Yake Elementary School

Good Afternoon Yake Families,

This is Mr. Podlewski writing to say hello and welcome you to the 2025.26 school year. This email matches the phone message that is going out now.

I want to update families on the Yake Closure and Cleaning that began last Friday. The air in the building has been thoroughly tested, and there are no mold spores present in the air anywhere in Yake. The air quality is as good, or better, than outside.

The entire school was cleaned and fogged through a multi-step professional process, not just the rooms where mold was first noticed.

Two classrooms remain sealed because carpet samples tested positive for mold. The mold is not visible and not in the air. Those rooms are isolated until the carpet is fully remediated and cleared.

The testing shows mold is not traveling through the HVAC system. The cleaning methods used prevent spores from moving to other areas.

We’re holding Open House outside tonight out of an abundance of caution, until every classroom is fully cleared and reopened.

We know some students, staff and parents have allergies or compromised immune systems. Please know the building is safe for everyone — and no room will reopen until it has been cleared.

On a positive note, we will have an ice cream truck from Sweet Treat available with ice cream for every Yake Gator who joins us tonight.

Thank you for your patience and understanding. I look forward to seeing all of my Gators outside this evening and I look forward to welcoming them into a super clean building on Tuesday morning.

Have a great day!
Tim Podlewski

Dear Yake Families,

Please see the message below from our Superintendent, Mark Greathead. Our intention is to have Yake open and ready to go for Open House on Wednesday from 5:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. Please plan on joining with the understanding that classrooms may not be set up in the manner that teachers are accustomed to. They usually have weeks to prepare as opposed to hours.

Please read the letter below and let me know if you have any questions. I look forward to welcoming our families to Yake on Wednesday evening.

Tim Podlewski

Dear Yake Families,
I want to provide you information regarding a temporary closure of Yake Elementary. About a week and a half ago, mold was discovered in a pair of classrooms. As we inspected further, it was found in additional areas as well. Our maintenance team quickly fixed the cause—an issue with the HVAC system—and we brought in a nationally recognized restoration firm to conduct testing and carry out a building-wide cleaning and mitigation plan.

The good news is that air quality testing showed results as good as, if not better than, outdoor air. However, because the cleaning process covers the entire school, areas must be completely isolated once they are cleaned so they remain safe and protected until the full process is complete.

To prioritize the health, comfort, and confidence of our students and staff, Yake Elementary will remain closed through Tuesday, August 26. By that time, the school will be fully cleaned, safe, and ready for learning.

I know this closure is concerning, and I greatly appreciate your patience and support as we work to ensure Yake Elementary is the best and healthiest environment for our children.

Thank you,
Mark Greathead
Superintendent
Woodhaven-Brownstown School District

--
Timothy S. Podlewski
Principal
Yake Elementary School
16400 Carter Rd. E.
Woodhaven, MI 48183
(734)692-2230 (office)
(734)692-2234(fax)

Did you know that families who have a child ages 0 to five years old in the Woodhaven-Brownstown School District are eligible for free books on a monthly basis from our partnership with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library? Check out the link here: https://imaginationlibrary.com/check-availability/

🚍💜 Welcome to the Warrior Family! 💜🚍

This week we hosted our annual New Staff Orientation and were excited to welcome 16 new teachers, 3 paraprofessionals, 2 security team members, and our newest athletic trainer (making two full time ATs supporting Warrior athletes!).

We’re thrilled to have these amazing new team members join WBSD as they prepare for a great school year. And what better way to kick things off than with a photo alongside one of our new electric buses—a symbol of the future we’re building together! ⚡️

Let’s give our newest Warriors a warm welcome! 💪📚✏️

Good afternoon,

I can't believe we are getting so close to the start of the 2025.26 school year.  I apologize for the delay in getting our Gator Bites out this afternoon.  I know families are looking at their class assignments as the newsletter is being shared.  I have almost all of our Gators scheduled with the exception of a few new kindergarten students.  I will have all of our Gators scheduled by the end of the day.  

With this being said, please peek at our Gator Bites for the upcoming week.  You will find information about Open House, Lunch & Breakfast this year, Bond Updates, information about how to access Parent Connect, 4th grade NAEP testing, Bus Route information and more.

https://secure.smore.com/n/dst9y 

Please take a moment to review our Gator Bites and feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
I hope that you have a great weekend!  I look forward to seeing all of our Gators and their families during Open House on Wednesday evening.

Tim Podlewski

💻🎙️ New Episode of the Warrior Way Podcast!

“Tech Ready: WBSD’s Approach to a Safe and Smart Digital Future”

With a new school year on the horizon, Superintendent Mark Greathead sits down with Director of Technology Lyndsay Johnson-Lemieux to talk all things tech at WBSD:
✅ Device protection plans for families
✅ Digital citizenship and online safety
✅ Our new AI Guide for students, parents, and staff
✅ How tools like School AI are enhancing — not replacing — teaching

Listen in to learn how WBSD is preparing students to succeed in a digital world while keeping safety front and center.

🎧 Tune in here: https://rss.com/podcasts/thewarriorway/2177391/

#WarriorWayPodcast #GoWarriors #DigitalFuture

Good afternoon,

The summer sure flew by. I hope that all of our Gators and their families are soaking up the month of August. For new Yake families, our Gator Bites usually go out at 1:00 p.m. every Friday afternoon. I am still on summer time a moving a bit slower today. In all sincerity, please click on the link below to read about some upcoming events including our Open House on August 27th, the first day of school, information about teacher assignments and more.

https://secure.smore.com/n/5pf73

Please note that Teacher Requests were due on May 1st and class rosters are all set for the upcoming school year.
For new kindergarten families, if you haven't already signed up for a Kindergarten Skills Screening time slot next Wednesday or Thursday, please click on the link in the Gator Bites to do so.

Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions as we move closer to the start of the 2025/26 school year.

Have a great weekend!
Tim Podlewski

📌 Annual Enrollment Confirmation – Action Required
Before the 2025–26 school year begins, all parents/guardians must complete the Annual Enrollment Confirmation in Parent Connect. This quick online process ensures we have your current email, phone number, and emergency contact information in the WBSD system.
Completing this step is required before you can view your student’s teacher or class schedule.
📢 Teacher & Classroom Assignments
Available in Parent Connect starting Friday, August 22 at 4 p.m.

Exception: Brownstown Middle School schedules/teacher assignments will be posted Thursday, August 21

✅ Remember: You must finish the Annual Enrollment Confirmation in Parent Connect before you’ll be able to view your student’s schedule and teacher.
🔗 Log in to Parent Connect: https://sisweb.resa.net/woodhaven/ParentPortal
❓ Need help? Visit: https://www.mywbsd.org/page/parent-connect-resources
Or email parentconnect@wbsdweb.com or contact your child’s school office for more information.

Good afternoon, Yake families!

Our block of rooms at Kalahari on President's Day are ready to book! Don't miss out on this always day of fun filled with Yake Gators and their families. I love seeing my Gators at Kalahari on President's Day every year.

Please see the flyer and click on the link below to book your room at Kalahari on President's Day! You don't want to miss out on a great deal for a room and a few days of waterpark fun with some great Yake families at Kalahari on President's Day, which will be on Monday, February 16, 2026! The rooms sell out every year. Be sure to book early to reserve your room.

https://book.passkey.com/event/51090512/owner/49785631/home

Please let me know if you have any questions.
Tim Podlewski

📚✨ Turn in your Think Stretch Workbooks by September 12! ✨📚

We are so proud of our students for keeping up their skills over the summer and getting ready for an amazing new school year! 🎉

🏅 Gold Medal – 100% completed
🥈 Silver Medal – 75% completed
🥉 Bronze Medal – 50% completed

Let’s celebrate all that hard work! 💪📖
#ThinkStretch #StudentSuccess #MedalTime #SummerLearning

🚨 NOW HIRING!
Join the Sodexo team at Woodhaven-Brownstown School District

📍 Available Positions:
🍽️ School Lunch Aide
👩‍🍳 Food Service Worker

Enjoy day-one benefits and opportunities for growth with a company that cares. Full-time and part-time positions available!

📲 Scan the QR codes below or apply now at jobs.us.sodexo.com

Let’s serve our students together!

#WBSD #SodexoJobs #NowHiring #SchoolJobs #FoodService #WoodhavenJobs #JoinOurTeam

🚍🥪🕒 Back-to-school essentials, covered!
In our latest Warrior Way Podcast, Supt. Mark Greathead chats with experts from Transportation, Food Services, and Champions about everything you need to know — getting to school, what's for lunch, and before/after care.

🎧 Listen now: https://rss.com/podcasts/thewarriorway/2154464/
#TheWarriorWay #BackToSchool #WBSD

🎊 Final Check-In Celebration! Join us from 12–2 PM to celebrate your summer learning with fun, food, and inflatables! 🎒 Bring your Think Stretch book one last time 📍 Woodhaven Civic Park Pavilion

🎉 It’s our final Summer Meet Up of the season! 🎉

Over the past few weeks, students have explored Mad Science, discovered Michigan Mammals, met Birds of Prey, and even learned how to play Lacrosse with the WHS Lacrosse Team 🧪🦉🏑

Whether you’ve joined us for every session or this would be your first, everyone is welcome to come out for one last afternoon of fun!

📍 Civic Center Park Pavilion, on Hall Rd. in Woodhaven
🕛 Tomorrow | August 6 | 12–2 p.m.
Let’s close out the summer together! 💜

🎉 The BIG FINALE is almost here! Wrap up your summer learning with us this Wednesday at Civic Park! 🎈 Bounce houses, balloon animals, face painters & Kona Ice await 📚 Final Think Stretch check-in = prize entries & medals!

Hello all my Gators!  Join me next week at Rev'd Up Fun, featuring a sale-priced wristband for $12! I'm sure all my Gators will enjoy seeing some of their fellow classmates they have been missing this summer.  The $12 price point wristband must be purchased the night by Wednesday night. In addition, our PTO will be earning $5 back from every PRE PURCHASED game card.  https://shop.revdupfun.com/retail/items/g/yake?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwL50y1leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHtbtdT2iZAxBBrTvs9FUshrvNCZMsb8oolpcXkVL0bTpMLPMXIcSwkimrZOU_aem_RyYO21BRyp2z88aTpoJMxA Once per year:  📄WAIVER REQUIRED. Due to insurance requirements, waivers are now required for guests using the attractions. Please help to communicate to your families to do this prior to arrival by going to the link below. This will speed up check in time. Thank you for your understanding.  https://waivers.adv.centeredge.io/age-verification?siteid=4d7bf77a-38d2-4960-ae20-da95994bed94&returnUrl=https:%2F%2Frevdupfun.centeredgeonline.com 🍕FOOD AND BEVERAGE - please help us communicate that there will be longer wait times for the food and beverage services as we have a larger number of guests ordering at the same time. Early ordering provides families with the best chance at shorter wait times.  Those who purchased the pizza and pop ticket will receive 2 slices of pizza and one 20 oz. beverage, no refills. Tickets are redeemed at the group food station at 6pm. Additional food can be ordered at the Filling Station from 5-8:30pm. The event is from 5-9PM. Your guests will get in our general public line (unless they are members) and will show their registration barcode (either print or digital) from their confirmation email.  

Check out the WBSD Calendar-at-a-Glance for the 2025-26 School Year. This includes important dates such as conferences and breaks.

🏈🎙️ Fall Sports Are Back, Warriors! 🎙️🏐
The latest Warrior Way Podcast is all about the start of the 2025–26 athletic season! Superintendent Mark Greathead sits down with WHS Athletic Director Keith Christnagel and Middle School AD Jared Nicholls to cover:

✅ First practice dates
✅ Sports physicals & pay-to-participate (Reminder Warrior Physical Day is Tuesday, August 5!)
✅ Summer safety tips
✅ Why athletics matter in education
✅ How YOU can get involved with the Booster Club

Whether you’re a new sports parent or a returning Warrior fan, this episode has everything you need to get game-day ready.
🎧 Listen now: https://rss.com/podcasts/thewarriorway/2144561/

#WarriorWay #GoWarriors #WBSDathletics #WarriorPride #FallSports #Podcast