Hello Wixom families!

It was another busy and productive week at Wixom! I’m enjoying spending time getting to know more and more students. I continue to be impressed by the respect and kindness I see in our student each day!

This week our 5th graders completed the Science MStep test and began the Math test portion. I am SO proud of our fifth graders and their hard work during their testing times. Our 3rd graders enjoyed a second visit with staff from the Huron-Clinton MetroParks as they continue learning about the People of the Three Fires of Michigan (Ojibwa Ottawa in Potawatomi). On Friday, our Kindergartner Superhero readers were spotted soaring through the hallways, reading signs, bulletin boards and more!

As parents/caregivers today, one of the biggest challenges, many of you are facing is likely to be related to technology: cell phones, screen time and social media! I recently read a book I would highly recommend titled The Anxious Generation. The book is well rooted in extensive research by author Jonathan Haidt. In the coming weeks, I will share some highlights from the book that struck me both as a parent and as an educator. While I do not face the same pressures you do in regards to technology and social media as a parent (as my children are all grown) I continue to be curious, wanting to learn more about how to support families with these challenges. Much of the research and messaging in the book is focused on pre-teens and teens but I feel the content is very valuable for ALL parents!

Jonathan Haidt wrote The Anxious Generation with a firm belief that the challenges confronting our children and our families are solvable. Addressing these challenges requires understanding the traps we have fallen into, so we can see the escape routes. Below is a link to a talk from Jonathan Haidt that I think you will find time worthy as you navigate technology usage, specifically cell phone, screen time and social media.

I wish you all a great week!

Sincerely,

Kristin Froning

Friday, April 18

• No School

Friday, April 25

• Popcorn Day
• PTA Family Art Night: Open House 6:00 -8:00 pm (See information below)

Tuesday , April 29

• 1/2 Day for Students: Dismissal @ 12:35 pm

Tuesday, May 6

• PTA Meeting 6:00 pm

• Spring Flower Fundraiser Pick-Up *Please note this is a Wednesday

Tuesday, May 20

• 1/2 Day for Students: Dismissal @ 12:35 pm

Friday, May 23

• Wixom Field Day (more information to come!)

Mark the date! More details to come!

Friday, May 23rd

*Rain date: Friday, May 30th

The testing window for grades 3rd - 5th grade is April 7 - May 15. Please see specific grade level testing dates below.

We ask that you make your best effort to ensure your child is present on testing days. Please try to refrain from trips or appointments if possible on those days. Obviously, if your child is ill, he or she should recover at home. Absent students will be required to take make-up tests on alternate dates and miss classroom instruction. We appreciate your support!

Hello, Walled Lake Families!

This April, you can recognize your favorite Walled Lake staff member by nominating them for a "Super Star Staff" award with a $10 donation to the Foundation for Excellence (FFE).

Your nomination enters them into a drawing to win one of two $500 prizes, sponsored by the Walled Lake Schools Federal Credit Union.

• Here’s what your $10 donation includes:

  • One raffle entry for your nominated staff member

  • A personalized certificate with your winners message, delivered to th

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    All donations go to support the FFE’s mission to bring more resources to Walled Lake classrooms. Just last month, they gave over $51,000 to 70 classrooms!

    You can nominate any staff member in the district—teachers, bus drivers, administrators, custodians, para-professionals, etc.

    Important Dates:

    • Nomination Deadline: April 30

    • Winners drawn: May 2. (No public announcement will be made as the winners will be identified with a surprise visit to their work location.)

    • Surprise Visits to winners: During Staff Appreciation Week (May 5–9).

    Click here to submit your nomination: Super Star Staff Nominations

    If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Jackie Gurwin, Executive Director of the FFE, at JackieGurwin@wlcsd.org.

    Let’s celebrate the amazing people who support our kids every day!

    
    

The Lost & Found is overflowing! Please stop by and take a look if you are missing items!

REMINDER: Possession of look-alike weapons, including toy guns, dart guns, and BB guns, is strictly prohibited on all school grounds and properties. This applies not only during school hours but also after school hours and on weekends. As the weather warms and families may be accessing playgrounds, these items are not permitted. For the safety of our school community, we want everyone to be aware that these devices are not allowed at any time on school property.

The Wixom PTA Google Calendar can be found here: https://shorturl.at/QyTie

You can also add them all to your own Google Calendar with one click!

NEXT PTA MEETING

Our next PTA Meeting will be Tuesday, May 6th at 6:00 PM. All members of the PTA are welcome to attend. The meeting will be held in person in the Media Center. Childcare will be available. You can join the meeting virtually at the following link: meet.google.com/ecj-uwre-ppp

Shop at Five Below in Novi between April 9th and April 16th, and Wixom Elementary receives 10% of your purchase. Present this flyer to a sales associate at the time of purchase. Paper copies will be sent out Monday, April 7.

The purpose of the Kindness Matters award is to honor and recognize those individuals and organizations who exhibit kindness and care toward others. You may nominate any student, teacher, secretary, administrator, bus driver, playground supervisor, or any Walled Lake Schools employee. You may also nominate a parent, grandparent, community member, company, or an organization.

You may select any or all the above who: demonstrate kindness on a frequent basis, go out of their way to make others feel better, lead initiatives in their school or community to benefit others, or inspire others to show kindness.

The deadline to nominate is Monday, April 14.

Potential changes to the U.S. Department of Education could significantly impact Michigan schools, affecting funding for low-income schools, special education, school meals, and college affordability.

With nearly 10% of Michigan’s education budget coming from federal funding, these cuts could challenge our students’ ability to learn and succeed.

Governor Whitmer wants to hear your thoughts on these proposed changes. Make your voice heard, and fill out the survey today.

https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=h3D71Xc3rUKWaoku9HIl0ZdMqrfL6J1Ljtrljky38TBUODM3S1Q2U09UOEc3QURGSlhCUEU0OFM3Mi4u&route=shorturl

A bill called the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA) was recently introduced in Congress. The bill would create the first ever nationalized voucher system, redirecting billions of taxpayer dollars away from public schools towards private and religious institutions and homeschooling.

The National PTA encourages families to contact your members of Congress, urging them to oppose ECCA.

CLICK HERE to easily send a message through the organization's VoterVoice system.

Dads, Step-Dads, Grandpas, Uncles, Brothers & all ‘Dudes’:

The Wixom WatchDOGS’ mission is to get men more involved with our Wixom Elementary educational community, doing our part by:

• Providing positive male role models for our students

• Assisting with classroom and playground activities

• Leading or supporting school improvement projects

• Hosting fun events for our students and their families

• Helping reduce bullying and improving school security

Join the Wixom WatchDOGS Mailing List for more info, and

Follow our Wixom WatchDOGS on Facebook

Looking for an easy way to support our school? Shop for groceries at Kroger and they will contribute money to our PTA. It’s easy to sign up in the Kroger App:

1. Click the three horizontal lines in the upper right corner

2. Choose “Rewards”

3. Choose “Community Rewards”

4. Search for “Wixom Elementary PTA” and enroll

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.

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

Signing Up for SMS Messages via Skylert

If you do not have access to a computer at home for your child to use for iReady lessons,

please contact the school and we may be able to let you borrow a Chromebook. We have a limited number of Chromebooks available for students to borrow for the year.

Front office: 248-956-3400

Principal: Mrs. Kristin Froning (kristinfroning@wlcsd.org)

Principal Secretary: Mrs. Michele Abele (MicheleAbele@wlcsd.org)

Building Secretary: Mrs. Tamara Baker (TamaraBaker@wlcsd.org)

Office: 248-956-3400

FAX: 248-956-3405

Absence Line: 248-956-3490

Late Bus Hotline: 248-956-5199 - All late buses will be listed on the hotline if the driver is running TEN OR MORE minutes late.

Address:

301 North Wixom Road
Wixom, MI 48393