Schwarzkoff Friday Phone Call
11-3-23
Important Dates
Monday, November 6th
- Donate to Mountain Top Fundraiser getmovinfundhub.com. School Identifier: 6527e053ac5b8
- Zero Referral Reward Board Game
Tuesday, November 7th
NO SCHOOL - Staff PD Day
Wednesday, November 8th
- Donate to Mountain Top Fundraiser getmovinfundhub.com. School Identifier: 6527e053ac5b8
- Evening conferences 4:30-7:30
Thursday, November 9th
- Donate to Mountain Top Fundraiser getmovinfundhub.com. School Identifier: 6527e053ac5b8
- Half day with dismissal at 11:29
- Afternoon conferences 12:30-3:30
- Evening conferences 4:30-7:30
Friday, November 10th
- Donate to Mountain Top Fundraiser getmovinfundhub.com. School Identifier: 6527e053ac5b8
- Inclusive Military Celebration PowerPoint (share with class)
- Fundraiser Drawing for $100 Gift Card and Mini Fridge
Report Cards
- Report cards will be posted in your PowerSchool account after 4:00 p.m. on Friday, November 3, 2023. Here are the top three things you need to know:
- Access to the report cards will not be available through the PowerSchool app. The report cards are available by logging into your account through your favorite browser (Edge, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc.).
- We strongly encourage you to make sure you can access your account by a web browser. If you need technical assistance, please contact our school office.
- You must have a PowerSchool account to see the report card. If you do not have an account, please follow the instructions at this link
MIProtect Students Registry
ProtectMIChild Registry is a frontline defense in blocking adult-themed content from reaching your child or teen on their phone, tablet or other electronic device. Just register your child's cell phone number, email address, Instagram, Snapchat, or Twitter to help prevent ads for alcohol, tobacco, online gambling and even pornography from reaching your child. It's free, simple, and so important. Sign up today!
SVG Funding Request - YOUR VOTE NEEDED
- Our Literacy Coaches would like to purchase 6 Phonics Tile Kits to help with intervention groups.
- This will make the literacy intervention more fun and interactive for students.
- The cost of the kit is $37.99. We would like to buy 6 kits.
- The total cost of the kits is $227.94
- Our SVG will support requests over $100 as long as they are approved by the Schwarzkoff Community (your vote matters).
Picture Retake Day 11-16-2023
School Soft Conference Window is Open
- Conference scheduling software will open to parents on 10-20 and stay open until Sunday November 5th
- 11/8/2023 4:30-7:30 (Face 2 Face)
- 11/9/2023 12:30-1:30 (Face 2 Face)
- 11/8/2023 4:30-7:30 (Virtual)
- Parents get an email with link day before conferences.
- 100% parent attendance expectation
- Sign up at https://utica.schoolsoft.com/
- SEE ATTACHMENT BELOW FOR DETAILED DIRECTIONS
Update – Heritage Junior High/Gene L. Klida Utica Academy for International Studies Building Study
Parents, please see the following update from Mr. Monroe:
Utica Community Schools is committed, in partnership with the community, to empower students to positively transform their future and the world. We strive to prepare students for success beyond UCS, focusing on their education and safety today, and ensuring our schools are meeting student needs both now and in the future.
This commitment requires us to constantly review the use of our physical resources, to make certain our buildings are functioning safely and effectively and meeting the needs of the students and families in our community.
As we shared during last year’s Safety and Success Bond election, we are taking a long term approach to our facility needs. This study is based on:
- Safety
- Age of the Facility
- Enrollment Patterns and Trends
This study includes a comprehensive look at the future of the shared site for Heritage Junior High School and the Gene L. Klida for International Studies. This was a need identified during both our strategic planning process and community surveys about future facility improvements. Heritage Junior High School and GLK-UAIS have been sharing a facility for the past 16 years. During that time, enrollment and building needs at Heritage and GLK-UAIS have experienced significant changes.
The district’s long-standing citizens’ committee – the Enrollment Distribution Advisory Committee – began to look at this issue in the spring. Their input will be considered along with enrollment projections, building needs assessments from our auxiliary services department, the efficient use of district resources, and making sure our students have access to programs and experiences that will empower their future.
Additional information is available through a Fact Sheet on this website:
https://www.uticak12.org/buildingforthefuture. You can also share your thoughts and questions here: http://www.uticak12.org/feedback. A final determination on the future of this site is expected in November.
Safe, secure, and educationally vibrant schools remain a priority. We also recognize that change can be difficult. By working in partnership, we can position our district to continue supporting student success for today’s students and our future generations.
Attendance Letters and Truancy Referral
- Please note that all students with 10 or more absences or tardies will recieve a letter from my office.
- The letters are mailed, one time per card marking.
- 10 or more absences or tardies will result in a truancy referral.
Over the Counter Medications
- Our staff is unable to provide ANY cough drops, cough medicine, aspirin, Benadryl, etc. without a form being completed by your doctor.
- Please complete the form below, have the doctor sign, and bring ANY medications to the office.
Birthday Celebrations
The teachers and staff at Schwarzkoff strongly support and encourage the recognition of a child’s birthday during the school day. It is an annual milestone in every child’s life that should be celebrated not just at home, but in school as well, where children spend one-third of their day with teachers, classmates, and peers. While there are many wonderful and creative ways to celebrate a child’s birthday in school, birthday celebrations at Schwrzkoff will not include food treats. Instead, the focus at Schwarzkoff will be recognizing the day in a variety of special ways that do not include food treats. Some possibilities include:
· Class sings “Happy Birthday”
· Parent makes a donation of book to class library/read to class
· Student reads favorite book to class
· Student donates a special class gift for recess
Your child’s teacher will have more information on how birthdays will be celebrated in the classroom. As educators, caregivers and loved ones we all want the best for our students. Thank you for joining us in giving students healthy opportunities to celebrate important events and achievements.
Too Sick to Come to School?
Take a Peek at These Health Department Guidelines
When is your child too sick to attend school? The following guidelines, along with the advice of your family doctor, will help you decide when your child should stay home:
• Cold and/or cough – a child with deep mucus that causes a cough and heavy nose drainage cannot function at school.
• Fever – fever is a warning that something is wrong. A child should remain at home for 24 hours after the fever is gone without the use of medication.
• Rash – a rash, spots or blotches on the skin can be the first sign of many illnesses. Rashes require a physician’s release stating they are not contagious.
• Stomachache/Upset – a child who is vomiting or has diarrhea should be kept at home and may return 24 hours after the symptoms are gone.
• Head Lice – a child with head lice must remain at home until treatment is complete and school officials confirm he or she is free of lice. Check your child’s head before school begins in the fall and routinely during the school year or if he or she complains of an itchy scalp. Look around your child’s ears and back of the neck for nits, which are tiny, 8 white, oval-shaped lice eggs that are attached to the hair near the scalp. Nits may look like dandruff or scalp flakes, but nits do not move and are difficult to dislodge. Notify the school office immediately if your child has head lice. Begin treatment immediately by contacting your doctor or purchasing over the counter medication from the drug store. To prevent spreading head lice, wash all infested garments, hair accessories, bedding and other surfaces with hot water and disinfectant. You must sign your child in at the office when he or she is returning to school after treatment for head lice.
Policy on Personal Items
Any cell phones must be turned off and out of view during school hours or while on the bus.
Students should NOT bring toys, game boys, Nintendo DS or any hand-held electronic games, CD players, MP3 or IPods, PDA’s, memorabilia, special cards or other collectible or expensive items to school.
Schwarzkoff Elementary School is not responsible for personal items that are lost or damaged.
Such items will be collected and kept in the office. A parent must come and retrieve any items they wish to have returned.
Pet Policy
Utica Community Schools has a no pet policy on school property.
Recess
Students will have the opportunity to go outside with their classmates during designated times throughout the day. Recess helps to promote social and emotional learning and development for all children. Allowing time for our students to engage in peer interactions allows them to role play essential social skills. Recess also benefits our students by increasing their level of physical activity improving their memory, attention, and concentration. Each class will have a recess attached to the lunch program. We go outside whenever possible and stay inside if it is raining or the temperatures are below 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Students will have an optional second recess each day with their classroom teacher. Please have children dress for the weather.
Reminder there are NO PARENTS allowed in Recess Areas during School Day
Allergen Form for Special Dietary Needs
Students with food allergies that wish to use school meals must have a Special Dietary Needs form (11A) completed and signed by a physician. Forms need to be turned in to the office of Food and Nutrition Service. Without this form we cannot make accommodations. This form must be updated every year to ensure accuracy. Since all schools have vegetarian options, parents do not need to complete a form for that option.
Background Checks
ONLY NEW VOLUNTEERS WILL NEED TO COMPLETE BACKGROUND CHECKS. (This is a change in policy)
A new volunteer is considered someone who did not volunteer for the 2022-2023 school year. (new enrollment, parent/guardian with opportunities to help this year that they didn't have last year).
Please remember that any person who is sanctioned to engage students on the district’s behalf (i.e., assistant athletic coach, Science Olympiad, Lego Robotics, chaperone, etc.) requires a cleared check.
New District App
Utica Community Schools has a new mobile app! Search for 'Utica Schools' in your phone's app store and download the free app to stay up-to-date on district and school news. The old mobile app 'Utica Community Schools' is no longer supported and should be deleted from your devices. Download at the App store here and Google Play here.