Salem Spotlight
February 2019
Our Mission
At Salem, we realize all children are individuals, and this may be their first experience in social living. Our desired goal in working with all children is growth.
We strive to create a stimulating environment for each child that will promote and foster his/her interests and curiosity, thus promoting optimal learning. This learning will incorporate the development of academic, relationship, and citizenship skills, a requirement for functioning in our society as productive citizens.
Principal's Message
Dear Salem Community,
With the second term well under way, we want to thank everyone for your continued support of our students, teachers, and school as we collectively strive to provide every opportunity for learning each day. In addition, we want to thank our Parent Teacher Organization for all they do to support us at Salem. Without them, we could not provide so many wonderful learning experiences for our students.
Salem Administration and Staff value the important contributions families make towards a child’s success in school. There is no question about it, success at school starts at home. Families are the most significant influence in a child’s schooling. Families model both spoken and silent language in front of their children. One of the great hallmarks of a successful school is the partnership between the school and families who work together and collaborate.
Please be sure to check your child’s schoology account and progress book on a regular basis for up-to-date information about classwork and grades.
Sincerely,
Lisa M. Smith
From the Desk of the Preschool Director
by Mrs. Losey
Preschool Registration
- Lottery registration is now complete and rosters are full for the 2019-2020 school year.
- You can still complete a Google form if you are interested in placing your child on the waiting list: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1PBNOMytELrlmcT93SGmpJ0VBP_-h6NndgkW_vK5q1ws/edit
- If you complete a Google form, you will only be notified if a spot opens up and your child is next on the list
Kindergarten Registration
ALL CURRENT Little Miami preschool students transitioning to kindergarten MUST register.
- Registration will begin February 25, 2019
- Complete pre-registration and schedule appointment online (if you completed the online pre-registration last year, you will need to add a new student. If you forgot your username, you will need to create a new username and/or password) https://registration.littlemiamischools.com/
- Present supporting documentation at appointment:
o Driver’s license
o Proof of residencyo Custody papers (if applicable)
o Immunization Records, Physical Exam and Dental Record needed by screening date
Save the Dates!
by Mrs. Miles
General
3/11/19-3/15/19: No School (Spring Break)
4/19/19-4/22/19: No School
PTO Dates
3/19/19: PTO Meeting 7:00pm
4/9/19: PTO Meeting 7:00pm
4/27/19: PTO Carnival
Other
3/21/19: 4th Grade Music Programs- 6:30pm: Fey, Florence, Frederick, Goodstein
- 7:30pm: Douglass, Higginbothan, Freeman, Milnickel, Moher
3/28/19: 4th Grade Music Programs
- 6:30pm: Combs, Rhoads, Robinson, Silberberg
- 7:30pm: Jackson, Woods
4/1/19-4/18/19: 3rd and 4th Grade AIR ELA
4/23/19-5/3/19: 3rd and 4th Grade AIR Math
4/25/19: 3rd Grade Museum Night
Helpful Handbook Reminders
by Mr. Taylor
Safety Guidelines for Visitors and Parents Signing Out Their Children
In light of the recent violence in schools, and as a result of State and Federal mandates, the Little Miami School District has implemented additional safety procedures.
The safety of children is a primary concern of the school staff. Visitors to the building are carefully monitored.
Once school begins all exterior doors are locked. Please do not ask a student to open a door for you. They have been instructed not to open doors for anyone. There is a buzzer system on the exterior door by the office. If you need to gain access into the school during school hours, you will need to be buzzed in by the office.
Anyone entering the school or grounds other than students and employees must obtain a Visitor's/Volunteer's Badge from the office. Visitor badges provided at sign-in should be worn until checking out at the office.
Occasionally, requests to visit are received from children from other schools. These requests will not be granted because of the disruption it causes in the classrooms.
Children will be released only to the custodial parent or guardian, or to an adult designated by the custodial parent or guardian on the child’s Emergency Medical contact list. Any other arrangement requires your written permission of the custodial parent/guardian.
Students are dismissed through the office. They may not be dismissed directly from the classroom or playground. EVERYONE MUST present his/her driver’s license/photo ID for identification verification when signing out children.
Schools are considered Safe Zones. Any perceived threats, verbal or physical to anyone on school property, will be taken seriously. In cooperation with the local law enforcement agency, we conduct safety drills throughout the school year.
Curriculum Connection
by Mrs. Horvath & Mrs. Meyer
The Power of Wordless Picture Books
Wordless picture books are stories told through illustrations. Sharing wordless picture books with your child provides an opportunity for literacy-rich conversations, which builds important literacy skills, including listening skills, vocabulary, comprehension, and an increase knowledge of how stories are "built" (beginning, middle, & end). Sharing wordless books reinforces the idea that the story and pictures are connected.
When reading a picture book look carefully at the expressions on characters' faces, the setting, and the use of color. Talk with your child about what you see and allow your child to share what they see. These conversations will enrich storytelling. Have your child tell the story through the pictures.
Below is a list of Wordless Picture Books for Children:
The Snowman by Raymond Briggs
Chalk by Bill Thomas
Good Day Carl by Alexandra Day
A Ball for Daisy by Chris Raschka
Flotsam by David Wiesner
Tuesday by David Wiesner
The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney
Special's Spot - Music
Students in fourth grade are working to pass recorder levels. I have set up a "video studio" in the music office. Students can go in to the studio to record themselves playing. Students are also welcome to send me a video that they have made of themselves at home and send it to me at kmckinley@lmsdoh.org.
By the way, did you know that I have posted videos and helpful tools on Schoology? Fourth grade students can access this information through their Schoology page. I have information for parents there, too. Check it out!
Counselor's Corner
During the week of February 4-8, 3rd and 4th grade classes celebrated the Sandy Hook Promise “Start With Hello Week” at Salem Township Elementary.
What is Start With Hello?
Social isolation is the overwhelming feeling of being left out, lonely, or treated like you are invisible. Start With Hello focuses on teaching students the skills they need to reach out to and include those who may be dealing with chronic social isolation and create a culture of INCLUSION and CONNECTEDNESS within their school community. Each morning classes received a “challenge” from their student council representative to help us reach our goal of everyone feeling valued.
The challenges were:
Monday, February 4: Today’s challenge is to smile and say hello to someone in your class that you normally do not talk to.
Tuesday, February 5: - Get to Know Me Scavenger Hunt - Students will identify 3 things about themselves and “hunt” for students at recess who have things in common with them
Wednesday, February 6: Getting to know you Bingo game at recess
Thursday, February 7: Would you rather? Ice breaker game at lunch
Friday, February 8: National “No One Sits Alone” Day! All students will be encouraged at lunch to sit with a classmate who could use a friend.
The Core Essentials trait for February was Service. Student Council members led their classes in the district-wide service project of collecting donations for Military personnel who are stationed away from home.
Notes from the Nurses
by Mrs. Knochel & Mrs. Sedlatschek
This month we are working hard to finish vision screenings on students at Salem. If your student had difficulty with the school screening, you will receive a letter home to refer for evaluation with an eye specialist. According to Bausch (2011) one out of five children has some kind of vision problem. Although students with vision problems are often identified during school screenings, traditionally there has been a lack of follow up with an eye specialist (Bausch 2011). Because vision can affect learning, it is important for students who have difficulty with the school vision screening to follow up with an eye doctor appointment.
There are some challenges for families when it comes to vision care. Scheduling conflicts and lack of insurance are two of the most common barriers to seeking vision evaluation by an eye specialist. If you are in need of assistance, please feel free to reach out to your school nurse, as we are happy to help you with finding assistance.
Ohio residents have a terrific resource available to them through the Ohio Prevent Blindness Organization. One of the many programs available through this organization is the Vision Outreach Program. The goal of this program is to reduce the incidence of unnecessary vision loss and impairment by providing access to a donated system of comprehensive vision care services for uninsured or under-insured adults and children in Ohio. The Vision Care Outreach program provides this targeted population with eye care services they desperately need, but are not able to access due to a lack of insurance or other vision benefits. For more information on the Vision Care Outreach Program visit: www.ohio.preventblindness.org.
What Is Myopia?
Myopia is the most common eye problem in children, according to Dr. Harold P. Koller. Myopia is a fancy word for nearsightedness. A nearsighted person can see clearly up close, but distant objects seem blurry. Some symptoms that may suggest a visit to the eye doctor include: recurrent headaches, frequent eye rubbing, squinting, unexplained drop in school performance. Let us know if your student develops any of these symptoms during the school year. We are happy to schedule vision screening as needed throughout the school year.
Nutrition is Important for Eye Health!
Nutrition is important for vision! Everyone knows that carrots are good for our vision, but other foods also protect us from vision problems such as cataracts, glaucoma and dry eyes. Eating foods with vitamins A,C,D,E and Zinc, as omega 3 fatty acids and flavonoids are great for your eyes.
Superfoods for Kids’ Eye Sight:
Avocado, Broccoli, Carrots, Blueberries, Spinach, Eggs, Sweet Potatoes, Salmon, Strawberries
Salem Speed Limit
Main Entrance Information
In an effort to increase student security, Door A2 is no longer a public entrance. Please refer to the information below for directions on which entrance to use.
Proceed to Door A1 for the following:
· 3rd/4th Grade Student Sign In/Out (Photo ID is required to sign out a student)
· 3rd/4th Grade Nurse / Clinic
· 3rd/4th Grade Visitor / Volunteer Sign In
· 3rd/4th Grade Meetings
· Deliver items to a 3rd / 4th Grade Student (lunch, book bag, homework, etc.)
· Deliveries (UPS, Fedex, etc.)
· Substitute Teacher, Aide, etc. Sign In
Proceed to Door D3 for the following:
· PK / KG Student Sign In/Out (Photo ID is required to sign out a student)
· PK / KG Nurse / Clinic
· PK / KG Visitor / Volunteer Sign In
· PK / KG Meetings
· Deliver items to a PK / KG Student (book bag, homework, etc.)
· Fee Payments (PK, KG, 3rd & 4th Grades)
· Student Withdraw (PK, KG, 3rd & 4th Grades)
Transportation Changes
MAKING A TEMPORARY CHANGE
Temporary transportation changes are approved through the main office. Temporary transportation changes may not be made through your child's teacher or the transportation department.
Please submit Preschool and Kindergarten changes to kroseberry@lmsdoh.org
Please submit 3rd Grade and 4th Grade changes to boditt@lmsdoh.org
MAKING A PERMANENT CHANGE
Please click here for information on the procedure for making a permanent transportation change.
Schoology Q&A
Q: How often will my child's teacher add information to Schoology?
A: All teachers at Salem are asked to include at least one Schoology Update per week. Additional updates/materials may be added more frequently depending on the teacher.
Q: Last year I received email notifications when my child's teacher updated information to Schoology. Will I receive notifications this year?
A: No. This year we are communicating through Schoology Courses (last year we communicated through Schoology Groups). Schoology Courses do not send notifications. We recommend parents log in to Schoology periodically throughout the week to check for updates.
Q: Will I receive any emails from Salem this year, or is all communication strictly through Schoology?
A: Teachers will communicate classroom-specific information through Schoology. Some teachers may choose to communicate via other means (such as Class Dojo), but it is not required. The main office will still send emails for important events (such as party volunteer sign ups, conference invitations, and field day information) throughout the year.
Q: I'm having difficulty logging in on the Schoology App. I was able to use it last year. Why can't I this year?
A: You may need to delete and re-install the Schoology App each year.
Q: Where can I go if I have additional questions about Schoology?
A: Visit the Schoology page on the Little Miami website. You may also contact Mr. Taylor directly.
2018 - 2019 School Hours
8:55 - Doors Open for Students & Breakfast Begins
9:10 - Classes Start
11:50 - AM Preschool & Kindergarten Ends
1:05 - PM Preschool & Kindergarten Begins
3:50 - Student Dismissal
Follow Us On Twitter!
Don't miss out on our daily tweets!
Mrs. Smith - @LSmithSalem
Mrs. Losey - @LM_PrekPanthers
Mrs. Miles - @LM_MrsMiles
Mr. Taylor - @MrTaylorLM
Contact Information
605 Welch Road
Morrow, Ohio 45152
Principal: Mrs. Lisa Smith
Assistant Principal: Mrs. Jamie Miles
Assistant Principal: Mr. Cory Taylor
Preschool Director: Mrs. Erin Losey
Office & Attendance Number: 513.899.5275
Fax Numbers: 513.899.3196 (Grades 3 & 4) / 513.899.2891 (Grades P & K)
School Website