Woods Lake Family Weekly

Vision: Woods Lake Elementary: A Magnet Center of the Arts will educate every child, every opportunity, every time!

Mission: Woods Lake Elementary: A Magnet Center of the Arts, is a place where academics and the arts create opportunies in a safe, collaborative environment.

Dear Woods Lake Elementary Families,

Happy New Year! I hope you and your loved ones had a restful, joyful winter break. It is wonderful to welcome our students back — your support makes this school community strong, and we are grateful for your partnership.

Important Announcements

• We are ready to get back into our routine and appreciate the support you provide at home in reinforcing our school‑wide expectations.
• Some students may feel anxious about returning or need extra time to transition. Please reassure your child and contact your child’s teacher if you notice ongoing worry so we can work together to support them.
• Attendance matters. To help keep learning consistent, please ensure your child is at school unless illness requires them to stay home.
  • If your child will be absent, call the front office and notify your child’s teacher as soon as possible.
• Action items:
• Call the front office for absences.
• Share any concerns about transitions or anxiety with your child’s teacher.
• Remind your child of our school expectations each morning to help them have a smooth start.

Celebrations from the Week

• Happy New Year — we’re so excited to see all of our students back!
• We hope families enjoyed a fun and restful break.
• On Monday we will hold an assembly for students to review our School‑wide expectations and set a positive tone for the rest of the school year.
• At Woods Lake Elementary we follow the ARTS:
  • Achievement
  • Respect
  • Taking Responsibility
  • Safety
  • Thank you to all families for encouraging these values at home — seeing students demonstrate ARTS around campus has been uplifting.

Additional Information

• Teachers will be reinforcing classroom routines this week; please ask your child about what they are learning and any classroom expectations you can reinforce at home.
• If your family needs assistance (materials, transportation questions, or social‑emotional supports), please reach out to the front office or your child’s teacher — we are here to help.
• Upcoming reminders:
• Watch for classroom newsletters or messages from teachers with specific dates and events.
• If contact information has changed over the break, notify the office so we can reach you quickly if needed.

Thank you for your ongoing support in helping your child succeed. We are grateful for your partnership, and together we will make this school year a positive, productive time for every student.

Warmly,

Ms. Prather
Principal
Woods Lake Elementary

We look forward to continuing to work with you this year — thank you for being part of our school community.

Students learn many skills in first grade, both academically and socially. Students participate in 90 minutes of reading instruction and 75 minutes of math instruction daily. Students work in whole group, small group, and independently. In reading, students learn how to decode, blend, and segment sounds. In math, students learn how to add and subtract, and also work on place value and counting. Students should be able to count to 120 by the end of the school year. Students play math

games to reinforce math skills.

In science, students learn about the needs of plants and animals, light and sound, and how the Earth spins. In social studies, students learn about rules, communities, life in the past, maps, and goods and services. In writing, students write complete sentences. Students write a variety of genres, including personal narratives, opinion, and nonfiction.

First graders also get to experience two fun field trips to the Kalamazoo Public Library. All students receive a library card to use at any location. First grade is a well-rounded grade full of learning opportunities and fun!

First Grade Team

Mrs. Sasak, Mrs. Okar, and Mrs. McAllister

We all enjoy to sit and listen to other read to us!

It's school spirit week (red and green day)!

Look at our trees!

This was so much fun!

Mrs. Wilson-Bridges, a dedicated teacher at Woods Lake Elementary, has introduced an innovative approach to teaching economics in her 2nd-grade class. By using economics as a positive behavior strategy, students earn money for demonstrating hard work and good citizenship. This encourages them to complete homework and act as positive role models.

In recognition of their efforts, Mrs. Wilson-Bridges organized a special "Black Friday Experience." The students were thrilled to use the money they earned to purchase items for themselves and their families. This engaging activity not only rewarded their hard work but also taught valuable lessons in financial literacy.

Woods Lake Elementary recently held its annual Winter Concert, showcasing an array of dance performances. Under the guidance of Mrs. Norton, the dedicated dance instructor, the event featured captivating performances from the 4th and 5th Grade Dance Company. Additionally, students from all grade levels participated, making it a memorable celebration of talent and creativity. Families enjoyed an evening filled with rhythm and joy, highlighting the students' hard work and passion for dance.

Look at our cute "Little Kindergarten Elves" in Mrs. Brown's class!

It's Red and Green Day!

Ms. Brott, our exceptionally talented art teacher, has brought the vibrant world of Pop Art to our students through various grade-level projects. Our fifth graders have showcased their creativity by crafting "pop can" art using aluminum foil. Check out the impressive artwork produced by our young artists!

We're thrilled to share that our students have been eagerly spending their "Artie Tickets" at the school store! Throughout the year, students have been earning Artie Slips by demonstrating the ARTS values: Achievement, Respect, Taking Responsibility, and Safety.

Our dedicated staff has been recognizing these positive behaviors, and even our bus drivers have been awarding Artie Slips for good behavior during rides.

We are so proud of our students for their hard work and commitment to these values. Keep up the great work, and happy shopping!

1/5: First day back from winter break

1/14: Hat Day (bring in $1.00 to wear a hat)

1/23: No School

2/2: No School

Winter Gear Reminder

As we head into winter, please remember to send your child with their winter gear! 🧣🧤🥾⛄🧥

All students will go outside even if it's snowing, as long as the real feel temperature is above 10 degrees. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

- Winter Layers: It's best to send your child with winter layers and gear just in case!

- Labeling: Please label all of your child's winter wear with their name. This helps us return lost items to the correct students.

- Independence Practice: Encourage your child to practice getting ready independently for the winter weather.

-Families may not request an alternative recess plan unless they have a doctor's note identifying a medical reason a student cannot go outside.

Email: prathersm@kalamazoopublicschools.net
Website: https://woodslake.kalamazoopublicschools.com/
Location: 3215 Oakland Dr, Kalamazoo, MI 49008
Phone: (269) 337-0790
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WoodsLakeElementary/