The Siple Scoop
January 2020
A NOTE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
A new year always brings hope for new beginnings! As an educator I feel like I have the joy of experiencing this two times a year, once at the beginning of the school year and then at the beginning of the New Year in January.
I would like to take a moment to recognize some volunteers that rose above and beyond for our Siple STARs. Every year we hold Santa's Gift Shop at Siple. This is a wonderful shopping experience for our students. Almost all students participate. It take a tremendous amount of time and energy to plan, shop, craft, recruit volunteers, and set up/tear down the event. This year second grade teacher Ami Unger volunteered to lead this project. Even with a late start she did an unbelievable job! Many said it was our best year yet.
Two recruits that Mrs. Unger brought on board early were her parents, Doug and Jan Bennett. They are also grandparents to four Siple STARs! Mr. and Mrs. Bennett were up at the school working so much I told them I needed to get them staff ID badges! They put in lots of hours and returned every day with smiles on their faces ready to tackle new projects. Their love for the children and dedication to the cause was ever present and greatly appreciated.
We also had MANY parents, staff, and even community members that donated time and items for the sale. There are so many I can't list them all, but I want to sincerely thank each and every one that helped make Santa's Gift Shop a wonderful experience for the students. It is easy to see why Santa requires an army of elves when we saw the huge number of helpers it took to make this event so successful.
I wish you all a great January and an awesome 2020!
Christy Flowers, Principal
810-591-5104
Loading the Bus
We blew our goal away!
Chance and Ronan
Intersession II registration is Open!
Arts, Activities & Adventures February 17th - 20th. This four day intersession will include a painting party, a bowling field trip, drama with the Flint Repertory Theater, and fun with our friends from For-Mar. There will be lots of exciting events for the low cost of $80/student. Scholarships are available through the Siple office for families in need of assistance. Registration is managed by the DCER and the firm deadline is Wednesday, January 22nd. Don't miss this wonderful winter intersession! Please see the link to the promotional flyer at the bottom of the newsletter! Remember that there is no school for students February 17-21 as part of our balanced calendar schedule.
KINDERGARTEN ROUND UP
Parents, if you have younger children at home we wanted to make you aware that we are now starting the waiting list for Early-5's. Our Early 5's program is for children that will turn 5 between June 15 and December 1, 2020. This is an excellent program to prepare young children for kindergarten. It is a full day program that focuses on kindergarten readiness. To add your child to the wait list please call the Thomson Elementary office at 810-591-0911.
Kindergarten Round-up will be held April 20th -24th this year. Parents can call the Thomson Elementary office to register for your appointment beginning March 2nd. The age required for kindergarten and early 5's is that they must be 5 by September 1, 2020. Don't wait to call to register for kindergarten. Space is limited at Siple and we want to make sure all of our Siple STARs get registered. The phone number to call to make your appointment is 810-591-0911.
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 please to announce our STARs of the Month for December are:
Kindergarten: Hayden Lewis
1st grade: Stella Kile
2nd grade: Kaylynn Fillmore
3rd grade: Liam Dewald
4th grade: Sophia Lawrey
Our other outstanding nominees for the month of December were:
Kindergarten: Delaney Wells
1st grade: Cayden Cornell, Arielle Gunn and Alexis Warden
2nd grade: Jayden Harrington
3rd grade: Emma Ritzert and Logan Williams
4th grade: Maren Glennie and Madelyn Natzke
Congratulations to these outstanding young learners!
COUNSELOR'S CORNER
Let’s Talk About ANXIETY
In November I had the opportunity to attend the Michigan School Counseling Association conference in Lansing. Two of the presentations that I attended discussed the impact of anxiety on children that I felt would be good to share with parents. The first presenter was Julia Cook, famous author, former Math teacher and former school counselor. The second presenter on the topic was Monica Fugedi, a school counselor with expertise in anxiety (www.mindgal.com)
First of all, SOME anxiety is HELPFUL. Anxiety can let us know about danger and help to keep us safe. It is our body’s mechanism for self-defense. Unfortunately, anxiety can also become extreme and manifest itself as a disorder. Symptoms of this include constant worry that causes significant distress and interferes with daily life. Sometimes this can be seen in avoidance of social situations for fear of being judged or embarrassed. Other times it can be seen with out-of-the-blue panic attacks, irrational fears, and recurring nightmares. At an elementary level kids may cry, avoid school work, constantly interrupt, repeatedly ask the same question, become clingy, have difficult transitions, have constant illness, become disruptive in class, have a lack of focus, or have a lack of motivation.
THERE IS GOOD NEWS! Science has proven that we can rewire our brains. We can train our brains to PAUSE. This pause allows for people to THINK about the perceived threat. During this pause people need to (credit goes to Monic Fugedi):
C - CAUSE - Find the cause of the anxiety
A - AUTOMATIC - Discover the automatic thought that accompanies the cause
L- LOCUS - Find what is the LOCUS or REALITY of the situation
M - MODIFY - Modify the thought to reflect reality
Another point that was made is the importance of NOT trying to cure the anxiety. Rather, learn to name the worry (for example, name the worry monster after a funny character) and have planned exposure to the fears. Too often we reinforce the fear through avoidance.
Some natural interventions for reducing anxiety include SLEEP (many of us have too little of this on a daily basis which increases activity in the amygdala - the part of our brain that balances emotions and survival instincts), aerobic exercise, yoga and diaphragmatic breathing.
Lastly, if you believe someone you love may be suffering from an anxiety disorder, please seek out professional help. I have a list of area counselors available. Feel free to call or email me with any questions: 810-591-5104 or jsimonsen@davisonschools.org
Mrs. Simonsen, 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 The Heating and Warmth Fund (THAW Fund), which provides heating and electric payment assistance to qualifying vulnerable Michigan residents. Call 1-800-866-8429 or click on their website for more information: https://thawfund.org/
FUN TO BE FIT
HAPPY NEW YEAR everybody! I hope everybody had a wonderful Holiday break! We will be finishing up our hockey tournament that we started right before Christmas break. After hockey is finished we will be starting our bowling unit. I love this unit. The students will get a chance to learn how to roll a bowling ball, take score and learn what a strike and spare are. The district has a bowling unit that we share with all the elementary school buildings. We have carpet lanes with two different types of bowling balls depending on the grade level that is in the classroom. We start out learning the proper way to roll a bowling ball - (Push - Step - Swing - Roll).
The 3rd and 4th graders will start to learn how to take score (even though it is done for you at the bowling alley). I believe that it is important that they understand how and why the score changes when you get a strike or a spare. We will learn about the arrows and aiming the bowling ball. Bowling is so much fun and is something that the WHOLE family can do. I encourage everybody to take a day or night and take the family bowling. We have a wonderful bowling alley in Davison. Our Siple Stars can show you all the things they have been learning in our classroom.
Mr. Sipley, Gym Teacher
810-591-0231
MUSIC NOTES
You are cordially invited to join us for the following musical events. Our students have been working hard to prepare for these concerts. Please watch for additional information to come home for students participating in these events.
KEEP THOSE CALENDARS MARKED FOR OUR:
**2nd Grade Musical = January 30, 2020**
Performers meet in the DHS Choir Room by 6:45 p.m.
(7:00 pm in the DHS Auditorium)
**4th Grade Musical = March 19, 2020**
(7:00 pm in the DHS Auditorium)
**3rd Grade Recorder Concert = May 7, 2020**
(Times will vary by class, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm in the Siple Gym)
Mrs. Odglen, Music Teacher
810-591-0238
PTO NEWS
January 21
February 11
March 16 (Monday)
April 21
May 12
UPCOMING EVENTS
January 06: Back to school
January 17: POPCORN Friday/End of 1st Semester
January 20: NO SCHOOL for Students
January 21: PTO Mtg. @ 6:30 p.m.
January 30: 2nd Grade Musical/7:00 p.m. @ DHS
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