Month: March 2020

Week of March 30th – April 3rd

Emily Sickler

A Note From Ms. Sickler

Thank you for your continued patience during this COVID-19 global pandemic.  Next week, March 30 through April 4, is Saline Area Schools’ official spring break.  Please take time to be together as a family, make new memories, and enjoy each other’s company.  Note that not much information will be shared by us during this time.

Beginning Monday, April 6 our teachers will begin sharing weekly learning opportunities via SeeSaw or Google Classroom and email.  We will continue this process for the duration of our absence from face-to-face learning. Our hope is that by providing a distance learning plan, that our students will have access to:

  • A virtual learning experience that promotes ongoing learning
  • Continued engagement with school/classroom routines
  • Social-emotional support and wellness opportunities

I could not be more proud of the Harvest staff in how they have come together (virtually, of course) with one another and their colleagues from across the district to put together plans that are thoughtful and considerate of the parent tech survey, students’ needs, and the staff’s ability to offer distance learning. Saying this, we know that we will not be able to replicate the face-to-face classroom experience, but we do hope that the students stay engaged with learning throughout this time.  This work will not be graded, however, feedback may be offered by the classroom teacher. For more detailed information, please refer to the Guide to SAS Distance Learning.

 

Harvest Family Check-In

We want to know how you and your family are doing so each week I will be checking in with you to see how you are doing. We’d love to hear from you: HARVEST FAMILY CHECK-IN.

 

Important: Seesaw Updates

In the past, many of you have used the Seesaw Family app to view your child’s work at school.  Now that we are going to be using Seesaw at home, you will need the Seesaw Class app. For more information on using Seesaw with different devices, first, check here.  This app is free of charge. 

 

Did you borrow a device from Saline Area Schools?  Check Out this Important Update.

Distance Learning Parent Information from SAS Technology Department

There will be another date to pick up devices.   More information to come following spring break.

 

Stay well and know we will continue to be here to care for and support one another.

With care,

Ms. Sickler

COVID-19 District Notes

Saline Area Social Services Update

  • Sign up HERE to volunteer
  • Here’s our latest list of pantry priorities, updated 3/26:
    • *Cheese – string cheese
    • *Deli meat
    • *Mac and cheese
    • *Chunky soup
    • Fresh potatoes – 5lb or 10lb bags
    • Stuffing
    • Instant Oatmeal
    • ½ gal containers of milk
    • Cereal
    • Pancake Mix
    • Syrup
    • Easter Candy

Sweet Tweets of the Week

 

Did You Know?

Did you know that you can now register your child for Young 5s or Kindergarten?

Ms. Sickler Reads!

Chapter 7

 

 

Ms. Sickler Reads Playlist (Chapters 1-6 + other stories)

Week of March 23rd – March March 27th

Emily Sickler

A Note From Ms. Sickler

  • As a district, we are continuing to work closely with teachers to help provide learning opportunities for your children. I know many of our amazing Harvest teachers have been reaching out and keeping connected with their students already. While we want to keep connected,  we do not want to add stress as we know this is a challenging time for everyone. Please give yourself grace as we all seek to find a new normal.  I am borrowing the words that our Washtenaw Intermediate School District shared this week:

To all the parents who are trying to keep up at work while trying to help their child stay focused on learning at home while also teaching them the meaning of social distancing and how to wash their hands for 20 seconds while singing “Happy Birthday” so that you can make them dinner and clean up the kitchen in time to still make it to the grocery store before it closes early so that hopefully you can find at least one roll of toilet paper and be back in time to put the kids to bed, all the while managing your own stress and anxiety about everything that is going on right now and – oh yeah – there are still bills to pay, dishes to wash, laundry to be folded, and a dog to feed…

YOU ARE DOING AWESOME!  WE LOVE YOU AND SUPPORT YOU!

 

  • We want to know how you and your family are doing so each week I will be checking in with you to see how you are doing. We’d love to hear from you: HARVEST FAMILY CHECK-IN

 

  • This past week your child’s teacher sent a link to a technology survey.  We are working as a district to secure devices for all students who need one in the event we do not return to school on April 6th.  If you have not filled out the survey yet, HERE is the link.

 

Love and Virtual Hugs!

Ms. Sickler

COVID-19 District Notes

Saline Area Social Services Update

Sweet Tweets of the Week

 

Did You Know?

Did you know that Mr. Sherman has created an Innovation Lab Challenge?  Take a look at some fun ideas at home and share with Mr. Sherman via email or Twitter.  Happy Innovating!

Did you know that Mrs. Reeves has created a March is Reading Month AT HOME challenge?

 

Ms. Sickler Reads!

I have started reading the chapter book, Amelia Bedelia Means Business.  Check out Chapters 1-5 below!

Week of March 16th – March 20th

Emily Sickler

A Note From Ms. Sickler

On Friday, during our before school building pep talk, our amazing social worker shared the following quote to our staff:

Our staff set the temperature so our students felt calm and cared for on Friday.  It was bittersweet as students collected books and supplies for the next few weeks.    We still have more questions than answers, but we have collectively agreed that is okay.  We are going to focus on what we can control and how we can support one another.  Feel free to reach out to me via email during this uncertain time (sicklere@salineschools.org).

Resources For Families

Resources For Students

Emily

The Following Events Have Been Cancelled

Sweet Tweets of the Week

Did You Know?

Did you know that Saline Area Social Service (SASS) is here to help families in need during this time of need.  If you need help or are interested in providing support, please refer to the information below.  SASS will also be updating the Saline Area Social Service Facebook Page and salinesocialservice.com with important updates and urgent need requests.

Ms. Sickler Reads!

Check out all the Ms. Sickler Reads! videos from this year HERE.

Additionally, stay tuned as I read a book or chapter from a book each day we are not in school!  I’ll be posting on the Ms. Sickler Reads! YouTube Channel and Harvest Facebook Page starting Monday, March 16th.

Week of March 9th – March 13th

Emily Sickler

A Note From Ms. Sickler

  • If fear of the Coronavirus has you concerned, here is a post from NPR that can help you talk to your children about this virus.  Please remind your child about the importance of frequently washing their hands and doing so correctly. Here is a video from the World Health Organization on proper handwashing techniques that you may want to show your child.  Our teachers and custodial crew are continuously wiping down surfaces with Clorox wipes as well as specialized cleaning, especially on frequently touched surfaces (door handles, sink faucets, etc.). Please help us by reminding your child to keep their hands and objects out of their mouth and nose. As silly as this sounds, little people often have their hands in their nose and mouth, tend to lick surfaces and objects further spreading germs.  Finally, if you missed Superintendent Graden’s email about the Coronavirus (COVID 19), you can read it here.

  • Have a Young 5 or Kindergartener who will be at Harvest next year? Registration opens March 16th. Please read about the registration process HERE.  Feel free to reach out to me with any questions you may have.  I look forward to welcoming our newest Hornets to Harvest in the fall!

Ms. Sickler

Upcoming Events

Monday, March 9th

Tuesday, March 10th

  • Specials Day 5
  • 6:30pm Board of Education Meeting @ Liberty Board Room

Wednesday, March 11th

Thursday, March 12th

Friday, March 13th

Save the Dates

PTA Points

  • Sign up HERE to volunteer for the March Book Fair and Pancake & PJ Event
  • Check out our next Harvest Helping Hands event supporting Mott Children’s Hospital

Sweet Tweets of the Week

 

Did You Know?

Did you know about the opportunities offered by our Special Education Department? Check out information from Molly Garcia, director of Student Services.

We would also like to share upcoming events for parents and families in March:

    • Next Wednesday, March 11th is our dine to donate event at Texas Roadhouse. Great food for a great cause. Please bring in this flyer to support our department.
    • Monday, March 23rd SEAC will host a parent workshop on anxiety (flyer linked HERE). Thriving Minds will be our guest speaker. We will be in the Liberty Board room 6:00-7:00pm. This event is for parents of students of all ages.

Ms. Sickler Reads!

 

Week of March 2nd – March 6th

Emily Sickler

A Note From Ms. Sickler

  • Please consider joining myself and Harvest staff this Wednesday for Saline Area Schools Listening Session on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion hosted at Harvest at 6:30pm.  If you are unable to make it, feel free to contribute virtually (link HERE).

 

  • Please review our pick-up rules to ensure safety for all students at Harvest
    • When parking in either parking lot, please walk to the sidewalk and meet your child there.  Students may not walk into a parking lot unattended at any time.
    • Park in a designated space in the parking lots only
    • Do not leave your car unattended at any time in the pick-up loop or the drive into and out of the school.
    • Students 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.

Upcoming Events

Monday, March 2nd

Tuesday, March 3rd

  • Specials Day 1
  • 11:30am – Hollis/Terech Field Trip (Saline District Library)

Wednesday, March 4th

  • Early Release (dismissal at 1:10pm)
  • Specials Day 2
  • 6:30pm – Community Listening Session @ Harvest

Thursday, March 5th

  • Half Day (dismissal at 12:10pm)
  • Afternoon/Evening Parent Teacher Conferences
  • Specials Day 3

Friday, March 6th

Save the Dates

  • Wednesday, March 11th – Texas Roadhouse Fundraiser

  • Wednesday, March 11th – Parent Night with Ruth McNally Barshaw

PTA Points

  • Sign up HERE to volunteer for the March Book Fair and Pancake & PJ Event
  • Check out our next Harvest Helping Hands event supporting Mott Children’s Hospital

Did You Know?

Did you know The Saline Area Schools Sex Education Advisory Board will be accepting applications for its 2020-2023 membership? Applications are available online and a hard copy can be picked up at Harvest.

The timeline for application is as follows:

  • Applications accepted: February 26 – March 27, 2020
  • Review period: April/May 2020
  • Members will be notified by June 5, 2020

The SEAB is charged with reviewing and recommending materials and methods to the local school board, taking into consideration the district’s needs, demographics, and trends including, but not limited to, teenage pregnancy rates, STD rates, and incidents of sexual violence and harassment. They are not responsible for trade book selections or integration into the classroom curriculum.

A compilation of Michigan laws regarding the teaching of HIV, Health, Sex Education, and Physical Education can be found here.

More information on the SAS SEAB can be found here: SAS Sex Education Curriculum, Policies, Documents

If you have any further questions, please email Theresa Stager, SAS SEAB Co-Chair, at stagert@salineschools.org.

Ms. Sickler Reads!

Enjoy stories from Heritage teachers this week!

https://www.facebook.com/Saline18/videos/790883731422378/