Gretchko Elementary Newsletter

Hello Lakers!

We hope you enjoy the video above from one of our FunD Run celebrations: a staff race in inflatable costumes!

This week, our 3rd grade students enjoyed a field trip to the Outdoor Adventure Center. Located on Detroit’s riverfront in the historic Globe Building, the Outdoor Adventure Center gives you a taste of Michigan’s great outdoors in the heart of the city. Experience exciting outdoor adventures with hands-on activities, exhibits, simulators and more. See a few photos below!

We are looking forward to our class parties and our costume parade next Friday, October 30th. The costume parade will begin at 2:15pm with students walking through the inside of the building. The parade will then continue around the outside of the building, where parents/family are invited to gather along the sidewalks to watch (weather permitting). Following the parade, families are invited to join us inside for our fall parties from 2:30-3:15. You may take your child home with you at 3:15 if you choose; please be sure to sign out with your child's classroom teacher. We look forward to seeing you! As a reminder, costumes should follow these guidelines: no masks, no real or play weapons, no representation of alcohol/drugs, no caricatures of real people. Students must be able to put on their costume independently.

Finally, we are also in the middle of our annual United We Walk Button Design Contest. One lucky WBSD student's design will be selected for our United We Walk event in January. Students will be receiving the contest paper in art class and have until November 6th to submit their design. See the news item below for more information.

For those who are able to attend, we'll see you at Boo Bash tonight from 6-8pm!

Wishing you a wonderful weekend,

Jen Teal

Principal

Rosita y Conchita by Eric Gonzalez

Help Conchita celebrate the life of her sister as she sets up a memorial altar for her on the Day of the Dead. This heartfelt story book rhymes in English & Spanish.

• October 23: Boo Bash 6:00-8:00pm
• October 28: Picture Retake Day (9:15-11:15am)
• October 30: Costume Parade followed by classroom parties (2:15-3:15pm)

• November 3: NO SCHOOL
• November 9, 10, 12, 13: Hearing Screenings for K, 2nd, 4th, and all self contained classrooms
• November 11: LATE START
• November 13: Blizzard Day
• November 20: HALF DAY
• November 20: PTO Bagel Day Sale ($2 cash or Bagel Punch Card)
• November 25-27: NO SCHOOL

• December 18: PTO Bagel Day Sale ($2 cash or Bagel Punch Card)
• December 21-January 1: NO SCHOOL

Here at Gretchko, we love recognizing students who are following our classroom social contracts and demonstrating responsibility, respect, safety, and kindness. This week, we have been on the lookout for students who are setting a great example and we have been handing out many Rockin' Croc tickets. A copy of the ticket goes home so you can celebrate with your our student as well, and the other half is entered into our Friday drawing.

ROCKIN' CROC winners for October 23, 2026:

Judith Dickinson, Lara Davis, Mila Alexiev, Scarlett Zietlow, Abraham Morquecho, Graham Hanna, Isidro Diaz Saucedo, Charlotte Samona, Hayden Kincaid, Alivia Diab, Jade Anderson, Theo Hughes, Kade Daniels, Sunny Kulig, Nooray Yasirani, Nora Leach, Mila Ryan

Join us for a spooktacular evening at Gretchko’s Boo Bash on October 23 from 6–8 p.m.! Costumes are welcome, so come dressed in your Halloween best and enjoy an evening packed with fun for the whole family.

The festivities will include food trucks, a DJ dance party, games, bingo, and a silent auction featuring decorated pumpkins and themed baskets. We’ll also have a special visitor bringing creepy, crawly creatures for an unforgettable animal experience!

Bring your family, invite your friends, and get ready to boo-gie the night away!

Boo Bash Auction Link

Want to volunteer? Here's how you can help!

• If you would like to help in your child's room specifically, please reach out to your child's teacher directly.
• If you would like to help with behind the scenes work such as copying, stapling, organizing or take home projects please click this link to sign up for Buoy Crew.
• If you would like to work with students school-wide please email Jennifer.Teal@wbsd.org with your preferences of times and days.

All volunteers must complete the iChat form annually and send or bring in a copy of their driver's license to the main office. Once you have been approved, you will be able to begin volunteering!

PTO.Gretchko@gmail.com

https://linktr.ee/gretchkopto

Oakland County provides a no cost hearing screening to all students in Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade, and all self contained classes each year. This year the screenings will be November 9, 10, 12 and 13 at Gretchko during school.

Please join us on Friday, November 6 for a fun night of Fueling Kids' Futures annual Trivia Night Fundraiser.

Fueling Kids' Futures (FKF) is run entirely by volunteers who purchase, pack, and send home six non perishable meals to students each weekend of the school year. This year we are feeding over 225 children a week.

Please consider buying a tickets to the event, being a sponsor for the program, or donating raffle items to be used that evening.

Tickets can be purchased online at fuelingkidsfutures.org/events or email katherinesheiko@hotmail.com

• October 2026 Lunch
• November 2026 Lunch

Regular school attendance is one of the most important factors in student success! To protect valuable learning time, we want to remind families that students will not be released after 3:15 p.m. unless there is a documented emergency. We understand that car line can be busy, but wanting to avoid the wait does not qualify as an emergency. Learning continues right up until the end of the school day at Gretchko. When students leave early, they miss important instruction, and early dismissals can also disrupt learning for their classmates. We appreciate your partnership in helping us make every minute of learning count!

We know childhood hunger is a huge problem. Fueling Kids' Futures goal is to make sure no student goes hungry over the weekend by sending six non-perishable meals home discretely with students each Friday at no cost to families. If your child would benefit from this program, please complete the form below and turn it in to the main office.

There are many community resources available to families in need. See the Oakland County Community Resource Guide, which includes resources about topics including Abuse & Protective Services; Food Pantries, Clothing & Household Support; Healthcare Services; Housing Assistance; and Parenting & Pregnancy Resources.

211 (United Way) offers resources/connections for family support as well. Parents/adults can call, text, or email. Here is the link to the 211 website, which is searchable by topic. Additionally, see these 211 flyers in English, Spanish, and Arabic.

Finally, here are some resources for Food Pantry/Supplies near WB/Oakland County.

WBSD has partnered with ParentGuidance.org to give parents free access to resources and helpful information. We have shared this information with our families. We hope that it will be useful for some of you as well!

ParentGuidance.org is an online service by licensed therapists that provides trusted and specialized courses, professional support, and a safe community for parents to learn how to support their children and get answers to mental health questions.

Phone:

• Main Office Phone: (248)865-6570
• SAFELINE to report absences: (248) 865-6572. This is a 24 hour answering machine.