October 15, 2021
Volume 3, Issue 10
Happy Friday, GATE Families!
Please read this newsletter carefully. Thank you for your time and attention!
Remember that next week, October 18-22, is Intersession. This means that unless you have signed your child up and confirmed their registration, there is no school. We still encourage you to set a routine where your child reads every day and even uses this time to catch up on any missing/incomplete work if needed. It's also a great opportunity to "unplug" and just enjoy the time for a mental break.
Kate Martin
Principal
Upcoming Important Dates
Week of Oct. 17: Positivity Project: Forgiveness (See P2 for Families link below if you want to do this over break!)
Oct. 18-22: Fall Intersession/Break
Week of Oct. 24: Positivity Project: Creativity
Week of Oct. 24: Grades 6-8, Red Ribbon Week
Oct. 25: Oakland County Health Department: Grades 2 & 4 Hearing Testing
Oct. 26: GATE Parent-Teacher Conferences 4:30-8
Oct. 26: District-Wide Pink-Out for Breast Cancer Awareness
Oct. 28: Early Dismissal at 1:05
Oct. 28th: 7th-8th grade parent meeting for AHS Information
Oct. 29: Rescheduled date for 2-5 kickball games
Week of Oct. 31: Positivity Project: Perspective
Nov. 2: No School, Election Day
Week of Nov. 7: Positivity Project: Bravery
Week of Nov. 14-27: Positivity Project: Gratitude
Nov. 18: Early Dismissal at 1:05
Nov. 19: Half Day Dismissal at 11:15
Nov. 23: Fall Picture Re-Take Day; Half Day Dismissal at 11:15
Nov. 24-26: No School, Thanksgiving
Photos of the week
Ms. Burmann's students were creating clay mugs in art class.
Ms. Waterhouse's class is working on recycling-related board games to encourage others to recycle in STEAM Lab.
Ms. Syme's Spanish 2 class had a scavenger hunt to answer questions about family vocabulary terms.
Ms. Momblanco's class created recycling advertisements using Chatterpix in STEAM Lab!
Middle School Only
District-Wide Pink Out
Breast Cancer Awareness Pink Out Day: October 26
Supporting the fighters,
Admiring the survivors,
Honoring the taken,
and never, ever giving up hope.
Volunteering Opportunities
Sign up here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080A49ACA62DA0F58-lunchrecess1
Check out which days are open and have no volunteers - these are the most important to help fill. We are "down" another lunch aide since Ms. Jessica is taking additional college classes and isn't available anymore. We love parent volunteers!
Avondale Schools is looking to begin offering tutoring for our students after school. Please consider giving back and volunteering for this valuable cause.
Afterschool clubs
Club teachers will reach out once registrations are closed.
Other clubs being planned - SEE BELOW: Destination Imagination & Math Olympiad for 4/5 only
Google form sign up for the Math Olympiad. Coach: Ms. Gierman (michelle.gierman@avondaleschools.org)
Google form sign up for Destination Imagination
Morning News Crew!
Check out our first week of morning news! Great job boys and girls!
The sign up for the Morning News Crew is closed. If your child is interested, you can add them to the waitlist on this document.
Is your child on social media?
Substitute teachers needed
The Avondale School District is looking for teacher substitutes. The State of Michigan requires candidates to have 60 College Credits. All substitute permits require that an individual has completed at least 60 semester hours of satisfactory credit (defined as a grade of 'C' or higher) combined from one or more regionally accredited colleges or universities. Please apply at EduStaff.org. The daily pay rate is $120.00 and district substitutes earn a daily pay rate of $150.00. Please reach out to Anna Maria Wyman at AnnaMaria.Wyman@ Avondaleschools.org if you have any questions.
Next week's Lunch Menu
Positivity project!
This coming week is FAIRNESS.
The week after Fall Intersession is CREATIVITY
Here's a link to P2 for Families!
Password: P2
The PTO Info!
Join the PTO Facebook group!
https://facebook.com/groups/avondalegatepto (or use QR code)
Zoom information for meetings:
Code: 204 024 3974
Passcode: GATEPTO
The PTO meeting in October has been canceled for the public.
Wish lists
Looking for teacher holiday gifts? Check out our school wish lists! Teacher items are in the comment sections. Additionally, the PTO has gathered teacher preferences on this document.
School-Wide:
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/OKEWU5GBR40L?ref_=wl_share
Book Room:
Middle School -> High School Planning
Attention all current 7th & 8th grade parents!
More info sessions will be scheduled at a future date.
Crosswalk safety
Please note that there are multiple crosswalks within our GATE entrance and car rider loop area. We have a number of walkers and bikers that use these crosswalks in the morning and afternoon.
Everyone must drive slowly and be on alert for individuals in the crosswalk. Do not stop within a crosswalk. This is imperative to the safety of our families.
Other District Flyers and News
CONGRATULATIONS to our Avondale High School Yellow Jacket Marching Band! This week at the MSBOA Marching Band Festival, the band earned a FIRST Division rating!
THE BAND: Jade Atkins, Bailey Baliat, Emily Beckas, Bonnie Benford, Deanna Buchanan, Erin Buchanan, Jessica Chan, Dehlila Dahms, William Davis, Hoshmi Duggandla, Keira Faucheux, Brett Finlay, Anthony Ford, Jayden Fortner, Justin Francisco, Alejandro Garcia Rendon, Nate Gilpatrick, Donald Grenier, Pranav Gunna, Christian Haddad, Rami Hannoudi, Ash Hartrick, Legacy Henry, Luis Hernandez, Chelsea Howe, Jenea Johnson, Kaila Johnson, Kimberly Johnson, Elise Kahle, Katerina Kaltsounis, Delaney Levesque, Claire Lewinski, Colin Lewinski, Jordan Lewinski, Edwin Lewis, Jazmyn McIntosh, Bryan Miles, Elijah Miller, Emily Nash, Cadence Nowakowski, Allie Partin, Xander Patanella, Joseph Pawlowski, Gavin Pflanzer, Luca Pop, Vivian Provo, Andrew Richard, Lillianna Rivas-Foster, Sienna Rivas-Foster, Noah Savage, Alivia Schwerin, Griffin Seale, Kathryn Shampine, Aidan Smith, Gia Taylor, Dhruv Thakur, Carl Tisler, Ethan VanHorn, Miguel Velez, Kimora Webb, Isaiah Whitaker, Sarah Williamson, Nona Ziegler, William Ziegler, and Emily Zuehlk
Instructional Staff
Director of Bands Michael Hejka, Assistant Director Rachel Pedersen, Front Ensemble Victoria Fernholz, Drumline Kevin Cornwell II, Color Guard Conan Hayward, Flute Julia Albany, Clarinet Benjamin Pruehs, Saxophone Garret Klauss, Trumpet Frank Chiodo, Low Brass Brian Wieczorek, Tuba Bella Javier, Marching Micaiah Whitaker, and Drill Design Keith Burns
Covid Resources
Before and After School Care
If you are in need of before and after school care for your child (ages 4-12 only), please sign up for Busy Bees! Do this ASAP so they can have a good idea how many students are in need of care. Thank you!
https://www.avondaleschools.org/busy-bee-child-care
If you are interested in working for Busy Bees, please see their job openings here.
Happy Birthday!
10/1 Chelsea P
10/8 Olivia L
10/11 Kingston B
10/15 Max B
10/20 Vedant S
10/23 Ethan T
10/24 Elinor F
10/24 Crew S
10/29 Patrick B
10/31 Louis R
We Love Parent Volunteers!
In order to volunteer in the school, on field trips, or any other school-related activity, each year you must complete the Volunteer Application Form. See below. You will need to include a copy of the FRONT and BACK of your driver's license with the completed form. Please email it all to edith.mccoy@avondaleschools.org. We are interested in consistent volunteers that can routinely volunteer.
Connect with Mrs. Megan Marx, our parent volunteer who manages the GATE Book Room to volunteer @ gate.media@avondaleschools.org.
Everyone is a member of the PTO! If you are interested in volunteering and getting involved, contact our PTO President at avondalegatepto@gmail.com.
Read the information about our Lunch/Recess Aide!
Staff COntact Information
kate.martin@avondaleschools.org Kate Martin, Principal
raelynn.buczkowski@avondaleschools.org Raelynn Brookes, Social Work
jennifer.spencer@avondaleschools.org Jennifer Spencer, Learning Resource
edith.mccoy@avondaleschools.org Edith McCoy, Secretary
jeffrey.campbell@avondaleschools.org Jeffrey Campbell, Paraprofessional
heidi.heil@avondaleschools.org Heidi Heil, STEAM/PLTW
Amanda.Merrill@avondaleschools.org Amanda Merrill, 2/3
jillian.porterfield@avondaleschools.org Jillian Porterfield, 2/3
lisa.momblanco@avondaleschools.org Lisa Momblanco, 2/3
laurie.waterhouse@avondaleschools.org Laurie Waterhouse, 4/5
erica.burmann@avondaleschools.org Erica Burmann, 4/5
elizabeth.lowe@avondaleschools.org Lisa Lowe, Art/Drama
rachel.breeden@avondaleschools.org Rachel Breeden, 6/7/8
michael.bigelow@avondaleschools.org Mike Bigelow, 6/7/8
michelle.gierman@avondaleschools.org Michelle Gierman, 4/5
megan.zimmerman@avondaleschools.org Megan Zimmerman, 4/5
joel.tossey@avondaleschools.org Joel Tossey, PE/HEALTH
megan.sroka@avondaleschools.org Megan Sroka, 6/7/8
hannah.syme@avondaleschools.org Hannah Syme, Spanish
Avondale Student Code of Conduct
The Basics
Avondale GATE Magnet School
1435 West Auburn Road, Rochester Hills, MI 48309
Front Office/Mrs. McCoy: 248-537-6400
Attendance Line: 248-537-6410
Fax: 248-537-6405
If your child will be absent, please call and leave a message on the attendance line. If you have a middle school child that attends Concert Band at AMS, you must also inform the AMS office at 248-537-6310.
Our Entrance:
Turn into the stoplight where the Avondale Middle School sign is.
Make a left at the first street.
Look for the GATE sign, these are our front doors.
Full Day: 8:00am - 3:01pm
Please make every effort to be ON TIME. Your child is tardy at 8:01am. You must park and come sign them in at the office when this occurs.
Full Day: 8:00am – 3:01pm
Half-Day Dismissal: 11:15am
Early Release (Teacher Professional Development): 1:05pm
Office Hours: 7:15am - 3:15pm
Arrival: 7:45-8:00am
Dismissal: 3:01
Ms. Kate Martin, Principal
Front Office: 248-537-6400
kate.martin@avondaleschools.org
Twitter: @KateMartinGATE
Facebook: Find our page "Avondale GATE Magnet School"
All About Ms. Martin:
This is my 15th year in education, and 3rd year as GATE Principal.
I have taught in both elementary and middle school, gifted and general education.
I am originally from this area, but I lived in North and South Carolina for 10 years at the beginning of my education career.
I have two beautiful daughters, Hayley (8) and Claire (5) who both attend Woodland Elementary.
I have two spunky and loud dogs, Rocky and Brando.
Education:
B.A. Elementary Education (K-8) & Integrated Science (6-8)
M.Ed. Middle Grades Science
K-12 Administrator License
K-12 Gifted and Talented Endorsement
Board Member, Michigan Association of Gifted Children