September Edition

The "Bobcat Bulletin" is our monthly newsletter for families at Sawgrass Bay Elementary School. It includes important updates, upcoming events, and student achievements to keep everyone informed and connected. Our goal is to foster a strong school community and ensure clear communication between the school and our families.

Greetings Bobcat Families,

What an incredible start to the school year we’ve had! I am beyond proud to serve as your principal and witness the energy, enthusiasm, and commitment our students bring to school each day. The sense of community here is truly something special, and it’s a privilege to be a part of it.

I’m excited to remind you about our Bobcat Olympic Fun Run happening on September 6th during your child’s enrichment time. This event is not only a fantastic way for our students to stay active and have fun, but it’s also a vital fundraiser for our school. There’s still time to lock in those donations—every dollar counts toward making our school even better!

We are raising money for:

• Technology upgrades to enhance classroom learning,
• School beautification to create an inspiring environment,
• Student incentives to reward their hard work, and
• Teacher/Staff appreciation to give back to the amazing educators who make it all possible.

Every contribution helps us achieve these goals and make our school a place where students can truly thrive.

I also want to highlight that September is recognized as Attendance Awareness Month. Regular attendance is crucial for student success. Every day in school is an opportunity for learning, growth, and connection. When students miss instruction, it can create gaps in their understanding that are difficult to fill, affecting their overall success. Let’s work together to ensure our Bobcats are here, ready to learn, every day.

Finally, I’d like to share a motivational thought: "The most significant influence on a child’s education is the involvement of their parents." Your communication and engagement in your child’s academic journey are crucial. Together, we can ensure that every Bobcat has the support and encouragement they need to thrive.

Thank you all for your partnership and support. Together, we will continue making our school a happy and exciting place to learn. Let’s work together as we inspire EVERY student to LEARN, LEAD and SUCCEED.

Your Partner in Education,

Gary Locuson, Principal

September 2: No School- Labor Day

September 5: PTO Spirit Night: Chick-Fil A

September 6: Bobcat Olympic Fun Run (During Enrichments)

September 9: PTO- Teddy Bear Fundraiser

September 16-20: Attendance Awareness Week

September 17: Leader in Me Family Night

September 19: SAC (5:00PM) & PTO (5:30 PM)

September 20: PTO- Dress Down Day Fundraiser

September 24: Leader of the Month Ceremony

September 25: Fall Picture Day

Sawgrass Bay Elementary School is honored to be certified as a Leader in Me Lighthouse School by FranklinCovey Education.

This certification is due to the efforts and leadership of our students, staff, and school community. Achieving Lighthouse Certification demonstrates that our school has a strong leadership model and has produced outstanding results in school and student outcomes in learning and leading using the habits and paradigms of the Leader in Me model.

To be proactive means to take responsibility for your choices and behaviors. “I am a responsible person. I take initiative. I choose my actions, attitudes, and moods. I do not blame others for my wrong actions. I do the right thing without being asked, even when no one is looking.”

Future skills that can be learned by being proactive:

1. Develop motivation; take pride in work

2. Act responsible toward self, family, school, community, nation, and world

3. Show initiative and entrepreneurism

4. Use unique talents and abilities to their fullest

5. Think about choices, be accountable and responsible for actions and results, understand that choices affect others

Kid Language

· I am in charge of the choices I make.

· I can react to things happening around me, like a soda bottle fizzing over, or I can Be Proactive and choose my mood and attitude.

· I can do the things I need to do without being asked by my teacher or parent.

Circle of Control

Using the “Circle of Control” (picture below) take turns writing on sticky notes different things you can and cannot control then placing them in the corresponding circles.

For example, you can control how you respond to problems. You cannot control the weather. You can control the words you say. You cannot control what others may say.

Remind your family that the only thing you have direct control over is yourself such as your thoughts, behavior, actions, attitude and choices.

Pause, Think, and Choose:

Ask family members to think of a situation where they usually respond reactively. Have each family member write down the answers to the following questions: .

• What is the situation?

• What is something you can do to take a PAUSE in this specific situation?

• THINK, what are some choices you could make in this situation? What will be the consequence of each choice?

• What will you CHOOSE to do to be proactive in this situation?

Invite family members to take a turn to be a performer and act out their situation. Cheer for the proactive choices!

At Sawgrass Bay Elementary, we believe that learning doesn’t stop when the school day ends. Here are some simple and effective ways you can support your child’s academic success at home:

1. Create a Homework Routine: Set aside a specific time each day for homework and studying. A quiet, well-lit space free from distractions can help your child focus and complete their assignments effectively.

2. Read Together: Spend time reading with your child, whether it's a bedtime story or taking turns reading chapters of a book. This not only improves literacy skills but also fosters a love of reading.

3. Ask About Their Day: Show interest in what your child is learning by asking specific questions about their day. Encourage them to share what they found exciting or challenging, and discuss it together.

4. Practice Math Skills: Incorporate math into daily activities. You can practice counting, measuring ingredients while cooking, or playing math-related games. Making math fun and relatable can boost your child's confidence and skills.

5. Limit Screen Time: While technology can be a great educational tool, it’s important to set limits on recreational screen time. Encourage activities that involve physical movement, creativity, or family interaction instead.

6. Stay Informed: Keep up with your child’s academic progress by regularly checking their assignments and grades. Communicate with their teacher to stay informed about what’s happening in the classroom and how you can support their learning at home.

7. Encourage a Growth Mindset: Teach your child that mistakes are part of learning. Praise their efforts rather than just their achievements, and remind them that persistence is key to overcoming challenges.

8. Promote Healthy Habits: Ensure your child gets enough sleep, eats a balanced diet, and has time for physical activity. Healthy habits contribute to better focus, energy, and overall well-being, which are crucial for academic success.

By incorporating these practices into your daily routine, you’ll be helping your child develop the skills and habits they need to succeed in school and beyond. Your involvement and support make a significant difference in their educational journey!

All students shall conform to the uniform policy that has been set forth by our parents and instructional personnel of Sawgrass Bay Elementary.

You can purchase SBE school uniform shirts, sweaters, and hoodies at the link below.

Thank you for reviewing our arrival and dismissal procedures below. You will find a map below with the entrances/exits for different modes of transportation.

The car rider, walker, and bus loop gates remain closed during the school day. The parking lot and front office can be accessed through a single-point entry using the front gate.

Main Car Rider Line (K-5):

Cars will be able to enter the car line close to dismissal. Please do not arrive earlier as that will cause a backup on Superior Blvd.

Walkers/Bike Riders:

Please meet your students at the walker gate. For safety reasons, we are asking families to remain at the gate and wait for their student to arrive.

Car Rider Line Path:

For safety purposes and to help reduce the wait time in the car line, please ensure the path below is followed in the morning and afternoon.

Students who live across Hwy 27 and those who live more than a mile away from our campus will receive transportation through Lake County Schools. Below is the link to the transportation page for Lake County.

If your child rode the bus last year, the bus routes, names, and times should be about the same.

Click on the button below to view our 24-25 SBE Student Handbook. This handbook provides lots of great information regarding some of our policies and procedures we have in place to ensure that our campus runs smoothly. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions.

We are pleased to inform you that the Lake County School Board will again be participating in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Program called the Community Eligibility Provision for 2024-2025 School Year.

Schools that participate in the Community Eligibility Provision are able to provide a healthy breakfast and lunch at no charge for ALL students enrolled during the 2024-2025 School Year. A la carte items will still be available for purchase.

Below is the link to the SBE lunch menu where you will be able to access the menu, nutritional fact, and allergy information.

The goal of the SBE ELC program is to provide a safe and affordable before and after school care program, which offers developmentally appropriate activities under the supervision of responsible staff members who are trustworthy, caring and competent to understand and meet the needs of children. Follow the link below for more information regarding the ELC program and registration.

Lisa Owens-Sawgrass Bay Elementary Sr. Site Coordinator

Email: OwensL@lake.k12.fl.us

Phone: 352-394-8547

All of our volunteers must have at least a level 1 background clearance.

• Level 1 - parent must always be in the visual presence of a school district employee
• Level 2 - parent may be assigned outside of the immediate presence of a school district employee

Volunteers must have a Level 2 clearance to chaperone field trips.

Please visit the website below for more information on how to become a volunteer:

If you have any questions, please contact our volunteer coordinator:

Barbara Eldredge

eldredgeb@lake.k12.fl.us

Hello Sawgrass Bay families! My name is Fernanda Franco and I’m honored to serve as your PTO President this year. I’m a proud mom to a first grader and a 2 year old, and I’m also a teacher. I’m passionate about creating a fun and supportive environment for our students, staff, and families. Together, we’ll work to make this school year unforgettable with exciting events, community involvement, and a spirit of collaboration.

Please make sure to follow us on Facebook to get the latest PTO updates. Here are a few events that are coming up:

9/5 - Chick-fil-A Spirit Night

9/9 - Teddy Bear Day

9/19 - PTO meeting 5:30 pm

9/20 - Dress Down Day

Follow us on Facebook for the most current information, updates, and great things occurring on our campus!

Email: locusong1@lake.k12.fl.us

Website: https://sbe.lake.k12.fl.us/
Location: 16325 Superior Boulevard, Clermont, FL, USA

Phone: 352-243-1845
Facebook: facebook.com/sawgrassbay