Allyson Smith, Principal at Wacousta Elementary
October 24, 2025
Important Upcoming Dates
October 28-29: Hearing and Vision Screenings
October 31: Halloween Day Parade and Class Parties
November 4: PTIA 6:00 p.m.
November 6: Snack Shop
November 7: No School - Staff Professional Development
November 10-14: Book Fair (details below)
November 11, 13, and 14: Parent Teacher Conferences (sign-up link below)
November 14: Half Day of School – Students Released at 12:10
November 26-28: Thanksgiving Break – No school
December 1: No School – Staff Professional Development
Highlights and Happenings from Ms. Smith
We’ve been working hard at Wacousta this year to implement our new literacy program, and we have big goals to boost achievement and accelerate growth in reading.
Reading aloud is one of the most effective ways you can help your child at home. When you read together at home, you naturally introduce new vocabulary, model fluent and expressive reading, and share a love for books and reading with your child. Additional benefits of reading aloud include:
- Boost early literacy skills such as rhyming, letter recognition, and the ability to hear sounds.
- Help develop language and literacy skills by exposing children to new vocabulary, supporting an understanding of how a
text is structured, and developing comprehension skills.
- Builds background knowledge by exposing children to the world around them through different types of text, like fiction,
science fiction, historical fiction, biographies, and informational texts.
- Consider carving out 10-15 minutes of your afterschool or bedtime routines to read aloud together and fall in love with a
book!
Thank you, Rotary!
The Rotary Club of Grand Ledge completed its 3rd annual dictionary project – giving a physical reference book to every 4th-grade student at Wacousta. Rotary member Bruce Dunn coordinates the event with our schools, and a group of Rotarians visit each elementary school. Rotary believes in helping the community and supporting literacy as a critical life skill. Rotary gave out almost 500 dictionaries this year, and we appreciate their generosity. It was so fun to see how excited the students were to have their very own book to take home!
Specials Spotlight: News from the Art Studio
Happy Fall from Mrs. Parsons in the Wacousta Art Studio. All of our Wacousta artists have been working hard, being creative, and having fun while learning. You can check out information and pictures in our art studio newsletter HERE!
Hearing and Vision Screenings
Next Tuesday and Wednesday, October 28 & 29, the Barry-Eaton Health Department will be on site to perform hearing and vision screenings for grades DK-4. Please click here for the BEHD brochure to learn more about the screening and to see which screenings your child's grade level will be receiving. If you have any questions, please call the office at (517) 925-5940. Thank you!
Parent Teacher Conferences
Parent Teacher Conferences are coming up in November. Parent-teacher conferences are an important opportunity to strengthen the partnership between home and school. They give us dedicated time to talk about your child’s progress, celebrate their growth, and work together to support their continued success. Your insight and collaboration make a real difference in your child’s learning journey. Please take a moment to sign up for a conference time. We look forward to connecting with you!
Appointments are being scheduled in 15-minute increments during the following times:
Tuesday, November 11 - 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. in person
Thursday, November 13 - 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. in person
Friday, November 14 - 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. virtual
Here is the link to schedule a meeting with your student’s teacher: https://www.ptcfast.com/schools/Wacousta_Elementary_School
If you have difficulty scheduling an appointment, please call the school office at 517-925-5900. We'll be happy to assist you.
Book Fair
Our Literati FALL Book Fair is right around the corner, and you are invited to come and celebrate reading! The book fair will begin Monday, November 10th, and end Friday, November 14th. It will be open to everyone during regular School Hours, as well as the parent-teacher conference times listed above. Students will have an opportunity to preview books and be able to make purchases during school hours.
Books make great gifts! You can also access the online “Companion Book Fair” at: eFairs.Literati.com from Oct. 17 – Nov. 10. Once you reach the site, search for Wacousta Elementary to begin shopping.
Profits from the Book Fair are used to add books and supplies to our school's Media Center. Thank you for your support!
PTIA Fall Fundraiser
The Charleston Wrap fundraiser is off to a great start! Thank you to all who have participated so far! Fundraiser packets went home in backpacks on Monday, and there are a few extras in the office if needed. The fundraiser will close on November 7th. If you have any questions, please reach out to the PTIA at ptiawacousta@gmail.com or via Facebook.
Halloween
Halloween is right around the corner, and we are excited to celebrate together at Wacousta! As you read through the details below, please know that a few things may look a little different this year. Any changes we’ve made come from our commitment to keeping all students safe and ensuring everyone can enjoy the day. We truly appreciate your understanding and partnership as we work together to create a fun, safe, and memorable celebration for our kids.
Costumes: Costumes should be school-friendly — not too scary, no weapons or blood of any kind, and no full face makeup. Costumes should be easy for students to put on and take off independently, as it will be difficult for staff to assist every student. We also ask that costumes can fit over school clothes so students can easily change in the classroom.
Parties: Class parties will take place from 1:45 – 2:45 p.m. Your child’s teacher will share specific details about activities and treats for their classroom celebration. To ensure that classrooms have enough space for games and activities, and to help our front office staff check in visitors smoothly and safely, volunteer spots will be limited to four per classroom. All volunteers must have completed the “Volunteer Application” process in order to work with students. The application can be found on the district website under the “Family & Student Resources” tab.
Parade: Our all-school parade will begin at 2:45 p.m. Families are invited to join us outside to watch. In the case of inclement weather, the parade will take place in the gym. Only students and staff will be allowed to enter the building after the parade.
Parking: Please park in the old school lot, by the gym entrance.
Dismissal: If you plan to take your child home after the parade, you must indicate with the office that they will be parent pick-up. Students identified as pick-up will be dismissed from their classrooms at normal release time to go to parent pick-up. *Special Note: To ensure a safe and efficient end of day dismissal, no early releases will take place between the end of the parade and the all-school dismissal times.
In an effort to make pick-up go smoothly, please do not park in the pick-up line and get out of your car to get your student. Staff will bring your student to your vehicle. Please be sure to place your student(s) name(s) on an 8 ½ x 11 sheet of paper in your car window.
We’re looking forward to a fun and festive afternoon with our students and families!
Holiday Support Needs
Information for family supports during the holidays can be found in the Community Information section of the district news, linked below. If you would like to donate a toy for the Grand Ledge Shopping Tour, the barrel for receiving them has been placed in the vestibule by the office entrance.
Upcoming Events, District News, & Community Information
Please review what the school district shares in newsletters about events, news, and information, please visit http://GLcomets.net/Upcoming.
Allyson Smith
Principal, Wacousta Elementary School
9325 Herbison Rd., Eagle, MI 48822 (517) 925-5940 FAX (517) 925-5970
