October 20, 2023
October 20, 2023
- Observations Around Saline Area Schools
- Curriculum Corner
- My Future Fund
- School and Family Partnership Series
- Perceptions of Equity Survey Launching Next Week
- Saline Area Social Services Holiday Program
- Upcoming Events
Observations Around Saline Area Schools
Here’s what we observed around the District the last two weeks:
Harvest
- Young 5s discussing plans to prepare for their field trip to a pumpkin patch
- 2nd graders reading out loud with their best reading voices
- 3rd graders preparing for their end of the day “safety” duties, assisting younger students at dismissal
Woodland Meadows
Heritage
Saline Middle School
Saline High School
Liberty School
Pleasant Ridge
Setting a pace in PE
Heritage
Middle School
Playing student-created board games based on novels
High School
Preparing rice pilaf
Curriculum Corner
The Foundation for Saline Area Schools funds educational grants to foster teacher innovation and student success. Grants distributed by the Foundation can serve as seed money for educational initiatives that extend beyond the scope of the general fund. A 2022-23 grant helped to fund Everyday Speech for use by our Speech and Language Pathologists. We're thankful to the Foundation for helping to access new resources for our students. FSAS Teacher Grants are open now through November 4.
My Future Fund
Eligible 2nd-6th grade students attending a public school, like Saline Area Schools, automatically receive a My Future Fund account with $25 to start their savings account for college and career training through My Future Fund, unless a parent/guardian requests to opt out. Families of eligible students will begin to receive their My Future Fund Account login information later this year. All 2nd-6th grade families should complete the Release of Information form by October 31, 2023, to take full advantage of the My Future Fund program benefits, which could include an extra $475 for your child. Saline Area Schools is a proud partner of the My Future Fund program, which is operated by the Washtenaw Intermediate School District in collaboration with Washtenaw County Government. Please, visit www.myfuturefund.org for more information.
School & Family Partnership Series Recap
SAS hosted a School and Family Partnership Series session on October 11 focusing on Strategies for Supporting Student Wellness: Starting with Social Media and Digital Devices. The following summary is provided for folks who were unable to attend.
Dr. Jen Radesky from the University of Michigan focused on families with children Y5-3rd grade.
Session Slide Deck: Healthy Relationships with Media PK-3rd Grade
Robin Batten from Washtenaw Area Council for Children focused on families with students in grades 4-12, with an emphasis on cyber security and cyberbullying. The following resources were shared:
Washtenaw Area Council for Children: Parent Tips
Federal Trade Commission: Net Cetera- Chatting with kids about being online
Center for Missing and Exploited Children:
Perceptions of Equity Survey Launching Next Week
Beginning next week on October 24, 2023 Saline Area Schools, staff and families will receive a link to the biennial Perceptions of Equity Survey. Your feedback on this survey will help guide district and building work and is greatly appreciated. Students in grades 4th-12th will be invited to participate within the classroom setting. Participation is optional.
Saline Area Social Service Holiday Program
Saline Area Social Service’s Holiday Program provides celebratory meals and gifts for Saline area families and individuals in need during November and December each year. For those who are interested in participating in the 2023 Holiday Program, the sign-up for assistance and sponsorship is open now through Thursday, November 2nd at 2:30 p.m. Contact the SASS office at (734) 429–4570 for more information. The 2023 Holiday Program includes meals for Thanksgiving and the December holidays, toiletries, Adopt-A-Family gifts, toys and clothing for kids, and winter coats.
Upcoming Events
- October 20: No School
- October 24: Board of Education Meeting, 6:30 p.m., Liberty School Board Room
- October 25: Saline Main Street Trunk or Treat, 6:30-8:00 p.m. @ Key Bank Parking Lot
- November 20: Half Day
- November 21: Half Day
- November 22-24: No School
- February 1: School and Family Partnership Series: How to Raise an Adult, 6 p.m., Location TBD
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