Music of the Season

Hi folks, Jon Wennstrom here! Last week, we had an amazing Winter Concert with our 3rd and 4th grade students. If you attended, you know what an incredible job our students did! I would like to thank all our staff that helped, our custodial crew for setting up, and most of all Mr. Turner and Mr. Stromberg who made it such a special event. I'm excited to see what our kindergarten, first, and second grade students do for our spring concert! Our Buchanan students sure have a lot of talent!

UPCOMING EVENTS AT BUCHANAN

Monday, December 16: Students of the Month Assembly (Empathy)

Friday, December 20: Winter Break begins after school

Monday, January 6: School Resumes!

PTA POINTS

• Thank you to everyone who volunteered at our Holiday Shop! We love being able to provide this opportunity to Buchanan students, and we wouldn't be able to do it without your help.

• We surveyed our amazing staff about some of their favorite things in an effort to make your lives a little easier this holiday season. Please see the Staff Favorites document attached to Mr. Wennstrom's email for their responses. Our staff work hard to enrich our children's lives and deserve to be treated to some of their favorite things!

• Did you know you can support the Buchanan PTA when you shop on Amazon? Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible purchases to the charitable organization of your choice through the AmazonSmile program. To make sure we get credit for your Amazon purchases, follow these steps:

1. Visit smile.amazon.com

2. Search for James Buchanan Elementary PTA.

3. Select James Buchanan Elementary PTA as your charitable organization.

4. Start shopping!

5. For your future Amazon shopping trips, start at smile.amazon.com (it is the SAME as shopping on amazon.com, aside from the charitable contribution!)

• The Livonia PTSA Council is holding its 6th Annual PTA Dads Chili Cook-Off on Saturday, January 18, 2020 at Franklin High School. This cook-off is open to dads, grandpas, uncles, etc. who are PTA members. The winning chili-maker will take home a "dad-centric" prize package as well as a $500 grant for the school they are representing. We would love to have some dads (or grandpas, uncles, older brothers, etc.) representing Buchanan this year! Please see the flyer attached to Mr. Wennstrom's email for more information and an entry form.

PARKING PROCEDURES

For the safety of all, please make sure when you pick up your child at the end of the day that you park in a designated parking spot.  Parking along the side of the drive or in non-designated spots can cause a traffic backup and pose a danger to pedestrians.  Thank you for your cooperation and help in keeping our Buchanan students safe!

#BuchananBears

We will be serving Cheese-stuffed Breadsticks instead of Popcorn Chicken on Friday, Dec. 20

Did you know that we have a VERY special performance from the Stevenson High School Choir? On Friday, they came to Buchanan and performed a concert for our students. It was such a delight and many of our students said they hoped to sing in the choir when they were older. Ask your child about the event! Great things are happening at Buchanan! 

All Hands on Deck

Hi folks, Jon Wennstrom here! For the past several years, I have been very active in the Michigan Elementary & Middle School Principals Association (MEMSPA). After serving four years on the board of directors, I decided to run for the president of the organization. This year, I am serving as the president-elect and will begin my term as president on July 1. It's an honor to serve at the state level and connect with administrators from across Michigan. However, I could not serve in this role without the support of the district and our amazing Buchanan team. Each year, when I attend the annual conference, the staff pulls together and keeps things running smoothly while I am gone. It's such a blessing to have a team that demonstrates such leadership and initiative. Thank you to the Buchanan team and thank you to the Buchanan community for all your support!

UPCOMING EVENTS AT BUCHANAN

Monday, December 9: Santa Shop Opens! 

                                     iReady Reading & Math Testing begins

Thursday, December 12: 3rd/4th Grade Winter Concert 6:00-8:00 (Santa Shop Open)

Friday, December 13: Santa Shop Closes

                                    Report Cards go home

Friday, December 20: iReady Reading & Math Testing ends

                                    Winter Break starts after school!

The 3rd/4th Grade Winter Concert will be this Thursday, December 12. The 3rd grade concert will be at 6:00 PM and the 4th grade concert will be at 7:00 PM. Each concert will last about 40 minutes and students should be in their classrooms 15 minutes prior to the performance.  After the first performance, the gym will be cleared and families can pick up their child at the classroom and then the 4th grade families will enter the gym for the second performance. The Santa Shop will be open from 6:00-8:00 PM, so families can shop while their child is not performing. 

PTA POINTS

• The Buchanan Holiday Shop will be open this week (from December 9th through 13th). Packets including classroom shopping dates and times, as well as envelopes for sending in money, were sent home last week. VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED to run the Holiday Shop!!! Please visit the following link to sign up for a time slot: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f054aa8af23a7f94-holiday1

• The Holiday Shop will also be open on Thursday, December 12 from 6:00 to 8:00pm during and in between the 3rd and 4th grade concerts. All are welcome to attend this opportunity to visit our Holiday Shop after school hours! 

• Our next Riverside Skating Night is Friday, December 13 from 6:00 to 8:00pm. Admission is $6.50 and includes a regular skate rental (premium rental or inline skate rental is an additional $3.00). We hope to see you there!

• We surveyed our amazing staff about some of their favorite things in an effort to make your lives a little easier this holiday season. Please see the Staff Favorites document attached to Mr. Wennstrom's email for their responses. Our staff work hard to enrich our children's lives and deserve to be treated to some of their favorite things!

• Did you know you can support the Buchanan PTA when you shop on Amazon? Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible purchases to the charitable organization of your choice through the AmazonSmile program. To make sure we get credit for your Amazon purchases, follow these steps:

1. Visit smile.amazon.com

2. Search for James Buchanan Elementary PTA.

3. Select James Buchanan Elementary PTA as your charitable organization.

4. Start shopping!

5. For your future Amazon shopping trips, start at smile.amazon.com (it is the SAME as shopping on amazon.com, aside from the charitable contribution!)

• The Livonia PTSA Council is holding its 6th Annual PTA Dads Chili Cook-Off on Saturday, January 18, 2020 at Franklin High School. This cook-off is open to dads, grandpas, uncles, etc. who are PTA members. The winning chili-maker will take home a "dad-centric" prize package as well as a $500 grant for the school they are representing. We would love to have some dads (or grandpas, uncles, older brothers, etc.) representing Buchanan this year! Please see the flyer attached to Mr. Wennstrom's email for more information and an entry form.

#BuchananBears #MEMSPA19

Did you know that MEMSPA has over 1200 members across the state and nearly half of them attend the annual conference each December? It's an opportunity for educational leaders to share ideas, solve problems, and help one another grow to help schools and students throughout Michigan. Many of us attend a summer learning institute as well. Great things are happening at Buchanan and across Michigan! 

Empathy

Hi folks, Jon Wennstrom here! It's hard to believe that December is already here. With a new month, we have a new character trait focus. This month, we will be focusing on the theme of Empathy. Our goal is to help students learn how to see things from the perspective of others and "put themselves in someone else's shoes". This is an important skill and we thought that the holiday seaso: n was a good time to practice it. We hope you and your family enjoy this short week as students have the day off on Friday, due to records day!

UPCOMING EVENTS AT BUCHANAN

Friday, December 6: No School for Elementary Students (Records day for teachers)

Thursday, December 12: Winter Concert for Grade 3 at 6:00 PM & Grade 4 at 7:00 PM

Friday, December 13: Report Cards go Home with Students, Skate Night at Riverside 6:00-8:00

PTA POINTS

• The Buchanan Holiday Shop will be open from December 9th through 13th, with evening shopping available on Thursday, December 12 from 6:00 to 8:00pm. 

• VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED to run the Holiday Shop!!! Please visit the following link to sign up for a time slot: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f054aa8af23a7f94-holiday1

• Did you know you can support the Buchanan PTA when you shop on Amazon? Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible purchases to the charitable organization of your choice through the AmazonSmile program. To make sure we get credit for your Amazon purchases, follow these steps:

1. Visit smile.amazon.com

2. Search for James Buchanan Elementary PTA.

3. Select James Buchanan Elementary PTA as your charitable organization.

4. Start shopping!

5. For your future Amazon shopping trips, start at smile.amazon.com (it is the SAME as shopping on amazon.com, aside from the charitable contribution!)

• The Livonia PTSA Council is holding its 6th Annual PTA Dads Chili Cook-Off on Saturday, January 18, 2020 at Franklin High School. This cook-off is open to dads, grandpas, uncles, etc. who are PTA members. The winning chili-maker will take home a "dad-centric" prize package as well as a $500 grant for the school they are representing. We would love to have some dads representing Buchanan this year! Please see the flyer attached to Mr. Wennstrom's email for more information and an entry form.

Did you know that our Santa Shop will be running all week from Monday, December 9 through Friday, December 13? We will have evening hours during the 3/4 Winter Concert as well on Thursday, December 12 from 6:00-8:00 PM. If you can help out, we would really appreciate your time as a volunteer! Great things are happening at Buchanan! 

Great Expectations

Hi folks, Jon Wennstrom here! While we have been discussing Responsibility this month with the students, we have really put an emphasis on having common expectations for ALL students. We began as a staff discussing all the things that we felt should be universally promoted throughout the building. Next, we spent time discussing with students both in our Monday assemblies and in classrooms. From behavior on the playground to walking in the hallways to keeping our cafeteria clean, we have been practicing our common expectations every day.  My experience is that students will always rise to the expectations we set for them. For our Buchanan students, expectations are high, just as our students deserve them to be!

UPCOMING EVENTS AT BUCHANAN

Monday, November 25: Students of the Month Assembly (Responsibility)

Wednesday, November 27 - Friday, November 29: Thanksgiving Break!

Friday, December 6: No School for Elementary Students (Teacher Records Day)

Thursday, December 12: Winter Concert for Grades 3 & 4 6:00-8:00 PM

Friday, December 13: Report Cards go home, PTA Skate Night at Riverside Arena 6:00-8:00 PM

PTA POINTS

SPIRIT WEAR THANKSGIVING SALE! Receive 20% off orders of $50 or more by using the coupon code TURKEY20 (certain restrictions apply). https://www.buchananspiritwear.com/ 

The Buchanan Holiday Shop will be open from December 9th through 13th, with evening shopping available on Thursday, December 12 from 6:00 to 8:00pm. A Sign Up Genius with class shopping times will be available soon. 

The Livonia PTSA Council is holding its 6th Annual PTA Dads Chili Cook-Off on Saturday, January 18, 2020 at Franklin High School. This cook-off is open to dads, grandpas, uncles, etc. who are PTA members. The winning chili-maker will take home a "dad-centric" prize package as well as a $500 grant for the school they are representing. We would love to have some dads representing Buchanan this year! 

The PTA needs your photos for Buchanan's yearbook! If you have photos from any of our events, your child's classroom activities, or anything else related to Buchanan, please email them to pta.buchanan1@gmail.com with "yearbook" in the subject line and a brief description of the photos (e.g., "Fun Run," "McGuigan's class," "4th grade field trip," etc.).

Did you know you can support the Buchanan PTA when you shop on Amazon? Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible purchases to the charitable organization of your choice through the AmazonSmile program. To make sure we get credit for your Amazon purchases, follow these steps:

1. Visit smile.amazon.com

2. Search for James Buchanan Elementary PTA.

3. Select James Buchanan Elementary PTA as your charitable organization.

4. Start shopping!

5. For your future Amazon shopping trips, start at smile.amazon.com (it is the SAME as shopping on amazon.com, aside from the charitable contribution!).

Happy Thanksgiving from the Buchanan Elementary PTA!

LOST & FOUND

If you haven't done so, please check items in our lost and found! All items remaining will be donated to children in need just prior to Winter Break. Families are encouraged to write names on student clothing items and winter gear to help us find lost items.  Thank you! 

#BuchananBears

Did you know that the Buchanan staff does a common book reading each summer? During the summer months, teachers spend time developing lesson plans, attending conferences and reading educational books.  The last two years, our staff have read such books as "Teach Like a Pirate", which focuses on creating engaging lessons for students and "Culturize", which focuses on developing a climate of trust and excellence in the schools.  Great things are happening at Buchanan! 

The Cardigan

Hi folks, Jon Wennstrom here! Last week, I joined educators from across the country in celebrating World Kindness Day. In recognition of the day, we all wore cardigans in honor of Mr. Rogers and his message of kindness toward all. It was a fun day and I enjoyed seeing the smiles from the adults and telling the students about Mr. Rogers. One of the things I love most about Buchanan is that Kindness is not a one time event at our school, but something that we practice each and every day. It's not really about the cardigan, it's about spreading kindness wherever we go!

UPCOMING EVENTS AT BUCHANAN

Monday, November 25: Students of the Month Assembly (Responsibility)

Wednesday, November 27 - Friday, November 29: Thanksgiving Break

Friday, December 6: No School for Students (Records Day)

Thursday, December 12: Winter Concert for Grades 3&4 6:00-8:00 PM

Friday, December 13: Report Cards go home

On Monday, November 18th we will be serving sliced turkey & gravy with mashed potatoes instead of quesadillas. Cereal is the alternate choice.

PTA POINTS

• Thank you for all of your coins! The winner of the MSU/U of M Change War Challenge was U of M and the total raised for Buchanan's library was $844! Thanks to all who contributed! 

• Congratulations to Mrs. Jones's class for collecting the most Box Tops! They have earned a pizza party (to be scheduled in the near future).

• Congratulations to the classrooms in each grade with the highest number of PTA memberships! For winning our classroom membership contest, each of the following teachers earned $250 in Scholastic Dollars to spend in the Scholastic Dollars Catalog on items for their classrooms:

Kindergarten: Mrs. Pillai

1st grade: Mrs. Duff

2nd grade: Mrs. Benson

3rd grade: Mrs. Edwards

4th grade: Mrs. Banter

• The Livonia PTSA Council is holding its 6th Annual PTA Dads Chili Cook-Off on Saturday, January 18, 2020 at Franklin High School. This cook-off is open to dads, grandpas, uncles, etc. who are PTA members. The winning chili-maker will take home a "dad-centric" prize package as well as a $500 grant for the school they are representing. We would love to have some dads representing Buchanan this year! A flyer will be going home for more information and an entry form.

• The PTA needs your photos for Buchanan's yearbook! If you have photos from any of our events, your child's classroom activities, or anything else related to Buchanan, please email them to pta.buchanan1@gmail.com with "yearbook" in the subject line and a brief description of the photos (e.g., "Fun Run," "McGuigan's class," "4th grade field trip," etc.).

#BuchananBears

Did you know that we are changing our dismissal procedures at Buchanan? A detailed message is going out via email as well as on Facebook.  Bus riders will now be lining up in the gym at the end of the day and students in grades 1 - 4 being picked up will be dismissed out the same doors as they enter in the morning. Kindergarten dismissal will remain the same. Our hope is to provide better supervision and less congestion for our students at dismissal time.  Thanks in advance for your cooperation and great things are happening at Buchanan! 

Winter is here!

Hi folks, Jon Wennstrom here! I'm sure you've realized already, but winter is here!!  As much as I love living in Michigan, it's always a shock when I see the first snowfall. Now that the colder weather is upon us, please remember to make sure that students have all the appropriate winter gear including boots, warm coats, hats and gloves.  Students go outside each day as long as it's not raining and if it's above 15 degrees (with the windchill). If you need assistance with any of these items, please contact me in the office and we will be happy to help!  We want all our students to enjoy all four seasons that Michigan has to offer!

UPCOMING EVENTS AT BUCHANAN

Thursday, November 14: PTA Meeting 7:00 PM (all families invited)

Friday, November 15: Pizza Party with the Principal for the top PTA fundraisers

Monday, November 25: Students of the Month Assembly (Responsibility)

Wednesday, November 27 - Friday, November 29: No School for Thanksgiving Break!

Friday, December 6: No School for Students (Records Day)

Thursday, December 12: Winter Music Concert for Grades 3&4 6:00-8:00 PM

Friday, December 13: Report Cards go home

PTA POINTS

• MSU/U of M Change War Challenge! From November 4 through November 15, we will be holding a change war to raise money for the library. There will be a container for MSU and a container for U of M set up outside the front office. Add silver change and paper money to the container of the team you support to increase that team's total, and put pennies in the container of the other team to subtract from its total. So, the rules are: silver and paper add, and pennies subtract!

• Spirit Week of Giving: During the second week of the change war, Buchanan will also be collecting canned goods and boxed items for the Livonia Goodfellows. In an effort to have fun while doing good, we invite students to participate in the following spirit days:

Monday, November 11 - Hat Day

Tuesday, November 12 - Crazy Hair Day

Wednesday, November 13 - Pajama Day

Thursday, November 14 - Mustache Day

Friday, November 15 - MSU/U of M Day

• The PTA needs your photos for Buchanan's yearbook! If you have photos from any of our events, your child's classroom activities, or anything else related to Buchanan, please email them to pta.buchanan1@gmail.com with "yearbook" in the subject line and a brief description of the photos (e.g., "Fun Run," "McGuigan's class," "4th grade field trip," etc.).

• Calling all artists! Is your child a visual artist, photographer, writer, dancer, musician, or filmmaker? Then you should check out the annual Reflections contest. The theme this year is "Look Within." Entries are due to Buchanan by Monday, November 11. Please see the flyer attached to Mr. Wennstrom's email for more information. If you would like more information or an entry form, please email valerieRjackson@gmail.com.

• Mark your calendars! Our next PTA meeting will be Thursday, November 14 at 7:00pm in the LMC.

#BuchananBears

Did you know that our "Change War" has begun at Buchanan? Students can put money into the collection jars for their favorite team! All the money collected will go to our Buchanan Library. Great things are happening at Buchanan! 

I love a parade!

Hi folks, Jon Wennstrom here! We had a great time last week with our annual costume parade. It was such fun to see our students dressed up and having a great time at school.  The weather could have been better, but we made the best of it! However you celebrated Halloween, we hope you had fun together as a family.

UPCOMING EVENTS AT BUCHANAN

Tuesday, November 5: NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS (Teacher Professional Development Day)

Thursday, November 14: PTA Meeting 7:00 PM (all families welcome)

Wednesday, November 27 - Friday, November 29: THANKSGIVING BREAK

PTA POINTS

• MSU/U of M Change War Challenge! From November 4 through November 15, we will be holding a change war to raise money for the library. There will be a container for MSU and a container for U of M set up outside the front office. Add silver change and paper money to the container of the team you support to increase that team's total, and put pennies in the container of the other team to subtract from its total. So, the rules are: silver and paper add, and pennies subtract!

• Spirit Week of Giving: During the second week of the change war, Buchanan will also be collecting canned goods and boxed items for the Livonia Goodfellows. In an effort to have fun while doing good, we invite students to participate in the following spirit days:

Monday, November 11 - Hat Day

Tuesday, November 12 - Crazy Hair Day

Wednesday, November 13 - Pajama Day

Thursday, November 14 - Mustache Day

Friday, November 15 - MSU/U of M Day

• The PTA needs your photos for Buchanan's yearbook! If you have photos from any of our events, your child's classroom activities, or anything else related to Buchanan, please email them to pta.buchanan1@gmail.com with "yearbook" in the subject line and a brief description of the photos (e.g., "Fun Run," "McGuigan's class," "4th grade field trip," etc.).

• Calling all artists! Is your child a visual artist, photographer, writer, dancer, musician, or filmmaker? Then you should check out the annual Reflections contest. The theme this year is "Look Within." Entries are due to Buchanan by Monday, November 11. Please see the flyer attached to Mr. Wennstrom's email for more information. If you would like more information or an entry form, please email valerieRjackson@gmail.com.

• Mark your calendars! Our next PTA meeting will be Thursday, November 14 at 7:00pm in the LMC.

Library Help Needed!

I am looking for an adult volunteer (either a parent or grandparent) to help in Buchanan's library from 9:05-9:50 a.m. on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of each month (starting on Friday, November 15). The library volunteer would take care of checking in the books the students return while I am teaching a lesson to the class, shelve the returned books, and then check books out to the students during book checkout time. All tasks are easy to learn, and all training is provided. No prior experience is necessary! If you are interested, please contact me as soon as possible at hford@livoniapublicschools.org.

Thank you,

Miss Ford, Library Media Specialist

#BuchananBears

Did you know we will be collecting cans of food this year for the Good Fellows the week of November 18th - 22nd.  More news to come of spirit days.  Your child is encouraged to donate a can of food or participate in the MSU/U of M challenge that week.  Last year we filled 20 boxes full of food.  Please be sure to check expiration dates before sending in.  Thank you! Great things are happening at Buchanan!