October 5, 2018

BeeBe’s Byline, Good afternoon Hornet families! I hope you’ve had a pleasant week and have been enjoying the warmer, October temperatures the past few days. We had excellent attendance for Wednesday’s Count Day and hope to keep this positive momentum going for the rest of the school year. The grading period for the first progress report ends today. Teachers have until Tuesday, October 9th to submit grades for the progress report window. We hope to see all of you out for parent-teacher conferences next Wednesday or Thursday to discuss your student’s progress. Progress reports will not be distributed at conference, so please make sure you check grades in PowerSchool prior to arriving for conferences. This is the perfect time to see what you can do to help support the school and ensure your student is on-track before the end of the 1st quarter. There is still plenty of time to improve grades and maximize learning before the official report card. Remember, Wednesday, October 10th is a full day of school and Thursday, October 11th is a ½ day. Students will attend 1st -3rd hours and will be dismissed at 11:12 a.m. MST and CSI students will not attend Heritage on Thursday. Sounding Board is our way of extending 2-way communication between the school and parent community. I’m looking forward to meeting with parents on Monday, October 8th @ 1:30 p.m. to hear your concerns and share important updates

about our school/district. Please use the main office entrance, sign-in and get a visitor’s badge. The office staff will direct you to the media center conference room for the meeting. The Sounding Board is a great way to be involved in our school in a positive and productive way. Bring your ideas and questions! Last year’s free and reduced meals applications will expire on Monday, October 15, 2018. As required by federal guidelines, students without a 2018-2019 approved Free and Reduced Meal Application on file will pay full price for all breakfast and lunch meals beginning October 16th. Families are strongly encouraged to go to lunchapp.com for quick results or complete a paper application as soon as possible to continue receiving benefits. Smile….it’s almost time for picture re-take day! Re-takes are scheduled for Tuesday, October 16th. If you or your student was not satisfied with their fall portraits, this is the final opportunity for 2018-2019 school pictures through Kaiser Studios. Please make sure the original packet is returned on re-take day and be sure your student is in school, dressed appropriately and on-time for this session. Re-takes will be completed during the AM only.

Enjoy the weekend!

Mrs. Beebe

Monday, October 8, 2018 Tuesday, October 9, 2018

• 7th GR Girls VB - Davis vs HJH • 8th GR Girls VB- Davis vs Heritage

• 7th GR Football - HJH vs Bemis • 8th GR Football - Bemis vs HJH

• 7th GR Girls VB - Malow vs HJH • 8th GR Girls VB - Malow vs Heritage

Wednesday, October 10, 2018 Thursday, October 11, 2018

• Parent-teacher conferences: 4:30-8:30 p.m.

• Secondary Half Day: Dismissal @11:12 a.m.

• Parent-teacher conferences: 12:00-3:00 p.m.

Friday, October 12, 2018 Saturday, October 13, 2018

• Relaxation Day

• Have a Great Weekend!

To see next week’s schedule, go to upcoming events.

Heritage Daily Schedule

Full Day: 1st Hour: 8:10 – 9:08 2nd Hour: 9:14 – 10:10 3rd Hour: 10:16 – 11:12 4th Hour: 11:18 – 12:57

A Lunch: 11:18 – 11:49 B Lunch: 12:26 – 12:57

5th Hour: 1:03 – 1:59 6th Hour: 2:05 – 3:01

Half Day: 1st Hour: 8:10 – 9:08 2nd Hour: 9:14 – 10:10 3rd Hour: 10:16 – 11:12

Student Council Pasta For Pennies for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society - October 8 -October 31 - money will be collected during fourth hour classes. Canned Food Drive and Toys for Tots - November 12 - Dec 7 - Collect American Red Cross Blood Drive – Thursday, November 1 from Noon to 5:45 Donors must be at least 17 years old and at least 110 lbs. Please email Mr. Zacharias at kenneth.zacharias@uticak12.org or call at 797-3122 to schedule an appointment.

Safety, technology and infrastructure improvements highlight Nov. 6 Bond Proposal The Utica Community Schools Board of Education has unanimously (7-0) approved placing a $155 million bond proposal on the November 6 ballot to address safety and security, technology and infrastructure improvements identified through the district’s strategic, long-range facility improvement program.

“The bond proposal will allow us to continue providing an environment that supports the academic excellence for students that our community expects and deserves,” Board of Education president Gene Klida said. “The bond projects address safety and security and infrastructure priorities that directly impact our classrooms. The projects also provide our teachers the tools they need to drive learning and develop the job skills that businesses need to build our economy.” Voter approval of the bond proposal has been structured to keep the tax rate at or below the current level. The bond proposal will affect each UCS student and every UCS school and school facility. The ballot proposal states that that the bond proposal will provide for: 1. making safety and security improvements, including cameras and door-locking systems;

2. equipping, furnishing, re-equipping and refurnishing school district buildings, facilities, and structures, and acquiring school buses and technology equipment;

3. constructing additions to and/or remodeling school district buildings; and

4. improving and developing sites, including playgrounds, athletic fields, facilities, and structures in the school district.

“Safe and secure schools are a top priority for our community and our district,” Superintendent Dr. Christine Johns said. “The improvements in this bond proposal are a key piece to our collaborative efforts with local law enforcement to continue to keep our schools safe places for students and staff.”

Technology improvements provide students and teachers the resources to support learning, including key areas of Career and Technical Education (CTE) and the integration of skills that ensure success in college and career.

The infrastructure projects also support the district’s long-range improvement programs in key areas of roofing, paving and the replacement of buses.

Board of Education Treasurer Dr. Robert Ross emphasized that voter approval of the bond proposal has been structured to not increase the current tax rate.

“Through solid fiscal planning, this bond issue has been designed to ensure we can address our facility priorities at or below our current millage level,” Dr. Ross said.

Dr. Ross added that the improvements will allow the district to extend the life of current school buildings and protect the investment the community has made in its facilities.

“Area realtors are clear that the strength of Utica Community Schools protects property values and draws new families and businesses to the communities we serve,” he said.

Dr. Ross noted that by law the bond revenue will be used only for capital improvements and may be not used for operating expenses, such as salaries or utilities.

“It is important that our taxpayers know that all revenue must be used for the purposes that are specified in the bond proposal and the expenditures are independently audited,” he said.

More information and an overview of projects are available on the district’s website at http://www.uticak12.org/2018bond.

Join Builders Club

The motto of Builders Club is “Building Leaders.” Builders Club is an international organization for junior high school students imbedded in the philosophy of building character and developing leadership through service. The vision is “to develop competent, capable, caring leaders through the vehicle of service.” The Sterling Heights High Noon Kiwanis Club sponsors the HJH Builders Club to develop leadership skills in local youth and to promote public service. Mr. Ted Boehmer, our Kiwanis advisor, attended our September meeting. Our initial meeting for the current school year began with the introductions of Mrs. Curtis and Mr. Boehmer. 20 students were welcomed and received member handbooks and a schedule of meeting dates. The meeting focused on growing our membership by inviting all Heritage students to join and participate in service opportunities. Members created recruitment posters and displayed them throughout the school building in a push to involve more students. Members also wrote a recruitment announcement with two students volunteering to read the statement at lunch. Builders Club first service project was introduced and will continue through the school year. It is called Crayola Color Cycle. This program was coordinated in conjunction with Crayola and is designed to recycle used markers instead of sending them to landfills. The Color Cycle program has repurposed more than 70 tons of expended markers since 2013. Advanced plastic conversion technologies are used to make wax compounds for asphalt and roofing shingles as well as to generate electricity that can be used to heat homes, cook food, and power vehicles. Builders Club members created posters and wrote a second announcement to involve students and teachers in collecting used markers, highlighters, and dry erase markers. Used markers may be deposited in the drop-off box in Mrs. Curtis’ room. Please work with Builders Club to protect our environment. Officer elections for HJH Builders Club will be held at our next meeting on Tuesday, October 23. Members were informed of job responsibilities for offices of president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and sergeant-at-arms. Students interested in running for a particular office should contact Mrs. Curtis, so that your name is added to the ballot. Tentative meeting dates for the 2018-2019 school year are listed below. Meeting times are 3:05-4:00 PM. Rides need to be at Heritage promptly at 4 PM. Everyone is invited to join Builders Club. Bring a friend and stop in to see in Mrs. Curtis’ room (372). Builders Club offers the opportunity to build leadership skills and friendships within our school setting, while participating in service projects to benefit the broader community. If you have any questions contact a Builders Club member or Mrs. Curtis.

Tuesday, September 25 Tuesday, October 23 Tuesday, November 27 Tuesday, December 11 Tuesday, January 29 Tuesday, February 12 Tuesday, March 12 Tuesday, April 16 Tuesday, May 21

Good news….Back by popular demand!

CARE will be hosting a near-free “Parenting Teens” class here at Heritage this fall. The cost is

just $5 per family and includes a book to support the sessions! The Active Parenting Teens

class will meet for 6 consecutive weeks. All sessions will that takes place on Thursdays in the

Media Center from 6:30-8:30pm. Please enter at door 5A. You do not have to attend each

session….choose the topics that will benefit you and your family the most. Online registration

is open NOW! Click here Parenting Teens Class to enroll today!

Topics covered:

Thursday, October 25th – Brain Development of Teens

Thursday, November 1st – Problem Ownership and Communication

Thursday, November 8th – Discipline

Thursday, November 15th – Self-worth

Thursday, November 22nd – *No class – Thanksgiving

Thursday, November 29th– Strategies for Reducing Risky Behavior (part 1)

Thursday, December 6th– Strategies for Reducing Risky Behavior (part 2)

Heritage Junior High Communication Flowchart Process Parents transitioning from elementary to junior high school often wonder the best way to have their question or concern addressed. It is easy to become discouraged when attempts to communicate with school officials are not addressed only to be referred to others to resolve a problem your child may be experiencing in school. In order to help parents with this process and assist in efficiency, the “Heritage Junior High School Communication Process Flowchart,” has been created. This sequence is in place to make sure your questions and concerns are addressed to the proper school official. It is our hope that the flowchart will be utilized as a way to direct your question or concern so that it may be handled by the appropriate school official and responded to quickly. As always, classroom concerns and questions should be directed to the specific teacher involved. The chart is listed within this newsletter and will also be available on the website for parents for future reference. Please note that our office staff will be trained to help assist parents with this process and in many cases you will be referred to the first level in order to provide you with the most direct staff member.

Heritage Junior High School Communication Flowchart Process Most parent and community questions are easily and completely answered by communicating directly with the staff member closest to the situation. As you move further along the flowchart, the staff is less directly involved and usually needs additional time to research the situation before they can give you an answer. If you do not hear back from the person you have contacted within two (2) business days, it is appropriate to reach out to them again before moving along to the next level of the flowchart. We do not expect your questions or concerns to go unanswered for a long period of time. Each situation should first be addressed at whatever level the initial action was taken with appeals moving on to the next level on the “Communication Process Flowchart.” The easiest way to communicate is via e-mail while a phone call is the next preferable way.

Heritage Junior High Communication Process Flowchart Area of Concern First Level

Second Level Third Level Fourth Level Fifth Level

Instruction/Curriculum Teacher Counselor Assistant Principal Principal Board Office

Athletics Coach Heritage Athletic Director

Principal District Athletic Director

Board Office

Special Education Teacher Special Education Staff

Counselor Principal Board Office

Student Concerns/Guidance/Health Related Concerns

Teacher or Counselor

Assistant Principal Principal

Classroom Discipline Teacher Counselor Assistant Principal Principal Board Office

Non-Classroom School Discipline

Counselor Assistant Principal Principal Board Office

Classroom Concerns Teacher Counselor Assistant Principal/Principal

Board Office

Transportation Bus driver Assistant Principal (Discipline)

Transportation Supervisor

Board Office

Guidelines for Parent Communications to Teachers and Staff The purpose of this section is to serve as a general guide for ensuring effective communication from parents to teachers, staff and administrators. Communication refers to both the sending and receiving of information, such as email and notes, and verbal communications such as telephone conversations and face-to-face meetings. In order to ensure a successful exchange of information, it is important that all parties follow a few key principles.

Maintain Respectful and Open Communication • Always use a respectful and polite tone.

• Request, don’t demand.

• Be ready not just to provide information, but to listen to teacher/staff observations and perspectives.

• Enter the exchange with an open mind and assume a shared best interest for your child.

• Be prepared to work collaboratively to solve problems.

• Threats and/or inappropriate language will not be tolerated toward staff members.

Confidentiality • Recognize that confidentiality may limit information that can be shared from school to parents,

including consequences for other students’ behaviors.

Time to Respond to Communications • Teachers will make every effort to respond as soon as possible to parent communications, with the

understanding that the teaching day sometimes precludes immediate responses.

• Teachers and staff may need some time to collect needed information before responding.

• If you need to have a face-to-face meeting, it is always best to schedule the appointment in advance. Teachers, counselors, and administrators may not be readily available when parents “show up” unannounced. Please provide all of the necessary information pertaining to the meeting in advance.

Whom to Contact • Most communications of classroom concerns should be directed at first to your child’s teacher.

• If you have an issue with a particular staff member, first try to address those concerns with that staff member directly.

• If you have discussed with your child’s teacher and the issue has not been addressed to your satisfaction, then move to the next level.

• Please recognize that it is both the policy and the value of our school that we operate with openness, collaboration and the shared best interest for every student.

Scheduling Concerns/Changes* – In order to process a schedule change, parents must first have met with the teacher and put a plan in place to support the struggling student. If after several weeks, the student is still struggling, it would be appropriate to move to the second level. Please note - Classroom questions concerning your child should be addressed with your child’s teacher before contacting the counselors and/or school administration. Allow for two (2) business days for a response. If no response is received from a teacher during that time, send a second email or phone call to that teacher. Please note that compliments or acknowledgements of positive events can be directed to everyone along the chain. All of us appreciate hearing that there is something good that has happened.

STEVENSON HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC BOOSTER CLUB 2018 - 2019 MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

The Stevenson Athletic Booster Club helps ALL sports and sports clubs! We are a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that exists to provide support and assistance to Stevenson athletes and the entire athletic department of Stevenson High

School. We raise money through membership dues, concessions, merchandise sales and various fundraisers. We provide scholarships, athletic equipment and supplies, team awards, and other funds to support our student athletes.

Parental and community involvement is essential to the success of the program. By joining the Booster Club, you can make a tangible difference in the lives of all Stevenson athletes. Membership is active for the 2018-2019 school year. If

your child(ren) plays more than one sport, be sure to list all of them as this number is used to determine team participation. Along with the $20 membership dues, we ask that you donate your time for at least two Booster Club

events during the school year.

Athletic Booster Club Meetings

Location: ECC @ 7:00 PM

Tuesday, October 9, 2018 Tuesday, November 13, 2018

Tuesday, January 8, 2019 Tuesday, February 12, 2019

Tuesday, March 12, 2019 Tuesday, April 9, 2019 Tuesday, May 14, 2019

Please complete the information below and send a check with your membership dues of $20 made payable to STEVENSON ATHLETIC BOOSTER CLUB to:

Treavor Smith, Athletic Director Stevenson High School

39701 Dodge Park Road Sterling Heights, MI 48313 treavor.smith@uticak12.org

Email us at: StevensonAthleticBoosters@yahoo.com

Booster Club Vice President - Joe Andre (586) 634-9008 - joeandre586@gmail.com

Breakfast is Served!

A healthy, nutritious breakfast is a critical ingredient to the success of our students. Studies have shown that eating breakfast significantly improves student achievement. To help our students succeed, the school breakfast program is available in all of our schools. Healthy choices include cereal, whole-grain breakfast bars, yogurt, fruit and milk in the elementary buildings. Those choices, along with fresh-made hot breakfast sandwiches and other favorites are featured in the secondary buildings. Fresh-made fruit smoothies are also available in the high schools. Breakfast is served in the cafeteria prior to the start of the school day. For menu information and serving times at your student’s school, please visit http://www.uticak12.org/foodandnutrition or download the new app by searching Utica Community Schools at the App Store or Google Play.

Breakfast is served in all K-12 buildings. Breakfast for students at all grade levels will begin on Tuesday, September 4, 2018. Please note that breakfast is served on all scheduled school days, including half-days, throughout the school year. Lunch service will begin on Tuesday, September 4, 2018 for secondary buildings and on Wednesday, September 5, 2018 for elementary buildings.

Food and Nutrition Service meal policy

A new meal charging policy is in effect this year in an effort to provide clear and consistent meal account procedures, including the charging of meals and handling and disposition of negative meal balances. When a student meal charge creates a negative balance, prompt repayment is expected. To bring the meal account up to date, families can make deposits online, send cash or a check to school with the student’s full name on the memo line (checks made payable to Utica Community Schools).

By establishing an account with sendmoneytoschool.com through the food and nutrition service link on the district website (http://www.uticak12.org/foodandnutrition) or app, families/parents can monitor balances and receive low balance email alerts on their students’ account. Students who pay for meals may only charge (have a negative account balance) up to five (5) meals (breakfast and/or lunch). If a student has a zero or negative account balance, they will not be allowed to make any a la carte or beverage purchases. After the fifth charge, students will not be able to make purchases of any kind in the cafeteria using their meal accounts. Instead students will be offered a regular meal (alternate meal).

Alternate meals are provided at no charge and include all the components federally required to qualify for a reimbursable meal. Alternate meals will continue to be offered while the negative balance is being resolved. For elementary school households, auto-messages from the school regarding negative/low balances are initiated weekly each Thursday (by email if provided or letter sent home). When an account balance is low or negative, cashiers will share that information with the student in a respectful age-appropriate manner. Please contact the Food and Nutrition Services Department at 586-797-1180 for further assistance.

“We Care” Food Pantry

New Apostolic Church

37800 Utica Rd. Sterling Heights

Open the FIRST Saturday of each month,

open from 9:00-11:00 AM

For more information and to register please

go to:

Nac-sterlingheights.org

Rehn A-O DeVuyst P-Z

Attention Current 9th Grade Students Your progress toward high school graduation starts NOW. If a high school student (9th -12th) earns an F in two of the three report card grades (two quarters and one exam=semester grade=.5 credits) the student will lose .5 credit for that semester. In order to graduate from UCS 22 high school credits must be earned to include the specific credits listed below:

4 credits of English 4 credits of Math (Geometry, Algebra 1, Algebra 11, and one senior year math credit)3 credits of Science (Biology, Chemistry or Physics, and one additional science credit)3 credits Social Studies (World History, US History, Economics, and Government) .5 credit of PE .5 credit of Health 1 credit of VPPA (visual, performing, applied arts) 2 credits of World Language (level 1 and level 2 of the same language consecutively) Please feel free to call, email, or set up an appointment with your student's counselor to discuss any questions or concerns.

Parent Sounding Board…WE NEED YOU! The Heritage Parent Sounding Board is made up of you, the parents. You are invited to attend and meet with the principal, Mrs. Greene-Beebe, in the Media Center Conference Room for scheduled meetings. A variety of important school topics will be discussed. Afternoon meetings are scheduled from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m., except as noted below. Our first meeting of the 2018-2019 school year is scheduled for Monday, October 8th. Additional meeting dates for the school year are as follows:

• November 12, 2018

• *December 10, 2018 @ 6:00 p.m. (note time change)

• January 21, 2019

• *February 11, 2019 @ 6:00 p.m. (note time change)

• March 11, 2019

• April 8, 2019

• May 13, 2019

Early Drop Offs

Parents, if you are dropping your student off early to meet with a teacher for tutoring/extra academic support, detentions or make-up work, please be sure to move in to the left lane when entering the front parking lot. Most importantly, stop, and wait for the traffic to clear before turning left to drop off your child. We have staff on duty to assist with morning traffic flow. Please adhere to their directions and let’s keep all students, staff and parents safe! Students arriving early, MUST check-in at the main office before meeting with the assigned teacher.

Dismissal/ After School Pick-up

Students should make their after-school plans in advance. If your child does not ride the bus, please help us ensure his/her safety. Make sure your child is picked up in a timely manner. No students will be allowed to hang out in the building or in the lobby after 3:15. Students MUST be supervised by staff if they are in school beyond the normal school day. If you are not there to pick up your son/daughter, he/she will be asked to wait outside, except in cases of severe or inclement weather. During frigid weather conditions, please make sure your child’s ride is on-time and he/she is dressed appropriately. We appreciate your support!

Free or Reduced Breakfast/Lunch Based on your total household

income, your child may qualify for meals at a reduced or free rate. If you believe you may be eligible, please go to the web site www.lunchapp.com to apply.

Students who received free/reduced meals last school year must complete a new application for 2018-2019.

Parking/Traffic Flow

Enter the parking lot from the south driveway. Drop off your student in the back of the building. Continue around to the front of the building. Exit at the north driveway.

NO STUDENTS ARE TO BE DROPPED OFF AT THE FRONT OF THE BUILDING.

Before and after school can be a very busy time in the parking lot. There are many students trying to get to school and home safely. Students will be crossing the driveway in the front of the school. It is very important all traffic signs and rules are obeyed. Students are to be dropped off and picked up in the back of the building only. When dropping off or picking up, please pull all the way along the yellow curb to allow others to drop off their child as well. No one is to be dropped off or picked up in the front of the building or at any random spot on Dodge Park or Metro Parkway. This is NOT safe! Always drive to the rear of the building and follow the directions of the crossing guard & parking lot assistants. No one is to be dropped off or picked up in the front of the building. When returning to the front of the building to exit, form two lanes after you pass the yield sign. Those in the left lane will turn south on to Dodge Park Road and those in the right lane will turn north on to Dodge Park Road. This will help eliminate one long line. Patience goes a long way in the parking lot! Thank you for your cooperation!

PLEASE HELP SUPPORT THE HERITAGE HORNETS!!!!

DONATE $10 TO HELP OFFSET THE COST

OF STUDENT LEARNING EXPERIENCES, SPECIAL

INCENTIVES AND FIELD TRIPS

WITH OUR NO HASSEL FUNDRAISER, THERE’S NOTHING

TO SELL & NOTHING TO DISTRIBUTE!

ALL FUNDS WILL DIRECTLY BENEFIT ALL HERITAGE

STUDENTS!!

YOUR DONATION IS TAX DEDUCTABLE!

NO DONATION IS TOO SMALL…ALL ARE APPRECIATED!

CASH, CHECK OR ELECTRONIC PAYMENT IS ACCEPTABLE.

SIMPLY WRITE A CHECK PAYABLE TO “HERITAGE JUNIOR

HIGH,” SEND CASH OR GO TO OUR PAYSCHOOLS

LINK TO MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE FOR OUR STUDENTS.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!

SPORTS ELIGIBILITY

Heritage Junior High School has a weekly eligibility program in place for all athletes. The expectation is that all athletes maintain satisfactory grades and good conduct marks throughout the school year. The coaches and staff want all our athletes to represent our school with pride, both as a student in the classroom and an athlete in the sports arena. The eligibility form is given to the athlete each Wednesday before or after practice or game. The athlete will give the form to each of his/her teachers on Thursdays throughout the season. The athlete’s teachers will write the grade and conduct mark on the form for that week and sign it. At the end of the school day on Thursday, the athlete will return the completed form to his/her coach who will submit it to the athletic director. Athletes who receive 2 F’s, 2 D’s, or 1 U in a given week are ineligible to participate in their next athletic contest. Athletes with poor grades/conduct marks will receive a letter from the athletic director informing them of their grades and ineligibility. Parents of the athletes are asked to sign the letter and have their athlete return it to the coach.

7th/8th Grade Athletic Admission and Prices

Event Ticket Prices Season Passes

Football

Volleyball

Basketball

Track

Students =

$1.00 Adults =

$2.00

• Student Pass = $20, Admits 1 student only. Good for 7th/8th grade home

athletic events only.

• Adult Family Pass = $30, Admits 2 adult members 18 years and older in

addition to 6th grade and younger children when accompanied by a

parent.

• Senior Citizen Pass = No Charge. Lifetime pass, age 62 years or older. Admits bearer to all UCS athletic home events.

Free admission for all K-6 students when accompanied by parent or adult.

Competitive

Cheer

Students =

$1.00 Adults =

$3.00

All season passes may be purchased in the main office. Please send checks or money orders only made payable to “Utica Community Schools”. You may also purchase passes through PaySchools. Click here to purchase your passes online. To redeem online purchases, the original printed receipt from the transaction must be provided to the ticket attendant for their records.

Senior Citizen Athletic Pass Local senior citizens are invited to take advantage of “Friday Night Lights” and all other home athletic games with a Utica Community Schools lifetime pass. The pass gives residents 62 years and older free admission to UCS home athletic events at all junior high school and high schools. The pass is not valid at tournaments hosted by the Michigan High School Athletic Association that are held at UCS sites.

Passes are available for free at athletic events, UCS secondary schools or by calling 586-797-1078.

Free App (OurPact)

Did you know that there is a free app available that parents can use to block children’s apps when desired,

limit Internet use, and block social media at

designated times?

• OurPact is a leading parental control app that makes it easy for you to set limits on how much time your

children are spending on their mobile devices. Create schedules, block all internet and app use at a

moment’s notice or reward them with the allowance feature.

• OurPact serves as an app blocker for kids both for iPhone/iPad/iPod or Android to block app use and

offer a form of in app restrictions. With this ability, you can schedule the most appropriate times for

your children to spend on their devices or add an extra 30 minutes of screen time to their allowance to

encourage them to finish their homework, even if you’re still at the office.

IPHONE USERS: Parents have the ability to download the OurPact app from the App Store or sign up with the OurPact

Web App for Free.

ANDROID USERS: Android Parents have the ability to access the OurPact web portal from any internet enabled device. Sign

Up for Free Today.

Learn more at www.ourpact.com

Utica Community Schools does not endorse this app. This is just for informational use.

SAT & PSAT Phone Apps

SAT Daily

Practice

App

Search for App on Google Play or App Store.

Instant Practice

and

Test Scoring

(SAT and PSAT

10)

https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/practice/daily-

practice-app

Khan Academy Search for App on Google Play or App Store.

Students get Student Email and Office for FREE! Everyone at Heritage Jr. High is united behind a single goal – to prepare our students for success in life. To help do that, we’re providing Office to every one of our students free of charge. This automatically updatable, subscription-based software ensures your child will always have the latest version of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and more. We believe that providing our students with free access will enable them to better prepare for their future. Students will be able to:

• Install Office on up to 5 personal PCs and Macs, plus 5 tablets

• Use cloud storage OneDrive

• Collaborate in real-time with other students using Office Online

• Gain valuable skills on the popular Office software

• Use the same programs as the staff to ensure full file fidelity

Click here for instructions for logging into your student email and getting to the Office 365 download site. If you need installation assistance, visit install Office on your PC or Mac with Office 365 at: https://products.office.com/en-us/student.

Attendance – Important Attendance Information Utica Community Schools’ junior high schools have an automated attendance calling system.

• Phone calls will be made beginning at 6:00 pm on each scheduled school day.

• Calls will be placed to the number that is entered as the “Primary Phone” in PowerSchool.

• Calls will be made for absence codes of “A = Unverified” and “U = Unexcused.”

If your child has absences for one or more class periods during the day, the call will be placed and you will receive a voice message asking you to check and verify your child’s attendance on PowerSchool. You will be asked to call the school’s attendance office within 24 hours, if you haven’t already done so, to excuse a full or partial day absence. If there is a concern with a single hour you will be asked to contact your child’s teacher and not the attendance office. Please also inform us if the primary number we have listed for you is not correct.

District Dress Code found in the Parent-Student Handbook Dress and Grooming Utica Community Schools takes pride in its students and encourages their development of good hygiene and grooming habits. Student dress and appearance that is neat and clean contributes to a positive school environment. Student appearance should not be disruptive to the educational process. Consider the following guidelines in selecting school clothing:

• Indecent, tattered or unsafe dress or footwear, or attire that calls undue attention to the wearer or

has lettering or symbols that are disrespectful or derogatory is not allowed.

• Beach wear, low-cut tops, tank tops, sleeveless tops, muscle-shirts, see-through clothing, short skirts,

short shorts, tight clothing without proper coverage, pajamas and clothing exposing the shoulders or

mid-section are not allowed.

• Knee length shorts and skirts are acceptable. Shoes must be worn.

• Outerwear – such as coats and hats – is not to be worn in school.

• Clothing that promotes illegal substances or drugs, illegal activities, violence, tobacco or alcohol is

prohibited.

• Clothing or head coverings worn as group identifiers that promote a disruptive school climate are

prohibited.

• Jewelry and accessories that may be deemed dangerous are prohibited.

Click here to view the Junior High Student Handbook.

Early Dismissal The school should be notified of early dismissals in advance if possible. Have your child drop off a note from the parent to the Main Office in the morning upon arrival to school, indicating the time of dismissal along with the name of who will be picking your child up. This will allow us to issue your child an Early Dismissal Pass, which permits them to leave the classroom at the designated dismissal time. You may also leave early dismissal requests on the attendance line before 10:00 am. After that time, it is only checked a few times per day.

Absentee/Late Arrival Call-in____________________________________________

Parents are reminded to call the school attendance line to report their child’s absence or tardiness. Students who are tardy or late to school must be called in (in order to be excused). All late arrival/tardy students must report to the Main Office upon arrival, to receive a pass. Heritage has a 24-hour designated telephone line to report student absences and tardiness. Please call (586) 797-3199 anytime to inform the school of your child’s absence or late arrival to school.

Classroom Tardiness____________________________________________________________

Teachers all have tardy policies in their classrooms. If tardiness becomes a problem, students will be referred to the office and/or the attendance officer.

A healthy, nutritious breakfast is a critical ingredient to the success of our students. We are pleased to announce that the school breakfast program in our district is now being offered at our school. The new offering is the result of the increasing popularity of the program districtwide and the importance our families place on making sure that students are ready for their school day. Healthy choices include cereal, whole-grain breakfast bars, yogurt, fruit and milk in the elementary buildings. Those choices, along with fresh-made hot breakfast sandwiches and other favorites are featured in the secondary buildings. Fresh-made fruit smoothies are also available in the high schools. Breakfast is served in the cafeteria prior to the start of the school day. For menu information and serving times at your student’s school, please check the schools website or download the new app by searching Utica Community Schools at the App Store or Google Play.

2018 -2019 School Meal Prices To comply with federal pricing guidelines for school menus, prices have been increased for school lunches and breakfasts. Our participation in the program means that menus continue to be focused on providing students with healthy options for a nutritious breakfast and lunch. The new prices for this year are:

Security

Security

The front doors (entrance 1) will be locked during school hours. To gain access, ring the

button on the right side of the main office entrance. Office staff will see you and unlock the

doors. Please enter the left side door and report directly to the main office.

Breakfast is Served!

2018-2019 Meal Price

Elementary, Lunch

Junior High, Lunch

High School, Lunch

All Grades, Breakfast

$ 2.75

$ 2.90

$ 2.95

$ 1.75

Click here for free and reduced price lunch applications, menus, put money in your student’s account, and more.

Inclement Weather – School Closing Inclement weather or building problems sometimes bring unexpected school closings. At Utica Community Schools there are several ways parents can be informed about these unanticipated days.

Utica Community Schools will implement the use of School Messenger, our mass parent telephone calls to

parents/guardians informing them of school closing information. It is important that we have updated

contact phone numbers. Please make sure that you notify the main office if there are any changes.

For parents connected to the Internet, the district’s web page, www.uticak12.org, lists school closings under the emergency school closing button listed on the main page. School closing information is broadcasted on radio stations WJR 760 and WWJ 950. Television stations airing

school closing information are UCS TV, Channel 2 (WJBK), Channel 4 (WDIV) and Channel 7 (WXYZ).

Bus Safety Reminders__________________________________________________

Please be sure you are following these rules:

• Stand 10 feet from the road at the bus stop.

• Don’t throw items on the bus or out the window.

• Don’t rush to the bus as it approaches the stop.

• Must be sitting while the bus is moving (at all times).

• Respect the bus driver.

Bus Information______________________________________________________

To determine your child’s bus stop, please click here to refer to the district bus schedule and all other bus information. The schedule is posted on the Utica Community Schools website the week prior to the start of school. If you have any questions, please call us at 586-797-2900.

Electronic Devices_____________________________________________________ • Electronic devices (phones and iPods) can be used in the hallways during passing time and during

lunch. You may listen to music with earbuds in one ear only. This way you can still hear an

announcement or someone needing to talk to you.

• UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES are you to be TALKING on your electronic device at ANY TIME!

• Once you are in the class room, you are to abide by your teachers rules regarding electronic devices.

• Failure to comply with these rules will result in disciplinary action.

• Any personal electronic device brought to school is the sole responsibility of the student. Utica

Community Schools assumes no responsibility for the loss, theft, or damage of any personal electronic

device.

Stay Connected Utica Community Schools’ websites provide a clear path to locate information. The websites are easily accessible to view on any computer or mobile device. In addition to the redesigned sites, a companion App is now available that will allow users to personalize their online experience. Through the mobile App, users can customize their options to also receive news, notifications and calendar dates from their selected school. The mobile App also allows busy parents the ability to securely access their student’s information, including schedules, academic performance attendance and bus routes. The app is available by searching for Utica Community Schools in either iTunes or Google Play.

UCS Website – http://www.uticak12.org

▪ UCS App

AppStore:https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/utica-community-

schools/id1142774610?mt=8

GooglePlay:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.relianceco.cma.utica

▪ Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/uticacommunityschools

▪ Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/uticaschools

▪ WordPress - https://drchristinejohns.wordpress.com/

▪ Google Plus - https://plus.google.com/113531083989959178864/posts

▪ LinkedIn UCS Page – https://www.linkedin.com/company/utica-community-

schools

▪ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/uticaschools