April 5, 2024
April 5, 2024
Observations Around Saline Area Schools
Here's what we observed in our buildings the last two weeks!
Harvest
Kindergarten students learning about “My Place in Space” in Media class
1st-grade scientists exploring a “Mystery Science” unit on Sun and Shadows, well-timed for a great upcoming lesson on the solar eclipse
2nd graders choosing “just right” feeling words to describe characters in their writing samples
Pleasant Ridge
- 1st-grade students keeping their peers safe while completing an obstacle course during Physical Education.
Students learning about the color wheel and completing weaving projects in Art.
Young musicians learning about jazz music and trying their hand at scatt using the alphabet in the style of Ella Fitzgerald in Music.
Students participating in “Space Camp” with a variety of activities in Media.
Woodland Meadows
- 2nd-grade artists painting warm and cool colors on paper and then practicing paper weaving
3rd-grade students preparing for their “Mini Societies” with a unit on “interdependence” - you need to spend money to make money
iLab student building with materials in a unit where they are learning about fluorescence, luminescence and chemiluminescence
Heritage
- Physical Education students having fun playing Royal Newcombe
4th grade students designing their Poetry Books as they begin a poetry unit
5th-grade orchestra students practicing a piece of a music called Subatomic
Students learning about solar eclipses as they prepare for the upcoming big event on Monday, April 8th
Middle School
- 6th grade students working on “Wh” questions using adaptive and augmentative technology on their iPads in Resource Room.
7th grade social studies students testing their knowledge about the placement of countries around the world as part of a unit on globalization
7th grade scientist completing a “cell city” analogy using different kinds of cereal boxes
8th grade science students reviewing potential energy concepts in preparation for an upcoming assessment
8th grade ELA student working on On-Demand writing samples based on inspirational youth leaders like Mari Copeny and Malala Yousafzai
High School
- English 9B students responding to one of the three stories (Scarlet Ibis, Cask of Amontillado, Most Dangerous Game)
ELA students reading Act 2 in Romeo & Juliet
Health Science students learning about how insert nasogastric suction tubes and their impact on children
Biology students studying real-life cancer cells
Culinary I students preparing, cooking and baking French cuisine (baguettes, beef bourguignon, fondue, French onion soup, and creme brulee)
Liberty
- Reading to our Great Start Readiness Program students
- Alternative High School students completing a daily news quiz on current events
- Alternative High School students learning from a guest speaker representing Washtenaw Community College Admissions
- Young Adult students learning about Belgium while enjoying Belgian waffles
- Young Adult students learning about the solar eclipse and wearing eclipse glasses safely
Safety Minute
At the start of the 2023-24 school year, Saline Area Schools launched an updated system to support student check-out, item drop-off, and visitor check-in and screening. Each school vestibule is equipped with a free-standing tablet that presents several options for guests during the school day ranging from student drop-offs and pick-ups to visitors and chaperones who interact directly with students. Upon entering a school building or visiting a classroom during the school day, guests must complete a brief screening process before being issued a visitor badge. This requires the scan of a government-issued photo identification. The Guest system is one of the many safeguards utilized by the District to increase the safety and security of our students.
Affinity Group Listening Sessions
Families are invited to join Superintendent Laatsch, DEI Specialist Ryan Kerr, and City of Saline and Pittsfield Township officials in conversations with affinity groups to better understand families’ experiences in Saline Area Schools and the greater Saline community. As an educational community, Saline strives to embrace diversity and create a culture of equity and inclusion. Saline Area Schools continues to focus on being a more culturally responsive District by seeking to eliminate discrimination and harassment from our system. An RSVP is appreciated, but not required to attend.
April 29: Families of students who are Black or African American.
May 2: Families of students who are Asian, Hispanic, Latino, Native American, or Pacific Islander
May 7: Families of students with special needs
May 8: Families of students who identify as LGBTQIA+
May 13: Families of students who follow religious traditions
How to Run for the Board of Education: Informational Session
Are you interested in running for the Saline Area Schools Board of Education? Board of Education President Michael McVey has organized an informational session for anyone considering running for the Saline Area Schools Board of Education in this November’s election. Dr. McVey will cover the basics of how to get your name on the ballot, considerations for campaigning, and the nature of the role of a Board of Education Trustee. Additional information about the process is available on the Saline Board of Education website.
Dates: Tuesday, April 16 and repeated on Tuesday, April 30
Time: 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Location: Saline District Library (Brecon Room), 555 N. Maple Road
Your attendance does not suggest a commitment to running and this session is not a sponsored Library activity.
Bus Route Application Change
Serve as a Host Family for the 2024-25 School Year
Saline High School is partnering with Educatius to bring international students to the Saline community. We will be welcoming Elia from Spain, Laura from Brazil, Linnae “Linni” from Sweden, and Siao “Molly” from Taiwan. Now is the time to qualify to become a host family for the coming school year! Signing up early allows families to share preferences (gender, age, country, interests) to ensure the best fit for the student and have plenty of time to get acquainted virtually before school starts. Educatius host families receive a $400 monthly stipend to offset the costs of hosting and training/local support to serve in this role successfully. Educatius students also pay our school partners tuition and come with spending money and health insurance. Contact Saline Local Coordinator, Jyl Barnett Nolan, at (262) 468-8035 today to learn how you can have an impact on the life of a student whose dream it is to study in America!
Solar Eclipse
Repeated from 3/22/24
Many parts of the United States will observe a total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8. While Saline is outside of the path of totality, residents are expected to experience a partial eclipse (98.5%). Teachers are providing instruction about the eclipse and eclipse viewing safety in Young 5s-6th grade and in science classrooms across the District.
The District will provide solar eclipse glasses to all students and staff to safely view the eclipse. If weather conditions and classroom lessons permit, teachers may take students outside to view the eclipse using these glasses. If you prefer your student(s) not participate in this type of experience, please contact your student’s teacher(s) directly.
In addition to classroom resources, the Saline District Library is offering an Eclipse Program presented by the Longway Planetarium on Saturday, April 6 from 2-3 p.m. Families must register to attend this free event. More information on the eclipse, timeframe, and instructions to safely view the eclipse is available from NASA.
Annual District Quality Survey
Repeated from 3/22/24
Beginning next week, Saline Area Schools will be inviting all staff and students/families in grades 3-12 to participate in the annual end-of-year school/district climate survey (also referred to as the District Quality survey). The District wants to hear your thoughts on critical school issues, including academic support, student support, family involvement, school/district leadership, safety, and behavior. Your feedback on this survey helps guide our work. This is one of the surveys the District facilitates annually in order to collect feedback from stakeholders using a systemic approach. You can learn more about the timing of annual District surveys here. Students in 3rd-12th grades will be invited to take this survey within the April 8-26 timeframe. Parents/guardians can preview the student surveys below. If you prefer your child not participate in this survey, please reach out to your child's building principal.
These annual surveys are an important part of our District’s continuous improvement process and provide many examples of highlights to celebrate as well as data that can serve as a catalyst for change in areas of improvement. Refer to the complete District Quality Summary Report for findings from the 2022-23 survey.
School and Family Partnership Series: Ready, Set, Summer Success!
Repeated from 3/22/24
Parents and guardians are invited to join Saline Area Schools team members to prepare for a productive summer break! The session will be hosted at the Liberty School Board Room on Wednesday, April 30 from 6-8 p.m. Jenn Nelson, Literacy Coach & Instructional Designer, and Caroline Stout, MTSS Coordinator, will share strategies to improve literacy skills for students in grades K-5 from 6-7 p.m. Families of students in grades K-8 are invited to learn strategies to create consistency, set boundaries, and establish routines in order to support positive behavior from 7-8 p.m. This session will be led by Sharon Cho and Katie McGee, Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA). Families are welcome to attend one or both sessions. An RSVP is appreciated but not required.
Upcoming Events
- April 6: Saline Fiddlers Hometown Show with Special Guests Kittel & Co., 7:00 p.m., SHS Auditorium
- April 9: Board of Education Meeting, 6:30 p.m., Liberty School Board Room
- April 30: School and Family Partnership Series: Ready, Set, Summer Success, 6 -8 p.m., Liberty School Board Room
District Calendars
The complete 2023-24 District Calendar and the 2024-25 At-a-Glance calendar are now available on the website.
I hope you 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