Reid Elementary News

Hi Reid Rocket Families!

November is a time when I reflect on things that I'm thankful for.

I'm thankful for our school family! Reid students are top notch and I'm glad I get to spend my days with them. I am honored to work with the best staff. My staff shows up daily, ready to meet the needs of our students and support their learning.

I'm thankful for you, the parents! Reid's parents are encouraging and supportive and we couldn't do our jobs without your support!

I hope you find a moment in the upcoming weeks to think about the things that you are thankful for. Taking a mindful moment helps me to feel a sense of calm when I can't always sift through worldly events that are out of my control. I hope you can find a moment of calm too.

We look forward to seeing parents during conferences Nov. 12-14th. If you haven't scheduled a conference yet, please reach out to your child's teacher. During conferences, your child's teacher will review your child(ren)'s academic and social progress, discuss student's NWEA results, and discuss the goals that your child(ren) has set to reach their full accademic potential.

School begins promptly at 8:40 am. Students should not be in dropped off before 8:35. If you need to drop your child off before then, we offer School Age Child Care. They can be reached at 810-591-6083. If your child is late for school, we ask that you please accompany them into the building and sign them in at the office. Please make sure to watch out for our busses in the morning. Please do not cross in front or in between our busses in the parking lot. It makes our bus drivers very nervous when they have students and adults crossing where they should not. Thank you for helping us to keep everyone safe.

If your student is eating breakfast at school, they may enter the building through the main doors at 8:25 a.m. Breakfast is served until 8:45 a.m. as students need to be in their classroom by 8:50 so they don't miss instruction.

The morning is a very busy time for our staff and we want to provide you our full attention. If you need to speak with your child’s teacher, please contact them to make an appointment. We appreciate your cooperation.

We are glad to welcome parent volunteers to our building. All volunteers will need to sign in at the office, and report to their teacher for instructions. If your teacher is in need of having a volunteer in the room, they will reach out to you to schedule a time.

We have an exciting month planned with many activities and events. Please be sure to check your teachers' newsletters for important information too.

Educationally yours,

Jamie Wagner

Principal

G.B. Wellness Policy and Birthday Treats

Board Policy 8510 -

E. All foods offered on the school campus during the school day shall comply with the current USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans, including competitive foods that are available to students a la carte in the dining area, as classroom snacks, or from vending machines.

F. All food and beverages that are provided, other than through sale, on the school campus during the school day (which may include classroom snacks, for classroom parties, and at holiday celebrations) shall comply with the food and beverage standards approved by the Superintendent.

Please do not send in sugary treats for birthday treats or daily snacks. Some other ideas to celebrate birthdays may include, stickers, pencils, erasers, or other non-food items. Please consult with your classroom teacher if you have any questions. Snacks and treats that don’t align with our district board policies will be sent home with the student. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in following this board policy.

November

• 1st Popcorn Day
• 5th No school for students P.D. for staff
• 6th and 20th ELGA Deposit Day
• 8th Mott Clown Assembly
• 11th - 15th Book Fair
• 12th and 13th Conferences 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• 14th Conferences 1:10 - 4:10
• 13th, 14th, and 15th 1/2 day for students. School is dismissed at 12:17 p.m.
• 18th PTO meeting at 7 p.m. in Community Room
• 21st Dentist R Us visit. Please contact the office if you need a form
• 25th 5th grade field trip to Camp Copeneconic
• 27th - 29th Holiday break Thanksgiving - no school for staff and students

Many students and families celebrate different holidays and celebrations throughout the year. Please see the PTA's multicultural Holiday Calendar link below for a reference of celebrations and Holidays that Reid's families may celebrate.

PTA Multicultural Calendar

During conference week, our giving tree will be in the front lobby. Each year Reid adopts families from our school to help during the holiday season. If you are able to help, please take a tag from our tree and return your unwrapped gift to the lobby by December 11th.

Thank you

Are you interested in helping Reid Elementary be all that it can be? Then you would like joining our Reid PTO. The PTO is a parent and teacher(staff) organization that does many things for our school family. One big job of our PTO is to organize fundraisers and events that provide extracurricular activities for our students. The PTO meets monthly throughout the year. Please consider joining this wonderful organization. If you have questions, please reach out to gb.reidpto@gmail.com

Please see the PTO's facebook page for their latest updates.

https://secure.smore.com/n/ksw1m

We have drop off bins in our main lobby. If you need to turn something in or pick something up from your classroom teacher, please check in with our office staff who will assist you with the correct bin.

Please see this link for additional information.

Parents may now record an absence on Parent Vue. Please see the directions below.

Pertussis (also known as whooping cough)

Pertussis can be a very serious illness and is on the rise in Michigan. The disease is caused by a bacteria that is spread through sneezing and coughing.

• Pertussis can spread easily among susceptible household members and in group settings such as schools, workplaces, and sports teams.
• Adolescents and adults are also at risk for infection since vaccine protection decreases over time.
• The time between exposure to the bacteria and disease symptoms is usually between 7 - 10 days, but in rare cases, it can take up to 3 weeks.

Symptoms:

• In the early stage of illness, pertussis can resemble a common cold. Symptoms include sneezing, runny nose, mild dry cough, and low-grade fever.
• After about 1 to 2 weeks, more serious “coughing spells” develop that can last for more than a minute and result in difficulty breathing.
• At the end of a coughing spell, the cough may make a high-pitched “whooping” sound as they try to catch their breath.
• Sometimes the coughing will cause vomiting. Between spells, they usually feel well.

Recommended actions:

For people of all ages, call your health care provider if you have any of these symptoms:

• Unusual cough lasting 7 days or more (with or without a “whoop”)

• Cough that comes in bursts (intermittent)

• Vomiting after coughing spells

Treatment and Prevention:

• Pertussis can be treated or even prevented with antibiotics if detected early or before the disease has started.
• If you develop any of the symptoms described above, stay home from school and contact your doctor immediately. Please also inform the school office of any illness.

• Antibiotics prevent the spread of disease.

• Antibiotics are recommended for all household contacts of a pertussis case and for other close contacts, regardless of vaccine status.
• Close contacts are people who have had face-to-face exposure within three feet of a pertussis case, or have had direct contact with their respiratory, oral or nasal secretions.

• Close contacts with cold-like symptoms should stay home and be evaluated by their healthcare provider. If pertussis is suspected, they should stay home from school and other activities until completion of 5 days of antibiotics.

• Hand hygiene, cough etiquette, Immunization and boosters are important prevention methods. Contact your Dr. to make sure you are up to date.

Mrs. O’Mara and Mrs. Fredrick

GBCS District Nurse Consultants