Dolphin Digest
April 2018 Newsletter
From the Principal
Dear Dolphins,
We are Clarkston. Literally. We (you and me) are Clarkston. Who we are, how we interact and what we do is Clarkston. We are Clarkston.
I was talking with a third grader in my office this week about the National Title game taking place on our Basketball Courts on the playground. He had received a Flagrant 2 (technical foul) call by the ref (recess aide). I asked him who had been affected by the foul. He told me, “Everyone on the court. Our school because I am representing our school and Clarkston. My family too.” While this future Wolves basketball player committed a foul, he certainly understands the bigger picture. This is a result of synergy between the home/school partnership.
We are Clarkston in what we teach our kids. In what we model for our kids. Clarkston is a destination to be a part of - particularly in the spring when we celebrate our kids. From our citizenship and service recognitions to academic honors and awards to our athletic achievements. This spring, on April 20, at Springfield Plains, we will celebrate all 533 students and 63 staff members and their families. We will showcase our synergistic approach to learning through modeling community outreach and service. We have loved, learned and led this year beyond the walls of our classrooms. Our kids understand they are part of something bigger. They represent. Because they are Clarkston.
As I called upon all families and households to focus on kindness, understanding and empathy for the wellbeing of our children and their future last month; I ask that you synergize a solution with your child to a problem they may be facing. If you would like to, here is a template to help guide your thoughts. We will focus on Habit 6, Synergize this month because our kids need to value differences and be able to seek third alternatives. Habit 6 is more than just working together.
We are Clarkston.
Matthew Gifford, Principal
Love. Learn. Lead.
Important Contact Information
SPE Main Office 248.623.3800, Secretary Karen Postal
Attendance Line 248.623.3890Fax 248.623.3805
Email: kepostal@clarkston.k12.mi.us
Website: www.clarkston.k12.mi.us/schools/SPE
Location: 8650 Holcomb Road, Clarkston, MI 48348, United States
Phone: 248.623.3800
SPE MAIN ENTRANCE CLOSURE
Effective Monday, April 23, our main entrance will be closed for Bond Construction work. Our temporary main entrance will be the Dolphin Hallway. The Dolphin Hallway is our shipping and receiving door that is also used as our Kids Connection entrance.
NEW DROP-OFF & PICK-UP PROCEDURES:
GRADES 1-5: drop-off and pick-up will take place at the Dolphin Hallway entrance.
KINDERGARTEN: drop-off and pick-up will remain the same.
YOUNG FIVES: drop-off and pick-up at the Kindergarten doors as well.
Parents will not be allowed at any time to congregate in the Dolphin Hallway during drop-off & pick-up times.
A map (click here) with the drop-off/pick-up route and procedures along with a formal letter (click here) will be eblasted and a paper copy included in Friday Folders.
April Birthday Book Club
Lily Acosta, Andrew Reneaud, Cameron Kirk, Cooper Ouellette, Alyson Marra, Evelynn Suida, Charlie Boehms, Ryder adams, Justin Walsh, Samantha Ouellette, Miles Bordine, Jaxson Bordine, April Laskowski, Claudia Carr
M - Step Testing
Attendance is very important during these testing days! Please make sure that your child arrives to school on time and please avoid early dismissals during the testing days. If your child is unable to come to school, we will have scheduled days for students to make up testing during the testing period.
Please assist your child in helping to perform his/her best by:
* Having your child get a good night's sleep.
* Having your child eat a good breakfast, packing water, and healthy snacks.
* Encouraging your child to do their best and assisting to relieve any anxiety associated with test taking, with positive reinforcement.
*April 1 - Happy Easter!
*April 2-6 - NO SCHOOL (K-12 Spring Break)*April 12 - 5th Grade Parent Orientation @ SMS, 6-8 p.m.
*April 16 - 5th Grade Visit to SMS
*April 20 - "Celebrate SPE" 8:00 a.m.-10:45 a.m.
*April 20 - Half Day Dismissal, 11:45 a.m.
*April 21 - Maker Girl Mania
*April 23 - SPE MAIN ENTRANCE WILL BE CLOSED
*April 27 - Variety Show, 6:30-9:00 p.m.
CELEBRATE SPE
The Leader In Me
Friday, April 20th~8:30-10:45 a.m.
"Spend an inspirational morning to see how we..."
LOVE.LEARN.LEAD.
*Learn about Academic Service Learning and how SPE connects meaningful projects that positively contribute to our community.
*Visit classrooms and participate in a hands-on project that will be delivered to our many community partners.
*Celebrate the successful integration of the 7 Habits into each Academic Service Learning project.
*Enjoy a light breakfast and take a Gallery Walk to experience our integration of academics, service, and leadership.
RSVP by March 30, 2018
Let us know if you'll be attending by responding to the following link:
Conference Dinner Thank You!
Thank you to Melissa Taylor, Laura Hoffman and Liz Sopoliga for organizing, setting up and cleaning up the delicious dinners on the Parent Teacher Conference nights.
The Staff is very grateful!!
Kindergarten & Young Fives
Enrollment Process
2018-2019
*Visit the CCS Schools Website www.clarkston.k12.mi.us
*Click on the Enroll Tab at the top of the screen
*Scroll down to bottom of page.
*Select the Young Fives/Kindergarten Enrollment Packet.
*Fill out the packet and gather supporting documents.
*Going back to our website, click on “Book An Appointment” icon to schedule an enrollment appointment.
*Bring the completed packet and supporting documents needed from the checklist to Central Enrollment at the time of your appointment.
2018-19 Kindergarten Registration (Administration Building, Central Enrollment)
Monday - Thursday
8:00 a.m to 10:30 a.m.
1:00 p.m - 3:30 p.m.
(To better serve our families, watch for extended hours on our website.)
Maker Girl Mania
We will be charging $6.00 for each participant (Parents are FREE!) for Maker Girl Mania this year. This will help us fund Maker Girl for many more years to come. On Friday, April 20 from 12:00-5:00 pm, you will have the opportunity to pre-pay before this event at Clarkston High School.
We are estimating around 600 girls participating in this event! There will be three sessions taking place this day. Each session last 2.5 hours. Please don't delay on registering. This event will fill up fast. Session Times: 8:00 - 10:30, 11:00 - 1:30, 2:00 - 4:30. Registration online @ http://bit.ly/makergirl
We look forward to seeing you at the event!
Check out Links below for important upcoming events!
Reminder! SPE SCHOOL AND DISTRICT E-BLASTS
With possible school closings, please remember to sign up to receive email notices (e-blasts) specific to SPE families and/or our district e-blasts. Here's how:
- Go to our district webpage: www.clarkston.k12.mi.us
- Choose the RESOURCES tab
- Under PARENTS, select CALENDAR
- Choose the CLARKSTON COMMUNITY CALENDAR link
- Select the EMAIL REMINDERS tab
- Enter the email address you would like to use to receive information and select NEXT
- Choose CCS- CLARKSTON COMMUNITY SCHOOLS and select NEXT at the bottom
- Choose SPE
- Choose SUBMIT at the bottom of the page
You can also choose other schools, if you have children that attend other Clarkston Schools.
ParentVue - Student Information System
Please make sure to take some time to review the information in ParentVue and make sure that we have the most accurate and updated information, particularly phone numbers and emergency contacts.
To access ParentVue:
Go to the Clarkston Schools’ webpage www.clarkston.k12.mi.us
Choose the Resources tab and then select ParentVue
Clarkston Community Schools Student Calendar 2017-2018
Please visit the CCS website at www.clarkston.k12.mi.us for a full district calendar. The Springfield Plains website has a calendar with specific school events. Go to www.clarkston.k12.mi.us/schools/Springfield Plains.
2017-2018 PTA Officers
President, Mary Warner
1st Vice President, Kristy Brandon
2nd Vice President, Tracy Bessert
Secretary, Kathy Jakubiak
Treasurer, Shannon Doyle
Asst. Treasurer, April Love
Membership Coordinator, Maggie Benson
Volunteer Coordinator, Kelsey Jones
Homeroom Coordinator, Nichole Kraatz
Ways & Means - Janel Sadowski
Clarkston Community Schools Discrimination Acts
The Clarkston Community Schools, 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, and the Americans with Disability Act of 1990, states that it is the policy of the Clarkston Community School District that no person shall, on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, or ancestry, age gender, marital status, disability, height, weight, and/or any other legally protected characteristic, be discriminated against, excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to, discrimination in any program or activity for which the Board is responsible or for which it receives financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Education.
If any person believes that the Clarkston Community School District or any part of the school organization is guilty of discrimination as noted above, he/she may bring forward a complaint which should be referred to as a grievance to the following public officials:
Deputy Superintendent (Section 504 Coordinator)
Clarkston Community Schools, 6389 Clarkston Road,
PO Box 1050, Clarkston, MI 48347-1050
(All other inquiries related to discrimination)
Executive Director of Personnel & Auxiliary Services
Clarkston Community Schools, 6389 Clarkston Road