Longacre Weekly News

Dear Longacre Families,

We had a successful first full week of school last week and students are settling into their daily school routines. As a Leader in Me Lighthouse School, we prioritize creating a positive and supportive environment where students can reach their full potential. In the first weeks of school, our focus has been on community-building activities and developing both personal and class mission statements.

Each day begins with the recitation of our school and class mission statements, which helps us start the day with a clear sense of purpose, reflecting on Habit #2: Begin with the End in Mind. We encourage students to regularly reflect on their mission statements throughout the day. This year’s theme, “Leadership: In School and Beyond,” highlights our commitment to embedding the 7 Habits into daily practice, equipping your children with valuable life skills for the future.

Linked below is a resource that you can use to draft a mission statement for your family. All Longacre parents/guardians are invited to a special Leader in Me Parent Training session this Friday, Septmeber 20th from 8:45 a.m.-10:45 a.m. The training will be facilitated by our Leader in Me Coach via Zoom. Please click here to RSVP: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050D4FAEAB29AAF85-51333092-7habits

As always, feel free to contact our main office at 248-489-3733 if you have any questions or need assistance.

With Longacre Pride,

Rhonda Henry, Principal

Parents are invited to attend a training session on the 7 Habits of Effective Families on Friday, September 20th from 8:45 a.m.-10:45 a.m. via Zoom. The training will be facilitated by Longacre's Leader in Me Coach who will provide an overview of the 7 Habits and provide some time for parents to work on strategies to use at home that are connected to what students are learning at school. The Zoom meeting link will be sent soon!

We hope you are able to attend! Please RSVP by clicking on this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050D4FAEAB29AAF85-51333092-7habits

We hope you are able to attend! Thank you!

All Farmington Public School students in grades K-5 are being assessed this fall in Math and Reading using the MAP tests to determine instructional levels and measure growth in core areas. These assessments, along with ongoing classroom daily feedback and observation, help us guide instructional decisions for our students. NWEA tests are unique in that they are computer-based assessments that adapt to your child’s level of learning. As a result, each student has equal opportunity to experience success and maintain an optimistic attitude towards testing. For more information about this assessment, please visit the NWEA website by clicking on the following link: https://www.nwea.org/

The PTA Reflections program provides students with an opportunity to express themselves creatively and receive positive recognition for original works of art, inspired by a theme. Although organized in a contest format, the goal of Reflections is to encourage participation. Students are celebrated for their participation at every level.

Categories/Divisions

Students may submit an entry in any of the six arts areas listed below. Only original works of art are accepted. Depending on state and local PTA guidelines, students may enter more than one work of art.

The six art areas are as follows.

• Literature
• Music Composition
• Photography
• Visual Arts
• Dance Choreography
• Film Production

Participation in the Reflections Program is organized by school grade. Student works are critiqued with others in the same grade division. This allows recognition and judging of artworks by appropriate developmental age and skill levels. The five grade divisions are as follows:

• Primary – Preschool – Grade 2 or up to age 7
• Intermediate – Grades 3-5 or ages 8-10

During the Back to School Re-Enrollment process for the 2024-2025 school year, families had an opportunity to purchase or decline participation in our Chromebook Protection Plan (CPP) This is an affordable plan that provides families additional Chromebook protection should your student’s device need repair or replacement throughout the 2024-2025 school year. Please read the plan in its entirety before accepting or declining.

• Families who qualify for free and reduced lunch with the proper sharing forms completed and submitted are automatically enrolled at no cost.

• Families with students in grades K-2 are automatically enrolled at no cost.

Families have until September 27, 2024 to purchase or decline participation. To decline participation in the plan, no further action is necessary, and your family is accepting financial responsibility for your student’s district-issued Chromebook.

To purchase the Chromebook Protection Plan, utilize the FPS E-Funds link, login and follow the path below:

Click Pay for Optional Fees → select your student’s name → Chromebook Protection Plan $25 → Add to Cart → Begin the Checkout process.

Repeat these steps for each of your FPS students.

Helpful Links:

Create an E-Funds Account

Free and Reduced Lunch Sharing Forms

As we approach the end of our first week, please be aware that “Techquity” also emphasizes the responsible use, transportation and care of student devices.

• As in previous years, all students in grades 3-12 will transport their Chromebook to and from school each day.

• Young 5’s and students in grades K-2 will house their Chromebooks in their classroom’s Chromebook cart; however, teachers have the option to send Chromebooks home for extended learning opportunities.

Language Adventure is returning to Longacre with Spanish classes this fall! This program is fun and interactive and includes conversation, games, songs, and special activities designed for each age group. Classes will run on Mondays for 8 weeks, starting September 30.

For more information and registration, visit:

https://language-adv.coursestorm.com/course/spanish-at-longacre3#!

Friday, September 20-

• 1/2 Day of School- 11:45 a.m. dismissal.
• 11:00- Pride Circle in gym
• Staff Leader in Me Professional Development in the afternoon.

Thursday, September 26-

• 5:00-5:45 p.m.- Family Banner Making in the cafeteria
• Longacre’s annual Costume Swap- Before and after the PTA meeting- 5:30-6:00 p.m. & 7:00-7:30 p.m.
  
• PTA meeting 6:00 p.m. in the media center

Friday, October 4- Popcorn Friday- $1.00 per bag. All proceeds go towards Leader in Me initiative.

Wednesday, October 9- Picture Day!

This is your chance to create a library card design for the Farmington Community Library! The library represents many things to different people. Your design should celebrate the Library community, services, or an experience you have had at FCL. What does that mean? It is up to each artist to interpret!

A winning design will be selected in each of the following age groups:

• Ages 5-12
• Ages 13-17
• Ages 18+

Submissions may be in any art medium (illustration, pen, photography, etc.). Submissions can be physical works of art or digital graphics. Last year, many of the physical entries were drawn/colored directly onto the Design Contest Template.

Submissions are due by midnight on September 30, 2024. Winning designs are voted on by library staff and will be announced in December.

View full contest details at the link below.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/longacreleopards/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LongacreElem

Instagram: @longacreleopards

Website: https://www.farmington.k12.mi.us/lon