Leonard Elementary

Leonard Parents and Guardians,

The month of April is celebrated as Neurodiversity Acceptance month. At Leonard Elementary, we are dedicated to raising awareness about individuals on the autism spectrum as well as educating about inclusion and acceptance of everyone! During the month of April, Mrs. McLeod, our Family School Liaison (FSL) will teach Disability Awareness lessons in all classrooms. All month long we will emphasize belonging, community, and embracing the unique qualities that make each of us special. 

I simply wanted to make you aware of this wonderful opportunity for the students in our community to learn more about this topic. Please reach out to Erin if you have any questions. Her phone number is 248-969-1845. Her email is erin.mcleod@oxfordschools.org

Thank you.

Marty Kaye

Leonard Elementary - Interim Principal

Leonard Parents and Guardians,

Please see this flyer regarding in-person help with enrolling students in Oxford Community Schools. Please consider passing this information along to anyone you know who may be interested. Thank you!

Dear Leonard Elementary Families,

All after-school activities at Leonard Elementary are cancelled for today due to the ongoing power outage.

Please note that school dismissal will still proceed as usual this afternoon. Please follow your standard pick-up routines at the normal time.

In the event of an emergency or an urgent need this afternoon, you may reach the school at (248) 515-5551. We ask that this line only be used for urgent matters.

Have a great weekend,

Leonard Elementary School

Due to the ongoing power outage, we have made the difficult decision to reschedule today’s 2:30 p.m. 5th grade capstone presentations. We know this is a disappointment for our students and families who have worked so hard to prepare. We want to ensure our students have the best possible environment to showcase their learning.

What happens next:

• Our 5th-grade team is working to select a new date.

• We will communicate that date to you as soon as it is finalized.

Thank you for your patience and understanding with these unanticipated circumstances.

There is currently a power outage at Leonard Elementary caused by today’s high winds.

• Current Status: We are working closely with DTE, though we do not yet have an estimated time for power restoration.

• Student Wellbeing: Our students are calm, safe, and doing great. All students have received lunch. Our incredible staff members are handling the situation with total professionalism and care.

5th Grade Capstone Update

Student presentations are currently scheduled for 2:30 PM today. If power is not restored by that time, we will reschedule the presentations.

We will make a final determination on the Capstone schedule as soon as we have more information from DTE.

Thank you for your patience and support as we navigate this "off grid" afternoon!

5th Grade Parents,

Please click the link below for some important information about upcoming curriculum for 5th graders in Oxford Schools, and thus Leonard Elementary School. If you have any questions regarding the information in the link below, please contact Vic Black. The email address is:

vic.black@oxfordschools.org

Parent Preview Materials for Oxford Community Schools 5th Grade Growth and Development

Thank you,

Marty Kaye

Leonard Families,

Just a few reminders during these cold weather months:

• Please be sure your child has a winter coat

• Please be sure, they have boots, hats, gloves and anything else you would like to send, including snow pants

Depending on the weather if a student does not have the proper clothes to be safe outside and we do not have extras in the office, which we sometimes do, they might need to stay inside.

Our top 3 concerns are the right coat, gloves and hats. If a student does not have boots or snow pants, we might keep them out of the snow depending on how deep and wet it is.

Please reach out with any questions or concerns.

Happy Thanksgiving Break - And a Giving Tree Update

Good Morning Leonard Families,

We hope you all enjoy a restful Thanksgiving Break, starting with our early release today, Tuesday the 25th. School is closed tomorrow and we will reopen for 3 full weeks of school from December 1 through December 19 prior to Winter Break.

Many of you are familiar with our Giving Tree initiative here at Leonard, a program we are running again this year. Please see the link below (Sign Up Genius) in order to offer help to many of our Leonard families this holiday season.

If you have any questions, please call the school and we can help. Thanks in advance to all of you who are able to participate and help out.

Leonard Giving Tree - 2025

Marty Kaye

Greetings Leonard Families,

Thanks so much to those of you who warmly welcomed me upon my arrival this past week. I also appreciate all of your patience and understanding with our new arrival and dismissal procedures.

The morning is going very smoothly. The afternoon is going as planned, as we have consistently had every car gone within 10 minutes of dismissal which is our goal. We are continuing to work on efficiency on our end by solidifying staff tasks, among other things.

Please (!!) continue adhering to our procedures, including not parking in the front lot and walking up to pick up your student, then walking back to the lot. One of several reasons for these changes was to avoid that foot traffic in the driveway and parking lot while cars are coming and going. Thank you!! We look forward to another great week with your children!!

Good news! Power has been restored at Leonard Elementary. Students are continuing their day as planned.

Leonard Elementary School

Good afternoon, Leonard Elementary families.

We want to let you know that the power is currently out at Leonard Elementary. Students are safe and have been having a great first day of school. At this time, we are awaiting information about the cause of the outage, but we are planning to keep students in session as scheduled. If there are any updates or changes, we will communicate with you right away.

If you need to reach the school in case of an emergency only, please call (248) 941-3385.

Thank you for your patience and support.

Leonard Elementary School

Dear Leonard Families
We are so excited to start the 2025-26 school year. This message is just a friendly reminder about our new arrival/dismissal procedures.

Please click on the following links for:
Arrival-Dismissal Procedures and Map
Car Loop Sign to be placed in your vehicle's dashboard

Thank you.

First Week of School 2025-2026
All 1st through 5th grade students begin school on Thursday, August 21, 2025.
We have planned a staggered start to the school year for our Kindergarten classrooms. Starting with only half the K students in our classroom will allow the teacher to teach routines and make connections to smaller groups of students.


We will begin the 2025-2026 year with only K students with last names A-M attending school on Thursday, August 21, 2025. Only K students with last names N-Z will come to school on Friday, August 22, 2025. All K students will attend on Monday, August 25, 2025.


Thursday, August 21: K students last name A-M attend school
Friday, August 22: K students with last name N-Z attend school
Monday, August 25: All K students attend school. (All students)

Thank you.

Dear Leonard Families

Please access the two links below to view our new arrival/dismissal procedures and video. Your child's bus information is now available in PowerSchool. Look for the transportation tab.

Please, it is very important that your child's teacher knows how your child is getting home each day. Please share that information with your teacher.

Leonard Elementary Arrival/Dismissal Procedures 2025-26

Leonard Arrival/Dismissal Procedures video

Thank you.

Dear Leonard Elementary Families,
The 2025-26 school year is quickly approaching. I hope you had an eventful summer making memories with family and friends! The Leonard Team is looking forward to sharing another year of learning together at Leonard Elementary with you and your child. The purpose of this message is to keep you informed with the most important/urgent information - please see your email that includes your Leonard Family Handbook for more information.

· Safety: Safety is a priority for us at Leonard Elementary. Please see the handbook for information specific to safety procedures and routines at Leonard.

· Class Placement: Class placements will be emailed by the end of the day Friday, August 15th.

· Bus Information: Bus information will be sent by Monday, August 18th. Routes are still being adjusted. When they are complete, bus information will be available on Powerschool.

· School Start and Dismissal Times: 9:03am – 4:05pm. Students can begin arriving at 8:53am. School personnel will begin supervising students for arrival at 8:53am each day. For student safety, please do not begin dropping students off until school personnel are outside greeting students in the parking lot.
We will have staff available outside and inside the building to ensure students find their classroom safely.
● Parent Drop-Off/Walkers ○ Students can enter into the building from two different locations starting at 8:53 AM.
■ Students in grades K-1 will be dropped off and proceed to the East Entrance Doors (Door #14) (by the kindergarten classrooms)
■ Students in grades 2-5 will be dropped off and proceed to the Main Office Entrance (Door #1)
■ For safety reasons, parents are not allowed to escort their students to class during the first week of school.

. Early Release Times: 9:03am-12:15pm.

· First Days: For student safety, parents and other visitors will not be allowed in the building. We will have staff directing students to their classrooms.
We will begin the 2025-2026 year with only K students with last names A-M attending school on Thursday, August 21, 2025. Only K students with last names N-Z will come to school on Friday, August 22, 2025. All K students will attend on Monday, August 25, 2025.

· Dismissal (more details to come). After the 15th when you receive your child’s class placement, the most important thing is to alert your child’s teacher of how your child will be traveling home; parent pick up, bus, walk.


There are many important dates and upcoming events as we begin the new school year. The most immediate are highlighted below.
· Information Update: It is very important that we have up-to-date information about all students on the first day of school. An email from Oxford Community Schools regarding the information update has been sent to you. This should be completed by August 18th. You will be asked to update phone numbers and provide information that we may need to use to contact you when your child is not feeling well or when we need to dismiss school early.

· August 18th: Leonard Pop in for Popsicles, 1:30pm-3:00pm: Pop in for Popsicles is a PTO sponsored open house event. All Leonard students are invited to stop in at Leonard between 1:30pm and 3:00pm to meet their teacher and see their classroom. Thank you to our PTO for providing popsicles.

· August 21st: First Day of School! All 1st-5th grade students and Kindergarten students last name A-M attend school
School begins at 9:03am. Dismissal is at 4:05pm. It is important that we have clear directions on how each student is going home from school.

· August 22nd All 1st-5th grade students and Kindergarten students with last name N-Z attend school

· August 25th: All students attend school

August 25th: Curriculum Night, 6:30pm-7:30pm: Students and parents are invited to come to Leonard at 6:30pm. Teachers will provide important information regarding the 2025-26 school year.

· No School August 29th and September 1st – Labor Day Weekend

· September 16th: School Picture Day


I am very excited to start the 25-26 school year with you, your children, and the Leonard Team. My email address is below - please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Dr. Gary van Staveren (Dr. van)
Aug 11-22, 2025 Principal, Leonard Elementary
gary.vanstaveren@oxfordschools.org
Marty Kaye, Leonard Principal will start Monday, August 25, 2025

Leonard Families,
A couple reminders of dates to put on your calendars.

On Monday, August 18th, from 1:30 - 3:00, we will be hosting a popsicle welcome. Just show up, enjoy a popsicle, and staff will be there to greet you in the building!!

On Monday, August 25th, from 6:30 - 7:30 pm, we will be hosting our Curriculum Night. Please join us to meet staff and learn a little bit about all of the wonderful learning opportunities in store for your children this school year.

Dr. Gary van Staveren (Dr. van) will serve as the interim principal August 11-22 at the onset of the 2025-26 school year. Dr. van brings 27 years of dedicated experience in public K12 education with a deep commitment to student learning and supporting our educational community.

He began his career spending eight years as a classroom teacher, teaching middle school mathematics, science, and computers. He then transitioned into building administration, serving 13 years at the elementary and secondary levels — eight of those years specifically as an elementary principal in Royal Oak and Rochester.

Since 2019, Dr. van has served Oxford Community Schools in various central office roles, including Assessment, Grants, and School Improvement Supervisor; Director of Curriculum and Instructional Technology; and currently as Public Information Manager. This diverse experience has equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of curriculum development, educational technology integration, and effective school-community communication.

On a personal note, he and his wife Rita and their four children reside in Oxford. Rita is an elementary principal in Romeo Community Schools. Throughout his career, Gary has remained focused on what matters most: ensuring every student has the opportunity to learn and grow while supporting the dedicated staff who make it possible and he is very much looking forward to opening Leonard Elementary to start the 2025-26 school year.