THUNDERBIRD PRESS...Est.2006
JANUARY-FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER
SYNERGY: Together Is Better!
SEQUOYAH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
OUR VISION:
We will help ALL students reach their social, emotional, and academic potential.
OUR MISSION:
BELIEVE * ACHIEVE * SUCCEED
A Message From Mr. Zotos...
Dear Sequoyah Families:
It is hard to believe that the 100th day of school has already passed. My last 100s day parade leading the kindergarteners and their exciting projects around the school hallways as all the students cheered them on! Time goes by so quickly when it is spent working with such an amazing group of students, staff and parents. I am so proud of everything our children have achieved so far this year. It has been a pleasure and blessing to watch them learn and grow!
Our spring conferences on March 23 and March 24 are on an “as needed” basis. You will receive a letter this week from your child’s teacher indicating if a conference is needed at this time. If a conference is requested, please make every effort to attend as it is critical to your child’s success in school. We are looking forward to sharing information with you regarding your child’s growth and development.
Since each child has unique learning needs, teachers have been working with each student to create an individualized academic goal and a plan for reaching their goal. The method that adults use to approach goal setting with children can greatly impact their achievement. Research from Carol Dweck’s book, Mindset, shows that when students are taught to think about their achievement with a “growth mindset”, they are more likely to make greater academic gains.
Having a growth mindset means that children are taught to improve achievement through effort, perseverance, and practice. This is different from a “fixed mindset” in which children are taught that their intelligence and abilities are fixed. The fixed mindset philosophy teaches children to believe they are either “good” or talented at something or they are not. When children have a fixed mindset they are more fearful of challenging situations and less likely to take risks. Use the growth mindset approach when discussing goal setting and academic achievement with your child or children.
Some helpful growth mindset phrases are listed below:
You really worked hard.
Your teacher said you have really been paying attention.
I can see that you have been practicing.
When you put forth effort it really shows.
Teaching children to have a growth mindset takes time and practice, but it is well worth the effort!
Warmly,
Ted Zotos
Principal
Masks will no longer be required in the classroom, inside school facilities, and at school events, as of the end of the day Friday, February 4th.
After January’s rapid increase in COVID-19 cases, Macomb County is experiencing a significant decline in positive cases. Therefore, we feel comfortable in keeping our plan to end our mask requirement today. Thank you to everyone that supported our efforts to maintain in-person learning during this most recent COVID surge.
Although we will be returning to a mask-optional environment, Chippewa Valley Schools still recommends the use of masks indoors while in crowded settings to help reduce the transmission of COVID-19 in our community.
Students riding a bus are NOT required to wear a mask!!!
Important Reminders
If your child is sick, please keep them home to avoid spreading illness in our schools. As a reminder, if your child has two or more of the following symptoms: temperature, sore throat, new or worsening cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, diarrhea or vomiting, headache, chills or rigors, loss of taste or smell, runny nose or congestion, muscle aches, fatigue or nausea, please keep them home and ask for guidance from your health care provider or our Covid nurse. If they have a pending Covid test, please keep them home until you receive a negative test result.
You can report a school-related positive COVID-19 case by using our reporting form.
COVID Nurse Information
Chippewa Valley Schools employs two full-time COVID Nurses that monitor COVID cases in our schools. They serve as a resource for parents and staff and work directly with the Macomb County Health Department on all COVID related issues. We are grateful to have these outstanding healthcare professionals as part of our team.
Samantha Schmall, RN – Elementary/Preschool – (586) 723-2188 or email her @ sschmall@cvs.k12.mi.us
Thank you to our CVS families for their continued cooperation and support. By working together, we can ensure that our schools remain open for in-person learning and we can continue to provide every CVS student with an outstanding education.
Thanks again,
Ted Zotos
Principal
IMPORTANT EVENTS...see bolded items below for additions/changes every Monday after 5PM, so please check back weekly!
- March 23 & 24 Conferences: You should have received notification from your child's teacher regarding conferences, if not, contact the teacher immediately for information.
- Calling ALL WatchDOGS: If you have not served as a WatchDOG in the past or would like further information, please attend the PTO meeting (NO childcare) on Tuesday, March 22 @ 7PM in the MPR for more details. We would love to have our dads/significant males back volunteering during lunch/recess (11:00-2:00) beginning Monday, April 11. The kids love and miss you and we do too! Visit our Sequoyah website for a quick WatchDOG overview.
- Volunteers: We are starting with WatchDOGS for now and adding more volunteers as future events warrant.
- Reading Month: Catch the excitement, see the calendar below.
Sequoyah Calendar (look below): Don't forget to review weekly for exciting and breaking news!
Arrival/Dismissal: Same doors and procedure as last year...K (door 15)...1st...(door 16)...3rd (door 17)...2nd/4th/5th (door 1...three separate doors at main entrance by flagpole). Students in grades 2-5 will walk into school at their designated doors above. Remember, parents will not be allowed in the building so please review where your child will enter/exit school.
Drinking Fountains: Only the filling station will be operational at this time. The drinking portion/part is still closed so bring those water bottles for proper hydration.
Supply Sharing: Limit sharing like last year by encouraging individual supplies.
- B-Day Treats: Back and agreed upon by grade level.
Thunderbird 3 Heroes (announced monthly) & Thunderbird 3 Tickets & Ticket Store (redeem every 6-8 weeks)...prize cart will deliver the prizes to the pods so the students can choose.
Playground/Recess: No zones at this time but teachers will be mindful of their students and playmates. We will not overcrowd the playground with more than 5 classes at a time. Three designated recess times will be provided daily for each classroom along with their weekly PE/gym class fun..
Snack Time: Designated time or allow eating all day (agreed upon as a grade level).
Specials (art, music, science, and PE): Rotate daily like in years past.
Cubbies: Use like before but try to limit crowding in the cubby area.
Field Trips: Virtual at this time and money is collected using PaySchools.
Cleaning/Sanitizing: Occurs throughout the day in all locations.
Visitors/Late Arrivals/Early Dismissals: Parents will use outside buzzer (door 1) when bringing students in late. Parents will sign in the student on the table located between the two sets of doors. Parents will not enter past the vestibule doors, just the student. Parents will use the outside buzzer when signing students out early. Proof of identification will be shown to the camera outside and then you will be buzzed in to sign your student out. Parents will wait between the two sets of doors in the vestibule area, sign the student out, show proof of identification through the window, then the student will be brought to the door. Forgotten lunches, materials, etc…A bin will also be placed between the two sets of doors; parents can label and drop off items in the bin for delivery to your sweet Thunderbird.
2022 Sequoyah Lego Robotics Team
District Competition News
The team competed against other Chippewa Valley elementary schools at the districtwide competition this past weekend. They had a VERY successful day. In the shootout event, Sequoyah was awarded 1st place! Congrats to Joshua T., Giorgio P., and Charlie M. for their gold medal finish. We are so proud of the Lego Robotics team and all of their hard work and dedication. Go Thunderbirds! Special thank you to coach Ron for leading the group!
Thunderbird Three Heroes January 2022
Thunderbird Three Heroes December 2021
Chair Limo Winner
FREE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH AVAILABLE FOR ALL CV STUDENTS and CVVA STUDENTS!
FREE breakfast and lunch for ALL Chippewa Valley Students!!!
Thanks to a program extension from the USDA, Chippewa Valley Schools will now feed all children 18 years and younger for FREE through the end of the 2021-2022 school year.
Distribution will not take place during holiday breaks.
To see if your family qualifies for additional benefits,
please fill out a free/reduced application at www.lunchapp.com
Family Guides: Supporting Math & Literacy Learning in 2021-2022...Click Blue Link Below
Seek Common Ground and 'Student Achievement Partners' created grade level guides to help support your child's learning in the 2021-2022 school year. Learn more about what your child(ren) should know and be able to do in math and literacy. In addition, how to reinforce learning with everyday activities, tips for talking to teachers, and online resources/games.