Friday, January 8, 2021

Return to Face to Face

Hi folks, Jon Wennstrom here! I'm excited to have our Face to Face students return on Monday, January 11. Please see the video that was shared earlier this week regarding our schedule and procedures and also the notes highlighting our return to in person instruction protocols.


Arrival & Dismissal: School begins at 9:10 AM and students may not enter the building before 8:55 AM. Beginning at 8:55, parents may drop students off using our curbside drop off in front of the gym or you may park and walk your child to the building, but not into the building. We will have a “soft start”, meaning students may enter the building when they arrive and go directly to the room (no line ups outside). Staff members will be at all entrances to assist students to get to their classrooms. 


School dismisses at 3:25 PM and students getting picked up will be dismissed from the classroom exterior door (please see note from your teacher regarding your classroom number). Those riding the bus will be called to their exits when their busses arrive.  Again, staff will help supervise student dismissal. 


Lunch, Snacks & Recess: All Kindergarten, 2nd grade and 4th grade students will eat lunch from 12:00-12:35 and 1st and 3rd will have lunch from 12:35-1:10.  Kindergarten will eat in the cafeteria and all other grades will eat in their classroom at their desks. Students will still have snacks each morning at their desks and all students are encouraged to bring water bottles as the drinking fountains are closed down. Students will have a short recess each day with their classroom each day along with opportunities for outdoor mask breaks. Masks are not required outside. 


Safety Protocols: Masks will be required for all students and staff while inside the building. No large gatherings will take place and students will be spaced out in class and in hallways at all times. Visitors and Volunteers will not be allowed in the school building and parents picking up early or dropping items off, must remain in the secure vestibule while students are called down and items will be taken down to the classroom by staff. 


All students and families should utilize the screener that the district recently sent out each morning to check for Covid Symptoms. Students exhibiting symptoms at school will be assessed in a wellness room and parents will be called if necessary to pick up their child.


I know that we can do this successfully, because we have already done it successfully and will do so again! Thanks for your continued support and great things are happening at Buchanan!

PTA POINTS

  • Youth Making a Difference: Youth Making a Difference is a Livonia PTSA Council program that encourages and recognizes volunteer efforts by LPS students. In the past students have visited senior citizens, helped collect money for local organizations, shoveled snow for a neighbor, etc. Though this year's activities may look a little different, we are still encouraging Buchanan students to get involved safely. Please see the list of COVID-safe projects provided by Livonia PTSA Council for ideas (attached to Mr. Wennstrom's email). Students who participate will be recognized in a ceremony in April. If your student would like to participate, please complete the Commitment Form (attached to Mr. Wennstrom's email) and email it to pta.buchanan1@gmail.com by January 22.
  • Where does your money go? At this point in the school year, the PTA would like to share with our Buchanan families how we have used some of our funds this year. With money from memberships, donations, community rewards programs, and fundraising from this and past years, here are some of the things we have been able to do this year:

- Purchase yard signs to welcome back our students and staff in the fall
- Reimburse staff members up to $100 each for classroom supplies
- Purchase Raz-Kids subscriptions for all students
- Purchase educational magazine subscriptions for classroom use (physically and virtually)
- Purchase a portable microphone and speaker for our Library Media Center
- Purchase 100 pairs of headphones (25 for each new classroom) 
- Purchase 15 new electric pencil sharpeners for classrooms in need
- Contribute to the purchase of Buchanan facemasks for staff members
- Cover the cost difference in upgraded planners for 4th grade
- Treat our custodial staff to Tim Horton's gift cards to celebrate National Custodial Worker's Day in October
- Provide donuts and cider to all F2F classrooms for Halloween
- Provide a craft and free Wendy's Frosty coupon to all LV students for Halloween
- Purchase a new book for each student (almost 500!) as a holiday gift
- Provide lunch for the staff before the return to F2F in October
- Stock the staff lounge with snacks and candy in November
- Provide boxed lunches from Lee's Chicken and holiday cookies from Cantoro Italian Market to staff to celebrate the holidays and treat them at report card/conference time

  • PTA Membership: If you would like to support our efforts, please consider becoming a PTA member. Membership does not require anything from you other than the $7.00 membership fee, but it gives you a voice in decisions affecting our school and students and shows your support for our activities (like those listed above). Purchase your membership here: https://buchanan.new.memberhub.store/store
  • Follow the PTA on Facebook: @BuchananElementarySchoolPTA
  • Next PTA Meeting: Tuesday, January 26

Please remember that the Livonia Virtual learning schedule will remain the same with K,2,4 meeting at 10, 12, and 2 and 1st and 3rd meeting at 9, 11, and 1.

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Friday, December 18, 2020

Comfort & Joy

Hi folks, Jon Wennstrom here! I always struggle each year with what to get for the staff for the holidays. They do SO much that nothing seems adequate to show my appreciation for all they do. This year, it was a simple gift with a heartfelt wish to spread Comfort & Joy to this incredible team. COMFORT in the form of a mug and hot chocolate and JOY in the form of an inspiration poem or quote about joy. I would also like to wish all our Buchanan families the same Comfort & Joy this holiday season! I look forward to working with everyone when we return in January! 


MATERIALS PICK UP!! 

When instruction begins in January, our teachers will be providing another opportunity for families to pick up important instructional materials for remote learning. You should have received information from your child's teacher about material pick up, but if not please contact them for your pick up schedule. 

The Livonia Virtual pick up will still be on the first Friday of the month (Jan 8) in the gym from 3:00-4:00 PM. 

  • All families who put in for a change of placement (In Person to Virtual or Virtual to In Person) will be contacted the week of January 4 and given their new classroom assignments.
  • All new assignments will go into effect on Monday, January 11.
  • We are planning on returning to In Person instruction on Monday, January 11. A confirmation note will be sent out from the district on Thursday, January 7.
PTA POINTS

  • Five Below Fundraiser: Our fundraiser at Five Below (both the Livonia and Northville locations) runs through Thursday, December 24. This is a great opportunity to support Buchanan while picking up some stocking stuffers - and/or to take out your Buchanan Bears who may be missing our traditional Santa Shop to pick up some gifts for loved ones. Please print out and present the flyer attached to Mr. Wennstrom's email (if you are unable to print it, just be sure to mention Buchanan PTA when you are checking out), and 10% of your total will be donated back to the PTA!

  • Staff Gift Guide: In an effort to encourage safe gift-giving this holiday season, the PTA surveyed our staff about some of their favorite places to receive e-gift cards and compiled their answers (along with the email addresses gifts can be sent to) into the Gift Guide that is attached to Mr. Wennstrom's email. We hope this is helpful as you navigate the holidays this year!
  • Givebacks: We are excited to launch a new fundraiser called Givebacks. Almost every week there will be new savings on family products and services, and when you purchase Givebacks, up to 20% of sales go back to our PTA! Right now you can purchase select gift cards (Ulta, Gap, Old Navy, Olive Garden, Buffalo Wild Wings, and more!) through Givebacks for up to 10% off. Please visit our Givebacks store to support our school while doing some holiday shopping: https://buchanan.new.memberhub.store/store?category=Sponsors
  • PTA Membership: We are holding strong at 104 members, but would love to reach last year's membership of 203. If you haven't already joined, could you help us reach our goal? PTA membership and dues support your child by funding essential education and curriculum needs, advocating on behalf of children and educators, and building an inclusive school community for all families. Please show us your support and become a member today at our MemberHub store: https://buchanan.new.memberhub.store/store
  • Amazon Smile: Holiday shopping on Amazon? Make sure to shop through Amazon Smile. You can support Buchanan with your usual Amazon shopping by visiting http://smile.amazon.com and selecting James Buchanan Elementary PTA as your charity. 
  • Follow the PTA on Facebook: @BuchananElementarySchoolPTA
  • Next PTA Meeting: Tuesday, January 26


Below are our STUDENTS OF THE MONTH for Kindness!!

Kindergarten:

Mrs. Stromberg has Sailor T.

Mrs. Pillai has Morgan A.

Mrs. Sosnowski has Jace B.

Ms. Haapala has Vivienne C.


First Grade:

Mrs. Jones has Lillian M.

Mrs. Kamin has Mia Q.

Mrs. Hurula has Meela R.

Mrs. Hochkins has Madison C.

Mrs. Sparrow has Kyla W. 


Second Grade:

Mrs. Benson has Brady H.

Mrs. Tanner has Gideon M.

Mrs. Gruenewald has Jonah H.

Ms. Adams has Jackson C.

Mrs. Drolet has Joshua J.


Third Grade:

Ms. Yost has Connor J.

Mrs. Duff has Abraham D.

Mrs. Allmayer has Adeline P.

Mrs. Edwards has Trevor W.

Mrs. Trantham has Paul A. 


Fourth Grade:

Ms. Medellin has Ryan W.

Mrs. Ringler has Memphis O.

Mrs. Banter has Rileigh L. 

Ms. Kaufman has Braylon E.

Miss Brown has Foster S.



Join me tonight on Facebook at 7:00 PM for a special Holiday Edition of STORY TIME!!
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Friday, December 11, 2020

Conferences

Hi folks, Jon Wennstrom here! This week we held Parent/Teacher Conferences and it was a great way to build and strengthen partnerships between the home and school. Research shows that the more communication there is between the teacher and parents, the better children succeed. Conferences are one of the most important ways to build that collaboration. Together we are better! 


In an effort to help up make the Parent/Teacher Conference experience the best it can be, please take a moment to fill out this brief survey on conferences: Parent Survey  Thanks for helping us improve!

Face to Face / Virtual Instruction

Families who have requested a change in instructional mode via the surveys sent to parents, either into or out of Livonia Virtual, will be notified the week of December 14 and those transfers will be effective on Tuesday, January 19.  The pause for in-person instruction is scheduled to end as of Friday, January 15th.  With no school in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, January 18th, the return to in person or requested movements to Livonia Virtual is scheduled for Tuesday, January 19, 2021.

PTA POINTS

  • Five Below Fundraiser: We are holding a fundraiser at Five Below (both the Livonia and Northville locations) from Sunday, December 13 through Thursday, December 24. This is a great opportunity to support Buchanan while picking up some stocking stuffers - and/or to take out your Buchanan Bears who may be missing our traditional Santa Shop to pick up some gifts for loved ones. Please print out and present the flyer attached to Mr. Wennstrom's email (if you are unable to print it, just be sure to mention Buchanan PTA when you are checking out), and 10% of your total will be donated back to the PTA!
  • Staff Gift Guide: In an effort to encourage safe gift-giving this holiday season, the PTA surveyed our staff about some of their favorite places to receive e-gift cards and compiled their answers (along with the email addresses gifts can be sent to) into the Gift Guide that is attached to Mr. Wennstrom's email. We hope this is helpful as you navigate the holidays this year!
  • Givebacks: We are excited to launch a new fundraiser called Givebacks. Almost every week there will be new savings on family products and services, and when you purchase Givebacks, up to 20% of sales go back to our PTA! Right now you can purchase select gift cards (Ulta, Gap, Old Navy, Olive Garden, Buffalo Wild Wings, and more!) through Givebacks for up to 10% off. Please visit our Givebacks store to support our school while doing some holiday shopping: https://buchanan.new.memberhub.store/store?category=Sponsors
  • PTA Membership: We added two new members last week - THANK YOU! - which means we now have 104 members. If you haven't already joined, could you help us reach our goal of hitting last year's number (203 members)? PTA membership and dues support your child by funding essential education and curriculum needs, advocating on behalf of children and educators, and building an inclusive school community for all families. Please show us your support and become a member today at our MemberHub store: https://buchanan.new.memberhub.store/store
  • Amazon Smile: Holiday shopping on Amazon? Make sure to shop through Amazon Smile. You can support Buchanan with your usual Amazon shopping by visiting http://smile.amazon.com and selecting James Buchanan Elementary PTA as your charity. 
  • Follow the PTA on Facebook: @BuchananElementarySchoolPTA
  • Next PTA Meeting: Tuesday, January 26
MATERIALS PICK UP

If you have not yet pick up your child's curriculum materials, please do so as soon as possible. The students need these materials to be successful during their remote learning. All materials that have not been picked up are located in the main vestibule and can be picked up during regular school hours. 

MESSAGE FROM THE BUCHANAN LIBRARY

Library Storytime Opportunity! Your child is invited to join me for a LIVE storytime during the week of December 14-18, where I will read the story Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree. Please check the Library Google Classroom for your child's grade level storytime dates and times, as well as the meeting link. I hope to see your child at this special event! - Miss Ford







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Thursday, December 3, 2020

It's Cool to be Kind!

Hi folks, Jon Wennstrom here! This month, we are focusing on the theme of Kindness. All of our character traits are important, but this one is so central to what we try to teach at Buchanan. I'm proud when I see the academic success of our students, but I'm even prouder when I see our students treating one another with respect and kindness. This time of year it's easy to share kindness through gift giving and donations, but it's important to keep that spirit of kindness active all year long. I want our students to know that it's always "Cool to be Kind"!


UPCOMING EVENTS AT BUCHANAN


The LV materials pick up was held on Thursday, December 3. The Face to Face students who are working remotely will be able to pick up curriculum materials on Monday, December 7 or Tuesday, December 8 from 3-4 PM. Please check with your child's teacher if you are not sure what day your classroom material pick up is being held!


Report Cards will be available on Parent Connect the afternoon of Wednesday, December 9 for parents to view prior to conferences. We will not be mailing out hard copies. Teachers will review report cards along with student progress during your scheduled Parent Teacher Conference. 



Parent Teacher Conferences will be held the evening of Wednesday, December 9 and the afternoon & evening of Thursday, December 10. Please check with your child's teacher if you haven't scheduled a conference time yet. 

Students will have half days on Thursday, December 10 & Friday, December 11. That means they will only have 2 live sessions those days. Grades K,2 &4 may adjust their noon session to a different time and they will inform families if a time change is made. 


PTA POINTS

  • Staff Gift Guide: In an effort to encourage safe gift-giving this holiday season, the PTA surveyed our staff about some of their favorite places to receive e-gift cards and compiled their answers (along with the email address gifts can be sent to) into the Gift Guide that is attached to Mr. Wennstrom's email. We hope this is helpful as you navigate the holidays this year!
  • Student Gifts: Please look out for a special gift from the PTA for each of our Buchanan Bears at December Materials Pickup. We wish all of our Buchanan families a wonderful holiday season!
  • Givebacks: We are excited to launch a new fundraiser called Givebacks. Almost every week there will be new savings on family products and services, and when you purchase Givebacks, up to 20% of sales go back to our PTA! Right now you can purchase select gift cards (Ulta, Gap, Old Navy, Olive Garden, and more!) through Givebacks for up to 10% off. Please visit our Givebacks store to support our school while doing some holiday shopping: https://buchanan.new.memberhub.store/store?category=Sponsors
  • PTA Membership: We broke 100 members! We now have 102 members, and we are thankful for each and every one of you. If you haven't already joined, could you help us reach our goal of hitting last year's number (203 members)? PTA membership and dues support your child by funding essential education and curriculum needs, advocating on behalf of children and educators, and building an inclusive school community for all families. Please show us your support and become a member today at our MemberHub store: https://buchanan.new.memberhub.store/store
  • Amazon Smile: Holiday shopping on Amazon? Make sure to shop through Amazon Smile. You can support Buchanan with your usual Amazon shopping by visiting http://smile.amazon.com and selecting James Buchanan Elementary PTA as your charity. 
  • Follow the PTA on Facebook: @BuchananElementarySchoolPTA
  • Next PTA Meeting: Tuesday, January 26



Super Proud of our Buchanan Livonia Virtual Team!! 



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Friday, November 20, 2020

Once more unto the breach dear friends

Hi folks, Jon Wennstrom here! Here we go again. For the next few weeks, our Face to Face student will be receiving instruction through remote learning. Our Livonia Virtual students will continue with their same schedule. Until we return to in person instruction, ALL students will be following the same schedule:

Kindergarten, Second, Fourth Grades

10:00 AM, 12:00 PM & 2:00 PM

First and Third Grades

9:00 AM, 11:00 AM & 1:00 PM

I know these are challenging times, but we will get through this together and whether we are in the building or learning from home, I know that great things will continue with our Buchanan Bears! 


Remember there is NO SCHOOL on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday next week for 
Thanksgiving Break!! 

PTA POINTS

  • PTA Meeting: Thank you to everyone who joined our November meeting on Thursday! We were happy to see so many staff members, as well as a couple new faces. Our next meeting will be Tuesday, January 26, 2021 at 7:00pm.
  • PTA Membership: Thank you to our families who have joined the PTA so far this year - we are up to 97 members! But that's still less than half of the 203 members we had last year. Can you help us reach our goal of hitting last year's number? PTA membership and dues support your child by funding essential education and curriculum needs, advocating on behalf of children and educators, and building an inclusive school community for all families. Please show us your support and become a member today at our MemberHub store: https://buchanan.new.memberhub.store/store
  • Membership Raffle: Congratulations to our two raffle winners, Amanda H. and Laura A.! They each won a basket of Scholastic books. Thank you for being members and supporting the PTA!
  • Spirit Wear: To purchase Buchanan-branded items, please visit our spirit wear store here: https://buchananspiritwear.com 
  • Follow the PTA on Facebook: @BuchananElementarySchoolPTA

PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES SIGN UP LINKS

Kindergarten

Miss Haapala     Mrs. Stromberg     Mrs. Pillai     Mrs. Sosnowski

First Grade 

Mrs. Jones     Mrs. Hochkins     Mrs. Kamin     Mrs. Sparrow     Mrs. Hurula

Second Grade

Mrs. Benson     Ms. Adams     Mrs. Gruenewald     Mrs. Drolet     Mrs. Tanner

Third Grade

Mrs. Allmayer     Mrs. Trantham     Ms. Yost     Mrs. Edwards     Mrs. Duff

Fourth Grade

Mrs. Banter     Ms. Kaufman     Ms. Medellin     Miss Brown     Mrs. Ringler


Lifetouch Pictures were just sent to our school. Our plan is to send them home with the students when we return for Face to Face instruction.  If we are NOT back for Face to Face instruction the week of December 7, we will schedule a materials pick up for our families and picture packets will be included.

Livonia Virtual families may pick up picture packets at your regularly scheduled materials pick up on Thursday, December 3.





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Friday, November 13, 2020

Red, White & Blue

Hi folks, Jon Wennstrom here! This week we recognized our Veterans by wearing Red, White & Blue at school on Wednesday. It was a fun and simple way to say thank you on Veterans Day. I enjoy the fact that we say the Pledge of Allegiance each morning at school and I've even heard students on the playground talking about following our "Three to Be" pledge of being Safe, Kind and Responsible. My goal is that the words we recite each morning become actions throughout our days and throughout our lives.  

UPCOMING EVENTS

  • Thursday, November 19: PTA Meeting (Virtual) 7:00 PM
  • Wednesday, November 25 - Friday, November 27: Thanksgiving Break
  • Friday, December 4: No School (Records Day) 
Here is the link to the updated DISTRICT CALENDAR



PTA POINTS

  • PTA Meeting: Join us on Zoom for our November PTA Meeting on Thursday, November 20 at 7:00pm. Link below.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83795917036

Meeting ID: 837 9591 7036

Passcode: 0JgcSW

  • PTA Membership: Last year we had 203 PTA members, but this year we only have 95 members so far. Can you help us reach our goal of hitting last year's number? PTA membership and dues support your child by funding essential education and curriculum needs, advocating on behalf of children and educators, and building an inclusive school community for all families. Please show us your support and become a member today at our MemberHub store: https://buchanan.new.memberhub.store/store
  • Follow the PTA on Facebook: @BuchananElementarySchoolPTA



The ACAT application window opens 11/30/2020. Webster Elementary will be holding a virtual information meeting on 12/3/2020 to share information about our program. Please see the flyer attached to this email for more information! 

Please remember that each child had an iReady instructional license provided by the district this year. This resource is an incredible tool that will help provide instruction in BOTH reading and math for all our students. To be most effective, we recommend 20 minutes for reading and 20 minutes for math five days a week. Thanks for your continued partnership and support! 

MEET THE STAFF




Kindergarten Literacy Coach

My name is Mrs. Alt and I am the Literacy Coach for Kindergarten. I have two boys and we live in Canton. We love to go to Pentwater every summer and spend time at the beach.  I’m looking forward to working with the Buchanan Kindergarten Team!




First Grade Literacy Coach

My name is Mrs. Burke and I am the Literacy Coach for First Grade. I

have three boys and 2 rabbits named Mario and Luigi. We live

in Livonia and enjoy spending time outside. My favorite book is, I Need

My Monster.  I can’t wait to work with the Buchanan First Grade Team!



Second Grade Literacy Coach

     Hi!  My name is Mrs. Serazio.  I am the Literacy Coach for Second Grade.  I have three children and a dog named Gracie.  My favorite book is Peanut Butter and Cupcake by Terry Border.  I can’t wait to work with the Buchanan Second Grade Team and learn together!



Third Grade Literacy Coach 

      Hi!  My name is Mrs. McGlinch.  I am the Literacy Coach for Third Grade.  I have two little girls, 4 and 1 years old.  We love to travel up north, swim, spend time at the beach, and ride our bikes. My favorite book is The Monster At The End Of This Book by Jon Stone and Out Of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper.  Looking forward to learning together with the Buchanan Third Grade Team!



Fourth Grade Literacy Coach

Hello!  My name is Mrs. Daraskavich, but you can call me Mrs. D!  I am the Literacy Coach for Fourth Grade.  I have three daughters and a dog named Lucy.  We are a very active family and love spending time outdoors, traveling up north, hiking, boating, skiing and biking. My favorite book is Wonder, by R.J. Palacio. I can’t wait to learn together with the Buchanan Fourth Grade Team!




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