DeKeyser News!

Dear DeKeyser Families,

What a wonderful start we have had to the 2026–2027 school year! Our Dolphins are settling into their routines, building relationships, and filling our classrooms and learning communities with excitement, curiosity, and lots of learning.

I want to extend a HUGE thank you to all of the families who joined us for our first PTCG meeting of the year this week! We had an amazing turnout, and it was wonderful to see so many families come together to support our students, staff, and school community. Your involvement and partnership make such a difference at DeKeyser, and we are incredibly grateful for your willingness to share your time, ideas, and energy with us.

As we continue through September, our teachers and staff are working hard to establish strong routines, build classroom communities, and create meaningful learning experiences for every student. Thank you, families, for continuing to support these efforts at home. The partnership between school and home is an important part of helping our Dolphins feel confident, connected, and successful.

IMPORTANT REMINDER – NO SCHOOL - Wednesday, September 16th.

Thank you for continuing to make DeKeyser Elementary such a special place to learn and grow. I am so proud of the positive energy throughout our building and excited about all that lies ahead this school year.

Have a wonderful week, Dolphins!

With Dolphin Pride,

Mrs. Shannon Hathcock

September 2026

VIP Parking: Lisa Dicker

Monday, September 14

• 3rd Grade NWEA (ELA / Math)

• 5th Grade NWEA (Math)

Tuesday, September 15

• Happy Birthday Kim Carlson! 🥳

• Happy Birthday Megan Staniek! 🥳

• 3rd Grade NWEA (ELA / Math)
• 5th Grade NWEA (Math)
• 6:00 - 8:00 - The New Rink Skate Night

Wednesday, September 16

• Happy Birthday Aleece Tousignant! 🥳

• No School

• Buddies Pizza - DeKeyser Fundraiser - 11am - 10pm

Thursday, September 17

• Constitution Day

• 3rd Grade NWEA (ELA / Math)

• Student Council Applications Due (Grades 4-6)

Friday, September 18

• National Cheeseburger Day

• Frozen Friday - $1 Popsicle Sale

• Student Council Canidates Announced

Student Council elections are coming up! Ms. Chambers and Ms. Washburn will be advising Student Council this year, and students in grades 4–6 are eligible to run for an officer position: President, Vice President, Secretary, or Treasurer.

September 2026

VIP Parking: Lisa Dicker

Monday, September 21

• Student Council Campaigning

• 2nd Grade NWEA

• 7:00 – Board of Education Meeting

Tuesday, September 22

• Start of Fall

• Student Council Campaigning

• 2nd Grade NWEA

Wednesday, September 23

• Student Council Campaigning

• 2nd Grade NWEA

Thursday, September 24

• Student Council Campaigning
• 2nd Grade NWEA

Friday, September 25

• Student Council Candidate Speeches & Election

• Frozen Friday - $1 Popsicle Sale

• Student Council Election Results Announced

Is your child interested in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics)? Are they looking to broaden their horizons about outer space and try out a new opportunity? Astronaut for a Day, made by the same organizers as 2025’s Night on Mars, is the perfect event for your child! For children in 2nd to 5th grade only, Astronaut for a Day is a fun, interactive outer space event that will help children explore their interest in science, outer space, and robotics. It will include an immersive experience along with a creative design and building activity, all free of charge. Not only will they have tons of fun, but you and your child will be informed on our high school robotics team, Crevolution 2851, and Project FIRST First. Project FIRST First is an excellent opportunity to allow your child to begin/join a robotics team in their school. All that's needed is your presence! If you are planning on attending, please fill out our interest form through the QR code link on the flyer or by the link attached. We hope to see many of you there!

https://forms.gle/mr8zfBxX3zS6W1zD6

All students in grades 3 - 6 that tested at DeKeyser Elementary in the spring of 2026 were given their M-Step parent report on Friday. This would be our students in grades 4th - 6th grade. Please make sure to check your child's take home folder for this letter which was placed in an envelope.

To celebrate the 2026 Legacy of Excellence honorees, Utica Community Schools will host a Legacy of Excellence Awards Event on Wednesday, September 30, 2026. Through the generous support of our business community, this free, formal event will be held at The Palazzo Grande in Shelby Township beginning at 6 p.m., with doors opening at 5 p.m. To reserve your free ticket, please visit uticak12.org/legacyrsvp.

Utica Community Schools is pleased to continue the partnership with Care Solace, a service available to help district staff, students, and families connect with mental health, substance use, and social service resources.

Care Solace's Care Companions provide personalized assistance in navigating available services and finding resources that meet individual needs. In addition to helping individuals locate mental health and substance use treatment providers, Care Solace now provides support in connecting individuals and families with social services and community resources.

Utica Community Schools is pleased to provide an opportunity for School Age Child Care (SACC)!

DeKeyser Options are as follows:

Morning SACC: Monday - Friday 6: 45 am - 9:05 am

Afternoon SACC: Tuesday - Thursday 3:55 pm – 6:00 pm at Oakbrook Elementary

Students will be bussed to this location after school.

Please click on the link below for more information and the opportunity to register your child for SACC.

We are asking for your support to help keep our students safe. If you plan to volunteer in our classrooms, work directly with a student and/or chaperone a field trip, etc. you will need to have a volunteer background check on file. The new volunteer application form is located at this link: www.uticak12.org/volunteer. The background check involves multiple state and federal law enforcement databases. We greatly appreciate the involvement of our families and the difference you make at DeKeyser Elementary. Thank you for your partnership with this extra step that will improve safety in our school.

Volunteer applications need to be renewed annually. If you submitted a volunteer application in November, you do not need to submit a new application at this time. Raptor will automatically send a renewal application when their current volunteer approval is approaching its expiration date.

A few reminders:

• Please have all required documentation ready before you begin.
• The application must be completed in one sitting.
• One application can be used for multiple schools
• Once approved, you will be cleared to volunteer in UCS schools

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to the DeKeyser Office: OfficeDeKeyser@uticak12.org or 586-797-4400.

Thank you for supporting our students and school community through volunteering!

Email: officedekeyser@uticak12.org
Website: DeKeyser Elementary / Homepage (uticak12.org)

Location: 39600 Atkinson, Sterling Hgts., MI 48313

Phone: (586) 797-4400

School Hours: 9:05 AM - 3:55 PM (full days) and 9:05 AM -12:09 PM (half days)

Breakfast Hours: 8:45 - 9:05
Facebook: DeKeyser Elementary School

Principal: Mrs. Shannon Hathcock

Administrative Assistant: Mrs. Lisa Russo

Clerk: Mrs. Heather Mansour

Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Office Phone Number: (586)797-4400

24 Hr Attendance Line (586)797-4499

Fax (586)797-4401

Email officedekeyser@uticak12.org