Weston Newsletter
October Edition
Dear Weston Families,
Our students are off to a wonderful start! It will be a year filled with handshakes, hugs, high-fives, and smiles. Expect your child to grow in so many ways—academically, socially, and emotionally! We look forward to a wonderful partnership that will help each and every child be successful in the 21st Century.
Over the course of the first month, your child has learned the expectations in their classroom, and around the entire building. Your child will continuously learn the “B” code—be responsible, be ready, and be respectful. Go over these ideas with your child at home. Here is a vital character trait that Weston will instill in your child with your help; BE NICE!
One of our favorite things to do at Weston is to build relationships. We are thrilled to be able to build relationships with Weston Families. One way to grow with relationships around Kearsley is to come and cheer on our Hornets and have dinner for Kearsley Homecoming on October 11.
Again, thank you to all of our Weston families for a great start to the school year. I look forward to continued opportunities to learn from and spend time with each of you. Please do not hesitate to call me if I can be of assistance to you or to your family.
Douglas Hibbs, Principal
I am very proud of our students and staff!
*Please make sure to sign up for conferences at Weston on November 13th and 14th. No School on November 15th.
Principal’s Academic Piece—
Reading
Two of the most important parts of reading are building oral language and reading (independently). Talk with your child and help him/her learn new words. Read on a daily basis!
Math
Count and constantly talk about numbers. What number is between 55 and 57? Even when your child is correct, “5+6=11”, ask them how they know that is true. Just saying because is not an acceptable answer.
Writing
Say oral stories with your child/children. Then put those oral stories on paper. Write about playing in the backyard, camping, boy scouts, girl scouts, sports...you can make a small moment from any event!
"Bee here and bee present!"
We hope that everyone has had a great start to school! We want to remind everyone about the attendance letter that was sent out in September. You may remember it. It discusses the partnership between Kearsley Community Schools, the Genesee County Family Court Division, and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The partnership focuses on the importance of school attendance and its further commitment in assuring our students and families receive every support available.
Together, the partnership created an Attendance Pilot Program that will be presided over by The Honorable Judge Gadola. Michigan law requires that a person having custody of a child between six and eighteen years of age must send the child to school full time when school is in session. Throughout the school year, you will receive notification if your child misses school. Regular communication between school employees and parents/guardians of students experiencing absenteeism is critical. We want to assist with any challenges that prevent children from attending school, so in-person meetings may be requested. The program focuses on the identification of barriers that negatively effect attendance for the individual student and the student's family. In identifying these barriers we hope to link resources in our community with the students and families to remove those barriers and ultimately improve attendance.
School attendance is directly linked to academic achievement. Statistics tell us students at the elementary level that are chronically absent perform lower in reading and math and are two times more likely to be retained. Further, statistics explain that for each year a student is chronically absent between the grades of 8 and 12 the dropout rates increase each year (Year 4=61.3% dropout rate). A student is considered chronically absent by missing 10% of a school year or two days a month over the entire school year. Absences add up quickly and we want to get a great start to the school year!
We are excited for the partnership we can form for the success of each child.
Please also check out this link for information and an attendance video:
https://hrl.nyc/videos/featured/featured-attendance
Sincerely,
Weston Staff
Douglas Hibbs, Principal
Holli Taylor, Counselor
Conferences are near, please come here!
Conferences will be on November 13th and November 14th at Weston. Both days will be from 3:50-6:50p. We will not have school on November 15th.
At Weston, we strive for 100% participation. We believe this is important in order for the success of each student. Please make an appointment to meet with your child's teacher. Call the Weston Office now, 591-8483.
During the conference, you will hear about all the hard work your child has put into the start of the year. Your child's teacher will communicate educational growth, district expectations, interventions, Individual Reading Plans (if necessary), At Home Reading Plans, our STAR Assessment, and more. DK and Kindergarten will share the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA).
We are excited to see you here!
Halloween is almost here!
Please see pictures below regarding expectations for Halloween at Weston. Papers will be sent home in the coming weeks.
DK/K Parade will be on October 31 at 9:45a.
1st Grade Parade will be on October 31 at 1:45p.
*If we have poor weather, rain, the parades will be cancelled.
Is it Bullying?
Student of the Month!
At Weston, students who show leadership will be picked to be Student of the Month Students. Classroom Teachers select students as they become positive examples of character words, words like respect, responsible, generous (and others).
Weston Wonders who are in the Student of the Month Group will get a certificate, their picture on a bulletin board and they will get to eat lunch with Ms. Taylor and Mr. Hibbs.
It is Homecoming Week!
This week, the week of October 7, is Homecoming Week. Cheer on the Kearsley Hornets!
Monday, 10/7: Favorite Pixar Movie/Character Day
Tuesday, 10/8: Be Incredible Day (or wear Incredible Colors, red and black)
Wednesday, 10/9: Inside Out Day
Thursday, 10/10: Dress Like a Superhero
Friday, 10/11: Blue and Gold (Wear Kearsley Gear)
*Friday Night, 10/11: Homecoming Parade, Dinner and a Football Game
Weston Elementary
Email: dhibbs@kearsleyschools.org
Website: www.kearsleyschools.org
Location: 2499 Cashin Street, Burton, MI, USA
Phone: 8105918483