The Dragon Newsletter
February 2016
End of the Semester
Clarkston Elementary Families,
It is hard to believe that our first semester has ended. As I think back on the many learning opportunities and school events, it is hard to imagine everything that has happened this year.
When I take the time to stop and reflect on how things are going, I am amazed at the growth that I see in kids. Not only am I seeing growth from the 380 kids at CE, but I'm also lucky enough to witness the growth of my own two children.
As an educator and a parent, I wish we had the perfect system that could paint the entire story of learning for each student. The reality is that no piece of paper or online grade book can fully outline every aspect of student growth. Many conversations still need to happen between teachers, parents and students to fill in the missing details. I hope these conversations are happening around dinner tables, at parent teacher conferences, through emails, via phone calls and impromptu face-to-face meetings.
Our district is developing a System of Assessment and Reporting to communicate the story of learning for each student. The system is still new, and we are still working through some technical difficulties. As we move forward, I hope that this system will continue to evolve into an highly effective communication tool. I know this will happen if we are all working together to provide honest and productive feedback.
On Wednesday, February 10th, your child will bring home his/her first Learning Feedback Document (LFD). The LFD will be accompanied by an information sheet that explains the LFD. Additionally, you will get information about ParentVue. ParentVue is the online portal that allows parents to access feedback about student learning.
If you have questions after looking over your child's LFD, please have a conversation with their teacher. I am also available if you have additional questions.
Sincerely,
Brian Adams
Calling all 2016-2017 Kindergartners!
If your child turns five (5) years old on or before September 1, 2016 (or as late as December 1 with a signed waiver), he/she is eligible to attend Kindergarten in 2016-17.
In the Fall of 2016, Clarkston Community Schools will continue to offer two options for parents of Kindergartners:
Kindergarten – Full-day Kindergarten is offered at every elementary school.
Young Fives Kindergarten – Young Fives Kindergarten is available for students that turn five years old between June 1 – December 1, 2016. Young Fives Kindergarten is a full-day program offered at the Early Childhood Center and Independence Elementary. Students that attend Young Fives go to their home school the following year for regular Kindergarten.
To learn more about Clarkston’s Kindergarten options and for information regarding how to enroll your child, parents are invited to attend:
Kindergarten Information Night
February 2 - 7:00 p.m.
Clarkston Junior High School
6595 Waldon Rd.
CE Movie Night
Ryan Boor, Jack Langton, Matthew Boor, Owen Cameron and Avery Pummill
Madeline Rupp, Emma Redman and Lia Fabrizio
Moore Family
Alexis Brzezinski, Emma Bradley, Emily Daly and Grace Modrzynski
Newton Family
Philip Yurk, Carter Peterson, Zacarias Montgomery and Luke Brody
No School
Muffins with Mom
Reach for the Stars
It's a Hoedown!
Valentines Day Parties
Lego Competiton
LOVE Our Planet Month
February marks our annual LOVE Our Planet month at CE! As part our Michigan Green Schools Initiative, all month long students will be learning about and participating in environmentally-friendly activities!
Recycling Week - Feb 8-12: Students will learn about the recycling we do every day at CE and we will have our annual recycling drive. Containers will be available in the lobby for the following items:
Used Cell phones, ipods, mp3 players (working or broken)
Charger cords
Ink jet and toner cartridges
Rechargeable batteries only
Michigan Green Week - Feb 17-19: Students will learn about Michigan environmental issues, including protecting our Great Lakes and local waterways, and share energy saving tips.
Adopt-an-Animal - Feb 22-26: Our 5th annual Adopt-an-Animal program! We are excited to see which endangered animal students will vote for! After learning about this animal, students are encouraged to bring in donations all week to support efforts to save the animal’s habitat. On Friday, February 26th, students will learn more about endangered animals with an exciting presentation by Wildlife Safari, with real animals, sponsored by CE PTO.
We are looking forward to showing our LOVE for Our Planet throughout February!
Super Stars
Optimist Award
Who's Got Talent?
March is Reading Month
“March is Reading” is just a month away families. And if you have never experienced it here at Clarkston Elementary, you are in for a GREAT adventure! Our PTO purchases the same book for every family to keep and enjoy. We look forward to participating with the One School, One Book Program to celebrate March is Reading Month at C.E. For more information about this program go to: readtothem.org. The new book selection will be revealed soon!
Battle of the Books
New Menu
The new CCS lunch menus are coming home this week. The new menu starts on Monday, February 1.
PLEASE NOTE A CHANGE ON YOUR MENUS:
Choice Three EVERY WEEK: Wednesday and Friday are both Wolf Salads and NOT Wow Butter Sandwiches.
Calendar of Events
4 Muffins with Mom 7:45 am
4 PTO General Membership Meeting 8:30 am in Cafe
5 Reach for the Stars (3rd Grade Event)
10 Count Day
11 PTO Little Caesars Fundraiser Night
12 Valentines Day Parties 2:30 pm
15-16 Mid-Winter Recess - NO SCHOOL
19 School Dance 6-8 pm
24 Late Start 9:05 am
25 Lego Competition 3:45 pm
Board of Education & Central Office Administration
Steve Hyer, President
Elizabeth Egan, Vice President
Kelli Horst, Treasurer
Susan Boatman, Secretary
Cheryl McGinnis, Trustee
Craig Hamilton, Trustee
Gregory Need, Trustee
Central Office Administration
Dr. Rod Rock, Superintendent
Shawn Ryan, Deputy Superintendent
Mary Beth Rogers, Executive Director of Business Services
John Lucido, Executive Director of Human Resources
Kathy Christopher, Executive Director of Student Support Services
Non Discrimination Clause
PAC
The Clarkston Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) is sponsoring a Sparkle Award ceremony on March 30th at 6:00. Below is a brief description of the event, along with a link where more information on the PAC and nomination forms for the Sparkle Award can be found.
What is a Sparkle Award?
- A Sparkle Award recognizes individuals and group who support students with IEPs in Clarkston Community Schools . This person or group shows extraordinary service to our students with IEPs.
- Every nominee will be recognized and receive an award at the Special Education Appreciation Evening Ceremony. In addition each general category will receive special recognition.
Who may be nominated?
- You may nominate an individual or group who has provided service to one or more Clarkston Community Schools students with IEPs this school year including: teachers, paraeducators, student peers, custodians, bus drivers, Board members, school administrators, counselors etc.
If you have further questions, please contact
CE's PAC representative, Katie Sutherland, at sutherland6553@gmail.com. Also, more information on the PAC and nomination forms for the Sparkle Award can be found at Sparkle Awards