Hello Switzer families,

It is hard to believe we have only been in school 2 days! The students and teachers have jumped right into a new school year.

Open House tomorrow September 7 @ 6:30pm. We will start in the gym and host classroom presentations shortly after.

September 7: Switzer Open House 6:30 pm

September 8: Last day for Technology Insurance (see below)

September 9: Outdoor Movie Night (Free) Movie starts at dusk

September 14: No School (Teacher Professional Development)

September 15: PTO meeting 6pm

September 20 Picture Day (Ordering flyer below)

Utica Community Schools is proud to deliver 1:1 technology to our students. Depending upon the grade level, your child has been issued either an iPad or a Dell laptop including charging cords and any applicable accessories. Your child is responsible for the device at all times. In the event of damage to an iPad or laptop, district policies and practices require a charge be assessed to cover the repair or replacement cost of the device. An annual insurance plan has been designed to help families if there is an accident that causes damage to the school issued device. The cost of this device insurance plan is $15.00 per device, to be paid online through PaySchools. The last day to enroll in this device insurance plan is THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2022. A full description of the UCS device insurance program, including coverage details and links to PaySchools, is available at https://www.uticak12.org/device We ask that you review the insurance policy at the website above and return this form to your school office indicating your choice to participate in this optional insurance program.

Students will line up outside of their classroom/designated area on the play pad. We will bring the students in when the bell rings at 8:40. If you arrive late and see that students have already gone in, please come to the main front door.

Switzer designated areas:

• young 5's and all kindergarten: Main Front doors
• 1st grade: Classroom doors by “Big Blue”
• 3rd grade: Side playground by the dumpsters
• 2nd grade : Side playground entrance by Shelby Road.
• Grades 4-6: Classroom Doors in the back of the building.

We ask that parents say hello/goodbye at the fence. Staff will be outside directing students on where to line up. We will also help guide students to and from their bus.

At the end of the day, students will be dismissed directly from their designated areas. Students who will be using UCS transportation will be supervised as they walk to their bus.

PowerSchool Password Reset - PowerSchool is the student system used by Utica Community Schools, all Macomb County schools and districts across the nation. Recently, an update has been made to PowerSchool which will require parents/guardians to reset their password when logging in for the first time since August 2, 2022. For information, please see: https://bit.ly/3BX2mJQ

For the 2022-2023 school year, families will visit https://utica.familyportal.cloud to fill out the application for free or reduced-price meals, complete HIR forms and to deposit funds into their student’s lunch account (Visa, MasterCard and Discover are accepted). Please see the attached guide (Family Portal) for questions regarding this transition. Parents can also click the “tutorial” button on the main page of the family portal website for video setup instructions.

Students sometimes need to take medication. Parents should administer medication to their children at home. In the event that is not possible, the school may administer either prescription or non-prescription medicine – but only when authorized by the student’s parent/guardian and the child’s physician. Requests must be made by completing an Authorization for Medication form, available from the school office. The form must be signed by the child’s physician.

The link below attaches to our elementary handbook. I have copied some highlights from the document below and will remind both students and parents throughout the year. Thank you for taking the the time to review.

https://www.uticak12.org/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=46390857

Cell Phones

The personal use of non-school issued cell phones or other electronic communications devices (ECDs) by students is prohibited at any time while in school or in a district vehicle. Students may carry ECDs during the school day, but they cannot be displayed or used without permission from a teacher or administrator for educational purposes. Personal use of the device shall be limited to the time before and after the school day and only when students are outside the building. ECDs shall not be used during instructional time, lunch, passing time between classes or on any school bus without permission of a school official. The use of an ECD’s picture-taking or internet connection capability is not permitted without permission of a teacher or administrator. 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.

Medication

Students should not take medication at school unless it is absolutely necessary. Parents/ guardians must file an Authorization for Medication form with the school office in order for students to receive over the counter or prescription medication in school. The form can be obtained in the principal’s office and must be signed by the parent/guardian and the child’s doctor. All medicines must be in their original containers and will be kept in the office. Utica Community Schools will acquire or purchase and maintain at least two functioning epinephrine auto-injectors at each school building it operates.

It takes two (Riding a different bus home)

From time to time, students will be visiting each other after school. For the safety of these students the school needs permission letters from BOTH students’ parents. Notes cannot be written by office personnel, nor will calling home to get permission at the last minute be permitted. Only those students who ride a bus will be permitted to ride another bus and, only if there is room on the bus.

Email: switzeroffice@uticak12.org
Website: https://switzer.uticak12.org/
Location: 53200 Shelby Road, Shelby Township, MI, USA
Phone: 586-797-6400