December 18, 2024

Wacousta Families,

We’d like to share a flood restoration update and what this means for the coming days. Crews are working around the clock and making tremendous progress on getting our school back to normal.

This Thursday, December 19,  from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. our gym will be open for you to pick up your students personal belongings, food support items, and Blessings in a Backpack.  The Holiday Shop will also be available. Here are some helpful details:

Parking and School Entrance
Please park in the parent pick-up parking lot (old school building parking area). You will be able to enter the building through the gymnasium entrance of the new building. The front doors by the office will be closed, locked, and unavailable for use.

Personal Belongings
If there are items your student will need over winter break (such as snow gear), they will be  available for you to pick up on Thursday. The contents from the Begindergarten, Kindergarten, First, and Second grade lockers have been bagged and labeled and will be located in the gym. The 3rd and 4th grade families can gather belongings from their student(s) lockers. You may want to bring a sack of some sort to put things in.

Food Support
Breakfast and lunch items will be available for pickup on Thursday from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in the school café. Meals are available to all students. To have enough take-home bags prepared for pick-up, please reserve your meal package/takeout bag by filling out this survey form.  Please fill the survey form out by no later than Wednesday, December 18, at 8 p.m.. You can also reserve meal packages by calling the food service department at 517-925-5733 or emailing the food service manager at gyurichd@glcomets.net. Each meal package will include breakfast and lunch items such as cereal bowls, breakfast bars, fruit, individually wrapped lunch items, and milk cartons.

Blessings in a Backpack
If your student receives Blessings in a Backpack food bags weekly, they will be available to pick up on Thursday from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.. The bags will include extra food items for the holiday break. 

Holiday Shop
Several classes missed out on the Holiday Shop due to a snow day last week. The shop will be open Thursday from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. for ALL families to shop. The PTIA is facing a hardship due to the big lack in sales. Feel free to come in and stock up on stocking stuffers for your family (pets, too!), last minute gifts, and let your students shop! We will not have a gift wrapping station but can supply gift bags while supplies last. All items cost $2. 

Book Drive
Several community members have approached staff looking for ways they can support our school through this unfortunate water event. One need we would like to meet before the students return on January 7th is replenishing the books that were destroyed. You can help by donating new or gently used books, particularly for ages 4-8. Beginning Thursday, we will have donation bins outside our gymnasium entrance, and at the Sawdon Administration building, located at 220 Lamson St., Grand Ledge.  

Unfortunately, students are missing out on their holiday parties and the Sing-a-Long.  These will not be rescheduled but we plan to do a fun activity for the students when they return. We hope to see you all Thursday, and we are wishing you all a safe and happy holiday season!

Thank you,
Chris Groves, Principal

We value your input! Please take a few minutes to complete our Family School Climate Survey. Your feedback will directly inform our Michigan Integrated Continuous Improvement Process (MICIP), which guides our district’s efforts to create effective strategies for student success. Thank you for partnering with us to make our schools even better!

Our Wacousta 4th graders have been selected to participate in WILX’s upcoming holiday production: “A Mid-Michigan Christmas Celebration.”  This holiday special will feature a variety of groups throughout the mid-Michigan area.  We are one of only two elementary schools scheduled to be featured, along with various middle school, high school and collegiate groups.  

This broadcast will run on WILX  on Wednesday, December 25 at the following times: 
      4:30 am-7:00 am
      5:00 pm-6:30 pm
      11:00 pm-11:30 pm
In addition, portions of performances will be featured in News 10 newscasts between December 16-24. But you don't have to wait that long; I'm attaching the video I submitted for your viewing pleasure.  View it here.

I hope you enjoy!

Mrs. Shirley Anne Ries
Elementary Music Teacher
Wacousta Elementary School

Ongoing cold-like symptoms (coughing, runny nose,  sneezing)  are being reported, non specific fevers and headaches, in addition to a few buildings continuing to have absences related to upper respiratory symptoms and pneumonia.  Remember that the district has access to free covid test kits from MDHHS - email the health line at health@glcomets.net or connect with your school office about picking up free test kits.  

Winter Wellness:  Stay Safe When Warming your Home 

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) urge residents to protect their family by taking preventative measures against carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning and check CO detectors and fuel-burning appliances. 

Carbon monoxide is known as the “Invisible Killer.” You cannot see, taste or smell it, but it can be deadly when you breathe it in. CO is found where carbon-based fuels like gasoline, propane, charcoal, wood and others are burned. The gas can build up to deadly levels within minutes in enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces. 

When your students return in January, please be sure to send them with appropriate outerwear everyday for the cold season:  Coat, Hat, Gloves, Snow Pants, Boots. They will need these items for outdoor recesses.  If you are in need of support for these items please contact "Ken's Coat Closet", a free clothing bank providing service to the community and supporting the Giving Eaton County Kids Opportunities program since 2013.  They are located at 501 S. Clinton St., Grand Ledge MI 48837.  On the corner of Clinton and Edwards Streets next to Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Current Hours for the Week of 12/16/24:
Monday: 12:30-2:30 p.m. 
Wednesday & Thursday 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Friday 12:30 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
They will be closed from 12/23/24 - 1/3/24 opening again on January 6, 2025.  

Their hours may change with the GLPS school schedule, so check out their FB page for the most up to date hours.   Contact them at kenscoatcloset@gmail.com if you need to schedule an alternative appointment time.

Due to the unexpected school closing this week we were unable to distribute the January 2025 lunch menus to students.  We will distribute them when the students return in January.  The first week of the menu is listed below.  For you planning purpose you can also access it by clicking on the following link to view the menu:  January 2025 Lunch Menu

Monday, Jan. 6 - No School
Tuesday, Jan. 7 - French Bread Pizza
Wednesday, Jan. 8 - French Toast Stick & Egg Patty
Thursday, Jan. 9 - Grilled Cheese
Friday, Jan. 10 - Mini Corn Dog
Everyday Option:  Soft Pretzel 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 stretchy style pants, underware, long sleeve shirts, and snow pants in all sizes appropriate for elementary 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, 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.