Week of April 1st – April 5th – Harvest Happenings

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)

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.