The Houghton Connection - Waterford School District

The Houghton Connection
Houghton Elementary School ~ 8080 Elizabeth Lake Rd. ~White Lake ~ MI ~ 48386
April 2015
A Message from our Principal
Dear Houghton Families,
Spring is upon us! This time of year the
school calendar seems to pick up pace.
We are already making our plans for
the following school year. We are revising class supply lists so we can give
those to you in June. We are picking
dates for August Meet and Greet so
you can put those on your calendar,
and we are making drafts of class lists.
we need to be aware in making class
placements, please put those in writing
and deliver that to the office. We will
use your input because we want to
serve your child to the best of our abilities. The deadline for those letters is
May 1.
We are working hard even as we battle spring fever. We look forward to
sharing all of our learning from this
year with our families and friends on
As for staffing of our school for the fall, May 20. Do mark your calendars and
be prepared for many changes. That is plan to attend this culminating event.
one constant in life and in schools. Since
we cannot predict who will be in posi- Sincerely,
tion at Houghton, I ask that you do not
make teacher requests for your child.
Valerie Grimes
Still, we value your input.
If your child needs a certain style of
teacher or has specific needs of which
Upcoming Events
4/16
4/17
4/20
4/21
4/23
4/25
4/27
4/29
4/30
5/1
5/4
5/5
5/6
LEGO Club
Bowling 6:30—8:30 p.m.
Popcorn Day
PTA General Meeting 7– 8 p.m.
OC Hearing Screening Make-up
Skate Night 6:30—8:30 p.m.
Houghton Huddle 2:15—2:45 p.m.
‘Leadership Chorus’
Annual Spring Clean-Up 10:00 a.m.
Kindergarten ZOO Trip
Running Club 4—5:15 p.m.
Cub Scouts 6:45—8:00 p.m.
LEGO Club
Popcorn Day
Teacher Appreciation Week
Fire Drill
PTA McDonald’s Fundraiser
Reproductive Health 5th grade
5/7
5/8
5/10
5/13
5/14
5/15
5/18
5/20
5/21
5/22
Running Club 4—5:15 p.m.
Cub Scout Den Meeting 6:30—7:30 art
Houghton Huddle 2:15—2:45 p.m.
Market Day Pick-up
Bowling Fundraiser 6:30—8:30 p.m.
Houghton to Tiger vs. Kansas City game
8:00 p.m. $29.00 upper box
AIDS Lecture—5th grade
PTA Family Event—Guy Lewis Concert
LEGO Club 3—3:30 p.m.
Popcorn Day
PTA General Meeting 7—8 p.m.
CELEBRATION OF LEARNING
Running Club 4—5:15 p.m.
Houghton Huddle 2:15—2:45 p.m.
‘Leadership Chorus’
NO SCHOOL
Phone: (248) 698-9230 Fax: (248) 698-9146 Attendance: (248) 674-5956
Student Lighthouse Team
Destination Imagination—Region 1 Tournament Results
Waterford’s 27 Destination Imagination teams had a wonderful experience at the Region 1
tournament, held on Saturday, March 14, at Mott HS. While all of our teams had a valuable
learning experience throughout the tournament, we have the pleasure of announcing
that seven of our teams scored very well, and are eligible to move on to the Affiliate Finals
(state finals) Tournament. Waterford was the largest program in Oakland County this year,
and attendees from other schools throughout Oakland County were impressed with our
teams and our facilities!
Those teams advancing are:
Cooley Elem, Feary Tales Challenge, 4th place - TM Kempken
Pierce MS, Improv Games Challenge, 3rd place - TM Jocque
Mott HS, Improv Games Challenge, 4th place – TM Wolfe
Kettering HS, Feary Tales Challenge, 3rd place – TM Fisher
Kettering HS, Feary Tales Challenge, 4th place – TM Zimmerman
Kettering HS, Improv Games Challenge, 1st place – TM Zimmerman
Kettering HS, Improv Games Challenge, 2nd place – TM Fisher
In addition, four more teams were recognized at the awards ceremony, having had their team
names announced for strong scoring. Those teams are:
Mason MS, Creature Feature Challenge, 4th place, TM Villarreal/Barcena
Pierce MS, Creature Feature Challenge, 5th place – TM Kempken
Houghton Elem, Feary Tales Challenge, 6th place - TM Hall
Riverside Elem, Making Waves Challenge, 4th place - TM Harper
Our thanks go out to the many Waterford School District employees who volunteered at Saturday’s event as appraisers and event volunteers. A special thanks go to the Waterford Mott
staff, especially Sally Himmelspach and Steve Hawkins, for their behind-the-scenes leadership.
Please join me in sending our teams good wishes as they prepare for the Affiliate Finals Tournament, which will be held on April 18, on the campus of Central Michigan University.
Betsy Grossnickle
Waterford Destination Imagination
ANNUAL HOUGHTON
SPRING CLEAN-UP
Join us for our annual Houghton Spring Clean Up. We will
be meeting at the front of the
school on Saturday April 25th
at 10am (Rain date is Sunday April 26th at 11am). We
will be providing breakfast.
How can you help? We are
in need of volunteers to trim
the overgrown landscaping,
weed and spread mulch.
Don’t forget a pair of gloves
and some garden tools.
Please consider pitching in to
clean up the school grounds
to make our school look
beautiful again. Contact Tiffany at 248-872-4017 or
tiffany.jones882@gmail.com
if you have any questions or
want to sign up to volunteer.
You can also sign up to volunteer on our shutterfly site.
3rd Quarter Houghton Honor Roll
Mr. Beasley
Mrs. Janette
A/B
ALL A’s
Kyle Jennings
Madison Loriaux
Logan Levalley
Catrina Nichols
Mrs. Frizzle
Lucas Simpson
Abigail Stauber
Logan Van Sicklen
ALL A’s
Nate Dotson
Sofia Hancock
Reilly Miller
Grant Petsch
Arica Ward
Rylie Yuhas
A/B’s
Tommy Knibbs
Savannah Lyons
Mrs. Richards
ALL A’s
Josh Bednarz
Connor Fitzsimons
Trevor Flynn
Emma Ledford
A/B’s
Cullen Jacobs
Kyle Koudelka
Matiana Nunes
Brooklyn Ricketson
A/B’s
Mackhi Jackson
Kaylee Jensen
Jacob Lindsey
Scott Minton
James Pearcy
Giselle Millan
Terry Polasek
A/B’s
Jace Bott
Zane Grant
Justin Renshaw
Caleb Reiland
Angelita Rivera
Bella Rose
Anna Seals
Nick Sheffer
David Skews
Taylor Schweitzer
Rylee Steffanuski
Mrs. Velez
ALL A’s
Avery Cain
Peyton Collick
Payton Dropps
Cheyenne Emigh
Shane Gibson
Jesse Greenlaw
Dillon Ho
Savanagh Labo
Summer Lesner
HURRAH for our HOUGHTON
BUS RIDERS!
All buses are showing improvements on the
bus! With being back from Spring Break we
need your help in reminding your child to be
leaders as soon as they get
to the bus stop. This
means, hands to self,
straight line, backpacks on
back, ready for the
day. Let's strive to be all
plus buses in April!
"Little Caesars Pizza Kit Fundraiser”
will begin on Monday, April 27th 2015, with delivery in
time for summer vacation.
There’s no easier way to satisfy the children than to
serve fresh baked pizza, cookies & pies. Order forms
are due back at school, Monday, May 11th. Remember, not only are the pizza kits fun & delicious, all the
profits earned benefit our school directly. If you have
questions, feel free to call
or text Julie at 813-3731034 or
catzrule002@gmail.com."
“Leadership is communicating people’s worth and potential so clearly that they are inspired to see it in themselves.”
--‐ Dr. Stephen R. Covey
Great Books that
Connect to Leader
and Me Habits . . .
Habit 1 ~ Be Proactive
The Carrot Seed
By: Ruth Krauss
The Little Engine That Could
By: Watty Piper
Stand Tall, Molly Lou Mellon
By: Patty Lovell
Oh the Places You’ll Go
Habit 2 ~Begin with the End in
Mind
Habit 3 ~ Put First Things First
Are You My Mother?
The Very Busy Spider
By: P.D. Eastman
Hurry Up, Franklin
By: Eric Carle
How Full is Your Bucket?
By: Tom Rath
The Hundred Penny Box
By: Sharon Bill Mathis
Mirette on the High Wire
By: Paulette Bourgreois
The Pancakes for Breakfast
By: Eric Carle
The Little Red Hen
By: Emily Arnold McCully
The School Story
By: Paul Galdone (or any version)
The Week Mom Unplugged the
TV’s
By: Andrew Clements
By: Terry Wolfe Phelan
By: Dr. Seuss
Hatchett
By: Gary Paulsen
IMPORTANT REMINDERS . . . .
SPRING has SPRUNG ~ As we welcome the warming temperatures, the sunshine, and the longer
days sometimes the playground conditions can be challenging. We encourage the children to stay out
of puddles and muddy waters but . . . . Please send in an extra pair of socks, pants and even shoes!
Boots may still be a good idea too.
PARKING LOT ~ Please do not get out of cars to unload children. Say ‘goodbye’ in cars and let
your child get out curbside. Let’s keep our children safe!
April 16 Lego Club 3-4
April 17 Popcorn
April 17 Century Bowl 6:30-8:30
April 20 PTA Meeting 7-8
April 21 Skate Night 6:30-8:30
April 25 Spring Clean-Up 11:00
April 29 Buffalo Wild Wings
April 30 Lego Club 3-4
May 1 Popcorn
May 4-8 Teacher Appreciation week
May 5 McDonald Fundraiser 5-7
May 7 Market Day Pick Up
May 8 Century Bowl 6:30-8:30
May 14 Lego Club 3-4
May 15 Popcorn
May 18 PTA Meeting 7-8
May 28 Lego Club 3-4
May 29 Popcorn
June 4 Market Day Pick up
June 5 Field Day
PTA
Events at a Glance
Spring Running Club
Be a part of the Houghton Miners Running Club! Sharpen the saw! Get some exercise! Hang
out with friends and meet some new people! Earn extra laps for the school wide Running Club!
WHERE: Houghton Elementary’s playground track
WHEN: Every Wednesday from 4:00-5:00. The Running Club begins April 29 and ends June 3.
WHO: Students in third, fourth, or fifth grade
*There will be a one mile fun run on Waterford Mott’s track on June 3.
COST: $25 per person. Runners may also pay an additional $5 for a Running Club t-shirt.
Register online, via mail or fax, or in person
www.wsdmi.org/learn
Waterford Community Education
501 N. Cass Lake Road
Phone: 248.682.7800
Fax: 248.706.4888