Dolphin Digest
January 2017 Newsletter
From the Principal
Dear Springfield Plains Families,
Feel the joy! Love. Learn. Lead.
What makes this time of year so special? Kids. And an elementary school is a great place to find a lot of kids. I feel the joy as kids enter Springfield Plains (their home away from home) each morning and share their stories, offer me a hug and smile on the way to their classrooms. They are full of life. They are full of energy, excitement and anticipation.
Kids carry anticipation with them, and that is where I see pure joy. Anticipation is often better than the real thing or event. All of the build-up and hype before something happens is where the joy and excitement exist. The event itself, as it unfolds, is often here and gone before we know it, but the anticipation lasts a while and fuels the joy.
In my home, after Thanksgiving, my family and I decorate in anticipation of the holiday season and Mr. Shelf, the holiday elf, makes an appearance for a bit over a month. My wife and I feel the joy as we watch our three boys scurry around in the morning trying to figure out what shenanigans Mr. Shelf pulled this time. It also leaves me thinking that Mr. Shelf must Begin with the End in Mind.
Throughout the month of December, Dolphins are focusing on Beginning with the End in Mind as well. This is also instrumental in helping us to feel joy in all we do. Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind is about “Knowing what you want before you do it.” Here is the Habit 2 Handout that might help you discuss Habit 2 with your child and how it might apply at home.
From our “home away from home” to your home, I wish you a joyous season full of love.
Feeling the Joy,
Matthew Gifford, Principal
Love. Learn. Lead.
Important Contact Information
SPE Main Office 248.623.3800, Secretary Karen Postal
Attendance Line 248.623.3890Fax 248.623.3805
Email: kepostal@clarkston.k12.mi.us
Website: www.clarkston.k12.mi.us/schools/SPE
Location: 8650 Holcomb Road, Clarkston, MI 48348, United States
Phone: 248.623.3800
RECESS
Inclement Weather and School Closing
AM radio stations WWJ (950), WJR (760), and CKLW (800), as well as area TV channels will carry school closing announcements. The school District has no control as to the time closing announcements will be broadcast via these systems.
Parents, It's cold outside!
Please check our lost and found periodically. It is located in our health room in the main office. We already have lots of lost coats and gloves.
Springfield Plains Ski and Snowboard Club
SPE January Birthday Book Club
William Hensler, Kaitlyn Parks, Kayla Butki, Evan Thon, Emma, Halligan, Crosby Ziemann, Mackenzie Harrison, Nina Patrico, Ethan Todd
Dates to Remember
* January 16 - No School For Students - K-12 Records Day
* January 17 - PTA General Membership Meeting @ 7 p.m.
* January 27 - Half Day for Students , Dismissal @ 11:40, Afternoon Kids Club and Kids Connection still available if previously enrolled.
Kindergarten Information Night
Kindergarten Information Night
February 2 - 7:00 p.m.
Clarkston Junior High School
6595 Waldon Rd.
Reminder! SPE SCHOOL AND DISTRICT E-BLASTS
With possible school closings coming, please remember to sign up to receive email notices (e-blasts) specific to SPE families and/or our district e-blasts. Here's how:
- Go to our district webpage: www.clarkston.k12.mi.us
- Choose the RESOURCES tab
- Under PARENTS, select CALENDAR
- Choose the CLARKSTON COMMUNITY CALENDAR link
- Select the EMAIL REMINDERS tab
- Enter the email address you would like to use to receive information and select NEXT
- Choose CCS- CLARKSTON COMMUNITY SCHOOLS and select NEXT at the bottom
- Choose SPE
- Choose SUBMIT at the bottom of the page
You can also choose other schools, if you have children that attend other Clarkston Schools.
ParentVue - Student Information System
Please make sure to take some time to review the information in ParentVue and make sure that we have the most accurate and updated information, particularly phone numbers and emergency contacts.
To access ParentVue:
Go to the Clarkston Schools’ webpage www.clarkston.k12.mi.us
Choose the Resources tab and then select ParentVue
Clarkston Community Schools Student Calendar 2016-17
Please visit the CCS website at www.clarkston.k12.mi.us for a full district calendar. The Springfield Plains website has a calendar with specific school events. Go to www.clarkston.k12.mi.us/schools/Springfield Plains.
2016-2017 PTA Officers
President, Mary Warner
1st Vice President, Kristy Brandon
2nd Vice President, Tracy Bessert
Secretary, Kelsey Jones
Treasurer, Deborah Ego
Asst. Treasurer, April Love
Membership Coordinator, Maggie Benson
Volunteer Coordinator, Janel Sadowski
Homeroom Coordinator, Nichole Kraatz
Ways & Means - Paul Carpentier
Clarkston Community Schools Discrimination Acts
The Clarkston Community Schools, in compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and the Americans with Disability Act of 1990, states that it is the policy of the Clarkston Community School District that no person shall, on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, or ancestry, age gender, marital status, disability, height, weight, and/or any other legally protected characteristic, be discriminated against, excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to, discrimination in any program or activity for which the Board is responsible or for which it receives financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Education.
If any person believes that the Clarkston Community School District or any part of the school organization is guilty of discrimination as noted above, he/she may bring forward a complaint which should be referred to as a grievance to the following public officials:
Deputy Superintendent (Section 504 Coordinator)
Clarkston Community Schools, 6389 Clarkston Road,
PO Box 1050, Clarkston, MI 48347-1050
(All other inquiries related to discrimination)
Executive Director of Personnel & Auxiliary Services
Clarkston Community Schools, 6389 Clarkston Road