The Bronco Bulletin
May, 2018
Independence Elementary School
Phone: 248-623-5500
Fax: 248-623-5554
Attendance: 248-623-5590
From the Principal...
Team,
And So It Begins...
Has anyone noticed that Independence Elementary is under construction???? For the last month this has been quite the buzz around the school. I have noticed students staring out of their windows watching the men work with simple amazement. I've heard words of "Wow, how do they do that, construction workers rock!" Teachers have made the construction real for our Broncos by reading nonfiction books about cranes and diggers, and even by completing thinking routines centered on what the students are noticing each day. Even our Construction Site Manager visited a couple of classrooms to discuss his role in the construction business.
During this time our family - our students, faculty, and families - have really had to stay true to having a growth mindset. We've had to rework, be flexible, be patient, use a variety of resources, and trust in one another for the greatness that we know is coming. The truth is we all know that what makes Independence an amazing school is not all of the tweaks we're making to it, but what is inside of it. The soul of us. The stories that these kids and all of us share together. That yes, through all of the construction we will have updated entrances, new technologies, addtions, but all of these are only pieces to help illuminate and enhance our core.
Do you see where I'm going here...?
This is what we at IE envision for your children. That we will constantly look at each child as an opportunity to grow upon their greatness. Yes, we will have a growth mindset, rework the system, be flexible, patient, use a variety of resources, and lean on one another to do everything possible for your child's story to grow. We may have just started the construction on the outside of IE, but on the inside we have been constructing everyday since the opening of school.
Take the time to enjoy the transformation to our school. Enjoy the conversations you can have with your kids about the "coolness" of construction. When the next school year arrives, it will be pretty amazing to see!
Giddy Up Bronco Families, Giddy Up!
Mr. Nate Fuller
SCAMP
SCAMP WALK and ROLL- LET'S BRING HOME THE GOLDEN SHOE, BRONCOS!!!
Please join us in helping out an amazing camp here in Clarkston for our students and adults with special needs. Each year the community comes together at Depot Park to raise money to support SCAMP!
This Sunday, May 6th is the SCAMP Walk and Roll at Depot Park!!! Pledge forms went home last week, and you can return the permission slip to school or register online. We would like to have as many students participate as possible!
If we have ...
50 students participate we will have pajama day!
100 students participate we will have popsicles for the whole school!
150 students participate we will have a school-wide movie day!!
Here is the Link to the scamp website for more information:
https://www.clarkstonscamp.org/walk-and-roll/
Every year the schools in Clarkston compete for the “golden shoe." This a trophy that the school with the most money raised gets to keep for the year! Currently Clarkston Elementary (Mr. Fuller’s alma mater) has the golden shoe and we would love to have the chance to steal it away from them and bring it home to the BRONCO STABLE!!
This year we are going to have multiple fundraisers to help us raise money.
May 8th- pay to paint a window! During recess on this day your child can pay $5.00 to paint a window of our school!
May 11th- SLIME the Independence Elementary staff- during a special assembly students will have the opportunity to slime Mr. Fuller, Mrs. Douglas, Mr. Spring and many more staff members for a $5.00 donation (SLIME will be made from vanilla pudding and green food coloring).
Flyers will be coming home with your child with more information!
A.C.E.S. Day (All Children Exercise Simultaneously)
A.C.E.S. stands for All Children Exercising Simultaneously. It was created by a PE teacher in an effort to motivate children to exercise. IE was sponsored by the Rossell Farm Bureau Insurance Agency again this year (thank you!).
Many thanks to Jessica Heslip (MUEVA aerobics instructor, and mother of a Bronco) for leading our staff and students in a fun, upbeat aerobic activity.
We had a blast!
S.O.C.K.S. Day
Once again, we want to thank all of you for another fantastic S.O.C.K.S. Day! We know that this does not happen without so much preparation and hard work by so many. Thank you for understanding the value in our projects. Thank you for helping our kids to understand the value of serving. Thanks to our parent volunteers - so many of them! Thanks for reaching out to our community partners. Thanks for guiding students to reflect on our day.
Social Studies Quiz Bowl
These young men will compete against teams from the other 6 elementary schools as well as teams from around the area at Clarkston High School on Saturday, May 19th. Good luck, Geo Penguins!
Congratulations to Our IE Scholarship Winner
Art Celebrations
Letter and Map about the construction and logistics at IE
Drop off and Pick up Reminders
1. As you may know, the pickup and drop off areas can be quite congested during these times of the day. Please do not park or wait in the drop off line to watch for your student to enter the building. This should be a quick drop off. Staff is always on duty outside to ensure that students enter the building safely. If you wish to see your child into the school, it is encouraged that you either park in our parking lot and walk your son or daughter up to the line-up area, or into the building.
2. To ensure student safety, please remind your student(s) to exit their vehicle from the right side when dropping off. With passing cars on the left side, we want to be extra cautious.
3. For pick up, please make sure to only park in designated areas. Please do not park in fire lanes or the bus loop.
4. Again to ensure student safety, please walk your child to your vehicle. Students should not be running out to meet an adult at a vehicle that is parked in the parking lot.
5. With the new pickup procedure in the afternoon, it is imperative that you walk your child all the way down to the crosswalk to cross into the parking lot. Please do not try to dodge between cars.
Thank you for helping us keep our Broncos safe!
M - Step Testing Dates & Practice Problems
4th Grade Testing Window April 30th - May 25th
3rd Grade Testing Window April 30th - May 25th
Important Upcoming Dates
5/7 Culver’s Night 6-8 pm
5/8 Muffins with Mom (A-M) 8:00 am
5/9 Muffins with Mom (N-Z) 8:00 am
5/9 Y5 Orientation 6-7 pm
5/10 Variety Show 6:30 pm CJHS
5/18 Half Day of School 11:46 am Dismissal
5/25 2nd Grade Cranbrook
5/30 2nd Grade Clarkston Walk
5/28 Memorial Day
5/31 Field Day
6/1 Half-Day of School 11:46 am Dismissal
6/4 5th Grade Greenfield Village
6/7 Fifth Grade Celebration 9:30 am
6/8 Last Day of School Half-Day 11:46 am Dismissal
Leader in Me News
Independence Elementary is very proud to be starting our second year as a Leader in Me School! LiM teaches 21st century leadership and life skills to students and creates a culture of student empowerment based on the idea that every child is a leader.
The 7 Habits
1. Be Proactive (you're in charge)
2. Begin with the End in Mind (have a plan)
3. Put First Things First (work first, then play)
4. Think Win-Win (everyone can win)
5. Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood (listen before you talk)
6. Synergize (together is better)
7. Sharpen the Saw (balance feels best)
- Ask your child about the 7 Habits! You will be amazed to see the leadership qualities come alive in your child as he/she has meaningful leadership discussions and experiences this year at IE. You may also be surprised that LiM isn't just a "school thing." It's a "Life Thing" - you will find how it is both applicable and helpful to your life at home, too.
- Click here for the LiM Parent Guide
Clarkston Calendar Updates
Stay informed of Clarkston Community Schools news and updates with email notifications ... it's simple!
- Go to www.clarkstoncalendar.org.
- Click on "Email Reminders."
- Enter your email address and click "Next."
- Scroll through the list and select those groups from which you’d like to receive email notifications. For individual schools, click on "CCS" and then scroll to the bottom of the list and select "Next" to choose subgroups.
- Scroll through the subgroup list and select those schools/other subgroups from which you’d like to receive email notifications. When finished, click on "Submit."
You’re all set! You should begin to receive eBlasts from the groups and subgroups you selected within days.
New Website
Please Update Your PARENTVUE Information
Visit ParentVue to update your information. Click Here
If you need a username and/or password reminder, please contact the main office.
Items that need attention in ParentVue annually
- Annual Notice for FERPA
- Annual Notice for Directory Information (Ability to opt out)
- Request to keep contact information private
- Annual Notice for PPRA
- Editing Student/Parent Information
- Student Code of Conduct Booklet
Volunteer Background Check
The following information is to provide clarification and consistency in the procedures for performing background checks on individuals that volunteer in the Clarkston Community School district.
- The State of Michigan requires by law that school districts perform background checks of school employees.
- Board policies require all potential volunteers be screened through ICHAT (Internet Criminal History Tool) and OTIS (Offender Tracking Information Services-sex offender registry). This is to be done prior to the first time an individual participates or volunteers for a school sponsored activity.
- All records are kept confidential and will not be received or disseminated to anyone not directly involved in the screening process.
- The district reserves the right to perform additional background checks at any time for the duration of the volunteer's service in the district. This can be performed regardless of self-disclosure of inappropriate behavior following the initial check.
- A master list of approved volunteers will be maintained by the district in accordance with Board policy.
School Lunch Information
Lunch $2.75
Reduced Lunch $.40
Breakfast $1.50
Milk $.50
If you would like to add money to your child's account, you may do so using www.sendmoneytoschool.com You can also send in a check and/or drop money off in the office.
FREE/REDUCED LUNCH
Complete the Free and Reduced Lunch Application online now at www.LunchApp.com
Applying online is easy with immediate notification if you qualify. All applicants will be notified via mail or you can contact the Clarkston Community Schools Nutrition office at (248) 623-8001.
A paper version of the Free and Reduced Lunch Application can be obtained from our school office.
- If you qualified for a free or reduced-price meal last year, we will use your eligibility for the first 30 operating days of the new school year. A new Free and Reduced Application must be submitted each school year.
Board of Education & Central Office Administration
- Elizabeth Egan, President
- Kelli Horst, Vice President
- Greg Need, Treasurer
- Steve Hyer, Secretary
- Sue Boatman, Trustee
- Andrea Catalina, Trustee
- Cheryl McGinnis, Trustee
- Shawn Ryan, Interium Superintendent
- Kathy Christopher, Executive Director of Student Support Services
- Westley Goodman, Executive Director of Operations
- John Lucido, Executive Director of Human Resources
- Mary Beth Rogers, Executive Director of Business Services
- Lori Banaszak, Administrator of Technology Integration
- Marla Ernst, Director of Nutrition Services
- Angela Harrison, Administrator of Technology
- Nancy Mahoney, Administrator of Curriculum, Professional Development & Grants
- Colleen Mayes, Transportation Director
- Billie Pambid, Shared Services Director
- Staci Puzio, Administrator of Instructional Technology, Testing & Program Evaluation
- Mary Ellen Rowe, Marketing Director
Transportation Updates
NEW BUS CHANGE PROCEDURES FOR 2017-2018
Effective for the 2017-2018 school year, students who wish to ride a bus other than the one they are assigned, or get off at a different stop than usual, they must present a signed Alternate Stop Form to their school building office no later than 2pm that day. Please plan ahead!
IMPORTANT NOTES
- Any changes in stop times greater than five minutes will be announced by the bus driver.
- Parents are responsible for the safety and behavior of their child to, from and while at the bus stop.
- Please remind students to stand away from the road and approach the bus after it comes to a complete stop
- Please advise students of an alternate location to go if parent or care giver is unable to be home at drop off time.
TRANSPORTATION DOCUMENTS
NON DISCRIMINATION CLAUSE
In compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, the Americans with Disability Act of 1990, and the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, it is the policy of the Clarkston Community School District that the Board of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, height, weight, marital status, genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristic, in its programs and activities, including employment opportunities. For more information contact the Executive Director of Human Resources, 6389 Clarkston Road, Clarkston MI, 48346, (248) 623-5400. For more information regarding ADA, contact the Deputy Superintendent, 6389 Clarkston Road, Clarkston MI, 48346, (248) 623-5400.