Suffield Elementary Newsletter
January 12, 2024
NO SCHOOL - Monday, January 15th or Friday, January 19th
A Message from the Principal - Mrs. Bookman
Dear Suffield Family,
It has been a busy and productive week for all of us after returning from Winter break. As you have probably noticed, winter weather is in full swing, so please remind your child to dress for the cold conditions. Outdoor recess will take place as long as the wind chill is above 20 degrees!
It has been a lot of fun walking through classrooms this week and hearing about the unique experiences and ways that our students celebrate the holidays. Our students have shared stories about fun vacation getaways and traditions that take place in their homes. It sounds like many of you had a wonderful winter break!
Please remember that Monday, January 15th is the day we celebrate the life of Martin Luther King Jr. so there will be no school for students and staff.
Have a wonderful long weekend!
Mr. Lynch
Assistant Principal
Important Information for
Future 6th Graders & Families!
Dear Future 6th Graders and Families,
It is time to prepare you for the transition to middle school! Going to a new school can make us very excited, and maybe a bit nervous, too. I am here to give you all of the information and guidance you need to experience success as a Field Middle School student. Please add the following information to your personal calendar:
UPDATED INFORMATION
MS Conference Night: Incoming 6th Grade Parent Meeting
Thursday, February 8th, 2024
7-7:30 PM
Field MS Cafeteria
The meeting will include a presentation with important information about Field Middle School and a walkthrough of the scheduling process. It is strongly encouraged that a parent/guardian attend this meeting to receive the most up-to-date information about FMS.
Incoming 6th Grade Band Information Open House
Thursday, February 8th, 2024
4:00 -7 PM (come anytime within this window)
FMS Band Room
During this time, families will have an opportunity to stop in at their convenience to examine band instruments, learn about instrument rentals, talk with band teachers, and learn more about our band program.
6th Grade Jump Start
Fall 2024– first day of school!
FMS
The first day of school will be dedicated to 6th graders ONLY! The day will include meeting all staff, building tours, locker practice, schedule run-through, lunch, and games!
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me by calling the FMS office at 330-673-4176 or emailing me at alexandrea.gaffke@fieldlocalschools.org.
Sincerely,
Ali Gaffke
FMS School Counselor
Suffield Skoops Newsletter brought to you by the 4th & 5th graders!
Students a part of the Suffield Skoops Newspaper have been working hard reporting! They mainly focus on covering Suffield local news but will focus on some worldwide news as well. Click below to read the first edition of the Suffield Scoops.
Thursday, February 1st @ 7:00 pm
5th Grade Camp Informational Parent Zoom Meeting
The Fifth-grade students at Brimfield Elementary and Suffield Elementary will have the opportunity to attend camp at Camp Muskingum in Carrollton, Ohio from May 22 – May 24, 2024. The cost of the 2024 outdoor education program is approximately $175 per student. Parents and students should begin planning on this expense at this time.
There will be an informational parent meeting on Thursday, February 1, 2024, at 7:00 PM via Zoom. A message will be sent to your phone on that day with the link to sign on to the meeting.
To reserve your child’s spot at camp, a deposit of $50.00 will be due before March 1st. Two additional payments of $62.50 are due before April 1st and May 1st.
Mark your calendars ... NO SCHOOL on MONDAY, APRIL 8th
Get ready to witness a cosmic spectacle that's out of this world! On Monday, April 8th, the universe is treating us to a celestial show in the form of a mesmerizing eclipse. To ensure everyone has the opportunity to marvel at this extraordinary event, Field Local Schools has decided to take a cosmic break. That's right – NO SCHOOL on April 8th!
Take this rare chance to gather with friends and family, don your eclipse glasses, and witness the dance of the sun, moon, and Earth. It's a day to embrace the wonders of the cosmos and celebrate the magic that unfolds above us.
Please mark your calendars and join us in taking a moment to appreciate the beauty of the universe. Regular classes will resume on the following day.
May your eclipse experience be filled with awe and wonder!
MacBook Pro Donation for Students in Need!
A community member has generously donated a gently used Mac Book Pro (space bar is in need of repair) and would like it to go to a student in need. If you know of any student who could benefit from this donation, please feel free to reach out to Mrs. Bookman at shawn.bookman@fieldlocalschools.org. It would be wonderful to see this laptop contribute to a student's educational journey.
Dog License
It’s that time of year to purchase a license for your dog. Applications for a new license may be picked up at Suffield Elementary. If you already have a dog license, you probably received your renewal notice mailed to your home. Your completed new application or renewal, along with payment, may be dropped off at our school. Licenses are $15 per dog until January 31, 2024. After that, under state law, the cost will go to $30 per dog. Please make checks payable to Portage County Dog Warden.
A Friendly Reminder: Check the Lost & Found When You Visit Our School
We're thrilled to welcome you to our school, whether it's for a parent-teacher conference, a special event, or just to spend some time with your child's class. As you explore our wonderful learning environment, we wanted to take a moment to remind you about an important stop you can make while you're here - our Lost and Found!
Our Lost and Found is a treasure trove of forgotten items, from jackets and lunch boxes to water bottles and notebooks. Sometimes, the smallest and most valuable items end up there, waiting to be reunited with their owners. We encourage you to check the Lost and Found area located near the gym while you're visiting.
We also recommend labeling your child's items with their name and contact information to make it easier for us to return lost items promptly.
ALL LOST AND FOUND ITEMS THAT ARE NOT CLAIMED WILL BE TAKEN TO GOODWILL ON JANUARY 19TH.
Outdoor Recess
Temperatures are starting to drop and we would like to pass along some details about recess, so you can plan accordingly. We will go out to recess if the temperature is above 20 degrees. We would like to remind parents that there are certain areas on the playground where snow boots are required and other areas where snow pants and boots are required during the winter months. If they do not wear the proper attire for these areas, they will have to stay on the blacktop area. Thank you in advance for your help.
Help students stay warm and toasty at recess!
As the temperature drops and winter approaches, we want to ensure our students have a comfortable and enjoyable recess experience. That's why we're launching our 'Warm Hands, Happy Hearts' campaign. We're asking for donations of gloves or mittens to help keep all our students toasty and warm during recess.
With these gloves, our students can stay active, play games, and make the most of their outdoor time without worrying about chilly fingers. It's all part of our commitment to creating a safe and enjoyable learning environment for everyone.
Join us in spreading the warmth and joy! Let's make this winter season unforgettable for our students! Together, we can ensure that our students have a fantastic recess season.
Leadership Roles for January
Substitutes Needed
Field Local Schools is currently hiring for the classified (non-certified) substitute call list.
If you would like to apply for a student monitor, paraprofessional, cafeteria, secretarial, custodial, or bus driver position, please complete the attached application and return to the Administration Office located at Field High School, 2900 St. Rt. 43, Mogadore, door #5. You may also email your completed application to beverly.bable@fieldlocalschools.org. A current BCI/FBI background check at the applicant’s expense will also be required before you are called for employment. Student monitor/paraprofessional positions will also require an educational aide permit which we will assist you in obtaining. For more information, please contact Bev Bable at 330 673 2659.
Counselor's Corner - a Note from Miss Livers
Strategies that Teach Kids to Set Goals and Help Them Succeed
I hope everyone had a wonderful winter break and a great start to the new year! As we look to this new year and setting goals, Dr. Michele Borba, Educational Psychologist and recipient of the National Educator Award, offers parenting strategies that teach kids to set goals and to help them succeed.
She identifies seven steps:
1. Define what a goal is. An easy way is to link it to an area of interest. For example, a football player is aiming for a touchdown. It is something to shoot for. Explain goal setting as planning what you need to work on.
2. Share your own goals. Let your children know that you have dreams, and that you recognize that you may need to work on some things in order to achieve them.
3. Help kids create their “dream list”. Help them create a list that includes those things that they actually have the power to make happen. Then spend time together discussing those dreams. Consider what skills are necessary. Does your child need help in order to succeed?
4. Tailor the goal to your child. Have a first time goal-setter work on a goal that can be achieved within a week. Some examples are making their bed every day, reading a book, brushing teeth without being reminded, getting a strike in bowling.
5. Help your child think through steps to success. Some children need to write down steps. The more they think about their goal, and identify what they need to do to achieve it, the greater the chance they will succeed.
6. Track your child’s progress. Use the fridge to show stickers or stars when steps are completed.
7. Celebrate! As goals are achieved, celebrate as a family
To learn or read more from Michele Borba Click here
Wishing you and your family a happy and healthy start to the new year. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.
Miss. Livers
Yearbooks from the past ...
We have extra yearbooks from prior school years available at a discounted amount of $5 each. On a first come first serve basis. Listed below are the school years available:
2005-2006, 2008-2009, 2011-2012, 2012-2013, 2014-2015, 2016-2017, 2017-2018, 2018-2019, 2019 - 2020.
Feel free to let friends and family know. If interested in purchasing, please send a note with your child’s name, and the school year you would like to purchase, along with your payment to the office, and we will send the yearbook back home with your child.
Don't forget to become a PTA member
Membership for the Suffield Elementary PTA is $10 per member per year. Every person who joins a local PTA automatically becomes a member of both the state's PTA and National PTA. To become a member of the Suffield PTA, please go to our website’s membership page, https://sites.google.com/view/suffieldpta/membership to fill out the enrollment information.
The Suffield Elementary Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is an organization composed of parents, teachers and staff that is intended to facilitate parental participation in our school. Suffield Elementary PTA is part of the National Parent Teacher Association (National PTA). The National PTA is the largest and oldest volunteer organization working exclusively on behalf of children and youth. The Suffield PTA provides monetary support as well as fills volunteer opportunities for needs at our school. Examples are Assemblies, Games Day, LEAD Groups, Science Supply Kits, Class Celebrations/Parties, Technology Funding, Teachers’ Supplies, Scholarship Contributions and Student-Needs, to name a few.
The Suffield PTA has Monthly Meetings for members. Members are welcome to join no matter what their level of involvement. Meetings for the 2023-2024 school year will be held virtually via Zoom. Links for the current meeting will be listed on Suffield Elementary PTA's Facebook page and be sent out via One Call Now text by Mrs. Bookman on the day of the meeting. Meeting Minutes for our past meetings will also be available on our website.
Meetings for 2023-2024:
* Tuesday, February 13th @ 3:45 pm
* Wednesday, March 13th @ 3:45 pm
* Wednesday, April 10th @ 3:45 pm
* Wednesday, May 8th @ 3:45 pm
Check out the SUFFIELD TOWNSHIP HISTORICAL SOCIETY NEWSLETTER
Don't forget school fees are due!
Listed below are the fees for each grade level. This money helps to pay for a portion of the workbooks, paper, and other consumable supplies. Please send this amount as soon as possible. Checks are to be made payable to FIELD LOCAL SCHOOLS. You can also pay your school fees online at Pay School Central by clicking here. All school fees (current and past due) were due to the office before October 6, 2023. As always, please contact Mrs. Bookman if you have any questions.
KDGN: $78
1ST: $68
2ND: $86
3RD: $96
4TH: $113
5TH: $113
Registration for Free and Reduced Lunches
Lunch Visitors
We will allow a limited number of parents to join students for lunch each day. Below you will find a link to sign up for a time slot. There will be 5 slots available per grade level, per school day. Due to limited seating, only one person per student may sign up. To be fair to other parents, please do not sign up for more than one slot.
We thank you for your understanding and cooperation and look forward to seeing you in the building!
Kindergarten Lunch Visitor Sign Up Link
1st Grade Lunch Visitor Sign Up Link
2nd Grade Lunch Visitor Sign Up Link
3rd Grade Lunch Visitor Sign Up Link
4th Grade Lunch Visitor Sign Up Link
What's for Lunch?
Monday, January 15
No School
Tuesday, January 16
General Tso Chicken & Fortune Cookie/PBJ Sandwich with String Cheese
Rice/Broccoli or Salad/Fruit/Milk
Wednesday, January 17
Domino's Pepperoni Pizza/PBJ Sandwich with String Cheese
Corn/Carrot Sticks w/Ranch/Salad/Fruit/Milk
Thursday, January 18
Falcon Griddle/PBJ Sandwich with String Cheese
Tater Tots/Salad/Fruit/Milk
Friday, January 19
No School
Also available each day as a lunch item:
Chef Salads
Fruit/Yogurt Parfait
Do You Know What Day It Is?
Birthday Treats
At this time, we will allow Birthday Treats to be brought to school. We are required to inform you of the Healthy Eating Guidelines (see below) and suggest that you use this when selecting a treat. Whatever you choose, please note that all treats brought to school for the purpose of sharing with others, need to be prepackaged so we are able to know and see the ingredients list. There are many students who have a variety of food allergies and having the ingredients listed helps the school nurse determine if a student with allergies can eat a particular treat.
Student Medications
If you have medications that you need to have at school for your child, DO NOT send them to school with your child on the bus. Please bring them to school. The office is open from 8:00 am-4:00 pm. Please call the school if you have questions.
Suffield CARES
Suffield CARES helps provide “short-term emergency needs” to families in Suffield. If you are in danger of having your electric or heat terminated, being evicted or have other emergency needs, call Mrs. Bookman at school or Chief Rasnick at (330)628-9240.
ACME Receipt Time
It’s time to start saving Acme receipts! Send in receipts dated August 1, 2023 or after to your child’s teacher. Acme will accept receipts from now until February 15, 2024! Invite your friends and family to save receipts! Let’s see if we can collect more than last year! Click here to see what brands earn 5% community cashback.
Continue to Save Box Tops!
Remember to save, save, save those Box Tops! Our school earns many wonderful things, simply by turning in Box Tops. Below you will find directions on how to use the Box Top app and you can earn 20 Bonus Box Tops by referring friends!
Dates to Remember ...
Student Handbook
Phone Numbers for Field Local School District
Superintendent's Office: 673-2659
Field High School: 673-9591
Field Middle School: 673-4176
Brimfield Elementary: 673-8581
Suffield Elementary: 552-5252
Special Services: 673-2659
Bus Garage 673-0618
Suffield Elementary
Email: shawn.bookman@fieldlocalschools.org
Website: www.fieldlocalschools.org
Location: 1128 Waterloo Rd., Mogadore
Phone: 330-552-5252
Twitter: @SuffieldE