A Note From Ms. Sickler

I hope you had a restful and relaxing break.  I spent time during our break looking at ways to continue to support the students and staff at Harvest.  One thing I found was this graphic with suggestions of ways to support an anxious child.  If you or your family is in need of support or resources, please reach out to me or our school social worker, Terri Pickett.

Ms. Sickler

Here are your “home school” updates:

• PR Weekly Update
• WM Weekly Update

Harvest Specials

Check out a video with your Harvest specials teachers to give some tips and reminders for virtual specials this week!

District Notes

Please consider helping out our district FFA by filling out THIS SURVEY.

What Does A Farmer Look Like? – Social Experiment

PTA Points

Due to the interest level and volume of orders currently being submitted through the Original Works At Home program that Harvest Elementary School and schools around the country are running, we plan to keep the program open for ordering indefinitely. We will continue to process and ship orders to the homes as they arrive throughout the season. This approach will provide families who have not yet placed orders the chance to order.

Directions for ordering here:  How to Order from Original Works.

Be sure to enter our school code: HARV (it is case sensitive) so we get the credit for it.  Money raised from this goes directly to classroom teachers to buy things like books that can be used in the classroom.

Sweet Tweets of the Week

Did You Know?

Did you know that our community has a variety of resources for families that are food insecure?  Check out this document that shares food distribution by day and location.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xbU3TaTpFQ1SLGV_i4PcBLzvMYTCs54TFGdxy5zEal4/edit?usp=sharing

Ms. Sickler Reads!

From the archives… Who Will Carve The Turkey This Thanksgiving

A Note From Ms. Sickler

• During this time of Thanksgiving, I want to share my gratitude and thank you for being such an important part of our children’s lives.  We have asked you to take on roles in your children’s education in ways unlike any other year.  We are so very grateful for your patience, flexibility, and grace as we all navigate these trying times.  On behalf of the entire Harvest staff, I would like to thank you for your continued support and wish you all a safe and happy holiday.
• In conjunction with our current model of 100% remote learning, our Saline Elementary staff has put together a Learning at Home Toolkit.  We were able to use tips and strategies from teachers and families who have been in this learning model all trimester to create the toolkit.

Ms. Sickler

Here are your “home school” updates:

• PR Weekly Update
• WM Weekly Update

Harvest Specials

District Notes

• Superintendent Graden’s 11/16 Community Message
• SAS Free Meal Program
  • Pick up day (Tuesday) and time will remain the same.
  • Regardless of our transition to remote learning and the Thanksgiving holiday break. all students will receive 7 days worth of breakfast and lunch this week
  •  CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR MEALS THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 23, 2020
• Due to changes, for the next 3 weeks, devices from students that are having tech challenges will be swapped out during the day, by appointment, by the Tech Team.  The swap will be with a Tech Team member, outdoors, in the HS bus loop.  Please have families call 401-4999, to leave a message, or fill out this form and a tech team member will happily work through any issues they are having or set up an appointment to get the device swapped out.

Upcoming Events

Monday, November 23rd

• Remote Learning Day

Tuesday, November 24th

• Asynchronous Learning Day

Wednesday, November 25th

• NO SCHOOL

Thursday, November 26th

• NO SCHOOL

Friday, November 27th

• NO SCHOOL

Save the Dates

PTA Points

Original Works – Deadline Extended!

Due to the interest level and volume of orders currently being submitted through the Original Works At Home program that Harvest Elementary School and schools around the country are running, we plan to keep the program open for ordering indefinitely. We will continue to process and ship orders to the homes as they arrive throughout the season. This approach will provide families who have not yet placed orders the chance to order.

Directions for ordering here:  How to Order from Original Works.

Be sure to enter our school code: HARV (it is case sensitive) so we get the credit for it.  Money raised from this goes directly to classroom teachers to buy things like books that can be used in the classroom.

Sweet Tweets of the Week

Did You Know?

Did you know that Washtenaw County Health Department is announcing plans with LynxDx and the 2|42 Community Center to offer a new drive-thru COVID–19 testing site in Ann Arbor opening on Wednesday, November 18?

“This new testing site will benefit our entire community,” says Juan Marquez, MD, MPH, medical director at WCHD. “We’re grateful to partner with Lynx and the 2|42 Community Center in bringing more accessible, faster testing to our county. Additionally, we know there has been a lot of interest in saliva testing. We’re excited to bring this no-contact saliva testing option to our community members.”

Learn more HERE.

Ms. Sickler Reads!

Ms. Sickler (and her sister) read a family favorite story together.

Also, check out Ms. Sickler’s sister Elizabeth and her dog dressed as characters from The Paperbag Princess 

A Note From Ms. Sickler

• I realize that the first conference of the year can be stressful for family members.  Please know that our staff strongly believes in building and maintaining a strong partnership between staff and families.  We know that all of our Harvest Hornets are unique and special.  Each day we are amazed, proud, and in awe of our students and the many strengths and talents that they share with us.  Like us, they also have areas in need of improvement.  A partnership between families and teachers is an invaluable tool for identifying both students’ abilities and areas with opportunities for growth.  Our students have big jobs to do each day.  Our job is to partner on their behalf. If you have not already done so, please schedule your conference/s, and approach the process with a spirit of inquiry and amazement at what makes your child/ren so very special.

• If you are interested in meeting with any of the specials teachers, please reach out to them directly to schedule a virtual conference:
  • Mrs. Dana – danat@salineschools.org
  • Mr. Glennie – glenniem@salineschools.org
  • Mrs. Larsen – larsenc@salineschools.org
  • Mrs. Reeves – reevesm@salineschools.org
  • Mr. Sherman – shermanm@salineschools.org

• Picture retake days are Monday, November 16th (Blue day) and Tuesday, November 17th (Gold day). If you were not satisfied with your pictures, please make sure to bring in the picture package you ordered.  If your child did not have their picture taken, they may have their picture taken on these days.
  • Virtual Students:  Please have your re-takes taken at your child’s “home boundary” building.  Harvest picture retakes are from 11am-1pm on Monday and Tuesday.  Just let your teacher know if your child will be missing a zoom session.
  • In-Person Students:  If you wish for your child to have their picture re-taken, please return the picture package and let your child’s teacher know.  Retakes will be taken while your child is in school.

Ms. Sickler

Here are your “home school” updates:

• PR Weekly Update
• WM Weekly Update

Harvest Specials

In-Person Students: Monday and Tuesday will be a “5” day (see what your “5” day is HERE).  Specials for Wednesday and Thursday are listed below:

On the days that you are not in school, check out these enrichment activities.  This will also be shared via SeeSaw on Monday.

Virtual Students: You will follow your daily special schedule.

Upcoming Events

Monday, November 16th

• BLUE DAY

Tuesday, November 17th

• GOLD DAY

Wednesday, November 18th

• BLUE DAY
• 1/2 Day – Afternoon and Evening Conferences

Thursday, November 19th

• GOLD DAY
• 1/2 Day – Afternoon and Evening Conferences

Friday, November 20th

• 1/2 Day

Save the Dates

• November 16 & 17th – Picture Retake Day
• November 18th & 19th – Virtual Parent-Teacher Conferences; 1/2 Day
• November 20th – 1/2 Day
• November 24th – Asynchronous Day for ALL students – 1st Trimester ENDS
• November 25th – 27th – NO SCHOOL; Thanksgiving Break
• November 30th – 2nd Trimester BEGINS

PTA Points

Sweet Tweets of the Week

Did You Know?

Did you know that Harvest students could join Destination Imagination? The deadline for registration is January 1, 2021; however, we would love to get students on teams before then, if possible.  A ton of details are on our website: www.salinedi.org. 

Ms. Sickler Reads!

To celebrate Diwali, please enjoy this story, Binny’s Diwali.  

Interested in learning more?  Check out this resource from National Geographic Kids.

A Note From Ms. Sickler

On Thursday, November 5th, a survey to gather feedback about your family’s school/instructional model preference and transportation needs was sent to the primary email contact for each child in your family. It will be open through tonight, Sunday, November 8. This year, the Second Trimester runs from Monday, November 30th, 2020 through Friday, March 12th, 2021.

If your survey link is not working, you did not receive a survey invitation, or you are missing a link for one of your students, please click here:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/17GcabNvTLhUhbGjd6IBYVkwe7C2JTf-fbXPZN12gTmo/edit?usp=sharing

If you have any questions regarding this survey, feel free to reach out to me.

Ms. Sickler

Here are your “home school” updates:

• PR Weekly Update
• WM Weekly Update

A Note From Saline Social Workers

Dear SAS Families,

As we head into the winter/holiday season and the global pandemic continues, we know that the needs of our families may be significant.  This year, we are partnering with Saline Area Social Services to offer assistance to struggling families.  Saline Area Schools families (including school of choice students and employee children) are eligible to receive bags of supplies for a Thanksgiving meal from Saline Social Services.  Supplies include:

• Stove Top Stuffing – 1 box
• Green beans – 2 cans
• Cream of Mushroom – 1 can
• Gravy – 1 can

*Please note, if a family has 4 or more people, they will receive two bags.

Please call Saline Social Services at 734-429-4570 by Monday, November 16th.  When you call, let them know that you are a Saline Area Schools family and indicate whether you would prefer to pick up your supplies at Saline Social Services or at your child’s Saline School.

Saline residents may also apply with Saline Social Services for on-going assistance including:

• A weekly food pantry that includes fresh, frozen, canned and boxed goods, diapers, toiletries and paper products.  We also provide special items, like laundry soap, dish soap, shampoo, deodorant and feminine hygiene products to our clients monthly.
• Referrals to government agencies and additional resources that can help our clients with specific needs.
• Limited assistance with rent, energy bills, car repair and prescription co-pays.
  • Rent assistance, in emergency situations only.
  • Utility must be in client’s name.  Client must be on a budget plan or payment protection plan or have a shut-off notice. In shut-off situation, client must go to Department of Human Services first and get verification of what DHS will pay.
  • We can assist with co-pays for prescriptions filled at our partner pharmacy (Saline Pharmacy) once the client enrolls in the Washtenaw County Prescription Plan, Medicaid, Medicare Part D, or a private insurance carrier.
• Personal items — such as eyeglasses, backpacks, children’s musical instruments and supplies.
• Back-to-School backpacks and supplies, including new shoes.
• Birthday gifts for children under the age of 18.
• The Holiday Meal Program, providing a complete holiday meal for Easter, Thanksgiving,and Christmas.
• Adopt-a-Family Program, which matches our families with generous adopters for gifts during the Christmas season.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to your building’s School Social Worker.  Contact info can be found here.

Thank you and take care,

SAS School Social Work Team

Harvest Specials

In-Person Students: Here is the schedule and rotation for the days that you are in school.

On the days that you are not in school, check out these enrichment activities.  This will also be shared via SeeSaw on Monday.

Virtual Students: You will be back following your daily special schedule.

District Notes

Tuesday, November 24th, will be an asynchronous day for all students.  Students will begin the day with their morning meeting and have activities to complete at home for the remainder of the day.  Staff will be supporting students that are leaving their classroom for a different learning model and/or helping to onboard students that are moving to their classroom for 2nd trimester.  Following Thanksgiving Break (November 25th – November 27th), we will begin our 2nd trimester on Monday, November 30th.

Upcoming Events

Monday, November 9th

• BLUE DAY

Tuesday, November 10th

• GOLD DAY
• 6:30pm – Board of Education Meeting @ Liberty School

Wednesday, November 11th

• BLUE DAY

Thursday, November 12th

• GOLD DAY

Friday, November 13th

Save the Dates

• November 16 & 17th – Picture Retake Day
• November 18th & 19th – Virtual Parent-Teacher Conferences; 1/2 Day
• November 20th – Asynchronous 1/2 Day
• November 24th – Asynchronous Day for ALL students – 1st Trimester ENDS
• November 25th – 27th – NO SCHOOL; Thanksgiving Break
• November 30th – 2nd Trimester BEGINS

PTA Points

Sweet Tweets of the Week

Did You Know?

Did you know that Harvest now has an Instagram account?

Ms. Sickler Reads!

A Note From Ms. Sickler

• Lock-Down Drill – This Wednesday and Thursday: Harvest will be completing our first lock down drills of the year on Wednesday and Thursday.  We are required by the state to complete three lock down drills a year.  I will make an announcement that we are practicing to stay safe by having a lock down drill and that it is important for everyone to listen to the teachers.  This drill typically takes about 3 minutes to complete.  I have included a social story video if you would like to talk with your child ahead of time.
• Conferences: The district has made the decision to hold all conferences virtually this fall.  Your child’s teacher will be sending out communication to sign up for a time to meet November 18th or 19th via Zoom.  If you are interested in meeting with any of the specials teachers, please reach out to them directly to schedule a virtual conference:
  • Mrs. Dana – danat@salineschools.org
  • Mr. Glennie – glenniem@salineschools.org
  • Mrs. Larsen – larsenc@salineschools.org
  • Mrs. Reeves – reevesm@salineschools.org
  • Mr. Sherman – shermanm@salineschools.org
• Fun Fall Friday: We hope you had a fun fall Friday and were able to look at some of the many activities shared in our Harvest Slide Deck.  The answer key to slide 5 (Guess Who) is below!  How did you do??

Ms. Sickler

Here are your “home school” updates:

• PR Weekly Update
• WM Weekly Update

A message to our IN-PERSON Families

Harvest Specials

In-Person Students: Here is the schedule and rotation for the days that you are in school.

On the days that you are not in school, check out these enrichment activities.  This will also be shared via SeeSaw on Monday.

Virtual Students: You will be back following your daily special schedule.

District Notes

• Miss the 10/29 Community Forum?  Check out the notes HERE
• Superintendent Graden’s 10/27 Hybrid-Model & Screening Updates

Upcoming Events

Monday, November 2nd

• BLUE DAY

Tuesday, November 3rd

• GOLD DAY

Wednesday, November 4th

• BLUE DAY

Thursday, November 5th

• GOLD DAY
• Survey about 2nd Trimester sent out (Due Sunday)

Friday, November 6th

Save the Dates

• November 16 & 17th – Picture Retake Day
• November 18th & 19th – Virtual Parent-Teacher Conferences
• November 24th – 1st Trimester ENDS
• November 25th – 27th – NO SCHOOL; Thanksgiving Break
• November 30th – 2nd Trimester BEGINS

PTA Points

A note from the Harvest PTO:

This unique year has presented many challenges for our Harvest staff, students and the people that care for them! The Harvest PTO wants to be sure that we can continue to support our Harvest family the best that we can.

We might not be able to host many of the activities or events that we have done in the past. But we still have financial needs/expenses.  For example, we continue to reimburse every teaching staff for their classroom expenses up to $100. Staff are also able to submit mini-grant requests for larger expenses. Past mini-grant requests paid for by the Harvest PTO include an Animal Alphabet rug that comes to life through Virtual Reality in the Media Center, adding sensory items to Resource Rooms, creating a Lego Wall in the Media Center, supplementing expenses for teaching staff to attend valuable conferences and getting tons of books for the Media Center, Classrooms and students!

Conferences are coming soon and traditionally Harvest families have provided food contributions and monetary donations to support dinner for the staff. As we are staying away from potlucks and buffets right now, we will be making arrangements for the PTO to pay for their order at a local establishment instead.

In a typical year, to raise PTO funds we would host a Fun Run, our largest fundraiser with students garnering pledge donations from friends and family leading up to the Event Day. In addition, families could pay $10 for a PTO membership. This year we are not doing either of those. We are keeping things simple. We also want to be very mindful that many people have different financial challenges right now. With that in mind, we want to respectfully ask that if you are able and interested in helping to support the Harvest Staff and students, please consider making a DONATION on our Harvest PTO Shop found at the following link harvest-pto.square.site. Every dollar will help!

While you are visiting our Square shop, be sure to check out our Harvest Spirit Wear! We have Sweatshirts & T-Shirts in Youth sizes as well as Adult sized T-Shirts and some awesome cooler bags. Check out our low prices!

We know we have an incredible Harvest family and we appreciate your continuous support! Please let us know if you have any questions at HarvestPTAPresident@gmail.com

Sweet Tweets of the Week

Did You Know?

Did you know that the main page of our Harvest Website has a section of staff member’s favorite things?

Ms. Sickler Reads!