The Sheiko Weekly Update

Dear Sheiko Families,

What a great week of learning it has been at Sheiko!

Our 3rd graders had an exciting trip to Lansing, where they visited the Capitol Building and the Michigan Historical Museum. Meanwhile, our 4th graders participated in the Garlic Mustard Pulling and Watershed Model Program at Marshbank Park. During this experience, a naturalist welcomed the students with a 15-minute introduction to watersheds, pollution, and invasive species. Students then received guidance on how to efficiently and safely remove invasive garlic mustard. Finally, they followed the naturalist off-trail on West Bloomfield Park property to pull garlic mustard and pick up any litter they found.

Kindergarteners are eagerly preparing for their upcoming trip to Upland Farms, and our 1st graders are heading to the Nature Center. 2nd grade will soon be exploring Apple Island, and 5th grade is gearing up for an unforgettable adventure at Camp Tanuga!

Our BIG ANNOUNCEMENT this week: All students will enjoy Field Day on Friday, May 23rd!

Whew—what an incredible season of learning and adventure for all of our Lakers. Thank you, as always, for partnering with us!

Goooooooooooooooooo Lakers!

Warm regards,
Blaine McDowell

We are so excited that Camp Tanuga is finally here! Here are a few reminders:

• Day of departure (Tuesday, May 20th) please have your student at Sheiko at 6:30am sharp. The buses will be leaving promptly at 7am. The buses will not wait for late students. If a student misses the bus it is then the parents responsibility to get them to camp and no refunds will be granted.

• The buses will stop ½ way so that students can stretch their legs and have nut free donut(s) and juice/water.

• NO PHONES ALLOWED. Any cell phone found will be confiscated and locked in the care of Mrs. McDowell. Confiscated cell phones will be returned to a parent when students return to Sheiko on Thursday, May 22nd.

• Please label all items with your students name.

• Students will return (tentatively) to Sheiko around 3pm. This time is not set in stone because of traffic. We will keep all parents/guardians informed through the Photocircle App.

Please download the Photocircle App HERE! With this App you will be able to see all the students having the very best time at Camp Tanuga.

MAY 20TH -22ND - 5TH GRADE CAMP TANUGA TRIP

MAY 21ST - LATE START

MAY 23RD - FIELD DAY

MAY 28TH - 5TH GR BAND & CHOIR CONCERT

JUNE 3RD - KINDERGARTEN CONCERT

JUNE 5TH - 5TH GRADE PROMOTION

8:45-9:45am Mr. Malisow & Mrs. Strutton

10-11am Ms. Dinning & Mr. Wilson

We are collecting food for Spirit of Grace. They help a lot of families in our community. If you would be willing to send in an item with your student, that would be awesome! We will be collecting items until the last day of school and can be brought to the office. They are most in need of the following items:

peanut butter

FREE Co-Ed Try Lacrosse Clinics
Hosted by West Bloomfield Lacrosse

Location: Scotch Elementary School
Dates: Wednesdays, May 21st & May 28th
Who: Boys & Girls in Grades 3–5 & 6–8
Cost: FREE
Equipment: All gear provided – just sign up, show up and be ready to have fun!

Join us for one or two exciting evenings of fun and learning the basics of one of the fastest-growing sports in the U.S. Whether your child is brand new to the sport or just wants to give it a shot, these clinics are the perfect introduction to lacrosse!

Clinic Schedule:
Grades 3–5: 5:00–6:00 PM

Grades 6–8: 6:00–7:00 PM

Spots are limited, so don’t wait —

Click here to sign up for the Free Try Lacrosse Clinics

Questions? Email us at wbboyslax@gmail.com

Stay tuned for our upcoming Summer Lacrosse Programs, including:

• Session 1: Introduction to Lacrosse (Boys & Girls)
  
  

• Session 2: Intermediate Lacrosse & Gameplay (Boys & Girls)
  
  

We can’t wait to see you on the field!

West Bloomfield Parents & Guardians,

In the upcoming weeks, K-9 students will participate in the Spring NWEA Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Growth Assessment for Math and Language Arts. Each school and teacher will be communicating when your child will take the assessment. We need your help in ensuring that your child takes the assessment seriously, gives his/her very best, and is well rested for the assessment. Please read the information below so that we can work together to maximize this assessment experience.

• Please be aware of communication from your child’s school regarding the dates of the assessment so that you can help your child mentally prepare. If you are unsure of the dates, please feel free to connect with your child’s teacher.

• Our mindset and words matter. Please take the time to emphasize the importance of the assessment and to encourage your child to do his/her very best.

• The NWEA MAP Growth Assessment is a computer-adaptive test designed to measure your child’s academic growth in Math and Reading.

• This assessment is a helpful data point that we use to measure your child’s academic progress and growth at three different points of the year–fall, winter, and spring. It is also one of the benchmark assessment options that is required by the state.

• Our teachers use the results of this assessment to shape future lessons, instructional groupings, and individualized instructional strategies.

• The data from this assessment can be used to identify additional instructional support outside of the classroom and to identify students who have not self-selected into accelerated programs, like Advanced Math or Magnet.

• Students will be given the opportunity to retake the math or reading assessment if their score does not improve AND if there are legitimate reasons for a retest. More information about retesting can be found in the Frequently Asked Questions document linked here.

• As a parent, you have the right to refuse any retesting opportunities. If you do not wish for your child to retest under any circumstances, please notify your child’s teacher, and we will honor this request.

• Teacher messages to students prior to the assessment will NOT focus on having to retest if they don’t perform well. Rather, they will focus on maintaining a positive mindset toward the assessment opportunity. When a retest is being considered, they will address students individually after the results of the assessment have been determined.

For more information regarding the NWEA MAP Growth Assessment in Math and Language Arts, please read the “Frequently Asked Questions” portion of this communication by clicking on this link. Thank you for your continued partnership and support!

Sincerely,

Scott Long

Assistant Superintendent of Learning Services

We’d love to hear from you! Please take a minute to fill out our PTO survey. Your thoughts help us plan events and activities that your kids will love and that truly support our school. Thanks for being such an important part of our Sheiko community!

Being part of the PTO isn’t just about meetings—it’s about creating memorable experiences for our kids. Whether it’s organizing exciting events, planning fundraisers, or supporting school programs, there are many ways to help. Plus, kids love seeing their parents at school—it makes them feel special and proud!

Why join the PTO?

• Meet other amazing Sheiko parents
• Help plan fun school events
• Support educational programs
• Share ideas & make a real difference

No matter how much time you can give, every little bit helps! Whether you want to volunteer occasionally or take on a bigger role, we’d love to have you on board.

Thank you!

Summer Camps:

• WBSD Community Education Summer Camp at Doherty Elementary, Info Here

• Camp Invention, Info Here
• Sunset Theatre Camp, Info Here
• Resources for Special Services Camps, Info Here
• Other Camps around Oakland County, Info Here

Download the app for access to a real time bus locator. Check out the Bus Tracker flyer with step by step instructions. Be sure to use our school access code 4079WBSD

For detailed instructions on how to set up the app please see the attachment below.

Parents of WBSD students can apply to receive six non-perishable meals each Friday of the school year. The goal of Fueling Kids' Futures is to make sure no child goes hungry on the weekend. Run by volunteers, there is NO cost to the families. For the application, click here.

Email: blaine.mcdowell@wbsd.org
Website: https://www.wbsd.org/sheiko-elementary
Location: 3380 Orchard Lk Rd West Bloomfield, 48324
Phone: 248-865-6370
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/225210744201191
Twitter: @BlaineMcDowell