Please click on the link below to take a look at our Gator Bites for the upcoming week. I can't believe we move into the month of May next Friday. The Upcoming Dates of Note are quite long as I have added all of our dates through the rest of the school year. In our newsletter, you will learn all about these events and more. Big events coming up include our continued M-STEP testing, Teacher Appreciation Day/Week, Bike & Roll to School Day, the Gator Family Fun Run, Arts, Beats & Eats, 3rd & 4th grade choir concerts in the Woodhaven High School Auditorium and more.
https://app.smore.com/n/qp8u5
As always, please take a peek at our newsletter and let me know if you have any questions or concerns. Please also note that any Teacher Requests submitted after 3:30 p.m. next Friday, May 1st will not be accepted.
Have a great weekend!
Tim Podlewski
A strong start makes all the difference. 🌈
The Woodhaven-Brownstown School District GSRP Preschool program helps children build confidence, independence, and foundational skills that prepare them for kindergarten and beyond.
📍 Available at all WBSD elementary schools
🗓 Program begins September 21, 2026
Ready to learn more? Complete the interest form today:
https://tinyurl.com/48wkemtn
We can’t wait to welcome our newest little Warriors! 💜


I hope that our Gators enjoyed our Fun Run kick-off this morning. I definitely need to work on my sprinting. Please take a few moments to review our Gator Bites for the upcoming week. You will learn more about upcoming field trips, M-STEP testing, Kindergarten Orientation for the Classes of 2039 & 2040 (Young Fives), Bike & Roll to School Day, the Gator Family Fun Run, Arts, Beats & Eats & more. Don't forget that Teacher Requests for the 2026.27 school year are due on May 1st, no exceptions!
https://app.smore.com/n/bnq9y
Thank you for peeking at our Gator Bites. I am super excited to meet our new kindergarten & Young Fives Gators on Thursday Night. Every new class brings energy and excitement as they become a part of the Yake community.
Have a great weekend!
Tim Podlewski
Please take a moment to click on the link below to learn more about our upcoming events during the rest of April and leading into May. The newsletter has lots of information, including a flyer for our Yake Family Dinner Night at Applebee's on Wednesday. Remember to mention Yake Elementary School when dining in or carrying out (online orders aren't allowed), our Teacher Request Policy and application (due May 1st), Take Your Child to Work Day (with a link to the permission slip to excuse the absence), Kindergarten Orientation on April 23rd, Bike & Roll to School Day, the Gator Family Fun Run, Arts, Beats & Eats, & more.
https://app.smore.com/n/ga1w7
Please note that families must request a ThinkStretch Workbook to receive one this summer. A link to order the free (to WBSD families) workbook can be found in the Gator Bites.
Please take a moment to review our newsletter and let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Have a great weekend!
Tim Podlewski
I hope that our Gators and their families are excited about the upcoming Spring Break. The break is a nice chance to rejuvenate as we prepare for the home stretch of the school year. Please click on the link below to learn about upcoming events including Yake Family Speed Puzzle Night, Yake Family Dinner Night at Applebee's, Kindergarten Orientation and more. You will also find links to opportunities like the Jim Bigham Elementary Track Championships & Drama Llama Day. Additionally, you will find information about our Teacher Request Policy, the Teacher Request Form (due by May 1st) and the Take Your Child to Work Day permission slip.
https://app.smore.com/n/esbv5
I know we have quite a bit packed into this newsletter. Please take a moment to review and let me know if you have any questions or concerns. If you know of any families interested in Yake for kindergarten or young fives in the fall, please feel free to share the newsletter and links. Particularly for families looking at Yake as their Building of Choice, they need to get registered ASAP. I am more than happy to speak with any prospective families and/or schedule building tours if they are interested.
Have a good weekend and a great Spring Break! I will look forward to seeing all of my Gators when they return to school on Tuesday, April 7th.
Tim Podlewski
🎒 Is your little one ready to learn, grow, and make new friends?
If your child turns 4 years old on or before September 1, they may qualify for GSRP Preschool through the Woodhaven-Brownstown School District!
Our program focuses on:
✨ Early literacy
✨ Social-emotional growth
✨ Learning through play
✨ Kindergarten readiness
💻 Start the process by completing our interest form:
https://tinyurl.com/48wkemtn
Let’s get your child’s educational journey started!

I know we have quite a number of Gators already involved in theatre between DYPAC and the Downriver Actors Guild. For those Gators and any others who may be interested in theatre, please see the attachment and message below from 3x Defending State Champ Woodhaven Theatre Company's director, Mike Clemons. Many current members of the State Champion WTC got their first exposure to the world of theatre during Drama Llama Day when they were in elementary school. See the attached flyer and click on the QR code to register your Gator for this day of theatre fun.
Tim Podlewski
Hello!!
The Woodhaven Theatre Company will be hosting our annual Drama Llama Day on Saturday, April 25 at Woodhaven High School. This event is focused on introducing elementary students to the world of Theatre. Interactive workshops will focus on topics, such as Acting, Scenery, Lighting, Sound, Props, Stage Combat, Costuming and more.
Registration is open until WEDNESDAY 4/8. $20 per participant (covers t-shirt, lunch, and workshop supplies). More information can be found on the flyer.
--
Timothy S. Podlewski
Principal
Yake Elementary School
16400 Carter Rd. E.Woodhaven, MI 48183
(734)692-2230 (office)
(734)692-2234(fax)

Happy first day of spring! Please click on the link below for lots of information about events coming up next week and during the month of April when we return from spring break. In this edition of our Gator Bites, you will learn about Kindergarten Enrollment, which is currently open, Spring Break, our Teacher Request Policy and Application Form (remember, you get one request during your child's time at Yake and it is DUE BY MAY 1ST), the Yake Family Speed Puzzle Night, the Yake Family Night at Applebee's, field trips, M-STEP testing, Kindergarten Orientation, and more. You will also see a great video from our Candy Land game experience that took place yesterday afternoon. We truly have THE BEST PTO! Seriously, what other elementary school PTO could pull off an event like this?
https://app.smore.com/n/2sq4k
Please take a moment to review and please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Have a great weekend!
Tim Podlewski
Start Strong at Woodhaven-Brownstown.
From learning letters and numbers to building friendships and routines, our kindergarten classrooms focus on the skills that matter most in a child’s first school experience.
👉 In-district registration for Young Fives and Kindergarten is open TODAY!

What a busy, fun day! From our visit with Senator Camilleri this morning to BINGO for Books to the 2nd grade Coin Wars reward, we have a fun Friday. Big "Thank you!" to our PTO for taking on these initiatives while providing dinner for our staff during conferences last night. We have an amazing PTO and they are very much appreciated.
With that said, please click on the link below for a peek at our Gator Bites, which is full of information that will take us through the month of March and into the month of April. In our newsletter, you will find information about Kindergarten Enrollment starting on Monday, our Rev'D Up Fun Family Night on Wednesday, Spring Break, field trips, M-STEP testing and more.
https://app.smore.com/n/0p4bh
Please enjoy reading through our newsletter and please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Have a great weekend!
Tim Podlewski
I hope that our Gators are enjoying their half day off from school and are looking forward to our always fun Winter Carnival that will be starting at 6:00 p.m. tonight. By clicking on the link below, you will learn more about upcoming events during the month of March. You will learn about our Grandparents Social, Parent-Teacher Conferences, Kindergarten Enrollment, the Yake Family Night at Rev'D Up Fun, Spring Break and more.
https://app.smore.com/n/0h5zy
Please take a moment to review and let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Have fun at the Winter Carnival tonight and have a great weekend!
Tim Podlewski
Attention parents of incoming WBSD Kindergartners! Is your little one ready for a summer of discovery? We are thrilled to announce our 2026 Kinder Literacy Lab - a FREE, 8-week hands-on program designed to give your student a head start on literacy and science.
🧪 What to Expect:
Fun science experiments and activities.
Early writing and literacy skills.
FREE books for every participant!
Daily snack and lunch provided.
📅 The Details:
Dates: June 16th – August 6th, 2026
Days: Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday
Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
FREE for incoming WBSD Kindergartners!
📍 Locations (Summer 2026):
Due to construction at several of our buildings, program sites are centralized this summer:
Erving Elementary: Hosting Erving, Wegienka, and Bates students.
Yake Elementary: Hosting Yake and Gudith students.
⚠️ Important Notes:
Limited Space: Each school has only 15 seats available. If we receive more applications than seats, an enrollment lottery will be used.
Transportation: Is NOT included; parents must provide transport.
Enrollment: This program is for registered students. Kindergarten enrollment for the 26-27 school year is a separate process - visit our website for details (Kindergarten enrollment begins on March 16).
🔗 Ready to Apply?
Don't wait! Submit your application here: https://tinyurl.com/arsk2ruf
Questions? Reach out to us at curriculum@wbsdweb.com.
#WBSD #WoodhavenBrownstown #KindergartenReady #WarriorStrong #SummerLearning

Click on the link below to take a peek at our Gator Bites as we move into the always busy month of March. In our Gator Bites, you will see that we made our Coin Wars goal and you will learn about exciting events including Reading Month Spirit week, which begins on Monday, our always popular Winter Carnival taking place next Friday, the Scholastic Book Fair, the Grandparents Social, Kindergarten Enrollment, the Yake Family Fun Night at Rev'D Up Fun, Spring Break and more.
https://app.smore.com/n/4rt1y
As we move into Reading Month, please remember that children model what they see in their parents and the adults in their lives. Carve our 20 minutes each night to unplug and read together as a family. Whether you are reading a book, a magazine, a graphic novel, make sure your Gators see you enjoying reading. This may become your favorite 20 minutes each night.
Big "Thank you!" to all of our families who helped make our Coin Wars a success!
Please enjoy reviewing our newsletter and feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns.
Have a great weekend!
Tim Podlewski
📚GSRP Interest Form Is Open!
🌟 Preschool Families — We’re Ready for You! 🌟
Do you have a child who turns 4 years old on or before September 1? It may be time to enroll in the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) at the Woodhaven-Brownstown School District!
Our GSRP Preschool is offered at each of our elementary buildings, giving your child a strong start in a nurturing, engaging learning environment. 💜
Program begins: September 21, 2026
👉 Fill out the interest form today:
https://tinyurl.com/48wkemtn

📚 Big news for our littlest learners!
Woodhaven-Brownstown School District proudly participates in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, providing FREE, high-quality books every month to children from birth to age 5 who live in the district.
New, groundbreaking research - the largest shared book reading study ever - shows that children enrolled in Imagination Library have stronger early literacy skills, are more interested in books, and are read to more often at home than children not in the program. By putting books directly into families’ homes during the most critical years of brain development, Imagination Library helps build a lifelong love of reading and sets children up for long-term success. 💜
📖 Enrollment is free for WBSD families with children ages birth–5!
👉 Click here to sign up: https://imaginationlibrary.com/check-availability/
#WBSD #ImaginationLibrary #EarlyLiteracy #FutureWarriors

We are looking for volunteers for our always fun Winter Carnival! Our carnival is scheduled to run from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. next Friday, March 6th. If you would like to volunteer to assist with the event our Gators love, please click on the link below to sign-up.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0A48A4AA23A6FF2-62459378-winter
Please let me know if you have any questions. I look forward to seeing many of you there.
Mr. Podlewski
Join us LIVE as our talented elementary finalists compete at Woodhaven High School in this year’s Future Chefs competition!
Meet our incredible finalists and the delicious dishes they’ll be creating:
🥔 Zadie Cernuto, 3rd Grade – Erving Elementary School
German Potato Salad
🍝 Thea Khoury-Johnson, 4th Grade – Gudith Elementary School
S.S. (Special Spaghetti) with Garlic Bread
🌮 Audrey Napier, 4th Grade – Wegienka Elementary School
Audrey’s Famous Fajitas
🧀 Ella VanMarter, 3rd Grade – Yake Elementary School
Cheesy Chicken Quesadilla
Each student created an original recipe inspired by flavors from around the world, and one winner will advance to the Future Chefs National Challenge for a chance at exciting prizes! 🏆
📅 Watch the competition live here:
🎥 https://youtube.com/live/wasNFRCnubM?feature=share
Tune in, cheer them on, and celebrate the creativity of our young chefs! 🌍💜

Please click on the link below to take a peek at our Gator Bites going into the last week of February. By peeking at our Gator Bites, you will learn about upcoming events including our Yake Family Dinner Night at Panda Express tonight, our Yake Coin Wars, Spring Picture Day, half-days of school coming in the month of March, the Winter Carnival, the Grandparents Social, Parent-Teacher Conferences, Kindergarten Enrollment, Spring Break and more.
https://app.smore.com/n/zwse0c
Thank you for reviewing our newsletter. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Have a great weekend!
Tim Podlewski
