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.
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)
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!
Next week our Harvest Kindness Squad is so excited to share the SOUPER BOWL Contest with our Harvest Hornets. Please consider bringing in a can of soup, or a high-need, kid-friendly item that we will donate to our community.
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
Join us on Friday for a fun night cheering on the Saline High School Varsity boys basketball team. Tip off is at 7pm. Kids get in free, $5 for all other family members (card or via gofan app; no cash).
Did you know that students at Harvest practice a variety safety drills throughout the school year? We practice drills to safely get out the building (fire drill), and safely stay in the building (lockdown drill and tornado drill). This week we practiced a lockdown drill.
We hope you can join us THIS THURSDAY for a special learning opportunity featuring the New York Times best-selling author, Julie Lythcott-Haims and her book How to Raise an Adult. Her book has been called a “groundbreakingly frank” guide to adulthood. Julie will be providing tips for increasing agency and resilience in children and young adults. This is a FREE event co-sponsored with the Foundation for Saline Area Schools and the Saline Area Schools District. This event will be recorded and available for 30 days for those unable to attend in person.
THIS THURSDAY – New York Times Bestselling author Julie Lythcott-Haimes speaking on topics from her book, How to Raise an Adult. Interested participants can RSVP here.
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
Do your kiddos’ Crocs need a new look? Check out our brand new Saline hornet jibbitz! Get one for $4 or get three for $10! Available now in our Spirit Wear shop linked HERE
Sign up to help in the lunch room in January/February HERE
Did you know that 24/25 registration begins soon? If you have a Y5/Kindergarten student, please save March 6th for our informational webinar and March 18th when registration opens. If you know a family member/neighbor/friend who has a student who will begin Young 5s/Kindergarten in the fall of 2024, please pass this important information on to them!
Last week offered many of our Harvest families their first experience with Saline “Snow/Cold/Inclement Weather Days”. Gone are the days when you wake up in the morning and watch the TV to see what schools are off by the ticker tape. If you did not receive information about last week’s days off, please use “Let’s Talk – Community Relations” to ensure your contact information is up-to-date for any future days off. Below are our district’s Cancellation FAQs from our district website (linked HERE).
Emily
THIS THURSDAY – 6:30-8:00pm SEAC (special education advisory committee) members Meet & Greet at Liberty School
Thursday, February 1st – New York Times Bestselling author Julie Lythcott-Haimes speaking on topics from her book, How to Raise an Adult. Interested participants can RSVP here.
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
Do your kiddos’ Crocs need a new look? Check out our brand new Saline hornet jibbitz! Get one for $4 or get three for $10! Available now in our Spirit Wear shop linked HERE
Did you know that when we have inclement weather days, we update our specials schedule so our students are able to have equitable experiences with their specials teachers? Check out our updated January specials calendar below.
Saline Area Schools are closed on Monday, January 15 to honor the legacy of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We encourage families to use this opportunity as a “day on” to learn more about the significance of MLK’s legacy or take time to honor equality, justice, and service to the community. Some local opportunities for extended learning are captured in the article linked HERE.
Please note the lilac paper that was sent home in your student’s take home folder. This Parent Information/Feedback Form will be shared with the Washtenaw County Health Services Department when they complete hearing & vision testing with students from January 31st – February 2nd. If you have not already returned the lilac paper, please do so this week.
Emily
THIS MONDAY – No School
Thursday, January 25th – 6:30-8:00pm SEAC (special education advisory committee) members Meet & Greet at Liberty School
Thursday, February 1st – New York Times Bestselling author Julie Lythcott-Haimes speaking on topics from her book, How to Raise an Adult. Interested participants can RSVP here.
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
Do your kiddos’ Crocs need a new look? Check out our brand new Saline hornet jibbitz! Get one for $4 or get three for $10! Available now in our Spirit Wear shop linked HERE
Thanks to the dedicated work of our bus drivers, mechanics, substitutes, and Operations Team, we cancelled only 2% of our bus routes this fall AND hired several new bus drivers. While bus route cancellations are always possible, they are unlikely, and we will be ceasing our weekly updates about the status of bus routes. Impacted families will be notified directly if route cancellations are necessary.
Join us for an evening with Dr. Julie Lythcott-Haims, New York Times bestselling author of “How to Raise an Adult,” on Feb 1, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. at the Saline Middle School Auditorium. Gain insights on fostering resilience in children without over-parenting. RSVP: bit.ly/44D74a9
Did you know that Saline has a Special Education Advisory Committee? They serve as a resource to support and advise SAS administrators on matters pertaining to special education services in SAS. Members of the SAS Special Education Advisory Committee will consider matters such as, but not limited to, the following:
Educate and inform SAS parents, staff, and administration as well as the community
Advise and recommend the processes and standards for the delivery of services
Provide administrative and staff support
Perform other duties as suggested by the Superintendent of Schools, the Director of Special Education, or SAS Building Administrators
Who Are We?
Meet Tara and Carol, your SEAC parent representatives for Harvest Elementary School! Tara has 2 daughters in the Saline School District; 3 daughters total (1 in different district). Tara’s oldest daughter Michaiah is in 7th grade and has Autism and ADHD. Alexis is in 2nd grade and has Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI) and Autism. Outside of school, Tara is also an advocate and fundraiser for an incredible non-profit, Friendship Circle. Friendship Circle’s goal is to provide every individual with special needs, adult or child, with the support, friendship, and inclusion that they deserve.
Carol’s oldest son, Lucas is in 3rd grade has ADHD and a speech delay. Noah is in 2nd grade and has Autism and a speech delay. Carol’s desire is to bridge the gap between school and parents within the community in bringing opportunities for parent support and playdates. Tara and Carol are passionate in their roles as both mom and special education advocates and would love to share any knowledge or experience we’ve gained to help families navigate similar pathways.
Please feel free to contact us with questions regarding special education and resources or if you’d like to partner and connect. We look forward to hearing from you!
Please join us for a meeting with the SEAC (special education advisory committee) members on Thursday, January 25, 2024 6:30-8pm in the Board of Education room, Liberty Building. The evening will start with an introduction of committee members and the district PAC reps. We will be meeting parents and discussing the special education programs at Saline Area Schools and collaborating on ways to improve student and parent experience and engagement.
Happy New Year to all our Harvest Hornets who celebrate! May 2024 be filled with memorable moments, new discoveries, and success in all your endeavors.
If you are looking for an activity to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King on Monday, University of Michigan has a Children and Youth program, more information linked HERE.
Emily
THIS FRIDAY – Early Release (lunch served, 1:10pm dismissal)
Monday, January 12th – No School
Thursday, February 1st – New York Times Bestselling author Julie Lythcott-Haimes speaking on topics from her book, How to Raise an Adult. Interested participants can RSVP here.
There are no planned bus route cancellations for the week of 1/8!
Did you know that if we all work together we can keep our Harvest Hornets safe before/after school in the parking lots & drop-off loop by following these simple rules?
Morning Drop-Off
Do not park anywhere in the drop-off loop or anywhere in the drive leading into the loop. If you need to enter the building, please park in the lot adjacent to the drop-off loop and come into the building.
Traffic will begin to back up into the parking areas. As always, you may choose to park in either lot and walk your child to the front door. If you park in the west lot, please do not walk between school buses, it is not safe, as our drivers cannot see you passing there.
Please only park in a parking spot, if parking lots are full, feel free to use the Saline High School parking lot and walk over.
Dismissal
If your child needs to be released during the course of the school day, please sign out in the kiosk to the school office and sign him/her out. Your child will be called to the office at this time.
If someone who is not listed on your child’s emergency card will be picking your child up, a note should be sent to school with the child and the adult should come prepared to show identification.
Afternoon Pick-Up
Do not leave your car unattended at anytime in the pick-up loop or the drive into and out of the school!
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 anytime!
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. This land at the end of the day is only for cars moving out of the pick-up line to exit the parking lot.
The parking lot on the west end of the building, off of Suncrest Drive is one way only. You must make the right into the parking lot and drive around to enter the parking lot, please do not drive straight through into the lot. There is a sign clearly identifying ONE WAY.
With the energy and excitement of the holidays among us, please continue to have conversations with your students about the Harvest 4 (We are responsible for what I say, what I do, how I act, and how I listen) at Harvest. We want to make certain that everyone at Harvest feels safe and welcome and by following our “Harvest Four”, we can assure an environment that is optimal for learning.
Additionally, please remember to keep our Harvest Hornets safe before/after school in the parking lots & drop-off loop by following these simple rules:
Morning Drop-Off
Do not park anywhere in the drop-off loop or anywhere in the drive leading into the loop. If you need to enter the building, please park in the lot adjacent to the drop-off loop and come into the building.
Traffic will begin to back up into the parking areas. As always, you may choose to park in either lot and walk your child to the front door. If you park in the west lot, please do not walk between school buses, it is not safe, as our drivers cannot see you passing there.
Please only park in a parking spot, if parking lots are full, feel free to use the Saline High School parking lot and walk over.
Dismissal
If your child needs to be released during the course of the school day, please sign out in the kiosk to the school office and sign him/her out. Your child will be called to the office at this time.
If someone who is not listed on your child’s emergency card will be picking your child up, a note should be sent to school with the child and the adult should come prepared to show identification.
Afternoon Pick-Up
Do not leave your car unattended at anytime in the pick-up loop or the drive into and out of the school!
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 anytime!
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. This land at the end of the day is only for cars moving out of the pick-up line to exit the parking lot.
The parking lot on the west end of the building, off of Suncrest Drive is one way only. You must make the right into the parking lot and drive around to enter the parking lot, please do not drive straight through into the lot. There is a sign clearly identifying ONE WAY.
Emily
Monday, December 25th – Friday, January 5th – No School
Thursday, February 1st – New York Times Bestselling author Julie Lythcott-Haimes speaking on topics from her book, How to Raise an Adult. Interested participants can RSVP here.
Sign up to help in the lunch room for December and January HERE
There are no planned bus route cancellations for the week of 12/18!
Did you know the HelpMeGrowWashtenaw.orgparent resource guide has been updated this quarter? Please visit to see the new updates and remember to subscribe to the calendar.
Remember, we have our December Kindness Calendar. This week is Kindness to our Community and Earth Practice Week.
Happy Hanukkah to all of our Hornets who celebrate! May this season be filled with love and light.
Emily
Thursday, December 14th – Kindergarten Concert (9:30am, Saline High School)
Monday, December 25th – Friday, January 5th – No School
Thursday, February 1st – New York Times Bestselling author Julie Lythcott-Haimes speaking on topics from her book, How to Raise an Adult. Interested participants can RSVP here.kon
Sign up to help in the lunch room for December HERE
Did you know that registration (2nd & 3rd graders) for the upcoming 2024 Science Olympiad season is now open? Click HERE for more information.
BEE on the lookout, your child’s report card should have arrived via email on Friday, December 1st. 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.
As the weather gets colder, please ensure your child comes to school prepared to go outside for recess. We go outside for recess daily unless it is raining or colder than 10 degrees with the windchill. The photo below is used around our school to help remember the order of how to put on outside clothes because we all know trying to zip up your coat after you have put on your gloves can be tricky! Additionally, an extra set of winter clothes in your child’s locker is also great for accidents or if clothes get wet at recess.
This week I will be out of the building from Tuesday afternoon – Friday attending the MEMSPA (Michigan Elementary & Middle School Principal’s Association) Annual Conference where I will be proud to share our Harvest story with principals and administrators around the state of Michigan. Central administrators will be at Harvest covering for me in my absence.
Today is International Day of Persons with Disabilities. This day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. We’re thankful for students of all abilities that are part of our Harvest and Saline Schools community. The book Just Askis one of many books that highlights some of the visible and non-visible disabilities that Harvest Hornets may come across on a daily basis as a community member and reminds all of us to just ask!
Emily
December Specials Calendar
THIS TUESDAY – School and Family Partnership Series session focusing on early literacy. Families discover fun and effective ways to enhance early literacy skills at home and gain confidence in understanding your child’s literacy progress. RSVP at http://bit.ly/44D74a9
Wednesday, December 13th – Red Robin Fundraiser (pick-up or dine in at the State Street location, 20% goes to our PTA)
Monday, December 25th – Friday, January 5th – No School
Thursday, February 1st – New York Times Bestselling author Julie Lythcott-Haimes speaking on topics from her book, How to Raise an Adult. Interested participants can RSVP here.
Sign up to help in the lunch room for December HERE
Our next session in the School and Family Partnership Series focuses on Early Literacy Development and will be held THISTUESDAY at the Liberty School Board Room. Join SAS team members to discover fun and effective ways to enhance early literacy skills at home and gain confidence in understanding your child’s literacy progress. An RSVP is appreciated, but not required to attend.
Did you know that our Harvest PTA has many passive fundraisers? Check them out HERE.
