November Newsletter
Rolland-Warner 6/7 Campus
Stevens Scribbles
I appreciate everyone that participated in our Parent Teacher Conferences at the end of October and want to remind everyone that your child's schooling is much more successful when there is an open line of communication between the classroom and parents! The staff welcomes your calls and emails, not just when a problem arises, but also to discuss the education of your child on a regular basis!
November and December seem to fly away from us with the Holiday breaks causing short months, so I ask that you keep up with your child's progress by also logging into PowerSchool and perusing your child's grades. If you need help accessing PowerSchool please feel free to contact the office! Another great resource, other than this newsletter, is our PowerSchool Announcements (Daily Bulletin) that you can also access when you login. This gives detailed information on the daily happenings of the building.
I appreciate everyone's understanding and patience as we work through contact tracing as we are notified of any positive cases. This unfortunately can take quite a while after one experiences symptoms for a few days, takes a test, gets the test and then the Health Department confirms positive test. I certainly understand everyone's desire for speedy communication and communicate as quickly as I can, with a personal call from one of my administration team.
Finally, tomorrow October 30th is a Remote Learning Day. In order to meet state requirements for pupil instruction opportunities, students will be able to engage in Google Classroom activities on October 30 (this had been a non-attendance day for students and staff). Because of this, October 30 will be a remote learning day for students. Students will not be required to physically attend school, but will have opportunities to engage content in a remote learning environment. Content will only be available through Google Classroom.
Have a safe Thanksgiving Break on November 23rd-27th!
Wyatt
Student Handbook Notes
Each month a couple areas of the student handbook will be highlighted. Don’t forget the full student handbook can be found under the “Parents & Students” tab on our website at http://rw.lapeerschools.org/ This month’s focus is on volunteering and parent pick-ups.
Office check-in is required for all visitors. Please enter through the doors leading into the main office.
Rolland-Warner—parking lot on M-21/Genesee Road
Parent volunteers make their school a better place for all students. Please visit our LCS website or come to the main office to obtain the proper documentation and procedures for becoming a volunteer. This must be done at least one month prior to an event to allow processing time. The approval may take up to 30 days and must be completed every three years. Volunteer forms can be found in the office.
We would love assistance in the lunch serving lines!
Something that the school secretaries are required to do is to check ID’s for parents, guardians, and family when you come in to the office to check out a student. I know how it can be inconvenient to come into the school from the parking lot, and be told you need to go back out to your car to get your ID. For that reason, please bring your ID in with you when picking up a student from school. While this may seem like a hassle, safety is our number one priority and making sure we are checking ID’s is vital part of this process.
Speaking of volunteering, parents who are new to the middle school know that the opportunities that are available to volunteer are a lot different than the elementary schools. Because students switch classes every 50 minutes, there really is not a “home room” where parents can stay for extended time and help work with students on projects like in the elementary school. This doesn’t mean we can’t use your help though! Events like the can/bottle drive are a great opportunity to help out. Other opportunities include chaperoning school dances, selling concessions at athletic events, going on field trips, and many other activities. Please check Facebook and the monthly newsletter for updates on what opportunities are available. All volunteers must have a volunteer form on file with Lapeer Community Schools.
Please note that due to COVID-19 we are requesting that if the business can be handled without face to face contact you call the office or utilize the drop box outside the office.
District Wide Procedures for Sick Students
Students are required to be picked up immediately and the office staff must fill out a form that is sent to the Superintendent's Office. You will receive a letter from the Superintendent's Office in collaboration with the Health Department detailing the next steps.
We understand the challenges that this may pose for parents, however, this is necessary to keep our students and staff safe and to mitigate the possible spread of COVID-19. Please ensure that your emergency contacts are up-to-date and carefully screen your students prior to sending to school to help us reduce the spread and lessen the chance that you will need to be called possibly leaving work to drive to pick up your child!
Student Daily Self-Screening
Should the student exhibit any of the COVID-19 symptoms while at the school they will be isolated and parents must come pick up the student and follow the procedures laid out in the LCS COVID-19 Preparedness & Response Student Procedures.
A free app is available for any Michigan Resident to self-screen at https://misymptomapp.state.mi.us/
OR
Utilize the LCS COVID-19 Parent Screening Tool below:
Masks Required
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND:
- Sending multiple masks. As the masks get moist from our breathing, the student may feel much better with a new dry mask!
- Send facial wipes in student's backpack. Wearing a mask will cause student's to sweat. Certainly not the end of the world, however, using a facial wipe in the middle of the day maybe just what the student needs to feel fresh again.
Curriculum Update
Questioning
Another approach that might be different from when we were in school is the strategic use of questioning in classrooms. In the past, when we, as students needed assistance, our own teachers likely helped us to memorize steps or showed us how to look up answers. The tasks students are being asked to engage with now are more complex and have many possible solutions. This shift matches our need to adapt to an ever-changing and advancing society. While in the past, many careers involved repetitive tasks and the need to be skilled at memorization, modern society requires us to draw from current resources to create new ideas and apply concepts in innovative ways.
Because of this, today’s teacher is often a facilitator of thinking. While students collaborate to discuss, debate, and draw conclusions, teachers deepen and challenge their thinking with powerful questions. Cognitive learning science tells us that asking questions vs telling or lecturing to students helps learners to retain more knowledge and promotes deeper understanding.
Positivity Project
The Positivity Project continues to be an exciting opportunity here at RW to teach all our students how to have positive peer interactions!
This weeks lesson on Perspective was an important lesson that I needed a refresher on, as many times in our busy life we forget to find or ask the perspective of the other person. For example the other day my daughter stated she didn't want to go to practice and before she could even finish her sentence I was telling her she was because you play how you practice and you made a commitment to the team! When I was finally finished she explained that the teacher was having a study session so she could retake a test. My lecture could have been avoided if I had only let her explain the situation from her perspective. Many times here at the school the students share their side of a story from their perspective. It is imperative that we realize there is another side to every story and most of the time the truth lies somewhere in-between.
RW Can Food Drive for Stone Soup Pantry
Drop-Off/Pick-Up Reminders
- All student drop off and pick up must occur in the Athletic Lot off Demille unless going to the office. With Kids N Company and the buses using the lot off M-21 safety is our primary concern for our students and parents are only to use this lot during the day, not at drop off or pick up.
- Students must remain in their vehicles until 9 AM. No supervision is provided outside prior to that time.
RW Band Concerts
What: 6th/7th Grade Band Concert
When: Thursday, November 19th
Where: Rolland Warner Gymnasium
What Time: 6th grade band students- Warm-Up in band room at 6:00, Performance 6:30
7th grade band students- Warm-Up in band room at 7:30, Performance 8:00
Uniform Expectations
Students will be expected to wear their concert uniform, which includes; black band polo shirt, black dress pants, black tall socks and black dress shoes. *No Jeans, Leggings, Yoga Pants or skirts. The correct uniform is required for the performance. Please plan ahead.
Due to COVID-19, each student will only be allowed two spectators, however, we will be livestreaming the event on Youtube.com/lapeerschools. All spectators will be required to social distance from other families, leave the gymnasium between concerts and wear masks.
Virtual - Google Classroom Continues
For this reason, the vast majority of teachers are continuing to update their Google Classrooms. This will allow sick or quarantined students to still participate in our curriculum by accessing assignments, resources, and instruction from home. Obviously this will not be as robust as during full virtual instruction, however, it will be sufficient to allow students to continue to meet learning targets while they cannot attend school physically.
Washington DC Kick-Off/Fundraiser
Washington DC Informational Meeting will be held on Monday, November 16th at 7 pm in the RW cafetorium for all 7th grade students and their parents interested in traveling to Washington, DC in November 2021. Sign up information will be distributed at this meeting and we will fill buses at a first-come first-serve basis based on the date of registration on the BrightSpark website. Please attend this meeting if you have any interest or the possibility of future interest as this will be the location to have all questions answered!
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, those families that choose to attend in person are limited to the student traveling and one parent. The meeting will be available live on Youtube.com/lapeerschools for those that would prefer to attend from the comfort of your own home or busy on the go schedule. While you will obtain the code during the meeting, please be sure to have your child pick up the packet of other forms from the office or their social studies teacher.
Due to time constraints and trying to get in as many fundraisers as possible for these students, each 7th grade student was offered a complete DC fundraiser packet in their social studies classroom on October 12th. Additional packets will be available in the main office. The packet will contain both a Cheesecake and Christmas Wreath Fundraiser Forms; for dates please see below:
Cheesecake & Wreath Fundraisers
Due Date - Monday, November 2, 2020 (Order Form must be totaled) Turn in AM in Hallway or during Lunch in the Cafe
Delivery Date (1-5 pm) - Monday, November 16, 2020 (Gymnasium Entrance)
We encourage you to participate in these fundraisers if you are even contemplating going to DC as many students have fundraised a majority of the cost to go in these two fundraisers! We are also in need of assistance with delivery on Monday, November 16, please contact Mrs. Prill and PLEASE TALLY ORDER FORMS as we spend hours putting together the orders!
Interested in Employment with LCS?
The District is currently hiring for multiple vacancies in our support staff unit. We offer competitive wages, flexible schedules, reduced rates for employee childcare, free admission to athletic events and more! We are currently looking to fill full and part-time vacancies in the following areas:
- Bus Drivers
- Custodians
- Food Service
- Paraprofessionals
- Substitutes in all areas
Please click the link to see all our openings and start the application process. If you wish to learn more about the available positions or how to apply, please call the LCS Human Resource office at (810) 538-1609.
http://www.lapeerschools.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=3097475&pageId=5529343
PAC Meetings
Here is a list of the RW PAC meetings for the 20/21 school year that will occur close to the third Friday of the month at 9:30 am-10:30 am via Zoom, so you can mark your calendar: Nov. 13, Dec. 18, Jan. 22, Feb. 26, Mar. 19, Apr. 16, and May 21.
Wyatt Stevens is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: 20/21 PAC Meetings
Time: Oct 16, 2020 09:30 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83791117606
Meeting ID: 837 9111 7606
Passcode: 969633
NWEA Results
Mark Your Calendars!
October 30th - Remote Learning School Day via Google Classroom
November 2nd - DC Fundraisers Due
November 2nd-13th - Can Food Drive
November 13th - PAC Meeting
November 16th - Washington DC Kick-Off/Fundraiser Pick-up
November 19th - RW Band Concert
November 21-29 - Thanksgiving Holiday
December 19-Jan 3 - Winter Recess
Athletic Update
Volleyball
Volleyball kicks off the season with a home opener on Wednesday, November 4th v. Corunna. 7th Grade starts at 4:45 p.m. and 8th Grade follows at 6:00 p.m.
For away games, 7th Grade starts at 4:15 p.m. and 8th Grade follows at 5:30 p.m.
We will be playing a full season (12) of matches, however, there will be some COVID 19-related accommodations much like in the Fall:
- The two-spectator-vouchers-per-participant system will be in effect for all volleyball games this season due to the reduced capacity guidelines set forth by the MHSAA.
- Due to the reduced spectator capacity, we will be playing all games on a single court, beginning with 7th Grade Lapeer/Lightning. Each team will play two (2) – 25 point sets in standard rally scoring format.
- 7th Grade spectators will be permitted to access the gym at approximately 4:30 p.m. and may remain in the gym for both 7th Grade games (Lapeer & Lightning). At the conclusion of the last 7th Grade set, the gym will be cleared of all 7th Grade players, coaches and spectators. At that time it is recommended that all 7th Grade players and spectators please exit the building.
- 8th Grade spectators will not be permitted access to the gym until after it has been cleared of all 7th Grade players, coaches and spectators. It is not recommended that 8th Grade spectators arrive to Rolland-Warner prior to 5:45 p.m.
- There will be no concessions available per MHSAA guidelines, however, spectators are permitted to bring their own capped (water, Gatorade, pop, etc.) beverages.
- All players, coaches, and spectators must wear a mask at all times.
- All players must provide their own water.
Please see the link to the 2020 7th Grade Volleyball schedule below:
https://lapeerlightning.com/teams/2942941/girls/volleyball/7th%20grade/schedule
MHSAA Volleyball Return to Play Guidelines:
https://www.mhsaa.com/portals/0/Documents/AD%20Forms/PACKET%20VB.pdf
The games @ Fenton are now scheduled for Friday, November 13th at 4:15 p.m. @ Fenton HS to avoid any conflicts with Thanksgiving Break.
Spectator expectations (time of arrival, “waiting location,” etc.) and participant expectations (staying in designated locker room, having to exit gym after game, etc.) will differ from location to location. These will be communicated through the opposing team’s AD, through Mr. Cross/Mr. Hamilton and to the volleyball coaching staff each week.
We will be charging the standard $3 admission fee at all home Winter 1 sporting events this year.
Please stay tuned for more information.
Wrestling
Wrestling begin practices at CFI on Monday, November 2nd from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. All student athletes interested in wrestling must be cleared through the athletic office (physical, athletic code of conduct, emergency contact card) in order to begin practicing.
Wrestling is open to both 6th and 7th Graders.
Meets start on Tuesday, November 17th and will run every Tuesday through Tuesday, December 15th.
Home meets will begin at 4:45 p.m. and away meets will begin at 4:15 p.m. A schedule is currently in development and should be available the week of November 9th.
There will be some COVID 19-related accommodations much like in the Fall:
- There can be no more than four (4) teams at a location, therefore large invitational-style tournaments will not be permitted.
- Due to the reduced spectator capacity guidelines set forth by the MHSAA, the two-spectator-vouchers-per-participant system will be in effect for all wrestling meets this season.
- There will be no concessions available per MHSAA guidelines, however, spectators are permitted to bring their own capped (water, Gatorade, pop, etc.) beverages.
- All players, coaches, and spectators must wear a mask at all times.
- All players must provide their own water.
MHSAA Wrestling Return to Play Guidelines: https://www.mhsaa.com/portals/0/Documents/WR/mswrcovid.pdf
We will be charging the standard $3 admission fee at all home Winter 1 sporting events this year. All spectators will be required to sign in at the gate.
Please stay tuned for more information.
McLaren Telehealth Available @ RW
Title 1/31a Happenings
Schools receiving 31a funds (all LCS schools do) must establish and implement effective attendance practices to achieve regular attendance for all students. The goal is for each building to have the average daily attendance rate 90% or higher. Communication is made to the guardian(s) of students that have excessive absences. This is typically done by letter starting at 8 absences at the elementary level and 6 absences at the secondary level.
Rolland-Warner Contact Information
Wyatt Stevens, Principal
Rich Cross, Associate Principal/Athletics
Kent Meister, Dean of Students
Renee Shrontz, Head Secretary
Email: rshrontz@lapeerschools.org
Website: rw.lapeerschools.org
Location: 3145 West Genesee Street, Lapeer, MI, USA
Phone: (810) 538-2334
Facebook: https://facebook.com/RollandWarnerMiddleSchool
Twitter: @Lapeerschools