Schwarzkoff Friday Phone Call
9-15-23
Important Dates
Friday, September 15th
- 4th-6th M-Step Reports went home
Wednesday, September 20th
- NO SCHOOL
Schwarkoff Shows "REMARKABLE" Achievement from 22-23 NWEA Growth
Superintendent Mr. Robert Monroe joins Schwarzkoff TODAY for a Pep Assembly to honor our students for their growth in the 22-23 NWEA report. We are SOO proud of our AHMAZING COUGARS. Our teachers preformed a special dance routine to "We're All in This Together."
Funding request for EL chairs
Reminders - Important Security Information
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 Schwarzkoff Elementary, you will go to the main office 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:
- Please press the buzzer to speak with someone in the office
- You will be asked to state your name and reason for visiting
- You will be asked to show your photo id into the security camera above the outside door
- Office staff will assist you
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 Schwarzkoff safe.
Community Partnerships
- Macomb Christian Church has been our school partner for 7 years since I became the principal.
- The church donates candy for Trunk or Treat, and provides service to the school.
- In August 8 members of MCC came to Schwarzkoff to upgrade our Gaga pits with stone dust foundations.
- This was a serious upgrade from our "mud pit" that the Gaga Pitts usually become as the grass wears out when students play.
- MCC will send 15-20 reading mentors that come to school weekly to meet with 3rd and 4th grade struggle readers.
- We ensure this partnership serves our school while following the guidelines of the separation of church and state.
- We love our school partners and are grateful for their service.
- Last year we expanded our reading mentor program to Macomb Optimist Club. They send us about 6 members to read with our students each week.
Birthday Celebrations
The teachers and staff at Schwarzkoff strongly support and encourage the recognition of a child’s birthday during the school day. It is an annual milestone in every child’s life that should be celebrated not just at home, but in school as well, where children spend one-third of their day with teachers, classmates, and peers. While there are many wonderful and creative ways to celebrate a child’s birthday in school, birthday celebrations at Schwrzkoff will not include food treats. Instead, the focus at Schwarzkoff will be recognizing the day in a variety of special ways that do not include food treats. Some possibilities include:
· Class sings “Happy Birthday”
· Parent makes a donation of book to class library/read to class
· Student reads favorite book to class
· Student donates a special class gift for recess
Your child’s teacher will have more information on how birthdays will be celebrated in the classroom. As educators, caregivers and loved ones we all want the best for our students. Thank you for joining us in giving students healthy opportunities to celebrate important events and achievements.
Too Sick to Come to School?
Take a Peek at These Health Department Guidelines
When is your child too sick to attend school? The following guidelines, along with the advice of your family doctor, will help you decide when your child should stay home:
• Cold and/or cough – a child with deep mucus that causes a cough and heavy nose drainage cannot function at school.
• Fever – fever is a warning that something is wrong. A child should remain at home for 24 hours after the fever is gone without the use of medication.
• Rash – a rash, spots or blotches on the skin can be the first sign of many illnesses. Rashes require a physician’s release stating they are not contagious.
• Stomachache/Upset – a child who is vomiting or has diarrhea should be kept at home and may return 24 hours after the symptoms are gone.
• Head Lice – a child with head lice must remain at home until treatment is complete and school officials confirm he or she is free of lice. Check your child’s head before school begins in the fall and routinely during the school year or if he or she complains of an itchy scalp. Look around your child’s ears and back of the neck for nits, which are tiny, 8 white, oval-shaped lice eggs that are attached to the hair near the scalp. Nits may look like dandruff or scalp flakes, but nits do not move and are difficult to dislodge. Notify the school office immediately if your child has head lice. Begin treatment immediately by contacting your doctor or purchasing over the counter medication from the drug store. To prevent spreading head lice, wash all infested garments, hair accessories, bedding and other surfaces with hot water and disinfectant. You must sign your child in at the office when he or she is returning to school after treatment for head lice.
Policy on Personal Items
Any cell phones must be turned off and out of view during school hours or while on the bus.
Students should NOT bring toys, game boys, Nintendo DS or any hand-held electronic games, CD players, MP3 or IPods, PDA’s, memorabilia, special cards or other collectible or expensive items to school.
Schwarzkoff Elementary School is not responsible for personal items that are lost or damaged.
Such items will be collected and kept in the office. A parent must come and retrieve any items they wish to have returned.
Pet Policy
Utica Community Schools has a no pet policy on school property.
Recess
Students will have the opportunity to go outside with their classmates during designated times throughout the day. Recess helps to promote social and emotional learning and development for all children. Allowing time for our students to engage in peer interactions allows them to role play essential social skills. Recess also benefits our students by increasing their level of physical activity improving their memory, attention, and concentration. Each class will have a recess attached to the lunch program. We go outside whenever possible and stay inside if it is raining or the temperatures are below 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Students will have an optional second recess each day with their classroom teacher. Please have children dress for the weather.
Reminder there are NO PARENTS allowed in Recess Areas during School Day
Allergen Form for Special Dietary Needs
Students with food allergies that wish to use school meals must have a Special Dietary Needs form (11A) completed and signed by a physician. Forms need to be turned in to the office of Food and Nutrition Service. Without this form we cannot make accommodations. This form must be updated every year to ensure accuracy. Since all schools have vegetarian options, parents do not need to complete a form for that option.
Background Checks
ONLY NEW VOLUNTEERS WILL NEED TO COMPLETE BACKGROUND CHECKS. (This is a change in policy)
A new volunteer is considered someone who did not volunteer for the 2022-2023 school year. (new enrollment, parent/guardian with opportunities to help this year that they didn't have last year).
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.
New District App
Utica Community Schools has a new mobile app! Search for 'Utica Schools' in your phone's app store and download the free app to stay up-to-date on district and school news. The old mobile app 'Utica Community Schools' is no longer supported and should be deleted from your devices. Download at the App store here and Google Play here.