the west utica elementary stallion shelby township, mi ......happy birthday….while we would like...
TRANSCRIPT
West Utica Elementary 5415 West Utica Road
Shelby Township, MI 48317
Phone: (586) 797-6600 Fax: (586) 797-6601
Attendance: (586) 797-6699
“The Friendly School” March 2017
PRINCIPAL’S CORNER
Greetings West Utica Families,
March is Reading Month! This year our reading committee has chosen to bring the
spirt and competition of sports to West Utica Elementary. Our students will be
celebrating March is Reading Month with many fun- filled literacy activities all
month long.
The more a child reads the better he/she becomes at reading. The best thing you
can do to improve your child’s school achievement is to have him/her read at least
20 minutes every night. In our literacy rich society reading happens all around us
and can occur in many forms. Children can practice their reading skills in many
ways. They can always pick up a good book, read a magazine, read information
form a child safe web site or read the back of a cereal box. One of the best ways I
have found to encourage my own children to read more is to turn off the sound and
turn on the closed captions while they watch their favorite television show.
March is always a fun month here at West Utica Elementary and this March looks
to be the same. West Utica is a true School of Excellence and I thank all of our
students, staff, parents, and community members that work together to do what is
right for our children.
Our Mission is to challenge all students to reach their maximum potential and meet the demands of the future as responsible citizens.
The
Stallion
Express
WEST UTICA ELEMENTARY Calendar of Events 2015-2016
School Hours: Full Days: 9:00am-3:50pm Half Days: 9:00am-12:04pm
WEST UTICA ELEMENTARY 2016-2017 EVENTS CALENDAR
Mar. 7 Student Council meeting in rm 7, 4-5pm
March 13 Junior Optimist meeting in rm 18, 3:50-5pm March 13 Fashion Factory in ISM rm. 3:50-4:50pm
Mar. 15 Skate Night 6-8pm
March 15 ATG in MC 4-6pm March 20 Fashion Factory in ISM rm. 3:50-4:50pm
March 21 Young Rembrandts in ISM rm. 4-5pm March 28 Young Rembrandts in ISM rm. 4-5pm
Apr. 3 thru 4/9 return to school on Apr. 10, 2017 Apr. 10 Fashion Factory in ISM rm. 4-5pm
Apr. 11 Student Council meeting in rm 7, 4-5pm Apr. 11 Young Rembrandts in ISM rm. 4-5pm
Apr. 12 ATG in MC 4-6pm Apr. 17 Fashion Factory in ISM rm. 3:50-4:50pm
Apr. 18 Young Rembrandts in ISM rm. 4-5pm
Apr. 24 Junior Optimist meeting in rm 18, 3:50-5:00pm Apr. 24 Fashion Factory in ISM rm. 3:50-4:50pm
Apr. 24 Skate Night 6-8pm Apr. 25 Young Rembrandts in ISM rm. 4-5pm
Apr. 26 ATG in MC 4-6pm
Apr. 26 Music Concert grades 2 and 5, 6:30-7:30pm in gym
Parks and Rec basketball is every Wednesday and Thursday in the gym 6:30-8:45pm
SCHOOL VISITORS
Please remember when VISITING the school for any reason you will be
asked to show identification before being allowed to enter.
Our school newsletter at West Utica Elementary is posted on the West Utica Website. Carefully
reading the newsletter and using the monthly calendar will help you and your children.
Lunch Hours
1st Lunch (Kindergarten, 1st and 5th grade)
11:40-12:20 p.m.
11:40-12:00 eat
12:00-12:20 recess
2nd Lunch (2nd and 3rd grade
12:00-12:40p.m.
12:00-12:20 eat
12:20-12:40 recess
3rd Lunch (4th and 6th grade)
12:20-1:00 p.m.
12:20-12:40 eat
12:40-1:00 recess
Breakfast prices are increasing to $1.75. Lunch prices will increase to $2.75. Milk and juice will
still be $.45.
The fastest way to complete a free & reduced lunch application is to go to www.lunchapp.com
Follow the step by step instructions. It’s quick, easy and confidential.
For your convenience money can be deposited into your student’s lunch account at
www.sendmoneytoschool.com ************************** Doors open at 8:30am ONLY for students having BREAKFAST. If you do not
eat breakfast, you must walk around and line up in the back.
Students may ride their bicycles to school. Bikes must be parked upon arrival in the bike rack. It’s
a good idea to use a lock. Bike riders must be aware of basic traffic rules and bike safety rules. We
also promote the wearing of helmets when riding your bicycle.
All bikes are expected to yield to crossing guards and safeties.
Absolutely no scooters, roller blades, or skate boards.
Happy Birthday….While we would like to wish everyone a Happy Birthday on their
special day, school policy dictates that classroom teachers spend no more than 5 minutes to
recognize an individual student’s birthday. Due to allergies at the school: Please make sure all
food items are store bought such as cupcakes and cookes. Reminder: we do not allow any
balloons or flower bouquets to be brought into the classrooms. Please save those items for
your student to enjoy at home.
We will continue to collect Campbell’s soup labels, General Mills’ box tops, and Tyson Project
A+. We receive 10 cents for each General Mills box top. The Campbell’s soup labels earn points
toward items that are chosen for the Research Center. Each week they are collected by the teacher
and sent to the PTO for counting. There will be two contests this year to reward the classroom
collecting the most labels. This is a great way to earn money and equipment for our school. Start
clipping and send in labels and box tops
PTO:
At West Utica Elementary, all parents are encouraged to be involved in the education of their
children at all levels and are invited to work closely with teachers to optimize learning
opportunities that support academic achievement.
PTO Officers for the 2016-2017 school year
President Stephanie Sharp
Vice-President Troy Goins
Secretary Angie Micinski
Treasurer Melissa Radtke
Fundraising/Events Pam Smith
When you leave the house in the morning-Remember your
house keys.
After School What Do I Do:
Please make sure your child knows each day what they are supposed to do after school. Example: Ride on the bus, Walk home, Go to School Age Child Care. If for some reason there is a change of plans, call the office by no later than 3:30 PM so that we have time to notify your child.
Top Ten Reasons to Keep Your Child Home from School 1. Fever over 99.0F in the last 24 hours 6. Head Lice
2. Vomiting in the last 24 hours 7. Uncontrolled Cough
3. Diarrhea in the last 24 hours 8. Drainage from eyes
4. Unexplained rash following a fever 9.Earache or discharge from ears 10. Weekends and Holidays!
Label your child’s clothing:
Make sure you put your name on it. My Name Is……
Please label your child’s clothing, lunchbox and any other valuables with their name and
homeroom number. If your child loses something, please have them check the lost and found. All
items will be donated to a local charity at the end of every quarter
Attendance: A Key to Your Child’s Success!
Schools are responsible for teaching your child, but schools can’t do their job if your child is
absent. Learning builds day by day. A child who misses a day of school misses a day of learning.
Research shows that children who are in school most of the time do better on state tests. Studies
also show that children who are absent more often score lower on state tests.
Being late for school hurts a child’s learning, too. A student who is 10 minutes late every day
will miss 30 hours of instruction during the year.
Children can copy notes or make up an assignment, but they can never get back what’s most
important: the discussions of the questions, the explanations by the teacher and the thinking that
makes learning come alive.
Your child’s success in school depends on having a solid educational background - one that can
only be gained through regular school attendance.
For your child to get the most out of school, punctual and regular attendance is important. Should
your child become too ill to attend class, please notify the school as soon as possible.
All absences must be reported to the attendance line. It is accessible 24 hours/7 days….call…
586-797-6699
It is important for children to be on time for school so they can benefit from all instruction. When
an attendance or tardiness problem is recognized so that the truancy officer needs to be notified,
the parent will also be notified. Students arriving late to school must sign in at the office before heading to class.
WHEN CROSSING THE STREET PLEASE REMEMBER:
Student Handbooks:
Please find them online at the UCS website: Uticak12.org
Homework requests will be honored after your child has been absent 2 or more days, unless arrangements
have been made with the teacher. Please have your request in by 10:00 a.m. in order to be picked up in the
office after 4:00 p.m.
Cell Phone Use is Not Allowed during the School Day. The use of cell phones, pagers/beepers or other electronic communications devices (ECD) by students is prohibited at
any time while in school or on a district vehicle. Secondary students may carry ECDs, during the school day, but they
cannot be displayed or used. Elementary students are not permitted to possess an ECD at any time. If your child needs
to carry their phone for safety when walking home, it needs to be brought to the office for safekeeping during the
school day. It will be given back to the student at the end of the day to walk home.
The use of an ECD’s picture taking or Internet connection capability is not permitted. Utica Community Schools will
not be responsible for the theft, loss or damage of any ECD.
Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against students who violate the policy regulating ECDs, which was
approved by the Board of Education
Mr. Lonnie, our crossing guard, is there for your safety. Please
listen to him at all times. He is on duty every day in the
morning 8:30 am to 9:20 am
and in the afternoon 3:40 pm to 4:30 pm
Early Dismissal 1. Notify the teacher in writing.
2. Report to the office and sign your student out.
3. Provide proper identification. (e.g. Driver’s License)
4. Office staff will check the emergency card to verify who is eligible to sign a student out from school. You
must be on the emergency card to sign a student out from school.
5. Due to the end of the day activities, please be advised that we need to stop early dismissals at 3:30pm.
Thank you for your understanding with this matter.
The safety of all of the West Utica Elementary students is very important to us. Please be patient as we follow this
procedure. Due to the amount of activity that is happening at the end of the day and the children receiving last minute
instructions from their teachers, all Early Dismissals stop at 3:30 p.m. Thank you for your understanding.
During inclement weather students may enter the building before 8:50 a.m. Student should
report to the main hallway and wait quietly to be dismissed to their classroom.
The placement of the orange cones will be a signal for the students to enter
through the front door.
Recess
Because fresh air and exercise have been proven to aid in the physical and educational growth of
students, each school has an outdoor recess program. It is important that children wear appropriate
clothing so they can go outdoors each recess. Generally, if a child is feeling well enough to come
to school, he/she can go outside for recess. If it becomes necessary for a child to stay inside for
recess longer than two days, a doctor’s statement will be needed. Students will remain inside when
the temperature including wind chill reaches below 10 degrees, or if there are unforeseen weather
conditions.
Parent Acknowledgement-Electronic Communications form will allow students to gain
recognition in educational reporting.
Students are occasionally able to participate in interviews by local news media reporting on the
district’s instructional programs.
Utica Community Schools Board of Education policy governs media relations that affect students.
News media representatives are required to report to the building Principal or the Office of
School/Community Relations for prior approval before interviewing students involved in
instructional programs.
Parents are asked to complete a media release form giving the Utica Community Schools and the
news media permission to interview students in connection with school activities. The signed form
is kept in the school office and is valid as long as the student is enrolled in the district. Parents
must notify the building principal in writing any time they choose to exclude their student from
taking part in media interviews.
MEDICATION IN SCHOOL
The Utica Community School Board of Education has adopted policy #5141.40
regarding the administration of medications in our school.
The policy states that parents should administer medication at home. However, school
personnel may cooperate in administering non-prescription, prescription and/or
medication at school with parent and physician’s authorization.
The procedures are as follows: Medication will be dispensed from 11:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. daily. Please try and work your child’s medication
time into this time frame. Parents are always encouraged to come to the school office to administer their
child’s medication.
Students who need to take over-the-counter medicine or prescription medication while in school must provide
the office with an Authorization for Medication form completed and signed by the attending physician.
Medication must be in its original container received from the pharmacy, indicating the dosage and time to
be administered.
Inhalers must be kept in the main office unless there is a physician’s note on file.
The Authorization for Medication forms are located in the main office and must be completed in its
entirety and signed by a physician before we will dispense any medication to the student.
School Age Child Care Childcare is available at West Utica Elementary during the hours listed below:
7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
3:50 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Registration forms are available in the main office. Please see the supervisor after you have
completed the registration form. The Supervisor is available during the hours of School
Age Child Care operation.
Cost for School Age Child Care is:
Registration Fee - $45.00 for one child or $60.00 for the entire family is nonrefundable.
$4.50 per hour
Please call 586-797-6980 for more information or go to www.uticak12.org
School Closing Information Inclement weather and/or building problems sometimes bring unexpected school closings. At Utica
Community schools, there are several ways parents can be informed about these days.
School closing information is broadcast on:
Radio Stations
WJR (760 AM) Channel 7- WXYZ News
WWJ (950 AM) Cable Stations: Channel 15 or 22
Television Stations
Channel 2 – WJBK News District Web Site
Channel 4 – WDIV News www.uticak12.org
If students must be dismissed early, efforts will be made to contact you or your designee,
as indicated on your child’s emergency card. Please make sure your child knows your
family’s plan for an emergency dismissal.
The School-Age Child Care Program will be open unless the nature of the emergency
would prevent it. Students who are registered will be held at school until their parents or
official designee can be contacted.
Teacher-scheduling appointments
QUESTIONS / CONCERNS
Teachers at West Utica Elementary are always glad to meet with you. If you would like to
meet with a teacher before or after school, please make an appointment, as their schedules
usually do not allow for unplanned conferences. We ask that you please call or send in a
note for an appointment so that we might keep the interruptions of our student’s
instructional day to a minimum.
Telephone
Our telephone is to be used primarily for business purposes. Children will be permitted to use the
telephone only in case of emergency. In addition teachers can allow calls home from the classroom
at their discretion.
We hope this policy keeps the phone lines open, and builds responsibility in our students. Please
encourage your children to remember their homework, band instruments, library books, notes and
lunches.
Title One: Our students have the opportunity to receive additional academic support from our Title I program. Title I
is a federally funded program designed to provide extra support to students in the areas of reading, math, and science.
Our trained paraprofessionals are available to provide support as needed to any student in the classrooms. The
classroom teachers coordinate the services so that they are an extension of regular classroom instruction.
Mrs. Cloyd will be the Title I Coordinator this year at West Utica Elementary. We look forward to working with your
children this year. Please do not hesitate to contact us at any time. You can call us here at West Utica or email Mrs.
Cloyd at [email protected]
UCS Transportation Rules and Guidelines
To insure the safety of all children in going to and from school, the student shall:
1. Arrive approximately five (5) minutes before scheduled arrival at assigned bus stop.
2. Remain in an orderly manner and follow all school rules.
3. Board bus single file at driver’s direction.
4. Be alert to traffic.
Once students are on the bus, in order to provide a safe environment, students shall: 1. Obey the bus driver.
2. Be courteous and respectful to others.
3. Remain seated at all times.
4. Keep body and objects inside the bus and to yourself.
5. Keep carry-ons out of the aisle.
6. Refrain from eating, drinking, or gum chewing.
7. Exit the bus only at the assigned bus stop.
8. Exit the bus in an orderly manner at driver’s direction.
Driver may assign seats.
Only authorized students and authorized UCS personnel are allowed on the bus.
Walkers are not eligible to ride the bus except for school-sponsored activities.
Any requests for transportation changes must be signed and approved by the principal or designee
Show your child the “Danger Zone” around the bus- 3 feet on the side and 5 feet in front of the bus.
From time to time bussed students may need to ride home with a friend. A one-day pass will be issued provided written
permission is received from both the guest and visitor’s parents. The written permissions must be turned in to the
office at the beginning of the school day. Each note must contain the following: 1). First and last names of both
students, 2). Bus numbers of both students, 3). Parent signatures. Bus passes can be picked up from the office at
lunchtime. Only regularly bussed students will be granted a change in bus because of insurance liability reasons.
West Utica Elementary Bus Code of Conduct
Be Respectful
Be polite to the driver. Say “good morning,” “thank you” and “goodbye”
Follow the driver’s rules and expectations
Give others space
Be Responsible
Use quiet voices
Behave so you won’t distract the driver
Be Ready
Enter and exit in an orderly fashion
Stay seated flat
Keep belongings on lap or under the seat
Be safe
Stay in your seat
Sit up straight
Keep all objects inside the bus
Single file line when boarding
Ask permission to open a window
Be your best………Always!
As part of a continuing effort to maintain the health, safety and welfare of students, the Utica
Community Schools request all volunteers to allow the district to conduct a criminal
Those who do not have one on file with UCS are required to sign the Volunteer (Chaperone)
Request Form, which authorizes the district to request a criminal check from the Michigan State
Police.
Chaperones for off-site learning trips: If you plan on being a chaperone for any off site learning
experiences, please fill out the form well in advance of the travel day. It takes approximately two
weeks to process background checks.
A background check of all district employees has been in effect for several years.
Volunteers will be asked to supply their full name, maiden name, birth date, race and gender, and
driver’s license numbers. Volunteer Request forms are in the school office. If you would like one,
please contact your classroom teacher or the office at 586-797-6600.
These forms should be completed at least two weeks prior to any school-related field trip.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Just a Gentle Reminder:
We are so happy you volunteer and enrich the lives of our students and school. Just as a
reminder, it is for the safety of all children that when volunteering any siblings or little friends
stay in the comfort of their home. When you are volunteering it makes your child feel special
because you are there just for them and your attention is focused on them and their class.
Utica Community Schools is a Smoke-Free Environment!
The use of tobacco products is not permitted at any time on district property
or at school-related functions. This policy promotes a healthy environment for our students and
families in conjunction with the state Tobacco-Free Schools Law and the Michigan Indoor Air
Act. Your cooperation in promoting healthy choices for our students is greatly appreciated.
PARENT PORTAL INFORMATION:
Parents have the opportunity to view their student’s schedules, attendance and grades.
Parents/students new to the district will need the access ID and access password for each student.
Continue to use your same IDs and passwords every year. See the school office if you need more
information.
School Age Child Care Childcare is available at West Utica Elementary during the hours listed below:
7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
3:50 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Registration forms are available in the main office. Please see the supervisor after you have
completed the registration form. The Supervisor is available during the hours of School
Age Child Care operation.
Cost for School Age Child Care is:
Registration Fee - $45.00 for one child or $60.00 for the entire family is nonrefundable.
$4.50 per hour
Please call 586-797-6980 for more information.
FACEBOOK USERS!
Be sure to check out West Utica’s new Facebook page.
Just search for our school on Facebook and hit “Like”
to receive the latest news,
updates, and events!
Thank you for supporting our school.
And….Thanks to Ms. Julie Burgett our Media teacher for
Sharing our Successes
on Facebook.
UCS parents have two easy ways to access their semester grades, attendance and report cards.
PowerSchool
PowerSchool is a secure, on-line system that gives parents access to report card grades and attendance.
In order to view the information, parents will need to register with their student’s school.
Parent’s will need to sign this agreement to the school to receive a unique code. Parents must bring the agreement to school with a photo ID to receive an access code.
Once the school has provided the access code, use the following directions to set up your account.
The login for PowerSchool is https://ps.ucs.misd.net
SchoolMessenger
SchoolMessenger is our school’s automated system for sending emergency messages to parents. As an added feature, parents can register with the system to securely view current and past marking period grades for students. Registration will also allow you to change how you receive notifications for emergency school closing and school updates.
To set up an account
Register for PowerSchool account Click on this set of directions to set up your account
The SchoolMessenger Info Center is available at this link: https://infocenter.schoolmessenger.com/#/home
Utica Community Schools is committed to promoting the safe and effective use of technology. Through our district’s K-12 digital citizenship initiatives, we are providing students with information that promotes the proper use of digital content and tools. A tool that families can use to help protect their children is the Michigan Child Protection Registry. This free service from the State of Michigan protects children’s e-mail, cell phone numbers and Instant Messaging addresses from receiving inappropriate, adult-themed material. The registry can be accessed by visiting www.protectMICHild.com. In addition, parents can click on the Protect MI Child icon, which will soon appear on the district and school Web sites for direct access to the registry.
