Reflection

Hi folks, Jon Wennstrom here! This month we are focusing on "Reflection" for our theme. It's a good time of the year to review all our school norms and procedures from lunch and bus routines to how to be active listeners in the classroom. It's also nice to reflect on how much students have grown socially and academically throughout the year. As John Dewey famously said, "We don't learn from experience, we learn from reflecting on our experiences." Take some time this week to talk with your child about how they have grown this year and all they have learned. As I reflect on this year, I'm happy to see how we have all grown together into a cohesive school community. Thank you for being a part of that community!

UPCOMING DATES AT BUCHANAN

Monday, April 16: Last Day to order Yearbooks (flyers went home on Friday)

Friday, April 20: Spring Pictures 
Saturday, April 21: Garden Work Day (See Sign Up Sheet from PTA)

Tuesday, April 24: Youth Making a Difference Ceremony at Franklin H.S. 6:00 PM
Thursday, April 26: Art Fair (K-4), Music Concert (1st & 2nd grades), Science Fair Displays (for participating students) 6:00-8:00 PM

Monday, April 30: PTA Meeting 7:00 PM

*If you are interested in helping set up for our Art Fair, please enter your information on this Sign Up Genius:  Art Fair Set Up

MEET THE BUCHANAN STAFF

Denise Berg-Grant: PE Teacher 

Hi, I am Denise Berg-Grant and I have been a Physical Education teacher in Livonia Public Schools since 1991.  During my time in LPS, I have taught Elementary PE at a variety of different schools, High School PE, Lifeguarding, Whole Self Fitness, Special Education FTP Program PE classes, and had my own classroom where I taught Health Education at Franklin High School.  I have been the Varsity Tennis Coach at Churchill High School since I was still in college in 1989.  I have a Bachelors in Science with a Physical Education Major, and a Masters degree in Sports 

Administration from Wayne State University.  I played tennis for Wayne State and was MVP my senior year, continuing to teach, coach, and play tennis on a competitive level well after college.

My husband Tony played basketball for Wayne State and we met right before I graduated.  We eventually got married and have two children.  I have a daughter Mya who is a 10th grader at Churchill High School. She is a Varsity Volleyball player, Varsity Tennis member, and plays cello in the orchestra.  My son Julian, attends Riley and is in the 6th grade.  He also plays tennis and plays the violin.  We have two cats named Koda and Spiffy, and we also spend a lot of time with my mom.  

I have a brother Eric who is the Mens and Womens Tennis Coach at UMass Boston.   I am very close to my family and they are everything to me. We have many friends on the East Coast and go to Vermont for almost a month each year where I play a LOT of tennis with friends!  In my free time I love to read, draw, paint, listen to and play music (I play the flute), and spend time with family and friends. I also love to swim, ski, camp and be outside!

One of my goals at school has been to add new activities at least once per month.  This may be using a new way to teach, or an activity or game.  So far I have been happy with my results.  It is fun and challenging for me, and also great for my students.  I would like for them to experience as many different things in my class as possible.  I want students to look forward to my class and being active.  This does not have to be necessarily in a team sport, but any type of physical activity that is enjoyable.  The more opportunity provided and skill acquired, the more chances of each student finding some things that they will enjoy to keep them healthy and active.  Many great lessons can be learned in Physical Education and this goes beyond just playing sports!  I hope to inspire the kids to try new things and keep an open mind about trying new activities!  I hope that they look forward to PE as I look forward to working with them!!

Five words I would use to describe Buchanan:  Positive, Hard-working, Friendly, Teamwork, Successful!!

PTA POINTS

• We are starting our Garden Beautification Project and need your help! We are starting clean up of the garden area on Saturday April 21, 9:00am-2:00pm in celebration of Earth day. We really want our garden to be an area for students to learn in a natural environment and to spruce things up in anticipation of our remodel. Please sign up on the sign up genius if you are able to help.                                    
• www.SignUpGenius.com/go/10C0E44A4AE2CA1F94-garden

• Soon, those who signed up, will be getting an invitation to the Youth Making a Difference recognition ceremony that will take place on Tuesday, April 24th at Franklin High School.  Now is the time to get to work on creating a display highlighting your activity.  Typically a
  tri-fold poster board is used but use your imagination and be creative!  Ideally your display will be a self-standing poster board (that is easy to transport without getting ruined) with pictures,
  drawings, and/or writing describing your activity.  Don’t forget to include your name and school on the display.  Boards will need to be turned in to the office by Friday April 20th.  E-mail any questions to heatherpascoe95@gmail.com.

• Join us for our annual Family Tigers Game on Sunday June 3, 1:10pm! Click on the sign up genius link to sign up. We have 112 seats reserved, tickets will be sold on a first come/first serve basis. All payment is due by April 27, cash ( exact change only) or check made payable to Buchanan PTA. Any unsold/unpaid tickets will be returned to Comerica Park. http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0e44a4ae2ca1f94-family

Did you know that Buchanan has an outdoor garden learning area? For nearly twenty year, the area has been a part of our school experience. This year, the PTA is working with staff and volunteers to help revitalize the garden area and restore it to its original glory! We are having a work day on Saturday, April 21 and volunteers can sign up here to help:  Garden Sign Up Genius We will have a dedication event later in the spring. Great things are happening at Buchanan!