Wolverine Weekly
April 1 - 5, 2024
Welcome back from Spring Break! I hope that you all had a restful, relaxing, and rejuvenating break!
We will be hosting parent teacher conferences on Wednesday, April 3rd from 4-7pm. If you haven't already scheduled a conference with your child's teacher, please do. Our teachers look forward to speaking with you about your child's many successes and areas for growth.
Don't forget our Scholastic Book Fair is taking place this week April 1-5th. The fair will be open during different times throughout the day. Parents will be able to shop during conferences from 4-7pm on Wednesday, April 3rd.
This week we kick off our Dimes for Diapers event! To help raise money for the little ones in our community, students can wear a hat on Thursday for $1. All proceeds will go towards Dimes for Diapers. Please note the hat must be appropriate for school.
Students have a half day of instruction on Friday, April 5th. Dismissal will be at 12:05pm.
Mark your calendars for our elementary band concert on May 28th from 6-8:30pm. We hope that you can join us!
Do you have a future Kindergarten wolverine!? See below the flyer for up to date information on Kindergarten enrollment.
DIMES for DIAPERS is BACK!!
Dear families,
It’s that time of year again! The Dimes for Diapers fundraiser will take place April 1st - April 30th. Students may bring in money as soon as April 1st with all donations benefiting the Flint Diaper Bank!
Along with donations, we will also have special dress days for $1 each day. These include hat day, pj day, Atherton day and more! The dollar that your child pays for these special dress days will be included in their class total, the top class will earn a pizza party! Please see the attached calendar for dates and themes.
This year we will also have a school goal of $3,000. If this goal is achieved, students will get a surprise treat from Mrs. Morford!
I look forward to a successful fundraiser to help Genesee County families! Every little bit helps! Donating as little as 10 cents can help a local family have diapers for their child.
If you have any questions, please let me know at msawade@athertonschools.org
Thank you for your support!
Marie Sawade
K-6 STEM Teacher
Atherton Elementary Spelling Bee Results!
Congratulations to all the participants in this year’s spelling bee. You should be so proud of yourself for making on the stage. In each grade the 1st, 2nd place, and alternate will be going to the county wide spelling bee in April. Parents be on the lookout for a special dinner for our winners after spring break!!!
4th Grade Winners
Logan Petties
Evening Buccaneer
Kennedi Obleton
5th Grade Winners
Mya Ramm
Daniel Kaake
Damia Moore
6th Grade Winners
Harmony Leach
Donald Sears
Donquay Simpson
Student of the Month for March
We would like to congratulate the following students who were recognized for the month of February for modeling our theme of Confidence.
Aubreya Jones
Addilyn Johnson
Ja'Niyah Glover
Jordyn Blalock
Evan Darnell
Delaney Roemer
Isaac Kittle
Payton Peters
Kassandra Leon
Thea Robison
Emma Howard
Upcoming Lock-In Opportunity for 4th-6th grade students
Our 4th-6th grade students will have an opportunity to take part in a lock-in coming up. Know that this is an opportunity for students to earn based on positive behavior. Students who receive a suspension or multiple referrals will not be invited to this event.
Monthly School Theme & Focus: COURAGE
Our focus this month is on COURAGE.
Courage matters! Everyday, children need courage, to grapple with the challenges of life, in themselves, in the home, at school, in life. There are many ways to define courage. Through books and reading children learn about the many different struggles and things that characters do to show courage and make it through. Whether a child is learning a new difficult skill or reimagining her ability to tackle a challenge, risk taking and courage play important roles. Risk taking begins with a deicsion to act, and courage provided the inspiration to act. Courage is critical for change and growth to occur.
What might be some things that you can model for your child(ren) pertaining to courage? Maybe it might be having a tough conversation that you are scared to have. Maybe it is standing up for something that you strongly believe in. Maybe it is stretching out the word that you are trying to write. Maybe it is riding a bike without training wheels or driving a car for the first time.
Creekwood Transportation Changes effective Monday, March 11th
To the Parents/Guardians of Atherton Schools who reside in Creekwood Mobile Home Park,
Students can utilize the bus stop that is nearest to their home
Mill Valley at corner of Creekside Blvd
Coal Creek at corner of Creekside Blvd
Valley Creek at corner of Creekside Blvd
Bunny Creek at corner of Creekside Blvd
Both high school and elementary will be utilizing these stops. See below timing to plan ahead.
Elementary
The morning pick up time for elementary students will be approximately 7:50 am
Afternoon drop off time for the elementary at this time is approximately 3:25 pm
High school
The morning pick up time for high school students will be approximately 6:50 am
Afternoon drop off for the high school will be approximately 2:40 pm
Thank You for your support,
Jason Hammon, Operations Director
Mrs. Hyatt, Maintenance/Operations Office Clerk
Parent Group is in need of help!
Student dress Code Policy
They say it takes a village....well it does and I need your help! Before your wolverine leaves each day to come to school please be sure that they are dressed ready to learn. I am sharing with you the section regarding dress code from the student handbook. IF you have questions please contact Mrs. Morford or Mr. Wells.
Dress and Grooming
While fashion changes, the reason for being in school does not. Students are in school
to learn. Any fashion (dress, accessory, or hairstyle) that disrupts the educational
process or presents a safety risk will not be permitted. Personal expression is permitted
within these general guidelines.
Students should consider the following questions when dressing for school:
Does my clothing expose too much? (no)
Does my clothing advertise something that is prohibited to minors? (no)
Are there obscene, profane, drug-related, gang-related, or inflammatory
messages on my clothing? (no)
Would I interview for a job in this outfit? (yes)
Am I dressed appropriately for the weather? (yes)
Do I feel comfortable with my appearance? (yes)
If a student has selected a manner of appearance that is beyond mere freedom of
expression and disrupts the educational process or presents risk to themselves or
others, they may be removed from the educational setting.
The following styles or manners of dress are prohibited:
● No visible skin is to be seen between the shoulders and the top of the knee
including holes/rips in pants
● halter tops
● outside wear including hats, gloves, coats/jackets
● No hats, bandannas, or head wraps/head covers unless for recognized religious
reasons and approved by the principal
● Hoods on hoodies must be down
● No sagging pants – pockets of pants must be worn on the buttocks
● No revealing necklines
● No tank tops
● Shoulder Straps must be over 2 inch thick
● No bare shoulders
● No slippers; open-toed sandals
● No clothing with sexual content, inappropriate suggestions, profanity, drugs,
alcohol or tobacco
● No clothing with gang affiliation
● No clothing/garment that can be considered disruptive or unsafe
● Revealing shirts of any kind must have a top underneath that covers the
students completely
● Pants may not have writing on the buttocks
● Heely’s or shoes with wheels
● ALL OTHER ITEMS DEEMED unsafe or disruptive by Dean of Students or
Principal
Students who are representing Atherton Elementary at an official function or public
event may be required to follow specific dress requirements. Usually, this applies to
athletic teams, cheerleaders, bands, and other such groups.
For more information see Board Policy 5511 - Dress and Grooming
Dolly's Imagination Library
It’s a pleasure to announce that Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is now open to families throughout Genesee County! The program provides children's books to families each month from brith through the child's 5th birthday. Sign up today by completing information here. If you need assitance in registering children, please stop by our school office or one of the area 19 Genesee District Library branches.
Happy reading!
Popcorn Friday!
Parent Group is selling popcorn for $1 a bag with a limit of 4 bags per student. The following days will be popcorn days:
April 26
May 31 - FREE popcorn day-
End of Day Dismissal Procedure
Parking Lot Safety Procedures
Parents, when dropping off and picking up your children “Safety Comes First.” It is very important that you follow all of our parking lot expectations to help us make sure no children, staff or families are put in harm’s way. We understand that you as parents and guardians have jobs and other important responsibilities that you have to attend to for your family and yourself. To help keep everyone safe please manage and plan accordingly to arrive at the school for drop off and pick up 10 to 15 minutes ahead of time. Understand that you will not be quickly in and out of the parking lot. Please be patient and we will work hard to make sure the system runs efficiently so you are able to make it to work or your next destination of importance.
Below are the parking lot expectations for student drop off and pick up. We are respectfully requesting all of you to follow to help keep your child and other Atherton students safe.
Every vehicle must pull curbside: When dropping off and picking up all cars must pull along the curbside.
Every vehicle must follow the flow of traffic: When following the flow of traffic you must remain behind the car in front of you and not cut the line.
Every vehicle must be in line: Parents may not park or bring your child across the parking lot for drop off nor request your child to walk across the parking lot to enter/exit a vehicle at pick up.
All students must be dropped off on the curb side: Parents please make sure you let your child or children out on the curb side (passenger side) and not on the parking lot side (driver side). This will keep them safe. You may have to move car seats to allow enter/exit to vehicles on the curbside of the car. This is a must. No Exceptions!
Drop off time for students: Doors open at 8:05am for students to enter. Staff will be in the drive-up along the curb at this time to welcome students. There will be no supervision before 8:05am so do not drop your child off.
Pick up time for students: Dismissal for students is 3:28pm. Students will be leaving classrooms to prepare for parent pick-up at 3:22pm. At this time we will begin loading cars. Do not expect to drive in quickly to get your child at this time. You must join the queue.
Students arriving after 8:25am: Students arriving after 8:25am are considered tardy. Parents must park and walk your child up to the door and sign them in at the office. Note that for every (3) tardies that will become an absence.
Students being picked up after 3:28pm: Parents, if you consistently pick your child up late we will make contact with you to schedule a meeting and determine appropriate next steps in how we can work together. If it continues to be an issue after speaking with you, we may need to involve the authorities.
Clarity of understanding for certain drop off and pick up students: In the past years we have had some families not following our parking lot expectations because they have stated “Other cars are parking and walking their child up.” Parents, please understand that our district has some children that have certain circumstances that we allow their parents to park and be escorted across the parking lot and given to one of our staff members.
Thank you for your continued work to ensure our students and staff are safe. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Mrs. Morford.
Calling all volunteers....
Important Dates
April 1 - 5 - Scholastic Book Fair
April 3 - Kindergarten Round Up from 1pm - 7pm
April 3 - Parent Teacher Conferences from 4-7pm
April 5 - 3rd Marking Period Awards
April 5 - Half Day for students; dismissal at 12:05pm
April 10 - ELGA Deposit Day
April 19 - Lock In for 4th-6th grade
April 24 - Early Release; Dismissal at 1:58PM
May 8 - ELGA Deposit Day
May 8 - Early Release; Dismissal at 1:58PM
May 22 - Early Release; Dismissal at 1:58PM
May 27 - No School; Memorial Day
May 28 - Elementary band concert from 6-8:30am
June 7 - Last Day of School; Half Day with Dismissal at 12:05PM