Our mission it to educate students, promote life long learning and encourage students to become productive citizens within a positive and safe learning environment.

Email: kristina.tepper@uticak12.org
Website: havel.uticak12.org
Location: 41855 Schoenherr Road, Sterling Heights, MI, USA
Phone: 586 7975200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HavelElementary/

UCS has two proposals on the May 2 ballot. A zero tax-rate increase bond proposal and a non-homestead operating replacement millage.

To learn more, visit www.uticak12.org/safetyandsuccess

Share your thoughts about the ballot proposals by visiting www.research.net/r/UCSballotproposalsurvey

To learn more, visit www.uticak12.org/safetyandsuccess

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Student and staff safety remains a priority for our school. Our district uses a multi-layered approach to proactively prepare for any type of emergency. This approach is focused on training, school-based emergency plans, an emergency preparedness team consisting of law enforcement, mental health support, and constantly reviewing our facilities to determine improvement needs to enhance security. Recently, our staff has been engaged in training related to

“Standard Response Protocols.” The protocols identify five specific actions that use common language related to a potential incident: Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate and Shelter. Attached to this message is our protocol poster that we now have in every classroom in Utica Community Schools in English, Arabic and Spanish. To help students understand their role, we will be showing a short, animated video Elementary Standard Response Protocol. In the video, the teacher – Mrs. Appleton - and her students walk through the training in a very relaxed, engaging way for younger children. The script for the video has been written by UCS staff. Following the viewing of the video and discussion with their principal and/or teacher, students will continue practicing the school safety drills using the Standard Response Protocols. Thank you for your continued partnership to keep our students and staff safe.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Tepper

As a part of our school improvement process we are looking for your feedback. Please take a moment and complete the survey below. The information will be shared with the staff and be used as a part of our continuous improvement planning. Thank you!

Dear Parents,

Similar to the second marking period, report cards will be accessed from your secure PowerSchool account.

Report cards will be posted in your PowerSchool account at noon on Friday, March 31, 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.

For more information on how report cards will be shared, where to access the report cards, how to request a new password or set up a PowerSchool account, please see this link.

Kasier Photography will be here for any parents who would like to order spring pictures on Monday, March 27th. A paper copy of the order form was sent home, but just in case it didn't make it I have attached it for your reference. There is an option for you to order online at: www.kaiserstudio.com and our code is: 23HAVELFUN.

The district will host its 17th annual College and Career Pathways from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 27, 2023 at Henry Ford II High School. This event is aimed at current eighth through eleventh graders. Up to fifty post-secondary institutions will be in attendance to offer information to assist students with their post-secondary plans.

March

27th- Spring Pictures

28th- Talent Show Assembly 1:30

28th- Talent Show Night Performance 6:30

April

3rd-7th- No School- Spring Break

4th - Chuck E. Cheese Night

10th- M-Step Begins

10th- Wear Blue For Autism Awareness

April 11th - Jet's Night

17th- Autism Awareness Walk- Wear blue

18th-24th- 1st, 3rd, 5th grade vision and hearing screening

20th- Breakfast with a special person 8:00-9:00am

27th- School Wide Assembly 2:15

May

1st-5th- Teacher Appreciation Week

2nd- No School- Voting Day

4th- Family Cranbrook Science Night

5th- 6th Grade Dance

8th- Chick fil A Restaurant Night

16th- 6th Grade Band Concert @ 7:00pm

29th- No School- Memorial Day

31st- Field Day

June

8th- 1/2 Day 12:24 Dismissal

8th - Chuck E. Cheese Night

9th- 1/2 Day- 12:24 Dismissal- Last Day Of School

On May 2, Utica Community Schools will be holding a special election that will allow voters to consider the district’s Safety and Success proposals. Our schools remain the centerpiece of the community, and we are proud that many of our school facilities are used to support the voting process. During these elections, school facilities need to be open and easily accessible to allow voters to cast their ballots.

As has been the practice of UCS for past elections, there will be no school on May 2. The cancellation of school maintains our commitment to safety and allows our facilities to be open for community members to cast their ballots in this important election. This will also provide an opportunity for professional development opportunities for staff. Additional communication will be shared in a future Superintendent’s Bulletin.

SPONSORS and/or MENTORS NEEDED

The UCS Foundation and the Sterling Heights Regional Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with UCS, will be hosting the 29th Annual Career Focus Luncheon for sixth grade students on Monday, May 8 and Tuesday, May 9, 2023. On both days, the event will be held in-person from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at The Palazzo Grande in Shelby Township. Students will travel by UCS bus to the venue where they will interact with a business or community mentor, enjoy lunch, listen to keynote speaker, Nicole Black Ph.D., Henry Ford II High School alum and Vice President of Biomaterials and Innovation for Desktop Health, and then return by UCS bus to their school. Information regarding the assigned day for schools and participation by students in the UCS Virtual Academy will be forthcoming.

For the past year and a half, Utica Community Schools has been collaborating with our community, students and staff to work through our strategic planning process. As a result of this work, UCS is pursuing a bond proposal on the May 2, 2023 ballot. This No Tax-Rate Increase Bond Proposal will help UCS instill excellence in every part of our school district by focusing on two key areas: SAFETY and SUCCESS

The UCS Wellness team is happy to announce the tenth episode (Self-Regulation Strategies) of our podcast series. The team worked with community members to create a podcast regarding different areas of physical, mental and social health for UCS staff, students and families. These podcasts are available on the UCS Wellness page. UCS Wellness - Utica Community Schools (uticak12.org).

Below is a list of the podcasts available on the Wellness page

• Mental Health with guest, Nancy Buyle
• Grief and the Grieving Process for Children
• Family Communication
• CARE of Southeastern Michigan
• Discussing Dating Violence with Turning Point
• Tackling Tough Topics with the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office
• Our Youth and Vaping
• Youth and Suicide Prevention
• The Detour Project
• Self-Regulation Strategies

Employment opportunities, posted both internally and externally, are accessible through the district’s online job application site https://uticak12.tedk12.com/hire/index.aspx. Individuals seeking promotional opportunities are advised to regularly visit the site. Application to vacant opportunities should be made through the system and in accordance with the process as identified on the specific posting. Instructional positions posted only for internal staff with specific application instructions will still be communicated via memo and not through the online applicant system.

Below are login directions for students for their virtual library card and virtual library card - Tutor.com, located in the ClassLink dashboard. The virtual library card gives students access to digital resources from the local library and the virtual library card - Tutor.com provides online tutoring and homework help for students.

Our UCS parent and student handbook states, “general supervision begins 10 minutes before the start of school.” At Havel, that means students should arrive at school no earlier than 9:10 am. Students should not come to school before this time, unless enrolled in School Age Child Care (SACC). Teachers will allow students to enter assigned doors at 9:10 am and supervise them until school begins at 9:20 am.

If it becomes necessary for you to have your child leave the building during the school day, please conform to the following:

• Notify the office by phone or note beforehand of the reason for and time of dismissal.

• At the designated time, the parent/guardian or other person designated on the child’s emergency contact designee must come into the office to sign the child out of school.

• All adults must be prepared to show photo ID.

The teachers and staff at Havel 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 Havel will not include food treats. Instead, the focus at Havel will be recognizing the day in a variety of special ways that do not include food treats. Some possibilities include:

· Class sings “Happy Birthday”

· Happy Birthday Recess/Gift

· Morning “Happy Birthday” PA announcement

· NEHS Singing Telegram

· Parent makes a donation of book to class library/read to class

· Student reads favorite book to class

· Parent/special someone reads story to class

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.

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.

We are asking for your assistance to ensure that our security procedures during the school day are effective. As many of you know, our school has a security camera, intercom, and buzzer at the front entrance for use during the school day. To help us assist you when you would like to enter the school:

1. All guests must enter through the main office door

2. Please press the buzzer to speak with someone in the office

3. You will be asked to state your name and reason for visiting

4. Each time you come to the office you will be asked to show your photo ID into the security camera above the outside door

5. Office staff will assist you.

6. Guests must have an appointment to meet with a staff member during instructional hours

In addition, we are asking you to not let any visitors in the door as you enter (and they come up behind you) or as you exit the building.

Finally, all exterior doors are to remain locked and secure daily. Teachers will not prop doors open and any door that is open is to have a staff member monitoring it at all times.

The teachers and staff are committed to student safety and security and we would like to thank you for your assistance in helping keep the students of Havel safe.