LEONARD ELEMENTARY A Nationally Accredited School, Blue Ribbon School

Our mission is to make sure all students learn

Mrs Erica Rolack

Principal

Main Office

(248) 823 3300

Attendance Line

(248) 823 3301

Fax

(248) 823 3313

SEPTEMBER 2016

erolack@troy.k12.mi.us

Tel: 248.823.3300

Fax: 248.823.3313

September 1, 2016

Dear Leonard Community:

Welcome to the 2016-17 school year! I hope you are having a relaxing summer and are refreshed and ready for the start of another new school year. We have been busy throughout the summer getting the building ready for staff and students to arrive. Staff members have been attending summer workshops and preparing their rooms. This time of year is always filled with excitement and the promise of new challenges and exciting opportunities. It is filled with fresh expectations and new opportunities to explore and grow. As a team of parents and educators, we are here to guide, educate and nurture our children along the way.

This summer we welcomed many new families to the school and the Leonard neighborhood. I’m sure you’ll extend a warm welcome to each new family. At Leonard, we are devoted to maintaining a safe environment where courtesy and kindness prevail and there is respect for differences in other people, customs and cultures.

This year there have also been some changes in our staff as outlined in previous messages. We welcome the changes and our staff new to the building are off to a great start. I hope you had a chance to meet them during Meet and Greet yester-day.

The Leonard staff welcomes any information that you can share regarding your child’s learning needs. We believe that communication among parents, students and teachers is critical in assuring student success. If I can assist you in any way, please contact me at 248-823-3300.

Warmest Regards,

Erica Rolack

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MARK YOUR CALENDARS

September 6: September 7: September 9: September 12: September 13: September 14: September 15: September 16: September 20: September 28:

Every Wednesday starting

September 14

First Day—Dismissal at 12.46pm Full Day of school Dismissal at 4.07pm Room Parent Meeting 9.30am in the LGI 5th Grade Information Night for instrument selection—Athens High School 7pm PTO Meeting 7pm in the LGI Curriculum Night for Grades 3,4,5 6.30—8.30pm Curriculum Night for Grade K, 1, 2 6.30—8.30pm Science Olympiad Meeting 7pm in the LGI PICTURE DAY 1/2 Day of School. Dismissal at 12.47pm

Bagel Sales $0.75

School Session Times

First Bell at 9.05am. School begins at 9.10am. Students arriving after 9.10am will be marked tardy.

Students may arrive at school NO EARLIER than 8.55am.

Dismissal is at 4.07pm for a full day

12.47pm for a half day

During inclement weather, there will be no safeties on post.

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Welcome New Staff

Mrs. Katie Starn joins us in 3rd Grade.

I have been teaching for 12 years, and I am excited and honored to have this opportunity to work with you! I believe teaching stems from teamwork – together we can reach so many new heights and have so many wonderful experiences.

A little bit about me: I was born and raised in Rochester Hills, where I attended Rochester Community Schools. Upon graduation of high school, I attended Michigan State University until I was a junior. I then transferred to Coastal

Carolina University in Myrtle Beach, SC where I earned my bachelors in Elementary Education in 2004. I began my teaching career in 2004 and went on to earn my Masters in Creative Arts in Education from Lesley University in Cambridge, MA. I taught grades 2 and 3 for 11 years in Myrtle Beach, SC.

After 16 years of living in SC, my husband and I decided it was time to come home to where our families are and to raise our two sons in Troy. Our children, Jake and Holden will also attend Leonard Elementary. We are elated to be ‘home’ and to raise our children in this wonderful community!

Mrs. Amanda Kalinowsky joins us in 1st Grade.

I am so excited to be a part of the Troy School District and the Leonard family. I have heard so many wonderful things about the great community at Leonard. Previously, I worked in Canton and Pontiac for five years as a first grade teacher. Prior to that I was a reading specialist in Taylor for two years. I graduated from Eastern Michigan University with majors in Integrated Science and Reading. Currently, I am perusing a Masters in Educational Leadership from Grand Valley State University. I will be celebrating my seven year wedding anniversary with my husband

in November and have two fur babies a dog and a horse. Thank you to all the staff and families that have made me feel so welcome.

Mrs. Abby Watson joins us in Building Bridges.

This is my first year at Leonard, and I'm so excited to be here! I have taught in the Troy school district for the past ten years in Kindergarten, Second and Third Grade. I graduated from Michigan State University, GO GREEN, and have an Early Child-hood Endorsement and a Masters in Reading. I love spending time Up North with my two young children, husband and family. I like to play tennis, ski, travel and have fun with my friends and family:)

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This year sees DM Burr take over the custodial contract for Troy Schools.

Please join us in welcoming our new custodial staff.

Our Daytime Lead Custodian is Jason.

Our Nighttime Lead Custodian is Cedric.

Welcome New Custodial Staff

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Pick-up and Drop-off Routines

Since the staff is busy preparing for the school day and we do not have adults available to supervise students, children should not be dropped off before 8:55. They will enter the building at 9:05 a.m. C.A.R.E. Co. can assist parents if there is a need for child care prior to these times. Please note that CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION begins at 9:10 a.m. Ensuring that your child arrives on time enhances their learning experience. Students arriving late become disoriented upon their arrival since their class has already begun. Late arrivals also interrupt the learning process for the rest of the students.

How you can assist during the drop-off process (Before School):

Have your children ride the bus if they are eligible for the service.

Have your children ready to independently exit the car from the passenger side of the car at the unloading zone. The unloading zone will once again be at the front of the building. Please pull all the way forward in order to allow other cars to unload. Do not drop off students in the parking lot unless you are going to escort them across the unloading zone. This creates a very dangerous situation for students and drivers.

Students should have their lunches, instruments, and backpacks ready with their goodbyes said before the car stops to unload.

If students are dropped off on Tallman, they must cross at Safety Patrol posts. They are not allowed to cross through the parking lot. This is very dangerous.

Please remember that school instruction begins at 9:10 a.m.

If students arrive after 9:10 a.m., you will need to personally bring them into the building and sign them in.

How you can assist during the pick-up process (After School):

If you are waiting outside to pick up your child -- Pull into the pick up/drop off loop located in front of the building. Please let your child know that you will wait for him/her in your car in this area. Drivers MUST stay in their cars to keep the traffic moving. The children will walk down the sidewalk and enter your car on the passenger side. WARNING!!! Cars will be passing on the driver’s side. Once your children are in the car, please move forward and exit the pickup area. Cars that are ready to exit can carefully use the left lane to pass cars that are still loading. As cars move forward, pull ahead to the next open pick up point. It will also be helpful for pedestrians if waiting cars do not park on the white striped crossing areas. We would like to keep these crossing areas clear. I will have staff members in the area to help direct drivers.

If you need to leave your car to meet your child -- You will still park your car in the parking lot and escort your child back to the parking lot. Children ARE NOT ALLOWED to walk into the parking lot without an adult. Please remember not to wait at the office entrance to pick up your children. It is difficult for the office staff to

visually monitor the hallways with visitors waiting in this area. Parents should wait

outside, near the LGI doors, until students have been dismissed. Safety is always our top priority.

TALLMAN DRIVE

PARKING ONLY. WALK YOUR

CHILD OVER THE CROSSING

TO THE SIDEWALK

PARKING ONLY. WALK YOUR

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TO THE SIDEWALK

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Kindergarten Doors Main Doors LGI Doors

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The Leonard PTO will be hosting coffee, pastries and bagels in the LGI room immediately following the last morning bell on Tuesday, September 6th. This is a great opportunity to socialize with other Leonard families and also learn about the many ways that you can volunteer at the school!

Clinic Volunteers Needed!

Our clinic needs your help. During lunch/recess, it is difficult for our office staff to attend to our children who visit the clinic while conducting their reg-ular duties. We need a parent volunteer to staff the clinic. No prior experi-ence is needed. Your duties will include distributing ice packs, providing bandages, etc.

Please use the link below to sign-up. If you have any questions or concerns, you can email me at amanpreet.deol@gmail.com.

We greatly appreciate your help. http://vols.pt/61ge6e

Each school year our classrooms host wonderful holiday parties for our

Leonard students. These parties would not be possible without room

parent volunteers!

If you are interested in being a room parent for your child's class this

year, please consider attending a very brief informational meeting on

Friday, September 9th immediately following the morning bell in the LGI

room.

If you cannot attend this meeting, but are still interested in being a room

parent, please email leonardelempto@gmail.com.

Back by popular demand! The Leonard PTO will be having bagel sales for the Leonard students again this school year! Bagels will be sold after the second bell every Wednesday for $0.75 each. Our first sale will be on September 14th and a reminder email will be sent out the day before with the flavor offerings.

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Box Tops for Education

Time to Turn Them In!

SUMMER CONTEST ENDS SEPT 14

Turn in your collection of Box Tops for a chance to win one of five

$10 gift certificates to AMC theaters

Every 10 Box Tops earns 1 raffle ticket. Enter as many times as you like.

We will accept all Box Tops however you want to turn them in.

Neatly trimmed. Big rough torn edges.

Tossed in a baggie. Attached to the paper entry form.

REMEMBER to include your child's name on the collection.

Paper entry form is included in this newsletter. Print as many copies as you like.

TROY TECH TALK SCHEDULE2016 - 2017 SCHOOL YEAR

● Weds, Sept 21st● Thurs, Oct 27th ● Thurs, Nov 29th● Weds, Feb 15th● Thurs, Mar 23rd

LOCATION :: 4400 Livernois, Services Building @ 7pm

SEPTEMBER TOPIC: Social Media & Your College Applications

Mark Your Calendars!

Other topics & speakers include: ● Schoology & HAC - “How to” for parents● Oakland County Prosecutor● Social Media 101 - “How to” for parents● Troy Police & Cyber danger

** Topics/Speakers are subject to change, watch for announcements

This fun family event offers a timed race with all proceeds benefiting the Troy Youth Assistance program – a volunteer driven prevention program offering services to Troy youth and their families.

This is a USAT&F sanctioned event.

REGISTRATION FEES:$25.00 for Adults $15.00 ages 6-18 + ($2.50 sign up fee)

Registration includes a run t-shirt. The top finishers will receive medals.

REGISTER NOW AT:www.runsignup.com/Race/MI/Troy/DashthrutheDaze5K

Or call Troy Youth Assistance at 248.823.5095 for more information

www.facebook.com/events/563737670468336or search facebook: dash thru the daze

SEPTEMBER 17, 2016 • 9 AM STARTBoulan Park • Troy

BLOOMFIELD HILLS FINANCIAL IS PROUD TO SPONSOR