Stadium Happenings

10/18 - Fall Break - NO SCHOOL for Students or Staff

10/24 - PTO Trunk or Treat

10/29 - First Grade Field Trip

10/30 - Second Grade Field Trip

10/31 - Half Day dismissal at 12:05pm

10/31 - Halloween Parade, 10:55am in Parent Loop

11/1 - No School for Students

11/6 - Picture Retake Day

11/8 - Half Day for Students

Fall Benchmark letters from beginning of the year screeners are coming home on October 25th for all students. The letters serve as one piece of data that the school looks at for academic support purposes. Schools do not make decisions on this one piece of data alone, we look at the student's whole picture.

You should have received 2 emails regarding conference links - a few had problems accessing links in the first emailed PDF, but you should have received a new Word Doc with all active links. I have attached the file here as well. It does help to download the document, not just view it.

National School Bus Safety Week is October 21st - 25th. Please have a conversation with your student(s) about the importance of appropriate bus behaviors to ensure safety for not only themselves and their peers on the bus, but for all who are on the road as well. SDE has 3 very simple behavior expectations: Be Responsible, Be Respectful, and Be Safe. Some behaviors we have really been working on this year: Stay seated at all times the bus is in motion, do not switch seats once seated, partner talking voice (no yelling/screaming). We appreciate your partnership in ensuring safety for all.

Please be sure to read through the entirety of the Stadium Happenings regularly. I try to highlight something from the Reminders & Protocol section every so often. Lately we have had to turn away Birthday celebrations due to not following district and building protocol:

Elementary classroom birthday celebrations are encouraged and preferred to be non-edible. If you would like to do something special to celebrate your child's birthday, we ask that you donate a favorite book to the classroom library, donate a game for the kids to enjoy, or donate special pencils to students, among other options. Please ask your child's teacher for suggestions.

In the event you choose to send in an edible item, there are strict requirements to adhere to. If an item does not meet these requirements, it will not be distributed. In order to make this a safe environment for all students, we ask for your support with this policy.

Whether you choose to send in an edible item or a non-edible item/trinket - it is to be limited to one item shared from the birthday child. Not a treat and a trinket, or multiple items; one item only.

Birthday items MUST adhere to the following requirements:

· Only one treat or trinket is allowed—no bags containing multiple items - LIMITED TO ONE ITEM TOTAL.

· Treats must follow the allergy protocol by being peanut-free.

· Treats must be factory individually pre-packaged and purchased from a store.

· An ingredient list must be printed on each individual package.

· To preserve instructional time, all birthday treats will be sent home instead of being consumed in the classroom.

We’re excited to announce that the Scholastic Book Fair is just around the corner, and this year, we have a special opportunity for you to help fill our classroom libraries with new, engaging books!

Our amazing teachers have set up Classroom eWallet accounts, and we invite you to contribute! By donating to these accounts, you’re giving our teachers the chance to choose books from the Book Fair that will enhance their classroom libraries and inspire students all year long.

How can you help? It’s simple! Just click the link or scan the QR code to add money to your child’s teacher’s eWallet account. Your generous donation will allow them to purchase the books that will benefit their students the most.

Thank you for your continued support in fostering a love of reading in our school! Every contribution, big or small, helps to build a stronger learning environment for our kids.

🎃

As in previous years, only parents who have signed up to volunteer in their child's classroom may attend classroom parties (IChat must be completed prior to day of event). All parents are invited to view the parade outside along our parade route

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Halloween parties and celebrations take place on Thursday October 31st. While these are exciting and fun events for your child and for SDE, I would like to take a moment to remind everyone of the parameters and protocol for costumes to ensure safety and fun.

• Masks are allowed; however, anything that is 'scary or gory' may not be worn. A good rule of thumb is if you question the mask as a parent, please do not allow your child to bring the mask to school.
• Pretend weapons and sharp objects of any kind are not allowed.
• Costumes may be worn to school or students may change into their costume prior to the parade and/or classroom party (unless otherwise directed by your child's classroom teacher).
• For the safety of our students, parents who decide to join in the costume fun at the parade should make sure their face can be seen at all times (no masks).
• Our costume parade will begin at 10:55am. Families are welcome to join us outside for the costume parade. The best viewing areas will be along the perimeter of the parent loop. All classrooms will walk by this area on their parade route.
• All students will be returning to their classrooms at the conclusion of the parade for their Halloween parties.

Parents wishing to attend the Halloween parade, are asked to line up outside starting no earlier than 10:45am. The parade begins at 10:55am inside the school and we will come outside and do a loop around the parent loop. If weather is uncooperative, alternate plans will be communicated.

SDE PTO meets the 3rd Wednesday of every other month. Meetings are held live at SDE and also available via ZOOM. Please check the Stadium Drive PTO group page on Facebook or the website at stadiumdrivepto.com for more information.

· Trunk or Treat trunk decorating sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A044FAFAE2BA4FB6-52130913-trunk?fbclid=IwY2xjawF1BplleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHTeq77Ybe4ARXdFR5N6TlZUbO_2XUm_tLMvmkOOOBCFR3ILv2eOUrZ1_FQ_aem_3r9RJNOkxEYNnR5ILfG_0A#/

· Interested in volunteering:

https://qrco.de/beIHLp

· Directory Opt In: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSePjyDYDtd8kUHlK9NNt3NF6dy3AwPdNXc4fwElWK6XSbV4wA/viewform

The SDE PTO board can be contacted at stadiumdrivepto@gmail.com

• President: Dimitra Boulos

• Vice President: Jody Lee

• Treasurer: Dawn Kuhlman

• Secretary: Kelli Hampton

• Communications Director: Beth Kempkens

Dear Families,

This week, our school will focus on the character strength of Creativity. Creativity means coming up with new and original ways to think about and do things.

Creative people see the world differently. They are open to new experiences and think independently. They come up with many ideas and pursue them with energy and enthusiasm. Creativity takes courage because sharing original ideas can sometimes lead to criticism.

Creativity is vital to our world! Creative solutions can help resolve conflicts and find compromises that satisfy everyone involved, strengthening relationships. It helps us solve tough problems, create new things, and see the world in fresh ways. Examples include treatments for deadly illnesses, such as cancer, the invention of the cell phone, and the development of solar panels. Imagine life without Impressionist paintings or the creation of airplanes and rocket ships.

To encourage creativity with your child at home, visit the Positivity Project’s mobile-friendly P2 for Families. There, you can watch a video, read a quote, and discuss three questions together.

Thank you for your continued support!

Listed below are some of SDE's social media sites where we post daily - such as reminders, announcements, and photos

PTO Page - Reminders and event announcements

https://www.facebook.com/groups/393347587380354

SDE Instagram - photos throughout the day as stories and posts

Stadium Drive Elementary (@stadiumdrivelo) • Instagram photos and videos

SDE Twitter/X

(17) Stadium Drive Elementary (@StadiumDriveLO) / X

For the safety of all, please take the time to read through these procedures and protocol.

• Vehicles should NOT use the Bus Loop in front of the school during arrival (8:30am - 8:50am) and dismissal (3:30pm - 4pm). You will need to use the upper parking lot or enter Car Loop just past the school.
• If utilizing the Car Loop, please be a courteous driving and alternate taking turns turning into the loop to allow for an efficient traffic flow.
• When exiting the Car Loop, if turning left causes the flow of exiting traffic to stop, please turn right.
• YOU MUST STAY IN YOUR VEHICLE at all times if utilizing the Car Loop
• Students should not be dropped off until 8:40am once staff is present, doors will NOT open until 8:40am.
  
• Students must exit/enter the passenger side of the vehicle as soon as the vehicle is safely stopped in the loop. DO NOT GET OUT OF YOUR VEHICLE. You DO NOT have to wait for a staff member to open your car doors for students to exit/enter the vehicle. Once your vehicle is stopped along the curb, students should exit/enter.
• Parents may park in the upper parking lot and walk their child to the stairs. The upper parking lot is NOT a drop off loop.

• If arriving after 8:50am you must park in a parking spot and walk your student to the office.
• If arriving AFTER 8:55am you must walk your student to the office and sign them in.

• Contact the main office at (248) 693-5475 or send in a handwritten/signed note if there is a change for how your child is supposed to go home. If your child does not have a note or the office has not been contacted, they will be sent home according to their daily routine. Please DO NOT rely on emails sent to teachers for dismissal changes.

If/when your child is absent or will be late, please contact the Main Office by 8:30am via phone 248-693-5475 or email jaime.kinser@lok12.org If a message is not received by you in the office, the office will be calling home to verify the absence. If you email the teacher, please always copy the office regarding absences as those emails are not always forwarded to the office.

If you are arriving to school in the morning after 8:50am and/or there are not any staff members present outside, you must park in a parking spot and walk your student to the office to sign in.

Please support your children by reminding them that toys (including Pokemon cards, etc) and sports equipment from home are not allowed at school. This will help eliminate distractions, loss, and theft at school. Thank you for your support with this.

Students may not bring expensive personal belongings to school (ex: electronic game devices, etc) without permission of the principal.

In the event permission is given, the school assumes no responsibility if the item is lost or damaged.

Bringing cell phones and/or Smartwatches to school at the elementary level is highly discouraged. If a child brings a cell phone or Smartwatch to school, it must be off (not asleep) and put away in lockers/backpacks at all times. Students should not be using them to access the internet or communicate during school hours (calls, texting, email, etc). If parents/guardians need to get a message to children, all calls must go through the main office. Please be aware that cell phones and smartwatches that are used inappropriately are a distraction to learning and the development of interpersonal skills while at school

Birthdays are very exciting occasions for elementary aged students. However, we need to be sensitive to students’ feelings and don’t want any kids to feel left out or excluded.

Birthday party invitations are NOT to be distributed at school unless the child's entire class or entire grade level is being invited. If not inviting the entire class or entire grade, you may drop invites off to the office pre-stamped and with return address and we will address them and drop them in the mail or you can access family emails/addresses from the PTO directory (opt-in). Envelopes should also have the student first and last name so office staff can add address below on the front of the envelope. The office and teachers will not provide email/phone/addresses to you.

We are excited to bring back Birthday Book Club to Stadium Drive Elementary!

Celebrate your child's birthday by adding a book to our Stadium Drive Library collection! For a $10 donation to the library, your child may select a special birthday book from a shelf of brand-new library books. A special dedication will be placed on the inside cover honoring their special day and donation to the library.

They will be the very first person to check out their birthday book. After they finish reading the book, your child will return it to the library for the rest of the school to enjoy!

Please make sure if you are registering multiple students to complete the form accordingly. If your child has a summer birthday, I will convert it to their half-birthday.

Local Level Events - SDE - Birthday Book Club

The state of Michigan’s 2024 budget included a continuation of free meals for all students.

The standards for students to receive the meals for free:

• Every student is entitled to one free breakfast, and one free lunch per school day.
• Students must take a fruit or juice with their breakfast entrée for the meal to qualify as a complete meal and to qualify as FREE.
• Students must take a fruit or vegetable (they may take both) with their lunch entrée for the meal to qualify as a complete meal and to qualify as FREE.

More information is available at LakeOrionSchools.org/FoodService.

Note: It is important that all families who qualify for free and reduced lunch complete the form within this registration process to receive additional services at reduced cost (pay to participate for athletics, holiday assistance, field trip assistance etc.) The forms are available at https://lakeorion.familyportal.cloud/.

For assistance or questions, please contact the LOCS Food Service Department at 248-814-0201.

Breakfast will be served each morning in the cafeteria in a grab-n-go style. Students will NOT be entering the building early for breakfast, any student wanting a breakfast will head to the cafeteria upon entering the building at/after 8:40am.

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Lake Orion Community Schools has a Board of Education policy that prohibits anyone from operating a drone on district property/over a district facility at any time unless the flight plan is approved by the Superintendent. Those operating the drone must also be FAA-certified. That includes athletic events, which are governed by the MHSAA, which also prohibits their usage.

If any individual – staff, student or community member – would like to operate a drone on LOCS property, please email the request to LOCS Director of Communications Mark Snyder at mark.snyder@lok12.org.

When you or your child needs help, it’s hard to know where to turn. In an affort to ease the burden of finding the mental health and substance use services you needs, Lake Orion Community Schools has partnered with Care Solace.

Care Solace will help you find the right help at the right time 24/7/365. Car eSolace’s services are available at no cost to you – and all of your information is kept completely confidential. They will connect you with providers accepting all medical insurances, including Medicaid, Medicare, and sliding scale options for those without insurance.

You can access Care Solace services in three ways:

• Call 888-515-0595 at any time. Multilingual support is available 24/7/365. A dedicated Care Companion will help you every step of the way to reseach options, secure appointments, and follow up to make sure it is a good fit.
• Seach anonymously to get matched with an extensive list of care providers at caresolace.com/lakeorion
• Contact your elementary school social worker, middle school behaviorist, high school counseloro or building principal, and they will submit a referral on your behalf.

For more information, visit the LOCS Care Solace page.

Lake Orion Community Schools is continuing a program to recognize LOCS staff members for their excellence.

The intent of the Distinguished Dragon program is to ensure that staff members who go above and beyond their regular duties are appreciated. The additional effort or support can range from helping an individual to helping a group or any effort that seems worthy of praise.

The staff member can be nominated by a student, parent, community member or a colleague by completing the form at LakeOrionSchools.org/DistinguishedDragon. We ask for the submitter's name and contact information to follow up with specific questions if necessary. Please make sure to select the appropriate school/department form so the message is routed in the proper direction.

Please complete the form entirely so the individual can be appropriately honored for their contributions.

For the 2024-2025 school year, Stadium Drive Elementary will once again work closely with our local law enforcement and fire department officials and conduct our variety of multiple state-mandated safety drills. We will have 5 fire drills, 2 severe weather/tornado drills, and 3 safety drills throughout the year.

Drill reports: Emergency Drill Reports - Lake Orion Community Schools (lakeorionschools.org)

For the 2024-2025 school year, we will be maintaining our district allergy protocol. Please review our district allergy protocol by clicking here. Below are some items to note with our allergy protocol.

• All classrooms will remain peanut aware, meaning food items that contain peanuts ARE PROHIBITED. This includes all student snacks.
• Other allergy restrictions may be in place for individual classrooms depending on allergies present in particular classrooms.
• There are no allergy restrictions in the cafeteria during lunch time.
• There will be a table reserved in the cafeteria at lunch time for students who have allergies that may require them to not eat at the same table as a child who may have these allergens in their lunch.
• While birthday treats are allowed - it is highly preferred and encouraged to be a non-edible . Any edible item must be pre-packaged and store purchased with an ingredient list on each individual wrapper. All edible treats will be sent home with students and not consumed in the classroom.
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The main office and teaching staff will be in touch with families with other food allergies to determine if additional accommodations are required for lunch and snack time.

The District has a standing policy that requires ALL volunteers to be subject to a background check to work with or supervise students at school. Please complete the below linked form and return it to the main office no less than 48 hours prior to your first volunteer time. The background check must be completed each school year.

If coming into the building to volunteer, once all volunteer requirements have been met, you will be required to sign-in and sign-out in the Main Office. You will also be required to wear a visitor badge where it can easily be seen. When volunteering in the building, we require that you limit your activity to the classroom/teacher you are scheduled to volunteer for. Volunteers should not be visiting and/or interrupting any other classrooms other than the one they are volunteering for.

We appreciate your willingness to support Stadium Drive and would not be nearly as successful without volunteers like you! Please contact the main office at (248) 693-5475 with any questions.

The updated Elementary Handbook can be found at 2024-25_Elementary_Handbook.pdf (lakeorionschools.org)

The 2024-25 Lake Orion Community Schools calendars are available by visiting the LakeOrionSchools.org calendar page. A single sheet of the important dates is also listed on that page.

Attached below is the specials rotation for the year. Your child's teacher will communicate which specials they will have on which day. As you will note in the schedule, the specials classes will rotate daily. Monday through Thursday will be consistent, with a rotation occurring on Fridays.

Specials Teachers:

Media - Dan Dabrowski

Music - Katie Sloan

Art - Karen Meehan

PE - Molly Dittrich (Day 1/Monday), Parker Roth (Day 2/Tuesday) and Robert Karagosian (Day 4/Thursday) and

OK2SAY is available state-wide for public and private schools in Michigan; anybody can submit a confidential tip. Specially trained technicians receive the tips and filter the information to the appropriate agency to provide a timely and effective response.

Link: https://www.michigan.gov/ok2say

Check out photos from the SDE annual Walk/Bike/Roll to school Day held this past Wednesday

https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBM9RT

Check out photos from SDE PTO Harvest Hustle

https://www.flickr.com/gp/lakeorioncommunityschools/w44VWnn79t

LOCS District albums

Lake Orion Community Schools’s albums | Flickr