Defer Dragon's Burning News
May 17, 2019
From the Principal
Dear Parents,
This week we celebrated our amazing volunteers! A special thank you to all the volunteers who have helped make Defer a special place for our students! From volunteering in the lunchroom, the clinic, driving on field trips, leading student clubs, providing Tuesday Treats, organizing events, and volunteering at the events, YOU helped support our work and provide the resources for our children. We appreciate all that you do to help our students be leaders and learners!
The Defer staff members are beginning to plan for next school year and we value your input! You know your child best and I would like to invite you to share information about your child’s strengths and areas of growth for placement consideration for next year. Please do not request a specific teacher, it is more important to share the type of learning environment that would benefit your child. Your feedback will help contribute to building an environment that will benefit social, emotional, and academic growth for your student. Please complete the survey by Friday, May 24.
Please use the link below to share information with me about your child:
Defer Student Placement Survey 2019 -2020
Have a wonderful weekend!
Dr. Rheaume
Defer Upcoming Events
May 20 - 24 Spring Book Fair
May 23 - Spring Social
May 27 - Memorial Day—NO SCHOOL
May 29 - 31 - 5th Grade Camp
June 4 - Talent Show
June 5 - Field Day
Volunteer and Field Trip Chaperone Forms for Parents and Guests
Lunch Volunteers for May and June
Spring Assessments
NWEA testing continues next week for some classes. Spring assessments are opportunities for our students to demonstrate their current levels of understanding in core subject areas. During the spring testing time, we are asking parents to be especially alert to their child’s needs for:
- getting plenty of rest,
- eating a good breakfast each morning,
- and being in school and on time on testing days.
Please ask your child's classroom teacher for the specific assessment dates.
Office News
In the event your child has an appointment, or you need to get a message to your child and/or child’s teacher, please call the attendance line and/or office directly no later than 10:30 AM for morning instructions, and no later than 2:30 PM for afternoon instructions. Messages will be delivered to classes twice a day. Also, if your child forgets something at home and you plan to bring it to school for them, the teachers have requested for you to drop it off at the office or the grade cubbies/shelves in the Copier Room. Again, this keeps interruptions to a minimum and maximizes class learning. Any help and consideration concerning this matter is greatly appreciated!
We are so thankful the weather is warming up, and the children are so excited to spend time outdoors. Please send in an extra change of clothes (including shirt, pants, socks and underwear) for your child to keep in their locker. Although it is warmer outside, we are finding some children need to change after playing on the playground. Also, please remember to have your children wear closed toe shoes to school for their own safety. We all love the idea of wearing open-toed sandals, however we have already had some bloody toe injuries at recess this week. Thank you for all your help!
Safety Service
In April, Defer Safety/Service tried to go across the street to the Pierce Swimming Pool but, it was shut down so we just hung out on the playground. We enjoyed snacks and drinks generously supplied by the PTO.
If you see a Safety/Service doing a good job, please tell them. Their time is running out!
Thank you,
Helen Srebernak
Safety/Service Member of the Month-April
Safety: Oscar Kotlarz
Service: Eleanor Neds-Fox
Blue Ribbon Committee
Please visit the Blue Ribbon Link (https://mi01000971.schoolwires.net/Page/19013) for current facts.
PTO News
5th Grade Parents: photos are due to this Friday, May 17.
The 5th grade graduation committee is asking for 3 photos of your child--one from when they were a baby, one from kindergarten and one current photo. Electronic submission is preferred. Please email to kendrakaydodson@gmail.com. Printed photos may be submitted to teachers. Please provide name and child's name on the photos.
Upcoming Events
Week of May 20th--Spring Book Fair
More details related to the schedule and volunteer sign up coming soon!
Thursday May 23--Spring Social
The whole family is invited to the Defer PTO annual Spring Social event on the blacktop and field of the school. Think inflatables, photo booth, music, Wally's custard and family mingling! Pizza and custard will be available for purchase during this evening gathering. See additional information in the attached flyer! Also we need volunteers to help out during the evening. Please consider giving 30 minutes of your time. Sign up here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090544aaaa2aa2ff2-spring1
Sunday June 9--Garden Day
Join the Defer Beautification Committee and some community volunteers from 9-11 a.m. to help care for the school grounds. Bring gloves and other gardening equipment. The focus of the grounds care is to keep Defer pesticide free! RSVP by sending an email to dianaelaine4@gmail.comto stay up to date with weather delays. Find additional information here: https://www.facebook.com/events/548703895538095/
NEXT SCHOOL YEAR--Order supplies online by June 30
Parents may begin ordering school supplies for the 2019/20 school year now. Online ordering is available with 1st Day School Supplies and the items are delivered directly to your child's classroom during the summer. 1st Day School Supplies provides brand-name supplies that were selected by Defer teachers. The deadline to order is June 30. Order here: https://1stdayschoolsupplies.com/kits.php?sid=52223
Summer Camp
Defer Diversity Parent Group
District Diversity Meetings (GPPUD)Upcoming Meetings: GPPUD
Please contact Dr. Rheaume or one of our parent organizers Susan Sutorka at susansuto@yahoo.com or Janice Fox at jcfcreative@gmail.com for more information about our Diversity Parent Group.
Leader in Me
Welcome to the May and June edition of our Leader in Me newsletter! Published by the Defer Family Learning Team.
Take time this summer to practice the habits as a family. For a brief overview of the habits, see the link below.
7 Habits of Happy Kids
Grosse Pointe Public Schools
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/Domain/1099
Location: 15425 Kercheval Avenue, Grosse Pointe Park, MI, USA
Phone: 313-432-4000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GPDefer/
Twitter: @GPDefer