Hawk Weekly
January 19th-22nd
Havel Elementary
Email: kristina.tepper@uticak12.org
Website: havel.uticak12.org
Location: 41855 Schoenherr Road, Sterling Heights, MI, USA
Phone: 586 7975200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HavelElementary/
Next Tuesday, January 19th, we will return from the long weekend after celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and will welcome back our Havel Hawks to In-Person/Remote Instruction. We are excited about that! We know that we’ll have challenges with some of the little things, but we are confident that we will have put protocols and process in place to assure that the big things work well! And, while we have great learning occurring in person, we’ve gone to incredible lengths to make sure that our other students, whether in the VA or learning remotely, will be fully engaged as well.
I continue to be proud of the work that UCS has done to create an environment that is safe, well-equipped and based on best-practices and the recommendation of our regional and state departments of Health and Human Services. We are excited to safely return to face to face learning. And, though I realize that it will not be without challenges, I am confident that together we will and we can do this well!
This week I would like to spotlight Mrs. Boroski's 6th grade class. They have been reading about trailblazing African Americans who overcame their struggles with racism in their early careers to become leaders in their fields. Mrs. Boroski states "Marian Anderson, with a voice like no other, was the first to sing in many white only venues paving the way for future African Americans. Marshall Taylor become one of the United States most decorated cyclist after training in Europe, but always representing the United States. Next week we will discuss Martin Luther King Jr. and how we can follow his leadership and change our world with our kindness one person at a time." I hope to be able to pop into their classroom and hear that discussion next week! :)
Safety Protocols
As a school and district, the health and safety of our students and staff remains the top priority. We need to work together to make sure that we can meet our goal of a return on January 19 and continue moving forward with increased in-person learning. Parents need to follow these safety protocols each morning and, if your child is experiencing any of these symptoms, please keep them at home. In the event that someone is diagnosed with COVID-19 and attends school, we are required to quarantine those students and teachers from their classroom into a remote setting. Working together, we can keep our students in the classroom and avoid any interruptions.
As a school, we will continue following the protocols that are important to keeping everyone safe, including encouraging frequent hand washing, use of sanitizers, distancing and wearing of face coverings. These protocols are all detailed in the updated parent handbook that is now on the district website.
Laptops & iPads should come to school charged every day!
Winter Gear Needed!
Arrival And Dismissal
As a reminder, due to our security protocols, parents WILL NOT be allowed in the classroom.
Arrival Procedures
- Students will wait on a social distancing spot outside of their classroom door while they wait for their teacher to welcome them into the classroom.
- If you are driving your child to school and walking them to the classroom we are highly encouraging ONE ADULT ONLY per student (and no siblings)
- Students must wear a mask
- Masks are required for all adults and children over the age of 2 years old
- The playground is not to be used while waiting for the teacher to open the classroom door
- We will be opening up a drop off lane in the back of the building for students in 4th, 5th, & 6th grade will be able to hop out and walk to their classroom exterior door.
- Supervision does not begin until 9:00 and 1:10. Parents DO NOT leave your child unattended prior to our supervision times.
Dismissal Procedures
Car Riders:
- Parents who are picking up students after school are encouraged to stay in their cars until dismissal. This will help us maintain social distancing and reduce overcrowding in the pick-up areas.
Classes will be staggered during dismissal at these times:
- Kindergarten- 11:40 am/3:50 pm from their exterior classroom doors
- 1st Grade- 11:45 am/ 3:55 pm from their exterior classroom doors
- 2nd Grade- 11:40 am/3:50 pm from their exterior classroom doors
- 3rd Grade- 11:45 am/ 3:55 pm from their exterior classroom doors
- 4th Grade- 11:50 am / 4:00 pm from their exterior classroom doors
- 5th Grade- 11:45 am/ 3:55 pm from their exterior classroom doors
- 6th Grade- 11:50 am / 4:00 pm from their exterior classroom doors
Transportation
Students are eligible for transportation service if their residence is 1.5 miles or farther from the school. Elementary students should not walk further than 0.5 mile to reach a bus stop and secondary students should not walk further than one mile.
The Transportation Department and schools will be contacting families directly regarding pick up and drop off times and locations.
While On the Bus
For students receiving bus service, the commitment to health and safety for in-person learning starts and ends each day at their bus stop.
Prior to entering the bus, students will need to use hand sanitizer provided by the district and wear face coverings. The students should look to their driver for instruction on proper seating and distancing while on the bus and the process for exiting the bus at arrival at school. Please watch the video below with your children. It details the important safety procedures that students must follow in riding the bus.
Before and after each run, buses will be cleaned and disinfected, including frequently touched services and any specialized equipment students may need to ride the bus safely. If weather permits, the windows will be open to allow the air to thoroughly circulate.
Breakfast and Lunch
Food Service
Elementary students in the AM and PM programs will be provided a grab and go breakfast and lunch at the end of their school day. Please refrigerate these meals once they come home. If you do not want your child to participate in this free meal program, please go to this link to disenroll. Unless otherwise noted in this opt-out form, food service will provide this service for your student.
Structure Of The Day
They will be attending their special and logging in to their teachers meeting for attendance. For example, if your child is starting their day at home with you, they will log into TEAMS for attendance and a check in from their teacher. They will work on their independent work that the teacher has given them and they will attend their special.
Our teachers will be communicating to you what the structure of the day as time to return gets closer.
Face To Face Time-
Students will receive direct instruction from their classroom teacher core curriculum content.
Students will be able to have a short recess break outside.
Students will receive lessons on how to wash their hands and how to wear/take care of their mask.
More specific information will come directly from your child's teacher.
School Age Child Care
Our UCS Community Education Department will be providing School Age Child Care for families that may require a half-day service. More information is available at this link.
Please provide all information regarding student travel/vacation to school office personnel. Parents may email or phone the office to report daily absences or upcoming travel. Daily absence reporting can be made 24/7 on our available absence line.
Office Contacts:
attendance line: (586) 797-5299
email: officehavel@uticak12.org
phone: (586) 797-5200
Free School Meals Extended Program
School Office Hours
The school office is open Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM.
Appointments may be scheduled between the hours of 8:30-11:00 AM and 12:30-3:15 PM. While much business may be completed over the phone during business hours, please reach out if you need a lunch-time appointment and we will work to flex our schedule for you. When calling ahead for your appointment, we will review our COVID-19 screening and safety precautions with you over the phone in preparation for your visit. Our office is happy to assist you when you call, and can be reached at 586-797-5200.
UCS Is Hiring
UCS IS NOW HIRING!
In anticipation of the need for certain positions upon a return to in-person instruction, Utica Community Schools Human Resources Department continues to actively recruit for the following personnel:
Bus Drivers
Utica Community Schools bus drivers get our students to and from school safely every day and are among the first and last members of our team to interact with students each day. UCS bus driver starting wage is $17.50 per hour with increases for experience and includes a competitive benefit package. Interested qualified candidates should complete an application at our website: uticak12.org under the employment tab. The district will train persons who are interested in obtaining a CDL license for the purpose of UCS employment. Call 586-797-7113 for more information.
Paraprofessionals
Utica Community Schools paraprofessionals (teacher assistants) support varied students populations ranging from children with special needs to limited English speakers. This rewarding work generally follows the school schedule and calendar. UCS paraprofessionals starting wage is approximately $13.00 per hour with increases for experience. Interested qualified candidates should complete an application at our website: uticak12.org under the employment tab. The district provides training as applicable. Call 586-797-1130 for more information.
Skilled Trades
Utica Community Schools employs an internal team of heat and vent technicians, plumbers, electricians, mechanics and other skilled trades to maintain our facilities and bus fleet. Some industrial or commercial experience is generally preferred. Interested qualified candidates should complete an application at our website: uticak12.org under the employment tab. Call 586-797-7130 for more information.
Opportunities for Employment Through Third Party:
Substitute Teachers
Substitute teachers provide a vital role in the education of students as they provide continuity during teacher absence and bring their own experiences into the classrooms. For this year, UCS is offering up to five guaranteed days per week at $125.00 per day for qualifying individuals. Interested candidates should sign up with edustaff.org, the districts third party service provider and once approved, notify the Human Resources Department, or any UCS principal, of availability. Retired former UCS teachers should call Human Resources directly at 586-797-1140. The district provides training as applicable.
Temporary School Support
Utica Community Schools is seeking persons to assist in a variety of ways within our schools upon the return of in-person instruction. These will be temporary assignments that range from assisting in the office to assisting teachers and other staff in and around the school. The positions are paid at $13.00 per hour with part time schedules available. Individuals should first have recommendation of principal prior to pursuing this employment through third party employer, at edustaff.org.Help Desk Support For Parents and Students
Starting Tuesday, January 19, 2021 the UCS Helpdesk will offer two ways for parents and students to contact them directly for technical support:
- Telephone: 586-797-1055 from 7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- Email: techsupport@uticak12.org
While the first resource for addressing issues is the school, please refer parents and students to these methods if they have a technical support issue that you are not able to address. Staff members are asked to not use these contact methods, but to continue contacting the UCS Helpdesk as they have in the past.