Woods Lake Elementary

Hello Woods Lake Families,

As we celebrate Black History Month, we honor the achievements and contributions of Black individuals throughout history. This month is a wonderful opportunity to inspire our students to strive for excellence in their studies and personal growth.

We encourage our students to focus on their academic achievements, demonstrate positive behavior, and maintain excellent attendance. Together, let’s support our students in reaching their full potential and becoming proud contributors to our community.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support.

Sincerely,

Linda Mitchell, Principal

Parents and Guardians,

Our next Book Club meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 25th at 5:00 pm in the library at Woods Lake to discuss our 4th book: This Sweet Earth

If you'd like to retrieve a discounted copy of the book from our local, neighborhood bookstore, The Bookbug then please click on the following link: This Sweet Earth and use

DISCOUNT CODE: WOODSLAKE at check out.

Thank you

To maximize student learning time, please ensure your child arrives at school on time each day at 8:44 am. If you need to pick up your child before dismissal for an emergency or an appointment, kindly contact the main office and ensure they are picked up no later than 3:00 PM.

Here are the updates and information for our upcoming events:

Picture Day: Any and all volunteers are welcome to help anytime between 9 am and noon on Wednesday February 12th. Help is needed to bring classes to and from the photo site in the cafeteria and help manage students while they wait in line.

Valentine Candy Grams: On Monday morning, February 3rd, I will be giving each teacher envelopes with clasps on them. A small envelope will contain blank candy grams. A large envelope will be used for collecting money and returned candy grams. Envelopes will be picked up on Monday February 10th. Volunteers will sort the returned candy grams by delivery class. Teachers will receive their class candy grams, with corresponding number of blow pop suckers, on Valentines Day. I will check with teachers to provide more blank candy grams as needed.

School Dance: The dance will take place on Friday February 21st from 6:00-7:30 p.m. The theme is "A Snowflake Soirée". We would decorate the walls of the gym by taping paper snowflakes and decorate with shades of blues, whites, and silvers.

Teachers will sell pre-printed paper tickets in the classroom, recording the name of the student and how many tickets were purchased. Tickets are $5 per family. Tickets are $7 if purchased at the door. Cash only.

The dance entry will be through the glass doors outside the gym area. A welcome table would collect tickets and/or check names off the list from the classroom ticket sales envelopes.

Volunteers will work in shifts so they can rotate areas and/or enjoy the dance themselves. I will send out a sign-up genius for anyone with a background check to work in shifts. Some of the areas:

-ticket takers/door greeters

-monitoring the bathroom area and the photo booth area, which will be in the corner of the hall between the dance entrance and the bathrooms upstairs

-working concessions: there will be a table where families can buy paper tickets. One ticket=one dollar. They can then use their paper ticket at the concession area to buy water, pop, pizza, and candy.

**We are still looking for a DJ!

The librarian said she is interested in working with the art teacher on decor. l am going to email the two of them and include Ms.Lipsey and Ms. Garcia, since they enjoy decorating. I'm hoping they will be willing to put together our photo booth area and decorate around the door where students will enter the gym.

I will need to find out what time on the 21st we could start decorating. For inspiration ideas, you can google : winter wonderland school dance or snowflake school dance, etc.

More information is to come. :)

-Amber

1.Show your friends and teachers how much you care by sending a Valentine Candy Gram! PTO will be selling candy grams for $1.00 from Monday February 3rd through Friday February 6th. Candy grams will be delivered on Valentines Day along with a treat! Please send students with cash if they would like to send a candy gram to a teacher or friend!

2.The PTO invites you to shake off the winter blues! Dress to impress at "A Snowflake Soirée" on Friday February 21st! This family dance will take place in the gym from 6:00-7:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 per family and go on sale in the classroom on February 10th. Cash concessions will be sold at the dance. This is not a drop off event: students must be accompanied by an adult. Questions can be directed to woodslakepto@gmail.com. See you at the dance!

3. Wednesday, February 5, 2025, MTSS Student Assembly at 9:35 am.

4. Wednesday, February 12, 2025 is Count Day and Picture Day.

5. Half day on February 19th and students will be dismissed at 12:06 pm.

6. Literacy Night will be held on February 26th from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm.

7. Students participate in outdoor recess so please make sure that your student dresses according to, the weather.

8. If you need assistance with winter gear for your children then please contact Dana Flynn with Communities In Schools at 269-337-0790.

9. Upcoming half day on February 19th and students will be dismissed at 12:06 pm.

10. Literacy Night will be held on February 26th from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm.

11. Please complete the Education Benefit Forms so your child can continue to receive free breakfast and free lunch. Please access the form at the bottom of the newsletter.

12. If you are in need of weekend food packs or need help with food then please contact CIS Coordinator, Dana Flynn with the following information:

Ph: 269.337.0790

Cell: 269.903.1703

flynndc@kalamazoopublicschools.net

1. We can't make same day bus changes.

2. If you have to make a transportation change then contact the Main Office.

3. Once the change has been made then you will be contacted.

4. Your student(s) will have to ride their assigned bus until the change has been made or you will have to transport your student(s) to and from school until the change is made.

5. Please contact the Main Office no later than 3:00 pm if you have a dismissal plan change.

Please click on the following link to access attendance information: https://www.kalamazoopublicschools.com/departments/student-services/attendance

3215 Oakland Dr.

Kalamazoo, MI 49008

Office: 269-337-0790

Fax: 269-337-1637