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West Utica Elementary 5415 West Utica Road
Shelby Township, MI 48317
Phone: (586) 797-6600 Fax: (586) 797-6601
Attendance: (586) 797-6699
“The Friendly School” October 2016
PRINCIPAL’S CORNER We have had a great opening to our 2016-2017 school year and West Utica is roaring ahead at
full steam!
Halloween is coming around the bend and with that comes the fun and excitement of Halloween
costumes. In order to make Halloween a fun event for everyone we must refrain from wearing
costumes of a violent or adult nature. This includes costumes with blood, gore, or weapons.
Children who bring inappropriate costumes to school will not be allowed to wear them. In
addition if your child requires makeup for his/her costume the makeup must be applied at home
before school.
I would like to thank you for being calm and driving slow when entering our parking lot. It is
imperative for the safety of our students that we be patient and work together when dropping and
picking up our students. Please do not drive fast or cut other people off when you drive into our
parking lot. Our parent pick up line is for your convince and for the safety of our children. If
you are picking up your child you may wait in the parent pick up line and proceed to the north
door to pick up your child. You may also park in a parking spot and walk around to the back to
meet your child. We cannot have any children walking in the parking lot without an adult with
them. So please do not wave your child to come over to your car. Also, it is very important that
we do not double park. This causes the entire parking lot to become a stand still. We need
everyone to work together to keep our children safe and our parking lot moving.
I would like to once again thank all of our wonderful parents for helping us get off to a great start
to the school year. Together we all make West Utica a great place for children!
Our Mission is to challenge all students to reach their maximum potential and meet the demands of the future as responsible citizens.
The
Stallion
Express
WEST UTICA ELEMENTARY Calendar of Events 2015-2016
School Hours: Full Days: 9:00am-3:50pm Half Days: 9:00am-12:04pm
WEST UTICA ELEMENTARY 2016-2017 EVENTS CALENDAR
Oct. 24 PTO Trunk or Treat Event 6-8pm Oct. 31 Costume parade in gym 11:15am Half Day of school
Nov. 7 Veterans’ Day Celebration Nov. 8 No School Voting
Nov. 11-18th Book Fair Week
Nov. 16 Picture Retake Day Nov. 23-27 Thanksgiving Break return to school Monday Nov. 28th
SCHOOL VISITORS
Please remember when VISITING the school for any reason you will be
asked to show identification before being allowed to enter.
Our school newsletter at West Utica Elementary is posted on the West Utica Website. Carefully
reading the newsletter and using the monthly calendar will help you and your children.
Lunch Hours
1st Lunch (Kindergarten, 1st and 5th grade)
11:40-12:20 p.m.
11:40-12:00 eat
12:00-12:20 recess
2nd Lunch (2nd and 3rd grade
12:00-12:40p.m.
12:00-12:20 eat
12:20-12:40 recess
3rd Lunch (4th and 6th grade)
12:20-1:00 p.m.
12:20-12:40 eat
12:40-1:00 recess
Breakfast prices are increasing to $1.75. Lunch prices will increase to $2.75. Milk and juice will
still be $.45.
The fastest way to complete a free & reduced lunch application is to go to www.lunchapp.com
Follow the step by step instructions. It’s quick, easy and confidential.
For your convenience money can be deposited into your student’s lunch account at
www.sendmoneytoschool.com ************************** Doors open at 8:30am ONLY for students having BREAKFAST. If you do not
eat breakfast, you must walk around and line up in the back.
Students may ride their bicycles to school. Bikes must be parked upon arrival in the bike rack. It’s
a good idea to use a lock. Bike riders must be aware of basic traffic rules and bike safety rules. We
also promote the wearing of helmets when riding your bicycle.
All bikes are expected to yield to crossing guards and safeties.
Absolutely no scooters, roller blades, or skate boards.
Happy Birthday….While we would like to wish everyone a Happy Birthday on their
special day, school policy dictates that classroom teachers spend no more than 5 minutes to
recognize an individual student’s birthday. Due to allergies at the school: Please make sure all
food items are store bought such as cupcakes and cookes. Reminder: we do not allow any
balloons or flower bouquets to be brought into the classrooms. Please save those items for
your student to enjoy at home.
We will continue to collect Campbell’s soup labels, General Mills’ box tops, and Tyson Project
A+. We receive 10 cents for each General Mills box top. The Campbell’s soup labels earn points
toward items that are chosen for the Research Center. Each week they are collected by the teacher
and sent to the PTO for counting. There will be two contests this year to reward the classroom
collecting the most labels. This is a great way to earn money and equipment for our school. Start
clipping and send in labels and box tops
PTO:
At West Utica Elementary, all parents are encouraged to be involved in the education of their
children at all levels and are invited to work closely with teachers to optimize learning
opportunities that support academic achievement.
PTO Officers for the 2015-2016 school year
President Stephanie Sharp
Vice-President Troy Goins
Secretary Angie Micinski
Treasurer Melissa Radtke
Fundraising/Events Pam Smith
Cub Scout Pack 158 Did you know that West Utica Elementary is home to Cub Scout Pack 158. The Pack was established back in 1962. The group is open to all boys in grades first thru fifth grade. Meeting
times are: 6:30-8:30p.m. The boys participate in a variety of activities and outings during the
school year. If you have any questions, you can contact Cub Master, Dan Watchmaker :
When you leave the house in the morning-Remember your
house keys.
After School What Do I Do:
Please make sure your child knows each day what they are supposed to do after school. Example: Ride on the bus, Walk home, Go to School Age Child Care. If for some reason there is a change of plans, call the office by no later than 3:30 PM so that we have time to notify your child.
For your child to get the most out of school, punctual and regular attendance is important. Should
your child become too ill to attend class, please notify the school as soon as possible.
All absences must be reported to the attendance line. It is accessible 24 hours/7 days….call…
586-797-6699
It is important for children to be on time for school so they can benefit from all instruction. When
an attendance or tardiness problem is recognized so that the truancy officer needs to be notified,
the parent will also be notified. Students arriving late to school must sign in at the office before heading to class.
Top Ten Reasons to Keep Your Child Home from School 1. Fever over 99.0F in the last 24 hours 6. Head Lice
2. Vomiting in the last 24 hours 7. Uncontrolled Cough
3. Diarrhea in the last 24 hours 8. Drainage from eyes
4. Unexplained rash following a fever 9.Earache or discharge from ears 10. Weekends and Holidays!
Welcome to Dreambox Dreambox Hours: Monday through Friday. Arrival time: 8:00-8:10 am (anyone coming after 8:10 will not be allowed in DreamBox for that day. Everyone must be on their best behavior. Anyone not doing their work or being disruptive in DreamBox will not be allowed back and their parents will be called. Dreambox can also be accessed at home. Included with this newsletter is an instruction sheet. It is a wonderful program that moves at the student’s pace.
Label your child’s clothing:
Make sure you put your name on it. My Name Is……
Please label your child’s clothing, lunchbox and any other valuables with their name and
homeroom number. If your child loses something, please have them check the lost and found. All
items will be donated to a local charity at the end of every quarter
Attendance: A Key to Your Child’s Success!
Schools are responsible for teaching your child, but schools can’t do their job if your child is
absent. Learning builds day by day. A child who misses a day of school misses a day of learning.
Research shows that children who are in school most of the time do better on state tests. Studies
also show that children who are absent more often score lower on state tests.
Being late for school hurts a child’s learning, too. A student who is 10 minutes late every day
will miss 30 hours of instruction during the year.
Children can copy notes or make up an assignment, but they can never get back what’s most
important: the discussions of the questions, the explanations by the teacher and the thinking that
makes learning come alive.
Your child’s success in school depends on having a solid educational background - one that can
only be gained through regular school attendance.
For your child to get the most out of school, punctual and regular attendance is important. Should
your child become too ill to attend class, please notify the school as soon as possible.
All absences must be reported to the attendance line. It is accessible 24 hours/7 days….call…
586-797-6699
It is important for children to be on time for school so they can benefit from all instruction. When
an attendance or tardiness problem is recognized so that the truancy officer needs to be notified,
the parent will also be notified. Students arriving late to school must sign in at the office before heading to class.
WHEN CROSSING THE STREET PLEASE REMEMBER:
Student Handbooks:
Please find them online at the UCS website: Uticak12.org
Homework requests will be honored after your child has been absent 2 or more days, unless arrangements
have been made with the teacher. Please have your request in by 10:00 a.m. in order to be picked up in the
office after 4:00 p.m.
Mr. Lonnie, our crossing guard, is there for your safety. Please
listen to him at all times. He is on duty every day in the
morning 8:30 am to 9:20 am
and in the afternoon 3:40 pm to 4:30 pm
Cell Phone Use is Not Allowed during the School Day. The use of cell phones, pagers/beepers or other electronic communications devices (ECD) by students is prohibited at
any time while in school or on a district vehicle. Secondary students may carry ECDs, during the school day, but they
cannot be displayed or used. Elementary students are not permitted to possess an ECD at any time. If your child needs
to carry their phone for safety when walking home, it needs to be brought to the office for safekeeping during the
school day. It will be given back to the student at the end of the day to walk home.
The use of an ECD’s picture taking or Internet connection capability is not permitted. Utica Community Schools will
not be responsible for the theft, loss or damage of any ECD.
Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against students who violate the policy regulating ECDs, which was
approved by the Board of Education.
Early Dismissal 1. Notify the teacher in writing.
2. Report to the office and sign your student out.
3. Provide proper identification. (e.g. Driver’s License)
4. Office staff will check the emergency card to verify who is eligible to sign a student out from school. You
must be on the emergency card to sign a student out from school.
5. Due to the end of the day activities, please be advised that we need to stop early dismissals at 3:30pm.
Thank you for your understanding with this matter.
The safety of all of the West Utica Elementary students is very important to us. Please be patient as we follow this
procedure. Due to the amount of activity that is happening at the end of the day and the children receiving last minute
instructions from their teachers, all Early Dismissals stop at 3:30 p.m. Thank you for your understanding.
During inclement weather students may enter the building before 8:50 a.m. Student should
report to the main hallway and wait quietly to be dismissed to their classroom.
The placement of the orange cones will be a signal for the students to enter
through the front door.
Recess
Because fresh air and exercise have been proven to aid in the physical and educational growth of
students, each school has an outdoor recess program. It is important that children wear appropriate
clothing so they can go outdoors each recess. Generally, if a child is feeling well enough to come
to school, he/she can go outside for recess. If it becomes necessary for a child to stay inside for
recess longer than two days, a doctor’s statement will be needed. Students will remain inside when
the temperature including wind chill reaches below 10 degrees, or if there are unforeseen weather
conditions.
Parent Acknowledgement-Electronic Communications form will allow students to gain
recognition in educational reporting.
Students are occasionally able to participate in interviews by local news media reporting on the
district’s instructional programs.
Utica Community Schools Board of Education policy governs media relations that affect students.
News media representatives are required to report to the building Principal or the Office of
School/Community Relations for prior approval before interviewing students involved in
instructional programs.
Parents are asked to complete a media release form giving the Utica Community Schools and the
news media permission to interview students in connection with school activities. The signed form
is kept in the school office and is valid as long as the student is enrolled in the district. Parents
must notify the building principal in writing any time they choose to exclude their student from
taking part in media interviews.
MEDICATION IN SCHOOL
The Utica Community School Board of Education has adopted policy #5141.40
regarding the administration of medications in our school.
The policy states that parents should administer medication at home. However, school
personnel may cooperate in administering non-prescription, prescription and/or
medication at school with parent and physician’s authorization.
The procedures are as follows: Medication will be dispensed from 11:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. daily. Please try and work your child’s medication
time into this time frame. Parents are always encouraged to come to the school office to administer their
child’s medication.
Students who need to take over-the-counter medicine or prescription medication while in school must provide
the office with an Authorization for Medication form completed and signed by the attending physician.
Medication must be in its original container received from the pharmacy, indicating the dosage and time to
be administered.
Inhalers must be kept in the main office unless there is a physician’s note on file.
The Authorization for Medication forms are located in the main office and must be completed in its
entirety and signed by a physician before we will dispense any medication to the student.
School Age Child Care Childcare is available at West Utica Elementary during the hours listed below:
7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
3:50 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Registration forms are available in the main office. Please see the supervisor after you have
completed the registration form. The Supervisor is available during the hours of School
Age Child Care operation.
Cost for School Age Child Care is:
Registration Fee - $45.00 for one child or $60.00 for the entire family is nonrefundable.
$4.50 per hour
Please call 586-797-6980 for more information or go to www.uticak12.org
School Closing Information Inclement weather and/or building problems sometimes bring unexpected school closings. At Utica
Community schools, there are several ways parents can be informed about these days.
School closing information is broadcast on:
Radio Stations
WJR (760 AM) Channel 7- WXYZ News
WWJ (950 AM) Cable Stations: Channel 15 or 22
Television Stations
Channel 2 – WJBK News District Web Site
Channel 4 – WDIV News www.uticak12.org
If students must be dismissed early, efforts will be made to contact you or your designee,
as indicated on your child’s emergency card. Please make sure your child knows your
family’s plan for an emergency dismissal.
The School-Age Child Care Program will be open unless the nature of the emergency
would prevent it. Students who are registered will be held at school until their parents or
official designee can be contacted.
Teacher-scheduling appointments
QUESTIONS / CONCERNS
Teachers at West Utica Elementary are always glad to meet with you. If you would like to
meet with a teacher before or after school, please make an appointment, as their schedules
usually do not allow for unplanned conferences. We ask that you please call or send in a
note for an appointment so that we might keep the interruptions of our student’s
instructional day to a minimum.
Telephone
Our telephone is to be used primarily for business purposes. Children will be permitted to use the
telephone only in case of emergency. In addition teachers can allow calls home from the classroom
at their discretion.
We hope this policy keeps the phone lines open, and builds responsibility in our students. Please
encourage your children to remember their homework, band instruments, library books, notes and
lunches.
Title One: Our students have the opportunity to receive additional academic support from our Title I program. Title I
is a federally funded program designed to provide extra support to students in the areas of reading, math, and science.
Our trained paraprofessionals are available to provide support as needed to any student in the classrooms. The
classroom teachers coordinate the services so that they are an extension of regular classroom instruction.
Mrs. Cloyd will be the Title I Coordinator this year at West Utica Elementary. We look forward to working with your
children this year. Please do not hesitate to contact us at any time. You can call us here at West Utica or email Mrs.
Cloyd at [email protected]
UCS Transportation Rules and Guidelines
To insure the safety of all children in going to and from school, the student shall:
1. Arrive approximately five (5) minutes before scheduled arrival at assigned bus stop.
2. Remain in an orderly manner and follow all school rules.
3. Board bus single file at driver’s direction.
4. Be alert to traffic.
Once students are on the bus, in order to provide a safe environment, students shall: 1. Obey the bus driver.
2. Be courteous and respectful to others.
3. Remain seated at all times.
4. Keep body and objects inside the bus and to yourself.
5. Keep carry-ons out of the aisle.
6. Refrain from eating, drinking, or gum chewing.
7. Exit the bus only at the assigned bus stop.
8. Exit the bus in an orderly manner at driver’s direction.
Driver may assign seats.
Only authorized students and authorized UCS personnel are allowed on the bus.
Walkers are not eligible to ride the bus except for school-sponsored activities.
Any requests for transportation changes must be signed and approved by the principal or designee
Show your child the “Danger Zone” around the bus- 3 feet on the side and 5 feet in front of the bus.
From time to time bussed students may need to ride home with a friend. A one-day pass will be issued provided written
permission is received from both the guest and visitor’s parents. The written permissions must be turned in to the
office at the beginning of the school day. Each note must contain the following: 1). First and last names of both
students, 2). Bus numbers of both students, 3). Parent signatures. Bus passes can be picked up from the office at
lunchtime. Only regularly bussed students will be granted a change in bus because of insurance liability reasons.
West Utica Elementary Bus Code of Conduct
Be Respectful
Be polite to the driver. Say “good morning,” “thank you” and “goodbye”
Follow the driver’s rules and expectations
Give others space
Be Responsible
Use quiet voices
Behave so you won’t distract the driver
Be Ready
Enter and exit in an orderly fashion
Stay seated flat
Keep belongings on lap or under the seat
Be safe
Stay in your seat
Sit up straight
Keep all objects inside the bus
Single file line when boarding
Ask permission to open a window
Be your best………Always!
As part of a continuing effort to maintain the health, safety and welfare of students, the Utica
Community Schools request all volunteers to allow the district to conduct a criminal
Those who do not have one on file with UCS are required to sign the Volunteer (Chaperone)
Request Form, which authorizes the district to request a criminal check from the Michigan State
Police.
Chaperones for off-site learning trips: If you plan on being a chaperone for any off site learning
experiences, please fill out the form well in advance of the travel day. It takes approximately two
weeks to process background checks.
A background check of all district employees has been in effect for several years.
Volunteers will be asked to supply their full name, maiden name, birth date, race and gender, and
driver’s license numbers. Volunteer Request forms are in the school office. If you would like one,
please contact your classroom teacher or the office at 586-797-6600.
These forms should be completed at least two weeks prior to any school-related field trip.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Just a Gentle Reminder:
We are so happy you volunteer and enrich the lives of our students and school. Just as a
reminder, it is for the safety of all children that when volunteering any siblings or little friends
stay in the comfort of their home. When you are volunteering it makes your child feel special
because you are there just for them and your attention is focused on them and their class.
Utica Community Schools is a Smoke-Free Environment!
The use of tobacco products is not permitted at any time on district property
or at school-related functions. This policy promotes a healthy environment for our students and
families in conjunction with the state Tobacco-Free Schools Law and the Michigan Indoor Air
Act. Your cooperation in promoting healthy choices for our students is greatly appreciated.
PARENT PORTAL INFORMATION:
Parents have the opportunity to view their student’s schedules, attendance and grades.
Parents/students new to the district will need the access ID and access password for each student.
Continue to use your same IDs and passwords every year. See the school office if you need more
information.
School Age Child Care Childcare is available at West Utica Elementary during the hours listed below:
7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
3:50 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Registration forms are available in the main office. Please see the supervisor after you have
completed the registration form. The Supervisor is available during the hours of School
Age Child Care operation.
Cost for School Age Child Care is:
Registration Fee - $45.00 for one child or $60.00 for the entire family is nonrefundable.
$4.50 per hour
Please call 586-797-6980 for more information.
FACEBOOK USERS!
Be sure to check out West Utica’s new Facebook page.
Just search for our school on Facebook and hit “Like”
to receive the latest news,
updates, and events!
Thank you for supporting our school.
And….Thanks to Ms. Julie Burgett our Media teacher for
Sharing our Successes
on Facebook.
Utica Community Schools is committed to promoting the safe and effective use of technology. Through our district’s K-12 digital citizenship initiatives, we are providing students with information that promotes the proper use of digital content and tools. A tool that families can use to help protect their children is the Michigan Child Protection Registry. This free service from the State of Michigan protects children’s e-mail, cell phone numbers and Instant Messaging addresses from receiving inappropriate, adult-themed material.
The registry can be accessed by visiting www.protectMICHild.com. In addition, parents can click on the Protect MI Child icon, which will soon appear on the district and school Web sites for direct access to the registry.
Share a SUCCESS story by going to: www.UCSmeansSUCCESS.org
by calling: Tim McAvoy at 586-797-1107
Watch all SUCCESS stories at Uticak12.org or on: WOW channel 15 and Comcast 22.
West Utica Running Club info:
May: running club meets: every Monday/Wednesday time: 4-
4:45pm.
On days you plan to attend….
1. Wear your W.U.R.C. t-shirt
2. Wear tennis shoes and comfortable clothes.
3. Bring a water bottle.
You must be picked up by 4:45 after practice.
Important news for Parents:
Important information was shared with parents at our Curriculum Night/Open House regarding the impact Michigan school funding formula is having on Utica Community Schools. The information from Superintendent Dr. Christine Johns is titled “What’s the Cost of Educating a Child?” If you have not had the opportunity to read the material, we encourage you to do so as it is important to the future of our school and district. Copies of the materials are available in our school office or can be found on the district website at http://www.uticak12.org. We also encourage you to attend one of the community meetings about this issue: October 19 at 7 p.m. at Henry Ford II Performing Arts Center and November 16 at 7 p.m. at the Eisenhower Performing Arts Center. The agendas for both meetings will be the same. Please contact me if you have any questions at the school office (insert phone number).