August 25, 2023
In this week's update:
- Two Weeks in Review
- First Day of School & Building Schedules
- Important Changes and Updates for the 2023-2024 School Year
- Celebrating Saline Area Schools at the Saline Community Fair
- Washtenaw County Health Department Updates
- Two District Advisory Committees Seeking New Members
- Upcoming Events
Two Weeks in Review
It's been exciting to welcome staff and students back into our buildings the last two weeks! From schedule pick-ups, to open houses to staff professional development, the district has been buzzing with activity!
First Day of School & Building Schedules
We are very excited for the first day of school for our students for our first day of school on August 28th! Below is a reminder regarding all the start and end times for our school buildings and programs for full days of school.
- Harvest, Pleasant Ridge, Woodland Meadows (Young 5s - 3rd Grade)
- 8:51 a.m. - 3:44 p.m.
- Heritage School (4th-5th Grade)
- 8:51 a.m. - 3:44 p.m.
- Saline Middle School (6th-8th Grade)
- 8:00 a.m. - 2:54 p.m.
- Saline High School (9th-12th Grade)
- 7:50 a.m. - 2:44 p.m.
- Saline Alternative High School (at Liberty)
- 7:45 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
- Saline Young Adult Program (at Liberty)
- 7:45 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
- Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE at Liberty)
- Morning Section 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
- Afternoon Section 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Important Changes and Updates for the 2023-24 School Year
Free school meals for all Michigan public school students!
Full meals free, a la carte choices charged separately. Multiple healthy choices offered daily. Visit the SAS Food Service website for more information.
Bus Route Cancellations
Due to bus driver shortages, we must start the year by cancelling bus routes on a rotational basis. Visit the SAS Transportation website for more information.
New Building Check-In Process
Visitors are encouraged to use the kiosk in building entries to begin the visitor check-in, student sign-out, and student item drop-off processes.
Celebrate Saline Area Schools at the Saline Community Fair
Mark your calendars for a fun evening at the Saline Community Fair on Wednesday August 30 that serves to connect our school community with fun and entertaining fair activities. Fair admission is FREE on Wednesday, August 30 for anyone sporting Saline gear!
- See our Science Olympiad teams in action at the Saline Student Showcase on the stage in Building B from 4:30-6:00 p.m. SAS students will be demonstrating a collection of the challenges they compete in while participating in Science Olympiad throughout the school year.
- SAS will host the annual Ag Olympics event featuring staff and students participating in agriculturally-inspired games and relay races. SAS will have four teams comprised of students and administrators ready for the friendly competition. We hope to see a great turnout in the cheering section.
Washtenaw County Health Department Updates
In preparation for the start of the new school year, we're sharing important information from the Washtenaw County Health Department (WCHD). We hope families will take precautions to limit the spread of illnesses.
- The WCHD recommends that students and staff who test positive for COVID should remain home from school for 5 days after symptom onset and until symptoms have improved and the individual has been fever-free for at least 24 hours. Mask use is recommended for days 6-10. The updated COVID guidance for the 2023-24 school year will be posted to the WCHD website in the coming days.
- SAS will continue to monitor and report outbreaks of any communicable disease and follow the guidance outlined in the Managing Communicable Diseases in Schools.
- COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for everyone ages 6 months and older in the United States for the prevention of COVID-19. The CDC recommends that people stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccination.
- Routine annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all persons aged 6 months and older who do not have contraindications. The CDC has released a helpful summary of vaccination recommendations.
Two District Advisory Committees Seeking New Members
Two District-wide advisory committees are seeking applications for new members. Committee positions are open to parents, students, and community members. Applications are open on a rolling basis, but will be reviewed after September 30.
SAS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Committee (DEIAC)
The DEIAC, along with Saline Area Schools, are committed to creating a culturally competent and responsive school environment where the diverse attributes of each student, staff member, and community member are recognized, valued, and celebrated. If you are interested in being a part of this charge, please complete an application by September 30, 2023. Please direct any questions to Laura Washington at washingl@salineschools.org
SAS Wellness Committee
The mission of the SAS Wellness Committee is to ensure the Wellness Policy created by the Saline Board of Education, as required by law, is implemented and reviewed regularly. Additionally, we hope to support and improve the physical and mental health of our school community, both staff and students, through education, experiences, and access to goods and services. Interested individuals should complete an application by September 30, 2023. Please direct any questions to Musetta Deneen at deneenm@salineschools.org
Upcoming Events
- August 28: First Day of School for Students for the 2023/24 School Year
- August 30: Saline Schools Day at the Saline Community Fair
- Free admission when wearing Saline Schools gear
- 4:00 p.m.: Saline Alumni Gathering
- 4:30-6:00 p.m.: Saline Student Showcase featuring Science Olympiad
- 6:30-8:00 p.m.: Ag Olympics featuring SAS staff and students
- September 1-4: No School
- September 6: Middle School Open House, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
- September 7
- High School and Alternative High School Open Houses, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
- Early Childhood Special Education Open House, 5:00-6:30 p.m.
- Young Adult Open House, 5:30-7:00 p.m.
- September 16: Chad Tough Run
- October 5: Foundation for Saline Area Schools Luncheon, 12:00-1:00 p.m., Middle School Gymnasium
I hope you all have a great weekend!
Sincerely,
Stephen D. Laatsch, PhD
Superintendent
Saline Area Schools, The Pursuit of Excellence
7265 N. Ann Arbor St., Saline, Michigan 48176
734-401-4001
laatschs@salineschools.org