Dolphin Digest
November 2017 Newsletter
From the Principal
Dear Dolphin Families,
Welcome to November! Dr. Rock recently shared with teachers and staff “The Five Characteristics with the Strongest Correlations to Life Satisfaction, Happiness and Well Being.” One of those characteristics is “Gratitude.” November is often associated with gratitude and for good reason. It is important to reflect on what we are thankful for and recognize our blessings.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude toward the Clarkston Community and those who voted in favor of our recent school bond to support our kids. I also want to thank the SPE PTA from the bottom of my heart for leading the way with our playground initiative. With the support of the community, their contributions to the playground were second to none. Thank you Clarkston and thank you SPE PTA. Children are engaged and behavior issues on the playground are at an all time low.
I am further thankful for our 5th graders. Our 5th grade leaders modeled proactive playground, lunchroom, and dismissal behaviors to our entire student body at our most recent Super Pod (all school) meeting. As a school family, we will focus on being Proactive (Habit 1) for the month of November and we will work on how to be proactive in various school settings.
To continue this mindset beyond the classroom and school, I encourage families to take time to review Habit #1: Be Proactive (You are in charge of you!) with your child and as a family. Being proactive means, I am a responsible person. I take initiative. I choose my actions, attitudes, and moods. I do not blame others for my wrong actions. I do the right thing without being asked, even when no one is looking.
I have included a handout here that can help guide your child on how to be proactive at home.
I am thankful to be a part of the Springfield Plains Family. I am thankful for the outstanding educators and staff who inspire and love our children every single day. I am thankful for their commitment to excellence and positivity. I am thankful for the children who enter our doors every morning, for the same children that run freely on the new playground and seek to learn in the classroom. I am thankful for my loving wife and my three sons and the joy they bring to my life.
Grateful,
Matthew R. Gifford, Principal
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
Dates to Remember:
- November 7-9: Bookfair Shopping Week
- November 7 & 9 - Parent/Teacher Conference, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
- November 16 - Picture Retake Day (a.m.)
- November 16 - Donuts with Dad (A-L), 8:00 to 8:30 a.m., MPR
- November 17 - Donuts with Dad (M-Z), 8:00 to 8:30 a.m., MPR
- November 22-24: Thanksgiving Recess (No school)
2017-2018 School Start & End Times
Be proactive. Be on time to school! Announcements begin at 8:35. Many students are still in the hallway during the Pledge of Allegiance. Students should be in their classrooms and ready to learn for the day at 8:35.
Start of Day:
8:25 a.m. First Bell8:35 a.m. Tardy Bell
End of Day:
3:45 p.m. Dismissal
Half Day:
11:45 Dismissal
A SINCERE THANK YOU TO OUR PTA
Mary Warner and Jennifer Theuer for the Fun Run
Janel Sadowski and Kristen Pace for the Boo Bash
Stacy John for the Box Top Contest
All the Homeroom Parents for the Halloween Parties
Sarah Schneider and Amy Partchenko for the beautiful front hallway display!
We truly appreciate all you do for the staff and students here at Springfield Plains Elementary. We couldn't do this without you and your volunteers. THANK YOU!
DONUTS WITH DAD
The PTA at Springfield Plains Elementary is hosting Donuts with Dad in the SPE cafeteria!
If your child has a special male person they would like to invite, they can bring them!
Thurs, November 16 - Last Names A-L from 8:00-8:30 a.m.
Friday, November 17 - Last Names M-Z from 8:00-8:30 a.m.
If you are unable to attend on your scheduled "name day" you can come on the alternate day. We look forward to this wonderful event and hope you can attend!
ART INSPIRATION DAY
Drop in anytime between 4-6:00 p.m. in the cafeteria to learn more about the upcoming PTA Reflections art contest while your child experiences hands-on art techniques in all the contest focus areas! This includes dance, choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography, and visual arts.
For more information about Art Inspiration day or the Reflections contest, contact the PTA on facebook at ClarkstonSPEPTA.
Clarkston Wolves Basketball Leagues
To register, visit the Independence Townships Parks,
Recreation and Seniors
6483 Waldon Center Drive
Clarkston, MI 48346
Or you can call at (248) 623-4326 ext. 1
Keep your eyes out for more information coming home soon in Friday folders!
SPE Birthday Book Club
December: Alex Kirby, Ethan Mork, Isabella Wheeler, Maclaine Jones, Harper Jones, Kayla Lemke, Owen Holloway, Delia Hoffman, Jadyn Hoffman, Addison Davis
Medications at School
End of Day Phone Messages to Students
ParentVue - Student Information System and E-blasts
Please make sure you access and set up your account in ParentVue. We need your email address for school and district communications while we strive to go paperless. You will find your student's attendance, transportation information, academic progress, and you can update important student information like phone numbers, emergency contacts, etc. This is our main communication tool with parents! Parents must designate at least one emergency contact other than themselves, in Parent Vue.
Also, once you sign-up it will enable you to receive any email notifications for school closings and district e-blasts.
To access ParentVue:
Go to the Clarkston Schools’ webpage www.clarkston.k12.mi.us
Choose the "Parents" tab and then select ParentVue
First time users will need your Activation Code which you can get from the office
Book Fair
The Book Fair will open Tuesday, November 7 at 4:00-8:00 p.m. and Thursday at 4:00-8:00 p.m. The students will be shopping during the day on Wednesday and Thursday with their classes.
HAPPY READING!
*New* Alternate Bus Stop Form
2017-2018 STUDENT LIGHTHOUSE CAPTAINS
Congratulations to all our captains!
Harper Yosick, Maks Zorski, Becca Lynn, Quinn Coleman, Izzie Baumann, Katelyn Perlin, Grant Phillips, Peyton Schneider, Blair Nemode, Liv Warner, Oliver Poploskie, Noah Orlowski, Harper Jones, Adam Perlin, Julia Barnett, Kenzie Leahy, Kayla Doyle, Ashby Muzzy, Jacqueline Suida, Chloe Giehtbrock, Gage Preston, Ella Reed, Leila Davis, Lydia Adams
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
Board of Education
- President - Elizabeth Egan, 248-933-4621
- Vice President - Kelli Horst, 248-755-0375
- Secretary - Stephen Hyer, 248-922-0170
- Treasurer - Gregory Need, 248-625-8416
- Trustee - Susan Boatman, 248-391-1961
- Trustee - Andrea Catalina
- Trustee - Cheryl McGinnis, 248-620-6430
Clarkston Community Schools Student Calendar 2017-18
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.
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