Starside's Comet
Newsletter Communication for February 26, 2021
Starside Elementary
Our Starside Mission:
Through a collaborative learning community we will build a foundation upon which all students can develop essential academic and life skills.
Click HERE to visit our school website!
Email: SE@usd232.org
Website: se.usd232.org
Location: 35400 W 91st St, De Soto, KS, United States
Phone: 913-667-6270
Facebook: facebook.com/StarsideComets
Twitter: @StarsideComets
Thank you!
The Horizon Award
It is the time of year to honor and recognize exemplary first-year teachers who perform in a way that distinguishes them as outstanding. These teachers will finish their first year of teaching in May 2021.
At Starside, Mr. Kilgore (PE) and Ms. King (Kindergarten) are eligible for a nomination!
The criteria for this award are:
- The nominee will have successfully completed his or her first year of teaching in a pre-kindergarten through grade 12 Kansas school accredited by the State Board of Education.
- The nominee will be a full-time classroom teacher.
- The nominee will be responsible for the assessment of students, assignment of grades, preparation of lesson plans, parent-teacher conferences, discipline, attendance, and other daily educational tasks.
- The nominee will have performed in a way that distinguishes him or her from other novice teachers.
- The nominee is considered to be exceptionally skilled, dedicated, and able to inspire students of all backgrounds and abilities.
If you would like to nominate Mr. Kilgore (PE) or Ms. King (Kindergarten), please go to www.usd232.org/horizonaward and follow the Horizon Award nomination link. The deadline for nominating a first-year teacher is March 19, 2021.
Please call the Starside Office at 913-667-6270 to RSVP!
Do you have a child who will attend kindergarten during the 2021-22 school year?
Starside will host a meeting for all parents with incoming kindergarteners via Zoom at 6:00 PM on Thursday, March 18.
Mark your calendars and share this information with friends and neighbors who will have kindergarteners at Starside next year! More information in the button, below!
5th Grade to LTMS Transition Information
Save the Date
March
- Tuesday, March 2, from 4-8 PM only - PTA's Chipotle Fundraiser for SE
- Wednesday, March 17 - Online completion of 5th Grade LMS course selection Due
- Thursday, March 18, 6-7 PM - Virtual Kindergarten Round-up Meeting
- Tuesday, March 23 - End of 3rd Quarter
- Wed-Friday, March 24-26 - Spring Break
- Monday, March 29 - No School for Students - Teacher PD/Work Day
- Tuesday, March 30 - 4th Quarter begins
Counselor's Corner
Spark After-school Program
What: The Spark program focuses on individual and differentiated instructional student needs.
Who: Spark is available to students in grades 2 through 5. Students are recommended by classroom teachers, reading and math specialists, and the admin team. Spark also supports the MTSS Tier II and III placements.
Where: Starside Elementary
When: After school on Tuesdays and Thursdays until 4:45 p.m. Spark runs from November to the end of April.
Why: Through Spark, our goal is to close achievement gaps and offer additional academic support for students.
If you are interested in your child being a part of the after-school Spark program please contact McKenzi Mispagel (mmispagel@usd232.org) or Chris Wilhelm (cwilhelm@usd232.org). Space is limited.
No Spark: March 23 and 25 due to Spring Break week
PTA News
Please help support Starside in February and March by eating at Chipotle on the dates that Starside PTA has coordinated as the Starside Fundraiser dates. See Flyers below!
Tuesday, March 2, 4-8 pm, Chipotle @ 22235 W 66th St in Shawnee - we earn 33% of sales between 4 and 8 PM! (Flyer coming soon!)
Starside's Virtual Variety Show
We know this is a big surprise - can you say Virtual? It may be different, but The Starside Variety Show is returning and we are excited about it! This year's show will be recorded and shared in classrooms the week of May 24th, 2021. Permission slips and more detailed information are below.
Nominate a Deserving Starside Staff Member for February!
USD 232 and the USD 232 Education Foundation present the Making a Difference Award!
Nominations are due February 28, 2021! The recipient will be recognized in March.
This award is designed to honor and recognize those staff members who go above and beyond, exceeding expectations, to make a difference for the students, families, and other employees in our district.
Award Criteria
• Anyone (staff, parents, students, etc.) can nominate any USD 232 employee (Previous Making A Difference Winners ineligible)
• Nominations are due by the last Wednesday of each month
• Recognitions will be given monthly throughout the school year
• Each recipient of this award will be presented a check for $250 along with a special trophy designed and manufactured by our high school students
REPEATED INFORMATION
New! Parent/Guardian Procedures for 20-21
Attendance
Starside will be taking regular attendance. The Attendance Secretary calls families to check on students who have not notified the school of an absence.
OPTIONAL REMOTE parents need to report absences for any Zooms students will miss.
ON-SITE parents need to report absences:
- Any time your student is supposed to be at school.
- If your student is ill, PLEASE include all symptoms & if diagnosed with Flu, Strep, or Covid.
Lunches
You may not bring outside food into your child nor join him/her for lunch.
If your child forgets his/her lunch, he/she may get a free school lunch or you may bring a lunchbox with your students' name on it and drop it off at the school by ringing the doorbell to notify the office of the delivery and drop it off on the table in the foyer.
Visitors/Parent Volunteers
At this time, we will not be able to have visitors or parent volunteers. We miss you and look forward to seeing you soon. You may bring a forgotten item; however, you will not be allowed to enter past the foyer. Please ring the bell and we will let you in. Place the item, marked with your child's name on it, on the table in the foyer and we will get the item to your child.
Dropping off your child after the start of school:
- Submit the absence online or call/email the office to notify the school that your child will be late. Please let us know the reason for the tardy (appointment, headache, or just running late).
- You DO need to safely escort your elementary-aged child to the front door. Ring the bell and we will let only your child inside.
- If we have not heard from a parent/guardian the tardy will be marked as unexcused, so please do not forget to notify the office of the reason for the tardy.
Checking your child out of school early:
- Please call or email to notify the office and teacher ahead of time.
- Have an ID ready to show when picking up your child.
- Press the bell, show your ID, and let us know who you are checking out.
- We will let you inside where you may wait for your child in the foyer.
- We will locate your child and send him/her to you in the foyer.
We sincerely appreciate your patience and support during this time. If you have any questions, please call 913-667-6270 and we will be happy to assist you in any way we can!
Sending Treats to School
Nurse Tara's Health Notes
Technology Corner
Parents: Do you ever wonder what your child searches for on their school device?
Do you ever wonder what websites your child most often visits?
Do you ever wonder how much time your child spends on their device while at school?If you answered 'YES' to any of these questions, you are strongly encouraged to check out the Securly Home App! Securly is a free web-monitoring platform available to all USD 232 families.
See your child’s online activity in real-time and catch up with weekly email snapshots!
For more information and to learn how to install the app, click HERE.
USD 232 Lost/Damaged Technology Policy
The following cost structure will apply when iPads are sent home with elementary students. If damage or loss occurs due to intentional acts or as the result of negligence in handling the device:
-1st Incident: No Fee;
-2nd Incident: $25.00;
-3rd Incident: $50.00 and
-4th and Subsequent Incidents: Actual cost of repair/replacement
The repair cost structure will reset annually for elementary students. In the event a device is stolen, a police report must be filed with local law enforcement and a copy of the report submitted to the school administration to prevent being charged the replacement cost of the device.
Accessories and parts that do not carry a warranty are charged at actual replacement cost.
Replacement cost for lost crayon (digital pencil for iPad):
-1st Incident: $25.00
-2nd and Subsequent Incidents: $50.00 (full replacement cost)
Replacement cost for lost/damaged charger:
-1st Incident: $11:00
-2nd and Subsequent Incidents: $22.00 (full replacement cost)
Technology Help Desk
Please remember that the fastest way to start getting a solution to any technical issues is to contact our help desk. This is also available to all students.
Technology Help Desk
Get help with district technology
Students and Parents: You can reach our Help Desk by calling 816-382-4840.
Hours of Operation
Monday - Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
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Contacts: Front Office
Be sure to add SE@usd232.org to your contacts list so we don't end up in your spam folder!