Mustang Express

November 7th, 2022

An Important Message from Mrs. VanWagnen

Throughout the remainder of this month of thanksgiving, we will embrace an attitude of gratitude at Meadowbrook as we start each day with a grateful heart during the morning announcements. Students gave lots of good hugs today, and it was great! Please refer to the calendar below for creative ideas and inspiration that can be shared both at home and in school.

#mustangproud


Cheers,


Jennifer VanWagnen, Principal

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Important Dates

November

11/5: Happiest of Birthdays to Maria Kuzmich!

11/8: No School (Election Day)

11/11: Application deadline for "Adopt-a-Child" assistance program (See below for details).

11/15: PTSA Reflections entries due (See below for details.)

11/16: Picture Retake Day

11/17: Half Day for Professional Learning, Dismissal @ 12:25 PM

11/18: Application deadline for "Shop With a Cop/Hero" assistance program (See below for details.)

11/21: Happiest of birthdays to Sarah Mizen-Reese!

11/21: Parent/Teacher Conferences Sign-Up Opens in Skyward

11/23: Happiest of birthdays to Amanda Kelty and Laura Lytkowski!

11/24-11/25: No School for Thanksgiving Holiday

11/30: Jenn @ Principal Meeting 12:00-4:00 PM


December

12/1-12/3: Seussical Jr. show at Walled Lake Western

12/1: Board of Education Meeting

12/4: Happiest of birthdays to Jennifer Schloegl!

12/7: Dr. Bernia Visits Meadowbrook

12/8: Parent-Teacher Virtual Conferences, Dismissal at 11:25 AM

12/11: Happiest of birthdays to Jennifer Shaw!

12/12: Happiest of birthdays to Carrie Stauss!

12/13: Happiest of birthdays to Kelly Thompson!

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district seeks renewal of building & site sinking fund - vote nov. 8

During the Aug. 11 Special Board meeting, the Walled Lake Schools Board of Education unanimously approved a motion to ask the residents of the Walled Lake School District to renew the half mill levy for the District Building and Site Sinking Fund (.5 mil, 10 year levy). The election for this renewal is Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022.



In Walled Lake Schools, our schools and facilities are in good repair as a result of the Sinking Fund that voters approved back in 2004 and renewed in 2012. The District has been able to complete construction, repair and renovation projects annually, with Board approval, because of the current Building and Site Sinking Fund.


For more information, please visit www.wlcsd.org/elections.


Thank you for voting on Nov. 8!

PTA Updates

Mustang Mile

The PTA sponsored Mustang Mile was held on Friday, October 14th and we are proud to report that we have raised $13,467. The PTA uses these funds to support our students and school in many ways, including family events, classroom support and literacy projects. Thank you to the parents, families and staff who donated and/or volunteered. We are so grateful for the support!


Reflections Art Projects

A PTA-sponsored nationwide art contest in visual arts, music, film, writing, photography and dance. Learn more at PTA.org/Reflections.


2022 Theme: Show Your Voice!

Submit entries online: https://tinyurl.com/MBEreflections22


Spirit Store

Did you know that staff and students are invited to wear spirit wear or school colors every Friday? Between November 16th-30th, you can order Meadowbrook shirts and more by ordering online here: Eagraphics.com/MeadowbrookMustangs. With new designs this year, these items would be a great gift for your favorite Mustang!

Order Mustang Spirit Wear Here

Order Between November 16th-30th

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Congratulations to our November Student of the Month Nominees!

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holiday assistance program deadlines approaching

Lakes Area Youth Assistance (LAYA) has two programs for those needing support this holiday season.

  • The "Adopt-a-Child" program: application deadline is Friday, Nov. 11
  • The "Shop With a Cop/Hero" program: application deadline is Friday, Nov 18


For details about each program, as well as the application you will need to complete and submit, click this link: https://wlcsd.org/parents/laya/


If you have questions, contact LAYA at (248) 956-5070 or email LAYA@wlcsd.org.

LAYA's Adopt-a-Child and Shop With A Cop Applications

Please Note: The deadline to apply for “Adopt-a-Child” is Friday, Nov. 11, 2022 and the deadline to apply for “Shop With a Cop/Hero” is Friday, Nov. 18, 2022.

Attendance Meetings with Principal VanWagnen

Thank you to those families who ensure their child is on time and in school each day. As a reminder, the school day begins promptly at 8:55 AM and ends at 4:00 PM. As parents, you play an important role in ensuring strong attendance in school. Research has shown that excessive absences, tardies and early dismissals can negatively impact academic and social progress in school. As a reminder, the district attendance policy is as follows:


  • 5 or more absences: 1st parent contact

  • 7-10 absences: 2nd parent contact including meeting with principal

  • 11-24 absences: Legal “Notice to Parents or Guardians with Non-Attendance of Children in School” sent to parent/guardian and referral to local agency

  • 25 or more absences: School district takes legal action through the Juvenile Court system to return child to school


Our Principal's Secretary, Kellan Watkins, has begun reaching out to families with 7-10 or more absences or excessive tardies/early dismissals to schedule a meeting with Principal VanWagnen. The purpose of this meeting is to support families, provide support services as needed, and ensure consistent attendance in school. We sincerely appreciate your support and partnership in this matter.

Important Information: Curriculum & Instruction

accessing iready at home

New for the 2022-2023, families can only access iReady lessons at home through the Classlink website. If connecting with iReady has been a challenge, please check out the one minute video tutorial below.


i-Ready is an online program for reading and mathematics that diagnoses the just right next steps for students. It is one tool that your student’s teacher will use to guide class and small group instruction. iReady lessons support classroom instruction and are designed to meet your student’s specific needs, personalize their learning, and monitor progress throughout the school year. It is a great tool to fill gaps and support classroom learning.


Your child's teacher can provide his/her login information if your child chooses to practice iReady at home.

Click Here for a Video Clip Explaining at Home Access

Accessing Classlink and iReady at Home

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Picture Retake Day

Picture Retake Day will be held on November 16th. You can order on mylifetouc.com with your Picture Day ID: EVTVKBBMH. Simply return your original package on Picture Retake Day. Thank you!


Our beloved Brook got her school picture taken, too! Go, Mustangs!

Join the Meadowbrook Community Book Club

Join Meadowbrook principal, staff and parents as they come together in a judgement free and collaborative safe zone to explore the book titled

Raising Good Humans: A Mindful Guide to Breaking the Cycle of Reactive Parenting and Raising Kind, Confident Kids.

"With this book, you’ll find powerful mindfulness skills for calming your own stress response when difficult emotions arise. You’ll also discover strategies for cultivating respectful communication, effective conflict resolution, and reflective listening."


For more information and to request a copy of the book, please email JenniferVanWagnen@wlcsd.org or KellanWatkins@wlcsd.org. Our first conversation and club meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 23rd at 9:30 AM. Refreshments will be served and a Zoom option will be available for those who cannot make our in-person meeting. Can't wait to get started!

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District Information

WLCSD Staff Nomination Form

In an effort to find additional ways to celebrate our staff, the WLCSD Community Relations department requests that families fill out the information below for staff who are rock stars in their classrooms and school communities. Please complete the form below and contact Dan Durkin (danieldurkin@wlcsd.org) with any questions you may have.

A sample of what these shout outs will look like on social media and in our District newsletters can be found below.
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walled lake parent advisory committee- seeking parent/guardian representatives

PAC MISSION STATEMENT

“Our mission is to increase awareness and current best practices in special education while working towards a larger voice, meaningful communication and more inclusive practices and parental involvement.”


TIME COMMITMENT

Approximately 2 hours per month (Not including optional training/activity participation)


PAC Executive Board

Please contact a member of the Executive Committee for more information:


President - Cory Hensley knackcor@yahoo.com

Aimee Page - aimee.page2@gmail.com

Denise Dunn - denisedunn@wlcsd.org

Set Up Your Communication Preferences in Skyward

Not receiving district and/or building communications?

If you are not receiving emails from Mrs. VanWagnen, including the Mustang Express, District Weekly Updates, please use the link below to double-check your preferences are correct.


Signing Up for SMS Messages via Skylert

In addition to receiving phone calls and email notifications from the school district in the event of a school closing or emergency, parents can also sign up to receive SMS Text messages.


Please find the helpful step-by-step instructions linked below as well as the video tutorial on signing up for SMS messages.


Connect With Us

Principal: jennifervanwagnen@wlcsd.org


Kellan Watkins

Principal's Secretary: kellanwatkins@wlcsd.org


Jennifer Schloegl

Building Secretary: jenniferschloegl@wlcsd.org


Important Phone Numbers:

Main Line: 248-956-2700

Attendance: 248-956-2790

Please Review the Meadowbrook Handbook

It is very important that you take time to review the Meadowbrook Handbook which is filled with important information, policies and procedures.