Wiley Way
December 6, 2021
SCHOOL INFORMATION
Welcome to Wiley ~ Home of the Wiley Coyotes
Office Hours: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM.
School Hours: 9:20 AM - 4:10 PM (full days) and 9:20 AM -12:24 PM (half days) PLEASE NOTE THESE NEW TIMES
If you need anything, PLEASE EMAIL or phone the office staff at officewiley@uticak12.org/586-797-6700 ; someone will respond promptly.
Office Staff:
- Mrs. Candice Merivirta, Principal
- Mrs. Cathy Baumgartner, Administrative Assistant
Dates to Remember
Wednesday, November 15-December 22: One Book One School Project (see below for information)
Sunday, November 28 -December 6: Hanukkah
Monday, November 29- Thursday, December 9: TOYS FOR TOTS COLLECTION
Monday, November 29 - Friday, December 17: Canned FOOD DRIVE
Thursday, December 9: Last day to donate for TOYS FOR TOTS drive
Tuesday, December 14: Dinner Night Out (Coyote Parent Volunteer Group Sponsored Fundraiser; see flyer below)
Friday, December 17: Deadline to submit MLK Video for Competition, end of Canned Food Drive
Monday, December 20: Early Dismissal (12:24 PM)
Tuesday, December 21: Early Dismissal (12:24 PM), Winter Solstice (winter begins)
Wednesday, December 22 - Sunday, January 3: Holiday Break
Sunday, December 26 - Saturday, January 1: Kwanza
Monday, January 3: Return to School
MESSAGE FROM MRS. MERIVIRTA
In light of the events of the past week, I want to take this opportunity to ensure you that we at Wiley are doing everything that we can to ensure the safety and well being of our school community. From practicing drills, routinely checking doors and entrance ways, working with our Security Specialist, to ensuring that protocols are followed for admitting people into the building, as well as awareness and reporting of anything that might be suspicious, all staff are committed to providing a safe and secure environment for our students. Below you can read Mr. Monroe's letter to the community as well as ways to help your child understand the events, so as not to cause (more) anxiety. If you or your child need more support, please do not hesitate to call.
We hope that you and your family are enjoying our school-wide book read, Ways to Make Sunshine. Our display is growing daily as students record ways in which they are showing kindness to others, as well as others showing kindness to them. Taking the time to reflect on our action and the action of others can help promote even more kindness! I encourage you to carry this out at home ~ perhaps as you sit down to share a meal ~ to recognize how each of you shows kindness to others, and how others have shown you kindness.
We have only a few more days for students to bring in new, unwrapped toys for our Toys for Tots collection; the collection will end this Thursday, December 9th. We will continue our Food Collection through Friday, December 17. In addition, we are collecting new and gently used winter coats, mittens, snow pants and boots throughout the month (for our own students in need). What a great way to show kindness to others than to support one of these great causes.
Holiday Shop was a huge success! Thank you to our incredible Parent Volunteer Group for supporting this and ensuring that our students had the opportunity to shop for those they care about.
We hope you will take time to share the story below, helping your child to understand the ways in which various people celebrate the upcoming holidays; some the same as themselves, some in other ways. Helping children to understand similarities and differences among one another encourages open-mindedness and fosters understanding and empathy.
We would also like to recognize the incredible academic success of our 3rd-6th graders. These students have demonstrated success in all core areas and have worked hard to achieve their success. Please see the complete list below.
As always, thank you for all that you do to support your child and our school community. Together we can ensure success for all students!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Merivirta
CELEBRATING STUDENT ACADEMIC SUCCESS
ALL A's
ALL A's and/or B's
Congratulations on a job well done Wiley Coyotes.
Keep up the hard work!
Letter from Superintendent Mr. Monroe
Dear UCS Community,
I want to share with you an update regarding our district’s continued response to the senseless tragedy at Oxford High School. Our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to the students, staff and families directly impacted by this event. Specifically, I would like to address the need to maintain our school routines across the district.
As you are aware, there have been a series of threats against school security throughout our region and in our community. I want to be clear that all threats to school security are taken seriously. Every reported threat is thoroughly investigated by law enforcement and our schools – whether that threat occurred in our community or in our region. We share all information with our local police departments and work in partnership with them to immediately address the issues.
During their investigations, law enforcement provides information on whether the issues represent a credible threat to school security. This information is critical to the determination of whether to make adjustments to the school schedule. In all cases, the school sends their school community a message once we have accurate information on the incident.
Regardless of the nature of a threat, the standard procedure in our communities is to have an increased police presence during and immediately following investigations. Our local police departments and the Macomb County Sherriff’s Department already have a regular presence near our schools and conduct “check ins” with the office. Tomorrow, we will have law enforcement presence in every school in Utica Community Schools.
In addition, we recognize that any decision to cancel school will remove a critical support structure for our students. The partnerships between staff and students - and between school and our families - are key to supporting students who may be experiencing stress.
UCS staff members are skilled in providing students the tools and skills they need during this critical time. Research is clear that this loss of relationships will remove the support that students need when they experience isolation or feel disconnected. Our staff members have been encouraged to talk with our students, calm their fears and continue to build relationships at school.
Social Media does not represent an effective support system and can never replace the type of work our team does every day with students. Earlier today, we addressed an issue where several students not in attendance took the opportunity to make false social media claims regarding a fabricated threat to one of our junior high schools. It created unnecessary alarm as several parents picked their children up based on the false reports manufactured by the students.
I want to share with you again information recommended by our special services staff on how to talk with your children. Please contact your building administrators should you need additional support.
Also, I want to express my appreciation for the UCS team for their continued resilience, dedication and commitment to our students. Working together, we are continuing to make a difference in the lives of our students.
Sincerely,
Robert S. Monroe
Superintendent of Schools
IMPORTANT: Technology Update PLEASE READ
It has come to our attention that many students are using their devices for non-school related activities while at home. In particular, they are using the CHAT feature on TEAMS, as well as calling one another and playing games. Unfortunately, many are using this to write inappropriate words and messages to peers, as well as sharing inappropriate content (in the form of videos/links).
Per the Technology Agreement that parents/students agree to in order to use a district device, as well as expectations in the Student Handbook, students are ONLY allowed to use their school issued device for school related work and assignments.
Although they bring their device home nightly, the intent is to charge for the next day (as we do not have the capacity to charge all devices at school) as well as to be prepared in the event that a student stays home due to quarantining/COVID or remote learning.
As a parent, please ensure that your child is NOT using the device for socializing and game playing at home; they will have to participate in these activities with their own personal devices. Please set the expectation for this.
If students are found to be using their device for chatting/messaging/gaming beyond the school day, they may lose the use of a district device and/or (depending on content) be suspended.
Please take the time to review these expectations with your child, discussing potential consequences as well.
We appreciate your help in this matter.
OUTDOOR RECESS
Please make sure your child is dressed for daily outside recess. Hats, snow boots (shoes for the classroom, gloves) Unless the temperature is below 10 degrees, we make every attempt for students to get outside for lunch and afternoon recess.
Please keep an extra pair of dry socks in your child’s backpack. After recess, many students come in with wet feet!
If there is snow outside, please be sure that your child wears boots; this helps keep our floors dry and safe. If you do not have boots, consider sending a dry pair of shoes for your child to change into after recess. Please note that students who do not wear boots must stay on the blacktop and out of the snow. If you are in need of boots, please let us know and we will see if we have a pair that will fit from our winter wear collection!
Learning About Other Traditions and Celebrations
Listen to the story to learn about some of the traditions shared as people celebrate Hanukkah.
COVID Testing Partnership
Utica Community Schools has partnered with Ascension Health to offer a daily testing option for students that have been identified as a COVID close contact. Asymptomatic close contact students may continue to report to school through the daily COVID testing option.
The school district has partnered with two specific Ascension locations from 8:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m., seven days a week, and no appointment is necessary. Students identified as a close contact will receive the daily testing form from their respective school.
Please ensure the daily testing form is complete prior to arriving at Ascension.
COVID Testing Partnership Locations:
Ascension Lakeside Urgent Care
44472 Hayes Rd.
Clinton Township, MI 48038
586-412-0890
Ascension Washington Urgent Care
7701 26 Mile Rd.
Washington, MI 48094
586-935-4000
UTICA CARES: SUPPORT AND WELLNESS
Each Wiley Way Newsletter will include a Monday Moment that will include a quote, a thought, and a challenge to help promote well being for self and others. Please take time to read and take the challenge!
The theme for December is Get Appreciative – ​When we hold appreciation close to our heart and make it as necessary to our thriving as we do food and water, being appreciative becomes a part of our essence and we show it everywhere we go.
WAYS TO HELP OTHERS AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE (WAYS TO MAKE SUNSHINE)
Ways to Support Wiley
Thank you for all you do to support our students!
Stay Connected with our Wiley Volunteer Group
NEWS FROM PAST ISSUES WORTH REVISITING
OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE YOUR CREATIVITY AND TALENT
POWERSCHOOL ACCOUNT
PowerSchool is the District's student information system used for attendance, grades, and delivery of report cards. Helpful instructional guides are listed below.
FORGOT YOUR POWERSCHOOL PASSWORD? TO RESET:
-navigate to https://classroom.powerschool.com
-click FORGOT PASSWORD under the password field.
-On the next screen, enter the email address associated with the Unified Classroom account and click SEND REQUEST.
-Please wait patiently for an email from- devmail.powerschool.com When the email is received, click the link inside ONCE to be taken to a page
to set your password.
-Enter a new password and re-type it to confirm, click submit.
-Powerschool password policy: minimum of 8 characters, cannot be one of your last six passwords, cannot contain sets of repeated characters
(ie: abcabcabc, 11112222)
PARENT - SET UP NEW ACCOUNT:
Unified Classroom account for a New Parent
Click here for detailed instructions
Use: Parent Access - NEW PARENT
Unified Classroom account for a parent who has an original Parent Portal Account
Click here for detailed instructions
Use: Parent Access - EXISTING PARENT
STUDENT - SET UP NEW ACCOUNT:
Unified Classroom account for a student
Click here for detailed instructions
Use: Student Access
Unified Classroom login URL: https://classroom.powerschool.com
Mobile App Parents and students will still be able to access student grades and attendance by using the mobile PowerSchool App.
If you are experiencing issues with the PowerSchool Mobile App, please see the appropriate Frequently Asked Questions document below:
For all users:
Click here for detailed instructions and FAQ
To login to PowerSchool:
Click here or paste link into browser: ps.ucs.misd.net/public/
STUDENT VIRTUAL LIBRARY CARD AND TUTORING
CONTACT TRACING IN COMBINATION WITH ISOLATION AND QUARANTINE
With health and safety in mind, we are working to keep students in school when possible.
Currently, if your child is a contact of positive/probable case of COVID case at school and they were 3-6 ft from the contact, they may come to school as long as they are able to pass the self-screener daily (are symptom free) for 14 days.
If your child is a contact of a positive/probable case and were within 0-3 feet of the contact (at school) they will be quarantined for 10 days, returning on the 11th day, unless they meet one of the criteria below:
· If your student has no symptoms and is fully vaccinated (two weeks past the final dose of the vaccination regiment) and you can provide proof of the vaccination card to the school.
· If your student has no symptoms and has proof of prior positive PCR results within the last 90 days.
· If your student has no symptoms and tests negative daily for 7 days (using a rapid antigen test at a health facility or a home test kit). In order to take advantage of the daily test option, please complete and submit the following Parent Agreement for Daily Testing During Quarantine. Click on the form here.
You will be required to show proof of a negative test taken on the 5th day. In order to attend school on the 6th day, you must submit a photo/copy of the 5th day test to the school office prior to the start of the school day. Results may be submitted to the office or via email officewiley@uticak12.org. A list of free testing sites can be found by clicking this link.
In addition, you may choose to test after day 5; if negative (any you supply results) student may return on day 8.
Acsension Health Partership
Utica Community Schools and Ascension Health have created a partnership specifically for UCS families that provides free testing services at an Urgent Care Center, 44472 Hayes Rd, Clinton Twp, MI 48038 (south of Hall Road).
The center is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week. No appointment is necessary. Families will need to complete the form found at this link. The results will be shared with the families and sent directly to the school district. Students who are under 18 years of age will need to have a parent or guardian with them during the visit
HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS
UPDATE ON HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS
Our school continues to work to maintain an in-person learning for all students through the entire year. The health and safety protocols used by our school are available on the UCS website.
At this time, there has been no change in the protocols used in our school, including our strong recommendation that families consider the use of face coverings. As Mr. Monroe’s recent letter indicated, we may need to make adjustments in our mitigation strategies for specific programs, classrooms or the entire school. If those adjustments are necessary, you will hear that directly from me.
All of us have a level of control over the health and safety of our school community. It is important that our families self-screen students every morning as outlined on the health and safety protocols.
Thank you for your continued partnership.
MASK WEARING
SELF-SCREENING
Before your child leaves in the morning, ask these two questions:
- In the last 24 hours has your child developed any of the following symptoms that are new/different/worse from baseline chronic illness: subjective fever (felt feverish) or measured a temperature 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, chills or rigors (severe chills with shivering), headache, sore throat , muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, runny noseor congestion and fatigue?
- In the last 24 hours, has your child developed any of the following symptoms that are new/different/worse from baseline of any chronic illness: cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, new loss of smell and new loss of taste?
The answer should be NO to BOTH questions. If not, your child should remain home for their protection and the health and safety of classmates and the adults in your school. Please call the school office to communicate the absence.
DAILY ATTENDANCE
If your child is going to be absent for the day, you must call the Attendance Line at (586) 797- 6799. This line is a 24-hour automated line so you may call at any time. If your child will be late, please report that on the attendance line as well. For early dismissals, parents should call the school office prior to 3:30 pm and send a note for your child's teacher. Parents must come into the vestibule to sign students in and out. Be prepared to show photo ID when picking up a student.
Many Wiley students are experiencing learning loss based on their leaving before the end of day. Not only is the child who is leaving suffering a loss, but also those students in their class; when the office staff class for student, the teacher has to stop instruction for the entire class to give the child their homework, end of day information, notes, etc. Naturally some early dismissals are unavoidable and supported for medical appointments. These should be infrequent and followed up with a doctor's note. Please, whenever possible, schedule these appointments after school hours. And if it is not medical related (such as attending a sibling's game or wanting to avoid the parking lot), please refrain from an early dismissal; 15-20 minutes several times a week adds up to hours of lost instructional time (just like tardies).
If your child does not attend regularly, the staff and I will be reaching out to find out how we can assist. If absences persist, it may constitute truancy and the matter will be addressed with the truancy officer.
Thank you for your help in this important matter! If we can be assistance, please let us know.
SPIRIT WEAR
Join the school spirit ~ Order Spirit Wear!
MEALS AT SCHOOL
PLEASE NOTE: DUE TO SHORTAGES IN THE SUPPLY CHANGE, THE MENU MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. Students/families will be notified as soon as possible. Thank you for your understandinag.
You can check the monthly menu at https://uticak12.nutrislice.com/.
LUNCH SUPERVISORS
Become a WILEY COYOTE! Please consider joining us and becoming a member of our fantastic crew. We need support in the cafeteria and on the playground.
What we offer:
- Great students
- Dedicated and caring staff
- School environment that feels like "home"
- Paid positions at $9.65
- Work 1-5 days a week
- 1 -1.5 hours a day
Looking for moms, dads, guardians, and grandparents to support lunch supervision.
We look forward to welcoming you!
PARKING LOT SAFETY
Also, it is necessary for parents to get out of cars and pick up their child; students are not permitted to cross the parking lot without an adult.
Especially of importance, the expectation is that when school buses are pulling out ALL CARS MUST WAIT until all buses have departed; please do not cut into the bus line.
Thank you for following the expectations; this will ensure safety for all!
Meeting with Teachers/Staff
Forgotten items will delivered to class or a message will be emailed to teachers so that students may pick up the item at an appropriated time.
Safety Procedures
- Please press the buzzer to speak with someone in the office
- You will be asked to state your name and reason for visiting
- You will need to show your Photo ID into the security camera
- Office staff will buzz you into the vestibule
- All visitors must immediately sign in
Additionally, if you are entering the building please self-screen before entering, ensuring that you do not have COVID--19 or COVID symptoms. Also, please do not let any other visitors in the door as you enter (if they come up behind you).
The Wiley Staff are committed to student safety and security. We appreciate your help in keeping our students safe!
2021-2022 Yearlong Calendar Dates
- Half Day(s): December 20 and 21
- Winter Break: December 22-December 31 (no school)
- MLK Jr. Holiday: January 17 (no school)
- MId-Winter Break: February 21-25 (no school)
- Half Day: April 1
- Spring Break: April 4-8 (no school)
- Good Friday: April 15 (no school)
- Memorial Weekend: May 27-30 (no school)
- June 9: Early dismissal
- June 10: Early dismissal; last day of school
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER, AT WILEY...
STAY CONNECTED WITH WILEY
Email: candice.merivirta@uticak12.org
Website: wiley.uticak12.org
Location: 47240 Shelby Road, Shelby Charter Township, MI, USA
Phone: (586) 797-6700
Facebook: facebook.com/ucswiley