Eagle News
APRIL 29, 2022
Ebeling Elementary School
Email: officeebeling@uticak12.org
Website: ebeling.uticak12.org
Location: 15970 Haverhill Drive, Macomb, MI, USA
Phone: 586-797-4700
Twitter: @ebelingelem
Dear Parents:
We have a busy month of May coming up at school! In addition to our daily learning opportunities, we will continue with MSTEP (Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress) Mathematics testing for 3rd through 6th graders. As visitors and volunteers were welcomed back into the building, we had the opportunity for classroom presentations from local area experts. Kindergarten students expanded their knowledge of mammals and reptiles during a presentation by environmentalist Randy Baker. First graders experienced hatching chicken eggs and watched them develop; fourth grade students learned about energy – safety, conservation, and alternative sources – from DTE. In addition, our 3rd and 4th graders are rehearsing in preparation for their vocal music concert later this month. This will be a wonderful opportunity to welcome families into the building for an evening event!
With the last marking period of the school year upon us, it is important for students and their families to stay focused on learning. Feel free, as always, to call the school office or your child’s teacher with questions/concerns about your child’s progress. One thing sure to be on everyone’s minds is the placement of students into next year’s classrooms. As we enter the final marking period, the teachers and I begin to plan for the following school year’s class assignments. The classroom teachers, learning center teachers, and I will collaborate to place your child in the most cohesive classroom. They know their students, and together we will design a stable classroom. As students are placed together into classroom groups, we look at many factors such as general academics, gender, reading abilities, sociability, and disciplinary situations to create a well-balanced classroom. Once classroom groups are designed, that is when a teacher is assigned to that group of students. If teacher requests are made, your child would have to be removed from that well-balanced classroom and placed into another (causing factors to become unbalanced); furthermore, another student would have to be removed from that class and moved out into a different grouping for no other reason than a request by another family.
Staffing changes and grade level assignments also play a role in expectations for your child. Quite often in the Spring, parents (with their child at their side) will say to me, “their brother had Mrs. XYZ, and we loved her. He is really looking forward to having Mrs. XYZ next year!” This sets up the unrealistic expectation that teachers will be assigned based on previous siblings’ teachers, and results in initial disappointment for your child when things do not go according to your plan.
Classroom placement is an extremely long and arduous process each year that is well thought out by your child’s current teacher and other staff. I am asking you not to request a particular teacher for your child as I feel every teacher in the building is as equal as his/her cohort. I am not able to honor specific teacher requests, as it is extremely difficult to keep the balance needed throughout each grade level. Thank you in advance for your support and trust in this area.
Mrs. Bailey
UPCOMING DATES
MAY 2-6 - Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week
MAY 3 - Sixth Grade Career Focus Luncheon
MAY 13 - Sixth Grade to Camp Copneconic
MAY 16 - 3rd & 4th Grade Vocal Music Concert - (6:30 PM = 3rd Grade)(7:30 PM = 4th Grade)
MAY 18 - PTA Potluck @ 6:30; Meeting follows @ 7:00 PM in Ebeling Media Center
MAY 20 - Fifth Grade Wax Museum (Parents welcome 9:30-10:00 AM)
MAY 20 - Mother-Son Bowling Event @ Imperial Lanes
MAY 27-MAY 30 - No school for students. Memorial Day Holiday
MAY 31 - School resumes
JUNE 3 - Field Day. Grade Level Schedule TBD
JUNE 9 - Student Half Day. Dismissal at 11:44.
JUNE 9 - SIXTH GRADE GRADUATION @ 9:00 AM
JUNE 10 - Student Half Day - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL - dismissal at 11:44.
1ST GRADERS BID THEIR CHICKS 'FAREWELL' FOLLOWING HURON CLINTON METROPARKS PROGRAM
Fifth Grade Growth & Development Sessions Scheduled
ENVIRONMENTALIST RANDY BAKER AND HIS ANIMAL FRIENDS VISIT KINDERGARTEN CLASSROOMS
UCS SUMMER PROGRAMS:
UCS SUMMER ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
Registration begins on Monday, May 2, 2022, through Community Education using the following link:
https://ucscommunityeducation.ce.eleyo.com/ (OR CLICK BELOW).
KINDERGARTEN READINESS
Get ready for kindergarten! This academic enrichment program is a unique combination of learning and fun that gives students extra practice in core curriculum areas. Please note that Session I and Session II are different programs. Children must be five years old on or before September 1, 2022 or attending kindergarten during the 2022-2023 school year.
Please see the flyer below for information including dates and times, and register by clicking the link below. Registration is now open at: https://ucscommunityeducation.ce.eleyo.com/
UCS SUMMER ENRICHMENT CLASSES
The 2022 UCS summer camps and enrichment programs opened for registration on Monday, April 25, 2022. Please click this link for more information and to register:
https://ucscommunityeducation.ce.eleyo.com/ (OR CLICK BELOW).
School Age Child Care Summer Camp
The 2022 SACC summer camp theme is “Traveling through the Nifty 50” and will run from Monday, June 20, 2022 to Friday, August 12, 2022. Please note that camp will not be held on July 4, 2022. Please post the attached (3A) flyer on your school’s website, include in your May newsletter and distribute via email to all families. Registration opened on April 25, 2022; please click here for more information and to register: https://ucscommunityeducation.ce.eleyo.com/ (OR CLICK BELOW).
FREE SCHOOL MEALS ARE COMING TO AN END JUNE 30!
- If you would still like to get free and reduced meals, you must fill out an application after July 1
- If you are not approved for free or reduced meals, you will be required to pay for all meals for the 2022-2023 school year
- Apply online at Utica Family Portal or https://utica.familyportal.cloud
Enter “Utica Community Schools” and follow the prompts. - Most applications are processed within two (2) working days
- Quicker than paper!
Apply using a paper application
- Paper applications & Household Income Forms for CEP sites are distributed to all student households or are available at your child’s school.
- Complete the application and return it to your child’s school or mail to Utica Community Schools, Food & Nutrition Services, 11303 Greendale, Sterling Heights, MI 48312
- Processing may take 7-10 working days
Community Spotlight
Utica Community Schools and Shelby Township will be presenting a Community Spotlight on Thursday, May 5 from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. at Eisenhower High School.
The Community Spotlight is an evening celebration of our schools and community. The night will feature performances representing schools across our district, comments from UCS, Shelby Township and Macomb County community leaders, and a reception following the event.
EBELING PTA SPIRIT WEAR SALE - ENDS MAY 1ST
ICYMI/REPEATED NEWS FROM PREVIOUS NEWSLETTERS:
Pet Policy Reminder
With the warm weather we have had a few families bring their pet up to school when picking up their child. Please remember that for health and safety reasons, no pets are allowed on school grounds. Thank you!
STUDENT HANDBOOK GUIDELINES FOR CELL PHONES AND ECD'S:
Possession or use of cell phones or other electronic communications devices (ECDs) by elementary students is prohibited at any time while in school or in a district vehicle unless permission has been given by an administrator – this includes text messaging and camera usage.
UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES:
PARENTS: check out the MSTEP newsletter below for family resources
Parents of 3rd-6th Graders:
All students enrolled in Michigan schools in grades 3-8 and 11 will take the M-STEP (Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress) assessment. The M-STEP will measure your student's growth and progress on the Michigan Academic Standards. Those standards are available at this web site: www.Michigan.gov/academicstandards
Third through sixth graders will be tested in English language arts and mathematics using a computer. Additionally, students in fifth grade will be tested in science and social studies. They will be assigned specific dates and times to take the M-STEP during the online testing window. The M-STEP will provide an accurate view of your child’s achievement levels and learning needs to help us identify areas where we can improve instruction and teaching.
Testing is scheduled on the following dates (for in-person learners) at Ebeling:
Grade 5 : April 19 and 21 (science and social studies)
Grades 3, 4, 5, and 6: April 26 & 27 (English language arts test)
Grades 3, 4, 5, and 6: May 10 & 11 (math test)
Testing is scheduled on the following dates (for Virtual Academy learners) at Ebeling:
Grade 6 : April 19 (ELA/English language arts and Math)
Grade 5: April 20 & 21 (English language arts and Math, Science and Social Studies)
Grade 4: April 26 (ELA/English language Arts and Math)
Grade 3: April 27 (ELA/English language Arts and Math)
As parents/guardians, you play an important role in your child’s academic success.
We are asking your help to ensure he/she is prepared for this new online assessment series. Here is what you can do:
· Encourage your child to approach the M-STEP with a positive attitude.
· Ensure your child gets plenty of rest the night before, has a good breakfast and comes to
school on time each day.
Your child’s attendance is vital to his/her achievement. In addition, full attendance is necessary for our school to meet state participation requirements.
To learn more about the M-STEP assessments, please visit the Michigan Department of Education Web site: http://www.michigan.gov/mde
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.
Mrs. Bailey