Dolphin Digest
October 2018 Newsletter
A note from the Principal
Dear Springfield Plains Families,
You are an artist. The fall is the perfect time for an artist to notice the world around them. I encourage you to gather your family of artists one evening or Saturday afternoon and go on a short nature hike to simply notice.
We are all artists in one way shape or form and our kids are busy discovering what kind of artist they want to be this year. I hope you encourage these conversations at home.
I have been making my way around to classrooms reading a book that is a Gifford household fan favorite, Edwina the The Dinosaur Who Didn’t Know She Was Extinct by Mo Willems. My intent was to simply read the book for fun and let the kids notice the humor and feel their own laughter. As we read we noticed “the villain”, Reginald Von Hoobie Doobie, is an artist of knowledge, persuasion and convincing. On the other hand, Edwina, the main character and Dinosaur, really is a master artist of how to love, learn and lead. She did “favors,” helped “old ladies” cross the street and listened with her eyes, ears and heart. Edwina was also a chocolate chip cookie artist and everyone in the story loved her chocolate chip cookies.
Depending on your perspective, art does not have to be fancy, overwhelming, perfect or abstract. Sometimes it is straightforward and simple, and we can just notice and appreciate. Go for a hike. And simply notice. Maybe have a chocolate chip cookie when you finish.
Loving, learning and leading.
Matthew R. Gifford, Principal
Important Contact Information
SPE Main Office 248.623.3800, Secretary Daniyel Clark
Attendance Line 248.623.3890Fax 248.623.3805
Email: kepostal@clarkston.k12.mi.us
Website: www.clarkston.k12.mi.us/schools/SPE
Location: 8650 Holcomb Road, Clarkston, MI 48348, United States
Phone: 248.623.3800
Dates to Remember:
- September 28 - Family Fall Fest @ Clarkston Family Farm, 7-10 p.m.
- October 19 - PTA Fun Run, Half Day Dismissal at 11:45 a.m.
- October 31 - Classroom Halloween Parties, 2:45 p.m.
- November 5-8 - Book Fair...more info coming soon!
- November 5 & 7 - Parent/Teacher Conferences 4:30-7:30 p.m.
2018-2019 School Start & End Times
Start of Day:
8:25 a.m. First Bell8:35 a.m. Tardy Bell
End of Day:
3:45 p.m. Dismissal
Half Day:
11:45 Dismissal
Students Arriving After 8:35 a.m.
Please Join Our PTA
This is a friendly reminder to please join the PTA here at SPE. For those interested, please turn your membership forms in along with your check for $8 and you can become a proactive voice for our school community. Our 7:00 p.m. General Member PTA meeting dates are January 15, March 12 & May 7. We also have one on November 15 & 16, immediately following "Muffins with Moms!" Hope to see you there!
SPE Birthday Book Club
Leyton Clark, Fabien Schonfeld, Cody Johnston, Reese Jones, Maxwell Villella, Arabella Monterrosa, James Warner, Tyler Price, Clara Gibson, Elia Gibson, Michael Foster, Zachary Foster, Reese Powers, Jacob Morgan, Leah Mellen, Sofia Rosati, Mason Rzepecki, Michael Powers, Gabriel Loughead, Gage Eichbrecht, Anderson Kang, Zackary Gifford, Charlee Jones, John Barber, Maximus Green, Rowynn Blake, Kiyan Shushtari, Dominic Dougherty, Kamyar Sushtari, Stephen Hyer, Isabella Kushnereit, Jacob Lonteen, Logan Cain, Oliver Poploskie, Acie Anderson, Dylan Saintdennis, Natalie Schatz, Travis Bordine, Kaitlynn Suida, Cameron Love, Sage Rousell, Olivia Spitznas, Austin Walker,
PTA Fun Run
Thank you SPE Families for all your support!!
Medications at School
Fall Family Fest
The SPE PTA presents the "Fall Family Fest" on Friday, Sept. 28th at the Clarkston Family Farm! Music, animals and games will begin at 7:00 p.m., followed by an outdoor movie "The Incredibles" from 8:00-10:00 p.m. The entire family is welcome for a free fun-filled event. See Fall Family Fest Registration below. Hope to see you there!
Halloween Parade & Party
Please remember to park only in designated spaces and avoid parking in the Bus Loop parking lot.
As you plan ahead for Halloween, please keep in mind the district's guideline for costumes at school. The district is asking that children not wear costumes depicting violence or violent acts. Masks are allowed.
Please leave all toy guns, knives and swords at home. Also, please reserve elaborate costumes, face paint and make-up for Trick or Treating.
Halloween is an exciting time. Let's all help to make sure it is a safe experience for all.
Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
End of Day Phone Messages to Students
SAVE THE DATE....BOOK FAIR!
Mark your calendar! The Book Fair will be the week of November 5-8. More information will be coming home soon.
*New* Alternate Bus Stop Form
ParentVue - Student Information System
Please make sure you access and set up your account in ParentVue. We need your email address for school and district communications while we strive to go paperless. You will find your student's attendance, transportation information, academic progress, and you can update important student information like phone numbers, emergency contacts, etc. This is our main communication tool with parents!
*Parents Must designate at least 1 emergency contact other than themselves, in Parent Vue.
To access ParentVue:
Go to the Clarkston Schools’ webpage www.clarkston.k12.mi.us
Choose the Resources tab and then select ParentVue
First time users will need your Activation Code which you can get from the office
2018-2019 PTA Officers
President, Mary Warner
1st Vice President, Kelly Hyer
2nd Vice President, Jill Phillips
Secretary, Kathy Jakubiak
Treasurer, Shannon Doyle
Asst. Treasurer, Tracy Bessert
Membership Coordinator, Courtney Eastman
Volunteer Coordinator, Kelsey Jones
Homeroom Coordinator, Bridget McCormick
Board of Education
- President - Elizabeth Egan, 248-933-4621
- Vice President - Kelli Horst, 248-755-0375
- Secretary - Stephen Hyer, 248-922-0170
- Treasurer - Gregory Need, 248-625-8416
- Trustee - Susan Boatman, 248-391-1961
- Trustee - Andrea Catalina
- Trustee - Cheryl McGinnis, 248-620-6430
Clarkston Community Schools Student Calendar 2018-19
Please visit the CCS website at www.clarkston.k12.mi.us for a full district calendar. The Springfield Plains website has a calendar with specific school events. Go to www.clarkston.k12.mi.us/schools/Springfield Plains.
Clarkston Community Schools Discrimination Acts
The Clarkston Community Schools, in compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and the Americans with Disability Act of 1990, states that it is the policy of the Clarkston Community School District that no person shall, on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, or ancestry, age gender, marital status, disability, height, weight, and/or any other legally protected characteristic, be discriminated against, excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to, discrimination in any program or activity for which the Board is responsible or for which it receives financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Education.
If any person believes that the Clarkston Community School District or any part of the school organization is guilty of discrimination as noted above, he/she may bring forward a complaint which should be referred to as a grievance to the following public officials:
Deputy Superintendent (Section 504 Coordinator)
Clarkston Community Schools, 6389 Clarkston Road,
PO Box 1050, Clarkston, MI 48347-1050
(All other inquiries related to discrimination)
Executive Director of Personnel & Auxiliary Services
Clarkston Community Schools, 6389 Clarkston Road