Southeastern Scene

Welcome to the March 8, 2024, edition of Southeastern Scene.

Dear Southeastern Families,

I hope this letter finds you well. We are writing to address a concerning trend that has been observed recently at our school regarding inappropriate behaviors displayed by some students. It is essential for us to address these behaviors promptly and reinforce respectful conduct within our school community.

We have noticed incidents where students are urinating on the floor in the bathroom facilities. This behavior not only poses hygiene concerns but also disrupts the learning environment and can be distressing for other students and staff. We kindly request your assistance in reinforcing the importance of using the restroom facilities appropriately and maintaining cleanliness and respect for shared spaces.

Additionally, there have been reports of students using inappropriate language, including gestures such as sticking up their middle finger. Such behavior is not acceptable and goes against the values of respect and kindness that we strive to instill in our students. We urge you to have open conversations with your children about the impact of their words and actions on others and to emphasize the importance of treating everyone with dignity and respect.

As partners in your child's education, we believe that by working together, we can create a positive and nurturing environment where all students feel safe, valued and loved. We appreciate your cooperation in addressing these behavioral concerns and helping us reinforce the expectations of respectful conduct at school.

Yours in education,

Mrs. Chastain, Ms. Monkul and Mr. Roberts

KDG

Our Kindergartners continued their work in the Second Step Curriculum - Unit 3, Empathy and Kindness.

Last Week's Lesson -Second Step Curriculum

Lesson 12 - Why Kindness?

Try This at Home:

Help your child think of a kind act they can do for someone and support them in carrying it out. With your child, discuss how they think the receiver of the kind act felt. Ask your child how they felt doing a kind act for someone.

This Week's Lesson -Second Step Curriculum

Lesson 13 - Showing Kindness

Try This at Home:

Encourage your child to offer to share items at home. For example, have them help you make a snack and then offer to share it with other family members. Encourage them to offer hugs to family members or friends when they are tired or sad or need encouragement.

1st

Our first graders continued their in the Second Step Curriculum - Unit 3, Empathy and Kindness.

Last Week's Lesson - Second Step Curriculum

Lesson 13 - Offering Kind Acts

Try This at Home:

Help your child think of a kind act they can do for someone involving offering to help or inviting them to join. Support your child in carrying out the kind act.

This Week's Lesson - Second Step Curriculum

Lesson 14 - Practicing Kind Acts

Try This at Home:

Ask your child to tell you about the kind acts they and their classmates have been learning about at school this week.

2nd

Our second graders continued their work in the Second Step curriculum, Unit 3 - Empathy and Kindness.

Last Week's Lesson - Second Step Curriculum

Lesson 12: Empathy in Action

Try This at Home:

Ask your child to tell you about a time they had empathy for someone.

This Week's Lesson - Second Step Curriculum

Lesson 13 - Having Empathy

Try This at Home:

Ask your child how empathy can help them know how to be kind.

3rd

Our third graders continued their work in Unit 3 on Empathy and Kindness.

Last Week's Lesson -Second Step Curriculum

Lesson 14: Asking Questions

Try This at Home:

Ask your child what questions they can ask to find out how someone feels and what they may want or need. Discuss how checking in on someone’s feelings is a great way to show you care about them.

This Week's Lesson - Second Step Curriculum

Lesson 15 - Do Something Kind

Try This at Home:

Ask your child about the kindness coupons they made in class. Ask how they chose the kind acts for each person.

4th

Our 4th graders are now back to the Second Step curriculum in Unit 2 - Emotion Management

Last Week's Lesson - Second Step Curriculum

Lesson 6: The Balanced Brain

Try This at Home:

Tell your child about a time when a strong emotion made it hard for you to learn something new or caused you to say or do something that hurt someone’s feelings. Discuss why it’s important to learn to manage strong emotions.

This Week's Lesson - Second Step Curriculum

Lesson 7: What is Rethinking?

Try This at Home:

Tell your child about a time when rethinking a situation, or thinking about it in a different way, helped you feel better. Encourage your child to talk about times in their lives when rethinking could have helped them.

Summer Reading Skills

Classes are being offered in Fishers this summer to help with reading. This program will work on phonics, fluency, comprehension, study skills and reading speed. Please click on the document below for more information.

Jen Smith, SES School Counselor

Information about district illness policy, medication distribution, immunizations, etc. can be found by clicking this link, or by viewing the document below.

If you have any questions, please contact our school nurse Carissa Firmand (cfirmand@hse.k12.in.us).

Carissa Firmand, SES Nurse

Next week we will be on WEEK 2.

March Global Flavors is a taste of the Caribbean Region! March 13th we will be offering, as a sample or entree, Cheesy Chicken Caribbean with Caribbean Rice and Beans.

March Harvest of the Month is Asparagus. We will enjoy asparagus served in different ways!

Meatless Mondays! Check out our weekly meatless options: Cheese stuffed breadsticks, Pizza Crunchers, and Macaroni & Cheese as well as our daily meatless options: Impossible Burger, Bento Boxes, Vegetarian Salad, & Cheese Pizza Pack.

GF Bento Box available daily. Includes UDIs blueberry muffin, yogurt, and cheese cubes.

Please contact the Cafeteria Manager, Beth Verhoestra (bverhoestra@hse.k12.in.us) if you would like restrictions placed on your student's lunch account.

Beth Verhoestra, SES Cafeteria Manager

Library Volunteers 2023-24

Support our readers and library by shelving books, checking in books, assisting students during checkout, reading with children, or general library organization. You must have a Safe visitor background check on file with the district prior to volunteering in the building. Please visit our School Safety page under the Visiting and Volunteering section for Background Check information and processes. Thank you for supporting SES through volunteering your time.

Jen Robinson, SES Librarian

Scholastic Book Fair is coming! Students will have time to shop during their regular library day and time March 15th - 21st or at Family Night on March 21st from 5:00 -7:00. Every purchase will benefit Southeastern Elementary!

Sign up to volunteer here.

Visit our SES Scholastic Book Fair Website

• Sign up to volunteer
• Set up your student's eWallet account for cashless, stress-less shopping. Friends and family can even contribute funds! Set one up here #ScholasticBookFairs
• Preview what books will be at the fair
• Find the link to shop online beginning March 15th

4th grade families, join us for book shopping and Family Night activities before your 4th grader’s music program!

• Monday, Mar. 11th, flex day, No School
• Monday, Mar 11th, PTO meeting, 6:30 pm.
• Wednesday, Mar. 13th, 3rd and 4th grade ASL Club, 2:15 to 3:15 pm.
• Wednesday, Mar. 13th, Spring Play Practice, 2:15 to 3:30 pm.
• Friday, Mar. 15th, IREAD-3 testing ends.
• Monday, Mar. 18th, 1st and 2nd grade ASL Club, 2:15 to 3:15 pm.
• Monday, Mar. 18th, Math Bowl practice, 2:15 to 3:15 pm
• Monday, Mar. 18th, Spring Book Fair begins.
• Wednesday, Mar. 20th, 3rd and 4th grade ASL Club, 2:15 to 3:15 pm.
• Wednesday, Mar. 20th, Spring Play Practice, 2:15 to 3:30 pm.
• Wednesday, Mar. 20th, Student Council meeting, 2:15 pm to 3:15 pm.
• Thursday, Mar. 21st, Book Fair Family Night, 5:00pm.
• Thursday, Mar. 21st, Fourth grade music program, 5:45 and 7:00 pm.
• Monday, Mar. 25th, 1st and 2nd grade ASL Club, 2:15 to 3:15 pm.
• Monday, Mar. 25th, Math Bowl practice, 2:15 to 3:15 pm.
• Wednesday, Mar. 27th, 3rd and 4th grade ASL Club, 2:15 to 3:15 pm.
• Wednesday, Mar. 27th, Spring Play Practice, 2:15 to 3:30 pm.
• Friday, Mar. 29th, Flex Day (No school unless needed to make up a snow day).
• Monday, Apr. 1st, through Monday, Apr. 8th, Spring Break, no school.
• Tuesday, Apr. 9th, area Math Bowl contest, Riverside Intermediate School, 5:30 pm.
• Wednesday, Apr. 10th, Spring Play practice, 2:15 to 3:30 pm.
• Wednesday, Apr. 10th, Track practice, 2:15 to 3:20 pm.
• Thursday, Apr. 11th, KG Open House, 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
• Monday, Apr. 15th, ILEARN testing begins.
• Monday, Apr. 15th, PTO meeting, 6:30 pm.

• Wednesday, Apr. 17th, Spring Play practice, 2:15 to 3:30 pm.
  
• Wednesday, Apr. 17th, Track practice, 2:15 to 3:20 pm.
  
• Wednesday, Apr. 17th, Student Council meeting, 2:15 to 3:15 pm.

• Wednesday, Apr. 24th, Spring Play practice, 2:15 to 3:30 pm.
  
• Wednesday, Apr. 24th, Track practice, 2:15 to 3:20 pm.
• Wednesday, May 1st, Spring Play practice, 2:15 to 3:30 pm.
  
• Wednesday, May 1st, Track practice, 2:15 to 3:20 pm.
  
• Wednesday, May 1st, Student Council meeting, 2:15 to 3:15 pm.
• Friday, May 3rd, Explorer Day. Wear school colors of navy and gold.
• Monday, May 6th, NWEA testing begins.
• Monday, May 6th, Track practice, 2:15 to 3:20 pm.
• Wednesday, May 8th, Spring Play practice, 2:15 to 3:30 pm.
  
• Wednesday, May 8th, Track practice, 2:15 to 3:20 pm.
  
• Friday, May 10th, SES Carnival.
• Friday, May 10th, ILEARN testing ends.
• Monday, May 13th, PTO meeting, 6:30 pm.
• Wednesday, May 15th, Spring Play practice, 2:15 to 3:15 PM
• Wednesday, May 15th, Student Council meeting, 2:15 to 3:15 pm.
  
• Monday, May 27th, Memorial Day, no school.
• Tuesday, May 28th, SES field day.
• Wednesday, May 29th, Fourth Grade Celebration.
• Wednesday, May 29th, last day for students.

Reminder that Monday,, March 11th, is a flex day and there will be no school.

Students from our district high schools and SES staff members read with our Explorers as part of the Read Across America program. The goal of Read Across America is spreading awareness about the importance, value, and fun of reading.

Fourth grade families, please mark your calendars for the fourth grade music program with music teacher Ashley Eaton scheduled for Thursday, March 21st, at 5:45 and 7:00 (please see below for your student's classroom time).

If interested in summer art camp with Mrs. Getz, click this link to register.

Please join Mrs. Bleill for Sports and Games PE Camp this summer! Week 1 is June 17-21, and week 2 is June 24-29. Please email Nikki Bleill at nbleill@hse.k12.in.us with questions. You can use this link to register.

Second grade friends visited the Hamilton County Fairgrounds where they explored different areas of agriculture.

First grade friends enjoyed a performance of Little Red Riding Hood and The Three Little Pigs at the Warren Performing Arts Center.

Anyone wanting to spend time in the school, visit for lunch or chaperone a field trip must have a SafeVisitor background check on file with the district prior visiting. If you have not yet completed the background check, please click below to get started.

Our PTO sends out a weekly newsletter with information about upcoming programs and activities you can get involved with at SES. Please access the latest PTO Newsletter at this link.

Stay connected with Southeastern PTO

Email: SoutheasternElemPTO@gmail.com

Instagram: @Southeastern PTO
Twitter: @Southeastern PTO

It is district policy that the building opens at 7:30 a.m. and school begins promptly at 7:40 a.m. (please see district handbook below). We begin letting students into the building at 7:30 am. Our staff can stay outside to greet car riders until 7:45, but they need to come into the building because the school day has already begun, and staff are needed in the classrooms. If you choose to drive your student to school, and no staff is outside to greet students, please park and walk your student into the building and sign them in on the clipboard inside the first set of doors. Please know that anyone coming into school after 7:45 a.m. will be marked late in their Skyward account. District policy on elementary tardies is listed below:

TARDY TO SCHOOL If your child is late to school, please sign them in at the front office. Do not, for any reason, drop your child off at the front door. If students are tardy due to circumstances beyond the family’s control (power failure, late bus, weather conditions) no tardy report will be filed. Students are marked tardy when a student arrives between 7:40AM – 8:40AM.

If you choose to drive your student into school in the morning, we cannot have cars sitting on Cyntheanne Road blocking traffic. If you are waiting to pull into the school, the overflow route is Cyntheanne Park (directly across the street from SES). Please pull into the park and wait there until our School Resource Officer directs you to cross the street into the SES parking lot. We cannot block traffic on Cyntheanne Road; it is a huge safety hazard.

Also, please be mindful and aware of our School Resource Officer who stands in the street trying to direct traffic. Please follow his directions only and do not pull past him and drive directly into the SES parking lot. His safety and the safety of all our SES families is of the upmost importance.

We have had students dropped off at the curb with no adults outside and it is a huge safety concern, especially when it is dark outside and we have inclement weather. The bus is always an option. Buses regularly run on time. In the rare case that buses run late, a ParentSquare is sent to families, the front office is notified, and these students will not be marked late.

If you choose to drive your student to school, the line will move faster if all cars pull forward as far as possible, students are ready with coat, backpack and shoes already on and all goodbyes are shared prior to stopping in front of the school. This way, students can get out of the car immediately. Questions? Please refer to the district handbook which is listed on the district website at hseschools.org. You also can access the handbook at the link below. You can call our front office at (317) 594-4340.

https://ses.hseschools.org/our-school/student-handbook

SES Lunch Visitor Procedures:

• Lunch visits will begin after Labor Day.

• Adults will be able to call in the day of by 8:30 a.m. and sign up to have lunch with their child; 8:30 a.m. is a FIRM deadline.

• Time slots will be filled on a first come, first serve basis. Only one family per block will be allowed each day with a maximum of 2 visitors.

• 10:15-10:45

• 10:45-11:15

• 11:15-11:45

• 11:45-12:15

• 12:15-12:45

• 12:45-1:15

Visitor Guidelines:

• All visitors will need to have their ID with them to sign in and sign out of the building. All visitors must have an approved valid Safe Visitor background check on file with the district before coming into the building. Visitors are required to wear their visitor badge and lanyard while in the building.

• All visitors must eat lunch with their child at the table designated for visitors.

• NO restaurant food or drink may be brought in, Ex: McDonalds, Chic Fil A, Jimmie Johns etc.

• Phones must be put away at all times.

• Students will not be pulled out of lunch to eat with siblings.

• Siblings not attending SES will be discouraged from attending lunch due to space constraints.

• You may only have your child eat lunch with you during this time. Friends and students who are extended family are not permitted

• We ask that when your child lines up with their class at the end of lunch, you check out in the office to turn your badge and lanyard in.

• All visitors must bring their own cash for a cafeteria lunch. You may not use your students lunch account to charge your lunch. Only cash will be accepted.

The Southeastern Elementary handbook has answers to many of your questions regarding policies and procedures for our upcoming school year. The handbook can be found on our website at ses.hseschools.org, or by clicking here.

Email: dchastain@hse.k12.in.us
Website: https://ses.hseschools.org/
Location: 12500 Cyntheanne Road, Fortville, IN, USA
Phone: 317-594-4340
Twitter: @SoutheasternEl1