: Breaded Drumstick with Rice or Peanut Butter and Grape Jelly uncrustable sandwich
Tuesday
Breakfast: Double Chocolate Chip Muffins
Lunch: Green Eggs and Ham or Peanut Butter and Grape Jelly uncrustable sandwich
Wednesday:
Breakfast: Golden Banana Bread Slice
Lunch: Creamy Mac and Cheese with Chicken Nuggets or Peanut Butter and Grape Jelly uncrustable sandwich
Thursday:
Breakfast: Honey Nut Cheerios Cereal with graham cracker
Lunch: Classic Pepperoni Pizza or Peanut Butter and Grape Jelly uncrustable sandwich
Friday:
Breakfast: Whole Grain Bagel
Lunch: Cheesy Breadstick with marinara and Grape Jelly uncrustable sandwich
Tuesday Night Night
This is my last week hosting. Join this week to find out who the new Tuesday Night Night Host (or Hostess) will be....
Early Release Wednesday's
Popcorn Days!!
Popcorn days are a HIT. They will be two times a month on Wednesday's. The students will sign up with their classroom teacher and will turn in their money into their classroom teacher. Below are the next popcorn day dates. All proceeds go to FOG.
Future, FOG popcorn dates are:
March 9
March 23
Bags of popcorn is $.50 per bag. Students can only purchase 2 bags as the limit.
FOG Calendar and Position are available
The power of conversation
COVID Protocols
- Mask mandate is in effect for staff and students, please see Mr. Shepich's letter about the mandate.
- Uphold 3 feet of social distancing
- Eat breakfast and lunch in the classroom
- Cohorting with classes, which means there is no mixture between classes
- Limit the number of students in the bathroom at one time
- Frequent hand washing and/or sanitizing
- Air purifying systems within the classroom
- Windows and doors will be opened for cross circulation
- Sanitation of desks, supplies, and materials when needed and before and after eating
School Hours
8:30-3:40. 1/2-day ends at 11:30.
School Doors open at 8:20 and the students will report to the hallway outside their classroom. At 8:25, the first bell rings and the 2nd bell rings at 8:30, when learning begins. Dismissal begins at 3:40.
Your child is marked tardy starting at 8:40 and students will not be released after 3:15 unless advance notice was given. Attendance is so important, especially with all the learning that was lost due to the pandemic. We need your children in school each and every day!!
Morning Drop Off
A few reminders
In the Back of the school:
- Please form 3 lines to help with the flow of traffic and then alternate 1, 2, and 3.
- Please make sure your child exits your car on the side closest to the building. They should not walk around your car. This is for their safety.
- Also remember, you may not park in the back of the building and walk your children in. Let’s all keep our kids safe!
- If you are a walker, the please have your child walk in through the back door.
In the Front of the school:
- This is only to be used for busses
- Starting next week, we will be splitting up upper and lower elementary dismissal locations
- There is NO Parent Walk-up as visitors are NOT allowed in the building while we are under COVID restrictions
If your child is late:
- The doors in the back of the building will close at 8:35. If you arrive to school after that, you will have to report to the front of the building, be buzzed in and sign your child in.
- Tardies are tracked and could lead to truancy should excessive tardies become a trend.
Afternoon Drop Off
Our wonderful staff is working hard to help your children get into their cars safely. Please be patient as we all perfect routines. You can play a part by forming 3 lines in the back and hanging your sign with your children's name on it from last year. If you are new this year or to this process, we will be giving you a new sign the first week of school. Safety always wins!
There is NO PARENT WALK-UP.
Walkers will be released to their adult through the back.
Please note: Starting next week, we will have lower el picking up in the front of the school. Look for that information coming to you next week.
Late Drop off and Early Pick Up
Tardy is marked starting at 8:40.
Children will not be allowed an early dismissal from the office after 3:15 pm so we can ensure a calm and safe end to the day for all students. Please plan accordingly.
Volunteering at School
Job Opportunity
Grandview and Kroger
We get money from Kroger if you add Grandview to your profile. Thank you to all of you who have already added Grandview to your account. Though know that it is never too late to sign-up and join!!! So shop away, Grandview is benefitting from your grocery shopping!
Simply encourage your participants to visit http://www.kroger.com. Once logged into their Kroger account they can search for Friends of Grandview either by name or TH003 and then click Enroll. New users will need to create an account which requires some basic information, a valid email address and a rewards card.
*Customers must have a registered Kroger rewards card account to link to your organization.
*If a member does not yet have a Kroger rewards card, please let them know they are available at the customer service desk at any Kroger
REMEMBER, purchases will not count for your organization until after your participants register their rewards card.
Participants must swipe their registered Kroger rewards card or use the phone number that is related to their registered Kroger rewards card when shopping for each purchase to count.