Dolphin Dispatch
January
Welcome Back!
I hope as we return refreshed and renewed after a long holiday break, we are all coming back excited and ready to learn! I know I am! Below you will find many important items of interest. As always, in addition to the front newsletter that changes monthly, please scroll down past this to other important information that may be added and/or changes in the school calendar.
Looking forward to a "new" year 2020 that reminds us of "perfect vision" for the new year ahead. What is your vision of what your child's school experience should look like? What is working well and what can use more direct or intentional commitment? Here at Graebner, we continue to work on building reading stamina and our vocabulary skills, increasing comprehension of what we are reading for both academic learning and for what we read for the pure enjoyment of reading. Focus and on task behavior leads to a more effective use of students' instructional time. Another focus we are always reminded of is the building of students taking responsibility. This includes responsibility for their actions and as well their belongings. While teaching responsibility to students looks different depending on the age of the student, let's work together to increase this learning in all students. Lastly, it is never too early or too late to talk to students about their own future in education. The Academic Blitz is fast approaching and you can read all about it below. I hope you find this information provided helpful.
Welcome to 2020 a whole new decade of learning!
Warm regards,
Jami Wood, Principal Graebner Elementary
Protecting our students' instructional time
At Graebner Elementary, it is the expectation that during instructional time, 8:25 am -3:15 pm, the teachers are face to face with the students and making the most of their instructional minutes. To that regard we will not be pulling students out of class or calling them down from the classroom for forgotten items and messages. Forgotten items will be placed on the table in front of the office, an email will be sent to your child’s teacher so your child can grab the item at a time the teacher determines as appropriate. Thank you for helping us maintain our educational environment within the classroom.
Parents are not allowed to go back to the classrooms for any reason during the school day unless it is prearranged with the teacher. Please do not sign in and enter through the double doors unless you have a prearranged meeting with the teacher. Teachers have provided a list of volunteers and appointments to the office staff.
Forgotten items
We appreciate your help teaching your child to be responsible for bringing needed items to school. If you must bring a forgotten item (gym shoes, instrument or schoolwork) to school during the school day, you can leave it in the office to be delivered to the student at a time to not interrupt classroom instruction.
Bringing in lunches
All lunches that are brought in for your child must be dropped off on the table in front of the office. Please put the student’s name and teacher on the lunch. The office will not send a note to the classroom to inform your child that lunch has been dropped off.
Student lunch and recess times
K- 3rd Grade 11:20-11:40 Lunch
11:40-12:00 Recess
4th-6th grade 11:20-11:40 Recess
11:40-12:00 Lunch
Academic Blitz
Ready, set, Academic Blitz! Plan early for success.
The Academic Blitz is an opportunity for all UCS families to find out more about the extensive portfolio of opportunities and programs available to students through its schools.
The featured informational sessions are designed for elementary to high school students and help parents develop a plan that best fits their student’s needs. Topics include Advanced Placement opportunities, Specialty Programs and separate sessions on preparing for junior high, high school and college.
The Academic Blitz, created 13 years ago by the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Board, was developed to ensure parents knew of the district’s available secondary services and programs open to all students.
At the event, families can select up to three sessions to attend and visit a series of informative booths. District administrators, building principals and staff are also onsite and available to parents.
Join us for this year’s Academic Blitz scheduled for Thursday, January 9, 2020 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Henry Ford II High School, 11911 Clinton River Road in Sterling Heights.
More information, please visit http://www.uticak12.org/academicblitz.
2020-21 School Year Early Childhood Open House
UCS Community Education will host its Early Childhood Open House on February 12, 2020 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Please add the attached two-page flyer (16A) to your January school newsletter and post the following link on your building website: http://ucscommunityeducation.org/early_childhood/2019-20_school_year_open_house.
2020 Registration for SACC Mid-Winter Break Camp and Velocity Jr. STEAM Camps
School Age Child Care is offering two mid-winter break options:
- Science Exploration Mid-Winter Break Camp located at Browning Elementary. Please add the attached flyer (17A) to your January and February newsletters and post the following link to your building website: http://ucscommunityeducation.org/school_age_child_care/mid_winter_break_camp
- Velocity Jr. S.T.E.A.M. classes located at Duncan Elementary and Browning Elementary. Please add the attached flyers (17B) to your January and February newsletters and post the following link on your building website: http://ucscommunityeducation.org/school_age_child_care/velocity_jr. These specialty classes provide students with exciting educational challenges for the week.
Browning Elementary has childcare available before, during lunch and after the scheduled class time. Duncan Elementary has childcare available during lunch time only if students will be taking a morning and afternoon class. Parents are to supply snacks and lunch for both options.