Hawk Weekly
March 21st-27th
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/
Hawk News- 3/20/2020
Havel Hawks,
I want to begin by thanking you for the emailed pictures, messages, and words of thanks and encouragement the past week. The last 7 days have been surreal to say the least and I hope that this message finds you and your loved ones healthy and safe! Please know if there is ever anything that you need, reach out to me and let me try to help.
Schoology- On- Line Learning Platform
This online learning world is new to most of us, and as the staff and I learn and experience virtual learning, please know our intent is to take it slow, not overwhelm any of you, and work WITH you to continue giving learning opportunities for your child. I understand that everyone’s situation at home is different. Some of you may have access to technology and some of you may not, therefore, everything we are providing is a resource for you to navigate through at home with your child(ren). I encourage each family to decide what works best for their situation. I completely understand that working from home can be stressful, as you manage your own work and your child’s. I am confident that each of our families will find what works best for them!
As Dr. John's letter stated you can expect an email with your child's log in and password info as follows:
Phase 1: Monday, March 23, 2020 - High school students
Phase 2: Tuesday, March 24, 2020 – Junior high students
Phase 3: Wednesday, March 25, 2020 – Elementary students: 3rd – 6th grades
Phase 4: Thursday, March 26, 2020 – Elementary students: Kindergarten – 2nd grades
Your Havel staff expects some hiccups may occur while you are signing up and logging in. DO NOT WORRY about the work in the folders and your child falling behind. The first week will have lessons available for you to do as you are able to log in and get familiar with the platform. These lessons are enrichment and reinforcement on concepts that have already been introduced in the classroom. These assignments are not graded. My goal for Havel is that by the end of next weekend (March 29th) you have logged in, watched the welcome videos, familiarized yourself with the site and do lessons as you are able.
Students in grades K-2 should have approximately 30 minutes of Math and 30 minutes of ELA daily, which is about 60 minutes of learning per day. Our students in 3rd-6th grade should have approximately 30 minutes of Math, 30 minutes of ELA, and up to 30 minutes of Social Studies/Science daily, which is approximately 90 minutes of learning per day.
Please note that the enrichment or reinforcement/review activities will not be graded. This includes the packets that will be available to students that do not have a device or internet access. They are meant to help students remain focused on school and provide structure as needed. I ask all students to participate in the enrichment or reinforcement activities provided by the school either online or using the paper packets.
If you don’t have a computer/technology at home, you can go to any UCS Elementary School to pick up the paper packet. At Havel, the packets are available 24 hours a day in bins placed outside of Mrs. Rossi's kindergarten classroom door on the playpad. (Room 1). Please take one per student, and only if you cannot access online learning. These packets will be available on Wednesday, March 25th, and packets will be replaced with updated packets each Wednesday.
Over the next few weeks, the instruction will focus on Math and ELA. Students in grades K-2 should have approximately 30 minutes of Math and 30 minutes of ELA daily, which is about 60 minutes of learning per day. Our students in 3rd-6th grade should have approximately 30 minutes of Math, 30 minutes of ELA, and up to 30 minutes of Social Studies/Science daily, which is approximately 90 minutes of learning per day.
Troubleshooting:
- · If you are having trouble accessing Schoology after you obtained the login/password information, visit the district website (uticak12.org) and click on the Online Learning Resource tab.
- · Please email your child’s teacher directly if you have questions about the learning activities on Schoology.
- Schools have been closed to all non-essential activities. So, while I will be checking into the building occasionally, my staff and I have transitioned to working from home. We will be checking Emails, responding to phone calls, and doing our work. Our primary and easiest form of communication will be Email as we work through this challenging time, so please feel free to communicate that way at officehavel@uticak12.org or you can leave us a voicemail by calling the building at 586-797-5200. You can also email me directly at kristina.tepper@uticak12.org.
- · If having technical difficulties, visit the district website at uticak12.org.
Resources:
I also understand that during this stressful time some of our families may be anxious about what the next weeks will bring. Utica Community Schools posted links to helpful resources on how to cope with anxiety, as well as other resources regarding the COVID-19 outbreak on the District website. Listed below are some of the resources for parents:
CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/talking-with-children.html
PBS: https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-coronavirus
CDC: Child Mind Institute: www.childmind.org
Take care of each other and enjoy the SUNSHINE today,
Mrs. Tepper
Principal
Importance of Handwashing
Handwashing can prevent 1 in 3 diarrhea-related sicknesses and 1 in 5 respiratory infections, such as a cold or the flu. Handwashing is an easy, cheap, and effective way to prevent the spread of germs and keep kids and adults healthy. When your family is healthy, you don’t have to worry about missing school, work, or other activities.
Help your child develop handwashing skills:
Parents and caretakers play an important role in teaching children to wash their hands. Handwashing can become a lifelong healthy habit if you start teaching it at an early age. Teach kids the five easy steps for handwashing—wet, lather, scrub, rinse and dry—and the key times to wash hands, such as after using the bathroom or before eating. You can find ways to make it fun, like making up your own handwashing song or turning it into a game.
Give frequent reminders:
Building handwashing skills takes time. At first, your child will need regular reminders of how and when to wash hands. It is especially important to remind children to wash their hands after using the bathroom, before eating, after touching pets, after playing outside, and after coughing, sneezing, or blowing their nose. But once handwashing becomes a habit and a regular part of your child’s day, they will practice it throughout their lives.
Lead by example by washing your hands:
Young children learn by imitating the behaviors of adults in their lives. When you make handwashing part of your routine, you’re setting an example for your children to follow.
What if soap and water aren’t available?
Washing hands with soap and water is the best way to get rid of germs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that has at least 60% alcohol, and wash your hands with soap and water as soon as you can.
Baby Wipes
Baby wipes may make your hands look clean, but they’re not designed to remove germs from your hands. CDC recommends washing hands with soap and water when possible.
Remember to make handwashing a healthy habit at home, school, and at play!
Make it Count for Students: Participate in 2020 Census
Utica Community Schools is joining area communities in helping to share information about the importance of participating in the 2020 Census.
Participating in the census survey will have a positive impact on the resources that the communities receive from the federal government, and local programs for students is no exception. The census data is used to determine federal funding levels by determining the number of residents and the needs of the community.
The census also provides funding to address key community needs for road improvements, housing, block grants and student college loans.
Census materials are scheduled to be mailed in mid-March with information on how to complete the questionnaire online, by phone or mail. More information is available at http://census.gov/.