DeKeyser News!
August 23, 2024
DeKeyser Elementary
Email: officedekeyser@uticak12.org
Website: DeKeyser Elementary / Homepage (uticak12.org)
Location: 38397 Gladstone Dr., Sterling Hgts., MI 48312
Phone: (586) 797-4400
School Hours: 9:00 AM - 3:50 PM (full days) and 9:00 AM -12:04 PM (half days)
Breakfast Hours: 8:40 - 9:00
Facebook: DeKeyser Elementary School
DeKeyser Office Information
Principal: Mrs. Shannon Hathcock
Administrative Assistant: Mrs. Lisa Russo
Clerk: Mrs. Heather Mansour
Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:20 p.m.
Office Phone Number: (586)797-4400
24 Hr Attendance Line (586)797-4499
Fax (586)797-4401
Dear DeKeyser Families,
I am beyond excited to welcome you to the 2024 - 2025 school year. All families are invited to our Dolphin Day event on Monday, August 26th from 4:30 - 5:30 pm. During this event you and your family will be invited to the back of the building to participate in an outdoor scavenger hunt, explore the outside of Rose Kidd, visit several fun activity stations, and enjoy a delicious popsicle. Unfortunately, students and families will not be able to enter the building during this event. This is disappointing for all, but we are going to make sure that your child has a sneak peek into their classroom with a photo that will be sent out on Monday. All kindergarten families will be invited to a Kindergarten Meet & Greet from 4:00 - 4:30 on Monday, August 26th. All kindergarten families will be able to take their child around the building to the back play pad where they will find their child's classroom, meet the teacher, drop off supplies, peek in the classroom and share important information with the teacher about important first day transportation information. Kindergarten families are then invited to participate in the Dolphin Day activities starting at 4:30.
Families will be able to visit the inside of Rose Kidd during our Open House on Tuesday, September 10th. Our Title I presentation will start at 5:45 in our gymnasium with our classroom teacher and curriculum presentations starting at 6:30. Please mark your calendars for this event. You won't want to miss this informational evening.
Each week you will receive a DeKeyser Newsletter that will keep you updated on school and district information. This newsletter will be emailed, posted on our DeKeyser FB page, posted on our DeKeyser website, and texted as a link to your cell phone. The goal is to have the newsletter sent out each Friday by 6pm. Previous newsletters will always be linked at the bottom of the current newsletter.
I look forward to seeing everyone on Monday!
Have a wonderful day!
Mrs. Hathcock
Arrival & Dismissal Times
What's Happening at DeKeyser
AUGUST 2024
- 26 - NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS – Professional Development
- 26 -Kindergarten Meet & Greet 4:00 - 4:30 and Dolphin Day - 4:30 - 5:30
- 27 - First Day of School for Students (1/2 day 12:04 Dismissal)
- 30 - No School
September 2024
VIP Parking: Brenden McKee
- 2 - NO SCHOOL - Labor Day
- 6 - FINAL DAY to purchase device insurance
- 6- PTCG Event - The New Rink 5:00 - 7:00
- 10 - Open House - 5:45 Title 1 Presentation / 6:30 Open House
- 12 - Boy Scouts Open House 6:30 - 7:30 pm
- 17 - PTCG Meeting 6:00 pm - Media Center
- 18 - NO SCHOOL – Professional Development
- 26 - Picture Day
- 27 - Fun Run
Kindergarten Meet & Greet
All activities will take place outside of the building
Monday, August 26th - 4:00 - 4:30 pm
Dolphin Day
All activities will take place outside of the building
Monday, August 26th, 4:30 - 5:30 pm
PTCG
DeKeyser Parent Teacher Communication Group
The DeKeyser Parent Teacher Communication Group (PTCG) welcomes all our dolphins back to school! We are excited to kick off another amazing year together and begin our new adventure at Rose Kidd. PTCG is a collaborative group of dedicated teachers and parents that work together to make our school the best community for students, families, and staff. We want to keep you informed about all events and happenings here at DeKeyser so please be sure to follow us on Facebook and join us at our first PTCG meeting on September 17th at 6:00pm. We also look forward to welcoming you at Dolphin Day on Monday, August 26th from 4:30-5:30pm at Rose Kidd. We'll have an outdoor scavenger hunt, school map, engaging stations for kiddos, and free popsicles for all! We look forward to seeing you there!
First Day of School
Breakfast
Breakfast will be served daily from 8:40 - 9:00 am in the gym. If your child would like to eat breakfast, they will enter DOOR 1 at the front of the building. Students will give their name to the cashier, select their breakfast, and then sit at a cafeteria table. Students will remain in the gym until they are able to walk to their classroom which begins at 8:50 am. Students will never be released to go outside after breakfast.
Security Procedures
- 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
- Office staff will buzz the door for you to enter the building
- Please pass through the lobby and enter the office
- 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 DeKeyser safe.
DeKeyser @ Rose Kidd Parking Lot
Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the NEW parking lot. We have color coded the map for easy reference. Arrival and dismissal procedures are very different from what they were in the past. ALL students will enter and exit the front of the building either through door 7 or through door 1. No children will enter or exit through their outside classroom doors. This new procedure was designed for the safety and security of ALL students and staff.
Thank you for your patience with the new procedures!
UPDATE
Our previous newsletter asked all families to create their own sign. I have updated this part of the process. I have created a sign for ALL families. You will be able to pick up your sign during our Dolphin Day event or on the 1st day of school.
All DeKeyser @ Rose Kidd families will receive an email in the afternoon on Sunday, August 25th. This email will explain assign your family a number. PLEASE make sure you know your family's number. The email will also list your last name and the name(s) of your child(ren).
Office staff will be available to answer questions during Dolphin Day. You can also email me at shannon.hathcock@uticak12.org. Please remember that we are working to create a safe and secure environment for our entire community!
Arrival / Dismissal Procedures
Dear DeKeyser Families,
The DeKeyser staff would like to share NEW PROCEDURES for the safety of our students and staff during arrival and dismissal for DeKeyser @ Rose Kidd. We understand that this will be new for families, and the first few days may present some challenges. Please allow some grace while we work together to create a safe environment for our learning community.
Arrival and dismissal at DeKeyser @ Rose Kidd will only happen in the front of the building. Door 7 will be for all students who ride a bus and Door 1 will be used for all walkers and parent drop off students. We will no longer be allowing students to enter and exit the building through the outside classroom doors. Please know that this is for the safety and security of all students. Teachers and DeKeyser staff will be in the building at 8:50 welcoming all students at their inside classroom door. Staff members will help all students to get to their classroom the first several weeks until everyone feels comfortable with the new school. Please know that teachers will not be permitted to open the outside doors of their classroom to parents and/or students during the arrival or dismissal process.
Thank you for your flexibility and patience as we implement this new arrival and dismissal procedure. The safety and security of our students is always our number one priority.
The DeKeyser Staff
Arrival Procedures
Students Ordering Breakfast
Door #1 will open @ 8:40a.m.
· Parent Drop-Off
- Enter at the BLUE Parent Drop Off / Pick UP (DO NOT ENTER THE YELLOW BUS LOOP)
Pull all the way to the front of the line
- Child will exit out the passenger side door of the vehicle at 8:40 if they are eating breakfast
- Staff will close your door
- Student will walk into Door 1 for breakfast
- Exit the parking lot
- Please watch crossing guard area when exiting parking lot
· Walkers
- PLEASE DO NOT arrive before 8:40a.m. there will be NO supervision.
- Enter door #1
· Bus Riders
- Bus will arrive in the bus loop
- Students ordering breakfast will get off the bus at 8:40
- Students will enter DOOR #1
Arrival Procedures
Students NOT Ordering Breakfast
Door #1 will open @ 8:50a.m.
· Parent Drop-Off
- Enter at the BLUE Parent Drop Off / Pick UP (DO NOT ENTER THE YELLOW BUS LOOP)
Pull all the way to the front of the line
- Child will exit out the passenger side door at 8:50
- Staff will close your door
- Student will walk into Door 1 at 8:50 (Please do not expect to drop off your child prior to this time unless they are ordering breakfast)
- Exit the parking lot
- Please watch crossing guard area when exiting parking lot
· Walkers
- PLEASE DO NOT arrive before 8:50a.m. there will be NO supervision.
- Enter door #1
· Bus Riders
- Bus will arrive in the bus loop
- Students will exit the bus at 8:50 and enter DOOR #7
Dismissal Procedures
NEW REQUIREMENTS - IMPORTANT
Dismissal Procedure 3:50p.m. (12:04p.m. half day)
**NEW requirement**
· Parent Pick-Up
- Every vehicle in the PARENT PICK UP LANE needs a FAMILY IDENTIFICATION SIGN in the passenger side window. This sign will be provided to all families at Dolphin Day or on the 1st day of school.
- Enter through the BLUE Parent/Drop Off / Pick Up lane
- Drive in the drop off lane (Colored in purple on the map)
- Make sure your FAMILY IDENTIFICATION SIGN is visible in the passenger side window.
- When entering the parking lot, allow the adult on the corner to read your FAMILY IDENTIFICATION SIGN.
- This adult will call your family number into a walkie talkie.
- Staff in the gym will call the number and your child(ren) will exit the building and go to the pick up lane
- Pull all the way to the front of the line and wait for your child
- Your child will enter through the passenger side of the vehicle
- Once your child is in the car, staff will close your door
- Pull forward to exit the parking lot OR you can transition to the drive through lane (colored in green on the map) to exit the parking lot
· Walkers
- Will exit the building at door #1
- Students will follow the sidewalk to the crossing guard to safely cross the street
· Bussers
- All bussers will exit DOOR 7 to enter their color-coded bus
- All bussers will be given a bus tag on the 1st day of school
FAMILY IDENTIFICATION SIGN
ALL SIGNS WILL BE PROVIDED BY DEKEYSER!
Below is an example of the FAMILY IDENTIFICATION SIGN that all families will receive on Dolphin Day or on the 1st day of school. Please post this sign in your passenger side window when coming to pick up your child(ren) at the end of each day.
Students riding a bus will save their FAMILY IDENTIFICATION SIGN in the event they choose to not ride the bus.
Thank you for your flexibility and patience as we implement this new arrival and dismissal procedure. The safety and security of our students is always our number one priority.
Lunch Deliveries
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.
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.
Open House
Title I Presentation @ 5:45 / Classroom Presentations @ 6:30
PowerSchool Forms
Michigan School Meals
All meals are free this year thanks to the Michigan School Meals law. Students that would like to be eligible for benefits, such as pay-to-participate sports, college entrance fees, AP testing fees and more still need to fill out the Education Benefits Form or the School Meals Form. These forms are available at https://utica.familyportal.cloud. Please download and complete the forms to ensure we receive our Title I and other specialized funding from the state. Paper applications will be sent home with the youngest child in the family the first week of school.
Device Insurance Deadline Friday, September 6, 2024; $20.00 per device.
Technology Device Insurance- In order to be considered enrolled in the optional Technology Insurance Program, payments must be received no later than Friday, 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.
How to Purchase Device Insurance -- ONLINE
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 LOVE our Volunteers
Any prospective volunteer of Utica Community Schools including those who will be supervising students, working with students, chaperoning field trip, etc. must complete a Criminal History Check Form and be cleared prior to any volunteer services.
Volunteer background checks must be completed annually. If a parent has students in more than one school, only one volunteer form must be completed.
Click on the link below the photos, complete the form and return to DeKeyser Office.
Food Service News
- 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) to help maintain our Title 1 funding. 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 DeKeyser Office.
- Menus are available on Nutrislice at https://uticak12.nutrislice.com
Allergy Forms
Students with food allergies that wish to use school meals must have a Special Dietary Needs form (9A) filled out and signed by a physician. Forms need to be submitted 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 available, parents do not need to fill out a form for this option.
Grade Level Supply Lists
School Age Child Care
Utica Community Schools is pleased to provide an opportunity for School Age Child Care (SACC)!
DeKeyser@Rose Kidd Options are as follows:
Morning SACC: Monday - Friday 6: 45 am - 8:50 am (Currently registering on a waitlist)
Afternoon SACC: Monday - Friday 3:50 pm – 6:00 pm at Messmore Elementary
Students will be bussed to this location after school.
Please click on the link below for more information and the opportunity to register your child for SACC.
Medical/Health Plans
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.
2024-2025 Lunch Supervisors Needed
UCS Text Messaging Service
UCS 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.