Principal's Page
Blackbird and Shay Elementary Schools
WELCOME!
Dear Parent/Guardian,
We have marked almost one month off our calendar and I hope that your family has fallen back into the routine of the school year. We are excited to see some familiar faces as well as many new faces!
We have marked almost one month off our calendar and I hope that your family has fallen back into the routine of the school year. We are excited to see some familiar faces as well as many new faces!
Each week/month I will be sending all families the Blackbird/Shay parent e-letter. I am hopeful that this communication tool will keep you more closely informed of the events at Blackbird/Shay.
BOOK IT KIDS' RUN
Some characters from our author's visit at Blackbird! Please click on the link for more information
Harbor Springs Festival of the Book!
The Harbor Springs Festival of the Book is a three-day literature extravaganza! Although students in all grade levels will get a chance to participate in activities on Friday, September 30th, there are many activities for parents and families throughout the event. Please go to www.hsfotb.org for more information.
Health Issues
Excusing Students and Reporting Illness
Please call the Attendance Lines at 526-4660 (BB) and 526-4550 (Shay) to report your student's absence. Include in your message your name, the best number to reach you, your student's name, grade, and the reason for the absence. If your student is absent because of illness, please describe the symptoms. If it is a doctor's confirmed case of strep, influenza or other infectious disease, please include in your message. We are required by the state to report illness to our local health department.
Safety
School Zone Safety Laws & Tips
The Sheriff’s office wants to educate and raise awareness about school zone safety laws in order to prevent tragedy. School zones combined with changing traffic and weather conditions create an extremely dangerous situation.
“Back to school is an exciting time for both parents and students, but we must remember to put safety first,” said Sheriff Gene L. Wriggelsworth. “We hope by setting up these school safety enforcement zones we can push back violators who ignore speed limits and who do not stop for school buses. Preventing any tragedy involving our kids is the number one priority”.
We strongly urge drivers to slow down and allow additional drive time to your scheduled destination and stay absolutely focused on your driving tasks: “Just Drive” the following bus stop and detracted driving tips may save a life.
• School Buses use two types of stop procedures while children are boarding and existing the bus: RED LIGHT STOPS and HAZARD LIGHT STOPS
RED LIGHT STOPS – School buses use overhead yellow flashing lights to alert motorists that they are preparing to stop. Red overhead flashing lights and an extended stop sign signals to motorists that the bus is stopped and children are getting on or off the bus.
• All 50 states have a law making it illegal to pass a school bus that is stopped to load or unload children while displaying the red overhead flashing lights and extended stop sign.
• All 50 states require that traffic in both directions stop on undivided roadways when students are entering or exiting a school bus during a red light stop. In Michigan, a divided highway means divided by a physical barrier such as a raised median or guard rails. You must stop for school buses on five lane highways with only a turn lane separating traffic.
YELLOW HAZARD LIGHT STOPS - School buses use low yellow hazard lights (located just below the windshield and back windows) to alert motorists that they are pulling off the roadway in preparation for a hazard stop. This type of stop is only done when students do not have to cross a roadway while getting on or off the bus and the bus can safely pull out of the traffic lane. These types of stops are typical on busy roads to help traffic flow around the bus and prevent traffic backups.
• Motorists can proceed slowly around a school bus on the left side when only the hazard lights are on.
A slogan to remember:
“Lights up top, you must STOP – Lights down low, you may proceed SLOW”
Homecoming Festivities!
HOMECOMING FLOAT THEME: "THE HUNGER GAMES"
Seniors - The Capitol
Juniors - District 12 (coal mining)
Sophomores - District 4 (fishing)
Freshmen - District 1 (luxury)
HOMECOMING EVENTS
Powderpuff Game: Wednesday, October 5 at 7:00 pm, Ottawa Stadium
Parade: Friday, October 7 at 5:30
Homecoming Game: Friday, October 7 at 7:00 pm vs East Jordan, Ottawa Stadium
Homecoming Court Introduced: Before the start of the Homecoming game (6:40 pm)
Homecoming Queen Announced: Halftime
Spirit Week Winning Class Announced: Halftime
Seniors - The Capitol
Juniors - District 12 (coal mining)
Sophomores - District 4 (fishing)
Freshmen - District 1 (luxury)
HOMECOMING EVENTS
Powderpuff Game: Wednesday, October 5 at 7:00 pm, Ottawa Stadium
Parade: Friday, October 7 at 5:30
Homecoming Game: Friday, October 7 at 7:00 pm vs East Jordan, Ottawa Stadium
Homecoming Court Introduced: Before the start of the Homecoming game (6:40 pm)
Homecoming Queen Announced: Halftime
Spirit Week Winning Class Announced: Halftime
Mrs. Hunt's class is learning how to play reading games in a group
Picking a just right book is like picking a just right shirt - it has to be a good fit!
Pop Warner boys supporting the Rams!
Blackbird students getting creative on the playground!
4th Grade Book Fair
The 4th Grade Book Fair with Between the Covers will take place in Shay Multi-Purpose Room the week of October 24th.