February 9, 2024
February 9, 2024
In this Edition:
- Observations Around Saline Area Schools
- Curriculum Corner: Grade Level and Building Transitions
- Hall of Fame Nominations Now Accepted
- Federal Tax Credits for Families
- Young 5 and Kindergarten Enrollment
- Upcoming Events
Observations Around Saline Area Schools
We've had a great two weeks at Saline! Here's what I observed in our buildings the last two weeks.
Harvest
All Kindergarten student participating in a service project where they tied fleece blankets for the Veteran’s Hospital in Ann Arbor and read a book about the importance of our Veterans
Harvest School participating in the “Souper” Bowl where students and families donate canned goods to reach a specific goal to send to Saline Area Social Services
1st graders participating and reflecting on the “Global Day of Play”
Pleasant Ridge
- 1st graders rehearsing for their upcoming “Punxsutawney Phil” performance
- 2nd graders taking an informative writing test involving a proper lead, transitions, ending and proper organization throughout the piece
- 3rd graders constructing Keva plank maizes in the Innovation Lab
Woodland Meadows
Kindergarten students reading “Let’s Find Out” to learn about current events
1st graders playing GeHOGraphy as they learn about groundhogs, where they live and their famous prognostications
3rd grade students writing over 160 “positivity” notes to support a collaborative and supportive classroom
Heritage
- Physical Education students focused completing their test assessing flexibility, core strength, upper body strength and cardio fitness
- 4th graders engaged in their “morning meeting” including a fun fact of the day, puzzle of the day, think about it, poll of the day and share out
- 5th graders learning about PVLEGS to better support their public speaking skills
- 5th graders practicing math games including a favorite, Splash Math
Middle School
Multimedia I students working on a design challenge with company logos
Special Education students learning about Black History Month, studying a photographer, musician and dancer
7th graders studying the Jacksonian Democracy in social studies class
8th graders learning about genes and mutations
7th/8th grade artists making clay lanterns and learning how to use the pottery wheel
High School
AP Language and Composition students doing preliminary research on a social issues topic of their choice
Physical Science students working on a performance test where they need to make a scale, with weights, to measure force
AP Physics students studying angular motion
Biology students discussing how you would analyze sections of DNA for fingerprinting at a crime scene
AP Calculus BC students reviewing for their upcoming test covering “exponential and logarithmic functions
Pottery I, II and III students working on tea pots, mugs and other clay objects while learning how to use the “wheel”
Liberty
Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) students working hard on writing their names, cutting out shapes, playing with sand, and learning about polar bears
Young Adult Program (YAP) students involved in many activities, including:
Learning about civil and human rights during Black History Month
Learning how to sign “I love you” and “airplane”
Entering daily events in their iPad planners
Playing “left, right, center” during YAP Club time
Curriculum Corner
Preparing for Building and Grade Transitions
Planning is already underway for the 2024-25 school year! Teams in all of our buildings work hard to support our students as they make transitions between buildings across Saline Area Schools. At the middle school and high school, counselors and administrative teams meet with students regarding their options for the upcoming year and to help guide them to make the best decisions for their academics, interests, and career pathways.
Saline High School will be welcoming the Class of 2028's students and their families to Curriculum Night on Wednesday, February 21 at 6:30 p.m. in the Saline High School auditorium. This event will consist of a meet-and-greet with Teacher Leaders from each content area, an overview of the scheduling process, and a Q&A with Saline High School counselors and administrators. Saline High School also hosts a club and activities night later in the season to orient students to the many extracurricular and athletic opportunities available at the High School.
- Current 5th grade families and students are invited to attend to the 6th Grade Information Night in the SMS Auditorium on Monday, February 26 at 6:30 p.m. The evening will begin with a presentation by SMS Administration, guidance counselors, and students. Families will then be invited to tour the building and ask individual questions.
Current 6th grade families and students are invited to a webinar on Tuesday, February 20 at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. This meeting will discuss course offerings for 7th grade, course election procedures and timelines, and the structure of schooling at the 7th-grade level. Families can access the webinar at this link.
Heritage School is providing an orientation webinar for current 3rd grade students and families as they prepare for the transition to 4th grade on Monday, March 11 at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. Looking ahead, incoming families will be invited to attend a building walk-through in May.
Elementary Buildings are very excited to welcome incoming Young 5s and Kindergarten students, with an informational webinar scheduled for Wednesday, March 6 at 6 p.m. via Zoom and all new families will be invited to attend building walk-throughs scheduled in May.
Hall of Fame Nominations Now Accepted
The Foundation for Saline Area Schools Alumni Association is seeking nominations for Saline graduates or former faculty, staff, coaches, or administrators that deserve recognition. Nominees should have gained recognition or made notable contributions in their selected field and/or community service. Nominees should be people of good character and integrity, and should exemplify the principles, philosophy, and mission of Saline Area Schools. Nominations are open until February 20.
Federal Tax Credits for Families
The official start of the federal tax filing season is here! Tax credits are often missed by eligible families. The IRS shares information with school districts across the United States as a way of informing families with school-aged children about tax credits available to them. Click here to learn more!
Young 5 and Kindergarten Enrollment
Know a child who's turning five soon? Spread the word! Saline Area Schools offers an informational webinar for all prospective Young 5 and Kindergarten families, scheduled for Wednesday, March 6 at 6 p.m. Online enrollment begins the week of March 18. Additionally, elementary buildings will be open for building walk-throughs for new families in May, following the schedule below:
- Woodland Meadows: May 8, 6-7 p.m.
- Pleasant Ridge: May 15, 6-7 p.m.
- Harvest: May 22, 6-7 p.m.
Families are also invited to attend Open Houses and Orientations in the fall, in conjunction with the start of the 2024-25 school year. More information is available on our District Registration website.
Upcoming Events
- February 13: Board of Education Meeting, Liberty School Board Room, 6:30 p.m.
- February 16: K-12 Early Release Day
- February 19: No School
- February 20: Deadline for Hall of Fame Nominations
- February 20: 7th Grade Information Webinar- Class of 2030, via Zoom, 6:30 p.m.
- February 21: Saline High School Curriculum Night- Class of 2028, 6:30 p.m., SHS Auditorium
- February 26: 6th Grade Information Night- Class of 2031, 6:30 p.m., SMS Auditorium
- February 28: Saline Middle School Science Fair, 6-7:30 p.m., SMS Cafeteria (Sign-up by February 21)
- March 6: Young 5 and Kindergarten Information Session, via Zoom, 6-7:30 p.m.
- March 9: Foundation for Saline Area Schools Blue Jeans and Bling Fundraiser, 6-10 p.m., Sheraton Hotel, Ann Arbor
- March 11: Heritage/4th Grade Orientation- Class of 2033, via Zoom, 6:30 p.m.
- March 16: Saline Spring Craft Show, 8:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Saline Middle School
I hope you have an excellent weekend!
Sincerely,
Stephen D. Laatsch, PhD
Superintendent
Saline Area Schools, The Pursuit of Excellence
7265 N. Ann Arbor St., Saline, Michigan 48176
734-401-4001
laatschs@salineschools.org