Sturgis Elementary Newsletter

December 2024

A Note From Principal Chantal Ligtenberg

I want to express our gratitude for everyone who has helped keep our students safe,

healthy, connected and learning this school year!

Lost and Found:

Please watch this special video from Mrs. Ligtenberg and Mrs. Jutting. We will be donating items not retrieved during the holiday break as we are running out of room to store all the items.

Go Glow:

We had just under750 people attend our Family Engagement Night on November 12th. We appreciate the families that participated. Additionally, thank you to the following who partnered with us for this event: PTA, BH Camse, Sanford Lab, Star Base, 4H, YFS, Grocery Mart, Pizza Hut, and McDonalds. We want your feedback. Please take a couple minutes to complete the survey. If you complete the survey by Friday, Dec. 6 you have the opportunity to be entered into a drawing for a little swag!: https://forms.gle/Wg8kg3KaMBZEMMaF9

Lunchroom STARS:

To recognize good behavior in our lunchroom, lunch staff award students that follow our STAR behavior with the opportunity to be put in for a weekly drawing for a sub sandwich coupon. These students are also put in for a monthly drawing for a visit to our book vending machine.

Lunchroom STAR behavior

Stay in your seat

Talk quietly to your neighbor

Always use good table manners

Raise your hand

How to Promote Good Attendance at School:

-Set a regular bedtime and morning routine.

- Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.

- Keep your child healthy and make sure your child has the required shots.

- Try to schedule extended trips when school isn't in session.

- If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school counselors and other parents for advice on how to make your child feel comfortable and excited about learning.

- If your child must stay home due to illness, ask the teacher for resources and ideas to continue learning at home.

Resource: Attendanceworks.org

Inclement Weather/School Closings:

In the event of a late start or a school closure due to weather, a message will go out by the district level by phone, text, and email. Please let the school office know if you have changed phone numbers recently so we may make those updates in our system.

Lost and Found:

Please watch this special video from Mrs. Ligtenberg and Mrs. Jutting. We will be donating items not retrieved during the holiday break as we are running out of room to store all the items.

Important Dates & School District Calendar

Meade School District Calendar

1st & 2nd Grade Music Program Information

Scholars of the Month

Nurse News

School Activities & FUN

Library Spotlight

It’s been a busy, but fun start to the school year in the Sturgis Elementary Library.

Our youngest students have been introduced to a string of new authors and are learning the basics of libraries and how they serve our schools and communities.

Those who are a little older have followed authors and illustrators through online interviews discussing the artistic process, the book industry, and where ideas come from. My goal is to make these professionals accessible to students and their work tangible examples of dedication, practice, and success. We are also exploring new ways to access stories and content, most recently with an introduction to podcasts. Frequently our lessons are supplemented with STEAM topics (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math.)

We are not alone in adding STEAM to our library curriculum. Historically, libraries have always been on the forefront of connecting people to the information they need or want. As these skills become more critical, we are excited to encourage their interest so they can explore independently in our non-fiction section and beyond.

Finally, thank you for all you do to support and encourage a love of reading for your child at home. Those quick stories before bed make such a huge difference in their days and in their life. Thank you for that and all you do to make this such a wonderful place to teach.

Have a great remainder of the year,

Heidi Kruse, MA - Certified Teacher Librarian

District Librarian & Media Specialist

Student Council

Students in third and fourth grade can sign up for student council and serve for one trimester. The first trimester student council discussed ideas to improve our school climate and ideas to help our community. They picked one activity to complete at school and a community service project. To improve school climate, students made signs and greeted students as they arrived at school in October. They also made welcome signs for each hallway entry door. Some of the members handed out thank you cards to veterans that attended our Veteran’s Day assembly. Student council members picked up garbage around the school for their service project and celebrated with a donut party