The Siple Scoop
APRIL 2023
A NOTE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Siple Families,
Welcome back from Spring Break! Whether you stayed home or traveled, I hope you and your family enjoyed a well-deserved break and time to slow down a little. We are in the fourth and final marking period of the school year. This is crunch time and your help is greatly appreciated. Spring fever sets in right about now. Students would rather be outside playing in the sunshine and let’s be honest, so would we! But there is learning to do and work to be done so it is important that we stay focused during this important time of year in order for students to be fully prepared to move on to the next grade level.
March winds and April showers all together bring crazy weather patterns in Michigan! It is the season of not knowing whether or not you need a coat, jacket or no outerwear at all during recess. This is a tricky time of year. Our students are still children and they need your help when they prepare for school in the morning. Please send a coat or jacket every day to ensure they are able to enjoy being outside during recess. Our teachers and monitors will encourage children to wear their coats or jackets if weather conditions dictate they do so. We are working with you to keep them healthy each day.
Believe it or not, I am already working on plans for the 2023-2024 school year! Parents often ask about making a teacher request for their child. The District opens a two week window for parents to make such requests. This year the window is April 17 - April 28. Parents can make a request by completing the Teacher Request form online during the window. The form, available here: Parent Requests will only be available during the April 17-28 time frame. Please remember that Teacher Requests are not guaranteed. Students will be placed in the best environment for them to achieve their highest potential. I look forward to another great year working with you and your family!
Finally, be sure to read about the exciting construction project that will be happening at Siple beginning this month as a result of the bond. I've included the details below. It's an exciting time to be at Siple Elementary!
810-591-5104
Report Cards and Parent Teacher Conferences
We invite all parents to attend Parent Teacher Conferences on Thursday, April 6th. Parents can come between 4:30 and 6:00 p.m. for drop-in conferences. Teachers will set appointments for parents they specifically need to meet with between 6:00 and 7:30 p.m. This is an excellent time to meet with your child's teacher to review their progress and set goals for the remainder of the year. Conferences will be held in person at Siple. We look forward to seeing you!
M-Step Testing for 3rd and 4th Grade
Our 3rd and 4th grade students will be participating in the State of Michigan's M-Step assessment this month. Testing will begin the week of April 24th in our building. Classroom teachers will share which days they are testing students. Please make sure your student is well rested and arrives at school on time for test days. Please try to avoid scheduling appointments that would cause your child to be absent on a testing day if possible. A letter is being sent home containing more information will be sent home with your child on Wednesday, April 5th.
Big Changes are Coming to Siple!
Once the work begins, we will no longer be able to use the main entrance until the construction is complete. During construction, The entrance by the Media Center, on the west end of the building, will be used as our main entrance. There isn't a buzzer at that entrance, so visitors will need to call the office when they come to the door. A sign will be posted with the instructions to make this as easy as possible for you. Our team has a plan for how we will be able to assist you while still maintaining building security. Please remember to bring a photo ID to the door with you when you arrive for security purposes.
I want to thank you all in advance for your patience during this time of construction. It will be inconvenient for the remainder of this school year, but it will allow us to begin next year with a beautiful, secure, new main entrance. Thank you again for supporting the bond that has allowed our District to make so many incredible improvements.
KINDERGARTEN ROUND UP
Parents, if you have younger children at home our Early 5's program is for children that will turn 5 between June 15 and December 1, 2023. This is an excellent program to prepare young children for kindergarten. It is a full day program that focuses on kindergarten readiness. Registration for Early 5's is open now. To add your child to the wait list please call the Thomson Elementary office at 810-591-0911.
Kindergarten Round Up will be held Monday, April 17 through Friday, April 21 at Thomson Elementary. Please call Thomson Elementary at (810) 591-0911 to schedule your child's registration appointment. The age required for kindergarten is that your child must be 5 by September 1, 2023.
Davison also offers our amazing GSRP preschool program. Registration is currently underway for the 2023-2024 school year. For more information you can call 810-591-0922.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS??
SIPLE STARS OF THE MONTH
Each month classroom teachers will nominate one student from their class to be entered into the grade level drawing for the STAR of the MONTH for that grade. Each grade level STAR of the Month will receive a certificate, medal, and their photo will be on display in the hallway during that month.
We are pleased to recognize students for consistently demonstrating excellent behavior. Thank you for sharing your outstanding children with us. I am pleased to announce our STARs of the Month for March are:
Kindergarten: Amos Voelker, Grayson Schaibly, Jesse Doak
1st grade: Akai Ocasio, Eliana Ojeda, and Jackson Wilson
2nd grade: Matt Hazel, Wyatt Lacy
3rd grade: Gavin Caraway, Declan Wheeler, Ethan Persails, and Amir Allan
4th grade: MJ Root, Lena Hoffman, Macie Osgood
Congratulations to these outstanding young learners!
We Are Hiring!
We are interested in hiring additional Playground Monitors and Title I paraprofessionals at Siple Elementary. Playground Monitors work 10:30 - 2:00 p.m. Monday through Friday when school is in session. Playground Monitors have an excellent opportunity to be a positive influence in the lives of children. If you are interested in applying to be a Playground Monitor you can apply online at www.gecs-inc.org. Please call the office at 810-591-5104 to let the office staff know you have completed an application.
Title I Paraprofessionals work with students to provide additional support to increase student achievement. Paraprofessionals are required to have some college credit or pass a test to be eligible for employment. If you are interested in becoming a paraprofessional you can apply online at through Applitrack. Also, please be aware that part of the hiring process for both positions is a complete background check and fingerprinting. If you have any questions please feel welcome to call us.
COUNSELOR'S CORNER
Calming Strategies for Test Taking
Many students struggle with anxiety about tests. In fact, one study showed that 25-40% of students experience anxiety about test taking. Symptoms of this include (but are not limited to): Headache, stomach aches, sweating, shortness of breath, crying, pacing, feeling of fear/dread, blanking out and racing thoughts. Please know that the amazing teachers at Siple Elementary work really hard to alleviate stress for students regarding standardized testing. Of course we want students to do well, but we do not want students to feel overwhelmed with pressure. Although being nervous is to be expected, a way to help your child is to teach calming strategies. Every person is different, so strategies that work for you may not work for your child. Below are four relaxation suggestions that children can use to help calm themselves.
Deep Breathing: Breath in through your nose, out through your mouth. It is important to slow the breathing from shallow breaths to deeper ones. Sometimes it helps to imagine blowing bubbles through a bubble wand.
Positive Self Talk: Use positive words to encourage yourself. “You can do it!” “You’re doing fine!” “I believe in myself!”
Guided Imagery: Close your eyes and imagine yourself in a calming location, a beach for example. Try to feel the warm sunshine and rough sand. Imagine that you can smell the water and hear birds.
Muscle Relaxation: Flex, tighten, or raise each area for 3 seconds, then release - Eyebrows, jaw, shoulders, right arm, right hand, left arm, left hand, stomach, legs, whole body.
Mrs. Liley, Counselor
810-591-0227
DID YOU KNOW.........
Did You Know This Service is Available
There are many great resources for families in the area. This section of the Siple Scoop is dedicated to introducing you to a FREE resource each month.
This month we are featuring Genesys Health System Access, Crisis, and Urgent Care: Call (810) 257-3740 for multiple services:
Access Services: To discuss services available call M-F 8 AM-5 PM
Intensive Children’s Crisis Stabilization Services call 8AM-7PM, 7 days a week
Crisis Services 24/7/365 Help available - Text FLINT to 741741
FUN TO BE FIT
Hopefully everybody had a great Spring Break! Can't wait to get back and see all my Siple Stars! We will be finishing up our basketball skills and moving on to team games. Some of the things we will focus on during this month are teamwork and sportsmanship.
The weather is getting warmer so hopefully we will be able to get outside a few times and get some fresh air while practicing our basketball skills. Please make sure to dress for PE and wear those tennis shoes on physical education days!
Mr. Sipley, Gym Teacher
810-591-0231
MUSIC NOTES
Music News:
CONGRATULATIONS to our 4th & 2nd Grade Performing groups! You shined like the Siple Stars you are and I’m SO proud of you! Thank you for all of your hard work! Thank you again to all of our parent volunteers that were able to help as well! You are all very much appreciated!!
ATTENTION 4th Grade Families:
5th Grade Band/Orchestra Sign-up for next year at Hahn has begun.
An email has been sent to all 4th grade families explaining the choices for “Electives” (aka: Specials) for 5th grade. 4th Graders that are interested in playing an instrument in either the Band (flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, baritone, or percussion) or the Orchestra (violin, viola, cello) please make sure to use the online sign-up OR you may give the paper sign-up to Mrs. Odglen!
Thank you!
Mrs. Odglen, Music Teacher
810-591-0238
STEM FUN
Happy Spring! I hope everyone had a wonderful spring break. We are learning so much in STEM class and the students are really showing so much growth with their technology skills.
I have some reading and responding lessons planned for the lower grades this month and the upper elementary students are going to be working on web quests and computer programming. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
810-591-0238
UPCOMING EVENTS
April 5: Report Cards emailed home to parents
April 6: Parent/Teacher conferences
4:30 - 6:00 p.m. walk-in sessions
6:00 - 7:30 p.m. by teacher appointment
April 7: NO SCHOOL/Good Friday
April 12: 4th Grade Band Assembly presented by Hahn Band Director
April 14: Popcorn Friday
April 17 - 21: Kindergarten Round Up @ Thomson (by appointment only)
April 17: Teacher Request window opens: Complete this form
https://forms.gle/pdhdD3evT9hFEWF2A
April 20: Marshall Music visit for 4th grade instrument fitting for Hahn
April 24: M-Step Testing begins for 3rd and 4th grade students
April 28: Teacher request window closes
May 1 - 5: Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week
May 1 -15: School of Choice applications accepted at Administration Building
May 10: Early Release Day @ 1:30 p.m./Teacher Professional Development
Siple Elementary
9286 E. Coldwater Road
Davison, MI 48423
Christy Flowers, Principal
Follow Mrs. Flowers on Twitter: @Principal4Kids
Office Phone: 810-591-5104
Office Fax: 810-591-5102
Attendance: 810-591-5100