Yake Gator Bites
Week of August 24, 2026!
2026.27 Bus Routes!
*Bus routes may be updated, particularly in order to get children to Yake in time to have breakfast before school starts, but with all five elementary schools being on the same schedule, there will be bugs to work out.
Please click here for more information about our Transportation Department as listed on our District website.
Construction Zones!
Yake is under construction! Please see the image below for the current logistics for equipment, fall zone, etc. As a result, we will be losing our entire first row of parking in the staff lot for a temporary bus loop (see image 2). Due to this, we will be extra diligent in making sure that only buses, staff members, or parents with children in rooms 1 & 2 will be allowed into the staff lot/bus loop before school and at the end of the day. We will have hand tags for staff members and families in rooms 1 & 2 to be allowed into the staff lot/bus loop. I wanted to share so that parents can plan ahead.
As a note, we will position safeties along the gap in the fence on Tiffany and along the sidewalk as families, with older children will be able to drop their children off along Tiffany and enter through the fence to avoid the parent parking lot/loop all together. More details will be coming over the summer.
A few years of dust and headache will be worth it once the renovations are complete!
Young Fives
Kindergarten
1st grade
2nd grade
3rd grade
4th grade
Art Supplies
GSRP
4th grade
New Staff Members! Welcome to the Yake family!
I wanted to welcome some new faces to Yake Elementary School. I am sure this list of new staff members will grow. I will share additional information about Ms. LaSorda (1st grade) and Ms. Verdun (Gym) as they are new to the WBSD. We are excited to have them join us.
Victoria Verdun - Gym Teacher
- Selena LaSorda - 1st grade
- Angela Kosztowny - Resource (full time)
- Hannah Saranen - Resource (split time)
- Carmelina (Lena) Ghanen - New afternoon custodian
Please join me in welcoming our new staff members! We are fortunate to have such great additions to our team at Yake Elementary School.
Victoria Verdun is an enthusiastic and dedicated Physical and Health Education Teacher with a strong background in kinesiology, physical literacy, and student wellness. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from Wayne State University, holds NASM personal training and fitness credentials, and is completing her alternative teaching certification through Michigan Teachers of Tomorrow after successfully passing the Health and Physical Education MTTC exams. Currently teaching K–7 physical and health education within an International Baccalaureate (IB) school setting in Southgate Public Schools, Victoria excels at designing standards-based, differentiated lessons that foster movement skills, teamwork, and lifelong healthy habits. Combining her coaching background with strong classroom management, she is committed to cultivating a safe, positive, and inclusive environment where every student feels confident, valued, and empowered to succeed. Selena LaSorda is recommended for a Kindergarten teaching position at Bates Elementary, bringing three years of dedicated service to the Woodhaven-Brownstown School District. A graduate of Eastern Michigan University with a Bachelor of Arts and a PK-3 Interim Teaching Certificate, Selena has served as a Building Substitute at Gudith Elementary, where she worked closely with veteran Young Fives and Kindergarten teachers to master classroom management and instructional practices. In addition to her classroom experience, she has served as the Champions Program Director for KinderCare, managing before and after-school programs. Her deep familiarity with the district’s curriculum, including UFLI and Heggerty programs, combined with her experience fostering social-emotional learning, makes her an excellent fit to lead a foundational classroom environment for our youngest learners. From Angela Kosztowny: Hello! My name is Angela Kosztowny, and I am excited to join the Yake Elementary family as the new Resource Room teacher. This school year marks my 16th year in education, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have spent my entire teaching career serving the students and families of the Woodhaven-Brownstown School District. Returning to Yake feels like coming home. I completed my student teaching here and later returned as a long-term substitute, so it is especially meaningful to come back in this new role. Throughout my career, I have taught preschool, kindergarten, and first grade. I am excited to begin this next chapter supporting students, collaborating with families, and working alongside the outstanding staff at Yake. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Eastern Michigan University and my Master of Arts in Teaching from Marygrove College. I hold endorsements in Reading and Early Childhood Education and am currently completing my Learning Disabilities endorsement through Eastern Michigan University. I am passionate about helping students build confidence, discover their strengths, and experience success. I believe every child can learn and thrive when they feel supported, encouraged, and valued. One of my favorite parts of teaching is building strong relationships with students and their families. I look forward to partnering with you throughout the school year to help your child grow both academically and personally. Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my husband, my four adult children, and my three granddaughters. I also enjoy running, camping, traveling, and curling up with a good book. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to return to Yake and look forward to getting to know all of the wonderful students and families. Here's to a fantastic school year!
Watch D.O.G.S.!
Calling all Dads!
Mark your calendars to help us bring Watch D.O.G.S. back to Yake Elementary School!
Yake was the first school to establish a Watch D.O.G.S. program in Southeast Michigan when we got started on May 17, 2010.
Starting at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 19th. We will have our Dads & Kids Pizza Night. This introduction program is for all new “Dads” and veteran “DOGS” to learn more about the program and to sign up for the 2024.25 school year.
For a copy of the Dads & Kids Pizza Night flyer (to RSVP), click here.
To access the ICHAT (background check and volunteer waiver form) so that you can volunteer as a Watch D.O.G., click here. By bringing the completed form and a copy of your driver's license to the dinner, we can get you up and running as a Watch D.O.G.
I am very excited to see Watch D.O.G.S. get back up and running this year!
Yake Elementary School
Where our Gators "Give and Expect the Best!" everyday!
Email: podlewt@wbsdweb.com
Website: https://www.mywbsd.org/yes
Phone: (734)692-2230
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yakepto
Twitter: @YakeGators