SR3 Parent Connection
from the desk of the Superintendent ...
As we prepare to take time off from school this Thanksgiving season, I am thankful for everyone who’s worked so hard to help restore a sense of “normal school” and this year. Many students find comfort in day-to-day routines as they are an essential part of reducing stress and creating a sense of security, especially after the chaotic transitions experienced over the last two years.
Regular school attendance, can have a huge impact on a student’s academic success starting in kindergarten and continuing through high school. Even as children grow older and more independent, families play a key role in making sure students get to school safely every day.
Some absences are unavoidable due to health problems or other circumstances. But, when students miss too much school— regardless of the reason – it can cause them to fall behind academically. Your student is less likely to succeed if he or she is chronically absent—which means missing 18 or more days over the course of an entire school year.
As long as your child is healthy, please encourage them to come to school. Every day of school is an important opportunity for students to learn as well as connect to peers and their teachers.
Research shows:
Students chronically absent in kindergarten and 1st grade are much less likely to read at grade level by the end of 3rd grade.
By 6th grade, chronic absence is a proven early warning sign for students at risk for dropping out of school.
By 9th grade, good attendance can predict graduation rates even better than 8th grade test scores.
Absences can add up quickly. A student is chronically absent if he or she misses just two days every month.
We don’t want your student to fall behind in school and get discouraged. Please ensure that your student attends school every day and arrives on time. Here are a few practical tips to help support regular attendance:
- Make sure your student keeps a regular bedtime and establish a morning routine.
- Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
- Ensure your student goes to school every day unless he/she is truly sick.
- Avoid scheduling vacations or regular doctor’s appointments when school is in session.
- Talk to teachers and counselors for advice if your student feels anxious about going to school.
- Develop back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, neighbor, or another parent to take your student to school.
With that being said, enjoy your time away. May these days off be restful and healing.
Superintendent,
Dr. Eric Kurre
Snow Routes
Durham Bus Company also recently updated their Alternate Weather Routes (snow routes) this week. Please take the time to review these routes HERE.
If you have any questions about the bus routes please contact Durham Bus Services at 816-324-1400. If you have questions about your child's alternate weather plans please reach out to your building secretary.
Upcoming School Board Elections
The Savannah R-III School District will accept declarations of candidacy from any person interested in filing for a position on the School Board in the April 4, 2023, election. There are three positions available with three-year terms.
Persons interested may file the necessary paperwork at the superintendent’s office at 408 W. Market. A line can be formed outside the district’s front doors (white doors facing north) on the first day of filing to begin Tuesday, December 6th, at 8:00 AM. Filing will continue during the district’s regular business hours, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Filing will not occur on days that school is not in session due to inclement weather or closed for holidays. Filing will not occur during Christmas break, beginning December 21st through January 3rd. However, the office will be open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 pm on Tuesday, December 27th, for the last day of filing. The filing deadline is Tuesday, December 27, 2022, at 5:00 PM.
The names of the qualified candidates shall be placed on the ballot in order of filing. No early or late filings will be accepted.
Questions about running for the Board or about Board Elections can be directed to the Board Secretary Jess Gillett, jgillett@savannahr3.com.
GEMS program sees sucess!
Our GEMS program took 4 Tech Tribe teams to compete at the First Lego League Qualifier in KC. All of our teams did really well!
Tech Tribe "Black" (5th grade) won the Core Value Award for all around best show of Fun, Inspiration, Teamwork, Inclusion, & Discovery. They also earned an invitation to the Championship at Crown Center on January 28th.
Tech Tribe "We are the TiNieS" (2nd grade) earned the Rising All Star Award.
Congratulations to all of our teams & their families!
Minnie Cline gets BRIGHT new lights!
Thanks to a grant obtained by the Bloom After School Care Program, Minnie Cline Elementary's broken stairway received a facelift. The new concrete ramp is completely ADA compliant and came at no cost to the District.
The grant also provided for much needed security lighting around the exterior of the campus. Several staff members have commented that they feel much safer entering and exiting the building now that the parking areas are properly lit.
Helena Elementary is looking for clues...
With the help of several parent volunteers, Helena Elementary held a LIVE Clue game in honor of Halloween! Colonel Mustard (Nick Sheppard), Professor Plum (Joe Barbosa), Mr. Green (Justin Anderson), Miss White (Katie Barbosa), Mrs. Peacock (Jodie O'Brien), and Mrs. Scarlett (Tiffany Gerken) were stationed around the campus for students to come make guesses on WHO, WHERE, and WHAT school supply were involved in a crime.
THANK YOU to all the parents who dressed up and played a part and to the teachers and their classes who got in a lot of steps to talk to all of our "suspects"!
Check out the Helena Facebook Page for more pictures!
House Number 40 is underway!
The SHS building trades program has a long history of building quality homes in Savannah. The team of high school students, led by teacher Scott Acock, recently started their 40th home! For this build, Mr. A wanted to try something a little different. This house will be built with several special features that will accommodate the elderly or those with mobility issues. It will be a single story home with 3 bedrooms and 2 baths. The interior of house #40 is a large open floor plan designed for ease of movement. An extra wide hallway and pocket doors, which slide back inside the walls, will make the home more accessible to those in wheelchairs or with other mobility issues. The bathroom will feature a curbless shower and a walk-in tub design. The home will also come wired for an electric vehicle charging station in the garage, upgraded wifi in all rooms, and a large outdoor patio for entertaining and relaxing.
Mr. A expects his students to begin framing the home after Thanksgiving and will finish with students from the 2023-24 school year. Follow our district Facebook page for pictures of their progress!
Official communications from the Savannah R3 School District. If you have questions or content ideas please contact communications@savannahr3.com