Grit

Hi folks, Jon Wennstrom here! This month, our students are learning about Grit: The stubborn refusal to give up when things are difficult. It's an appropriate time to discuss this topic, because this is the time of the year when students may start facing academic challenges or challenges in sports or activities. Our society is so focused on winning that students may not realize the amount of work, determination, and even losing that takes place before individuals or teams become champions. Without grit, students are less likely to make it through challenging times and tasks and we need to promote a mindset that encourages students to never give up! I hope you'll talk with your child about what it means to show grit and perhaps share a story of a time when you overcame an obstacle. We are all role models for our students, so we need to be showing grit as well!

GRIT VIDEO

UPCOMING EVENTS AT BUCHANAN

Tuesday, November 7: No School for Students (Teacher Professional Development)

Thursday, November 9: Barnes & Noble Book Fair 5:30-7:30 PM

Wednesday, November 22 - Friday, November 23: No School for Thanksgiving Break

Monday, November 27: PTA General Membership Meeting 7:00 PM

We are excited to announce the launch of our newest form of parent communication. This week will be the premier episode of our Buchanan Broadcast! It is a podcast that can be listened to by families to hear about the great things happening in our school. This week's episode includes a principal update and one from our PTA board. We are hoping to expand future episodes to include a "Teacher Feature" and a "Student Showcase". A big thanks to Rob Pascoe for coordinating this project and for providing the recording equipment. We hope you will enjoy listening to our Buchanan Broadcast each month! 

MEET THE BUCHANAN STAFF

Shayna Gruenewald - 2nd Grade Teacher

Hello!  My name is Shayna Gruenewald, and I teach 2^nd grade.  This is my sixteenth year of teaching in Livonia.  I have mostly taught 2^nd grade, but I’ve also taught 1^st grade and even 5th grade!

I live in Livonia with my husband and two children.  My son Brendan is 12 years old and attends Holmes Middle School.  My daughter Catherine is 9 years old and attends Hoover Elementary School. When I am not teaching, I spend time with my family.  We enjoy going on adventures around town, playing Pokemon Go, and visiting relatives.

My goal for this year is to empower students to take charge of their learning, and become problem solvers.  I feel having a problem solving approach is important, because there always seem to be hiccups along the way.  I believe that any goal is achievable when students are motivated and willing to work to reach it.

Five words that I would use to describe Buchanan are: welcoming, caring, collaborative, upbeat, and exciting!

PTA POINTS

• Our next PTA meeting will be held on Monday, November 27 at 7:00 PM (Childcare will be provided) 

• Reminder- Reflections entries are due November 7!

• Looking for Buchanan spirit wear? Go to www.buchananspiritwear.com to order. We are offering free shipping until November 20, 2017. All orders are shipped directly to your home! Spirit wear makes great Christmas gifts for the kids! Please see attached flyer for more details. 

• Girl Scout Troop 75015 will be hosting a pet supply donation for the Humane Society from 11/13-11/17.  There will be a donation box in the lobby of the school. Donation suggestions range from cat/dog food, animal toys, used towels or blankets and paper towels.  For a complete wish list, please visit: Donate Wish List Items - Michigan Humane Society. Thank you for helping to support animals in need!

The LMC Book Fair is coming soon!  It will be held on Thursday, November 9, 2017 at the Barnes & Noble in Northville (on the corner of 6 Mile and Haggerty roads) from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.  Artwork done by Mrs. Gruenewald’s class and Mrs. Tanner’s class will be on display in the store.  Here is the schedule of guest readers from 5:30-7:30 p.m.:

5:30     Mr. Wennstrom

5:45     Mrs. Trantham

6:00     Mrs. Hurula

6:15     Ms. Adams

6:30     Mrs. Pisko

6:45     Miss Ford

7:00     Mrs. Stromberg, Mrs. McGuigan, and Ms. Haapala

7:15     Mrs. Jones

Remember to turn in a voucher or mention the Buchanan book fair at the register (a flyer with book fair vouchers is attached).  All money raised through this book fair will be used to purchase books for the Buchanan Library.  We hope to see you at Barnes & Noble on the 9^th!

Did you know that several of the Livonia administrators are joining together to promote men's health by participating in "No Shave November?" For the month of November, we will say no to the razor and let our beards grow. It's a fun way to promote a good cause and a way to have some friendly competition. Each week we will post a picture to mark our progress. It's just another way we try to have fun at school. Great things are happening at Buchanan!