Waukazoo Newsletter

March 13 = PTA Meeting, 5-6pm

March 15 = Ar, Er, Ir, Or, Ur Day (wear something that ends in that sound)

March 15 = WZ Panther Panther Pathways Basketball Team 2 Home Game

March 16 = WZ Panther Panther Pathways Basketball Team 1 Home Game

March 21 = WZ Panther Panther Pathways Basketball Team 2 Home Game

March 22 = Book Character Day

March 23 = Celebration of Learning, 5:30-7:00pm

March 24 = Early Release ½ Day, Dismissal at 11:52, End of 3rd Marking Period

March 24 = PTA Hosted Book Swap Bingo 6:30

Hi Waukazoo!

My name is Chrissa Zuber and I am one of the third grade teachers here. This is my first year here at Waukazoo and this is my first year teaching overall! I feel beyond blessed to start off my career at such a loving place with a strong sense of community and welcoming atmosphere. I grew up in Zeeland and graduated from Zeeland East before I continued my education at Grand Valley State University. I currently live in Grand Rapids but plan to move a bit closer next year! In my free time, I love to draw, curl up with a book, and go on walks. One of my favorite things about Holland is how lucky we are to live so close to the beautiful lake. In the summer, you’ll normally find me there or at the summer camp I work at!

Hello Waukazoo!

I’m Laura Little and I teach Lower Montessori this year. This is my first year in Montessori and my tenth year in teaching. I have experience with teaching primarily first grade over the years with some middle school and Kindergarten as well. I live in Allendale with my family: my husband, Brett, and our two children, Gryffin (9) and Rosalie (5). We have a cute calico cat named Dinah. In my spare time, I enjoy flower arranging, reading, music/singing, and art. I am so happy to be a part of the Waukazoo family!

Due to the upcoming building construction Waukazoo’s annual Celebration of Learning will be held prior to Spring Break. On March 23, 2023 the building will be open from 5:30-7:00pm for families to come in and see all that your students have been working on. You’ll be able to see their room, say hello to their teacher, check out our March is Reading Month “PAWS for Reading” theme, and complete an in class activity. The event is “open house” style with no requirement to attend but, if you would like to, please stop by and see all the cool things that we can celebrate as your student continues to learn this year.

Morning drop-off will continue to begin at 8:30am, please remember that students are not supervised prior to 8:30am. The doors will electronically unlock and there is a bell to note the 8:30am time.

As colder weather has arrived it is important to note that students will not be able to enter prior to 8:30am.

As part of previously approved West Ottawa bond projects Waukazoo will be adding on beginning in the late spring. 2 classrooms will be added off the southwest corner of the building and 1 classroom will be renovated. The remainder of the building will see a significant refresh with carpet, locker, and paint improvements over the summer. The work will be completed in time for the 2023-2024 school year at Waukazoo.

Attendance is an important component of success in school. All Waukazoo should “strive for 5” or less absences per semester. By having less than 5 absences per semester a student will attend school at least 95% of the time (5 absences per semester equals 10 absences for the year).

Waukazoo will be continuing to utilize Waukazoo Pride Tickets this year. These tickets recognize students for being Respectful, Responsible, Ready to Learn, or demonstrating Waukazoo Family Pride. Our goal this year is to reach 12,500 tickets this year. Let’s go kids!

Pride Tickets to Date = 8,578

March’s PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) root is TEAMWORK. Waukazoo’s 3rd Grade is leading the building’s look at TEAMWORK each Friday in March. Ask your student about TEAMWORK and see what they have learned.

West Ottawa Public Schools adheres to a method of progressive discipline when there is a violation of basic Bus Rules or Behavior Expectations. Depending on the severity or progressive nature of the unacceptable behavior, the Director of Transportation and/or principal at the building of attendance may impose any number of days of bus suspension up to and including the loss of bus riding privileges for a brief or extended period of time including the remainder of the school semester or the school year. All consequences are subject to administrative discretion. Restorative practices are considered in all situations and may be implemented when appropriate.

To view a copy of the Bus Rules and Behavior Expectations which are posted in color at the front of every West Ottawa school bus, CLICK HERE.

To view a copy of the Transportation Department's Administrative Guidelines on Pupil Transportation Student Conduct and Corrective Action (AG 8600.009), CLICK HERE.

To access the West Ottawa Transportation Department website, containing links to all of our Administrative Guidelines and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section, CLICK HERE.

We look forward to working with you and your child to address unacceptable behavior and to restore your child as a safe bus rider for themself and for others on the bus.

Join us at the 7th Annual Love & Lean Walk/Run for Mental Health, starting at 9:00AM at the Zeeland Stadium (9900 Riley Street) on Saturday, April 22. Your support will help to expand mental health education and suicide prevention programs through the work of the Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan and the be nice. program. Register, donate and find more information at: https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/Zeeland/LoveLeanWalkforMentalHealth

Did you know that the words to a song are called lyrics? The lyrics of a song are really like a poem set to music. What are the lyrics to your favorite song? Can you write them out? Or maybe find them online. If you type in the word, “lyrics” after a song title in Google, you will probably get the lyrics to the song. Songwriters who write songs with words have to write music and write lyrics to go with the song. Sometimes songwriters only write the music and work with a lyricist (someone who only writes lyrics). Many great songs were written when two or more talented people collaborated together to create a song.

Many song videos created on YouTube have the lyrics scrolling by, so that we can read them as we sing the song. Here are links to a few songs I have uploaded to YouTube where I included the “lyrics” so that students could learn the song or simply follow along by reading the words to the song:

Superhero Countdown: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mn60tXe-Sok

Watch Me Grow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7CREnG2WlM

Working Together: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdZCEtwI-vU

Third grade students are beginning a fun unit on food vocabulary. We will learn words

such as ensalada (salad), pollo (chicken), and jugo (juice). For a closing activity, I hope

to have students perform a restaurant skit in partners! We will design menus with

costumes and props. Buen Provecho! Enjoy your meal!

Also, first through fifth grade has been looking at Spanish tongue twisters. Not only can

they be fun and silly to say, but also a great way to learn new Spanish words and

practice pronunciation. Here is one below:

Hi Waukazoo Families,

Spring is right around the corner! I don't know about you all but I'm ready for some better weather. In Physical Wellness we are starting our basketball unit for the month of March. Students will be learning how to dribble and pass a basketball in a variety of ways. We will also be working on our shooting skills using different sized balls and different height baskets so all students can experience success. It's going to be a lot of fun! Have a great rest of the week!

-Mr. Metz

Welcome back Waukazoo Families & Artists! I look forward to sharing with you all the awesome projects and art inspired learning we will be exploring in art class this year! Please visit the Google Sites link below to keep up to date with all the awesome things happening in our Waukazoo art room.

https://sites.google.com/westottawa.net/mrs-halls-art-news/home

Don’t forget- ART Makes You SmART!

Hello!

We want to thank the families who stopped in to meet with us during our Spring Parent/Teacher Conferences this week! We had a great turn out and we love having a chance to share your child’s experiences and growth with you! I also love sharing our Computer Science and Technology resources! We appreciate you taking the time to come and see us!

Check my website for all of the details about our learning in Technology! There are updates for each grade level! If you have any questions, please email me at obrienp@westottawa.net

Thank you!

Mrs. O’Brien

obrienp@westottawa.net