Havel Elementary
Our mission it to educate students, promote life long learning and encourage students to become productive citizens within a positive and safe learning environment.
Music News From Mrs. Murray
Havel Hawks are off to a great start, making all kinds of music during music class! Students in grades Kindergarten through second grade are learning songs and playing singing games that help them develop the ability to match pitch, trace the melody, and keep a steady beat. They have also been singing along with books to include literature in the music classroom.
Students in third grade participated in music class by playing singing games and addressing melodic contour and rhythmic duration. They are now learning about music from Africa, participating in activities that give them exposure to African instruments, traditional songs and singing games, and even singing in a different language!
Students in fourth and fifth grades started the year doing listening lessons that required them to compare and contrast, follow and trace the melody, determine the tempo (speed) of the music, and distinguish the form/pattern of the music. They are now working on creating music of their own on classroom instruments and performing for the class.
The sixth grade vocal music class has been learning all kinds of new things, and it is exciting to watch the students' progress. The students first sang rounds and canons to get used to singing in two parts. They then learned about the musical scale and how to sing using solfege hand signs. They even learned a song in Latin! The sixth grade vocal music students had their first performance, opening Open House with the Star-Spangled Banner. I am so proud!
CONCERT CORNER:
Winter Concert (grades 2/3): December 13 @ 6:00 p.m.
Winter Concert (grades 4/5): December 13 @ 7:00 p.m.
Winter Concert (6th grade choir): December 13 @ 6:00 & 7:00 p.m.
Vocal Music Cluster Concert (6th grade choir): December (date to be determined)
WILD About Music Concert (grades K/1): March 21 @ 6:30 p.m.
Talent Show: March 28 @ 6:30 p.m. (There is also a school performance during the day.)
Instrumental Music Cluster Concert (6th grade band): March (date to be determined)
Sixth Grade Band Concert: May 16 @ 7:00 p.m.
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Mr. Pangborn's Creative Corner
Hello Havel Hawk families. I am thrilled to be your student’s art teacher this year. I am also delighted to be teaching art to my group of sixth graders daily. Here are some examples of the concepts and lessons that we have been working on for the first couple of weeks of school this year.
Our kindergarteners got a tour of the art room and went over classroom expectations. Next, they made their first drawing based on a memory from the summer. We are now having fun learning about symmetry and creating beautiful painted butterflies. Our first graders are making an African symmetrical mask using tempera paint and raffia. Second graders are using line and color to learn about artist Georgia O’Keeffe to make oversized painted flowers. Third graders are pretending to be architects and using line to design houses/and or buildings. Upper El students combined many of the elements of art to create an original work of art. The use of line, shape, contrast, and value contributed to these unique expressions. Additionally, sixth grade art students worked three dimensionally by making highly decorated mask using plaster and acrylic paint. Other options included using feathers and plastic gemstones.
Dates To Know
September 28th- JETS Night- See Flyer Below
October-
19- No School- Teacher Professional Development
21st- 50th Anniversary Celebration 5:30-7:30
28th- Havel Volunteer League- Halloween Event (more info to come!)
28th- 1/2 Day of School 12:24 Dismissal
31st- 1/2 Day Of School 12:24 Dismissal
31st- Halloween Parade- 10:30am
November
8th- No School- Election Day
10th- 1/2 Day Parent/Teacher Conferences
23rd-25th- No School Thanksgiving Break
December
December 13 @ 6:00 p.m. Winter Concert (grades 2/3)- More Info To Come
December 13 @ 7:00 p.m. Winter Concert (grades 4/5)- More Info To Come
December 13 @ 6:00 & 7:00 p.m. Winter Concert (6th grade choir)- More Info To Come
21st- 1/2 Day 12:24 Dismissal
22nd-January 2- No School Winter Break
January
16th- No School- MLK Day
February
20th-24th- No school- Mid-Winter Break
March
March 21 @ 6:30 p.m.- WILD About Music Concert (grades K/1)- More Info To Come
24th- 1/2 Day 12:24 Dismissal
April
3rd-7th- No School- Spring Break
May
16th- 6th Grade Band Concert @ 7:00pm
29th- No School- Memorial Day
June
8th- 1/2 Day 12:24 Dismissal
9th- 1/2 Day- 12:24 Dismissal- Last Day Of School
UCS Wellness
The UCS Wellness team is happy to announce the seventh episode of their podcast series. The team worked with community members to create a podcast regarding different areas of physical, mental, and social health for UCS staff, students, and families. These podcasts are available on the UCS Wellness page. UCS Wellness - Utica Community Schools (uticak12.org)
The seventh podcast in the series is titled “Our Youth and Vaping.” Below is a list of the podcasts available on the Wellness page:
- Mental Health with guest, Nancy Buyle
- Grief and the Grieving Process for Children
- Family Communication
- CARE of Southeastern Michigan
- Discussing Dating Violence with Turning Point
- Tackling Tough Topics with the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office
- Our Youth and Vaping
Halloween Costumes Guidelines
Halloween is a time of year where some of our students get super excited about picking out their Halloween costumes, and as parents/guardians (I learned this the hard way once) we know that sometimes those "popular" costumes are hard to find the longer I waited to go shopping. With that being said I thought it may be helpful for you to have an idea of what those "school appropriate" costumes are here at Havel. Keep in mind, or as I like to put things in perspective with my older students.... we have students as young as 4-5 years old and while some costumes are "age appropriate for them", they may not be appropriate for the all school parade. After reading the guidelines below if you have any questions regarding suitability, please contact the office or your child's teacher.
Students should refrain from violent characterization and may not use any fake weapons, fake blood, or any references to victims or perpetrators of violence for their costume choice at school. Violent characterization is unacceptable for school parades and where younger students might be frightened. If deemed inappropriate by school personnel, students will be asked to remove the costume and/or wash makeup.
Book, cartoon, folk heroes, historical figures, and period costumes are all good ideas to consider when thinking of the perfect costume.
Since Halloween is a half day of school (12:20 dismissal), students will be allowed to wear partial costumes to school. Check to be sure that your child can walk freely, and that the costume will be comfortable enough for the classroom setting. Masks may be worn (frightening masks not permitted) but those that impede vision should be left at home. Plan to have your child bring any costume props (wigs and other add-ons) to school in a bag or backpack.
Policy On Personal Items
Any cell phones must be turned off and out of view during school hours or while on the bus OR IT WILL BE CONFISCATED and an adult must come up to school to pick it up.
Students should NOT bring toys, game boys, Nintendo DS or any hand-held electronic games, CD players, MP3 or IPods, PDA’s, memorabilia, special cards or other collectible or expensive items to school.
Havel Elementary School is not responsible for personal items that are lost or damaged.
Such items will be collected and kept in the office. A parent must come and retrieve any items they wish to have returned.
Attendance
Remember ... it is very important that you report your child’s absences to the school. The attendance line answering machine is on 24 hours a day for your convenience.
The Attendance Line number is: (586) 797-5299
Please indicate when you call: Your child’s name, teacher’s name, & the reason for the absence.
Birthday Celebrations
The teachers and staff at Havel strongly support and encourage the recognition of a child’s birthday during the school day. It is an annual milestone in every child’s life that should be celebrated not just at home, but in school as well, where children spend one-third of their day with teachers, classmates, and peers. While there are many wonderful and creative ways to celebrate a child’s birthday in school, birthday celebrations at Havel will not include food treats. Instead, the focus at Havel will be recognizing the day in a variety of special ways that do not include food treats. Some possibilities include:
· Class sings “Happy Birthday”
· Happy Birthday Recess/Gift
· Morning “Happy Birthday” PA announcement
· NEHS Singing Telegram
· Parent makes a donation of book to class library/read to class
· Student reads favorite book to class
· Parent/special someone reads story to class
Your child’s teacher will have more information on how birthdays will be celebrated in the classroom. As educators, caregivers and loved ones we all want the best for our students. Thank you for joining us in giving students healthy opportunities to celebrate important events and achievements.
Pet Policy
Utica Community Schools has a no pet policy on school property.
Late Arrival
Security Procedures
We are asking for your assistance to ensure that our security procedures during the school day are effective. As many of you know, our school has a security camera, intercom, and buzzer at the front entrance for use during the school day. To help us assist you when you would like to enter the school:
1. All guests must enter through the main office door
2. Please press the buzzer to speak with someone in the office
3. You will be asked to state your name and reason for visiting
4. Each time you come to the office you will be asked to show your photo ID into the security camera above the outside door
5. Office staff will assist you.
6. Guests must have an appointment to meet with a staff member during instructional hours
In addition, we are asking you to not let any visitors in the door as you enter (and they come up behind you) or as you exit the building.
Finally, all exterior doors are to remain locked and secure daily. Teachers will not prop doors open and any door that is open is to have a staff member monitoring it at all times.
The teachers and staff are committed to student safety and security and we would like to thank you for your assistance in helping keep the students of Havel safe.
Managing Your Student's Breakfast/Lunch Account
Meal Prices:
Breakfast: All Levels $1.75
Lunch: Elementary $2.75
- Go to https://utica.familyportal.cloud to set up your account
- If you had an old Sendmoneytoschool.com account it will help you migrate over to the new site.
- Please review this video for instructions how to set up your account. Https://utica.familyportal.cloud/tutorials
- You will need your child’s 9-digit ID number to set it up (you can get this from the office)
- You can access student meal accounts 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to view account balances, deposit histories, or your child’s meal or snack selections free of charge
- You can also make deposits to your child’s cafeteria account using Visa, MasterCard or Discover-a bank service fee of $1.50 will be charged to your credit card
- Breakfasts & Lunches may still be purchased with cash or check; however amounts of $20 or more are recommended
- Checks should be made to Utica Community Schools Food Service Department
- Checks returned for Non-Sufficient Funds (NSF) will be assessed a $25 fee
