The 100th day has come and gone, and our third grade celebrated in style!

"Talking is Teaching" is a national public AWARENESS and ACTION campaign. It is a community-wide effort to ensure the community as a whole knows how important and easy building literacy skills and early brain development in children can be by simply talking, reading and singing to children everyday.

The JCISD is partnering with community members including providers, pediatricians, faith-based leaders, libraries and community-based organizations who are committed to sharing information with parents and caregivers about the critical role they play in their child's early brain development.

The AWARENESS is shown through high-quality printed materials such as bookmarks, posters, talking cards, tote bags, books and stickers. AWARENESS is also seen through PSA's and radio ads. ACTION is shown through trusted messengers who have established positive, trusting relationships with parents/caregivers and are conduits of information and tools. ACTION also looks like distributing materials within the community or becoming a funder of "Talking is Teaching".

"Talking is Teaching" aims to transform everyday places where families spend time into language-rich environments. Laundromats, grocery store chains, nature trails, physicians' offices, libraries and other businesses around the community will display creative materials that encourage families to talk, read and sing while they engage in everyday activities.

To get more information or to become involved, please visit our Talking is Teaching Jackson Facebook page.

Because attendance is so important, please send your child to school every day unless he or she has a contagious illness or is running a fever.

We have included a chart with this letter that will help you keep track of your students absences. We will also monitor students' absences across the semester so we can work with families when the number of absences puts a student at risk. We will be happy to work with you to help your student attend regularly and have greater opportunities for success. If you are concerned about your child's attendance, please reach out to the appropriate building secretary. They will be able to connect you to a variety of supports.

Throughout the six-week period, our K-8 kids have the opportunity to earn Bee Bucks. One of the prizes was building gingerbread houses. This week our bucket drawing winners were able to build their gingerbread houses.

Last year, the elementary school added a program to the offerings we provide for our students. The elective is called Project Lead the Way (PLTW). PLTW provides instructional units to our students that combine design, problem-solving, collaboration, science, and engineering. In one of the earlier editions of THE BUZZ, I shared how our kindergarten and first-grade students were working with light and designing casts to heal broken bones in their PLTW class. In this edition of THE BUZZ, I am featuring our fifth-grade PLTW students and their incredible work. Mrs. Pyle, the PLTW teacher, has put a beautiful spin on PLTW as she incorporates art into the units along with offering art-specific lessons, too. The fifth grade got to learn how to paper mache!!!

Therefore, after the fifth grade tackled learning more about the solar system, they got to select how they would share their learning with others. The kids were so proud of their work; I even got invited to see it. Their work was so impressive. They created beautiful projects that represented their learning so well. I am so proud of you!! Thanks for being willing to share your work with me!!

This week, February 13th through the 16th is "Random Acts of Kindness" (RAK) Week. RAK week takes place the week of Valentine's Day each year.

Theme: Kindness Makes the World Brighter! (Neon colors)

The student council will be decorating the school.

Monday was Be Kind to yourself- Our Athletic trainer Meagan hosted a Self Care Yoga Assembly on Monday morning.

Tuesday was Be Kind to Others- Valentine's Day Parties.

Wednesday was Be Kind to the Environment- students helped to clean up the school environment.

Thursday was Be Kind to our Community - met in community teams to complete an activity of your choice. Each class had a buddy class, and they worked through an activity together to build community across the K-8 community.

Wrestling is tough. To wrestle, you need dedication, grit, and mental and physical strength, and our team has all of that in spades. Their growth this year was impressive and it is safe to say Concord's wrestling program is seeing a surge!! In just their second year as Varsity coaches, Coach Maus, Coach Maus, and Coach Thompson have 3 wrestlers going to REGIONALS!! We are so proud of the entire team and their hard work!! GOOD LUCK Jordyan, Collin, and Nate!!!!

Concord's competitive cheer team battled hard in the Big 8 conference this year. They took first as several jamborees and went against a tough Jonesville team in the final meet of the year. The team fought hard and secured a Big 8 Co-Championship. Congratulations!!! The team heads to districts tonight at Michigan Center. GO JACKETS!!

The varsity basketball team will take on Jonesville this evening for sole possession of first place in the Big 8 Conference. Come join us on the home floor as the team seeks to out-battle the Comets. FREE Admission for all Concord students. Students 12 & under must be accompanied by an adult. The first 40 will receive a GILLVILLE SHIRT! If you have a GILLVILLE SHIRT...wear it!

Student passes are for sale at the ticket table for $30. This pass is good for the entire school year...WHAT A DEAL!! Athletes DO NOT get in free for events other than their sport. Kids that want to help in the concession stand can earn a student pass. See Mrs. Gill or Mr. Lehman for details!

This week our students were working on compassion. What a wonderful group of students that demonstrated the ability to show compassion all week! #ONEHIVE

Next Tuesday we are trying a new recipe in the Elementary: BBQ Chicken Loaded French Fries. We have been serving it in the high school with great feedback! Please encourage your student to try this new item!

In case you missed the meeting with Mrs. Otto, there is a new Concord Educational Foundation scholarship that was presented - the Margaret and Lyle Cunningham Memorial Scholarship was unveiled for the first time ever. This scholarship is offered to two different candidates, one for a graduating Concord High School senior pursuing a career that requires a certificate or associate's degree and the other for a student pursuing a career that requires a bachelor's degree. There were also 2 scholarships passed out for those pursuing a degree in the medical field. Please see Mrs. Otto for a copy of any of these applications.

Reminder to all seniors, the Concord Educational Foundation scholarships are due the Monday before Spring Break. Do not wait to ask for recommendation letters.
Are you a senior interested in a trade-related career? The Jackson Commercial Contractors Association is hosting an event to give you insight into trade-related careers, as well as the opportunity to network with local businesses for potential jobs in the trades right after graduation. You will want to bring a current resume to this event. You must RSVP by January 30th to be able to attend. Details of this event and the link to RSVP have been sent to you by Mrs. Otto in an email on January 11th with the subject line Trade Related Career Opportunity.

Attention Seniors - new Scholarship Opportunity. Please check in your graduating class Google classroom for a new LOCAL scholarship called the Susan B. Anthony Scholarship.

Daughters of the American Revolution are now accepting grant proposals for the DAR American Revolution Legacy Grant Program. We hope you will read through the information, give this some careful consideration, share with any colleagues you think this might be applicable to, and apply.

PURPOSE

• The Daughters of the American Revolution is offering PreK-16 teachers and administrators “American Revolution Legacy Grants” that support educational initiatives or student programs (for young and old), enhance student academic performance, and reward creative approaches to support higher levels of student learning.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMITTING:

• Application Opens: JANUARY 2, 2023

• Due Date: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1, 2023 AT 11:59PM

APPLICATIONS MUST:

• The .pdf application form (attached) will be submitted by the applicant to the DAR Chapter Regent/Committee Chair. The application must contain the signature of the applicant and principal/supervisor and be included in the electronic submission.

• DAR Chapter Regents/Committee Chair will complete the online application at https://fs6.formsite.com/Le0SJx/NSDARGrant_App/index.html no later than March 10, 2023.

• The electronic application must contain the electronic signature of the DAR Chapter Regent/Chair.

GUIDELINES:

• Maximum grant amount: $5,000 per application

• The programs/initiatives in the 2023 application must be executed during the 2023-24 school year.

• Winning grants will be for new projects/initiatives that focus on the theme of “Stars and Stripes Forever: The Enduring Legacy of the American Revolution”

• All grant requests should focus on a project, not a purchase. For example, DAR would consider funding for programs like a school musical, a grade level field trip to a museum, or a science fair centered on how Revolutionary-era inventions continue to improve modern societies; or an initiative like a school-wide history club, a campus History-Bee, or a district-wide traveling American Revolution exhibit. DAR will not fund salaries/stipends, furniture or classroom sets of Chromebooks/iPads.

• When creating your program/project budget, research carefully and be realistic. Small grants are just as likely to be awarded as large grants. Partial funding will be considered so please include other funding sources if applicable.

• Up to 20 grants will be awarded during the 2023 grant program (for use during the 2023-24 school year). The final number and dollar amounts of awards will depend upon the quality of applications received and on funds available from DAR. Monies would be awarded no later than May 1, 2023 (to occur in proximity to National Teacher Appreciation Week 2023).

ELIGIBILITY TO APPLY

• Employees of a school district, community college district, or accredited university, college, vocational, or trade school who are involved in the instruction of PreK-16 students or related support services benefiting PreK-16 students are eligible to apply. Applications will be reviewed by committee and recommendations will be made to the DAR National Chair of the Community Classroom Committee for final approval. Applicants will be notified by email of decisions by the Committee Classroom Committee.

• Employees of DAR Schools, DAR Approved Schools, Bacone College, Chemawa Indian School, and Indian Youth of America Inc. are not eligible to apply for this program.

ELIGIBLE APPLICATIONS

• Grants may fund instructional and classroom materials, parent involvement programs, or any activity or material which connects to the legacy of the American Revolution and supports higher levels of student academic achievement.

• The awards must be used for the purposes intended.

• The program/project must be fully implemented, and the final report must be submitted to the DAR Community Classroom Committee complete and on-time (no later than May 1, 2024).

• Grant recipients must agree to share photos and project summaries for use in future DAR programs and promotional materials.

• Grant recipients may only receive one grant per DAR administration (2022-2025).

SELECTION CRITERIA:

• The degree to which the application supports the 2023 DAR American Revolution Legacy Grants theme of “Stars and Stripes Forever: The Enduring Legacy of the American Revolution.”

• The degree to which the proposal represents a creative or innovative approach to the accomplishment of grant program objectives.

• The degree to which the proposal is clear and logical, including (a) specificity of objectives; (b) clarity of description of instructional procedures, methods or treatments; and (c) correspondence among evaluative procedures, objectives and treatments.

Please let me know if you have any questions or need additional information. Our Hannah Tracy Grant DAR chapter, which serves the Albion, Concord and Homer school districts, can submit 1 proposal to the State for consideration…maybe it will be yours!

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN THE LATCH KEY PROGRAM, SEE THE FLYER BELOW AND BEGIN THE ENROLLMENT PROCESS!!!

You may have noticed that PowerSchool was down again this week. In an effort to improve cybersecurity, changes have been made to our operating systems including PowerSchool. It is my understanding the PowerSchool app is still not working. I will keep families posted on any news I hear regarding that, BUT I know there is now a new link for students and their families to access grades and view student progress in classes. This link is active and working and can be found below. If you have forgotten your login information and/or password, please email your building administrative assistant and they can get you your PowerSchool information.

If you would like to watch middle school action unfold follow Concord Middle School on Instagram. Their account is @concordyearbook. The yearbook club is going to be updating it more frequently than the Facebook page with pictures.

Have you liked the Elementary/Middle School Facebook Page? What about the Concord Community Schools Facebook Page??

If you have not yet, this week is a great time to start. The Elementary and Middle schools use the Facebook page to post many updates, announcements, and student photos; the Concord Community Schools page is a great way to see how a YellowJacket week unfolds! Don't miss the news - like and follow the pages today.

Concord Elementary/Middle School Facebook Page

Concord Community Schools Facebook Page

We are in need of bus drivers, food service staff members, coaches, and individuals willing to work through EduStaff as Guest Teachers or subs for all of our positions. If you are interested and able, we would love to have you on our team. Below you will find information about signing up to work as a Guest Teacher through Edustaff. Further, you can view unfilled positions on our website. If you have any questions, please call one of our offices.