Shorian Nation eNews
September 21st, 2020
Introduction
Dear Lake Shore Public Schools Community:
As we enter the third week of school both virtually and in person, we continue to monitor and evaluate our safety protocols and instructional impact. Our goal continues to be to provide the safest environment while meeting the needs of our students and community. We are humbly aware of the impact of limited in person instruction has on our families as we are of the ongoing safety concerns related to our staff and students. We will continue to do the best we can during this challenging and unpredictable time period. With the safety and well being of those mentioned, we plan for the upcoming weeks using the most recent data from the Macomb County Health Department, the guidance and input from our staff, and the feedback from our families.
While this situation is far from ideal, teachers, schools, and parents throughout this country are doing their absolute best to help students learn and grow in a completely unprecedented environment. Moments like these will test our patience, grace, and understanding. All of us need to meet this moment with kindness, compassion, and empathy. The simple act of stepping back from our frustration and addressing moments with a collaborative spirit of calm problem solving and compassionate understanding will set us apart from others. If we want to have a successful school year, perhaps we begin by using this as the first measurement of success. And if you are in need of a reason to smile, we urge you to watch this inspirational Lean on Me performance by our LSPS Music Department.
If you have any questions regarding COVID-19 as it pertains to school, please email backtoschool@lsps.org.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Building Schedules
On September 21st-October 2nd, we will welcome 50% of our hybrid students each day to the Shorian Nation. To access building-specific schedules, including start and end times, reference this link and follow the Week 3 and Week 4 school schedules linked below:
Lake Shore High School
Hybrid Students
Virtual Students
North Lake High School
Semester Overview
Hybrid Students
Virtual Students
Kennedy Middle School
Hybrid Students
Virtual Students
Masonic Heights, Rodgers, Violet Elementaries
Hybrid Students
Virtual Students
2020-21 District Calendar
The 2020-21 District School Year Calendar has been revised, released, and can be downloaded at http://lakeshoreschools.org/cms/one.aspx?pageId=514935.
Please refer to the District Events Calendar at http://lakeshoreschools.org/cms/one.aspx?pageId=513388 for confirmation of all events and dates. On Early Release Days, which have shifted to Mondays, students will be released 45 or 90 minutes earlier than their regularly scheduled dismissal time.
Did you know that you can subscribe to email alerts on our Events Calendar? Click the envelope to stay updated!
Food Service Distribution
In an effort to support our families and greater community during this unprecedented time, Lake Shore Public Schools, in partnership with Chartwells Food Services, will continue to provide free, healthy meals to all children under 18 years old and special needs children up to age 26 regardless of where they go to school or whether they qualify for free and reduced meals. Families do not need to pay for meals or order online at this time, but can use our Nutrislice app for access to menus.
To help minimize the amount of social exposure, families and children can either drive or walk up to the following outdoor distribution location on Mondays and Thursdays from 11:15am-1pm and 4pm-6pm to collect breakfasts and lunches to take home until December 31st.
Lake Shore High School
22980 E. Thirteen Mile Road, Saint Clair Shores
We want to make sure you know that Free or Reduced Applications are available for students and that the registration process is easy, confidential and can help your children stay well nourished. You are still encouraged to check out this website for more information and to apply. Applications may take 10 business days to process.
Technology Assistance
Our districtwide 1:1 Chromebook initiative is designed to cultivate learning. Currently, Lake Shore Public Schools has 3,400 Chromebooks distributed to both students and staff.
Chromebooks run the Google Chrome operating system, a lightweight OS that is designed to run apps over the web. The devices are protected from viruses and managed by the district through a central web console. These computers allow access to anytime, anywhere, anyway learning, and allow students to build technology skills and responsibility in a safe and caring environment.
Chromebook insurance is now available and may be purchased at through this link. The deadline to purchase insurance is Thursday, October 1st; Lake Shore parents will no longer be charged transaction fees when processing eFunds payments. The district will be accountable for all fees until further notice including Chromebook insurance fees!
Technology Tip: It is important to shutdown and restart your Chromebook every few days. Try one of these methods:
- At the bottom right, click the time. Select Power.
- Press & hold the Power key for 3 seconds.
- Press & hold the Power button until you see a menu to Power off.
If you need technology support, send an email to helpdesk@lsps.org. Parents, please include your child’s first and last name and building.
CDC Reminders
Take steps to care for yourself and help protect others at Lake Shore Public Schools and our community by practicing healthy habits to help slow the spread of COVID-19:
- Wear a mask
- Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds
- Clean and then disinfect frequently used surfaces
- Stay home if you’re sick
- Avoid touching your face
- Put space between yourself and others
Learn more about staying safe and healthy by visiting the CDC website.
We are Hiring
Raise your if you’d like to join our Lake Shore Family?
We are now hiring skilled, passionate, culturally and academically diverse individuals of the highest caliber to join our team. Apply for the following positions at https://hr.applicantcentral.com/LSPS/Login.aspx:
- Lunch/recess aides
- Infant, toddler and preschool child caregivers
- Before and after school School Age Child Care (SACC) caregivers
- Special Education teaching assistants (elementary, middle and high school)
- Long term substitute teachers
#myLSPSCompliment Form
It feels great to receive a compliment.
- You are more fun than anyone or anything I know, including bubble wrap.
- You are the most perfect you there is.
- You are enough.
Compliments really are one of the easiest two-way streets available in terms of spreading happiness around you and increasing your own.
Lake Shore Parent Brigitte Najor gave the warmest compliment on behalf of her 7th grader at Kennedy Middle School and her 5th grader at Violet Elementary:
“I have to hand it to the Lake Shore district. They really got the online classes and schedule along with the kinks worked out. My daughter’s teacher, Ms. Husek, has done a great job with schedule predictability and locating documents. She has done amazing with her Bitmoji classroom. Everything is predictable for the day and she has made it so easy to navigate Schoology. The parent-teacher communication is great as well. I feel so grateful that we have had little to no issue with both kids. Thanks guys! We are excited to be back face-to-face soon.”
We are always seeking parents, students, and employees to submit a #myLSPSCompliment about an employee in our district. Please use this form at https://forms.gle/Xr5GQLL5mJVrt3FG8 to share your appreciation.
Athletics
Is there anything better than seeing the Shorians on the football field, or any location for that matter? High school football is a tradition that brings the entire community together, but due to COVID-19, most fans weren’t be given a chance to watch the home opener against Loyola from the stands. But there’s still an opportunity to watch your favorite teams from the comfort of home.
Get unlimited access to watch all your Shorian events this year on the NFHS Network. We've invested in new technology that will bring you every game from the gym and stadium LIVE online so that fans of Lake Shore High School will never miss a home game!
Subscribe for unlimited access by visiting the NFHS Network. Subscriptions start at just $9.95 a month.
We believe a balance of academics and athletics creates a well-rounded student. Students who participate in sports not only gain the benefits of living a healthy lifestyle, they also learn lessons about sportsmanship, leadership, teamwork, cooperation, respect, and knowing how to win and lose.
If you have any questions about schedules or policies, please contact our John Hartley, Athletic Director, at (586) 285-8903 or jhartley@lsps.org.
Inspiration
What Makes Everyone Unique
Students in Ms. Wilson's 2nd grade at Rodgers Elementary read "The Crayon Box That Talked" by Shane DeRolf, a story which highlights what makes everyone unique. They then drew what makes them unique inside their own crayons. In their responses, Layla answered “I love horseback riding” and Alivia shared “I am good at art.” In these photographs, students held up a friends’ crayon as a way to share similarities and differences.
This activity demonstrated that no matter where we come from or what we look like, when we all work together we can create something beautiful. That is the beauty Lake Shore Public Schools strives to cultivate in both its students and community.
Positivity Project
Under the guiding principles of our districtwide initiative, the Positivity Project, the #PositivityInAction mindset is our top priority. Because of our goal to inspire students to build positive relationships and become their best selves while recognizing that our virtual and hybrid learning models feel like relationship obstacles, we invite you to follow this Positivity Project Calendar: http://lakeshoreschools.org/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=15169123.
This calendar outlines all 24 character strengths, 1 highlighted per week. Our teachers create engaging and impactful lessons — differentiated by grade-level — and share through presentations, student recognitions, classroom discussions, and building-specific displays.
2020 is throwing a lot of challenges our way. Tapping into our positive relationships and our character strengths, by demonstrating #PositivityInAction, will be critical in helping us be resilient and successful in the face of these tough times.
Innovation
Virtual Visits
Shorian students' classrooms look a little different right now, as they are partially or fully sequestered in their own homes due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but still show creativity and personality.
Here's a look inside Lake Shore students' virtual learning spaces this Semester/Trimester.
Because of Google Meets, your teachers can still hear your laughs and stories, see your smiles and assignments, and feel your #ShorianPride. This makes us hungry for even more! On a regular basis, we are hoping to offer a behind-the-scenes look at Shorian virtual learners by doing, what we're calling, VIRTUAL VISITS! These tours will allow us to visit with Lake Shore families, document virtual learning experiences, gather feedback for continuous improvement, and assist with school or technology questions.
Medical Assistants
Say hello to our Medical Assistants!
- LaConda Bonner, stationed at Masonic Elementary Room in 13
- Rachel Klein, stationed at Violet Elementary in Room 11
- April Trontl, stationed at Rodgers Elementary in Room 214
- Krystal Merschel, stationed at Kennedy Middle School in the back office
- Jennifer Wilson, stationed at Lake Shore High School in the Auditorium office
Our certified Medical Assistants work in partnership with our exceptional staff to create a climate of health and well-being in the school environment. Their duties include: conducting temperature screenings; maintaining medical records; administering first aid and medications according to instructions; and monitoring students’ condition. Medical Assistants will also perform routine clerical duties.
Texting Messaging Service
Lake Shore Public Schools offers a texting service for parents and staff. The service allows our entire community to receive important information such as school reminders, safety alerts, school closings and more, directly from their school(s) on a mobile device.
Even if you have not received a LSPS message to join, parents and staff may opt in by texting “Y” or “Yes” to the short code 67587. You may opt out at any time by replying “Stop” to one of the messages.
Celebration
Welcome Back, Shorian Nation
The first few days of school were certainly busy ones. But with all of the excitement, it was one of the most ideal days to catch on social media! If you didn't have a chance, please share your child’s eagerness for the 2020-21 school year by posting your first day of school photos and tagging #myLSPSFirstDay.
#MaskUp
The most stylish fashion-forward masks are worn by our students. They #MaskUp in tie-dye, school accessory patterns, or even coordinated with their outfit. Research shows that masks can greatly reduce the chance of spreading COVID-19, especially when approximately 40% of those who have COVID-19 may be asymptomatic. Shorian Nation helps to keep our community safe by masking up when they leave their home, whether they feel sick or not.
We love seeing the Shorian Nation putting others first by wearing those masks, especially the red and white ones!
Contact the Shorian Nation
Email: social@lsps.org
Website: http://lakeshoreschools.org
Location: 28850 Harper Avenue, St. Clair Shores, MI 48081
Phone: (586) 285-8481
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myLSPS/
Twitter: @myLSPS