Week of April 22nd – April 26th

Emily Sickler

  • On Wednesday, join us as we celebrate Autism Acceptance Month throughout the district by wearing your favorite color.

  • Field Day T-shirt order postcards were sent home with students last week. We chose to keep a similar design on purpose across the elementary schools to help families reuse and share. The order deadline is May 1st.  Order HERE.

  • Order your 2023-2024 yearbook HERE.  The last day to order is THIS FRIDAY!

Happy Passover to all who celebrate.
Emily

  • THIS FRIDAY – last day to order Harvest yearbooks
  • April 30th – 3rd Grade MStep (ELA); Please refrain from scheduling appointments on this day!
  • April 30th – School and Family Partnership Series: Ready, Set, Summer Success; 6-7pm
  • May 1st – Last day to order field day T-Shirts
  • May 7th – 3rd Grade MStep (Math); Please refrain from scheduling appointments on this day!
  • May 10th-12th – Spring Arts Festival @ SHS
  • May 18th – PTA Parents Night Out at Mothfire Brewery (starting at 6pm)
  • May 24th – Harvest Field Day
  • May 23rd – Heritage Walk-Through 6-7:30pm (link HERE)
  • May 27th – No School; Memorial Day
  • June 5th – 1/2 Day; 12:10pm Dismissal
  • June 6th – 1/2 Day; 12:10pm Dismissal; Last Day

Dear Harvest Elementary Families,
During the week of May 6th we will be celebrating the wonderful staff we have at Harvest Elementary.  The PTA has been working to plan something special for each day of the week.  While the PTA provides most of the goods for the week there are a few donations that we are asking for.  Below is a schedule for the week.  You’ll find links on Tuesday and Wednesday for donations needed.  Thank you for helping spoil our teachers and staff – they are very deserving!
  • Monday  – Tom’s Travelin’ Coffee Truck will be out front from 9-11 am.
  • Tuesday – Hot breakfast catered by City Limits Diner to be served at 7:45
  • Thursday – Lunch catered by Mi Zarape – Taco Bar
  • Friday – Special Gift

 

  • Sign up to help in lunch in April HERE.

Saline Area Schools has partnered with Care Solace to help families ease the burden of identifying mental health and substance abuse services. Care Solace is a confidential care hub with a network of over 425,000 providers and services, available to families 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Care Solace is a complimentary and confidential service provided to Saline Area Schools students, staff, and their families. Care Solace can help families navigate providers, insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, and sliding scale payment options for those without insurance.

Families can access Care Solace in three ways:

  • Call 888-515-0595 anytime. Multilingual support is available 24/7/365. A dedicated care companion will help you research options, secure appointments, and follow-up to make sure the provider is a good fit.
  • Search anonymously to get matched with an extensive list of care providers at www.caresolace.com/salineschools.
  • Contact your school social worker (Harvest Social Worker – Terri Pickett, pickettt@salineschools.org/734.401.4509), and she will submit a referral on your behalf.

Information on individual treatment providers is gathered by Care Solace based on criteria such as geographic proximity, whether the provider accepts the authorized user’s insurance, and whether the provider is accepting new patients. The school district does not recommend, endorse, promote, or refer to any of the individual treatment providers.

Families or students experiencing a life-threatening emergency or mental health crisis, please call 911 or The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. Care Solace is not an emergency response service or mental health services provider.

Did you know Saline Community Education summer catalogue offer “Summer Booster Sessions”?   Saline Area Schools is partnering with Saline Community Education to provide additional academic support for select Saline students through Boosters classes this summer. Booster classes will be provided through Saline’s Community Education platform and are intended to provide summer support to set students up for success in the coming school year. These programs are not for credit, and are intended as refresher/review programs covering the previous year’s material.   Online Registration Begins April 15.  See if any sessions work with your family HERE.

 

District

Harvest

Week of April 15th – April 19th

Emily Sickler

 

  • Order your 2023-2024 yearbook HERE.  The last day to order is April 26th.

Eid Mubarak to all our Hornets who celebrated last week!

Emily

  • April 18th – 1st Grade Music Concert (7pm)
  • April 26th – last day to order Harvest yearbooks
  • April 30th – 3rd Grade MStep (ELA); Please refrain from scheduling appointments on this day!
  • April 30th – School and Family Partnership Series: Ready, Set, Summer Success; 6-7pm
  • May 7th – 3rd Grade MStep (Math); Please refrain from scheduling appointments on this day!
  • May 18th – PTA Parents Night Out at Mothfire Brewery (starting at 6pm)
  • May 24th – Harvest Field Day
  • May 23rd – Heritage Walk-Through 6-7:30pm (link HERE)
  • May 27th – No School; Memorial Day
  • June 5th – 1/2 Day; 12:10pm Dismissal
  • June 6th – 1/2 Day; 12:10pm Dismissal; Last Day

Dear Harvest Elementary Families,
During the week of May 6th we will be celebrating the wonderful staff we have at Harvest Elementary.  The PTA has been working to plan something special for each day of the week.  While the PTA provides most of the goods for the week there are a few donations that we are asking for.  Below is a schedule for the week.  You’ll find links on Tuesday and Wednesday for donations needed.  Thank you for helping spoil our teachers and staff – they are very deserving!
  • Monday  – Tom’s Travelin’ Coffee Truck will be out front from 9-11 am.
  • Tuesday – Hot breakfast catered by City Limits Diner to be served at 7:45
    • Baked goods provided by Harvest families will also be available – donations needed by May 6th; sign up for donations HERE
  • Wednesday – “You are our favorite thing” gifts
    • Donations needed by April 29th; sign up for donations HERE
  • Thursday – Lunch catered by Mi Zarape – Taco Bar
  • Friday – Special Gift

 

  • Sign up to help in lunch in April HERE.

Dear Families:

I am writing to inform you of a change that requires action on your part in order to receive timely updates about your child’s bus route status. On May 1, the Ride 360 app that Saline Area Schools uses to provide our families with student transportation and bus route information will be retired, and an updated app will be available to all users. This new app, My Ride K-12, can be downloaded now in the Apple and Android app stores, or by accessing this customized link for Saline Area Schools families. Usernames and passwords from Ride 360 will carry over into My Ride K-12. Additionally, you can use your existing log-in information to access a web version of My Ride K-12 at myridek12.tylerapp.com. New users will need their student’s 6-digit ID number in order to register and establish their account.

To learn more about My Ride K-12 or to access user guides, please visit the Saline Area Schools Transportation Department website.

Families with questions or experiencing difficulty accessing the app can contact the Transportation Department at (734) 401-4479, or transportation@salineschools.org.

Sincerely,

Tracey Mulcare
Saline Area Schools Transportation Manager

Did you know the summer 2024 Community Education program guide is now available?  Check it out HERE.  Classes include Broadway Boot Camp, Summer Boosters, The Science of Slime, Chess Club (before school), and more!

District

Harvest

Week of April 8th – April 12th

Emily Sickler

  • Join us in honoring the culture and contributions of Arab Americans. Let’s embrace diversity, foster understanding, and build a more inclusive community together!

 

  • Tomorrow many parts of the United States will observe a total solar eclipse.  Teachers have been providing instruction about the eclipse and eclipse viewing safety and the District has provided solar eclipse glasses to all students and staff to safely view the eclipse. If weather conditions and classroom lessons permit, teachers may take students outside to view the eclipse using these glasses. If you prefer your student(s) not participate in this type of experience, please contact your student’s teacher(s) directly.  Saline Area Schools does not plan to alter the dismissal time for the day, but asks that families have conversations about how to exercise caution during the eclipse, reminding students it is never safe to look directly at the sun. Sunglasses do not provide adequate protection for viewing an eclipse, and phones and cameras must be equipped with special filters for viewing through their lenses. We will not be holding recess between the times of 1:30 pm and the end of the school day.

  • Yearbooks are now on sale!  Click HERE to order.

 

 

  • Now that the weather has changed, and our playground can be muddy in the spring season, please remember to send in an extra pair of clothes for your student’s lockers.  Additionally, if families have any gently used girls size 8-14 sweatpants and leggings and boys size 6-14 sweatpants, we would take those donations for our office clothing closet.  Thank you!
Emily

  • THIS TUESDAY – Harvest Science Fair
  • April 30th – 3rd Grade MStep (ELA); Please refrain from scheduling appointments on this day!
  • May 7th – 3rd Grade MStep (Math); Please refrain from scheduling appointments on this day!
  • May 23rd – Heritage Walk-Through 6-7:30pm (link HERE)

 

 

Sign up to help in lunch in April HERE.

Affinity Group Listening Sessions

Families are invited to join Superintendent Laatsch, DEI Specialist Ryan Kerr, and City of Saline and Pittsfield Township officials in conversations with affinity groups to better understand families’ experiences in Saline Area Schools and the greater Saline community. As an educational community, Saline strives to embrace diversity and create a culture of equity and inclusion. Saline Area Schools continues to focus on being a more culturally responsive District by seeking to eliminate discrimination and harassment from our system. An RSVP is appreciated, but not required to attend.

  • April 29: Families of students who are Black or African American.
  • May 2: Families of students who are Asian, Hispanic, Latino, Native American, or Pacific Islander
  • May 7: Families of students with special needs
  • May 8: Families of students who identify as LGBTQIA+
  • May 13: Families of students who follow religious traditions

Did you know that Ride 360 is being replaced by a new app, My Ride K12 effective May 1st?  Families who utilize the Ride 360 app will need to download the new app and will be able to login using their credentials from the Ride 360 app.  New users will need their students 6-digit ID number in order to login. Families with students riding the bus can expect an email from the Transportation Department about this change in the coming week.

Additional Resources

District

Harvest

Week of April 1st – April 5th

Emily Sickler

To everyone in our Hornet community, welcome back from Spring Break and to those who celebrate, Happy Easter!    Whether you had an opportunity to catch up with family and friends, catch up on some much-needed rest, or enjoy some sun, or maybe even some snow – I hope you enjoyed the break!  A few important notes for upcoming events…

  • Tuesday is the last day to register for our 2024 Harvest Science Fair (April 9th) Link HERE
  • Many parts of the United States will observe a total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8. While Saline is outside of the path of totality, residents are expected to experience a partial eclipse (98.5%). Teachers are providing instruction about the eclipse and eclipse viewing safety in Young 5s-6th grade and in science classrooms across the District.  The District will provide solar eclipse glasses to all Harvest Hornets and staff to safely view the eclipse. If weather conditions and classroom lessons permit, teachers may take students outside to view the eclipse using these glasses. If you prefer your student(s) not to participate in this type of experience, please contact your student’s teacher(s) directly.  In addition to classroom resources, the Saline District Library is offering an Eclipse Program presented by the Longway Planetarium on Saturday, April 6 from 2-3 p.m. Families must register to attend this free event. More information on the eclipse, timeframe, and instructions to safely view the eclipse is available from NASA.
  • Saline Area Schools continues to work to create more equitable and inclusive spaces to best serve our diverse student population and their families. For many students in our schools, the observance of religious and cultural traditions is an important part of their personal, family, and community life. SAS educators are provided with resources to help them consider common religious and cultural observances in their classroom planning in addition to the guide posted on our website.  With Ramadan underway, should families need any additional or more specific accommodations for students related to fasting, resting, prayer, or other supports, please do not hesitate to reach out to myself and/or your classroom teacher. Saline staff are dedicated to collaborating to ensure student needs are met so they can continue to learn and grow during this sacred month, and during any other important religious observance our families celebrate.

Emily

We are in the season where we are holding tight to the learning and joy of the current school year while also starting to prepare for the 2024-2025 school year.  This is your opportunity to share your thoughts regarding your child as we start gathering information to begin the placement process for the 2024-2025 school year.  These input forms will be open throughout the remainder of the current school year.

  • April 9th – Harvest Science Fair
  • April 30th – 3rd Grade MStep (ELA); Please refrain from scheduling appointments on this day!
  • May 7th – 3rd Grade MStep (Math); Please refrain from scheduling appointments on this day!
  • May 23rd – Heritage Walk-Through 6-7:30pm (link HERE)

 

 

Sign up to help in lunch in April HERE.

Beginning the week of April 8, Saline Area Schools will be inviting all staff and students/families in grades 3-12 to participate in the annual end-of-year school/district climate survey (also referred to as the District Quality survey). The District wants to hear your thoughts on critical school issues, including academic support, student support, family involvement, school/district leadership, safety, and behavior. Your feedback on this survey helps guide our work. This is one of the surveys the District facilitates annually in order to collect feedback from stakeholders using a systemic approach. You can learn more about the timing of annual District surveys here. Students in 3rd-12th grades will be invited to take this survey within the April 8-26 timeframe. Parents/guardians can preview the student surveys below. If you prefer your child not participate in this survey, please reach out to your child’s building principal.

These annual surveys are an important part of our District’s continuous improvement process and provide many examples of highlights to celebrate as well as data that can serve as a catalyst for change in areas of improvement. Refer to the complete District Quality Summary Report for findings from the 2022-23 survey.

Did you know Michigan recently experienced its first confirmed case of measles since 2019, and since that time three additional cases have been reported, including a second case in Washtenaw County on 3/21/24?  In addition to Michigan, 41 measles cases have been reported in 2024 in 16 other states to date. Measles is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease that is spread by direct person-to-person contact with nasal and throat secretions and through respiratory droplets (sneezing and coughing) that can live in the air for up to 2 hours. Measles is the most contagious virus known to infect humans. The Michigan Department of Education has asked districts to share information with our families about symptoms related to measles which usually begin 7-14 days after exposure: 

  • High fever (may spike to over 104˚F)
  • Cough
  • Runny nose
  • Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
  • Tiny white spots on the inner cheeks, gums, and roof of the mouth (Koplik Spots) two to three days after symptoms begin.
  • A rash that is red, raised and blotchy that usually starts on the face and spreads to the trunk, arms and legs three to five days after symptoms begin.

If symptoms develop, families are urged to call ahead before visiting their doctor or emergency room so facilities can take precautions to prevent exposure to others.

With the risk of community spread, families are encouraged to ensure all individuals are up to date on all their childhood immunizations, including the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine. Ninety percent of unvaccinated individuals who are exposed to measles will become infected. About 20% of people who get measles will be hospitalized.

  • The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services encourages all students and staff to be immunized against measles. One dose of MMR is required for preschool-age children, two doses of MMR are required for school-age children, unless they have the appropriate medical or non-medical waiver.
  • All school employees should know and have documentation of their measles immunity status. Anyone not immune to measles or with no documentation of immunity should be vaccinated as soon as possible. Anyone born prior to 1957 is considered immune. Contact your primary care doctor if you do not know your immunization status.
  • In the event of a confirmed case, any exposed student or staff member without documented immunity may be excluded from work, school, and public activities, usually for 21 days; longer if more cases of measles occur.
  • Exposed individuals may be eligible to return to work, school, and public activities sooner if they receive post-exposure prophylaxis (MMR vaccine) within the appropriate time frame (72 hours from exposure), making quick identification of these eligible contacts essential.

Saline Area Schools are working closely with the Washtenaw County Health Department to be prepared in the event of a local case. Please reach out to Karan Hervey, District Nurse if you have questions or would like more information.

District

Harvest

Week of March 18th – March 22nd

Emily Sickler

  • We celebrate our final week of March is Reading Month activities this week…

  • You should have received your student’s Trimester 2 Report Card last week. If you did not receive a digital report card, please email harvestoffice@salineschools.org so we can help.  If you need a report card printed and sent home, please email harvestoffice@salineschools.org and we can make accommodations for you.

  • Rock Your Socks on March 21st for World Down Syndrome Day!
Emily

 

 

Sign up to help in lunch this week HERE.

Know an incoming Y5 or Kindergarten student?  Register for Safety Town HERE.

Safety Town is a safety education program geared for the pre-kindergarten child. Topics include pedestrian safety, police officers, bicycle safety, riding a school bus, safety at home and play, fire safety, stranger danger, seat belts and water safety. Traffic safety is emphasized daily as children ride through our miniature “city” complete with buildings, crossing guards, and street signs. Children who complete Safety Town should be better prepared to care for themselves as a pedestrian or bus rider during their first year of school, as well as becoming more safety conscious at home and play. Safety Town has been specially designed for your child’s needs – it is fun and educational. First graders may attend if they haven’t before or if they need a refresher.

Did you know that if you missed the Heritage transition night webinar you can watch the webinar HERE and view the slides HERE?

District

Harvest

Week of March 11th – March 15th

Emily Sickler

While we continue to celebrate March is Reading Month this week…

We also honor Women’s history month and Celebrate the strength, resilience, and achievements of women who’ve shaped history.

Emily

  • THIS MONDAY – 3rd to 4th Grade Transition Night Webinar (6:30pm)
  • March 18th – Young 5s/Kindergarten Enrollment Begins for 24/25 School Year (link HERE)
  • March 23rd – March 31st – No School; Spring Break

  • Sign up HERE to help out in the lunch room for March

**Join Webinar Here:
https://salineschools-org.zoom.us/j/93536403699 

Did you know Community Ed has a summer day camp?  Registration for current families begins Sunday, April 7th at noon, registration for new families begins Wednesday, April 10th at noon.  salineonline.reg.eleyo.com

  • Eligibility: Children ages 5 – 12 years in Saline. Children must be between the ages of 5 and 12 on their first day of camp.
  • Dates: Monday-Friday, June 11-August 19 (closed July 4-5)
  • Hours: 7:30 am-5:30 pm. Drop off and pick up is at your leisure.
  • Location: Pleasant Ridge Elementary
  • Schedule: Pick and choose your dates.
  • Fees: $55 registration fee per family. $55/day. No additional cost snacks or other special events. We bill according to our billing schedule and payment is due in advance.
  • Snack/Lunch: Lunch is not provided and must be sent from home. We provide an afternoon snack.
  • Questions: Please contact Lee Saborio or Linda Davis.

District

Harvest

Week of March 4th – March 8th

Emily Sickler

Remember…

Emily

  • Monday, March 11th – 3rd to 4th Grade Transition Night Webinar (6:30pm; Webinar Link)
  • March 18th – Young 5s/Kindergarten Enrollment Begins for 24/25 School Year (link HERE)
  • March 23rd – March 31st – No School; Spring Break

THANK YOU, PTA, for kicking off March is Reading Month with Jeff the Magician.  He really was out of this world!

  • Sign up HERE to help out in the lunch room for March

Did you know that there are some important information for third grade families?

  • Please use THIS LINKfor the March 11th transition webinar that Heritage is hosting starting at 6:30pm.  The one that has been previously posted was not correct.  The information is also listed below:
  • Community Education is opening registration for their Bridge 4 program TODAY.  “Join us at Heritage to get ahead of the game in meeting students from Harvest, Pleasant Ridge, and Woodland Meadows!  Incoming 4th graders will learn how to use lockers with locker combs, tour the school, become familiar with specials classes and build relationships with peers and the Heritage staff!”

District

Harvest

Week of February 26th – March 1st

Emily Sickler

This week we are all going to take advantage of our “one extra day” by finding ways to use this extra time to go over our routines here at Harvest and being mindful to share all the ways we are glad we get an extra day to spend together.

Our Harvest Hornets know that routines are so important.  We have routines to efficiently line up and get lunch to lots of hungry Hornets, at recess to safely play, and during independent reading so staff members can spend time working with individual and small groups of students.  Please take a moment and review some school routines that have been previously shared to ensure Harvest safe and running smoothly.  Thank you!

Guidance to Manage Communicable Diseases in the School Setting

Saline Area Schools follow the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) guidance to manage communicable disease in the school setting.  As a school community, we attempt to minimize the spread of communicable disease by encouraging frequent hand washing and through the regular cleaning of community surfaces. Families and school staff can also help by keeping students home or sending students home if they exhibit symptoms as outlined by the Washtenaw County Public Health Department.

Managing and preventing the spread of communicable disease in the school setting is a partnership between school and families.  Please refer to the following resources for more information regarding communicable disease in the school setting:

Families are required to report illness to the school office when a child is absent. Please report symptoms, especially respiratory concerns, fever, and vomiting as well as any confirmed diagnosis (strep throat, pink eye, impetigo, etc.) to the office. This helps us know when to notify other families about illness and also aids us in tracking illness trends at school and in the greater community. For additional information regarding managing communicable disease in the school setting or for other questions, please contact Harvest nurse, Wendy Portwood (portwoow@salineschools.org).

  • Email – harvestoffice@salineschools.org
  • Phone – 734.401.4500

Parent Drop-Off /Pick-Up Loop

Thank you for everyone working together to ensure our drop-off/pick-up loop runs smoothly in the morning and afternoon.

    • Do not leave your car unattended in the drop-off/pick-up loop.  If you need to get out of the car for any reason, please use one of our two parking lots to park and get out of your car.  The loop only works if you stay in your car and all cars continuously move forward.
    • A student may not walk into the pick-up loop to enter a vehicle.  They may only enter the vehicle at the curb and enter on the passenger side of the car.
    • The pick-up loop is a single loop, DO NOT wait two abreast and have your child walk between cars to your car on the inside lane.
    • DO NOT use the bus loop to pick up your child or park your car, the buses will block you in.
THANK YOU for everything you do, big and small, to be part of our Harvest family.
Emily

  • Wednesday, March 6th – Young 5s/Kindergarten Information Webinar (6:00pm link HERE)
  • Thursday, March 7th & Friday, March 8th – 1/2 Day (no lunch served, 12:10pm dismissal)
  • Monday, March 11th – 3rd to 4th Grade Transition Night Webinar (6:30pm; Webinar Link)
  • March 18th – Young 5s/Kindergarten Enrollment Begins for 24/25 School Year (link HERE)
  • March 23rd – March 31st – No School; Spring Break

  • Sign up HERE to help out in the lunch room for February/March

Did you know there are many online resources and resources at the local libraries to help with science fair projects, but the most important component is that the project is something that your student is excited about and that it is student-focused?

The Harvest Science Fair will take place on April 9, 2024, from 6-7pm in the Harvest cafeteria and gym.  Please fill out THIS FORM with all of the required information by April 2, 2024, to reserve your space.  

District

Harvest

Week of February 19th – February 23rd

Emily Sickler

Tomorrow we do not have school to honor the leaders who shaped our nation. Dream big, Hornets! Happy Presidents’ Day.  

Please save the dates for some exciting Harvest events coming up in the next few months, the Harvest Science Fair and our Spring Music Concerts!
The Harvest Science Fair will take place on April 9, 2024, from 6-7pm in the Harvest cafeteria and gym.  Please fill out THIS FORM with all of the required information by April 2, 2024, to reserve your space.  

Groups or individuals can submit projects. This is intended to be a child-initiated and a child-centered activity, but we know that adult support may be beneficial. Students should display their findings using a tri-fold board etc. There are many books in our school library and area public libraries as well as various websites to help your creative minds get inspired. If you need any special accommodations for the Science Fair, we would be happy to provide or arrange those if needed such as needing water, electricity plug (please bring your own extension cord), or additional space due to a big project. Please be as specific as possible.
Set up for the Science Fair will begin at 5:30pm. You will check in at the check-in table and be directed to your space for set up. The student scientists will need to stay with their project for the duration of the event and should be able to share what they did and what they learned. We will have “judges” walking around to see the projects and give positive feedback.
Emily

  • Wednesday, March 6th – Young 5s/Kindergarten Information Webinar (6:00pm link HERE)
  • Thursday, March 7th & Friday, March 8th – 1/2 Day (no lunch served, 12:10pm dismissal)
  • Monday, March 11th – 3rd to 4th Grade Transition Night Webinar (6:30pm; Webinar Link)
  • March 18th – Young 5s/Kindergarten Enrollment Begins for 24/25 School Year (link HERE)
  • March 23rd – March 31st – No School; Spring Break

We are looking for a Harvest Hornet family member who has some artistic skills and can help us with a small task!  Each Saline Schools building has been tasked to create a chair to be auctioned off at the Foundation for Saline Area School Blue Jeans and Bling Event (purchase tickets HERE).  We are looking for a family member who could help us add some details to our chair (already purchased).  We have a plan, we just need to execute it!  If you are crafty, please reach out to PTA President Katie Reynolds (harvestptapresident@gmail.com).  THANK YOU!

  • Sign up HERE to help out in the lunch room for February

Did you know that updated Acadience scores were shared with K-3 families in the past week?  If you did not receive your student’s updated scores, please reach out to our MTSS coordinator, Katie Spencer (spencerk1@salineschools.org) to ensure you receive and understand this important information.  Additionally, here are some additional resources for you.

District

Harvest

Week of February 12th – February 16th

Emily Sickler

If you have a chance to walk through the halls of Harvest, you will notice students learning and celebrating Black History Month.  We hope students can learn both about the trailblazers who paved the way and those who continue to inspire change every day.
Many students have also had a chance to learn about Lunar New Year.  We wish our Hornets who celebrated a joyous Lunar New Year filled with prosperity, good health, and happiness!
THANK YOU for everyone who helped donate with our Harvest Kindness Squad SOUPER BOWL Contest.  We had a goal of 200 items and had over 550 donations!  Next week we will send these items to Saline Area Social Services.  Our community is the real winner of this contest, WAY TO GO!
Emily

  • Friday, February 16th – Early Release Day (lunch served, 1:10pm dismissal)
  • Monday, February 19th – No School
  • Thursday, March 7th & Friday, March 8th – 1/2 Day (no lunch served, 12:10pm dismissal)
  • March 23rd – March 31st – No School; Spring Break

  • Sign up to help out in the lunchroom HERE.

Zoom Link HERE

Get ready for Young 5 and Kindergarten registration! Join us on Zoom for an overview of everything you need to know to prepare for Young 5 and Kindergarten registration. The webinar will be held Wednesday, March 6 at 6 p.m. and can be accessed at http://bit.ly/SAS-Y5K Registration begins March 18!

Did you know that the Foundation for Saline Area Schools is making substantial differences in our school?  I want to invite you to participate in its annual fundraising event, Blue Jeans & Bling, on March 9, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. at the Sheraton Hotel in Ann Arbor. 

The Foundation provides grants directly to our teachers, allowing them to better educate and reach every one of your children.  Last year one of our Harvest teachers wrote a grant that the Foundation approved for “JumpRope Readers” for our Harvest classrooms.  

At a district level, we’re certainly on a journey in the way that we teach reading. It’s the focus of almost all of our professional development at the Y5-3rd grade level. Teachers have done a lot of work this year understanding kids phonological awareness and phonics skills post pandemic. The Jump Rope Readers are a perfect fit to supplement books in the classroom. The titles in these series gradually and systematically introduce beginning readers to new letter-sound correspondences and high-frequency words. Along the way, the books also introduce memorable characters, exciting adventures, and the foundational elements of literary fiction and core curriculum standards. Jump Rope Readers are engaging and meaningful books that help beginning readers develop their foundational word recognition skills.  We believe beginning readers deserve books they both can and want to read. “A book is just right if the child can read it and wants to read it. Anything else is ‘just okay’ at best.” This grant supports the District Strategic Framework Goals and Compass Student Attributes because these books are interesting, comprehensible, instructive and representative. We want our students to meet or exceed state standards so we need to strengthen their reading skills with targeted practice. To build bridges between home and school, we need books that serve to represent our very diverse world and offer books that serve as “windows, mirrors and doors” for students. Students are more likely to be motivated and self directed if we have books in their little hands that they can and want to read.

The Blue Jeans & Bling event is a great way to support this wonderful organization. I hope you can attend or learn more about FSAS!

Sincerely,

Emily

District

Harvest