Southeastern Scene

Welcome to the March 22, 2024, edition of Southeastern Scene.

Hello Southeastern Elementary community,

We're thrilled to announce that we're now on social media! Follow us for the latest updates, events, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into our vibrant learning community. Stay connected with us and be a part of our journey! Here are our official accounts (please search & follow us):

👍 Facebook: SESExplorers

🐦 X (previously Twitter): SESExplorers

📸 Instagram: SESExplorers

Join us as we celebrate achievements, share important announcements, and showcase the incredible talents of our students and staff. Spread the word and let's build an even stronger learning environment!

Mrs. Chastain, Ms. Monkul and Mr. Roberts

KDG

Our Kindergartners continued their work in the Second Step Curriculum - Unit 3, Empathy and Kindness.

Last Week's Lesson -Second Step Curriculum

Lesson 14 - Kindness at School

Try This at Home:

Ask your child to tell you about the kind acts they and their classmates have been doing for one another at school this week.

This Week's Lesson -Second Step Curriculum

Lesson 15 - Demonstrating Kindness

Try This at Home:

Ask your child to show or tell you about their drawing of doing a kind act for someone at school. Encourage them to draw a picture of themselves doing a kind act at home too.

1st

Our first graders have finished Second Step Unit 3 about Empathy and Kindness and have moved on to Unit 4 on Problem Solving .

Last Week's Lesson - Second Step Curriculum

Lesson 15 - Demonstrating Kind Acts

Try This at Home:

Help your child think of a kind act they can do for someone involving offering to help or inviting them to join. Support your child in carrying out the kind act.

This Week's Lesson - Second Step Curriculum

Lesson 16 - How to Say the Problem

Try This at Home:

Children may be tempted to blame others when they’re upset about something. Encourage your child to avoid blame by describing what happened without focusing on who is at fault.

2nd

Our second graders continued their work in the Second Step curriculum, Unit 3 - Empathy and Kindness.

Last Week's Lesson - Second Step Curriculum

Lesson 14: Empathy at School

Try This at Home:

Ask your child what member of their school community they had empathy for and what kind act they chose to do for that person.

This Week's Lesson - Second Step Curriculum

Lesson 15 - Empathy and Kindness

Try This at Home:

Ask your child who they chose to have empathy for and what kind act they decided to do.

3rd

Our third graders have finished their Unit on Empathy and Kindness. They took a brief break from the Second Step curriculum and worked on their digital citizenship and The Power of Words. Third Grade then returned to Second Step and started Unit 4 on Problem Solving.

Last Week's Lesson -Common Sense Media

Digital Citizenship : The Power of Words

Try This at Home:

Discuss with your child how they would use the S-T-O-P method if someone online was using mean words. Discuss with your child how words can be misinterpreted when said online and the importance of always using nice words.

This Week's Lesson - Second Step Curriculum

Lesson 16 - STEP by Step

Try This at Home:

Ask your child if they can recall what each letter in STEP stands for. (S: Say the problem, T: Think of solutions, E: Explore the outcomes, P: Pick a solution.)

4th

Our 4th graders continued in the Second Step curriculum in Unit 2 - Emotion Management.

Last Week's Lesson - Second Step Curriculum

Lesson 8: How to Rethink

Try This at Home:

Ask your child, “What questions could you ask yourself to rethink a situation?” (Questions might include, “What happened?” “Has this ever happened to anyone else?” and “What’s something good that happened?”) Talk about how those questions can help them think differently about a situation.

This Week's Lesson - Second Step Curriculum

Lesson 9: Take Another Look

Try This at Home:

Ask your child, "How could rethinking help you the next time you’re in a situation where you feel a strong emotion?" It’s important to note that rethinking is not a good strategy to use when someone is hurt or in danger.

Summer Reading Skills

Classes are being offered in Fishers this summer to help with reading. This program will work on phonics, fluency, comprehension, study skills and reading speed. Please click on the document below for more information.

Jen Smith, SES School Counselor

Camp Unity is a free bereavement camp for youth ages 6 to 17, scheduled August 9th through 11th. If interested, please click on the flyer below.

Information about district illness policy, medication distribution, immunizations, etc. can be found by clicking this link, or by viewing the document below.

If you have any questions, please contact our school nurse Carissa Firmand (cfirmand@hse.k12.in.us).

Carissa Firmand, SES Nurse

After spring break we will be on week 3.

Meatless Mondays! Check out our weekly meatless options: Cheese stuffed breadsticks, Pizza Crunchers, and Macaroni & Cheese as well as our daily meatless options: Impossible Burger, Bento Boxes, Vegetarian Salad, & Cheese Pizza Pack.

GF Bento Box available daily. Includes UDIs blueberry muffin, yogurt, and cheese cubes.

Please contact the Cafeteria Manager, Beth Verhoestra (bverhoestra@hse.k12.in.us) if you would like restrictions placed on your student's lunch account.

Beth Verhoestra, SES Cafeteria Manager

Library Volunteers 2023-24

Support our readers and library by shelving books, checking in books, assisting students during checkout, reading with children, or general library organization. You must have a Safe visitor background check on file with the district prior to volunteering in the building. Please visit our School Safety page under the Visiting and Volunteering section for Background Check information and processes. Thank you for supporting SES through volunteering your time.

Jen Robinson, SES Librarian

Book Fair

Thank you to all of the volunteers and families that helped make our Scholastic Book Fair a huge success.

• Saturday, Mar 23rd, and Sun., Mar. 24th, HSE District Art Show (more information below).
• Monday, Mar. 25th, 1st and 2nd grade ASL Club, 2:15 to 3:15 pm.
• Monday, Mar. 25th, Math Bowl practice, 2:15 to 3:15 pm.
• Wednesday, Mar. 27th, 3rd and 4th grade ASL Club, 2:15 to 3:15 pm.
• Wednesday, Mar. 27th, Spring Play Practice, 2:15 to 3:30 pm.
• Friday, Mar. 29th, Flex Day (No school unless needed to make up a snow day).
• Monday, Apr. 1st, through Monday, Apr. 8th, Spring Break, no school.
• Tuesday, Apr. 9th, area Math Bowl contest, Riverside Intermediate School, 5:30 pm.
• Wednesday, Apr. 10th, Spring Play practice, 2:15 to 3:30 pm.
• Wednesday, Apr. 10th, Track practice, 2:15 to 3:20 pm.
• Thursday, Apr. 11th, KG Open House, 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
• Monday, Apr. 15th, ILEARN testing begins.
• Monday, Apr. 15th, PTO meeting, 6:30 pm.

• Wednesday, Apr. 17th, Spring Play practice, 2:15 to 3:30 pm.
  
• Wednesday, Apr. 17th, Track practice, 2:15 to 3:20 pm.
  
• Wednesday, Apr. 17th, Student Council meeting, 2:15 to 3:15 pm.

• Wednesday, Apr. 24th, Spring Play practice, 2:15 to 3:30 pm.
  
• Wednesday, Apr. 24th, Track practice, 2:15 to 3:20 pm.
• Wednesday, May 1st, Spring Play practice, 2:15 to 3:30 pm.
  
• Wednesday, May 1st, Track practice, 2:15 to 3:20 pm.
  
• Wednesday, May 1st, Student Council meeting, 2:15 to 3:15 pm.
• Friday, May 3rd, Explorer Day. Wear school colors of navy and gold.
• Monday, May 6th, NWEA testing begins.
• Monday, May 6th, Track practice, 2:15 to 3:20 pm.
• Wednesday, May 8th, Spring Play practice, 2:15 to 3:30 pm.
  
• Wednesday, May 8th, Track practice, 2:15 to 3:20 pm.
  
• Friday, May 10th, SES Carnival.
• Friday, May 10th, ILEARN testing ends.
• Monday, May 13th, PTO meeting, 6:30 pm.
• Wednesday, May 15th, Spring Play practice, 2:15 to 3:15 PM
• Wednesday, May 15th, Student Council meeting, 2:15 to 3:15 pm.
  
• Monday, May 27th, Memorial Day, no school.
• Tuesday, May 28th, SES field day.
• Wednesday, May 29th, Fourth Grade Celebration.
• Wednesday, May 29th, last day for students.

The PTO Nomination Committee is looking for people interested in serving on the SES PTO Board for next school year.

Please visit sespto.org to view the SES PTO bylaws and more information about the positions.

Southeastern Elementary is the largest elementary school in the Hamilton Southeastern School Corporation.

FORM DUE 3/28/2024. No late or word of mouth nominations will be considered.

**Filling out this form in no way, shape, or form commits anyone to the PTO Board**

The PTO is a fun and dynamic organization. Being part of the PTO Board is a great opportunity to help your children, their teachers, the administration, and our school.

Current Board:

Co-Presidents - Cara Dalton & Kendall Horvatich

Co-Vice President- Mandy Carmin

Secretary- Brooke Gajownik

Co- Treasurers- Whitney Chacon & Sara Newman

Members at Large- Shaleen Blume, Shara Harrison and Stephanie Kelber

Interest Form

Our student council has selected fun spirit day themes for our week of school before spring break.

Please see below:

• M - PJ Day
• Tu - Time Travel Tuesday (Dress like the past or the future)
• W - Weather Wednesday (Dress like it's 100, the artic, it's raining or like the rainbow)
• Th - Swap Day (Teachers and Students dress like each other)

Did you know that you can purchase all of your students supplies (minus the rainboots) from one place, and have it shipped directly to the school? Parents that have done it in the past keep coming back, because supply kits are amazing! The kits are live now. Purchase yours and skip the at the store hassle.

1st Day School Supplies | The BEST Way to Buy Back-To-School Supplies!

Thank you to all of the families who donated fun socks to SES for our students and staff to wear on World Down Syndrome Day. Over 1,000 pairs of socks were collected for every student and staff member to wear in celebration of Millie and Cree, and all our friends with Down's Syndrome .

The Fishers Youth Assistance Program is collecting food items for the FYAP summer meals program. If you wish to donate, please see below for more information.

The PTO Philanthropy Committee works with the food pantry each month to get specific requests of needs. Everyone is welcome to contribute, but the committee assigns a grade to fulfill the month(s) needs.

We are asking first graders to bring in easy mac cups and fruit snacks during the months of March and April. Many thanks, in advance for helping support those in need.

The collection bin is in the LGI Space near the Front Office.

As we continue to serve the Fall Creek Food Pantry, we want to acknowledge and thank those of you who have contributed to our donation bin. We have had an outpouring of giving so far in 2024 and are hoping to keep it going!

If interested in summer art camp with Mrs. Getz, click this link to register.

Please join Mrs. Bleill for Sports and Games PE Camp this summer! Week 1 is June 17-21, and week 2 is June 24-29. Please email Nikki Bleill at nbleill@hse.k12.in.us with questions. You can use this link to register.

Our PTO sends out a weekly newsletter with information about upcoming programs and activities you can get involved with at SES. Please access the latest PTO Newsletter at this link.

Stay connected with Southeastern PTO

Email: SoutheasternElemPTO@gmail.com

Instagram: @Southeastern PTO
Twitter: @Southeastern PTO

Anyone wanting to spend time in the school, visit for lunch or chaperone a field trip must have a SafeVisitor background check on file with the district prior visiting. If you have not yet completed the background check, please click below to get started.

It is district policy that the building opens at 7:30 a.m. and school begins promptly at 7:40 a.m. (please see district handbook below). We begin letting students into the building at 7:30 am. Our staff can stay outside to greet car riders until 7:45, but they need to come into the building because the school day has already begun, and staff are needed in the classrooms. If you choose to drive your student to school, and no staff is outside to greet students, please park and walk your student into the building and sign them in on the clipboard inside the first set of doors. Please know that anyone coming into school after 7:45 a.m. will be marked late in their Skyward account. District policy on elementary tardies is listed below:

TARDY TO SCHOOL If your child is late to school, please sign them in at the front office. Do not, for any reason, drop your child off at the front door. If students are tardy due to circumstances beyond the family’s control (power failure, late bus, weather conditions) no tardy report will be filed. Students are marked tardy when a student arrives between 7:40AM – 8:40AM.

If you choose to drive your student into school in the morning, we cannot have cars sitting on Cyntheanne Road blocking traffic. If you are waiting to pull into the school, the overflow route is Cyntheanne Park (directly across the street from SES). Please pull into the park and wait there until our School Resource Officer directs you to cross the street into the SES parking lot. We cannot block traffic on Cyntheanne Road; it is a huge safety hazard.

Also, please be mindful and aware of our School Resource Officer who stands in the street trying to direct traffic. Please follow his directions only and do not pull past him and drive directly into the SES parking lot. His safety and the safety of all our SES families is of the upmost importance.

We have had students dropped off at the curb with no adults outside and it is a huge safety concern, especially when it is dark outside and we have inclement weather. The bus is always an option. Buses regularly run on time. In the rare case that buses run late, a ParentSquare is sent to families, the front office is notified, and these students will not be marked late.

If you choose to drive your student to school, the line will move faster if all cars pull forward as far as possible, students are ready with coat, backpack and shoes already on and all goodbyes are shared prior to stopping in front of the school. This way, students can get out of the car immediately. Questions? Please refer to the district handbook which is listed on the district website at hseschools.org. You also can access the handbook at the link below. You can call our front office at (317) 594-4340.

https://ses.hseschools.org/our-school/student-handbook

SES Lunch Visitor Procedures:

• Lunch visits will begin after Labor Day.

• Adults will be able to call in the day of by 8:30 a.m. and sign up to have lunch with their child; 8:30 a.m. is a FIRM deadline.

• Time slots will be filled on a first come, first serve basis. Only one family per block will be allowed each day with a maximum of 2 visitors.

• 10:15-10:45

• 10:45-11:15

• 11:15-11:45

• 11:45-12:15

• 12:15-12:45

• 12:45-1:15

Visitor Guidelines:

• All visitors will need to have their ID with them to sign in and sign out of the building. All visitors must have an approved valid Safe Visitor background check on file with the district before coming into the building. Visitors are required to wear their visitor badge and lanyard while in the building.

• All visitors must eat lunch with their child at the table designated for visitors.

• NO restaurant food or drink may be brought in, Ex: McDonalds, Chic Fil A, Jimmie Johns etc.

• Phones must be put away at all times.

• Students will not be pulled out of lunch to eat with siblings.

• Siblings not attending SES will be discouraged from attending lunch due to space constraints.

• You may only have your child eat lunch with you during this time. Friends and students who are extended family are not permitted

• We ask that when your child lines up with their class at the end of lunch, you check out in the office to turn your badge and lanyard in.

• All visitors must bring their own cash for a cafeteria lunch. You may not use your students lunch account to charge your lunch. Only cash will be accepted.

The Southeastern Elementary handbook has answers to many of your questions regarding policies and procedures for our upcoming school year. The handbook can be found on our website at ses.hseschools.org, or by clicking here.

Spring Program Registration Update

Spring sports kick off soon and limited spaces remain for our programing options here. We encourage you to visit myathletics.com to register now or sign up for a waitlist if the option is not available.

Email: dchastain@hse.k12.in.us
Website: https://ses.hseschools.org/
Location: 12500 Cyntheanne Road, Fortville, IN, USA
Phone: 317-594-4340
Twitter: @SoutheasternEl1