Bulldog Bulletin
What's the BUZZ at Spring Mill?- September 1, 2020
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Off to a Great Start!
Our Spring Mill Bulldogs are an amazing group of students. Thank you to all of our families as we navigated the first full month of school virtually. I have enjoyed logging into Canvas meeting your students and observing their learning. I am impressed with our teachers and the work they are doing to ensure that learning is happening at a high level. It makes me extremely proud to be the principal of this school community.
I sincerely appreciate the positivity, patience and grace that our families continue to extend to our entire team. Our families are the best part of what happens here at Spring Mill. We recognize that getting adjusted to our "new normal" has created unique challenges for our entire school community. Often times, we forget that at the beginning things are often difficult before they become easy. Therefore, I applaud your perseverance and commitment to your child's education. Thank you for making an intentional effort to make sure your child is connecting each day virtually. This is a partnership, so what you do in support of our efforts matters!
#BulldogStrong
September
- 2nd- K-5 Math and Literacy Toolkits pick up times 11-1 pm & 3-4 pm
- 3rd- K-5 Math and Literacy Toolkits pick up times 11-1 pm & 3-4 pm
- 4th- K-5 Math and Literacy Toolkits pick up times 11-1 pm, Midterms will be accessible for 2nd -5th graders.
7th-Labor Day-NO SCHOOL
- 21st-25th- SPIRIT WEEK (details to come)
- 25th-NCHS Homecoming
Spring Mill Elementary, an International Baccalaureate World School
Email: kmerritt@msdwt.k12.in.us
Website: www.sm.msdwt.k12.in.us
Location: 8250 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, USA
Phone: (317) 259-5462
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpringMillElementary/
Twitter: @springmillelem
A Message from Ms. Merritt
At the Washington Township Board of Education meeting last week (Wednesday Aug. 26), the Washington Township School Board approved the WT Reopening of Schools Plan for In-Person Learning. School Board President Bill Turner states, “The School Board has been reviewing and discussing complexities with the reopening of schools decisions since June due to COVID-19. The challenges of making a decision like this required School Board Members to weigh the benefits of in-person learning versus health and safety concerns. These are difficult decisions during an unprecedented pandemic.” The School Board approved plan is in effect until directed otherwise by the School Board, Governor, Mayor, and/or Health Department for COVID-19 implications.
All families and employees are encouraged to review the Board Approved Reopening of Schools Information . At this site you will find the following information:
- Board Approved Resolution on Reopening of Schools
- Board Approved WT Reopening of Schools Overview & Comprehensive Plan for In-Person Learning
- Summary of the Reopening Plan
- Virtual Academy Option Details
Last week, Spring Mill elementary held a live webinar Thursday, August 27th, where we shared detailed information regarding our Reopening plan. You can find information shared at that meeting by clicking this link SM-Reopening Info Flyer. If you would like to view the webinar, you can access it by clicking SM-Parent Forum.
Our goal is to keep our families informed. Therefore if you have additional questions, please feel free to contact us. We are in this together!
Sincerely,
Kellée Merritt, Principal
Navigating Virtual Learning
We want your student to be successful this year. There are some simple ways to make this happen during virtual learning.
- Create a space within your home for your child that is free from unnecessary distractions.
- Stay connected with your child's teacher and Spring Mill by checking Canvas, email and voice mail routinely.
- Make sure your child turns in his or her assignments by the due date given by their teacher.
- Teachers are reviewing assignments and providing feedback/grades, so be sure to check Skyward to see if your child has earned credit for his/her work.
We understand that a family's schedule may not allow for students to follow the exact virtual learning schedule. If there is a need for students to complete some assignments at a later time outside of the teacher's daily schedule keep in mind:
- Live lessons from the mornings (literacy/math) will be recorded and posted to the teacher’s Canvas course by the end of the school day for later viewing/work completion.
- Recorded lessons may be viewed at a time more convenient for the student in order for the student to complete his or her work.
- It is extremely important that students are completing their work as following their daily schedule.
If you feel like you are struggling with virtual learning, please communicate your needs to your student's teacher. Some days may seem difficult to manage. You may need to take a minute to reset. This may include logging off of the computer for a moment. You can take out a book and read with your child. Afterwards, resume learning when your child is ready to move forward. Remind your student and yourself that you can do this work and you have the ability to do it well!
Attendance Matters- Every Student, Every Day!
Logging In-Chromebook
If you need to find your child’s Single Sign On username and password, you can do so by logging into your Skyward Family Access account- follow these steps: https://www.msdwt.k12.in.us/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/skyward-studentinfo.pdf. If you have questions or issues with Skyward, you can email skyward@msdwt.k12.in.us.
If your child is using a personal device and needs to log into his/her Portal (Canvas, MyLexia, Dreambox,etc), you can go to the www.msdwt.k12.in.us website>Choose “Students and Families” > Choose “My Portal Single Sign On” and log in with the child’s username and password. (There is also a shortcut to the student Portal which looks like two sheets of paper on the top of the screen)
If you have technology challenges during the school day, please reach out to our Tech Assistance Parent Hotline - (317) 254-5566 (English) or (317) 259-5446 (Multilingual families).
PTO-SHOUTOUT!
PTO Funding July-September 2020
- Staff Breakfast and Dinner-7/29 and 7/30
- School Mascot Costume for Barkley
- TCRWP-Reading and Phonics Curriculum Virtual Lesson Resources
- Literacy & Math Resources K-5
- Coffee Cart-9/4
- Social Emotional Initiative-Teacher Wellness
#BulldogProud
Reading and Writing Learning Bag
Math Toolkit
Virtual Resources for Teacher Training
First Day of School Breakfast
#SMPTO
First Day of School Breakfast
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Matters!
See the SEL (social emotional learning) family newsletter from our district SEL Coach and Spring Mill parent, Emily Dills. If you have questions or need help with ideas, she can be reached at edills@msdwt.k12.in.us.
Helping Bulldogs Stay in the Loop!
SKYWARD Family Access
Make sure your phone number and email address are updated in Skyward Family Access to receive all school and district updates! Skyward Family Access Directions
If you have questions or issues with Skyward, please email skyward@msdwt.k12.in.us.
If you do not know your username/password, please email skyward@msdwt.k12.in.us or call Spring Mill Elementary. Ms. Barlow or Mrs. Cloud, our administrative assistants, will be more than happy to assist you.
Meal Distribution
Breakfast and lunch meals are available by curbside pick-up at Spring Mill from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. on school days. Online payments for meals is required through MyPaymentsPlus. Each day includes a lunch and the following day’s breakfast.
If you are unable to pick up at Spring Mill between 11:00-1:00, an evening PRE-ORDER only pickup will be available at North Central High School from 6:00 - 7:30 PM. You can pre-order meals at MyPaymentsPlus.com
Students will be charged in the same manner as if the students were in school.
For more information on meal prices, creating a mypaymentsplus account and pre-ordering please visit the Child Nutrition webpage at https://www.msdwt.k12.in.us/child-nutrition-services/ or contact your cafeteria manager at 317-259-5465.
Financial Assistance
Applications for meal and textbook assistance are available in English and Spanish on the district website – www.msdwt.k12.in.us
Click on:
Quick Links
Child Nutrition
Apply Online
Paper applications are also available in the school office. Only one application per family is required. We encourage families in need to complete these applications as soon as possible. All charges incurred before an application is approved are the responsibility of the parent or guardian.