Defer Dragon's Burning News
Friday, November 1st
From the Principal
Dear Parents,
It was an exciting week at Defer! Thank you to all the families who helped make the classroom parties a success or joined us for the parade! Your support and donations make the Halloween parties fun for all the students!
Monday is our second Town Hall meeting! The Student Leadership Team elections will also take place on Monday. Our student leaders continue to practice the 7 Habits and make progress toward our W.I.G. (Wildly Important Goals) Reading Goals! Keep up the great work in reading!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Dr. Rheaume
Lunchtime Volunteers
Safe Routes to School
Our first interest is always the safety of all of our Defer families and staff members and we know it is your interest as well. We appreciate your cooperation with these procedures at Drop Off and Pick Up.
Safe Routes to School Update
As our district, and particularly the Defer community, moves forward with our Safe Routes to School program we hope more and more students will safely walk or bike to school. Here are some things you can do now:
- Watch for safe crossing maps that will be coming out soon from public safety.
- Wear a bike helmet and remember to lock up your bike.
- Report any issues immediately to the school and/or public safety.
- Consider setting up a walking school bus, or even a carpool to reduce traffic congestion around our schools.
- Join the Safe Routes to School - Pierce/Trombly/Defer public Facebook group
- And as we prepare for our Walking Audit November 18 from 3:30-6 p.m., consider volunteering that day or email me with areas of concern. The more information we have about sidewalks in need of repair, shrubs that need trimming, or places where students traditionally cross outside of designated crosswalks, the better prepared we'll be with the routes our teams explore that day.
Our next steps are participating in a Walking Audit of our area. We need parents and students to help gather information about the walking areas near our school.
The Walking Audit will be on Monday, November 18th from 3:30 pm - 6:30 pm. We are meeting in the Pierce Auditorium.
Please contact Dr. Rheaume if you have any questions or would like more information about the survey or the committee.
Facts about November 5 Ballot Proposal
CANDY BUY BACK
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4eGK-6NnFC1cmRIcVkydDZtU1I1QzhwXzEzTTBqcEhlWnJz/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4eGK-6NnFC1dHNRQVVhMmxqRm40cF9qeTd6WU40SnBUOGpJ/view?usp=sharing
PTO News
Defer PTO Green Team
The Defer PTO Green Team has been working hard this school year to maintain pesticide-free care for the grounds. The group is looking to expand its impact and has some fun projects slated for this school year. Parent volunteers & co-chairs Diana Gifford and Kelly Woolums are looking for parents who want to help support the green initiatives at Defer. Ways to help include supporting the 2nd/3rd grade student Green Squad, help provide educational opportunities related to green projects and initiatives, help with planning/executing Earth Week at Defer and to pilot a new reusable party pack program. For more information email: dianaelaine4@gmail.com or kwoolums512@gmail.com.
Tuesday Teacher Treats!
Help Defer PTO recognize and appreciate the teachers and staff who care for, interact with and lead our students each and every day by signing up to bring in treats one Tuesday this school year. Check out available dates and sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0b4dacaf28a2fd0-tuesday
Defer Upcoming Events
November 5 - Election Day - NO SCHOOL
November 12 - PTO Meeting - 7pm
November 26 - 1/2 Day for Students - Dismissal @ 11:36 am
November 27-29 - Thanksgiving Break - No School
7 Habits of Happy Kids
Defer Elementary School
Our Vision: One GP → where everyone learns, every day
Our Mission: Promote Innovation → Maximize Potential → Embrace Community
Email: rheauml@gpschools.org
Website: https://mi01000971.schoolwires.net/gpdefer
Phone: 313-432-4000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GPDefer/
Twitter: @GPDefer