The Spencer Scoop

A Dash of Salt is Back!

Salt is essential to life; it heals, preserves, and adds flavor. I'll share my experiences not only as a principal but my other favorite title, dad.

This week's episode is How do You Disccus Tragedy with your Kids? Click here to listen.

COVID-19 Self-Reporting Link

If you need to report a Covid-19 case to the health department, you can access the Self Reporting Link to the Livingston County Health Department by clicking the button below...

1st Trimester Attendance Letters

Attendance notifications and letters will be mailed out today for the 1st Trimester. If you receive one regarding your students absences, please note that any days your student was absent for quarantining was NOT taken into account when I calculated the absences. If your student was absent for an illness and you can send me a doctor's note excusing the absence, I can make adjustment to their attendance. Email me at berryl@brightonk12.com to submit a doctor's note or if you have any questions.

Do Not Send Your Child to School If...

Spencer has recently received an increase in positive COVID cases. You can help keep all safe with a few easy steps:

If your child has any illness symptoms such as,

Fever over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit
Cough
Shortness of breath
Difficulty breathing
Other early symptoms, including chills, body aches, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, headache, diarrhea, and nausea/ vomiting.

Stay home!
Other reasons to remain home:
If someone in your home has recently tested for COVID-19, keep everyone home until the results are in. If a positive test is revealed, everyone in-home needs to remain home for the full ten days.

Then, please call 810-299-4350 and let us know. You'll also want to complete the self-reporting link. The sooner this is done, the sooner Mr.Renner can process the paperwork.

The health department will notify Mr.Renner and share with him a return date for your child.

Please be diligent and do your part to keep all at Spencer safe.

Congratulations to Ms. Lender!

Please join us in congratulating Jackie Lender as this month's Extraordinary Bulldog of the Month. Ms. Lender is a paraprofessional at Spencer. The following are some quotes from staff and students about this dedicated professional:

"Ms. Lender is not only the most amazing instructional assistant but overall just the most amazing person I have ever had the pleasure to work with. She continuously goes above and beyond for her students and her colleagues. She makes even the worst days brighter and can always make you laugh. I can not say enough good things about Ms. Lender, and I know that Spencer would be lost without her support and guidance. Thank you Ms. Lender, for all that you do; we are so lucky to have you!"
"Ms. Lender is always flexible and dependable. She goes above and beyond day after day and accepts challenges when presented to her. She stays calm and consistent with all students. You can always depend on Ms. Lender for a good laugh!"
"Ms. Lender rocks because she is cool and very helpful. She helps me read." - Student
"Ms. Lender helps all kids with their learning." - student
"I am thankful for Ms. Lender because she is nice. She helps me learn." -student
"Ms. Lender is AMAZING! She has the kindest heart and is very dedicated to all students and their success (both emotionally and academically). Ms. Lender has a unique way of connecting with students and building positive relationships with all of them. Ms. Lender makes Spencer a better place!"
"Ms. Lender is always willing to help any student out; she is wonderful at building positive relationships with all students, and they have a great sense of trust in her. She approaches every situation with a positive can-do attitude and makes every day fun!"
"Ms. Lender has a can-do spirit and tenacity that is unmatchable. She remains flexible with assisting all students with her consistent attitude, "I got this!""

Thank you to Ms. Lender and all of our instructional assistants for making an impact every day. Please know how much you are appreciated!

MASKS ARE NEEDED ON THE BUS!

If your student only rides the bus in the afternoon, please remember to send a mask in with them. We are seeing an increase in kids coming in to the office at the end of the day to get a mask because one was forgotten, and our supply of extra masks is running low.

You are invited to join Spencer Singers!

I am pleased to announce that Spencer Singers will once again be offered at Spencer Elementary. Spencer Singers is an organization open to fourth graders who love singing and performing. During rehearsals, we will get ready with vocal warm ups and work on learning a collection of fun performance songs. The performance calendar for this year is still being developed. We will rehearse each Friday morning before school from 8:00-8:30 a.m. in the music room. This will not interfere with Safety duties. Students should report to the music room (leaving their belongings in the hall) no earlier than 7:50 a.m. The first rehearsal will be Friday, December 17th.

Applications are being sent to all fourth grade students. There are no auditions or try-outs, but there are a limited number of students who can be accepted. Students will be accepted on a first come first serve basis. The only requirements are that students meet behavior and participation expectations during regular music classes and Spencer Singers rehearsals/events and can be at rehearsals at 8:00 a.m. Students who ride the bus should make other arrangements for transportation on Friday mornings as the busses do not arrive in time to rehearse.

Please e-mail me if you have any questions.

Thanks!

-Bonnie Muszynski

muszynb@brightonk12.com

Need Technological Help?

Do you have questions about accessing school links and applications at home? Do you need more guidance logging in, Google Classroom, Google Meet, or SeeSaw? If so, click the button before to access the BAS Parent Tech Guide.

We will be collecting new, unwrapped toys December 1 - 16. The toy drive will conclude on the night of our DRIVE-THRU Santa Night on December 16 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. Each Brighton Elementary School will be competing to donate the most toys and Brighton Ford will donate the prizes:

1st Place: $3,000

2nd Place: $1,000

3rd Place: $500

4th Place: $500

Help us to spread holiday cheer to those who need it most!

2021-22 PTO Board Members

Jen Lumsden - President

Nicole McGhee - Vice President

Amanda Hoffmann - Treasurer

Jacquelyn Turkovich - Secretary

Meghann Calvin - Secretary

HOLIDAY SHOP

The Holiday Shop is this weekend! As in years past, we will be holding the Holiday shop after school hours on Friday December 3rd (4-8pm), and Saturday December 4th (10am-3pm) in the Multi-Purpose Room. This is a completely optional event, but is something that students love doing. It is a great opportunity for students to shop for those special people in their lives by themselves! We will have some volunteer shoppers to help students shop, but could still use more both days! Please take a look at the sign-up genius here for volunteer opportunities (this is a great option for older siblings and/or students in need of volunteer hours)! Please note: if we are short on volunteers, parents will need to shop with their students instead.

STAFF APPRECIATION

We like to show our amazing Spencer staff just how much we appreciate them, especially this time of year. We are collecting gift cards to put on a "Giving Tree" before winter break. Every staff member will get to choose a surprise gift card from the tree. We want to collect as many gift cards as possible for this! If you would like to donate, please sign up for a spot here! We are asking that all gift cards be dropped off/sent in with your student no later than December 10.

PTO MEETING

The December PTO meeting has been CANCELLED! Thank you for all your support this year!

As always, please check out our Facebook page and/or website for the most up to date information this year.

Counselor Corner

Welcome to December! At this point in the year, we take time to recognize all that is important to us. I am incredibly grateful for the amazing students and families I am able to connect with and the fantastic support from the staff at our school. We have experienced many challenges this year, and I would like to help support in any way that I can. If you or your child's teacher are noticing any need for social-emotional or mental health support, please reach out to me for ideas or connections.

This month, I will be connecting with new student groups to continue Social-Emotional Growth on specific topics with student peers. I will also continue connecting with students in the classroom with lessons on problem solving strategies or visits for other classroom needs. We also have our BAS Elementary Counseling website for ideas and resources to be used at home! Please feel free to contact your counselor with any questions or concerns that you may have, and I will do my best to support your child.

Mrs. McKiddy

Spencer/Hornung

mckiddb@brightonk12.com

https://sites.google.com/brightonk12.com/bas-elementary-counseling/home

Parent Referral Form: bit.ly/McKiddyParentReferral

Student Check-in Form: bit.ly/CounselorStudentCheckIn