IRIS BECKER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
A 2017 National Blue Ribbon School
PARENT NEWSLETTER
Home of the Bearcats!
Dear Becker Families,
It has been a pleasure working with your children the last two months of school. I am already noticing how eager your children are coming to school with a positive outlook to learn. I know this is a result of the wonderful Becker staff coupled with the continued conversations you are having with them daily. I want to remind you about the importance that your child reads at home every day. Students who read daily, will show an improvement in their oral fluency and comprehension. I cannot express the importance of your role in this. Please be sure you encourage your child to read daily.
Thank you to all parents who came out to support our students during our Halloween Festivities this week. A very special thank you to our wonderful PTA who continue to take the time to put smiles on every child’s face and make Becker so warm and inviting. Your presence and continued support makes Becker a wonderful place to be.
On behalf of the entire Becker staff we want to thank all parents who attended our monthly parent meeting in October. This meeting was of high importance as it helped all stakeholders understand how students performed on M-STEP, NWEA and WIDA in comparison to students at the district and state level. These monthly parent meetings are critical as they help connect the link between home and school. Please be sure to join us for our next parent meeting on Monday, November 19th at 8:45 A.M. During this informative meeting our presenter from the Michigan Attorney General’s office, Dr. Don Furguson, will be joining us to help educate parents on how to safeguard our children from dangerous social media sites.
This month our elementary teachers will be preparing for parent – teacher conferences. Please look out for an appointment reminder from your child’s teacher. Our conferences will run on November 8th, 13th and 15th from 3:45-6:45 P.M.. We encourage you to ask questions about your child’s growth and possible challenges he/she may have. We will continue to work together as a team to ensure your child is making the necessary progress before moving on to the next grade level. I am confident that as a team, we will lead all our students to success.
Thank you for entrusting me with your children and helping to support their education. I am truly passionate about serving you and this community in helping our students continue in reaching excellence. If you have any questions or concerns about anything at all please feel free to call the office and/or make an appointment with my secretary, and I will be sure to get back with you.
We would like to wish you all a safe, warm and Happy Thanksgiving. We hope that this holiday will be a memorable one for you and your loved ones.
Sincerely,
Zahra Zreik
Principal
Becker Elementary
Morning Supervision:
As a reminder, Becker students are not to arrive to school until 8:00 a.m for breakfast, unless they are coming in for tutoring as we do not have supervisors available to monitor students. Students will be required to stand outside unless it is raining, snowing, or below 20 degrees. We want to remind parents they are not permitted to walk children into the building to their classroom. We want to help our students build independence.
Dismissal Time:
Lately, we have noticed that many parents are starting to arrive to school before dismissal to pick up their child. When parents are in the hallway before the end of the school day, it becomes difficult for the teachers to keep students focused. Students become distracted when they see parents in the hallways. Teachers are instructed to walk all students outside at dismissal time. We would like all parents to wait either in their cars or outside their child’s exit door. Additionally, please adhere to the traffic safety laws when picking up your child. Students should never cross the street unless it is at a crosswalk. If you see your child, please do not wave or signal to him/her to run across the middle of the street to your car. With the influx of cars in the street, drivers may not see your child. Please encourage your children to always cross at a designated crosswalk.
Appropriate Dress
You will soon notice change in weather. For the comfort and well being of your children, please be sure to encourage them to come to school in layers. A light jacket, sweater or hoodie will help to keep them warm while they wait outside at their entry door. Students will not be allowed to wait in the building unless the temperature is 20 degrees or below. We’re noticing that some students are repeatedly leaving their jackets behind. We will continue to remind them. Please support us by having a conversation with your child about wearing the appropriate clothing to school and using their jackets while at recess. Students will be required to go out for recess daily if the weather permits.
Response to Bullying:
Bullying is a global problem. At Becker, we are proactive in addressing bullying by speaking to our students and holding school assemblies throughout the year. You can help to support us by ensuring that you report any issues your child may be facing at school so we can help address them. Additionally, please speak to your children about what it feels like to be a bully toward others. Many times, children may not realize how their actions affect others. Please contact your child’s teacher or principal if you have any questions, and we will be happy to talk to you about ways you can address these issues.
Congratulations to our October Students of the Month
May Berry-Kdg – Yara Kharouf
Katrina Case-Kdg – Ambarod Kaid
Sukna Bazzi-1st– Fatima Yassine
Ana Gomez-1st– Hussain Aldulaimi
Kristin Koss 2nd– Nora Alnamer
Maggie Salame 2nd– Khulood Kaid
Tanya Jabra 2nd– Sally Hachem
Tanya Jabra 3rd– Mohamed Majrad
Sara Alhaschemy 3rd– Fatimah Alkazal
Diana Harb -3rd– Lara Askar
Mariam Berry 4th– Adam Bandar
Fatemh Reslan 4th– Mahmoud Elreda
Nahida Islam 5th – Nabiha Fsai
Amal Khansa 5th– Salwa Turki
| Nov. 1 | Vision Screenings for Pre-K, K, 3rd and 5th Grades |
| Nov. 2 |
PTA Meeting at 8:45 a.m. Half-Day All Elementary Students – Dismissal at 11:45 A.M. |
| Nov. 4 | Daylight Savings – Set your clocks back one hour |
| Nov. 5 | Vision Screenings Continue |
| Nov. 6 | No School – Election Day |
| Nov. 7 | Vision Screenings Continue |
| Nov. 8 | Parent Teacher Conferences (By Appointment) |
| Nov 13 | Parent Teacher Conferences (By Appointment) |
| Nov 15 | Parent Teacher Conferences (By Appointment) |
| Nov 16 |
Kindergarten Field Trip – Cranbrook Museum Movie Night for grades 3rd-5th at 3:45 P.M. in the gym |
| Nov. 19 |
PTA Bagel Sale at 8:00 A.M. Parent Meeting at 8:45 A.M. |
| Nov.21-23 | No School – Thanksgiving Break |
| Nov. 26 | PTA Art Reflection – Grades 3-5 |