1. education
2. school

1 The Susick Spotlight
December 2014 & January 2015
Susick Elementary School
Mr. Pat Cavanaugh, Principal
Ms. Kim Teschke, Secretary
Mrs. Amy Kovacs, Clerk
Phone 586/825-2665
Fax 586/698-4376
Absence Reporting Line:
586/825-2665 ext. 2
DECEMBER 2014
12/8
PTO Meeting in Media Center – 6:30 p.m.
1st, 3rd & 5th grade Troy Fire Department presentations
12/9
ELL Parent Meeting in Conference Room – 9:00 a.m.
Holiday Shop Vendor Preview 6-8 p.m.
12/10 - 12/12 Holiday Shop
12/11
1st & 2nd Grade Music Concert – 7:00 p.m.
12/15 - 12/17 Jump Rope for Heart during gym class
12/19
1/2 Day of School – 12:03 Dismissal
Spirit Day – Wear All Red Day
NO SCHOOL 12/22/2014 – 1/4/2015
JANUARY 2015
1/5/2015
Classes resume
1/12
P.T.O. Meeting in Media Center – 6:30 p.m.
1/13
ELL Parent Meeting in Conference Room – 9:00 a.m.
1/14
K-2nd Progress Reports sent home
1/16
1/2 Day of School – 12:03 Dismissal
1/19
NO SCHOOL – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
1/30
Spirit Day – Space Character or Alien Day
1/2 Day of School – 12:03 Dismissal
Winter Blues Festival 4-8 p.m.
2 The Susick Spotlight
December 2014 & January 2015
COLD WEATHER ALERT
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT
We are excited for our upcoming 1st and 2nd grade
Music concert on Tuesday, December 11th at 7pm in
the Susick gym. Our Music and Band Teacher, Mrs.
Vickilyn Withrow, has been working diligently with
our students and this concert will provide an
opportunity for the students to showcase their
talents.
Also during the month of December, our 1st, 3rd,
and 5th graders will have a presentation put on by
Chuck Roberts from the Troy Fire Department. Mr.
Roberts comes every year to teach our 1st, 3rd, and
5th graders about fire safety lessons and he is back
to work with a new group of students. The students
will learn about escaping fires, warning signs,
smoke detectors, and other safety measures to
prevent fires within the home. Mr. Roberts will also
be here later in the year to present fire safety tips to
our Kindergarten students. His Kindergarten
presentation is very interactive. He will play the
guitar, sing songs with the students and show off his
firefighter uniform.
With our holiday break coming up, I encourage our
parents/guardians to ensure our students are reading
over the holiday break. This two week break will be
an important time for your child to continue his/her
reading progress. Please set aside the time to read to
or with your child. In addition, we also have schoolwide license for IXL.com that your child can access
at home with his/her unique username and
password. This program allows your child to
practice specific math skills based on his/her ability
level. If you have any questions about the IXL
program or need your child’s username and
password, please feel free to contact Mr. Cavanaugh
or your child’s teacher.
Please plan your child’s arrival time to school as
close to the entrance time as possible. Students
enter the building at 8:47 A.M. On inclement
weather days (rain or temperatures below 15°),
children will be allowed to enter the building
through regular class entrance doors at 8:42 A.M.
With cold weather almost here, students should
dress warmly wearing hats, mittens, boots, etc.
All children are expected to go outside on days
that weather permits. This is especially true
before and after lunch. The decision for going
outside at lunch recess is made after 11:00 A.M.
each day.
Factors determining outdoor recess are
temperature, wind-chill index and sun. In many
cases, it is much colder when children arrive at
school than what it might be at lunch recess. Just
to be on the safe side, parents should dress
students based on the event that it will be outdoor
recess. Exceptions to going outside will only be
made with a written request from your child’s
doctor.
SCHOOL CLOSING INFO
PLEASE LISTEN TO AM RADIO STATIONS
WJR 760 OR WWJ 950,
WATCH TV
CHANNELS 2, 4 OR 7, OR CHECK THE
INTERNET AT www.wcskids.net FOR THE
SCHOOL CLOSING LISTED AS:
MACOMB COUNTY
WARREN CONSOLIDATED SCHOOLS
3 The Susick Spotlight
December 2014 & January 2015
WELCOME CLASS OF 2028!
On Tuesday, February 10, 2015, Warren
Consolidated Schools will host an informational
parent meeting for all families with children
entering Kindergarten in September 2015.
The meeting will begin at 6:00pm in the
Performing Arts Center located at 12901 Fifteen
Mile Road in Sterling Heights, attached to
Sterling Heights High School.
Parents attending will be provided with info about:
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All Day and Half-Day Kindergarten options
Year-Round and Traditional School Calendar
Kindergarten curriculum
Health requirements to attend Kindergarten
Breakfast and lunch options
Transportation
Before- or after-school Latchkey services
In addition, student registration packets will be
available as well as information on registration
dates and times. Please plan on attending this
important step in starting your child’s formal
education in the Warren Consolidated Schools.
For more information, please visit the WCS
webpage, www.wcskids.net
PRESCHOOL
Susick’s 3 year old Preschool has openings in the
P.M. session. Enrollment for January 2015 and
general information is available online at
www.wcskids.net To register, please complete
the preschool online forms.
For additional
assistance, contact the preschool office (586)
698-4428 or email wcspreschool@wcskids.net
RECOGNIZING SUSICK SERVICE
SQUAD/SAFETY PATROL MEMBERS!
Congratulations to the following students who were
chosen as Safety Patrol members for the months of
December and January:
December:
Dylan Davis
George Werde
Yasir Saleem
January:
Sam Tripon
Kayleigh Stouffer
Haadia Javed
Congratulations to the following students who were
chosen as Service Squad for the months of
December and January:
December Service Squad of the Month
Adel Zekic
Meredith Weir
Alana Linville
Natalia Zoma
Ashley Horne
Mateo Gonzalez
Sabria Chowdhury
January Service Squad of the Month
Jatin Kaveti
Selena Elias
Ella Henson
Julia Dahlerup
Rory Fosbinder
Olivia Wilson
Victoria Khomyk
Thank you for doing a good job boys and girls!
4 The Susick Spotlight
December 2014 & January 2015
Our grade level poster contest winners:
VOCAL CONCERT
Susick Elementary is excited to invite you to a very
special evening of music presented by the 1st and
2nd grade classes under the direction of our music
teacher, Mrs. Withrow!
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Who is performing: All 1st and 2nd grade
students
What: Winter Vocal Concert
Date: Thursday, December 11, 2014
Time students need to arrive & go to their
classrooms: between 6:30-6:45 p.m.
Time of Conert: 7:00 p.m.—Showtime!
Where: Susick Elementary School
Gymnasium
Wear: Students need to wear clean, neat
dress-up clothes and shoes. (Clothing does
not need to reflect any specific holiday.)
(Please make sure all clothing is school
appropriate.)
Cost: Free!
Who is invited: All friends and family of
our performers!
To celebrate American Education Week (November
16 - 22), many parents and students collaborated to
enter the Student/Parent Poster Contest. We have
one grade level winner for each grade. These
winners will be presented at the WCS Board
Meeting on December 3 at the Performing Art
Center. They will go on to compete in the district
(Warren Consolidated Schools) competition. Good
luck Susick Dragons. Congratulations to all the
participants.
Kindergarten: Rosell Arkan (Mrs. Koch)
1st Grade: Gurleen Kaur (Mr. Brandon)
2nd Grade: Ava Bunao (Ms. Marshall)
3rd Grade: Okisho Lazar (Mrs. Whiting)
4th Grade: Benjamin Matich (Mrs. Mutter)
5th Grade: Thasnim Ahmed (Mrs. DeGroot)
KINDERGARTEN
Our Kindergartners have been busy around Susick
Elementary!
We enjoyed learning about
Thanksgiving traditions in the month of November,
and especially wearing our Thanksgiving costumes.
Our students also took their first IOWA test in
November and December.
The children learned a lot about living things in our
first Science unit, including what is necessary for
plants to grow and facts about worms. Our second
unit is called “Senses.” It includes interactive
activities where students will make scientific
observations through their five senses. In Social
Studies, the focus is on Communities and
Community Workers. We have been practicing our
Math skills with identifying and ordering numbers.
Please continue identifying and writing numbers 020, and counting to 100.
The Book-It Program has launched and many
students have already earned their free pizzas—way
to go! We encourage families to continue reading
with your children each night.
Teachers will be sending home students’ supply
boxes to be cleaned and restocked before the
holiday recess. Also, feel free to send in more
Clorox/Lysol wipes, as germs continue to be
spread. Have a Happy Holiday Season!
5 The Susick Spotlight
December 2014 & January 2015
FIRST GRADE
SECOND GRADE
In first grade we are continuing to work on
language arts daily. We have been focused on
writing with capital letters and ending our
sentences with periods. We have used a variety of
learning experiences and been utilizing the Daily 5
model of organization.
Second grade is really working hard at being
RESPONSIBLE. We are remembering: our take
home folders, reading at least 15-20 minutes every
day, practicing our addition and subtraction math
facts, neatly completing our sentences and bringing
them back on time, and trying to do our BEST
every day in everything we do.
In mathematics we are learning about addition and
have been using many different methods to reach
the sum. These methods are not limited to but
include; using counters, base ten blocks and other
manipulatives to experience with a hands-on
approach.
Our Turkeys were well disguised! It looks like they
made it through Thanksgiving. Our second graders
spent quality family time disguising their turkeys so
they would not be eaten for Thanksgiving dinner.
Hope you had a chance to see them in the second
grade hallway during conferences.
In social studies we learned about the importance
of rules both in school, at home and in our
community. We will be learning more about our
community in the upcoming months.
In science we are studying how “Measuring
Matters.” Students have been using standard and
non-standard measuring tools.
We had a wonderful experience at the Ann Arbor
Hands on Museum. Thank you for all of your
support.
In science we learned about an Animal’s Life. Next,
we will be learning about Sorting Things Out. We
were able to see the life cycle of a Monarch
Butterfly. Thank you to Mrs. Martz’s class for
taking care of our friends.
In math the students have learned to recognize
coins, counting collections of coins to $1.00, and
making change. Many students need a lot of
practice…please help them at home and encourage
them to take advantage of IXL.com to help their
speed and accuracy with counting money. The
students should be able to count to 1,000, know
place value of hundreds, tens, and ones, and know
order from least to greatest/greatest to least. Also
practice counting by twos, fives, tens, and twentyfives.
We are still working hard in reading. We are
learning how to summarize, sequence, and find the
main idea with second grade level texts.
Enjoy getting together with your friends and family
during this Holiday Season.
6 The Susick Spotlight
December 2014 & January 2015
THIRD GRADE
writing unit, students will work on personal
essays.
Fall Parent/Teacher Conferences
It was wonderful to speak with all of our 3rd grade
parents regarding each child’s progress. Remember
to use Parent Portal to keep track of your child’s
grades, missing assignments, etc.
Thanksgiving
The turkey feathers made a beautiful and colorful
hallway display. Students loved reading about the
many reasons their parents are thankful for them.
The 3rd graders will celebrate the holiday season
with a multicultural potluck. We are extremely
thankful to all of the parents who have volunteered
to help make this event a success. Everyone will
enjoy delicious food which represents the diverse
cultures that we have here at Susick Elementary.
Reading
All teachers have incorporated small guided reading
groups in their Daily 5 rotations. These include:
read with the teacher, read to self, read to someone,
work on writing, and word work. In our
Benchmark Literacy curriculum, we have learned
about the various features of biographies, personal
narratives and historical fiction. Students have been
practicing comprehension strategies including:
identifying the main idea and supporting details,
analyzing character, and identifying sequence of
events.
Writing
We finally finished our personal narratives unit.
Students worked hard while writing these. In
Writer’s Workshop, we are learning how to use our
writing “voices”. These writing traits include:
voice, organization, ideas, conventions, excellent
word choice and sentence fluency. In our next
Math
All 3rd graders are currently working on
multiplication. Students are learning about arrays
and they are using repeated addition. Please
practice multiplication facts on a daily basis. Your
child should be logging in to IXL for additional
practice with 3rd grade math concepts. It is
required by all 3rd grade teachers. Don’t forget to
utilize the Pearson website to access your child’s
math book at home. All classrooms have
incorporated math rotations. Students are also
learning about the 8 mathematical practices.
Social Studies
All classes completed the first chapter in our
Michigan Studies book. We studied the geography
of Michigan. In addition to this, we spent some
time practicing map skills. We have moved on to
Chapter 2: Michigan’s First People. Students are
learning about the various tribes which inhabited
our state.
Science
We wrapped up our first unit about life science.
Students took an assessment on the material we
were able to cover. We have moved on to part I of
our physical science unit: “Changes in Motion”.
7 The Susick Spotlight
FOURTH GRADE
This month in Reading and Writing students are
focusing on summarizing significant events from
a story in sequential order. For narrative texts
in which characters have problems or conflicts
the students are using the “Somebody-WantedBut-So-Then” framework. The students identify
who wanted something, what they wanted, what
conflict arose, and the resolution. Summarizing
improves reading and critical thinking skills as
students decide on the main ideas of the reading
to include in the summary.
The students are reviewing division and
exploring ways multiplication and division are
related. This relationship can be shown with
fact families. A fact family is made up of
multiplication and division facts that include all
the same numbers. You can help your child
develop his or her understanding of fact families
by practicing at home. The ability to complete
multi-digit multiplication is dependent upon
mastery of the basic facts. It is important that
your child knows all the multiplication facts
through 12.
We are starting a new unit in Science called
Energy Transfer. We will be starting with heat
energy. Each class will be conducting an exciting
experiment with hot cocoa and marshmallows
this month. This experiment shows how heat
energy transfers from the hot cocoa to the
marshmallows. The students are looking forward
to this experiment! Later on in the unit, we will
be working with the other types of energy:
electrical and magnetism.
December 2014 & January 2015
The students have been learning about the
Michigan Territory in Social Studies. They
studied how the land changed over time and
discussed the differing viewpoints of the
settlers and the Native Americans in the
Michigan Territory. The students read about
the exploration and opening of Michigan and how
it affected the people involved. The students
explored how the new settlers in Michigan
adapted to and changed their environment. We
also recognized Veteran’s Day by reading an
article about this holiday and discussing ways to
recognize those who served in our armed
forces.
FIFTH GRADE:
Mrs. Dell and Mrs. DeGroot’s class are
working on Reading Strategies to help the
students with comprehension and critical
thinking skills. We have a classroom board
devoted to the strategies and the students
are actively engaged in the process. Each
month the students engage in ‘Reader’s
Theatre’. As groups, the students practice a
short play and present it to their
classmates.
In Writing, the students continue to work on
personal narratives. Students are focusing
on using transition words when beginning a
paragraph. They are also learning to use
8 The Susick Spotlight
December 2014 & January 2015
figurative language and making sure that
conventions of good writing are being
utilized.
Darren B. – I am thankful for my family and
friends.
In Social Studies, students are finishing up
on their examinations of famous explorers
and moving into a study of the thirteen
American Colonies. Soon, the students will
be selecting a colonial occupation and
researching the job for the upcoming
Colonial Days in April.
Sri Pavan C. – I am thankful for my great teacher.
In mathematics the students are working on
division, estimating and rounding off
numbers to help the students do math
mentally.
Also, we continue to stress
memorizing the basic facts to insure future
mathematical success.
In science class, we are finishing up our unit
of Life Science. The topics we are studying
are cell systems, animal classifications and
the human body.
Alyssa B. – I am thankful for food.
Cosette F. – I am thankful for my friends and
family.
Fabio G. – I am thankful for the food they serve in
the cafeteria.
Anthony G. – I am thankful for having a dad that
goes away and brings me cool things and that he
loves me.
Fran H. – I am thankful for clothes.
Toby H. – I am thankful for God.
Hannah H. – I am thankful for my family: Bradley,
mom and dad.
Alex K. – I am thankful for my family, health, my
pet and my friends.
Carlos K. – I am thankful for my dad, my mom, my
brother and my cousins.
Marsela M. – I am thankful for my family.
Isabel M. – I am thankful for what I have because
some people don’t have what I have.
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Mrs. Bailey’s
Third Grade Students
are Thankful for…
Riveen A. – I am thankful for family.
Gazelle A. – I am thankful for my mom, my dad,
my sisters and my brother.
Alexander N. – I am thankful for my family because
I love them.
Grace O. – I am thankful for mom and dad.
Matthew R. – I am thankful for my life from God.
Ashur S. – I am thankful for the kids back home.
Mellana S. – I am thankful for my family and God
and Jesus and Mary.
Melissa S. – I am thankful for my mom and dad and
my two sisters, Suada and Ally.
9 The Susick Spotlight
Martina S. – I am thankful for my family, my
cousin, my friends and my teacher.
Eric S. – I am thankful for being smart and healthy.
Helen Y. – I am thankful for my school.
Annabelle Z. – I am thankful for my mom and dad
and my sisters, Merna and Natalia.
December 2014 & January 2015
Kayla K. – I am thankful for my family.
Sarah K. – I’m thankful for my big sister because
she takes care of me.
Angelina M. – I am thankful for the food and drink
God gives us.
Kevin M. – I am thankful for my dad because he
loves me and helps me with everything I am stuck
on.
Alexis N. – I am thankful for being alive.
Kyra P. – I’m thankful for my parents.
Mrs. Sahlaney’s
Third grade students are thankful for:
Mohammed A. – I am thankful for my cousin
because he is the same age as me.
Gisselle A. – I’m thankful that my parents always
care about me.
Breanna E. – I’m thankful for my parents because
they are nice and care for me.
Daniella P. – I’m thankful for my parents because
they would do anything to keep me healthy and
safe.
Jasa P. – I am thankful for my mom and my dad.
Geri S. – I’m thankful for my dad because when I
was little he used to take care of me and he really
liked me.
Christian T. – I’m thankful for my mom because
she makes yummy food.
Paidros E. – I’m thankful for my parents.
Hans T. – I’m thankful for Sundays because it is a
day off of school.
Dean F. - I’m thankful that I’m living and for the
good life I have.
Vanessa Y. - I’m thankful for the school; how it
has bricks and we stay safe under it.
Yuliya F. – I’m thankful for school, having a house,
and food.
Ronald F. – I am thankful for weekends.
Chloe F. – I am thankful for food and water.
Noah G. – I am thankful for food.
Mrs. Whiting’s
Third Grade Class is Thankful for….
Andrina G. – I’m thankful for my parents.
* My mom and dad because they like me. (Kennett)
Reneah K. – I am thankful for my Lord.
* Having my cousin because she always stood up
for me when I was little. (Raameen)
10 The Susick Spotlight
* Working around the house because it helps our
house to stay strong. (Brian)
* My brother because he is always there for me.
(Henry)
* My mom because she buys me clothes and makes
me food. (Arely)
* Being in school because this is the greatest school
ever. (Faith)
December 2014 & January 2015
* My mom and dad because my dad plays
basketball with me. I am thankful for my mom
because once a week we sleep together. I am also
thankful for my dogs because life wouldn’t be fun
without them. (Ella)
* My mom because she buys me everything and she
gives me everything. I love to snuggle with her at
night. (Rafael)
* My mom and dad because they take care of me.
(Moira)
* My family because my dad and mom take me
where I want to go with my sister and brother.
(Joey)
* My family because they make me feel happy and
they do everything for me. (Jeenall)
* My family because they are really nice to me, take
me to special places, and they love me a lot. (Jayla)
* My dad because he is the best dad. He gets
everything for us and takes us everywhere. (Suzan)
* That I have a house and roof to live under so I
won’t freeze. (Jamie)
* My mom for giving me the best birthday ever.
(Selena)
* My family because they love me and care for me.
(Dharma)
* This wonderful group of students I get to work
with every day! (Mrs. Whiting)
* My mom supporting me because if she didn’t
have a good paying job we wouldn’t have a roof
over our heads. (Xander)
* My teacher because she teaches me everything
and makes me learn every time and never fail.
(Odisho)
* My parents because they made me and my house
because it is my home. (Diane)
* My family because they care for me and they give
me shelter and food. (Avery)
* My family because they take care of me when I
am hurt or sick. They give me food. (Jasmine)
* My family because they take good care of me.
(Erin)
* My family because they take good care of me.
(Emanuel)
Many thanks to all the students, parents,
guardians, family members, staff and other Susick
community adults who supported our Susick’s
students by visiting the book fair and making
purchases. Many of the books in the Susick
collection would not be possible without the book
fair profits. Hope everyone had an opportunity to
visit the book fair and help make it a success.
Remember to read 20 minutes every night.
11 The Susick Spotlight
December 2014 & January 2015
Notes from Nursing
Happy and Healthy Holidays!
The holidays are a time for friends and family to gather, sharing conversation, good food, and potentially the
influenza virus and other contagious illnesses.
Reduce the risk of Seasonal flu by getting vaccine protection. Children and adults who are vaccinated will also
provide added protection for the infants and grandparents who might be at the holiday gatherings and have the
highest rates of complications from the disease. It’s not too late to vaccinate!!
Pertussis (whooping cough) is also on the rise in the United States and here in Michigan. The best way to
prevent pertussis is to get vaccinated. Make sure infants and young children get their 5 shots on time.
Protection from the childhood vaccine fades over time.
Adolescents and adults need to be revaccinated, even if they were completely vaccinated as children. This is
especially important for families with new infants.
Pertussis is a respiratory illness that is easily spread by coughing and sneezing. The disease starts like the
common cold, with a runny nose or congestion, sneezing, and mild cough or fever. After 1 - 2 weeks, severe
coughing begins. Infants and children with the disease cough violently and rapidly, over and over, until air is
gone from their lungs and they are forced to inhale with a loud “whooping” sound. The coughing can last for
weeks, even months.
Adults and adolescents typically have a milder form of pertussis; however, they can still easily spread the
infection to others, including infants and young children. Pertussis is most severe for babies; more than half of
the infants less than 1 year of age who get the disease must be hospitalized.
Norovirus causes about 20 million gastroenteritis cases a year in the United States. There is no vaccine to
prevent it. Wash your hands often and follow simple steps to stay healthy. Noroviruses are a group of related
viruses. Infection with these viruses affects the stomach and intestines and causes an illness called
gastroenteritis; inflammation of the stomach and intestines.
The illness often begins suddenly. You may feel very sick, with stomach cramping, throwing up, or diarrhea.
People with norovirus illness are contagious from the moment they begin to feel sick until at least 3 days after
they recover, some may be contagious even longer.
Norovirus can spread quickly from person to person in crowded, closed spaces like schools, daycare facilities
and shopping malls. Wash your hands carefully with soap and warm water, especially after using the restroom
and changing diapers, and always before eating or preparing food. If soap and water aren’t available use an
alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Enjoy your holiday break,
Julia Lechtenberg RN, NCSN
WCS School Nurse
December, 2014
Used with permission: CDC
12 The Susick Spotlight
December 2014 & January 2015
SCHOOL CALENDAR FOR 2015 HOME CALENDARS
Please share important days for everyone’s planners
January 5
Classes Resume
January 16
Half Day – 12:03 p.m. dismissal
January 19
No School – Martin Luther King Day
February 11
Count Day – Be sure to attend school
February 13
Half Day – 12:03 p.m. Dismissal
February 16-20
No School – Mid-Winter Break
March 12
Half day – Parent Teacher Conferences
March 27
Half Day – 12:03 p.m. Dismissal
April 2
Half Day – 12:03 p.m. Dismissal
April 3 - 10
No School – Spring Break
May 1
Half Day – 12:03 p.m. Dismissal
May 22
Half day – 12:03 p.m. Dismissal
May 25
No School – Memorial Day Break
June 11
Half day – 12:03 p.m. Dismissal
Last Day of School Year