DeKeyser News!
August 16, 2024
DeKeyser Elementary
Email: officedekeyser@uticak12.org
Website: DeKeyser Elementary / Homepage (uticak12.org)
Location: 38397 Gladstone Dr., Sterling Hgts., MI 48312
Phone: (586) 797-4400
School Hours: 9:00 AM - 3:50 PM (full days) and 9:00 AM -12:04 PM (half days)
Breakfast Hours: 8:40 - 9:00
Facebook: DeKeyser Elementary School
DeKeyser Office Information
Principal: Mrs. Shannon Hathcock
Administrative Assistant: Mrs. Lisa Russo
Clerk: Mrs. Heather Mansour
Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:20 p.m.
Office Phone Number: (586)797-4400
24 Hr Attendance Line (586)797-4499
Fax (586)797-4401
What's Happening at DeKeyser
AUGUST 2024
- 19 - Transportation Information emailed to families
- 21 - UCS Back to School Night - Jimmy John's Field - Gates Open 6pm
- 22 - Teacher Information emailed to families after 3 pm
- 26 - NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS – Professional Development
- 26 - Dolphin Day - 4:30 - 5:30 - TENTATIVE
- 27 - First Day of School for Students (1/2 day 12:04 Dismissal)
- 30 - No School
September 2024
VIP Parking: Brenden McKee
- 2 - NO SCHOOL - Labor Day
- 6 - FINAL DAY to purchase device insurance
- 10 - Open House - 5:45 Title 1 Presentation / 6:30 Open House
- 12 - Boy Scouts Open House 6:30 - 7:30 pm
- 18 - NO SCHOOL – Professional Development
- 26 - Picture Day
- 27 - Fun Run
Back To School Event
Dolphin Day
Dolphin Day
Monday, August 26th
4:30 - 5:30
This is a TENTATIVE DATE and TIME
Our annual back to school Dolphin Day is tentatively scheduled to take place on August 26th from 4:30pm - 5:30pm. The PTCG is planning an amazing outdoor scavenger hunt, student stations, as well as providing a delicious popsicle treat. All of these activities are scheduled to be outside. Due to our temporary relocation to Rose Kidd, I am unable to confirm if the inside of the building will be open for this event. I will update this information as soon as possible.
Meet Our New PTCG Board
Back To School Tips
Security Procedures
- Please press the buzzer to speak with someone in the office
- You will be asked to state your name and reason for visiting
- You will be asked to show your photo id into the security camera
- Office staff will buzz the door for you to enter the building
- Please pass through the lobby and enter the office
- Office staff will help you with your request
In addition, we are asking you to not let any visitors in the door as you enter (as they come up behind you) or as you exit the building.
The teachers and staff are committed to student safety and security, and we would like to thank you for your assistance in helping keep the students of DeKeyser safe.
Arrival / Dismissal Procedures
First Day Of School
Breakfast
Breakfast will be served daily from 8:40 - 9:00 am in the gym. If your child would like to eat breakfast, they will enter DOOR 1 at the front of the building. Students will give their name to the cashier, select their breakfast, and then sit at a cafeteria table. Students will remain in the gym until they are able to walk to their classroom which begins at 8:50 am.
Lunch Deliveries
While we understand the appeal of having fast food delivered to school, we prioritize the health, safety, and well-being of our entire student body. Allowing outside food deliveries creates logistical challenges, disrupts the school environment, and can lead to unfair advantages for some students. For these reasons, fast food deliveries during school hours will not be permitted. We encourage all students to either bring a packed lunch or enjoy the free meals provided in our cafeteria.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Recess
Students will have the opportunity to go outside with their classmates during designated times throughout the day. Recess helps to promote social and emotional learning and development for all children. Allowing time for our students to engage in peer interactions allows them to role play essential social skills. Recess also benefits our students by increasing their level of physical activity improving their memory, attention, and concentration. Each class will have a recess attached to the lunch program. We go outside whenever possible and stay inside if it is raining or the temperatures are below 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Students will have an optional second recess each day with their classroom teacher. Please have children dress for the weather.
Open House
Title I Presentation @ 5:45 / Classroom Presentations @ 6:30
PowerSchool Forms
Michigan School Meals
All meals are free this year thanks to the Michigan School Meals law. Students that would like to be eligible for benefits, such as pay-to-participate sports, college entrance fees, AP testing fees and more still need to fill out the Education Benefits Form or the School Meals Form. These forms are available at https://utica.familyportal.cloud. Please download and complete the forms to ensure we receive our Title I and other specialized funding from the state. Paper applications will be sent home with the youngest child in the family the first week of school.
Device Insurance Deadline Friday, September 6, 2024; $20.00 per device.
Technology Device Insurance- In order to be considered enrolled in the optional Technology Insurance Program, payments must be received no later than Friday, September 6, 2024.
2024-2025 DEVICE RESPONSIBILITY, DAMAGE FEES AND OPTIONAL INSURANCE
Student Device Responsibility & Optional Insurance - For all Assigned 1:1 UCS Students
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.
Additionally, a separate Technology Device Use Agreement that includes an electronic sign-off must be provided to the district prior to device distribution. This agreement includes the procedures for Board Policy 6600 - Acceptable Use of the District Technology Resources, acknowledgement that the Student Device Agreement has been discussed with your child, and you have read Board Policy 5160 – Information & Communication Technology. The Technology Device Use Agreement can be found by logging in to your PowerSchool parent account using a web-browser (found at this link), selecting “Forms” from the Navigation menu, and then selecting “Required to Complete Each Year” from the list. Please note that the PowerSchool app does not contain a link to district forms. Forms are only accessible through a web-browser.
Damage Fees
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. The fees described below are based on use of a UCS-provided device and any damage to it, whether accidental or intentional, after it has been issued to the student.
Device Insurance Plan for Accidental Damage – Annual OPTIONAL COVERAGE
An annual insurance plan has been designed to help families if there is an accident that causes damage to the school issued device. When participating in the district’s insurance plan for $20.00 per year, any accidental damage reported will be covered as described below. Insurance coverage will repair/replace the device for accidental damage with no cost incurred by the student for the first incident (claim). Subsequent damage repairs during the covered year will have a deductible assessed per instance. Insurance will cover a maximum of 3 damage occurrences during the covered year. The deductible fee schedule for each damage occurrence is outlined below. Please note, if insurance is not purchased, actual repair costs (not to exceed the cost of the device) will apply.
2024-2025 INSURANCE FEES
Insurance plan purchase
• $20.00 per device, per year
Device Damage/Occurrence Fees (WITH INSURANCE)
• First Occurrence - NO CHARGE
• Second Occurrence – not to exceed $75 (iPad) / $150 (laptop)
• Third Occurrence – not to exceed $150 (iPad) / $300 (laptop)
• Thereafter – full repair/replacement cost
ITEMS NOT COVERED BY THIS OPTIONAL PLAN:
ACCESSORIES – INCLUDING POWER/CHARGING CORDS - ARE NOT COVERED BY INSURANCE
• Accessories include, but are not limited to, a USB power adapter, charging cable and/or protective iPad case.
• Replacement of lost or damaged accessories is the responsibility of the student. Utica Community Schools requires Original Equipment Manufacturer replacements.
INTENTIONAL DAMAGE IS NOT COVERED BY INSURANCE
• Any damage reported due to misuse, neglect or any other form of intentional damage will result in fees up to the full cost of replacing the device, regardless of your participation in the annual insurance plan.
STICKER REMOVAL IS NOT COVERED BY INSURANCE
• Stickers, decals or other items affixed to the device will be assessed a fee for removal and is not covered by insurance.
DAMAGE DUE TO REMOVAL OF THE PROTECTIVE CASE IS NOT COVERED BY INSURANCE
• Utica Community Schools has selected a protective iPad case for all district issued iPads. Students must NEVER remove the case.
• If the assigned laptop is provided with a protective case, students must NEVER remove the case.
• Any damage that occurs due to the removal of an iPad case or a laptop protective case is considered INTENTIONAL DAMAGE and is not covered by insurance.
LOST OR STOLEN DEVICE
• Lost devices are NOT COVERED under this optional insurance policy.
• In the case of theft of an iPad or laptop, a copy of a completed police report MUST BE RETURNED to Utica Community Schools. A stolen device IS COVERED by the purchased insurance ONLY IF a police report is filed and a copy provided to the district.
How to Purchase Device Insurance -- ONLINE
The initial fee to purchase device insurance can be paid online using your checking account, debit card or credit card through PaySchools. The link to PaySchools is the same for ALL schools: https://www.payschoolscentral.com/
Just follow these easy steps:
- Log in to your account from your computer or tablet at: www.payschoolscentral.com (Important - it is not recommended to use the app as it does not properly support UCS content).
- Search for Technology Device Insurance
Note to new kindergarten families and families new to the district - You will need to first create the PaySchools account for your family.
- Complete the account registration by selecting register, enter your profile details, setting up your password via the email link that will be sent to you, then logging in.
- Add your children to your account using their student ID numbers. ID numbers are found in PowerSchool, and on their report card available through PowerSchool.
- If you like, enter credit card and/or banking information as forms of payments to use with your PaySchools account.
Need help with your PaySchools Central account?
8:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. ET (M-F)
psc_help@payschools.com
877-393-6628
PaySchools is PCI-compliant and maintains industry-standard SSL certificates, ensuring all your family’s data is safe and secure.
We LOVE our Volunteers
Any prospective volunteer of Utica Community Schools including those who will be supervising students, working with students, chaperoning field trip, etc. must complete a Criminal History Check Form and be cleared prior to any volunteer services.
Volunteer background checks must be completed annually. If a parent has students in more than one school, only one volunteer form must be completed.
Click on the link below the photos, complete the form and return to DeKeyser Office.
Food Service News
- Free meals are in effect again this year due to Michigan School Meals being passed in the budget
- Families need to fill out Educational Benefit Forms (EBF) to help maintain our Title 1 funding. Paper forms will be coming home to each family. Families can skip the paper/pencil routine and go to https://utica.familyportal.cloud to apply online. This process is quicker than paper.
- Families with allergies need to have the MDE Special Dietary Needs Form filled out and signed by a physician every year. Please submit those forms to DeKeyser Office.
- Menus are available on Nutrislice at https://uticak12.nutrislice.com
Allergy Forms
Students with food allergies that wish to use school meals must have a Special Dietary Needs form (9A) filled out and signed by a physician. Forms need to be submitted to the office of Food and Nutrition Service. Without this form we cannot make accommodations. This form must be updated every year to ensure accuracy. Since all schools have vegetarian options available, parents do not need to fill out a form for this option.
Grade Level Supply Lists
School Age Child Care
Utica Community Schools is pleased to provide an opportunity for School Age Child Care (SACC)!
DeKeyser@Rose Kidd Options are as follows:
Morning SACC: Monday - Friday 6: 45 am - 8:50 am (Currently registering on a waitlist)
Afternoon SACC: Monday - Friday 3:50 pm – 6:00 pm at Messmore Elementary
Students will be bussed to this location after school.
Please click on the link below for more information and the opportunity to register your child for SACC.
Medical/Health Plans
Utica Community Schools are committed to providing a healthy and safe environment for each of our students. A health plan is required to be completed at the beginning of every school year. For your child's safety we ask that all health forms are turned in prior to the first day of school, August 27th, 2024.
Health plans should be completed for any condition that may involve special dietary considerations, activity levels, medications, or treatment of urgent problems. Completion of health plans allows our staff to take the best possible care of your child.
A physician signature is required on all health plans. Any medications that are to be distributed by school staff or used by student at school must have an Authorization for Medication completed and signed by a physician, including any over-the-counter medications.
2024-2025 Lunch Supervisors Needed
UCS Text Messaging Service
UCS App
Utica Community Schools has a new mobile app! Search for 'Utica Schools' in your phone's app store and download the free app to stay up-to-date on district and school news. The old mobile app 'Utica Community Schools' is no longer supported and should be deleted from your devices. Download at the App store here and Google Play here.