Principal's Page

We have now marked a week off of our calendar and we hope that your family has fallen back into the routine of the school year. We are excited to see some familiar faces as well as many new faces!

Every two weeks I will be sending all families the Blackbird and Shay parent e-letter. I am hopeful that this communication tool will keep you more closely informed of the events and offerings at our schools. Please let the secretaries know if you are not receiving a newsletter via email.

Just a reminder that free and reduced lunch applications need to be completed yearly.

2018-19 Free and Reduced Meals Application 8.21.18.pdf

September 6, 2018

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Welcome back! I hope you have all had a great first week.

As your school counselor, my primary responsibility is to promote the academic, personal, and social development of all students. I would like the students here to think of my office as a warm, friendly, and safe place where they are always welcome.

I plan on working with students at the classroom level, small group level, as well as at the short-term individual counseling level if needed. I will also be meeting with parents, collaborating with teachers and staff, and consulting with community organizations to benefit and meet the needs of all students.

CLASSROOM LESSONS: We are so excited to start using the Second Step Social and Emotional Learning Program-stay tuned for more details!

GROUP COUNSELING: Group counseling is provided for small groups of students experiencing similar concerns. These may include making and keeping friends, anger management, coping with separation/divorce and/or loss, getting organized/study skills and/or improving self-esteem. The groups generally range from 4 to 6 students and last for 6 to 8 sessions. The students for these groups can be recommended by parents/guardians or by staff members.

INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING: Short term one-on-one counseling support is available to all students in grades K to 5. Students may self-refer or be referred to the counselors by teachers/staff and/or parents. Confidentiality is respected. If the need is greater than short term, a referral will be made to an outside mental health provider.

CONSULTATIONS: I am available to have meetings with teachers, administrators and/or parents to discuss the needs of individual students. I am here for all students and want to ensure that your child has a productive and positive school year. If I can support your child in anyway, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Kindest Regards,

Joelle Drader MD, MA, LPC

jdrader@harborps.org

231-526-4656 Blackbird

231-526-4556 Shay

Blackbird Office 526-4600

Blackbird Attendance Line 526-4660

Blackbird Childcare Center 526-4602

North Country Kids Childcare 526-4604

Shay Office 526-4500

Shay Attendance line 526-4550

Bus Garage 526-5601

Please note that school starts promptly at 8:00am and ends at 3:00pm. Students should not be entering Blackbird prior to 7:40am. Staff are busy preparing for their day and children may be unsupervised. We do offer breakfast (for a fee) and parents may take advantage of this opportunity. Students needing to dropped off before 7:40am will need to attend one of our daycare programs. Please see that you drop and pick up your child/children off at the correct times as we want to keep everyone safe.

For daycare arrangements please contact: Tami Keller 231.526.4602

If you plan on volunteering at Shay and Blackbird please fill out our annual volunteer release form.

2018-19 Volunteer Release Form

Excusing Students and Reporting Illness

Please call the Attendance Lines at 526-4660 (BB) and 526-4550 (Shay) to report your child's absence. Please include in your message your name, the best number to reach you, your student's name, grade, and the reason for the absence. If your student is absent because of illness, please describe the symptoms. If it is a doctor's confirmed case of strep, influenza or other infectious disease, please include in your message. We are required by the state to report illness to our local health department.

Classes Begin the week of Sept 17th, 2018! Our Parent-Tot classes are for 1-on-1 with parent and child in water while led by a water instructor, for ages 5 months to 3 years old. Preschool Aquatics is designed for those 6 years and under while Learn-To-Swim is for 6 years and over. Sign-up online at https://secure.rec1.com/MI/Harbor-Springs-Public-School/catalo

https://harborsoccer.weebly.com/rec-soccer.html

Kids Club is a free children’s program for kindergartners through fifth graders

offered by First Presbyterian Church of Harbor Springs. At Kids Club we hear

stories, play active games, sing songs, do crafts, learn science, and even do some

drama. We meet every Wednesday right after school until 5pm beginning

September 19th. If your child is interested in participating this year please, contact

Katie at Katie@fpchs.org or 526-7332.