Starside's Comet
Newsletter Communication for January 8, 2020
Starside Elementary
Our Starside Mission:
Through a collaborative learning community we will build a foundation upon which all students can develop essential academic and life skills.
Click HERE to visit our school website!
Email: SE@usd232.org
Website: se.usd232.org
Location: 35400 W 91st St, De Soto, KS, United States
Phone: 913-667-6270
Facebook: facebook.com/StarsideComets
Twitter: @StarsideComets
A Message From Principal Meyer
7 Habits of Highly Effective Families @ Starside
Please join me for the Starside General PTA Meeting and 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families informational meeting on Tuesday, January 12, beginning at 6:00 PM on Zoom.
PTA + 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families Zoom Link:
https://usd232.zoom.us/j/3673772762
Meeting ID: 367 377 2762
Passcode: SEStrong21
Nominate a Deserving Starside Staff Member for January!
USD 232 and the USD 232 Education Foundation present the Making a Difference Award!
Nominations are due January 31, 2020! The recipient will be recognized in early February.
This award is designed to honor and recognize those staff members who go above and beyond, exceeding expectations, to make a difference for the students, families, and other employees in our district.
Award Criteria
• Anyone (staff, parents, students, etc.) can nominate any USD 232 employee (Previous Making A Difference Winners ineligible)
• Nominations are due by the last Wednesday of each month
• Recognitions will be given monthly throughout the school year
• Each recipient of this award will be presented a check for $250 along with a special trophy designed and manufactured by our high school students
January 18: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
After King’s death, a bill was introduced in Congress to make King’s birthday a national holiday. At the time, only two other individuals had holidays in their honor, George Washington and Christopher Columbus. Six million signatures were collected for a petition for Congress to pass the law, and is considered the largest petition in favor of an issue in US history.
Martin Luther King’s unparalleled contributions to racial justice for black Americans have been revolutionary. On Martin Luther King Jr. or MLK Day, schools and offices are closed, but people fully participate in remembering and honoring everything King has accomplished. His values and historical place in American history are discussed and advocated, to educate communities and coming generations on the importance of equality and King’s influence. Movies and documentaries on his life are shown, and businesses and organizations run by and for the black community are shown support.
5 Lesser-Known Facts about Martin Luther King Jr.:
His birth name was Michael.
The civil rights leader was given the name Michael King Jr at birth. Later, his father changed his own name as well as of his son to Martin Luther, after the Protestant Reformation leader.
King started college at the age of 15
King skipped grades 9 and 12, and enrolled at Morehouse College in 1944.
‘I Have a Dream’ was not his first speech
6 years before his iconic speech at Lincoln Memorial, King spoke during the Prayer Pilgrimage for Freedom in 1957.
King was imprisoned a lot.
According to the King Center, Martin Luther King went to jail 29 times.
His last public speech foreshadowed his death
In his last speech the night before he was assassinated, King said, “Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now, I’ve seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land.”
Why Martin Luther King Jr. Day is Important
He worked to advance civil rights
The words, leadership, time, and energy King devoted to civil rights helped end segregation in the United States and worked to eliminate unfair practices throughout the nation that negatively affect the black community. He helped organize rallies, gave speeches across the country, and mobilized thousands of people to help end racial injustice.
He inspires us
MLK inspired millions of people in his lifetime and continues to inspire us to this day. Across the globe, activists look to King for inspiration and courage. Modern movements for racial equality and justice, such as the Black Lives Matter movement, are extensions of the work that he started
He promoted civil disobedience
King's tactics and manner of protest were largely that of civil disobedience. This including sit ins, marches, and disregard for unjust laws. Many of us follow his example today when protesting and adopt the tactic of civil disobedience.
How to Observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Learn MLK’s full history and narrative
Take the time to learn more about MLK in depth. Read his works as well as those of his family to learn more about this remarkable man and learn the stories as he told them.
Make Martin Luther King, Jr. Day more than just a day off. Take time to both understand and support civil rights and the issues facing communities of color. MLK and his contemporaries did a lot for the advancement of civil rights, but there is still much to be done.
Have a conversation
Creating dialogue and having discussions about racial injustice is important. Through conversation, we educate each other, share experiences, and work to create a brighter future."
*Citation: All information and text comes directly from NationalToday.com
Save the Date
- Tuesday, January 12 - New Student Pictures and Picture Re-Takes
- Tuesday, January 12 - 6pm PTA Zoom
- Friday, January 15 - End of Q2, Semester 1; Half-Day, SE Dismissal @ 12:10
- Monday, January 18 - No School, Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday
- Tuesday, January 19 - No School for Students, Teacher PD Day
- Tuesday, January 19 – District-wide school supply pick
- Tuesday, January 19 - 1st Semester Report cards posted
- Wednesday, January 20 - Q3 Begins, Semester 2 Begins
Picture Day!
New students and any students that missed picture day in the fall (optional remote or onsite) will have pictures taken between 10:30 AM-1:30 PM on Tuesday 1/12/21. These pictures may be ordered online at inter-state.com/order/56063NB
For Winter PE Fun with Mr. Kilgore: Click the link, below!
Counselor's Corner
31st Annual Kindest Kansas Citian: Entries due 1/22/21
Please read the following contest guidelines carefully.
The guidelines listed below are designed to help students meet the contest objectives of defining kindness and identify adult role models who demonstrate kind, caring, and respectful behavior that the students would like to emulate in their lives.
1. Kindergarten through 12th-grade students may participate in the essay contest. Only kindergarten through 2nd-grade students may submit a drawing with a one-sentence description. Entries are judged in the following grade-level groups: K-2 Drawing; K-2 Essay; 3-5 Essay.
2. Essays should not be longer than one page written in ink or typed. Drawings must be on 8.5 x 11-inch paper. All entries must be completed on or accompanied by an Official Contest Form with the required information complete and correct to qualify in the top 20 honorees (see the Official Contest Form for the list of required information).
3. Individuals, couples, or groups may be nominated for the Kindest Kansas Citian Contest. The nominee must be a Kansas City Metro area resident, 18 years of age or older, and NOT related to the nominating student. Famous individuals will NOT qualify in the top 20 honorees unless they have personal relationships with the nominating students.
4. Entries should demonstrate the positive impact the nominee has made on the student’s life. Judges are looking to identify kind acts that come from the heart. Emotional content takes precedence over spelling and grammar. Entries must be created by the youth and not parents or teachers. For very young children and youth with disabilities, adults may take dictation for essays or write a descriptive sentence for drawings. Students are allowed to write about someone they have nominated in the past as long they were not previously a finalist with that nomination.
5. Entry information and form are attached below. Copies are also available from Mrs. Mispagel or the office. Entries must be returned/submitted to Mrs. Mispagel by Friday, January 22nd, 2021.
Spark Information
Spark Session II began on January 5th, 2021!
No Spark: January 19 (no school), January 21, Feb 23 and 25, March 23 and 25
Please contact Mrs. McKenzi Mispagel (mmispagel@usd232.org) or Mrs. Chris Wilhelm (cwilhelm@usd232.org) with any questions
PTA Information
Tuesday 1/12/21 - Last General PTA Meeting
PTA + 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families Zoom Link:
https://usd232.zoom.us/j/3673772762
Meeting ID: 367 377 2762
Passcode: SEStrong21
REPEATED INFORMATION
Information about COVID-19 related District Communications
Defining a Case of COVID-19 Disease and the Infectious Period
A person is considered a case of COVID-19 disease if they have tested positive for the SARSCoV-2 virus by a diagnostic test. Based on what we currently know, a case is considered infectious three days prior to the onset of symptoms through at least 10 days after the onset of symptoms. For cases that do not have symptoms, the infectious period is considered as three days prior to the date the sample was collected through a minimum of 10 days from the date the sample was collected. Cases must remain in isolation until they have met the criteria for release from isolation set by state and/or county health departments.
Defining a Close Contact
A person is considered a close contact of a case if they were within six feet of the case for ten minutes or more without masks, or if they had exposure to secretions (for example, being coughed or sneezed on). People who are close contacts of a COVID-19 positive or presumed positive individual during that person’s infectious period are considered exposed and should quarantine. Close contacts are recommended to remain in quarantine until they have met the criteria for release from quarantine set by state/county health departments.
General Notification Letter
Schools will send a general notification letter to families and staff when an individual or individuals connected to the school test positive for the virus.
Low-Risk Notification Letter
A person may receive a low-risk notification letter indicating they may have had a low-risk exposure to someone who tested positive for COVID-19. Although the risk of developing COVID-19 based on this exposure is low, watch for symptoms of COVID-19. Symptoms include, but not limited to, fever, cough, loss of smell and/or taste, chills, fatigue, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, muscle aches, chest pain, headache, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, sore throat, and runny nose.
High-Risk Notification Letter
A person will receive a high-risk notification letter from Johnson County Department of Health and Environment (JCDHE) indicating they had close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19. JCDHE carefully considers all information when determining isolation and quarantine recommendations. If a person was identified in the case investigation, their proximity to or nature of the interaction with the positive individual was enough to put them at higher risk for contracting COVID-19. Because the exposure is considered high risk and per public health recommendations, students will be excluded from school for 14 days from the date of last exposure, if no other exposures occur.
Nurse Tara's Notes
Do your part to keep Starside open!
We have collectively been in school for over two months and for students who attend school in-person, we've been full, in-person for over a month. Since the start of the 20-21 school year on September 8, USD 232 is not aware of any spreading of Covid-19 from students or staff while at school. Through the partnership of the Johnson County Health Department, we are closely monitoring people who are considered "close contacts" at school, and so far, none have been positive in the fourteen days of quarantine to follow.
Masks are working! We have the data to prove it! (Check out the link to the Covid-19 Dashboard, below!) Our students are doing a phenomenal job wearing their masks, socially distancing, and handwashing/sanitizing while at school. Our staff remains diligent when following safety protocol in their efforts to mitigate the spread of Covid-19. Students are learning, safely socializing, and demonstrating remarkable resilience during this pandemic!
I plead with you to remain vigilant when it comes to public health and our ability to remain open to in-person learning this winter. The community spread of COVID-19 is evident within USD 232 schools as the number of individuals recommended for quarantine and isolation jumped by 150 students and 24 employees in just one week. Another growing concern is the district’s continued ability to staff teacher absences with substitute teachers.
Remember the days where schools were shut down and everyone was required to learn remotely? We don't want to be back there, so please do your part in the evenings and on weekends!
Kris Meyer
Have you heard the one about treating your masks like your underwear?
Have you heard the one about treating your masks like your underwear? We know. A joke in poor taste. But seriously, it's one of the easiest comparisons to understand why our MASKS should be washed every day. There are dozens of memes circulating out there with this sentiment, but truly...masks need to be clean to be effective. PLEASE dig all of the used masks out of your child's backpack and wash them. They just might be hoarding their favorite one and changing into it when they're out of your sight in the morning. We all have favorites, but a clean mask every day is maybe even key! Thanks for helping to keep your child and their friends and teachers as safe as possible!
Check out the cool video from Principal Meyer as she talks to several Starside students about the importance of wearing masks!
Principal Meyer + Comet Kid Talks = Masks
20-21 Yearbooks are on Sale Now!
Yearbook orders will take place online (paperless unless otherwise requested.) To order online, use the link and code provided below. If you prefer a paper order form, please email Maddie King (mking@usd232.org) or Danielle Hessong (dhessong@usd232.org) with your child’s name and teacher. We will get an order form for the teacher to send home with your student.
Important Note: Due to an increase in production cost, yearbooks are $14 and there is not an option to order a personalized book. If ordering via the paper order form, make checks payable to Starside!
To Order Online: www.inter-state.com/yearbook and enter code 53592X
Thanks!
Maddie King & Danielle Hessong
USD 232 Lost/Damaged Technology Policy
The following cost structure will apply when iPads are sent home with elementary students. If damage or loss occurs due to intentional acts or as the result of negligence in handling the device:
-1st Incident: No Fee;
-2nd Incident: $25.00;
-3rd Incident: $50.00 and
-4th and Subsequent Incidents: Actual cost of repair/replacement
The repair cost structure will reset annually for elementary students. In the event a device is stolen, a police report must be filed with local law enforcement and a copy of the report submitted to the school administration to prevent being charged the replacement cost of the device.
Accessories and parts that do not carry a warranty are charged at actual replacement cost.
Replacement cost for lost crayon (digital pencil for iPad):
-1st Incident: $25.00
-2nd and Subsequent Incidents: $50.00 (full replacement cost)
Replacement cost for lost/damaged charger:
-1st Incident: $11:00
-2nd and Subsequent Incidents: $22.00 (full replacement cost)
Car Loop Reminders:
Morning Arrival:
Be ready…As you enter the car loop students need to have:
- Backpack on!
- Mask on!
- Water bottle in hand!
- Promptly exit car on the sidewalk side of car!
Afternoon Dismissal:
Car Loop Numbers:
- Hanging from the rearview mirror of your vehicle
- Should remain displayed until your child is in the vehicle
- If you need another car loop number, please contact the office.
Colored Cones:
- Pull forward to fill the 6 spots designated with colored cones
- Do not leave the line or try to bypass the line.
Students:
- Must enter the vehicle from the right side (sidewalk side)
- Must remain behind the painted white line until all vehicles have come to a complete stop.
- Please remind your child to memorize and listen for their number.
Parents/Guardians:
- Remain in your vehicle.
- If you need to assist with seatbelts or other items, you should pull up to the designated spots beyond the colored cones.
Sending Treats to School
New! Parent/Guardian Procedures for 20-21
Attendance
Starside will be taking regular attendance. The Attendance Secretary calls families to check on students who have not notified the school of an absence.
OPTIONAL REMOTE parents need to report absences for any Zooms students will miss.
ON-SITE parents need to report absences:
- Any time your student is supposed to be at school.
- If your student is ill, PLEASE include all symptoms & if diagnosed with Flu, Strep, or Covid.
Lunches
You may not bring outside food into your child nor join him/her for lunch.
If your child forgets his/her lunch, he/she may get a free school lunch or you may bring a lunchbox with your students' name on it and drop it off at the school by ringing the doorbell to notify the office of the delivery and drop it off on the table in the foyer.
Visitors/Parent Volunteers
At this time, we will not be able to have visitors or parent volunteers. We miss you and look forward to seeing you soon. You may bring a forgotten item; however, you will not be allowed to enter past the foyer. Please ring the bell and we will let you in. Place the item, marked with your child's name on it, on the table in the foyer and we will get the item to your child.
Dropping off your child after the start of school:
- Submit the absence online or call/email the office to notify the school that your child will be late. Please let us know the reason for the tardy (appointment, headache, or just running late).
- You DO need to safely escort your elementary-aged child to the front door. Ring the bell and we will let only your child inside.
- If we have not heard from a parent/guardian the tardy will be marked as unexcused, so please do not forget to notify the office of the reason for the tardy.
Checking your child out of school early:
- Please call or email to notify the office and teacher ahead of time.
- Have an ID ready to show when picking up your child.
- Press the bell, show your ID, and let us know who you are checking out.
- We will let you inside where you may wait for your child in the foyer.
- We will locate your child and send him/her to you in the foyer.
We sincerely appreciate your patience and support during this time. If you have any questions, please call 913-667-6270 and we will be happy to assist you in any way we can!
Technology Help Desk
Please remember that the fastest way to start getting a solution to any technical issues is to contact our help desk. This is also available to all students.
Technology Help Desk
Get help with district technology
Students and Parents: You can reach our Help Desk by calling 816-382-4840.
Hours of Operation
Monday - Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Need to reach the Starside Office?
Be sure to add SE@usd232.org to your contacts list so we don't end up in your spam folder!
LIKE our new Facebook page!
FRONT OFFICE CONTACTS:
Principal
School Improvement Specialist
Lead Secretary (students records)
Building Secretary (attendance)
Counselor
Nurse