Traditions

Hi folks, Jon Wennstrom here! With the holiday season upon us, many families have certain traditions that they do each year to help connect with family and their past. Each family is unique and that's what makes traditions so special. At Buchanan, we try to honor the traditions of all our families and we also try to make fun traditions for our students to enjoy at school as well. While traditions may vary from classroom to classroom as they do from family to family, we strive to make sure that ALL our traditions are grounded in kindness, patience, and empathy. Thanks for being a part of our Buchanan family and for the traditions you bring!

One of my holiday traditions is wearing an Ugly Christmas Sweater! :) 

UPCOMING EVENTS AT BUCHANAN

Monday, December 17: Students of the Month Assembly (EMPATHY)

Wednesday, December 19: Pizza Party with the Principal (Top Fundraisers from each room)

Friday, December 21: Last Day of School before Winter Break

Monday, January 7: School Resumes! 

PTA POINTS

THANK YOU from the PTA to all our volunteers for making the SANTA SHOP a huge success!!

#BuchananBears

Did you know that our fourth grade students collected 228 pairs of pajamas for children in need?  Thank you Mrs. Ringler for organizing this event! Also, a third grade student, Kaiden, raised over $70 to donate to the Humane Society! Our students are doing wonderful things over the holiday season and every day. Great things are happening at Buchanan! 

Iron Sharpens Iron

Hi folks, Jon Wennstrom here! Last week I had the opportunity to attend the MEMSPA (Michigan Elementary & Middle School Principals Association) conference. While it is difficult to leave the building for three days, I have always found the conference to be an opportunity to learn and grow from my colleagues across the state. I'm very fortunate to work in a district that supports professional learning and I'm also fortunate to work in a building full of leaders that step up and keep things running smoothly while I am gone. There is a saying that "iron sharpens iron", meaning that we become better when we surround ourselves with people that push us to be our very best. That's what this conference is for me. An opportunity to surround myself with the movers and shakers in educational leadership and learn new ideas that I can implement at our building. I've always said that my best ideas weren't my ideas. I've borrowed ideas from so many great leaders that I've been able to tweak to meet the needs of our staff, students, and community. They say we become like those we surround ourselves with. Make sure you surround yourself with people that will lift you up, push your thinking, and help you to be your very best!

UPCOMING EVENTS AT BUCHANAN

Monday, December 10: Santa Shop Opens!

                                        iReady Window 2 Testing Begins (All students - Reading & Math)

Wednesday, December 12: PTA sponsored Cookies with Santa & Mrs. Claus 6:00-8:00 PM

Friday, December 14: Santa Shop Closes

Monday, December 17: Students of the Month Assembly (Empathy) 

Wednesday, December 19: Pizza Party with the Principal (top fundraisers from each classroom)

Friday, December 21: Final day of school before Winter Break

                                     iReady Window 2 Closes

Monday, January 7: School Resumes! 

PTA POINTS

• Need a ham for the holiday dinner? We are selling Dearborn Brand products. Orders are due with payment on December 11th.  Order pick up will be on December 21 from 4-5. Please write checks out to Buchanan PTA.  

• Our Santa Shop will take place December 10-14. We are looking for volunteers to help during the classroom shopping time or during our night event. Please see the sign up genius link below:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f054aa8af23a7f94-santa1

• Cookies and Milk with Santa will take place on Wednesday, December 12 from 6-8p.m. This is a good time to bring siblings or other family  members to shop our Santa Shop. Don’t forget to get a picture with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

• Struggling to find a gift for your child's teacher or favorite staff member? The PTA surveyed our amazing staff and compiled their answers into the attached Holiday Gift Guide in an effort to make your holiday season a little easier. Buchanan staff members who turned in a survey are listed in alphabetical order in the attached sheet!

#BuchananBears

Did you know we are continuing our tradition of the "Buchanan Giving Tree" for the holidays? Please consider donating a gift card to Buchanan’s Giving Tree. The gift card can be for any amount.  All gift cards need to be turned in by Wednesday, December 12th.  This will ensure that I can get them to the families with some time to shop for their loved ones.  Last year, we were able to help by donating $2,000 to many Buchanan families throughout the year. All of the families were extremely grateful! Please click on the link below to sign-up.

10c0948a9ac2ea1fb6-giving.html

If you are in need of assistance, please contact Mrs. Blazek kblazek@livoniapublicschools.org or Mrs. Taylor ktaylor10@livoniapublicschools.org.  All information is kept confidential.  Great things are happening at Buchanan!

Attitude of Gratitude

Hi folks, Jon Wennstrom here! Last week we celebrated Thanksgiving and people across the nation came together and gave thanks for the blessings in their lives. I've always been an advocate for expressing gratitude throughout the year. Research shows that when we express gratitude it actually improves our level of happiness and productivity. Our brains are wired to be more productive when happy. Recently, I asked a group of educators to share a time when someone expressed gratitude to them or came back and said thank you for the time they had given as a teacher or principal. People beamed with excitement and excitedly shared out stories. When we express gratitude, it impacts both us and others in a positive way. So to practice what I preach, I would like to share again how thankful I am for our amazing Buchanan community. The students, staff, and families make this a great place to learn, work, and have fun! Make sure you share your gratitude this week and every week with someone who has made a positive difference in your life.

UPCOMING EVENTS AT BUCHANAN

Friday, December 7: Report Cards go home

                                  PTA Skate Night at Riverside Arena 6:00-8:00 PM

Monday, December 10: Santa Shop Opens

                                       iReady Window 2 Opens (all students will test reading & math)

Wednesday, December 12: Santa Shop open in evening and Cookies with Santa 6:00-8:00 PM

Wednesday, December 19: Pizza Party with the Principal (Top fundraisers for each classroom)

Friday, December 21: Last day of school before Winter Break! 

PTA POINTS

• Family Fun Night December 7 from 6-8 at Riverside Arena. We hope to see our Buchanan families for a fun night of skating. 

• Need a ham for the holiday dinner? We are selling Dearborn Brand products. Flyers have been sent home. Orders are due with payment on December 11th.  Order pick up will be on December 21 from 4-5. Please write checks out to Buchanan PTA.  

• Our Santa Shop will take place December 10-14. We are looking for volunteers to help during the classroom shopping time or during our night event. 

• https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f054aa8af23a7f94-santa1

• Cookies and Milk with Santa will take place on Wednesday, December 12 from 6-8p.m. This is a good time to bring siblings or other family  members to shop our Santa Shop. Don’t forget to get a picture with Santa and Mrs. Claus. 

Buchanan Giving Tree

Christmas is just around the corner!  For many families it is a joyous time of the year. However, for some it is a very stressful time.  Please consider donating a gift card to Buchanan’s Giving Tree. The gift card can be for any amount.  All gift cards need to be turned in by Wednesday, December 12th.  This will ensure that I can get them to the families with some time to shop for their loved ones.  Last year, we were able to help by donating $2,000 to many Buchanan families throughout the year. All of the families were extremely grateful! Please click on the link below to sign-up.

10c0948a9ac2ea1fb6-giving.html

If you are in need of assistance, please contact Mrs. Blazek kblazek@livoniapublicschools.org or Mrs. Taylor ktaylor10@livoniapublicschools.org.  All information is kept confidential.  Wishing your family a wonderful holiday season! - Mrs. Blazek and Mrs.Taylor

#BuchananBears

Did you know our Report Cards have changed to standards based grading? Last year we made the switch for English Language Arts and this year we are switching Math as well. The process is more labor intensive for the teachers and will require more analysis for parents, but our goal is to give a more accurate picture of where students are performing and which skills they have mastered and which ones they are gaining proficiency in. We are continually looking for ways to improve communication with families about student progress. Great things are happening at Buchanan! 

Celebration

Hi folks, Jon Wennstrom here! Something happened this week that really impacted me. I was out of school on Monday and Tuesday for a back injury. Upon my return, I heard from many people that they really missed starting the week off with our Celebrate Monday assembly. That really moved me.  It made me even more disappointed that I had missed school, but it also made me very happy to know that people really looked forward to our weekly celebration! Sometimes we don't realize the impact of things until they are gone. Missing this Monday made me realize how much I need to start the week off on a positive note, but it was nice to hear others felt the same way.  Whether it's Monday or not, make sure you spend some time each day celebrating with your child. It may impact your life in ways that you would never have expected!

UPCOMING EVENTS AT BUCHANAN

Wednesday, November 21 - Friday, November 23: Thanksgiving Break (No School)

Thursday, November 29: PTA Meeting 7:00 PM (All families welcome)

Friday, November 30: No School for Students (Records Day for Teachers)

Friday, December 7: Report Cards go home

PTA POINTS

• Our next PTA meeting is November 29th in the Library at 7:00 PM. Child care is provided. We hope to see you there!

• Please see the Youth Making A Difference Flyers that were attached to this email. Project forms need to be submitted by February 25.

#BuchananBears

Did you know that our Mileage Club has started up again! Our goal for the school is to reach 3,072 miles (The distance to Mexico). Our students have already walked nearly 200 miles! Thank you to Mrs. Trantham for organizing the club and to all the staff who help keep it going. Great things are happening at Buchanan! 

Citizenship

Hi folks, Jon Wennstrom here! Last week was a special week as Americans went to the polls to vote. I was happy to see so many people in our building exercising their right to vote and I know many classrooms discussed how democracy works and the election process. Whatever your party affiliation or political views, I hope you exercised your right to vote and set an example for all our Buchanan students that we have a responsibility to be a part of this government that is of the people, by the people, and for the people. We sure are lucky to live in such a great country!

UPCOMING EVENTS AT BUCHANAN

This week is the Goodfellows Canned Food Drive! Students are encouraged to bring in a canned food item and participate in our Spirit Week Events:

Monday, November 12: Favorite Sports Team
Tuesday, November 13: Crazy Hair Day or Hat Day
Wednesday, November 14: Dress to Impress (Fancy Clothes) 
Thursday, November 15: Buchanan Wear
Friday, November 16: Pajama Day

Wednesday, November 21 - Friday, November 23: Thanksgiving Break!

Monday, November 26: Students of the Month Assembly (GRIT)
Thursday, November 29: PTA Meeting 7:00 PM
Friday, November 30: No School for Students (Records Day)

For those of you who came to our Bookfair at Barnes & Noble November 8, thank you so much for joining us!  We had a great time hearing stories read by guest readers and admiring the artwork done by Mrs. Gruenewald’s class and Mrs. Tanner’s class!

If you were unable to come to Barnes & Noble, you still have an opportunity to support the Buchanan Library.  From now through Tuesday, November 13, you can shop online at www.bn.com/bookfairs.  Click “Start Shopping Now,” and select your purchases.  When you go to the payment page, scroll down and fill in the “Apply Bookfair ID” box with our Bookfair ID number: 12401857.

Once again, thank you so much for your support of the Buchanan LMC Bookfair at Barnes & Noble!

PTA POINTS

• Our next PTA meeting is November 29th in the Library at 7p.m. Child care is provided. We hope to see you there. 

• For 50 years, the PTA Reflections contest has given students  the opportunity to express themselves through the arts. Students may enter projects in the following six categories: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, and Visual Arts (students may submit entries for more than one category, but may only submit one entry per category). This year’s theme is “Heroes Around Me.” Projects are due to the front office by November 14, 2018. All participants are invited to attend the annual Reflections celebration at Franklin High School on January 15, 2019. For more information and to access the entry form, see the documents attached to Mr. Wennstrom's email, or visit the following link: https://livoniaptsacouncil.org/work/reflections-arts-awards-competition/

#BuchananBears

Did you know that Mrs. Pepple was named as the "Support Staff Person of the Year" for Livonia Public Schools?  We are SO proud of Mrs. Pepple and very lucky to have her at Buchanan! There will be a formal recognition at this month's Board of Education meeting. Congratulations Mrs. Pepple!! Great things are happening at Buchanan! 

Learning Never Stops

Hi folks, Jon Wennstrom here! Anyone who has worked in elementary knows about the big three days of the year...Halloween, Christmas, and Valentines Day. These are the parties that students look forward to and remember the whole year long.  It was great to see so many students dressed up and having fun in our costume parade and enjoying treats, while engaging in team activities.  Yet, even with all the fun events going on, there was still learning taking place.  I made a comment to a group of students who were buddy reading on the stage. I took note of reading interventions taking place in the library. I also observed many teachers integrating the Halloween theme into their math and science lessons. Learning never stops if we have the ability to incorporate the magic of a holiday or a teachable moment into a lesson. I appreciate all the work our Buchanan staff does to make learning fun and connected to the real-world for our students!

UPCOMING EVENTS AT BUCHANAN

Tuesday, November 6: No School for Students (Teacher Professional Development Day)
Thursday, November 8: Barnes & Noble Book Fair (Guest Readers 5:30-7:30 PM)

Wednesday, November 21 - Friday, November 23: Thanksgiving Break

Friday, November 30: No School for Students (Records Day)

Barnes & Noble Book Fair

The LMC Book fair is coming soon!  It will be held on Thursday, November 8, 2018 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:

5:30     Mr. Wennstrom

5:45     Mrs. Hurula

6:15     Mrs. McGuigan and Mrs. Stromberg

6:30     Miss Ford 

All Buchanan students (and their siblings) are encouraged to see Miss Ford from 5:00-7:00 p.m. for a special “Buchanan Bear” sticker to wear in the store!  Don’t forget to stop by the table of “wish list” items for the LMC and some classrooms.  If you purchase one of the “wish list” items, please have your child bring it to Buchanan and give it to the appropriate teacher.

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 November 8^th!

PTA POINTS

• Bounce it up Family Fun night Tuesday, November 6, 6:00-8:00PM. Bounce It Up, 30276 Plymouth Road, Livonia. Two hours of unlimited bouncing and coin-less arcade games for $10 per child (child need not be a Buchanan student to attend - siblings/friends/etc. welcome!). 

• For 50 years, the PTA Reflections contest has given students  the opportunity to express themselves through the arts. Students may enter projects in the following six categories: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, and Visual Arts (students may submit entries for more than one category, but may only submit one entry per category). This year’s theme is “Heroes Around Me.” Projects are due to the front office by November 14, 2018. All participants are invited to attend the annual Reflections celebration at Franklin High School on January 15, 2019. For more information and to access the entry form, see the documents attached to Mr. Wennstrom's email, or visit the following link: https://livoniaptsacouncil.org/work/reflections-arts-awards-competition/

#BuchananBears

Did you know that we have a "Little Library" by our Buchanan Oasis Garden?  The library was created and donated by Cub Scout Pack #790 and is available for all students to "Take a Book and Leave a Book".  This is just another one of the things that makes our school so special! Great things are happening at Buchanan! 

Monster Mash Dash

Hi folks, Jon Wennstrom here! We had a tremendous event on Friday night and it was great to see so many families in the school having fun. This year, we combined our Fun Run fundraiser and our traditional Boo Bash into one big event called the Monster Mash Dash!  Students had the chance to run around the outside course and then received a bag to fill up with candy from all the game and activity stations inside the school. Students danced, packed into the photo booth, and had lots of treats during the event! I want to thank our PTA board and volunteers who made this event possible. We also had many staff members who came back to work the event. What a wonderful group of dedicated people we have at Buchanan! I hope you had the chance to join the fun and also had the chance to thank the volunteers who made it happen. Great things are happening at Buchanan!

UPCOMING EVENTS AT BUCHANAN

Monday, October 29: Student of the Month Assembly 9:05 AM (Responsibility)

Wednesday, October 31: Halloween Costume Parade grades 1-4 at 3:15 PM (Parents may check out students after the parade if they wish)

Tuesday, November 6: No School for Students, PTA Bounce It Up Event 6:00-8:00 PM

Thursday, November 8: Barnes & Noble Book Fair 

Wednesday, November 21 - Friday, November 23: No School for Thanksgiving Break

PTA POINTS

• Thank you to all the students who raised donations for our Monster Mash Dash. We reached our goal of $15,000! Prizes will be awarded Monday, November 5 during the morning assembly.

• Way to go Buchanan, you collected 14,158 BoxTops for the fall submission. Congratulations to Mrs. Benson’s Class who won the Pizza Party for collecting the most BoxTops. 

• Bounce it up Family Fun night Tuesday, November 6, 6:00-8:00PM.Bounce It Up, 30276 Plymouth Road, Livonia. Two hours of unlimited bouncing and coin-less arcade games for $10 per child(child need not be a Buchanan student to attend - siblings/friends/etc. welcome!) Flyers will go home Monday, October 29th.

• For 50 years, the PTA Reflections contest has given students  the opportunity to express themselves through the arts. Students may enter projects in the following six categories: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, and Visual Arts (students may submit entries for more than one category, but may only submit one entry per category). This year’s theme is “Heroes Around Me.” Projects are due to the front office by November 14, 2018. All participants are invited to attend the annual Reflections celebration at Franklin High School on January 15, 2019. For more information and to access the entry form, see the documents attached to Mr. Wennstrom's email, or visit the following link: https://livoniaptsacouncil.org/work/reflections-arts-awards-competition/

Did you know that we have a blank Superman book at Buchanan? Each week, a student will be selected from each classroom to draw a picture in the book. When finished, the book will have representation from each classroom and grade (plus a few additional pictures). It's just another fun way to get students involved, showcase their talents, and keep as a remembrance of the 2018-2019 school year. Our first student completed a picture this week and I can't wait to see the work from our next students. Each work will be displayed on our school social media sites and students will be recognized at our Celebrate Monday assemblies. Great things are happening at Buchanan!