NSE News
August/September 2016
Dear North Sashabaw Families,
It is with much excitement and anticipation that I am writing to Welcome You to North Sashabaw Elementary School! Whether you are returning, new to the district, or about to begin Kindergarten, we can’t wait to meet you and your family!
In this newsletter you will find important back-to-school information as well as general information about our school and our staff.
Class placement letters are being mailed this Friday, August 26th. Your child’s teacher has included a school supply list in their letter.
I am eagerly awaiting the start of the school year and most of all meeting and connecting with you, our students and families. This will be my 6th year in the Clarkston School District where I served at the middle school as the Assistant Principal and Interim Principal. In total, this will be my 19th year in education. Previously, I taught for 13 years at the elementary level. As you will come to see, the NSE staff are a collaborative, committed, and passionate group of educators dedicated to creating, designing, and thoughtfully planning a learning environment that is safe and nurturing for every child.
As you may know, North Sashabaw Elementary is beginning its 4th year as a Leader in Me school. Together, we are excited to continue this journey with you and your children as we learn and practice how to be thoughtful leaders who are uniquely and wonderfully equipped to positively contribute to our world.
Please take a moment to read through the important information in this newsletter...we have many exciting things to share and we very much look forward to meeting you and your child(ren) soon. Should you have questions, please feel free to contact us by phone or email.
Very Sincerely,
Jennifer Johnson
Principal ❤
NSE Mission Statement
In partnership with the parents and community,
it is our collective mission to provide a safe and nurturing learning environment for all students; where we celebrate learning through taking risks, thinking deeply and working hard. Our students are inspired to be unique leaders who use the 7 Habits to relentlessly pursue their passions as thinkers, learners and positive contributors to
a global society.
Remind - Text Message Reminders for NSE
Here's how:
To receive reminder messages via text:
1. Send a text to 81010
2. Enter the message @nsef and send
*You can opt out of messages at anytime by replying
"unsubscribe @nsef"
*If you have trouble using 81010, trying texting to (248) 667-7646 and enter the message @nsef
To receive messages via email:
1. Send an email to nsef@mail.remind.com
*To unsubscribe, reply with "unsubscribe" in the subject line.
Remind is a free, safe, and simple messaging tool that helps educators share important updates and reminders with families. All personal information is kept private. Using this tool, my phone number will not be directly shared and neither will yours. You will not be able to reply to messages.
ParentVue
The ParentVue portal is part of our Student Information System.
In this portal parents can view their child’s attendance, transportation information, academic progress, and update important student information like phone numbers, emergency contacts, etc.
If you need help activating your account, follow the steps described below.
It is important that you take the time to set up and activate your account if you have not already done so. You will need an activation key to do this. Here’s how:
1. Email SynergySupport@clarkston.k12.mi.us to request an activation key. Provide the following information in your email:
Your Name
Your Student(s) Name
Your Student(s) Date of Birth
Your Home Address
Your Phone Number
Also, please make sure to take some time to review the information in Parent Vue and make sure that we have the most accurate and updated information. To access ParentVue (once you have activated your account):
Go to the Clarkston Schools’ webpage www.clarkston.k12.mi.us
Choose the Resources tab and then select ParentVue
*NEW* NSE Webpage
First Days of School
The First Day of School is Tuesday, September 6th. This is a half-day with dismissal at 11:31 a.m. for students in Grades 1-5.
Doors open at 8:10 a.m. School begins at 8:15 a.m. For more specific information about student arrival/dismissal please see below.
FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL for KINDERGARTEN will FOLLOW THIS SCHEDULE:
Tuesday, September 6th
1st Day of School!
For Kindergarten this will be our Open House from 8:15-9:30 a.m.
Kindergarten parents/guardians SHOULD PLAN TO ATTEND WITH THEIR CHILD.
Wednesday, Sept. 7th
Kindergarten: Only students with last names A-K attend
Thursday, Sept. 8th
Kindergarten: Only students with last names L-Z attend
Friday, Sept. 9th
Kindergarten: All students attend from 8:15 - 3:30 p.m.
Our NSE Staff
KINDERGARTEN
- Mrs. Gagnon
- Mrs. St. Aubin
- Mrs. Larkins
1ST GRADE
- Mrs. Chenet
- Miss Hothem
- Miss Mitchell
2ND GRADE
- Mrs. Blankenship
- Mrs. Dudek (formerly Miss Uhazie)
- Due to a recent increase in enrollment, we now have an opening in 2nd grade which we will be working hard to fill in the next few days.
3RD GRADE
- Mrs. Heilig
- Mrs. Randolph
- Mrs. Skorupski
4TH GRADE
- Mrs. Andary (formerly Miss Peterson)
- Mrs. Kuhn
5TH GRADE
- Mrs. Mendieta
- Mr. Phillips
- Miss Reinelt
RESOURCE CLASSROOM TEACHERS
- Miss Crist
- Mrs. Gann
- Mrs. Leverenz
- Mrs. Burr - Speech
- Mrs. Klosterman - OT/PT
- Ms. Parker - Social Worker
- Mr. Schmidt - Psychologist
FINE ARTS/SPECIALS CLASSES
Art: Mrs. Schneider (formerly Mrs. Sebring)
Music: Mr. Haverkate and Mrs. Harris
P.E.: Mr. Keeler and Ms. Reneaud
Spanish: Mrs. Farver
Media/Instructional Technology: Mrs. Palacek
ESL STAFF
Mrs. Post
Fine Arts/Specials Classes
Specials T-shirts
NSE is a Leader in Me School
What is "Leader In Me"?
- A process that helps develop the essential life skills and characteristics students need in order to thrive in the 21st century.
- Uses Stephen Covey's, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People model, tailored to children and teachers in an education setting.
- Currently has been rolled out to over 650 school world wide.
Why "Leader in Me"?
- Personal leadership-being accountable for actions and attitudes
- Initiative and self-discipline, making healthy choices
- Ability to work well with others, cross culturally and in teams
- Effective communication and listening skills
- Ability to solve complex problems and creative thinking skills
- Inspires greater self-confidence with a belief that very child can be a "leader of their own life", has unique talents and can make a difference.
- Teaches skills needed to be successful in the 21st century.
Student Arrival to School - IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Doors open at 8:10 a.m. School begins at 8:15 a.m. All students enter either through the gymnasium (bus riders) or cafeteria doors (parent drop off) and proceed to their classroom line, as follows:
K-2nd Grade line up in the Cafe
- 3rd-5th Grade line up in the Gymnasium
The tardy bell will ring at 8:25 a.m. If your child is tardy, please walk with him/her to the Main Office in order to sign-in your child.
Students Dropped Off by Parent
In order to maintain a safe and orderly student drop-off loop in our parking lot and minimize the amount of time spent in traffic waiting to drop off your children, we need your help with the following:
DO:
Constantly watch for children!
Follow the cones in the traffic loop through the student drop-off zone; do not divert from the established path.
Pull as far forward as possible once you are in the drop-off zone. Stopping in the loop and not pulling as far forward as you can, dramatically slows down the traffic. It is more efficient to have multiple cars able to unload at the same time. This can be accomplished if you pull as far forward as possible and if your children are ready to exit the car once you stop.
Students should not exit cars until you have past by the first lamppost in the drop-off zone.
If you would like to walk your child into school, please park in the parking spaces closest to the playground and walk with your child to the sidewalk through the crossing zone area.
Have understanding and patience; it will go a long way :)
DO NOT:
Drop off students in the bus unloading loop.
Allow your child to walk by him/herself to the sidewalk if you have chosen to park in the lot. You must exit your vehicle and walk your child to the sidewalk, however, do not walk into or through the coned area that is part of the drop-off zone.
Students Riding the Bus
All bus stop information is located in the Parent Vue under Student Information (Last Tab). Parent Vue is accessible under the Clarkston Schools Webpage at www.clarkston.k12.mi.us
Students riding the bus, will exit the bus in our bus loop and will be directed to enter the gymnasium.
Student Dismissal from School - IMPORTANT INFORMATION
NEW Dismissal Time
School will be ending 5 minutes earlier this year, at 3:30 p.m.
On half days, school dismissal is 11:31 a.m.
We no longer have Late Start Wednesdays, rather, approximately once a month there will be ½ Day Dismissals on Friday’s. Please review the school calendar for these specific dates.
Students Picked Up by Parent
Kindergarten Students: Parents must pick their child up in the cafeteria.
1st-5th Grade students will exit the cafe doors between 3:25-3:30 p.m.
On full days, all students should be exited from the cafe by 3:35 p.m.
Any students still waiting for pick-up at 3:35 p.m. will return to the Main Office, so we can contact parents.
Should this become a regularly occurring practice, students will need to enroll in the after-school Kid’s Connection program.
Students Riding the Bus
Students riding the bus are dismissed at 3:30 p.m. to the bus.
If your child will be riding the bus to/from school, please have him/her ride the bus the first day of school so the transportation department can establish accurate schedules and procedures. If you have transportation questions, please call (248) 623-8040
*Please note: You can expect that bus times will vary during the first couple weeks of school as we are establishing routines and procedures and also during inclement weather.
Back-to-School Packet
An informational packet will be sent home with your child on one of the first days of school. Please look for this to come home. It will contain a school lunch menu, Free and Reduced Meal application, school calendar, etc. Free and Reduced Meal applications can also be completed online at www.lunchapp.com. Again, please look over the information contained in the packet and fill out any paperwork that is applicable to you/your child and return to the school.
School Meal Prices
BREAKFAST: $1.50
*Reduced: $ .30
LUNCH: $2.75
*Reduced: $ .40
MILK OR JUICE ONLY: $ .50
Attendance
School Start and End Times
Doors open at 8:10 a.m. for student to enter the building using the cafeteria entrance. Students riding the bus will enter via the gymnasium entrance.
The tardy bell rings at 8:25 a.m. Students entering the building at this time or later are marked Tardy.
Students arriving to school at 10:31 a.m. or after are marked A.M. Absent.
Students leaving before 2:00 p.m. are marked P.M. Absent.
Students who leave between 2:01 p.m. and 3:34 p.m. are marked as an Early Dismissal
School dismisses at 3:30 p.m.
On Half Days, school dismissal is 11:31 a.m.
Encouraging Regular Attendance
Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school—and themselves. Start building this habit in Kindergarten so they learn right away that going to school on time, every day is important. Good attendance will help children do well in high school, college, and at work.
Excessive absenteeism often establishes a pattern that is difficult to change. There is a demonstrated connection between school absences and learning difficulties. Although teachers can provide assignments and materials for students to make up work when absent, completing an assignment at home just does not compare with being present in the classroom. An absent student misses valuable teacher instruction and class discussion.
Excessive absenteeism is defined as total absences exceeding ten percent of scheduled days in a school year, which means being absent 18 or more days per school year. Consistent daily attendance is important and parents play an important role in ensuring their child attends school regularly. Please note that both appointments and vacations do count as absences. Should your child accrue an excessive amount of absences, you will receive contact from the school notifying you of the of concern and reaching out to offer support in order to correct your child's absenteeism.
You can access your child’s attendance, including absences, via the Parentvue in the Student Information System. Specific instructions for how to do this are detailed below.
If your child reaches the point of having excessive absences, a doctor’s note will need to be provided if your child is sick.
If you would like support with your son/daughter’s school attendance, please contact us. We want to work with you to make sure your child has every opportunity to be successful.
Kids' Connection and Kids' Club
If you are in need of childcare before or after school, or on half days, the following programs may be an option for your family! Our childcare programs are offered through the Clarkston Schools Early Childhood Center and are licensed by the State of Michigan Child Daycare Licensing Division. We adhere to strict licensing policies regarding classroom space and student ratios; therefore, registrations are limited and available on a first come first serve basis. So register early!!! Call the Early Childhood office at 248.623.4350 for more information.
KIDS CONNECTION
- Kids Connection is available before and after a FULL day of school.
- The hours are 6:45 a.m. until the start of the school day, and after school until 6:00 p.m.
- The program is housed in the elementary cafeteria and is available for grades K-5
- Families may use the program on an “as needed” basis and billing is calculated accordingly.*
- Prices are $4.00-$10.00 per session depending on what time your child is dropped off or picked up.
- You MUST be registered to utilize this program.
- Registration packets are available at the Early Childhood office or for download on our website.
- Registration packets/registration fees must be submitted to the Early Childhood office.
- *Young Fives children must submit a schedule for which they will be billed.
KIDS CLUB
- Kids Club is COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM KIDS CONNECTION
- Kids Club is available for the AFTERNOONS of scheduled half days.
- The program will be housed in the elementary cafeteria and available for grades K-5
- The tuition includes four (4) afternoons of care from 11:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
- Tuition is $140 (Grades 1-5) or $180 (Kdg & Young 5’s) – there is no Registration Fee
- Families may choose to register for one – or both – of the following sessions:
1st Session (4 days): 10/7 – 12/9 – 1/27 – 2/17
- Because Kids Club is COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM KIDS CONNECTION You MUST register to use this program EVEN IF YOU ARE ALREADY REGISTERED FOR KIDS CONNECTION
- Registration forms are available at the Early Childhood office or for download on our website.
- Registration forms and tuition must be submitted to the Early Childhood office.
Student Code of Conduct
Visiting and Volunteering
Recess...Preparing for the Weather
When colder temperatures approach, it will be very important that students are dressed appropriately while waiting at the bus stop and for recess. On days when the temperature reaches 0 degrees (windchill temperatures are used) or below, students will stay inside for recess. This is also true if there is heavy (soaking) precipitation (rain, snow, etc.)
Please plan to have your child prepared with a pair of winter boots, snow pants, winter coat, gloves, and a hat. If you need assistance with these items, please let your child’s teacher know. We want all of our students to be dressed appropriately for weather conditions.
August/September Calendar Dates
MEET THE TEACHER from 2:30-3:30 p.m.
September 6th
1st DAY OF SCHOOL - 1/2 Day Dismissal @ 11:31 a.m.
September 21st
PARTNERSHIP NIGHT (Curriculum Night) - Times TBD
September 28th
PTO Meeting @ 7:30 p.m. in the Media Center
September 30th
Fun Run!!
Meet The Teacher
In addition to meeting your child's teacher, the following departments/ organizations will be on hand in our Media Center to assist you with questions/needs:
- Transportation (bus routes and bus stops)
- Nutrition Services (lunch accounts, free/reduced lunch applications)
- PTO (meet our new PTO board, find out about some of the events we have planned and how you can help)
- Kids' Connection and Kids' Club (before and after-school childcare)
- Synergy/Technology (to assist with signing up for e-blasts, connecting to ParentVue, text messages, etc.).
NSE Main Office
Jennifer Johnson
Social Worker
Kayle Parker
Secretary
Denise Diebold
Website: www.nsashabawelementary.com
Location: 5290 Maybee Road, Clarkston, MI, United States
Phone: 248-623-4100
Twitter: @nse_wildcats
Board of Education and Central Office
Board of Education
Steve Hyer, President
Elizabeth Egan, Vice President
Kelli Horst, Treasurer
Susan Boatman, Secretary
Cheryl McGinnis, Trustee
Craig Hamilton, Trustee
Gregory Need, Trustee
Central Office Administration
Dr. Rod Rock, Superintendent
Shawn Ryan, Deputy Superintendent
Mary Beth Rogers, Executive Director of Business Services
John Lucido, Executive Director of Human Resources
Kathy Christopher, Executive Director of Student Support Services