March 21, 2025

Whether your traveling or having a staycation at home, we wish everyone a safe and healthy Spring Break!

Our next Snack Shop will be held on Friday, April 4th. 
All items will be one dollar. 
Students may purchase up to 3 items. 
If possible please send exact change.

Parents, in order to keep traffic moving please do not get out of your vehicle when waiting for your student while in the parent pick-up traffic line.  We have staffing to help direct traffic to prevent back-ups.  If your student needs your assistance to get in the vehicle please pull out of the traffic lane, park in the parking area and walk up to get your student. Thank you for your cooperation.

Reminder:  Please call or email your student(s) absence in to the office.  We must account for student's whether it is a half or whole day of school. Please email both Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. Nichols so that if one of them is absent the other will get your message.  You may also call the absence notice in to: 517-925-5940. If we unable to answer your phone call you may leave a voicemail and we will be sure to get your message.  Our email addresses are: johnsont@glcomets.net and nicholsd@glcomets.net Thank you for your cooperation.

Our March Book Madness winner was announced today! Ask your student about the 2025 Winner. We have loved celebrating reading during the month of March, but we want the love of reading to continue all year long. Please feel free to reach out if your child or you need any resources or suggestions. Your child’s teacher or our reading teachers, Kelly Nevison and Jamie McKennon, can help. March Book Madness Bracket: https://marchbookmadness.weebly.com/picture-books.html

                                                             Our 2025, March Book Madness winner is The Spaceman! 

ART FUNDRAISER:  This year our students are participating in the Original Works Fundraiser.  Students have been working hard on their art pieces for this event.  Soon you will receive information about Original Works and be able to order items with your child's artwork included on each item.  Proceeds will benefit our art studio with supplies and specialty items such as glazes and clay. 

Something Special for 2nd Grade Artists:  Our 2nd graders will be test pilots for a new digital art portfolio called "Artsonia".  Parents of 2nd grade students will be getting an e-mail from Artsonia asking if you would like to set up an account to view your student's work and have opportunities to order items with your student's work on them. 

Thanks for supporting our art studio! 
Mrs. Parsons

Thank you for your generosity everyone!  Everything on our snack wish list has been purchased.  When our supplies start to look depleted we'll post again.  Some of our students are also enjoying ther fresh fruit options, especially apples.  If you'd be interested in bringing fresh apples, oranges, or clementines, please click on the link below for a list of weeks that you can bring them in. Please bring your donation on Monday mornings so that we have the fruit available for the week.  Thanks for considering!            https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C45AEAB2CA7FBC43-55553576-healthy

What’s going around:  
Influenza A, Strep Throat, Fifth Disease, Covid and other general illness symptoms including fever, sore throat, vomiting, generalized fatigue, upper respiratory symptoms, and maybe a bit of spring fever too!

As we approach spring break, it's important to prioritize health and safety while enjoying a well-deserved break. Here are some key reminders to keep everyone safe and healthy during this time:

Health & Wellness Tips:
Stay Hydrated: Warmer weather and increased outdoor activities can lead to dehydration. Drink plenty of water throughout the day.

Sun Protection: Use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher), wear protective clothing, and avoid prolonged sun exposure, especially between 10 AM – 4 PM.

Rest & Recharge: Ensure adequate sleep to stay refreshed.

Healthy Eating: Maintain a balanced diet with fruits, vegetables, and protein-rich foods to keep energy levels up.

Safety Tips:
Travel Safely: If traveling, wear seatbelts, follow traffic laws, and avoid distractions while driving. Pack medicine in carry on bag in case your luggage gets lost. Get moving on long road trips - stop for breaks and move around

Water Safety: If swimming, always supervise children, swim in designated areas, and follow local water safety guidelines.

Stay Aware: Be mindful of your surroundings, whether in public places or engaging in outdoor activities

Illness Prevention:
Hand Hygiene: Wash hands frequently with soap and water to prevent the spread of germs.

Recognize Symptoms: If you feel unwell, rest and seek medical advice if necessary.

Allergy Awareness: Springtime allergies can be challenging; take prescribed medications and avoid known triggers.

We hope everyone has a fun, restful, and safe spring break! We look forward to welcoming students back healthy and refreshed.

Helpful Links:

What is Influenza?

What is the difference between Influenza A and Influenza B?

Key facts about Seasonal Flu Vaccine

Is it too late to gain benefits from a Flu Vaccine?

What to do if you get sick with the Flu?

Monday, Mar. 31 - No School
Tuesday, Apr. 1 - Confetti Pancakes & Sausage
Wednesday, Apr. 2 - Chicken Nuggets
Thursday, Apr. 3 - Cheeseburger
Friday, Apr. 4 - Beef Hot Dog
Everyday Option:  Blueberry Muffin Fun Lunch

Watch our newsletter for updates, upcoming events, and how you can get involved with P.T.I.A.  Our parent teacher organization always has plenty of opportunities for you to participate with your student(s) school and to support our teaching staff and building needs.  You can reach out directly by emailing: ptiawacousta@gmail.com. You can also follow the Wacousta Elementary School PTIA on Facebook.

Mark your calendar with the dates below for upcoming meetings and which school group(s) will be highlighted. Meetings are held at 6:00 p.m. in the media center. Childcare is provided by NHS. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Please continue to collect Box Tops for Education! This program is completely online now. To get the app please go to www.Boxtops4education.com

The emergency clothing closet is in short supply.  We are in need of snow pants in sizes for 3rd and 4th aged boys and girls.  If your student comes home with borrowed clothing from the emergency clothing closet, please wash the items and return to the school so that they can be reused. Thank you for your cooperation.

Thank you to everyone who volunteers for our lunch time help!  You are so greatly appreciated during this busy time of the day.  If you haven't had a chance to volunteer previously, we are still in great need of support each day.  Please consider donating a few hours of time.  You can sign-up using this link:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080B45A5A723AAF58-50015738-lunch

The office staff keeps track of end of day transportation and attendance.  When there is a bus route cancellation please call the school office PH: 517-925-5940 to identify your students end of day mode of transportation.  This will aide staff in getting your student to the correct station, bus loop or parent pickup loop, at the end of the day.  All students must be picked up by 4:05 p.m.

If your student will be absent due to a bus cancellation and an inability to transport them we do not assume the reason for the absence.  Please call the office to exuse the student .

Thank you for your cooperation when we experience staff shortages and bus cancellations.

The Old Newsboys Association of Greater Lansing is a nonprofit charitable organization whose sole purpose is to provide footwear to needy school children. This includes well fitting school shoes, warm boots and socks. For, assistance and to obtain a request for footwear form, please contact our office.

Persons wishing to volunteer for Grand Ledge Public Schools are required to complete the Volunteer Registration Form and be approved prior to serving as a volunteer.  All volunteers MUST check in at the office to receive a BADGE prior to proceeding to any other area on school property.  Please visit District Volunteer Application to complete the process.

It is of great importance that we have current contact information in order to reach you during emergency situations, school closures, for important updates on changes to a daily school schedule, and for communications such as our "Weekly Newsletter". Have you moved?  Do you have a new cell phone number or email address?  Please use this link for directions on how to update your information.  School Messenger Settings Guide.

For security purposes, if you need to enter the building during school hours, i.e. late drop off, early pick-up, etc., please use the office entrance located at 9325 Herbison.  The gym door access will be locked during school hours.

Families, at the very bottom of this newsletter there is a link that says "view entire message".  Please be sure to click on this link to fully receive all of the information shared with you by the district.  This area of the newsletter provides information on community resources and activities such as: Food Banks, Community Meals, GLEAP Christmas Food Baskets, Grand Ledge Emergency Assistance Program, The Grand Ledge Shopping Tour.

School Start Time:  8:55 a.m.
School Dismissal Time:  3:55 p.m.
Half-Day Dismissal Time:  12:10

When calling in for any reason for your student, please identify the student by first and last name, grade, classroom teacher, and the reason you are calling.  Please leave a voicemail if we are unavailable.  If you are communicating via email, please send the message to both Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. Nichols to ensure one of them gets your message.  Thank you for helping us get to know you and your family!

Mrs. Johnson:      johnsont@glcomets.net
Mrs. Nichols:  nicholsd@glcomets.net Office Phone:        517-925-5940

School Arrival: Class starts at 8:55 a.m.
Students may not be dropped off prior to 8:40 a.m. since we do not have supervision available. If your student will be getting breakfast it is important that they arrive at the drop off time and go directly to the cafeteria.  Arriving late causes a disruption to the classroom schedule for the other students.  Please be courteous.

Lunch Late Arrivals:  If you know your child is going to be arriving late and will need a school lunch please call the school office at: 517-925-5940 by 9:15 a.m. Lunch count gets submitted to our food service staff for preparation at 9:30 a.m.

School Dismissal:  School ends at 3:55 p.m.   All students should be picked up no later than 4:05 p.m.

Half-day Dismissal:  Is at 12:10 p.m.

Bus Riders: Will be escorted to their busses. 

Parent Pick Up Drive Thru Lane: If you are using the parent pick up drive thru to pick up your student(s), please remember to post your students name in your car window.  Staff will get your student(s) to you.

Parent Pick-Up/Bus Changes:  If your student is an everyday bus rider and you are planning to  pick-up your child after school, or change from parent pick-up to riding the bus, please call the school office no later than 2:00 p.m.  We distribute the pick-up lists to teachers and staff at this time and are unable to accommodate last minute changes after the cut off time.

Early Pick-Up:  If you need to pick your student up early for an appt. etc. please call the office when you are about 10 minutes out from arriving at the school so we can try to have them in the office and ready to go.  Please also be aware that it gets very busy at the end of the school day.  If you're going to be picking your student up early please plan to do that before 3:30 to avoid end of day traffic and office congestion.

 ~Thank you very much for your cooperation!

To report a positive Covid case, please complete the Covid Reporting Form.

All medication needs to be brought to school by a parent/guardian.  This includes all over the counter medication (cough drops, Tylenol, etc).  Prescription and over the counter medications require a doctors order for the school to administer them, that includes creams or lotions. You will find medication documents at this link: medication and health information Click on School Health Information and Forms.

Due to the number of life-threatening allergies we have in our building, we respectfully request that you do not send in any type of food for birthday treats.  Mr. Groves celebrates each child by announcing their name during the morning announcements and he personally presents them with a birthday pencil.

You are welcome to bring in a non-edible treat for your child's classmates such as a pencil or sticker, but they may not include any type of gum or candy attached to them. Out of respect for individual circumstances please note that not all families may be able to do something like this.

We also request that you do not send birthday invitations to school.  If you would like an address list, please request a classroom directory.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!

Please mark your student(s) clothing and keep an eye out for missing clothing and personal items:  jacket, hat, gloves, water bottle, lunch box.  Marking items helps us to reunite students with their items. Our lost and found area fills up quickly.  Stop in to reclaim items your student may have misplaced as soon as possible. Items that are not claimed after a few months will be donated to a local clothing bank.

Absences:  If your student will be absent and cannot attend school it is your responsibility to notify the school office, whether it is for illness, vacation, or personal reasons. Please call: 517-925-5940 with your students first and last name, teacher name, and if the student is ill please also include the symptoms, such as: fever, vomiting, diarrhea, sore throat, cough, congestion, pink eye, etc.  The detailed information is needed for our weekly health report.

If we are unavailable to answer the phone, please leave a voice mail. You may also email the notification. Please include both Mrs. Johnson (johnsont@glcomets.net) and Mrs. Nichols (nicholsd@glcomets.net) in all email communication to ensure one of them gets the message.  Your cooperation is greatly appreciated!

Absence Due to Illness: Student's must be 24 hours fever, vomiting or diarrhea free before returning to school.  If they are diagnosed with a contagious illness, such as pink eye or strep, they must be on antibiotics for 24 hours before they can return to school.

Absence Due to Dr. Visit:  If your student is absent due to a dr. visit, or illness that involved a dr. visit, please send in a copy of the dr. note indicating the dr. excused absence with included dates. Dr. excused absences do not go against the student's attendance record. Thank you for your cooperation.

Truancy:  How many days of school can you miss before truancy in Michigan?  Truant means a child who has ten (10) or more unexcused absences per school year.  Once a student is deemed truant, a child shall be monitored throughout the school year by the county until improved attendance is consistent.  

Studies have shown that students who are  chronically absent, missing 10 or more days in a school year, may experience low success rates in math and reading by grade 3. Many absences are excused due to illness., but they still add up to lost time in the classroom.  Please be conscientious of your student(s) attendance.