Wattles Gazette 10.26.26

A Spooktacular Celebration at Wattles! 🎃👻

Dear Wildcat Families,

Halloween is right around the corner, and we are looking forward to a fun-filled day of classroom parties, costumes, and celebrations with our Wildcats! This is always such an exciting time for our students, and we appreciate the support of our families in making it a special day.

As you prepare for our Halloween festivities, I wanted to share a couple of friendly reminders.

Costume Choices: Please be mindful when selecting your child's costume. We ask that costumes be school-appropriate, free of weapons or weapon-like accessories, and not overly frightening for our younger Wildcats. Our goal is to ensure that every child feels comfortable and included in the celebration.

Food Allergies: We have students with a variety of food allergies and dietary restrictions. If you are helping with a classroom party or providing treats, please be especially mindful of these needs and coordinate with your child's teacher before sending in any food items. We want all of our Wildcats to enjoy the festivities safely!

Halloween is a wonderful opportunity to create special memories, and I know our teachers and parent volunteers are working hard to make the day memorable for our students.

Thank you for helping us keep our celebrations safe, inclusive, and FUN! I can't wait to see all of our Wildcats dressed up and enjoying the day!

Happy Halloween! 🎃

Amy Wallace
Principal, Wattles Elementary

Trunk-or-Treat returns to Wattles this year, hosted by Cub Scouts Pack 1712, and Wattles PTO! Join us Friday, October 30th for spooky fun - including hosting a trunk! Families willing to host can sign up through the link below. Candy donations are also welcome, and can be dropped off in the school vestibule between now and 10/29. Candy collected will be distributed among hosting trunks.

• Host trunks must be parked no later than 5:45 PM to ensure the safety of event attendees.
• Trunk-or-Treating 6:00 - 7:30 PM
• Due to parking constraints, please plan to walk/bike if you live close enough to do so. Vehicles should park on neighborhood streets, adhering to all posted parking signage and respecting our neighbors' properties.

Support a new local business and Wattles PTO at the same time! Head to Recre8Play any Wednesday or Thursday in the month of November to receive 15% off AND they will donate 15% to Wattles PTO.

Is your Wildcat interested in signing up for the 3rd Annual Wattles Spelling Bee? Every 3-5 grade student is welcome to compete in the school’s spelling bee program. This year will welcome the community to come and support our spellers on January 25, 2027. The top speller from 5th grade will move on to regionals at Oakland University for the chance to win a spot in the Scripps National Spelling Bee Competition!

Please click on the link below to register your child. Grade level specific words will be distributed as children sign up. Registration closes Friday, November 20.

Retake Day is right around the corner! Get those smiles ready, Wildcats! We can't wait to capture all those wonderful faces that make Wattles such a special place!

There's still time to order bagels for your Wildcat! Place your order today so your student doesn't miss out on the fun!

Our Wildcats are very excited for a spooktacular celebration on October 29! ALL parents need to enter through the front doors of the building and wait in the vestibule. Parents attending the K-2 celebration will be admitted into the building (not through the office) beginning at 9:30 AM for the parade beginning at 9:45 AM and parents attending the 3-5 celebration can enter at 1:45 PM for the parade beginning at 2:00 PM.

Tables will be set up by grade level for check-in and for you to receive a visitor badge. Once checked in, you will head down the receiving (custodial) hallway and outside onto the playground to watch the parade.

When the parade is over, you'll head back through the receiving doors and to your child(ren)'s class. Look for signage in the front hallway for reminders. Parents will not be admitted into classrooms through the exterior classroom doors. This will help keep our students safe while parading and parents with a clear view. :)

Students are not permitted to wear costumes that are ghoulish, morbid, or in any way offensive to ethnic groups. Toy guns, knives, or other weapons as part of costumes may not be worn or brought to school. In addition, please be mindful that we have little ones in our building. Therefore, costumes should not be excessively frightening. Please label all parts of your child's costume to avoid lost pieces.

If you are attending parties in grades 3-5, and wish to take your child home early, please check out with your child's teacher. If you have a child in grades K-2, and wish to take him/her home early as well, please check out in the office. Do not get your K-2 student out of class without going through the office. Our littles will be learning in the afternoon. The parking lot needs to be cleared for our buses and typical parent pick-up by 3:15 PM.

Our Wildcats have been working hard in music, and we can’t wait for families to see—and hear—what they’ve been learning! 🎶 Music concerts are coming up throughout the school year, giving our students a special opportunity to share their talents and hard work. See below for upcoming concerts!

Looking for a fun way to keep your child active over winter break? Join the Troy Athens Girls Basketball Program for our annual RedHawks Holiday Hoops Camp! Open to boys and girls in grades K–8, this three-day camp will focus on developing basketball fundamentals, building skills, and having fun through engaging drills, games, and friendly competition. All activities will be led by members of the Athens Girls Basketball Program. Whether your child is new to basketball or looking to improve their game, this camp is a great opportunity to learn, grow, and have fun!

Dates: December 21–23

Time: 11:30 AM–1:30 PM

Location: Troy Athens High School

Cost: $90

Registration Deadline: December 14

We hope to see your future RedHawk on the court!

Questions? Contact Coach Brittney Brennan at bbrennan@troy.k12.mi.us.

We love encouraging our Wildcats to develop a lifelong love of reading! Our monthly Bookmobile visit is a wonderful opportunity for students to explore new books, discover exciting stories, and find their next favorite read. Happy reading, Wildcats!

Mark your calendars for November 1–6! Enjoy your favorite meals, save those receipts, and send them to the Wattles office! It's an easy and delicious way to support our Wildcats. Every receipt counts!

Check out the TSD Inclusive Newsletter!

Each year, the Troy School District offers an opportunity for parents/guardians to purchase iPad insurance for students in grades 4 and 5. The cost is $25 not to exceed $100 per family.

President - Rachel van Dinkel

VP 1 - Tisha Richard

VP 2 - Heather Hadley

Treasurer - Anne Rasmussen

Secretary - Brandi Lavely

You asked, we listened! Introducing our brand new WhatsApp Community for Wattles families! Click here to receive regular updates, connect with other families, and even keep an eye on the Lost & Found! This community supplements our other existing communications channels.

We've created subgroups per grade level as well as some other key points of interest. This is a great way to do quick check ins with other families like "is bus 51 running late today?" or "did anyone else get a handout about the field trip next week? I can't find ours!"

See you there!

Want to connect with other Wattles' families? See the information below for step-by-step directions.

Phone Numbers

• Attendance Line: 248-823-3401
• Main Office: 248-823-3400

School Hours

• Full Days: 8:39 AM - 3:37 AM
• Half Days: 8:39 AM - 12:29 PM (no lunch service)

School Address

3555 Ellenboro Avenue

Troy, MI 48083