Starside's Comet
Newsletter Communication for February 12, 2021
Starside Elementary
Our Starside Mission:
Through a collaborative learning community we will build a foundation upon which all students can develop essential academic and life skills.
Click HERE to visit our school website!
Email: SE@usd232.org
Website: se.usd232.org
Location: 35400 W 91st St, De Soto, KS, United States
Phone: 913-667-6270
Facebook: facebook.com/StarsideComets
Twitter: @StarsideComets
Congratulations, Mr. Warren Wingo! USD 232 Making A Difference Award Winner - January 2020
A Plea From Principal Meyer
Starside Families,
Have you ever heard the heart-breaking, life-altering story of a 7-year-old child named Kade Meyer who was tragically killed while riding his bike on the school campus? Well, I sure have and saw the impact it had on Kade's devasted family. I had the honor of working at De Soto High School with Kade's father, Principal Mark Meyer. When I became Principal of Starside in 2015, I made a promise to Mark that I would always do my best to ensure Starside's car loop prioritized student safety first and foremost! Kade would be a senior in high school this year - about to graduate with the ability to chase his dreams, but he never got the chance.
We all have places to be - before and after school - but nothing is more important than keeping our kids safe and alive. In order to uphold the safety of all children, please help us by adhering to the following car loop procedures:
Morning Arrival @ 8:30:
- No cell phones in use.
- Have your child ready to exit with his or her backpack/mask on.
- Pull forward to the staff waiting on the sidewalk who will kindly open your vehicle door.
- Students must exit the vehicle on the passenger (sidewalk) side of the car ONLY.
- Do not leave the line or try to bypass the line in the inner lane. This prevents accidents!
Afternoon Dismissal @ 3:50:
- No cell phones in use.
- Please hang your car rider number visibly from the rearview mirror of your vehicle.
- Your car rider number should remain visible until your child is safely inside the vehicle.
- Pull forward to the staff waiting at the 6 colored cones to pick-up your car rider(s).
- Do not leave the line or try to bypass the line in the inner lane. This prevents accidents!
Students:
- Must enter the vehicle from the right side (sidewalk side)
- Must remain behind the painted white line until the vehicle comes to a complete stop.
- Remind your child to memorize and listen for his or her rider number inside the cafe.
Thank you for helping all Starside Comets to be FOREVER AWESOME!
Kris Meyer
Valentine's Parties Rescheduled: Friday, February 19!
Parents, please check your email for newsletter communications specific to your child's teacher and the parties in his or her classroom.
Parent Teacher Conferences: February 24 & 25
All spring conferences will be held virtually, via Zoom. Teachers are scheduling conferences now and will share their Zoom link with you soon.
If your family is unable to attend conferences during the allotted days, please know that teachers are not required to "make up" or reschedule the conference.
Our specials teachers have their own sign-ups! Parents may book a 20-minute conference with any of our specials teachers, using the link buttons below:
7 Habits of Highly Effective Families @ Starside
Join Principal Meyer on Zoom for a Q/A session about the 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families and how your family can join in on the book study for the 2021-2022 school year. Families who commit to participating in the book study will receive a free copy of the book!
Time: Feb 25, 2021 @ 9:00 AM (No School due to Parent/Teacher Conferences.)
Join Zoom Meeting: https://usd232.zoom.us/j/85749682485
Passcode: 7Habits@SE
Meeting ID: 857 4968 2485
Please call the Starside Office at 913-667-6270 to RSVP!
Do you have a child who will attend kindergarten during the 2021-22 school year?
Starside will host a meeting for all parents with incoming kindergarteners via Zoom at 6:00 PM on Thursday, March 18.
Mark your calendars and share this information with friends and neighbors who will have kindergarteners at Starside next year! More information in the button, below!
Save the Date
February
- Monday, February 15 - President's Day - No School!
- Monday, February 15 - Last day to order a yearbook!
- Friday, February 19 - Valentine's Parties RESCHEDULED!!!
- Wednesday, February 24 - Half-Day, Dismissal @ 12:10; Parent-Teacher Conferences
- Thursday, February 25 - No School for Students - Parent-Teacher Conferences
- Thursday, February 25, all day - PTA's Papa Murphy's Pizza Fundraiser for SE
- Friday, February 26 - No School, District Buildings Closed
March
- Tuesday, March 2, from 4-8 PM only - PTA's Chipotle Fundraiser for SE
- Thursday, March 18, 6-7 PM - Virtual Kindergarten Round-up Meeting
- Tuesday, March 23 - End of 3rd Quarter
- Wed-Friday, March 24-26 - Spring Break
- Monday, March 29 - No School for Students - Teacher PD/Work Day
- Tuesday, March 30 - 4th Quarter begins
Nominate a Deserving Starside Staff Member for February!
USD 232 and the USD 232 Education Foundation present the Making a Difference Award!
Nominations are due February 28, 2021! The recipient will be recognized in March.
This award is designed to honor and recognize those staff members who go above and beyond, exceeding expectations, to make a difference for the students, families, and other employees in our district.
Award Criteria
• Anyone (staff, parents, students, etc.) can nominate any USD 232 employee (Previous Making A Difference Winners ineligible)
• Nominations are due by the last Wednesday of each month
• Recognitions will be given monthly throughout the school year
• Each recipient of this award will be presented a check for $250 along with a special trophy designed and manufactured by our high school students
Counselor's Corner
Spark After-school Program
No Spark: Feb 23 and 25, March 23 and 25
Please contact Mrs. McKenzi Mispagel (mmispagel@usd232.org) or Mrs. Chris Wilhelm (cwilhelm@usd232.org) with any questions
PTA News
Please help support Starside in February and March by eating at Papa Murphy's and Chipotle on the dates that Starside PTA has coordinated as the Starside Fundraiser dates. See Flyers below!
Thursday, Feb. 25 (all day) Papa Murphy’s @ 10086 Woodland Rd (K-10 and Woodland). We earn 25% of sales for that day! Flyer below!
Tuesday, March 2, 4-8 pm, Chipotle @ 22235 W 66th St in Shawnee - we earn 33% of sales between 4 and 8 PM! (Flyer coming soon!)
REPEATED INFORMATION
New! Parent/Guardian Procedures for 20-21
Attendance
Starside will be taking regular attendance. The Attendance Secretary calls families to check on students who have not notified the school of an absence.
OPTIONAL REMOTE parents need to report absences for any Zooms students will miss.
ON-SITE parents need to report absences:
- Any time your student is supposed to be at school.
- If your student is ill, PLEASE include all symptoms & if diagnosed with Flu, Strep, or Covid.
Lunches
You may not bring outside food into your child nor join him/her for lunch.
If your child forgets his/her lunch, he/she may get a free school lunch or you may bring a lunchbox with your students' name on it and drop it off at the school by ringing the doorbell to notify the office of the delivery and drop it off on the table in the foyer.
Visitors/Parent Volunteers
At this time, we will not be able to have visitors or parent volunteers. We miss you and look forward to seeing you soon. You may bring a forgotten item; however, you will not be allowed to enter past the foyer. Please ring the bell and we will let you in. Place the item, marked with your child's name on it, on the table in the foyer and we will get the item to your child.
Dropping off your child after the start of school:
- Submit the absence online or call/email the office to notify the school that your child will be late. Please let us know the reason for the tardy (appointment, headache, or just running late).
- You DO need to safely escort your elementary-aged child to the front door. Ring the bell and we will let only your child inside.
- If we have not heard from a parent/guardian the tardy will be marked as unexcused, so please do not forget to notify the office of the reason for the tardy.
Checking your child out of school early:
- Please call or email to notify the office and teacher ahead of time.
- Have an ID ready to show when picking up your child.
- Press the bell, show your ID, and let us know who you are checking out.
- We will let you inside where you may wait for your child in the foyer.
- We will locate your child and send him/her to you in the foyer.
We sincerely appreciate your patience and support during this time. If you have any questions, please call 913-667-6270 and we will be happy to assist you in any way we can!
Sending Treats to School
Nurse Tara's Health Notes
Technology Corner
Parents: Do you ever wonder what your child searches for on their school device?
Do you ever wonder what websites your child most often visits?
Do you ever wonder how much time your child spends on their device while at school?If you answered 'YES' to any of these questions, you are strongly encouraged to check out the Securly Home App! Securly is a free web-monitoring platform available to all USD 232 families.
See your child’s online activity in real-time and catch up with weekly email snapshots!
For more information and to learn how to install the app, click HERE.
USD 232 Lost/Damaged Technology Policy
The following cost structure will apply when iPads are sent home with elementary students. If damage or loss occurs due to intentional acts or as the result of negligence in handling the device:
-1st Incident: No Fee;
-2nd Incident: $25.00;
-3rd Incident: $50.00 and
-4th and Subsequent Incidents: Actual cost of repair/replacement
The repair cost structure will reset annually for elementary students. In the event a device is stolen, a police report must be filed with local law enforcement and a copy of the report submitted to the school administration to prevent being charged the replacement cost of the device.
Accessories and parts that do not carry a warranty are charged at actual replacement cost.
Replacement cost for lost crayon (digital pencil for iPad):
-1st Incident: $25.00
-2nd and Subsequent Incidents: $50.00 (full replacement cost)
Replacement cost for lost/damaged charger:
-1st Incident: $11:00
-2nd and Subsequent Incidents: $22.00 (full replacement cost)
Technology Help Desk
Please remember that the fastest way to start getting a solution to any technical issues is to contact our help desk. This is also available to all students.
Technology Help Desk
Get help with district technology
Students and Parents: You can reach our Help Desk by calling 816-382-4840.
Hours of Operation
Monday - Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
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Contacts: Front Office
Be sure to add SE@usd232.org to your contacts list so we don't end up in your spam folder!