Flexibility

Hi folks, Jon Wennstrom here! One of the things that amazes me about educators is their ability to adapt and be flexible when things change. This week, we had an unexpected snow day and teachers changed plans, moved around schedules, and adapted to the shortened week. At the high school level, exam schedules were changed and extra-curricular events adjusted. Change can challenging for children, especially the younger they are, but our teachers do a wonderful job of making them feel safe and secure, even in the face of unexpected change. As a former boy scout, our motto was "Be Prepared!". For teachers and educators, the motto could easily be "Be Flexible!".

UPCOMING EVENTS AT BUCHANAN

Monday, January 28: Students of the Month Assembly (Confidence)

Tuesday, January 29: Skate Night at Riverside Arena 6:00-8:00 PM

Friday, February 8: VIP Dance 6:00-8:00 PM

PTA POINTS

• Get ready for Valentine's Day with 10% Off Spiritwear!  From 01/26/19 through 02/10/19, use coupon code SWEETEST10 at checkout on our spiritwear website to receive 10% off your order.  Be sure to personalize the apparel for your Valentine with a name on the back! For a limited time only, shop now at our online spiritwear store!" http://buchananspiritwear.com

• The PTA is looking for individuals to join the board for the 2019/2020 school year. Help fundraise, plan activities, and make Buchanan a fun place to learn. Nomination forms will be sent home soon. For more information please email pta.buchanan1@gmail.com

• Family Fun Night Tuesday, January 29 from 6-8 at  Riverside Arena. We hope to see our Buchanan families for a fun night of skating.

• Buchanan Elementary PTA Presents “A Masquerade Ball With Your V.I.P” Friday, February 8, 2019 from 6:00-8:00 . The PTA invites you and a very important person in your life to come and have a ball with Dancing, Photo Booth, Refreshments, and Lots of Fun!  Pre-Sale tickets only. $5.00 per ticket. Forms and payment due February 1st.

#BuchananBears

Did you know that many of our grade levels do "Buddy Reading" with older and younger students? You can often find fourth graders reading to first graders or third graders working with kindergarten students. It's such a great sight to see and benefits BOTH the younger and older students. Great things are happening at Buchanan! 

Lifting Others

Hi folks, Jon Wennstrom here! This month, our Buchanan students are focusing on the theme of Confidence. In addition to talking about how confident people believe in themselves and take risks, we also discussed that confident people lift others up. To demonstrate this, we once again had our "Positive Post It" day, where students wrote positive messages to students and adults in the school. It was  a great way to start the week and hopefully will become a habit for our students to send positive messages to others. I want our students to discover that when we make others feel good about themselves, it makes us feel better too! Ask your child what positive messages they left this week and encourage them to keep it up!

UPCOMING EVENTS AT BUCHANAN

Monday, January 21: No School in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day!

                                   PTA Dine Out at Dave & Buster's 5:00-8:00 PM

Thursday, January 24: PTA Meeting 7:00 PM (Open to all families)

Tuesday, January 29: PTA Skate Night at Riverside Arena 6:00-8:00 PM

Friday, February 1: Kindergarten Registration open for 2019-2020

PTA POINTS

• Next PTA meeting will be held on January 24 at 7 p.m. in the Library. Child care is provided. We hope to see you there.

• The PTA is looking for individuals to join the board for the 2019/2020 school year. Help fundraise, plan activities, and make Buchanan a fun place to learn. Nomination forms will be sent home soon. For more information please email pta.buchanan1@gmail.com 

• Family Fun Night January 21 from 5-8 p.m.  at  Dave & Busters. Come play games and enjoy a night with your fellow Buchanan Bears 

• Family Fun Night Tuesday, January 29 from 6-8 at  Riverside Arena. We hope to see our Buchanan families for a fun night of skating.

#BUCHANANBEARS

Did you know that we recently had our 80th day of school? To celebrate the day, our second grade team had an 80's appreciation party! Hearing the music and seeing the clothing, I felt like I was back in high school again! I think the kids had fun, and I know I did!! Great things are happening at Buchanan! 

One Word

Hi folks, Jon Wennstrom here! As we returned to school, I shared with the students and staff that I had chosen "One Word" that would be my focus for the new year and help keep me on track for self-improvement. My word was light and would serve as my reminder to keep things positive and help bright positivity to those around me. I then shared many more words for self-improvement that I had seen from educators across the country. We ended our Monday assembly with a challenge to all students to find their own one word to help them improve this year. Whether you have resolutions or a one word focus, I wish all our Buchanan families the best as we start this new year together!

UPCOMING EVENTS AT BUCHANAN

• Monday, January 21: No School for MLK Jr. Day

• Thursday, January 24: PTA Meeting in the Library 7:00 PM (All families welcome)

• Tuesday, January 29: Skate Night at Riverside Arena 6:00-8:00 PM

Attention All Families:  Needed - Gently worn tennis shoes

If you happen to have a pair of shoes that have been outgrown and are not in bad shape,

please consider donating them to my PE spare box?  These shoes would be available to 

anyone that has forgotten their gym shoes and could be borrowed so that they do not have

to miss PE class sitting on the wall.  Shoes would only be borrowed if the student has socks and

of course it is their choice whether to borrow them or not.  We have done this at other schools and

it has proven very successful!!  I am trying to get a variety of sizes.  

Thank you so much for your help! - Denise Berg-Grant

PTA POINTS

• Next PTA meeting will be held on January 24 at 7 p.m. in the Library. Child care is provided. We hope to see you there.

• The PTA is looking for individuals to join the board for the 2019/2020 school year. Help fundraise, plan activities, and make Buchanan a fun place to learn. Nomination forms will be sent home soon. For more information please email pta.buchanan1@gmail.com 

• Family Fun Night January 21 from 5-8 p.m.  at  Dave & Busters. Come play games and enjoy a night with your fellow Buchanan Bears 

• Family Fun Night Tuesday, January 29 from 6-8 at  Riverside Arena. We hope to see our Buchanan families for a fun night of skating.

#BuchananBears

Did you know that we work at "catching kids being good" in the lunchroom? In addition to being able to earn positive behavior tickets in the lunchroom, we look for groups doing an excellent job to be photographed and featured on our Positive Lunchroom Board in the hallway! It's just another way that we focus on the positive at our school. Great things are happening at Buchanan! 

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!