The Wildcat Report
The Newsletter of Marcellus Elementary - February 2020
News from the Office
Greetings Marcellus Families!
Can you believe it is February already? We are more than half-way through the school year! In fact, February 7th we will celebrate the 100th Day of School! Along with our students being 100 days smarter, we are hoping that Puxsutawney Phil’s prediction is correct and that spring is just around the corner.
I have seen an influx of situations with our 5th and 6th grade students and it is largely due to the use of social media outside of school. I have included in this month’s newsletter some helpful information on how to navigate social media with your pre-teen child. Please consider these helpful hints when addressing their desire to have social media accounts.
If you have questions or concerns about our school and/or what is happening at the school, I ask that you call or email me. I return emails and phone calls within 24 hours unless it is a weekend. As the principal at your school, it is very helpful for me to know when there is a concern and unfortunately there are times when I find out about issues via social media posts
and not directly from the concerned individual.
My email is tracy.spaulding@marcelluscs.org or the office phone number is 269-646-9209.
Thank you! Mrs. Spaulding
DATES TO REMEMBER
2/10—School Board MTG—7 PM
2/11—Early Dismissal—11:07 AM
2/12— COUNT DAY
2/12—3rd Grade Parent Dinner—6:30 PM (Please RSVP)
2/17—2/21—Book Fair
2/20—Early Dismissal—11:07 AM
2/20—Parent/Teacher Conferences
2/21 - NO SCHOOL
2/24—NO SCHOOL
2/27—Spelling BEE
STUDENT DROP-OFF AND PICK-UP
We are working on updating the drop-off/pick-up procedure. I wish this was a simple process, but any changes we make may have an impact on the middle/high school. So we have to make sure all plans work together.
As a reminder, do not park in the drop-off/pick-up lane. If parents continue to park in the lane, we will have to block it off before and after school.
Lunches
EARLY RELEASE DAY LUNCHES
In the past, the school has sent home lunches for students on early dismissal days. Unfortunately, federal policy does not allow us to continue sending the food home.
DON’T WORRY—we are going to offer lunch to all students before they dismiss . All of our students will enjoy “brunch” in the classroom before they leave for the day.
There is no doubt, that social media is here to stay. Being role models for our children and teaching them how to utilize it appropriately is a very important to their well-being. I continue to read research on the impact social media is having on teens, which has me very concerned for the many pre-teen students in our building that have told me they are on social media. Below are some helpful tips from one article I have recently read. I have included a link to this
article—https://bit.ly/2Uqqsa4.
I have summarized some of the tips from the online article:
Stick to the guidelines offered by social media companies:
Did you know that most companies require that a young person be at least 13 years old before opening a social media account? Making sure your child is emotionally ready for social media is the best course of action. Don’t cave to the common ploy, “I’m the only one that doesn’t have an account…”
Limit your child’s social media use:
Research is indicating that long hours spent online can be detrimental to your child’s mental health. Establish guidelines and limitations for your child. Do not let them take their devices to bed with them. They need to sleep and do not need the distractions of a device.
Teach your child digital etiquette:
If they are going to be online, teach them to use it the right way. Help them to understand how to treat others online and have regular conversations about what is acceptable and unacceptable.
You may also want to consider a social media contract for your child:
Help Us Fight Stop the Spread of Germs
Please remember as we fight the illnesses sweeping SW Michigan, your child needs to be fever free and vomit free for 24 hours before returning to school. We have had several students come back from being sick, just to spike a fever or vomit again at school. Help us to stop the spread of germs.
Did you know...Kids ages 5 to 12 need 10 - 11 hours of sleep each night!
About us
Email: tracy.spaulding@marcelluscs.org
Website: www.marcelluscs.org
Location: 301 West Arbor Street, Marcellus, MI, USA
Phone: (269) 646 - 9209
Facebook: facebook.com/MarcellusElementary