STEEBY STAR
March 1, 2019
Important Dates
Mar. 6 Fourth graders to Lansing
Mar. 7 Author's visit
Mar. 20 Half Day, 11:45 Dismissal
Mar. 26 & 26 Parent/Teacher Conferences
March 29 - April Apr. 5 - Spring Break, No School
Apr. 8 School Resumes
Apr. 12 Dentists R Us
**Apr. 17 NEW DATE 2nd Grade Concert - 6:00 PM at the Fine Arts Center; 4th Grade Concert - 7:15 PM at the Fine Arts Center**
Apr. 17 Half Day. 11:45 Dismissal
**Apr. 18 NEW DATE Literacy Night 6:00-7:00 PM**
Principal's Corner
The following information comes from the web site smartsocial.com with tips for parents on student cell phone & social media usage. It helps parents have conversations with students on how to navigate social media with the student, how to know what kids are doing online, how to get kids off their screens, or at least reduce screen time, and how to get
I hear parents ask, "When should I give my child a cell phone?" Here are recommendations from this site:
0-10 years old - No phone
11-13 years old - Flip phone(text, phone calls only)
13 years old - Cell phone safety contract
14 years old - Smartphone, without social media apps installed
15 years old - Smartphone, with social media apps installed
There are also questions regarding what age could/should a student be on social media. Here again are recommendations:
0-13 years old - Private, no social media
13 years old - Family discussion regarding what should go public
14-15 years old - Personal website and posting of positive photos/accomplishments, projects, etc. online
16-17 years old - Colleges should be able to find a positive online "footprint" for the student.
Below you will find a link entitled "Effective Homework Help" with many good tips for helping with your child's homework.
Your partner in education!
Mike Haverdink-Principal
RJ Steeby Elementary
Wayland Union Schools
269-792-2281 ext. 1310
IMPORTANT CONFERENCE INFORMATION
Due to all of the snow days trimester 2 has been extended by one week. As a result of this Steeby's parent/teacher conferences have been rescheduled for Tuesday, March 26, and Wednesday, March 27. If you were scheduled for conferences on Tuesday, the 12th, that will be your scheduled time on the 26th.
If you were scheduled for conferences with your child's teacher on Wednesday the 14th, your child's teacher will be sending a Sign-up Genius schedule for you to pick what time work's best for you to meet with them on March 27.
Just so you are aware. Baker will be having their conferences on Wednesday, March 27th as well, so if there are any siblings at Baker, please schedule your conference time to coincide with that and give yourself enough time for travel between the buildings.
Look for your child's teacher to send out those sign ups on Monday, February 25.
PICK UP AND DROP OFF INFORMATION
School begins at 8:45 AM and students are expected to be in their seats, ready to begin the day at that time. Because of that, the black gate in the back parking lot closes at 8:44 AM. If the gate is closed we ask that you drive your student to the front of the building. Please do not drop your student off in the road on Maple Street. The staff member who monitors the drop off area re-enters the building after closing the gate and there would be nobody in the back to let your student into the building. This can be a very frightening and dangerous situation, especially for younger children. Drop off will go much more quickly if every parent who is dropping students off has them gather everything they need and be ready to quickly exit the vehicle.
Afternoon Pick Up
When picking up students at the end of the school day please do not speed past the line of vehicles waiting to pick up their students. We have been able to get our pick up time down to only about 8-12 minutes. Your patience and attention to student safety is appreciated.
A Note from Music Class
2nd grade - Wednesday, April 17th at 6:00 PM at the Fine Arts Center
4th grade - Wednesday, April 17th at 7:15 PM at the Fine Arts Center
These new dates are also listed above under Important Dates.
Media Center News
Our author visit is coming up on Thursday, March 7th. Leslie Helakoski will be talking about her writing and drawing process as a writer and illustrator. Students have been hearing about her books in media class.
Literacy Night is coming up in April! The new date is Thursday, April 18th from 6-7 p.m. Save the Date! It is going to be a Dino-Mite time with lots of fun reading activities!
Happy Reading Month!
Nicole Barnes
Media Teacher
Physical Education Fun
Kids Heart Challenge is at the half-way point and we have a long way to go to reach last years total. We still have a lot of students bringing in donations and raising money online. It helps the American Heart Association so much and the more money our students raise, the more prizes they get back as well. Remember to sign up online to get a free wristband and get tips for nutrition and healthy habits. Just registering with a home email (not school email) helps us as well because the more people that register, the more they give us a gift for prizes as well.
Our Students of the Month for February are:
2nd grade: Ella Steensma and Domanik Sevigny
3rd grade: Haley Cummiford and Dawson Babiak
4th grade: Khloe Duran and Nick Battenfield.
-Michael Weber
Physical Education Teacher
Supercat Winners
Braydan Grevenstuk; Adelynn Ausema; Devante Miller; Kahlan Pease; Vivian Gless; Peyton Mathis; Kandus Lapham; Jordan Grevenstuk; Eli Straub; Jonathon Roberts; Lydia Katsma; Lauren Genther; Molly Stack; Rhegan Ustishen; Hannah Schultz; Renata Ralston; Quinn Reeder; Nico Willingham; Gavin Mulder; Mason Farrish; Marissa Ainsworth; Kaylin Anastor; Gwen Howard; Jacob Ribble; Eli Warsen; Kaleigh Marquard; Kathleen DeKraker; Jenna Hendricks; Henryk Smith; Gage Channells Classroom Winner: Mrs. VanLuyn's 2nd grade
Supercat Winners for the week of 2-19-19
Jessa Thompson; Asher Kemp; Dominic Weaver; Eli Jager; Violet Mohon; Grace Katsma; Savannah Gamblin; Giana Beckwith; Jose Torres; Makayla Chapin; Elliot Dollarhide; Isabella Delaney; Aiden Natividad; Aeden Steketee; Brooklyn Milburn; Tatum Wooten; Brody DeWinter; Gabe Zerbe; Nick Taylor; Iridessa Clodfelter; Luke VandeZande; Brooke Trumbull; Lauren Modreske; Connor Rozela; Keaton Ustishen; Annalyse Rock; Kiera Laker; Aurora Weaver; Alayna Maxlow Classroom Winner: Miss Hoskins 3rd grade class
Supercat Winners for the week of 2-26-19
Yuli Amir; Hayden Otis; Owen Hite; Tyler Lester; Eliza Bollone; Emery Dollarhide; Nolan Markowski; Arianna Brazeau; Empriss Steen; Katelynn Tyler; Owen Chachulski; Bryton Greco; Kyra Hooks; Hayden MacFadyen; Timothy Bradt; Cameron Thomas; Mickenzie Marquette; Emma Turner; Audrey Osbon; Haley Cummiford; Violette Cooper; Nick Winchel; Christopher Lozano; Emma Ugianskis; Shawn DeHaan; Maddie Baker; Dale Badger; Gabe Curtis; Easton Williams; David Lodenstein Classroom Winner: Mrs. Loomis's 4th grade class