Pembroke Press
March 16, 2026
Hoyne Happenings
Happy Monday Pembroke Families,
We had another great week of March is Reading month including teacher swaps, the March Madness Book Bracket, and special guest reader, Representative Sharon MacDonell. As a reminder, on Friday, March 27th we will have a special PRIDE Pack featuring all students in a character parade. All students will participate in the character parade, students who donβt have costumes will be able to make a costume during PRIDE Packs.
This weekend many Pembroke students competed at the district Battle of the Books. We are so proud of the character they showed and how hard they worked. Congratulations to all 8 teams that participated for being an incredible representation of Pembroke. A special congratulations to Here Comes the Books for a 3rd place finish and the Bookstreet Boyz who won best team name. Way to go!
If you havenβt yet signed up for conferences next week please see the link below. We value our partnership with families and look forward to seeing you in person next week. Finally, this Friday, we have a half day dismissal at 11:50 am.
Colleen Hoyne
Here Comes the Books - 3rd place!
Bookstreet Boyz - Best Name!
HALF DAY 3/20 - DISMISSAL AT 11:50!
Important Dates
Fri., March 20 - Half Day - Dismissal at 11:50 (Rock your Socks Day)
Tues., March 24 - Pembroke Conferences 5-7pm (BOOK FAIR)
Wed., March 25 - Half Day! Dismissal at 11:50 - Conferences 1-7pm (BOOK FAIR)
Thurs., March 26 - Spirit Day - Tigers Day
Fri., March 27 - Spirit Day - Dress like a Book Character Day ****Character Parade
Mon., March 30 - Fri., April 3 - SPRING BREAK
Wed., April 8 - PTA International Night 6-7:30pm, 4th grade Instrument Night @ Groves
Fri., April 10 - Half Day - Dismissal at 11:50
Tues., April 14 - Kaiser - Fun Day Pictures
Wed., April 15 - Art/STEAM Night 5:30-7pm
Thurs., April 16 - 4th grade Instrument Fitting
Fri., April 17 - Girls Scouts - My Guy and Me Dance 7-9pm
Wed. April 22 - Pembroke PTA Meeting 7pm, 4/5 grade field trip to DSO
Wed., April 29 - March is Reading Month Skating Party @ SkateWorld
Parent Teacher Conferences
We are looking forward to welcoming parents/guardians into our buildings for in person parent-teacher conferences. Our partnership is so important and the Pembroke staff is excited to share your childβs progress as a member of our Pembroke Pride. Our goal is 100% percent participation in this partnership for parent-teacher conferences. The school is alive with projects and student work that is filling the hallways and classrooms.
Here is the link to sign up for Tuesday, March 24 or Wednesday, March 25 Parent Teacher Conferences:
https://ptcfast.com/schools/Pembroke
Tuesday, March 24 - FULL DAY OF SCHOOL - Conferences 5-7pm
Wednesday, March 25 - 1/2 DAY OF SCHOOL - Conferences 1-7pm
**NOTE: Information about Conferences with January Hladki (Spanish) will be coming soon!
Sign up genius for Mr. Smith - 5th grade Band/Orchestra - Click Here!
Parent Survey - Technology in School
The District Curriculum Council is currently reviewing district practices related to student technology use, screen time, and digital tools used for learning. Technology use in classrooms may include writing, research, assessments, digital textbooks, simulations, collaboration, and other instructional activities.
This survey is not related to student cell phone or personal device use. The recent law passed by the State of Michigan regarding personal digital device use during the school day is being reviewed by a separate district committee, and opportunities for input on that topic will be shared with families at a later time.
For this survey, we are gathering input from families to inform potential recommendations on screen time, instructional technology, and digital learning tools used in classrooms.
Your responses will help us better understand community perspectives as we review current practices. If you have children in multiple grade bands, please complete a separate survey for each child.
This survey should take 2β3 minutes to complete.
March is Reading Month
Spirit Days
March 20 - Rock Your Socks!
March 26 - Tigers Day
March 27 - Dress like a Character
Half Days in March
Battle of the Books
Battle of the Books was a fabulously fun celebration of reading and readers! Pembroke team "Here Comes the Books" took 3rd place overall out of 68 teams! Pembroke team "Bookstreet Boyz" won for best team name. Congratulations to all 40 of our Pembroke participants. We are so proud of you! Thank you to Baldwin Library for partnering with BPS School Librarians to put on this event each year!
Save the Date: STEAM and Art Innovation Night
Collecting Clear Plastic Bottles
Mrs. Saldana would love any clear plastic bottles for a future art project! Feel free to drop off your plastic bottles into the Main Office. Thanks so much!
M-Step Testing Dates
**Updated dates!**
5th
April 7, 13, 14, 21, 24, 27
May 5, 6, 7, 11
4th
April 16, 17, 20
May 5, 6, 7
3rd
April 14, 15, 17
April 28, 29, 30
VW E-Lab - Cardboard Needed!
Weβre reaching out with a small request that will make a big impact in our VW E-Lab!
Our students are working on hands-on projects that require clean cardboard snack and cereal boxes, and we would love your help. If you have any empty, clean cereal or snack boxes at home, we kindly ask that you send them in with your child.
These donated boxes will be used for creative building, design, and engineering activities in the E-Lab, giving students the opportunity to explore, innovate, and learn through hands-on experiences.
No toys at school
We love our studentsβ creativity and enthusiasm for sharing their favorite items from home! However, to minimize distractions and ensure everyone stays focused on learning, we ask that toys remain at home unless a teacher has given permission for a special activity (such as show-and-tell).
Bringing toys to school can sometimes lead to distractions, disagreements, or lost/broken items. To avoid these situations, teachers will collect any toys brought to school and return them at dismissal. We appreciate your partnership in helping us create a positive and productive school environment for all students.
Thank you for your support!
Important Pick up/Drop Off Reminders
1. Please make sure you pull all the way forward before you merge into traffic during arrival and dismissal. This allows us to keep the line moving and helps ensure the safety of those walking in the parking lot.
2. If you are dropping off, please wait in the line. Do not go around cars to pull further up in the line.
We appreciate your efforts to ensure a safe and efficient drop off and arrival at Pembroke!
4th Grade Instrument Night
Dear 4th Grade families,
One of the wonderfully unique opportunities that students have in 5th grade is the chance to play an instrument in either the band or the orchestra. Please join us on Wednesday, April 8th at 6:30 p.m. in Seaholm Auditorium for performances from our high school students, as well as information about the Elementary Instrumental Music program.
Please contact Mr. Smith with any questions you may have.
Mr. Smith, Band & Orchestra (ssmith2@birmingham.k12.mi.us)
Marshall Music Instrument Fitting - April 16th at Pembroke.
Yearbook Sales
Kindergarten Registration
Thursday is Bagel Day! $2 each
With the rising cost of bagels, we will be increasing the price per bagel to $2 per bagel. (Plain or Salt available) - each child is allowed one bagel. Bagels will be sold in the main lobby and at the Witherbee loop entrance. Thanks to all our 4th grade parent volunteers!
ABCD Schedule
Link to Pembroke Menu
Attendance/Sickness/Long term absence
Please contact the Pembroke Attendance Line if your child will be late or absent. You can leave a message at 248-203-3888 Option 2. Or email Tracy Longe at tlonge@birmingham.k12.mi.us.
If your child will be absent for 4 days or more - please complete an extended absence form and submit to the Pembroke Main Office or email to Tracy Longe.
Friendly reminder on the Pembroke Sickness Policy:
- 24 hours Fever & Vomit Free with no medications!
- If your child has cold symptoms and requires cough drops, please send cough drops to the office with a note giving permission to provide them to the student.
- Absences with a doctor/dentist note are excused
Community Ed Updates
π¨ New After-School Classes Just Added!
Weβve added fun one day classes that focus on art and edible creationsβperfect for kids who love to get creative and hands-on.
βοΈ Plus, a new session of Chess Wizards begins right after Spring Break! Students can learn the basics or improve their chess skills in a fun and supportive environment.
Visit www.communityed.net to sign up today! Spots are limitedβsign up soon!
Spring Break Camps
Pembroke PTA News
MARCH 19TH -- DISTRICT WIDE SHOWING OF SCREENAGERS
The Pembroke PTA is excited to partner with all of the BPS elementary and middle schools to host screenings of the documentary "Screenagers"
This powerful documentary dives into the science behind screen time and its impact on mental health, sleep, learning, and friendships β and offers practical, research-based strategies to help families navigate phones, social media, and digital independence in healthy, balanced ways.
The Elementary Edition screenings will be held at the Groves Auditorium at 6:30pm on March 19th. Each screening will last approximately one hour. For more information and to view the trailer: Screenagers: Elementary Edition
Since this is an event open to all elementary families in our district we do ask that you use the Sign Up Genius to RSVP to ensure we have adequate space for those attending: Elementary School Sign Up Genius - March 4th and March 19th Screenings
If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to Monica at monica.brinkman@gmail.com
INTERNATIONAL NIGHT β April 8th
International Night is back!
Help bring the world to Pembroke by hosting a table at International Night! Families are invited to share a country, culture, or tradition that is meaningful to them. Your table can include food samples, music, photos, decorations, traditional clothing, or a simple activity for kids. It doesnβt have to be fancy β the goal is to celebrate and learn from each other. Hosting a table is a fun way to share your story and help create an exciting βtrip around the worldβ for our students and families! β¨βοΈ
We cannot make this event a success without your help! Sign up here to host a table!
STAFF DINNER - DONATIONS NEEDED!
The Pembroke PTA will be providing the staff dinner on Tuesday, March 24th during parent/teacher conferences.
Sign up here if you would like to donate items for the Spring Conference Dinner! Thank you!
2026-2027 PTA Board
We need a treasurer!
The PTA cannot function next year without a Treasurer. This role is essential to keeping our programs, events, and fundraisers running, and without someone stepping up, many of the things our students and families love simply canβt happen. If youβve been looking for a meaningful way to support the Pembroke PRIDE this is truly one of the most impactful ways to do it.
Email Monica at monica.brinkman@gmail.com if you have any questions or you are interested in a position.
Save the Date!
Wednesday, April 8, 2026 β INTERNATIONAL NIGHT 6-7:30 PM
Wednesday, April 22, 2026 - PTA MEETING 7pm (Media Center)
Wednesday May 13, 2026 -PTA MEETING 7pm (Media Center) - (tentative)
π± STAY IN THE LOOP! π
Donβt miss out on the latest PTA updates, events, and behind-the-scenes fun β follow us on social media!
π Check us out and give us a follow β your like might just make our day!
PTA Instagram
@pembroke_elementary_pta
PTA Facebook
Pembroke Elementary Family and Friends (Private Group)
BBSC Soccer
United F.C. Michigan Soccer
SNAPtivities
π£ BPS Parent Night β For Families of ALL Ages!
From backpacks to busy schedules β executive functioning skills matter at every stage. Join us for an engaging and practical parent session: From Chaos to Competence: Teaching Executive Functioning Skills That Stick: March 26 π‘ 6:30 PM
π BCS Media Center π» Or join us virtually!
Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/xjHpnr5yRSOoJw1l0PaoWA
Learn strategies to help your child build organization, time management, planning, and self-regulation skills that last β from elementary through high school and beyond. We look forward to seeing you there! Flyer
Girl Scout Troop - My Guy & Me Dance 4/17/26
Birmingham Education Foundation
New Spring Fundraiser for the BEF!
Grab your pickleball paddle and/or golf clubs and join us for a fun afternoon at Paddle & Par Sunday, April 19th 4-7 pm. (31535 Southfield Rd., Beverly Hills)
Never played pickleball before? No worries! This casual open-play event will feature optional instruction from a Club Pro (and BPS teacher!) during the first hour and fun pro challenges following
Full Swing golf simulators also available with optional competitions/games
$75 ticket includes 3 hours of pickleball & golf simulator, pizza & salad bar, plus 1 drink ticket
Get your ticket TODAY! https://supportbef.ejoinme.org/PaddleParFundraiser
For further assistance please contact Kathy Zanolli, Executive Director: BEF@birmingham.k12.mi.us | (248)203-3030.