The Ebeling Eagle Express

August

• 26-Eagle Day
• 27-First day of school-Half Day-Dismissal at 11:29 am
• 30-No School

September

• 2 - NO SCHOOL - Labor Day
• 6 - FINAL DAY to purchase device insurance
• 11-Open House at Ebeling
• 12-Back to School Luau
• 18 - NO SCHOOL – Professional Development

My name is Jacki Zawierucha and I am truly honored to introduce myself as the new principal of Ebeling Elementary School. I am excited to be joining such an outstanding team to continue the long-established tradition of educational excellence at Ebeling Elementary. I am excited to continue to build upon what your community has already established.I am so excited to meet you all very soon!

It is my pleasure to introduce Mr. Bugajski as the new Assistant Principal at Ebeling Elementary. Mr. B will be working alongside me to fulfill our commitment to student success and well-being. Through our shared vision, we will be working together to create a positive learning environment and support academic achievement. Mr. Bugajski's main responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Partnering with Principal to provide guidance for students on school expectations.
• Supporting curriculum development and academic programs.
• Assisting with teacher supervision, professional development, and evaluations.
• Resolving concerns and fostering partnerships with the school community.

Dear Ebeling Families,

On behalf of the entire Ebeling staff, we are beyond excited to welcome back our students and families for the 2024-25 school year in just over a week. Our first day of school is Tuesday, August 27. It is a half day, and students will be dismissed at 11:29 am.

A new school year is full of introductions to new faces, and reconnections with old friends, all while meeting new teachers and remembering school expectations. New this year, Eagle Day is tentatively scheduled to take place on August 26th from 3:00-4:00 pm. Due to building construction, we do not have our final plan for Eagle Day, but you can plan to meet the principals, some teachers and our PTA on that day.

We encourage you to visit our school’s website, Ebeling Elementary / Homepage. This will serve as a resource tool for all upcoming events, student/parent handbook, and important reminders. We also encourage you to join our Ebeling Facebook page to stay up to date on all of the amazing things happening at in our school.

It is with genuine excitement and anticipation that we look forward to a successful school year. We hope you have had a very relaxing summer! As we prepare for the upcoming school year, we look forward to meeting our Eagles and getting to know all of our families.

As you begin to prepare for the school year ahead, we would like to provide some information that will help you in that process. This newsletter contains some of the basic "getting ready for the school year" information. As the first day of school gets closer, we will be sending out more info in regard to arrival/dismissal procedures, bus stop information, first day news, and more!

If you have any questions about the information below, please don't hesitate to call our office at 586-797-4700

Mrs. Zawierucha and Mr. Bugajski

This year we are excited to announce Ebeling Eagle Day! Due to construction in the building, we do not have a final plan for this. Teachers have not been able to get into their classrooms yet to start setting them up. We will have final plans by next Friday.

At the beginning of each year, we ask our families to complete the necessary paperwork for the school year. This year, most of those forms need to be completed online in PowerSchool.

All Parents MUST COMPLETE the Mandatory Forms NO LATER THAN Friday, September 6th for their student(s).

The instructions on how to access Power School Forms through a browser are below (the screenshot is below as well):

1. Log into Unified Classroom Parent Account (BROWSER ONLY – the mobile app will not work)

2. Click on Forms

3. Under General Forms click on "Annual Update"

4. Complete ONLY if there are changes to: Student Address, Student Contacts, Health Information

5. REQUIRED TO COMPLETE EACH YEAR – MUST be completed.

6. Complete any additional forms below (e.g. Technology Agreements)

If you have another student, please repeat the process for them.

This year, we will communicate grade level classroom assignments for your child in a convenient and secure manner. We will be emailing the classroom assignments to you directly using the e-mail addresses on file in PowerSchool after 3:00 pm on August 22nd.

There was an error and the wrong lists were posted on the website at the end of last year. Please click on the link below to see the updated suggested school supply lists.

Transportation information will be emailed to all families on Monday, August 19th.

If you love to volunteer at Ebeling please remember that you have to fil out a background check each year. It takes 2 weeks to process, so please plan to turn this in as soon as possible!

Please remember that any person who is sanctioned to engage students on the district’s behalf (i.e., assistant athletic coach, Science Olympiad, Lego Robotics, chaperone, etc.) requires a cleared check. If a parent has students in more than one school, only one volunteer form must be completed.

We are asking for your assistance to ensure that our security procedures during the school day are effective and efficient. When you wish to visit Ebeling Elementary, come to front door. At this door we have a security camera, intercom, and buzzer. To help us assist you when you would like to enter our school:

1. Please press the buzzer to speak with someone in the office
2. You will be asked to state your name and reason for visiting
3. You will be asked to show your photo id into the security camera
4. Office staff will buzz the door for you to enter the building
5. 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 Ebeling safe.

If you need to take your child out early from school, or call the office to change where they are going after school, please plan to do so before 3:00 pm. The office is a very busy place at that time of the day and we appreciate your help in limiting distractions to keep all of our Eagles safe.

Please give us a call at 586-797-4700.

• 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) 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 Ebeling office.
• Menus are available on Nutrislice at https://uticak12.nutrislice.com

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.

The first day of school is on Tuesday, August 27th. This will be a half day of school for all elementary students. Ebeling Elementary half day hours are 8:25-11:29 am. Breakfast will be served on the first day of school. All students wishing to receive breakfast will enter Door 1 at the front of the building. This door will open at 8:05 for breakfast only. Please note that parents are not permitted to enter the building for breakfast.

We do not allow food for birthday celebrations in the classrooms. Please consult with your child's teacher to find out how your child can be celebrated at school.

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.

Technology Device Insurance- In order to be considered enrolled in the optional Technology Insurance Program, payments must be received no later than Firday, 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.

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 hope to see you at our Back to School Picnic Luau on Thursday, September 12, 2024. Our volunteers are what helps this community event happen. We really could use help at the picnic! High school students, former or present, NHS students, all welcome!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0F4EA5AE23A7F49-50483174-ebeling#/

Do you need to get in contact with the PTA? Below are some great ways to connect:

Ebeling PTA Website:

https://ebelingpta.weebly.com/

PTA Board Email:

Board@EbelingPTA.onmicrosoft.com

Ebeling Elementary PTA-Find us on Facebook

Mrs. Jacki Zawierucha-Principal

Mr. Jeff Bugajski-Assistant Principal

Mrs. Jamie Goodin-Administrative Assistant

Ms. Lea Neveau-Office Clerk

Attendance Line 586-797-4799

School Hours: 8:25 AM-3:15 PM

Half Day Hours: 8:25 AM-11:29 AM

Office Hours: 8:00 AM-4:00 PM

Email: officeebeling@uticak12.org
Website: Ebeling Elementary / Homepage (schoolwires.net)
Location:15970 Haverhill Macomb Township, MI 48044

Phone: 586-797-4700
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ebelingelementary