Gretchko Elementary Newsletter

Hello Lakers!

It was so wonderful to see so many new and returning families at Popsicles With the Principal this week. If you were not able to make it, not to worry! Your child will come home with a folder of VERY important information on Monday after school.

Our first day is Monday, August 31st and is a full day for students. Our doors open at 8:45am for students, and learning begins promptly at 9:00am. The school day ends at 3:52pm this year.

To ensure a smooth, safe, and positive transition for everyone, parents will not be permitted to walk their children directly to their classrooms on the first day. Moving our students independently into the building helps build their self-confidence from day one and keeps our hallways clear so staff can focus entirely on supervising and guiding children to their rooms. We will have plenty of enthusiastic teachers, support staff, and 5th grade safeties stationed throughout the entrance and hallways to make sure every child gets safely to class. Thank you for partnering with us to create a secure, confident start for all of our learners!

Additionally, I would like to ensure that you have seen the updated WBSD policy regarding personal electronics, which you will find below. In particular, please note that elementary students may not bring personal technology devices to school. This does include wearable technology such as smart watches. Students will review this new policy on the first day of school. If students are found to have personal tech devices following this, the device will be collected and held in the main office for a parent/guardian to pick up. Thank you for helping us to comply with the new Michigan Personal Technology Law (Sec. 1303A) and our district policy.

Finally, I wanted to take a few minutes to review a few important procedures that keep our school running smoothly and safely. Please don't hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions.

• Dismissal Changes: Parents/Guardians must communicate any dismissal changes from their normal routine via an email to the classroom teacher AND amanda.baker@wbsd.org or a phone call to the main office (248) 865-6570 prior to 8:50am the day of the change. In the event of an emergency, all changes to dismissal plans must occur before 3:15pm. Additionally, early dismissals for doctors appointments, etc. must occur before 3:15pm.
• Volunteers/Guests: If you are volunteering or coming as a guest to school, please check in with Mrs. Baker or Mrs. Pokley in the main office. They will check our volunteer/guest sign-up for your name and where you will be headed. You will get to wear a stylish guest badge and can head off to your location. In the event that you are not on our list for the day, thank you for your patience as we call ahead to the staff member to verify the date and time of your visit.

We hope you have a wonderful weekend, and we can't wait to see our Lakers on Monday!

Warmly,

Jen Teal

Principal

• August 31: 1st Day of School (full day)!
• September 4: NO SCHOOL
• September 7: NO SCHOOL
• September 9: LATE START (school begins at 11:00am)
• September 10: Gretchko Curriculum Night 6:00-8:00pm
• September 11: Picture Day
• September 18: Family Fun Night at WBHS 5:00-7:00pm
• September 21: NO SCHOOL
• September 25: Gretchko's Annual FunD Run

West Bloomfield School District has moved to an all-online enrollment process. Starting July 29, 2026 families need to login to PowerSchool and complete the Back to School Update Packet.

This process needs to be completed before the first day of school on Monday, August 31. Please click on the following link: https://westbloomfield.powerschool.com/public/

Families are required to do this for each child enrolled with WBSD.

If you do not know your login and/or password for PowerSchool, please contact your school for assistance, or visit https://www.wbsd.org/parents/powerschool for more information.

Even if you don’t think your family will qualify, filling out the Free and Reduced Lunch form is still very important. Completing the form helps our school receive valuable funding for programs, technology, and student support services. It also impacts staffing, classroom resources, and access to grants. When every family participates, it ensures our school can provide the best possible education for all students. Your information is kept confidential, and it only takes a few minutes to make a big difference!

First day of school is a full day on Monday, August 31.

NEW SCHEDULE for the 26-27 school year:

School Start Time - 9:00am

School End Time - 3:52 pm

Late Start will begin at 11:00 am

• August 2026 Lunch
• September 2026 Lunch

BUSES

• Students are dropped off and picked up at the East/Front loop.

WALKERS/BIKERS

• Students who walk or bike to school will enter through the front, main doors of the building. Please do not let your walker use the breezeway doors, as this is where the car line drops off.

CAR RIDERS

• There is no stopping or parking in front of the school. If you drive your child to school, you must join the car line unless you arrive tardy past the start of the school day.**

• Please watch our brief car line video by using the QR code (sound on) or clicking here.

Morning Drop-Off

• If you are driving your child to school, please follow the designated GREEN arrow traffic pattern in the map. Remain in your car during this process and allow our staff to assist your child. Make sure your child is ready to get out of the car when you get to that drop-off point.

• Car line is staffed from 8:45 am to 8:59 am. If you arrive at school by car at or after 8:59, you must park in a designated parking spot at the front of the building and walk your student to the main office lobby to sign them in there.

Afternoon Pick-Up

• You will follow the same procedures above if you are picking your child up from school in the afternoon. Car line is staffed in the afternoon from 3:52 pm to 4:07 p.m. Thank you for timely pick-up of your children after school.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS FOR CAR DROP-OFF AND PICK-UP

Adults Should:

• Drive slowly and carefully.
• Remain in their vehicle.
• Pull all the way forward in the loop (adult staff will be present to direct you).
• Observe our staff for further direction/instructions.
• To avoid a waiting-to-turn-left line-up along Greer Road, pass the school on Greer, turn left in the subdivision just past the school, pull into the right hand turn lane and follow into the school entrance.
  

Car Loop Students Should:

• Be ready to get out of your vehicle when you arrive at the exit area. (including shoes, coats, hats as weather cools).
• Be on the right side of the car, ready to exit.
• Say good-bye before their expected exit from the car.
• Be positioned so the child does not have to climb over others in the car.
• Have car doors unlocked and student ready to go.
• If your child is not ready to exit, please pull all the way forward so others may exit their vehicles.

PRESCHOOL

• When preschool begins, preschool students will use the southeast parking lot as noted in the map.

West Bloomfield School District community enrichment and early childhood will be transitioning from the Eleyo registration system to Arux.

Kids Connect and Preschool before and after care registration opens on July 15th https://wbsdec.arux.app/
Please note that this link will replace our current Eleyo registration system.

WBSD programs that will be switching from Eleyo to Arux:

WBSD Summer Camp

Kids Connect (School age before and after care)
3 year old Preschool
Preschool before and aftercare
Community and enrichment programs

Good News: Everything Transfers Automatically

Your account data - All of your information will transfer automatically
Login credentials - Your current username and password still work
Existing enrollments - All current and upcoming registrations transfer
Payment methods - Saved cards and autopay settings carry over

If your student requires medication during the school day, prescription and over the counter, the WBSD District Medication Administration Form must be filled out AND signed by your doctor. This form should be turned in before school starts so students do not miss important medications they need. Click here to access the form or stop by the main office to pick one up.

ATTENDANCE – West Bloomfield School District expects students to be in school and on time for school on a daily basis. Absent and tardy students will be recorded daily and parents will be notified.

• If your child will not be in school or will be late to school, you must call the 24-hour answering machine at 248-865-6572. Leave your student’s name, teacher’s name and reason for absence. For the safety of our students, please do your best to remember to call before the start of school (even if you are only going to be “a little” late).
• To excuse a health-related absence from the county-counted total, please provide the main office with a note from the medical facility your child visited.

Transportation is provided for resident students who live more than one (1) mile from their assigned school. To help ensure a safe and efficient transportation experience, all students are expected to follow the district's transportation rules and regulations.

Students should arrive at their designated bus stop at least ten (10) minutes before their scheduled pickup time to allow for normal traffic and weather-related delays. If a student is not at the bus stop when the bus arrives, the driver is not required to stop. As we begin the new school year, we appreciate your patience as drivers and students become familiar with new routes and schedules before requesting route changes.

For the safety of our youngest learners, a parent or designated adult must be present at the bus stop to accompany kindergarten and first grade students at both pickup and drop off. If an adult is not present to receive a student at drop off, transportation privileges may be suspended until appropriate arrangements are made.

We also encourage families to download the BusZone app to track their child's bus in real time. Instructions for setting up BusZone will be included with the transportation information mailed to each eligible family. The district access code is 4079WBSD, and parents will need their student's ID number to complete the registration process.

Transportation information for eligible students will be mailed the week of August 17, 2026.

Thank you for your cooperation and partnership as we work together to ensure a safe, smooth, and successful start to the school year.

For additional transportation information, please visit:

West Bloomfield School District Transportation Department

Education & Nutrition Benefits Application (formerly known as the Free & Reduced Meals Application)

Complete the application today!

Step 1: Visit the Meal Magic Family Portal and follow these instructions:

Select Application

• if your child is enrolled in a GSRP preschool program

• if you have more than one child attending West Bloomfield School District and at least one is enrolled in a GSRP program

Otherwise, select Education and Benefits Form.

Questions, contact the Nutrition Services Department at (248) 865-6733

We know childhood hunger is a huge problem. Fueling Kids' Futures goal is to make sure no student goes hungry over the weekend by sending six non-perishable meals home discretely with students each Friday at no cost to families. If your child would benefit from this program, please complete the form below and turn it in to the main office.

There are many community resources available to families in need. See the Oakland County Community Resource Guide, which includes resources about topics including Abuse & Protective Services; Food Pantries, Clothing & Household Support; Healthcare Services; Housing Assistance; and Parenting & Pregnancy Resources.

211 (United Way) offers resources/connections for family support as well. Parents/adults can call, text, or email. Here is the link to the 211 website, which is searchable by topic. Additionally, see these 211 flyers in English, Spanish, and Arabic.

Finally, here are some resources for Food Pantry/Supplies near WB/Oakland County.

WBSD has partnered with ParentGuidance.org to give parents free access to resources and helpful information. We have shared this information with our families. We hope that it will be useful for some of you as well!

ParentGuidance.org is an online service by licensed therapists that provides trusted and specialized courses, professional support, and a safe community for parents to learn how to support their children and get answers to mental health questions.

Phone:

• Main Office Phone: (248)865-6570
• SAFELINE to report absences: (248) 865-6572. This is a 24 hour answering machine.