Gretchko Elementary Newsletter

Hello Lakers!

Last week's PTO-sponsored Boo Bash was such a blast, and we ended this week with equally special class parties and our annual Halloween parade. We're so glad so many families could join us.

Speaking of Boo Bash, we have an important giveaway to share! Thanks to our sponsor, the Greater West Bloomfield Community Coalition, at Boo Bash we were giving away Deterra medication disposal bags, Med Lock bags (pouches with a combination lock), and lockable hard-cased containers. These helpful items allow families to safely dispose of old or unused medications and keep medications secure at home. We have some leftover, so if you would like any of these free items for your home, please stop by the main office. A big thank-you to the GWBCC for supporting medication safety!

Next week, please note that we have no school on Election Day, November 3rd.

Wishing you a safe and wonderful Halloween weekend for those who participate,

Jen Teal

Principal

Musquon must overcome her impatience while learning to distinguish sweetgrass from other salt marsh grasses, but slowly the spirit and peace of her surroundings speak to her, and she gathers sweetgrass as her ancestors have done for centuries, leaving the first blade she sees to grow for future generations.

• November 2: Last Day to Order November Blizzards
• 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 11: 5th Grade Camp Meeting for Parents (Zoom)
• November 13: Blizzard Day
• November 17: Evening Virtual Parent Teacher Conferences
• November 20: HALF DAY
• November 20: PTO Bagel Day Sale ($2 cash or Bagel Punch Card)
• November 20: Afternoon Parent Teacher Conferences
• November 25-27: NO SCHOOL
• November 30: Last Day to Order Yearbooks

• 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.

Juliana Tripp, Jesany Rosario, Minahil Shaik, Jackson Duneghy, Andrew Young, Konan Kouassi, Adeline Robinson, Ayah Gandee, Kora Chapp, Noah Rodriguez, Amir Cottingham, Jackson Voss, Javid Benjamin Taylor Perry, Kaelyn Waryszak, and Lena Parr

Congratulations to our October Laker Leader of the Month, Scarlett Wood! In addition to being a lunch cart Laker Leader, she supports in a 1st grade classroom during math time. She was nominated by Miss Elliott. She said, "Scarlett is such a kind and patient role model for the first and second graders in my classroom. She is someone the students truly look up to, and her presence alone encourages more participation during our lessons. She always goes above and beyond when asked to work with a student or help with a task during math. Even when we see her around the school, she always makes a point to wave to my class and me, which absolutely makes my students' day! Scarlett is an amazing helper, a wonderful role model, and such a positive presence at Gretchko. We are so lucky to have her!" Keep up the great work Scarlett!

Congratulations to Asiya Cisic on being selected as the recipient of the Superintendent’s Excellence Award for October. Nominated by Ellie Arghavani, Asiya is a fourth-grade student at Gretchko Elementary School who demonstrates strong academic achievement, leadership, and kindness. In addition to her academic and artistic accomplishments, Asiya is recognized for her thoughtfulness, respect for others, and efforts to ensure her classmates feel included. She is a wonderful example of the positive difference our students make each day.

We have an important giveaway to share! Thanks to our sponsor, the Greater West Bloomfield Community Coalition, we have Deterra medication disposal bags, Med Lock bags (pouches with a combination lock), and lockable hard-cased containers. These helpful items allow families to safely dispose of old or unused medications and keep medications secure at home. If you would like any of these free items for your home, please stop by the main office. A big thank-you to the GWBCC for supporting medication safety!

• November 2026 Lunch

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.

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!

• 11.9.26 ELD Parent Meeting Spanish translation

• 11.9.26 ELD Parent Meeting Japanese translation

• 11.9.26 ELD Parent Meeting Arabic translation

• 11.9.26 ELD Parent Meeting German translation

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

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

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.