December 15, 2023
December 15, 2023
- Observations Around Saline Area Schools
- Curriculum Corner
- School and Family Partnership Series
- Family Pulse Survey
- Upcoming Events
Observations Around Saline Area Schools
Here’s what I observed around the District the last two weeks:
Harvest
Young 5s students learning about the symbols and numbers on a calculator
1st grade art students using ink daubers to create “Penguin” works of art
3rd graders reading and discussing The One and Only Ivan
Pleasant Ridge
Kindergarten students reading Definitely Do NOT Open This Book as a read aloud in Media class ahead of their technology lesson on coding
3rd graders preparing their biographies and speeches ahead of their Wax Museum performances
Pleasant Ridge displaying and celebrating holidays from around the world
Woodland Meadows
Kindergarten students discussing their favorite wintertime activity during their morning meeting
WM students watching the “Bee” News and participating in lunges with Mrs. W as part of Fitness Friday. I tried to participate and it did not go as well as it would have when I was a youth :)
3rd graders combining informational research on an animal of their choice for reading along with an “expert” writing topic of their choice
Heritage
Special education students working on reading comprehension
4th grade vocal music students working on counting rhythm with eighth noes, quarter notes, half notes, and whole notes.
5th grade class meeting where students share their kudos, questions, suggestions and concerns
Student-led morning announcements that acknowledged National Bill of Rights Day and National Cupcake Day.
Saline Middle School
SMS Robotics Teams setting world records at a recent competition!
6th graders focused on text features for their non-fiction text unit
6th graders in math class completing a pixel art fraction project
Choir students preparing for their holiday concert
Drama class students designing and writing vignettes focused on a student led theme: “What if Middle School was a video game”
Saline High School
A visit with Dominic Dorset, SHS Alum, who met with drama, band, and orchestra students after school to talk about his Broadway success in Frozen
Auto I students working on testing fuses in electrical systems and tire mounting and balancing
Computer Integrated Manufacturing students designing and machining metric taps
Welding students working to perfect a complete fusion joint
Life Skills and Connecting students participating in the annual Holiday Shopping experience at Briarwood Mall
Connecting students participating in “Introduction to Inclusion and Disabilities in a Diverse Society” through Eastern Michigan University that will allow them to earn 1 college credit
Liberty
Alternative High School students sharing their career aspirations, including sheet metal trades, environmental science, agriscience, psychology, veterinary medicine, and early childhood education.
Young Adult Program (YAP) students participating in a series of “clubs”: Game Club, Cooking Club, Arts and Crafts Club, and Sign Language Club.
YAP students on job site visits at Busch’s, Tractor Supply, Nu2U Again, etc.
Woodland Meadows
Fitness Friday lunges with Mrs. W. (and Dr. Laatsch!)
Pleasant Ridge
Practicing speeches for the wax museum
Middle School
Rehearsing vignettes in drama class
High School
Inclusion shopping trip with Connecting Club and Special Education
Curriculum Corner
School and Family Partnership Series: How to Raise an Adult
Saline Area Schools invite parents and community members to participate in an informative and engaging evening with New York Times bestselling author of How to Raise an Adult, Dr. Julie Lythcott-Haims, on February 1, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. at the Saline Middle School Auditorium. Drawing on her experience as a mother and her research with educators and admissions officers, Lythcott-Haims, the former Dean of Freshmen at Stanford University, will lead a thought-provoking talk and offer practical strategies that underline the importance of allowing children to make their own mistakes and develop the resilience, resourcefulness, and inner determination necessary to become healthy, thriving adults. Family, friends, and community members are welcome. This event is sponsored in part by the Foundation for Saline Area Schools and is a continuation of our School and Family Partnership Series. An RSVP is appreciated at bit.ly/44D74a9
Family Pulse Survey Launched This Week
Saline Area Schools is partnering with K-12 Insight to launch the Family Pulse Survey next month. Each month, a small percentage of families will be randomly selected to receive a short, three-question survey. The survey will ask the same questions to a random sample each month to help our district measure feedback and identify trends. The first set of emails to a small sample of families was delivered to inboxes this week. If you were randomly selected to provide feedback, we appreciate your contribution as we strive to provide exceptional educational experiences District-wide.
Upcoming Events
- Now through December 20: Student art installation continues at Pittsfield Township Hall
- December 23-January 7: No School
- January 12: K-12 Early Release Day
- January 15: No School, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- February 1: School and Family Partnership Series: How to Raise an Adult, 6 p.m., Saline Middle School Auditorium
I’m grateful to our staff who worked quickly to problem-solve during today’s unexpected power outage, including those who responded to an unexpected call-in, and everyone who creatively problem-solved the situation in our buildings and classrooms. I’m also thankful to families for your patience and flexibility as we developed a plan, and your quick action to address the need for an early release. Emergency management is never easy, and always requires a great deal of teamwork, made easier with an outstanding SAS team.
As we near winter break, I would like to wish all of you a happy holiday season. The next Superintendent’s Community Message will be shared on January 12, 2024.
Sincerely,
Stephen D. Laatsch, PhD
Superintendent
Saline Area Schools, The Pursuit of Excellence
7265 N. Ann Arbor St., Saline, Michigan 48176
734-401-4001
laatschs@salineschools.org