.

Keep up the great work Cardinals, Cameron, Zoe, Jonathan, Reya, Kristian

What an end to the week! A huge thank you to our incredible Costello team for your patience, flexibility, and teamwork today when the weather delay happened at exactly the time we were preparing for dismissal!

Watching our staff immediately jump in, work together, stay calm, and even have a little fun while doing it was such a terrific example for our kids to see. Keeping everyone safe was our top priority, and I continue to be in awe of this team and the way everyone pitches in.

Parents, WOW! We know the unexpected delay was likely unsettling and worrisome, especially when you were waiting to get your children. You were incredibly kind, cooperative, and understanding, what a great way for our student to see us handing unexpected events. Thank you for trusting us to put safety first. We truly appreciate you!

Have a wonderful and safe 4-day weekend, Cardinals!

Parents,

If your child attended Costello last year he/she brought home their M-STEP scores in their red folder yesterday. Please review this information with your child and use it to celebrate and set goals for this year. See details in letter below from Michigan Department of Education.

📅 Save the Dates!

More details, updates and reminders will be shared throughout the school year.

🇺🇸 Friday, September 4 — No School

🇺🇸 Monday, September 7 — No School – Labor Day

Wednesday, September 9 - PTO Restaurant Night - Tropical Smoothie

📸 September 11 - Picture Day

📖 Monday, September 14 — Book Club & PTO Meeting
6:30 PM Book Club (stay tuned for details) | 7:00 PM PTO Meeting

🎉 September 16 - Room Parent Meeting 6:30

OCTOBER

🍎 Thursday, October 8 & Friday, October 9 — Parent-Teacher Conferences
Half Days for Students

🏃 Friday, October 9 — Costello Fun Run!

📖 Monday, October 12 - PTO Meeting 7:00 PM

👻 Thursday, October 29 — Halloween Parade & Class Parties

🎃Trunk or Treat

🚫 Friday, October 30 — No School

NOVEMBER

🗳️ Tuesday, November 3 — Election Day

📖 Monday, November 9 — PTO Meeting 7:00 PM

🎖️ Tuesday, November 11 — Veterans' Day

🌎 Thursday, November 12 — International Night

🛼 Wednesday, November 18 - Skate World Skating Party

🦃 Wednesday, November 25 – Friday, November 27 — No School – Thanksgiving Break

DECEMBER

📚 December 3 — Book Fair Evening Hours

❄️ Friday, December 18 — Winter Wonderland Class Parties

🎄 Monday, December 21 – Sunday, January 3 — Winter Break

JANUARY

🏫 Monday, January 4 — School Resumes

📖 Monday, January 11 — PTO Meeting 7:00 PM

🇺🇸 Monday, January 18 — No School – Martin Luther King Jr. Day

FEBRUARY

💃 Thursday, February 4 - Ball for All

📖 Monday, February 8 — PTO Meeting 7:00 PM

💙 February 22-26 - Kindness Week!

💙 February 26 - Principal Appreciation Day

❄️ Monday, February 15 & Tuesday, February 16 — No School – Mid-Winter Recess

MARCH

📚 Monday, March 8 — PTO Meeting 7:00 PM (announce PTO Board openings)

🗣️ Thursday, March 11 & Friday, March 12 — Parent-Teacher Conferences

🎉 Saturday, March 20 - Costello Auction

🌸 Friday, March 26 - Good Friday - NO School

🌷 Monday, March 29 — No School – Spring Break Begins

APRIL

🏫 Monday, April 5 — School Resumes

📚 Monday, April 12 — PTO Meeting 7:00 PM (Nominations PTO Board)

🎪 Saturday, April 15 (tentative) — Costello Fair

MAY

💙 May 3–7 — Staff Appreciation Week

📖 Monday, May 10 — PTO Meeting (New PTO Board confirmed or voted upon for 26-27)
7:00 PM

🚫 Monday, May 17 — No School – Staff Professional Development

🇺🇸 Monday, May 31 — No School – Memorial Day

JUNE

🎓 Wednesday, June 3 — 5th Grade Celebration
10:00 AM

🌟 Wednesday, June 3 — Last Day of School!
Half Day for Students

Please note: Dates marked TBD will be updated as plans are finalized. Be sure to watch future Cardinal Connections for additional event details, times, and reminders.

We can't wait for another fantastic year together, Cardinals! ❤️💙

Strong starts begin with strong routines, procedures, and expectations, our Cardinals are off to an AMAZING start!

Our students have done such a wonderful job settling back into the rhythm of school. The energy in the building has been fantastic! You can tell how much they missed their friends, their teachers, and being together. There are lots of smiles, it is so good to have everyone back at Costello!

Parents, we have something to celebrate, too! 🎉

For TWO DAYS IN A ROW, we had 100% ON-TIME ARRIVALS! That is incredible! Thank you for prioritizing getting your children to school on time and ready to learn. A smooth, on-time start makes such a difference in helping students begin their day feeling calm, connected, and prepared for learning.

We appreciate your partnership in helping us start the year strong. Let’s keep it going, Cardinals! ❤️

We are looking forward to seeing everyone at Curriculum Night on Wednesday!

Royal, Madigan, Mason & Carter! Keep up the great work!!

Your Cardinals are in good hands; Mr. Frank and our noon aide team (not all pictured) do a great job getting to know each student, from their favorite sports team to allergy and health needs. Thank you for your service and for returning this year!

These ladies make feeding 375 meals a day look easy! Thank you to our Kitchen Staff for a smooth start in the cafeteria. The lunches look terrific and you run an efficient operation! Well done!

📅 Save the Dates!

More details, updates and reminders will be shared throughout the school year.

AUGUST

🏫 Monday, August 31 — Full Day of School for Kindergartners - 5th Grade

🍳 School Breakfast STARTS

SEPTEMBER

📚 Wednesday, September 2 — Curriculum Night
6:00–7:00 PM | Two Sessions

🇺🇸 Friday, September 4 — No School

🇺🇸 Monday, September 7 — No School – Labor Day

Wednesday, September 9 - PTO Restaurant Night - Tropical Smoothie

📸 September 11 - Picture Day

📖 Monday, September 14 — Book Club & PTO Meeting
6:30 PM Book Club (stay tuned for details) | 7:00 PM PTO Meeting

🎉 September 16 - Room Parent Meeting 6:30

OCTOBER

🍎 Thursday, October 8 & Friday, October 9 — Parent-Teacher Conferences
Half Days for Students

🏃 Friday, October 9 — Costello Fun Run!

📖 Monday, October 12 - PTO Meeting 7:00 PM

👻 Thursday, October 29 — Halloween Parade & Class Parties

🎃Trunk or Treat

🚫 Friday, October 30 — No School

NOVEMBER

🗳️ Tuesday, November 3 — Election Day

📖 Monday, November 9 — PTO Meeting 7:00 PM

🎖️ Tuesday, November 11 — Veterans' Day

🌎 Thursday, November 12 — International Night

🛼 Wednesday, November 18 - Skate World Skating Party

🦃 Wednesday, November 25 – Friday, November 27 — No School – Thanksgiving Break

DECEMBER

📚 December 3 — Book Fair Evening Hours

❄️ Friday, December 18 — Winter Wonderland Class Parties

🎄 Monday, December 21 – Sunday, January 3 — Winter Break

JANUARY

🏫 Monday, January 4 — School Resumes

📖 Monday, January 11 — PTO Meeting 7:00 PM

🇺🇸 Monday, January 18 — No School – Martin Luther King Jr. Day

FEBRUARY

💃 Thursday, February 4 - Ball for All

📖 Monday, February 8 — PTO Meeting 7:00 PM

💙 February 22-26 - Kindness Week!

💙 February 26 - Principal Appreciation Day

❄️ Monday, February 15 & Tuesday, February 16 — No School – Mid-Winter Recess

MARCH

📚 Monday, March 8 — PTO Meeting 7:00 PM (announce PTO Board openings)

🗣️ Thursday, March 11 & Friday, March 12 — Parent-Teacher Conferences

🎉 Saturday, March 20 - Costello Auction

🌸 Friday, March 26 - Good Friday - NO School

🌷 Monday, March 29 — No School – Spring Break Begins

APRIL

🏫 Monday, April 5 — School Resumes

📚 Monday, April 12 — PTO Meeting 7:00 PM (Nominations PTO Board)

🎪 Saturday, April 15 (tentative) — Costello Fair

MAY

💙 May 3–7 — Staff Appreciation Week

📖 Monday, May 10 — PTO Meeting (New PTO Board confirmed or voted upon for 26-27)
7:00 PM

🚫 Monday, May 17 — No School – Staff Professional Development

🇺🇸 Monday, May 31 — No School – Memorial Day

JUNE

🎓 Wednesday, June 3 — 5th Grade Celebration
10:00 AM

🌟 Wednesday, June 3 — Last Day of School!
Half Day for Students

Please note: Dates marked TBD will be updated as plans are finalized. Be sure to watch future Cardinal Connections for additional event details, times, and reminders.

We can't wait for another fantastic year together, Cardinals! ❤️💙

Costello was buzzing this week as our teachers returned, preparing for an exciting year ahead! We loved welcoming our kindergarten families on Tuesday, a special thank you to our PTO Board for hosting. Our Meet & Greet was also a wonderful success. Thank you to our teachers and staff for all of the efforts to get the buildng and classrooms ready. The special attention you give to ensure our students are warmly welcomed is so evident in your smiles and inviting classrooms.

Back to school is a busy time with lots of information coming at you. Please be sure to review the recent editions of the Cardinal Connection located at the bottom of this edition (keep scrolling!). The Back to School Hub is particularly useful and can answer many of your questions.

It was so great seeing so many of you this week. We are going to have a wonderful year together!

Our PTO is truly the heart of our Costello community! ❤️ Month after month, they create events and experiences that bring our students and families together. We encourage you to get involved, meet other Cardinal families, and be part of the fun. This is your school community, jump in, connect, and help make Costello an even more special place! Thank you, in advance, for supporting our school.

Vice President - Jamie Kaniarz

President - Amanda Haverty-Harris

Secretary - Kali Schmitz

Treasurer - Krystle Dennison

🚌 Transportation just let us know that bus information will not be available in PowerSchool until later this weekend. The district will provide more updates when this becomes accessible.

More details, updates and reminders will be shared throughout the school year.

AUGUST

🎒 Tuesday, August 25 — First Day of School!
Half Day for Students - No Lunch Served

🍎 Wednesday, August 26 – Friday, August 28 — Half Days for Kindergarten

🏫 Monday, August 31 — Full Day of School

🍳 School Breakfast STARTS

SEPTEMBER

📚 Wednesday, September 2 — Curriculum Night
6:00–7:00 PM | Two Sessions

🇺🇸 Friday, September 4 — No School

🇺🇸 Monday, September 7 — No School – Labor Day

Wednesday, September 9 - PTO Restaurant Night - Tropical Smoothie

📸 September 11 - Picture Day

📖 Monday, September 14 — Book Club & PTO Meeting
6:30 PM Book Club (stay tuned for details) | 7:00 PM PTO Meeting

🎉 September 16 - Room Parent Meeting 6:30

OCTOBER

🍎 Thursday, October 8 & Friday, October 9 — Parent-Teacher Conferences
Half Days for Students

🏃 Friday, October 9 — Costello Fun Run!

📖 Monday, October 12 - PTO Meeting 7:00 PM

👻 Thursday, October 29 — Halloween Parade & Class Parties

🎃Trunk or Treat

🚫 Friday, October 30 — No School

NOVEMBER

🗳️ Tuesday, November 3 — Election Day

📖 Monday, November 9 — PTO Meeting 7:00 PM

🎖️ Tuesday, November 11 — Veterans' Day

🌎 Thursday, November 12 — International Night

🛼 Wednesday, November 18 - Skate World Skating Party

🦃 Wednesday, November 25 – Friday, November 27 — No School – Thanksgiving Break

DECEMBER

📚 December 3 — Book Fair Evening Hours

❄️ Friday, December 18 — Winter Wonderland Class Parties

🎄 Monday, December 21 – Sunday, January 3 — Winter Break

JANUARY

🏫 Monday, January 4 — School Resumes

📖 Monday, January 11 — PTO Meeting 7:00 PM

🇺🇸 Monday, January 18 — No School – Martin Luther King Jr. Day

FEBRUARY

💃 Thursday, February 4 - Ball for All

📖 Monday, February 8 — PTO Meeting 7:00 PM

💙 February 22-26 - Kindness Week!

💙 February 26 - Principal Appreciation Day

❄️ Monday, February 15 & Tuesday, February 16 — No School – Mid-Winter Recess

MARCH

📚 Monday, March 8 — PTO Meeting 7:00 PM (announce PTO Board openings)

🗣️ Thursday, March 11 & Friday, March 12 — Parent-Teacher Conferences

🎉 Saturday, March 20 - Costello Auction

🌸 Friday, March 26 - Good Friday - NO School

🌷 Monday, March 29 — No School – Spring Break Begins

APRIL

🏫 Monday, April 5 — School Resumes

📚 Monday, April 12 — PTO Meeting 7:00 PM (Nominations PTO Board)

MAY

💙 May 3–7 — Staff Appreciation Week

📖 Monday, May 10 — PTO Meeting (New PTO Board confirmed or voted upon for 26-27)
7:00 PM

🎪 Saturday, May 15 — Costello Fair

🚫 Monday, May 17 — No School – Staff Professional Development

🇺🇸 Monday, May 31 — No School – Memorial Day

JUNE

🎓 Wednesday, June 3 — 5th Grade Celebration
10:00 AM

🌟 Wednesday, June 3 — Last Day of School!
Half Day for Students

Please note: Dates marked TBD will be updated as plans are finalized. Be sure to watch future Cardinal Connections for additional event details, times, and reminders.

We can't wait for another fantastic year together, Cardinals! ❤️💙

.

Hello Cardinals & Cardinal Families!

Nothing says "welcome back to school" quite like a toothless elementary kid riding a bike! As I'm leaving school in the evening or driving through the neighborhood, I often run into Costello students playing outside, riding their bikes, or spending time with their families. When I ask, "Are you ready to come back to school?" their faces light up with excitement. That genuine enthusiasm is contagious, and it serves as a wonderful reminder of the joy and excitement that each new school year brings. It's one of the many reasons every school year seems even better than the last.

We want every child to feel comfort from the moment they walk through our doors. At Costello, we have worked hard to create, and will continue to strengthen, a culture where every student feels connected and a sense of belonging. This is the foundation that sets children up for success.

This year we will continue to prioritize student belonging while holding ourselves to our Cardinal Traits each and every day. By showing respect, responsibility, perseverance, and integrity we create a school where everyone feels safe, supported, and proud to be a Cardinal.

Many of you have seen the parking lot and bus loop facelift, wait until you see our much need restroom upgrades!. Lots of behind the scenes work preparing for the new year. Getting ready to host over 400 guests is a lot of work! We are eager to see our students return; hear their laughter and catch their smiles as they high 5 Mr. Frank on the way down the hall! Looking forward to beginning another incredible year of learning together.

Please take a few moments to review the information in this newsletter and mark your calendars with important dates.

Enjoy these last days of summer—we'll see you for Meet & Greet on August 20th!

Tammy DiPonio, Ed.D.

Principal, Costello Elementary

• Class/Teacher Assignments will be available for families to view by 4pm on Monday, August 17th in PowerSchool. This will be available after families have completed their Emergency Contact Updates in PowerSchool.
• If you need help with PowerSchool you can email questions and comments to PowerSchool Answer Center at pssupport@troy.k12.mi.us.
• More information about updating Contact Information will be sent out soon.
• Our teams put a great deal of thought into assigning class placements, we consider academic needs, social dynamics, and each student’s unique strengths. Our goal is to create the best possible learning environment for everyone.

• Meet your child's teacher
• Drop off supplies, less to carry on 1st day
• Find arrival door for first day
• Communicate transportation plans

Classrooms will be "in progress" and not "first day ready." The focus of this visit is to welcome everyone back, ease any worries, see friends and of course, meet your teacher!

**This is a casual visit, feel free to come anytime between 4:00 & 5:00. This is not a sit down meeting or conference**

Help your child locate the entrance door using the map below. Plan to enter for Meet the Teacher through the same doors that your child will use upon arrival on the first day.

New families you can pick up iPads at Services Building (4420 Livernois Rd) in the TRC office August 17-18th between 9am and 3pm.

After August 18th, students will be issued at the Costello during the first week of school.

Mrs. Johnson - Speech Language Pathologist

Mrs. Wonsowicz - 5th Grade

Mrs. Waak - Resource Room

Mrs. Oudsema - Teacher Consultant

Adult supervision is available shortly after 9:00 AM, the bell rings at 9:04 for entry into the school. Unless students are enrolled in CARE, have approved safety duties, or other permission, students will remain outside the building (see locations above) until the bell rings at 9:04. Students are tardy after 9:09, if your child arrives after 9:09, please report to the vestibule to sign in your child.

PLEASE PACK A HEALTHY SNACK

7:00 PM in the Costello Media Center

As we begin the school year, we'd like to remind our TSD families of the district cell phone and personal technology device policy.

Personal and Wearable Devices:
We recognize that many of our students will be traveling to school with personal technology devices. Therefore, cell phones, AirPods, and other electronic devices are permitted in the building, but students must follow the guidelines for each grade level.

Elementary Guidelines
The elementary guidelines apply during the school day, on school buses, and at all co-curricular, school-sponsored activities.

• Cell phones and personal devices must remain on silent with all notifications disabled and stored in backpacks or lockers during school hours. No one-way or two-way communication is allowed during the school day; all communication must go through the main office unless approved by a TSD staff member.

• Wearable technology (e.g., Apple Watches, Fitbits) is permitted, but all notifications must be turned off and communication features must be disabled.

• Earbuds/headphones and interactive glasses may only be used with permission from a TSD staff member.

• Recording devices are strictly prohibited, in accordance with TSD Board Policy 2006.

Middle School Guidelines

• Cell phones and personal technology may not be used during the school day and must remain out of sight until the end of the school day; this includes passing time and lunch. Students should store their technology in their lockers.

• Personal cell phones may be used in the main office.

High School Guidelines

• Cell phones and personal technology must be stored in a student’s locker or in their backpack during instructional time.

The school district is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged personal technology. Consequences for not following these expectations are outlined in the Student Code of Conduct. Students will utilize district-provided iPads during instruction at the direction of their teacher. If families need to reach their student(s) during the day, please contact the main office. Students are always welcome to use the telephones in the main office.

We believe that excellence is best achieved in an environment free from the distractions of personal technology. Thank you for your partnership and continued support as we work to create the most effective learning environment possible for our students.

📅 Save the Dates!

More details, updates and reminders will be shared throughout the school year.

AUGUST

🎒 Tuesday, August 25 — First Day of School!
Half Day for Students - No Lunch Served

🍎 Wednesday, August 26 – Friday, August 28 — Half Days for Kindergarten

🏫 Monday, August 31 — Full Day of School

🍳 School Breakfast STARTS

SEPTEMBER

📚 Wednesday, September 2 — Curriculum Night
6:00–7:00 PM | Two Sessions

🇺🇸 Friday, September 4 — No School

🇺🇸 Monday, September 7 — No School – Labor Day

Wednesday, September 9 - PTO Restaurant Night - Tropical Smoothie

📸 September 11 - Picture Day

📖 Monday, September 14 — Book Club & PTO Meeting
6:30 PM Book Club (stay tuned for details) | 7:00 PM PTO Meeting

🎉 September 16 - Room Parent Meeting 6:30

OCTOBER

🍎 Thursday, October 8 & Friday, October 9 — Parent-Teacher Conferences
Half Days for Students

🏃 Friday, October 9 — Costello Fun Run!

📖 Monday, October 12 - PTO Meeting 7:00 PM

👻 Thursday, October 29 — Halloween Parade & Class Parties

🎃Trunk or Treat

🚫 Friday, October 30 — No School

NOVEMBER

🗳️ Tuesday, November 3 — Election Day

📖 Monday, November 9 — PTO Meeting 7:00 PM

🎖️ Tuesday, November 11 — Veterans' Day

🌎 Thursday, November 12 — International Night

🛼 Wednesday, November 18 - Skate World Skating Party

🦃 Wednesday, November 25 – Friday, November 27 — No School – Thanksgiving Break

DECEMBER

📚 December 3 — Book Fair Evening Hours

❄️ Friday, December 18 — Winter Wonderland Class Parties

🎄 Monday, December 21 – Sunday, January 3 — Winter Break

JANUARY

🏫 Monday, January 4 — School Resumes

📖 Monday, January 11 — PTO Meeting 7:00 PM

🇺🇸 Monday, January 18 — No School – Martin Luther King Jr. Day

FEBRUARY

💃 Thursday, February 4 - Ball for All

📖 Monday, February 8 — PTO Meeting 7:00 PM

💙 February 22-26 - Kindness Week!

💙 February 26 - Principal Appreciation Day

❄️ Monday, February 15 & Tuesday, February 16 — No School – Mid-Winter Recess

MARCH

📚 Monday, March 8 — PTO Meeting 7:00 PM (announce PTO Board openings)

🗣️ Thursday, March 11 & Friday, March 12 — Parent-Teacher Conferences

🎉 Saturday, March 20 - Costello Auction

🌸 Friday, March 26 - Good Friday - NO School

🌷 Monday, March 29 — No School – Spring Break Begins

APRIL

🏫 Monday, April 5 — School Resumes

📚 Monday, April 12 — PTO Meeting 7:00 PM (Nominations PTO Board)

🎪 Saturday, April 15 (tentative) — Costello Fair

MAY

💙 May 3–7 — Staff Appreciation Week

📖 Monday, May 10 — PTO Meeting (New PTO Board confirmed or voted upon for 26-27)
7:00 PM

🚫 Monday, May 17 — No School – Staff Professional Development

🇺🇸 Monday, May 31 — No School – Memorial Day

JUNE

🎓 Wednesday, June 3 — 5th Grade Celebration
10:00 AM

🌟 Wednesday, June 3 — Last Day of School!
Half Day for Students

Please note: Dates marked TBD will be updated as plans are finalized. Be sure to watch future Cardinal Connections for additional event details, times, and reminders.

We can't wait for another fantastic year together, Cardinals! ❤️💙