A Note From Ms. Sickler

From Dr. Laatsch’s March 25th Community Update:

I am sharing some information from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) regarding traveling safely during COVID-19. If you plan to travel, please consider these recommendations from MDHHS:

• If you are eligible, get fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Wait 2 weeks after getting your second vaccine dose to travel—it takes time for your body to build protection.

• Get tested with a viral test 1-3 days before you travel. Do NOT travel if you test positive.

• Check travel restrictions before you go; especially information about the spread of any of the new variants of COVID-19 in the locations you plan to visit.

• Wear a mask over your nose and mouth when in public settings. Masks are required on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations.

• Avoid crowds and stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arm lengths) from anyone who did not travel with you. It’s important to do this everywhere — both indoors and outdoors.

• Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol)

• Bring extra supplies, such as masks and hand sanitizer.

• Avoid contact with anyone who is sick.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

We will continue to track positive COVID-19 cases and close contact situations among our students and staff over Spring Break. If your student tests positive or is considered a close contact to someone who has tested positive during the week we are off, please email Karan Hervey, District Nurse at hervekar@salineschools.org. This way we can track the information and calculate a return to school date for your student. Thank you for your collaboration with us as we monitor COVID-19 related situations in our district. 

Near the conclusion of Spring Break, please take advantage of a free Rapid COVID-19 testing opportunity at the WISD on Saturday, April 3rd from 10 AM – 4 PM. This will be a drive-thru saliva test, but if someone tests positive, a follow-up PCR (nasal swab) test will be available directly on-site so they don’t have to go somewhere else to get a test to confirm.

Please see this PDF flyer with more details. 

The flyer has a link to pre-register, but here is the direct link as well:  http://honumg.info/WashtenawISD 

The actions of our community will help determine our success in moving towards more in-person learning in all our buildings. We look forward to working together to achieve this goal. As we do get ready to go on Spring Break, I do want to thank all of you for your support. Please be safe and we will look forward to seeing you all back on April 5th.

Read his entire message HERE.

Ms. Sickler

Here are your “home school” updates:

• PR Weekly Update
• WM Weekly Update

District Notes

Sweet Tweets of the Week

Did You Know?

Did you know that there is a new district resource available to our families? Under the “Academics” drop down menu, visitors can access the Social Emotional Learning platform for the district. Here you can find student, staff, and family resources, timely articles, upcoming events, and staff contact information.

Ms. Sickler Reads!

Check out Ms. Sickler Reads! playlist with all read alouds from the year.

A Note From Ms. Sickler

I proudly stand with the Washtenaw Superintendent’s Association in support of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Communities.

As educators, we believe it is our responsibility to shine a light on the anti-Asian violence perpetuated and sustained by policies, practices and beliefs throughout history in our country: The Chinese Exclusion Act, U.S. occupation of the Philippines, Japanese internment camps, and more. Although our history is stained by racist violence, our future does not have to be.

It deeply concerns us that our students may not feel safe, loved or valued in our community simply because of the color of their skin. We want our students to know, and especially our Asian students, that we see you. We value you. You are important to us, and everything you are and will become makes our community richer.

As superintendents of the public schools in Washtenaw County, we will not waver. We stand firm today with the same commitment we made last year: We commit to anti-racist leadership and fostering inclusive educational environments where each person, students and staff, feels a sense of belonging and is treated with dignity and respect.

We want to be clear that racism and hate have no home in our schools or in our communities. Our diversity is what makes us stronger, and we call on our community to stand with us as we foster a future that honors and embraces all of our diverse perspectives and experiences.

Read the entire statement HERE.

Raising Race-Conscious Children: How to Talk to Kids About Race and Racism

Please reach out to your child’s teacher or me if we can support your child/family in any way.

Important Dates

• Monday –  Y5/Kindergarten Virtual Information Night @ 6:30pm
• Tuesday – Y5/Kindergarten Registration Opens
• 3/27-4/4: Spring Break

Ms. Sickler

Here are your “home school” updates:

• PR Weekly Update
• WM Weekly Update

Harvest Specials Rotation

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

Check out CHOICE DAY activities HERE.

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

District Notes

From Dr. Laatsch’s March 20th District Update:

I am sharing some information from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) regarding traveling safely during COVID-19. If you plan to travel, please consider these recommendations from MDHHS:

• If you are eligible, get fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Wait 2 weeks after getting your second vaccine dose to travel—it takes time for your body to build protection.

• Get tested with a viral test 1-3 days before you travel. Do NOT travel if you test positive.

• Check travel restrictions before you go; especially information about the spread of any of the new variants of COVID-19 in the locations you plan to visit.

• Wear a mask over your nose and mouth when in public settings. Masks are required on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations.

• Avoid crowds and stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arm lengths) from anyone who did not travel with you. It’s important to do this everywhere — both indoors and outdoors.

• Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol)

• Bring extra supplies, such as masks and hand sanitizer.

• Avoid contact with anyone who is sick.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

The actions of our community will help determine our success in moving towards more in-person learning in all our buildings. We look forward to working together to achieve this goal.

Read his entire message HERE.

Sweet Tweets of the Week

Did You Know?

Did you know that Girls on the Run starts this week?

Ms. Sickler Reads!

A Note From Ms. Sickler

I cannot believe that we are coming upon the one-year anniversary of our school closing.  I looked back to see what I shared with our Harvest families one year ago and found this:

As we transition to the third trimester, with many students moving to new in-person or virtual learning spaces, my sentiment from a year ago still rings true.  We are going to work tirelessly to ensure all students feel calm and cared for.  We are going to focus on what we can control and how we can support one another.  Please feel free to reach out to me to help support your child or family.

In-Person Families:

• We look forward to seeing students Monday-Thursday this week!
• Miss this week’s daily tips about returning to school?  Check them all out HERE.
• Mrs. Boysal, one of our Harvest teachers, created this social story to help support students transitioning to four days/week school.

Upcoming Dates

• 3/22: Y5/Kindergarten Virtual Information Night
• 3/23: Y5/Kindergarten Registration Opens
• 3/27-4/4: Spring Break

Ms. Sickler

Here are your “home school” updates:

• PR Weekly Update
• WM Weekly Update

Harvest Specials Rotation

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

Check out CHOICE DAY activities HERE.

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

District Notes

From Interim Superintendent Laatsch’s March 10th District Message:

Mask compliance and staying home from school have been keys to our success thus far and efforts in this area are sincerely appreciated. With spring break approaching, all students, faculty, and staff (those traveling as well as those staying at home) continue to be encouraged to wear masks, practice good hand hygiene and maintain physical distancing whenever possible. Additionally, upon return, if you do not feel good, stay home and get tested. 

Sweet Tweets of the Week

Did You Know?

Did you know that Girls on the Run Registration is open for all Harvest 3rd Graders?

Harvest will meet from 4-5:30pm Wednesdays and Fridays beginning March 24.  Visit www.girlsontherunsemi.org to register today!

Girls on the Run is an 8 week program for girls in grades 3^rd through 5^th that combines training for a non-competitive 5k event with a dynamic life skills curriculum. Twice weekly lessons and interactive activities are led by volunteer coaches who create a positive and safe environment for girls to learn about themselves, connect with their peers and contribute to the community. The program culminates in a non-competitive, celebratory 5k event (local to each site for 2021) that allows the girls a chance to shine with an overwhelming sense of accomplishment!

Contact info@girlsontherunsemi.org or site liaison Joyce Mueller (joycemueller@gmail.com / 734-972-7389) for more information.-

Ms. Sickler Reads!

A Note From Ms. Sickler

This Thursday we will be meeting with many families for Parent-Teacher Conferences.  Here is a tip sheet to make Parent-Teacher Conferences successful for all!

Upcoming Dates

• 3/11: 1/2 Day of School (12:10pm dismissal) & Parent-Teacher Conferences
• 3/12: 1/2 Day of School (no afternoon asynchronous work shared)
• 3/15: First day of full in-person learning (Monday-Thursday)
• 3/22: Y5/Kindergarten Virtual Information Night
• 3/23: Y5/Kindergarten Registration Opens
• 3/27-4/4: Spring Break

Ms. Sickler

Here are your “home school” updates:

• PR Weekly Update
• WM Weekly Update

Harvest Specials Rotation

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

Check out this week’s enrichment activities HERE.

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

District Notes

Sweet Tweets of the Week

Did You Know?

Did you know when there’s school, there’s before and after school care? Registration is open for you to pick and choose your days. https://buff.ly/3a58Oyz

Ms. Sickler Reads!