Uncategorized

December 6th – December 10th

Emily Sickler

A Note from Ms. Sickler

I know I can speak for the entire Harvest staff that we were all shocked and saddened by the tragic events that occurred at Oxford High School last week. Our thoughts are with all affected, and we acknowledge the bravery of staff, students, and community partners who immediately reacted.  I recognize the impact events like this can have on each of us varies from person to person.  Whatever you feel is okay. Here are some tips that may help you support your children and family at this time:

  • Recognize that children may become concerned that something bad will happen to themselves, family or friends. Explain that safety measures are in place and reassure them that you and other adults will take care of them.
  • If your child is not focused on the tragedy, do not dwell on it. Try to avoid having detailed adult conversations regarding the tragedy in front of children. However, be available to answer questions to the best of your ability. Young children may not be able to express themselves verbally. Pay attention to changes in their behaviour or social interactions.
  • Limit exposure to media coverage. Images of a disaster or crisis can become overwhelming, especially if watched repetitively. Young children in particular may not be able to distinguish between images on television and their personal reality. Older children may choose to watch the news—be available to discuss what they see and to help put it into perspective.
  • Maintain normal family routines as much as possible. Routine family activities, classes and friends can help children feel more secure.
  • Be aware of your own needs. Don’t ignore your own feelings of anxiety, grief and anger. Talking to friends, family members, faith leaders and mental health counsellors can help. Let your children know you are sad. You will be better able to support them if you can express your own emotions in a productive manner.
  • Resource: How to Talk to Kids About Tragic Events

As always, our top priority is the safety and well-being of each Harvest Hornet. This is a responsibility myself and the Harvest staff take very seriously.  If your student or family needs additional support, please let me know.  I am here to answer questions or concerns that you have. We're In This Together - Daily Dodge

Ms. Sickler

PTA Points

  • PTA Board Meeting
    • Thursday, December 9th @ 9am
    • Have questions/concerns/ideas and can’t make the meeting?  Feel free to share via email (harvestptapresident@gmail.com)
  • SAS Staff Shout-Out

  • Harvest Helping Hands – Toys for Tots
    • Harvest Helping Hands and Miss Saline are collecting toys for Toys for Tots.  You may find a donation box at Harvest or other various SAS buildings or Saline businesses.  Please donate a new unwrapped toy by December 16th. Thank you!
  • Lunch Help
    • Sign up to volunteer as a Y5 – 3rd Grade lunch helper HERE (dates through 12/17)

Specials Update

Quick Links

District

Harvest

District Notes

From Dr. Laatsch’s Community Message:

Parents and community members have asked about our own safety procedures within the Saline Area Schools. Here is a recap of many of the safety enhancements that we have put in place over the last several years.

As you may recall, the theme of our 2016 Bond was “Safe, Secure, Warm and Dry” and with the support of our voters we were able to secure our schools and install buzzer systems and safety glass in each building. In addition, we are currently using a visitor management system (RAPTOR) to screen visitors. Finally, we have strengthened our relationships with the Saline Police Department, the Pittsfield Department of Public Safety and the FBI to monitor and assess potential threats. 

The State of Michigan also requires several school safety drills each year. The number and type of drills are specified and must be performed in every school building. Schools may conduct additional drills, and Saline does add two additional drills for cardiac/medical emergencies.

Read entire message HERE.

Sweet Tweets of the Week

Did You Know?

Did you know that all 2nd and 3rd graders are able to join Saline Heritage Science Olympiad?  Learn more and sign up HERE.

November 29th – December 3rd

Emily Sickler

A Note from Ms. Sickler

I hope your family had a restful break and were able to spend time with loved ones.  This week we welcome December and the winter weather that accompanies it!  At Harvest, all students go outside each day unless it is colder than 10 degrees.  Please make sure your child has winter gear to allow them to safely and warmly have fun at recess.  If you need any winter gear (coats, boats, hats, gloves), please let our Harvest social worker, Mrs. Pickett, or myself know.  We want each Harvest Hornet to be able to enjoy recess.

Happy Hanukkah to our Harvest families that are celebrating this week!Wishing campus a happy Hanukkah 2021 | @theU

Ms. Sickler

PTA Points

  • Harvest Helping Hands – Toys for Tots
    • Harvest Helping Hands and Miss Saline are collecting toys for Toys for Tots.  You may find a donation box at Harvest or other various SAS buildings or Saline businesses.  Please donate a new unwrapped toy by December 16th. Thank you!
  • Lunch Help
    • Sign up to volunteer as a Y5 – 3rd Grade lunch helper HERE (dates through 12/10)

Quick Links

District

Harvest

Sweet Tweets of the Week

Did You Know?

Did you know that you can register for Saline Community Education Winter Programs starting December 6th? Register HERE.

November 20th – November 24th

Emily Sickler

A Note from Ms. SicklerThankful & Grateful | Thanksgiving Cards | Send real postcards online

In this season, I wanted to share my gratitude for serving as principal at Harvest.  I am thankful for the joy that comes with spending time with the kind and smart tiny humans I interact with daily.  There is a moment every day that makes me laugh out loud — and sometimes there are several of those moments! I am thankful for my conversations with students and how open and honest they are with me. It is like having 457 kids of my own to love and care for, which is an immense blessing!

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.  Remember November 24th-26th is our Thanksgiving Break and we do not have school.  

Ms. Sickler

PTA Points

  • Conference Snacks
    • THANK YOU to everyone who donated to ensure our staff was well fed last week during conferences.

Thank You | ASHE

  • Harvest Helping Hands
    • THANK YOU to everyone who donated to our Saline Social Services Toilet Paper and Kleenex drive!

  • Toys for Tots
    • Harvest Helping Hands and Miss Saline are collecting toys for Toys for Tots.  You may find a donation box at Harvest or other various SAS buildings or Saline businesses.  Please donate a new unwrapped toy by December 16th. Thank you!
  • Lunch Help
    • Sign up to volunteer as a Y5 – 3rd Grade lunch helper HERE (dates through 11/23)

Specials Update

Please note that Kindergarten and First Grade specials schedule has been adjusted.  The new schedule will start on 11/22.

Quick Links

District

Harvest

District Notes

From Dr. Laatsch’s Community Message:

To start, I would like to personally apologize for the vaccination clinic that was held at Heritage School on November 16th. Although we did not conduct the clinic, we did host it and promoted it to our community so we feel disappointed that so many of our families were not adequately accommodated that evening. We reached out in advance to LTS Healthcare, who conducted the clinic, to share that a large crowd was expected.  However, there was not enough vaccine and staff on-hand to accommodate the large number of students who came to be vaccinated. As a result, some students were not able to be vaccinated that evening and many had to wait a long time. We have since been in contact with LTS to ensure that they have ample supply and adequate staff to accommodate our needs for this next clinic on December 7th.

The clinic on December 7th will be held at Heritage School in the Cafeteria and will run from 4-8 pm. It will again be a walk-in clinic with no appointments required but we hope to share a survey soon to gauge the interest which will help LTS ensure that they will have enough vaccines on hand. More details of the clinic will be shared in upcoming communications.

Read entire message HERE.

From Molly Garcia, Director of Specials Services

If your student has an IEP please see the information below that was presented at the 11/18/2021 SEAC event.  

Sweet Tweets of the Week

Did You Know?

Did you know that you can still take a look at Teacher Wishlists from the Scholastic Book Fair?  Additionally, here is the Book Fair link in case you want to shop!

November 15th – November 19th

Emily Sickler

A Note from Ms. Sickler

Parent-teacher conferences are scheduled for this Wednesday and Thursday.  Students will be dismissed at 12:10 pm each day and lunch is not provided during 1/2 days. While you’re in the building for conferences, please visit the Scholastic Book Fair in the second-grade hallway (Room 217) and participate in Harvest Helping Hands by bringing in toilet paper/kleenex for our Saline Social Services drive. If you haven’t yet scheduled a conference, please reach out to your child’s teacher to schedule a time.  We are looking forward to sharing your child’s progress with you!

I know that a positive parent-teacher relationship can be a powerful way to support a child’s growth throughout the school year. Check out this PBS KIDS webinar featuring parents and educators and find out how they support the children in their lives. Family experts share ideas on how to come together to build a parent-teacher relationship, communicate to help your child learn and grow, and celebrate when your child thrives.

Ms. Sickler

PTA Points

  • Book Fair – THIS WEEK!
  • Conference Snacks – THIS WEEK
    • Please join us in providing snacks for our staff during conferences!  Sign up linked HERE.  Please send in your donations no later than November 16th!!
  • Harvest Helping Hands
    • Please consider supporting our Toilet Paper/Kleenex Drive for Saline Social Services by sending in items with your child or bringing them when you come for parent-teacher conferences.
  • Lunch Help
    • Sign up to volunteer as a Y5 – 3rd Grade lunch helper HERE (dates through 11/23)

Quick Links

District

Harvest

Upcoming Events

District Notes

From Dr. Laatsch’s Community Message:

SAS is pleased to host our first vaccination clinic at Heritage School for 5-11-year-olds ONLY on November 16th. We are working with the MDHHS vendor (LTS) to offer this vaccination clinic from 4-8 PM in the Heritage School Cafeteria. This is a walk-in clinic meaning that you do not need to make an appointment. The parent consent form and additional paperwork will be available at the site and is not available ahead of time online.  In addition, SAS is also able to announce a second vaccination clinic on December 7th that will allow for both students and adults to be vaccinated. More details regarding this second clinic will be posted in the near future.

Read entire message HERE.

Sweet Tweets of the Week

Did You Know?

Did you know that the SAS Staff Shout Out Challenge has started?

November 8th – November 12th

Emily Sickler

A Note from Ms. Sickler

  • Please consider helping Harvest as we support Saline Social Services with a toilet paper and kleenex drive.  We will be taking toilet paper and/or tissue any time until 11/19!

Toilet Paper Pyramid Created For Charity

  • Curious about Harvest Staff’s favorite things?  On our Harvest Webpage, click the plus sign on “Our Favorite Things” to learn more about each staff member at Harvest.

Ms. Sickler

Upcoming Events

  • November 9th, 10th, and 11th – Parents are invited to learn about Saline’s practice of culturally responsive teaching as an effort to strengthen pedagogy and intensify instruction while recognizing the valued identities of students as a major facilitator of learning.

Sign up here: https://bit.ly/3nyZIRo

  • November 12th – Part 2 of a Webinar to learn more about Sensory Processing Disorders

  • November 17th- 1/2 Day of School; Afternoon & Evening Conferences; Book Fair & Spirit Wear Sale (Room 217)

  • November 18th- 1/2 Day of School; Afternoon & Evening Conferences; Book Fair & Spirit Wear Sale (Room 217)

  • November 19th – 1/2 Day of School

  • November 24th-26th – Thanksgiving Break – No School

PTA Points

  • Book Fair Volunteers
    • Sign up to volunteer to help when students shop at the book fair during school OR when the book fair is open during parent-teacher conferences
    • Sign up link
  • Lunch Help
    • Sign up to volunteer as a Y5 – 3rd Grade lunch helper HERE (dates through 11/23)

Quick Links

District

Harvest

District Notes

From Dr. Laatsch’s Community Message:

The Covid-19 vaccine is now approved for 5-11 year olds and is authorized to be distributed to local health departments, schools, etc.  The Washtenaw County Health Department (WCHD) will begin offering the vaccine on November 9th. Click HERE for more information and/or to schedule an appointment.  SAS hopes to be able to host our first vaccination clinic at Heritage School for 5-11 year olds on November 16th. We are working with the MDHHS vendor (LTS) to confirm this date and we will share more information as soon as it becomes available. We encourage you to reach out to your child’s physician to discuss vaccination and for more information about other vaccine opportunities that may be available to you. 

Read entire message HERE.

Sweet Tweets of the Week

view Domino video HERE

Did You Know?

Did you know that Saline Area Schools partnered with Busch’s to help provide holiday meals to families in need? If you would like to help provide a meal for a family please follow the steps below:

– Purchase a $50-$100 gift card at the Saline Busch’s

– Leave the gift card with the cashier and say it is for “Randy for SAS meal program”

– Busch’s will collect the gift cards and distribute them to school social workers

– School Social Workers will distribute to families in need to be exchanged for a cooked Busch’s Thanksgiving meal

Ms. Sickler Reads!

Happy Diwali to our Harvest Hornets and families that celebrate.  Here are some resources to share with your family or learn more yourself!

November 1st – November 5th

Emily Sickler

A Note from Ms. Sickler

Tomorrow (Monday, November 1st) we will be celebrating our final Fun Run Reward with a Movie & Popcorn party in each classroom.  Students will be watching Inside Out, a movie that has important messages about needing to feel, and express, all emotions, whether happy or sad.  At Harvest, we often talk about thinking thoughts and feeling feelings.  HERE is a parent letter that shares more about the language we use when talking about thoughts and feelings with our students.  If you prefer your child not to watch Inside Out, please let me know and I will plan an alternate activity for your child while their class is watching the movie.A Few Lessons Leaders Can Learn From The Movie Inside Out | by Sandeep Kashyap | Medium
Our PTA has generously purchased a bag of Skinny Pop for each child.  If your child is unable to eat Skinny Pop, please let me know so we can plan an alternate snack.Amazon.com: SkinnyPop Original Popcorn, 30ct, 0.65oz Individual Snack Size Bags, Skinny Pop, Healthy Popcorn Snacks, Gluten Free

Ms. Sickler

Upcoming Events 

  • November 5th & November 12th – 2 part Webinar to learn more about Sensory Processing Disorders

  • November 17th- 1/2 Day of School; Afternoon & Evening Conferences

  • November 18th- 1/2 Day of School; Afternoon & Evening Conferences

  • November 19th – 1/2 Day of School

  • November 24th-26th – Thanksgiving Break – No School

November Specials Schedule

PTA Points

  • Lunch Help
    • Sign up to volunteer as a Y5 – 3rd Grade lunch helper HERE (dates through 11/23)

Quick Links

District

Harvest

District Notes

From Dr. Laatsch’s Community Message:

Vaccination Update (5-11 Year Olds): Once the vaccine is approved by the FDA for 5-11 year olds and is authorized to be distributed to local health departments, schools, etc., we will host the vaccination clinics at Heritage School. They will be conducted by an approved MDHHS (Michigan Department of Health and Human Services) vendor coordinated through the Washtenaw County Health Department. We have been in touch with the vendor (LTS). We do have some tentative dates that we have scheduled for the clinics (in anticipation of approval and distribution): November 16th and December 7th. Once we confirm dates and times, the Community will be invited to participate.

Read entire message HERE.

Sweet Tweets of the Week

Did You Know?

Did you know that Harvest will be supporting Saline Social Services with a toilet paper and kleenex drive 11/1 – 11/19?

Toilet Paper Pyramid Created For Charity

Week of October 25th – October 29th

Emily Sickler

A Note from Ms. Sickler

Please be on the lookout to sign up for conferences on November 17th or November 18th from your child’s teacher.  This time is so valuable to connect one-on-one with each family to ensure that we are building a strong home-school connection.  Feel free to reach out to your child’s teacher to find an alternate time if the 17th and 18th do not work for you.

Ms. Sickler

Upcoming Events 

  • Monday, October 25th – Mrs. Horvath’s Class Field Trip
  • Tuesday, October 26th – Mrs. Mayer’s Class Field Trip
  • Wednesday, October 27th – Mrs. Stripp’s Class Field Trip
  • Thursday, October 28th – Mrs. Zebrowski’s Class Field Trip
  • Friday, October 29th – Fall Fest Parties
    • Young 5s (Buehler) – 9:15-10:15 (Jermyn) – 11:40-12:30
    • Kindergarten – 9:45-10:45
    • 1st Grade – 9:00-10:00
    • 2nd Grade – 11:00-12:00
    • 3rd Grade – 2:00-3:00

PTA Points

  • Original Works is back!  Check your child’s folder for their artwork and personalized form indicating how to order.  Questions?  Email harvestoffice@salineschools.org
  • Lunch Help
    • Sign up to volunteer as a Y5 – 3rd Grade lunch helper HERE (dates through 10/29)

Quick Links

District

Harvest

District Notes

From Dr. Laatsch’s Community Message:

Saline Area Schools are in desperate need of guest teachers and paraeducators. These Positions are fundamentally critical to the daily operation of our District. They are flexible (you elect the days you work), offer competitive wages ($110 per day for guest teacher, $90 per day for a guest paraeducator) and follow the school calendar.

If you would like to learn more about this opportunity, please contact Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Curt Ellis at ellisc@salineschools.org.

Read entire message HERE.

Sweet Tweets of the Week

Did You Know?

Did you know that this Wednesday is Saline Main Street’s Trunk or Treat?

Ms. Sickler Reads!

Week of October 18th – October 22nd

Emily Sickler

A Note from Ms. Sickler72 Inspirational Happy October Quotes and Sayings

  • Picture Retake Day – this WEDNESDAY

  • Please note that this week we have our first Early Release Day.  On Thursday, October 21st students will be dismissed from school at 1:10pm.  Lunch will be served at the following times:
EARLY RELEASE LUNCH TIMES
2nd Grade: 10:45 A.M. – 11:15 A.M.
3rd Grade: 11:20 A.M. – 11:50 A.M.
1st Grade: 11:55 A.M. – 12:25 P.M.
Young 5’s/Kindergarten: 12:30 P.M. – 1:00 P.M.
  • Friday, October 22nd is our Fall Break and there is no school.

Ms. Sickler

Upcoming Events 

Monday, November 8

  • Mobile Dentist at Harvest
    • Contact the Harvest office (harvestoffice@salineschools.org) if you would like more information about your child seeing the dentist.

PTA Points

  • Students enjoyed Kona Ice Truck on Friday as a building treat for raising over $25,000! May be an image of outdoors
  • Lunch Help
    • Sign up to volunteer as a Y5 – 3rd Grade lunch helper HERE (dates through 10/21)

Quick Links

District

Harvest

District Notes

From Dr. Laatsch’s Community Message:

We have had some inquiries as to the availability of the Covid vaccine for students under the age of 12. Pfizer and BioNTech said this month that they had submitted an emergency request for authorization for children ages 5 to 11, and an FDA advisory committee plans to meet to discuss the request on Oct. 26. 

Saline Area Schools anticipates that, if approved, the vaccine will be available shortly after that. This will allow us to work with the Washtenaw County Health Department (WCHD) to set up vaccination clinics at Heritage School (the already designated site) in early November. All of this is pending approval.

Read entire message HERE.

From Saline Student Services:

If your student has an IEP please see the first trimester newsletter from the Student Services Department. Highlights include upcoming events such as Free Bowling and family resources

Sweet Tweets of the Week

Did You Know?

Did you know that Harvest third-graders, along with our amazing media specialist Mrs. Reeves, create daily announcements?  Check them out on the Harvest Elementary main page (linked HERE).

Ms. Sickler Reads!

Week of October 11th – October 15th

Emily Sickler

A Note from Ms. Sickler

Thank You, HARVEST FAMILIES!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • It is important that everyone works together to make the parent drop-off/pick-up run smoothly.  Please be aware of the following rules:
    • Do not leave your car unattended at anytime in the pick-up loop or the drive into and out of the school!
    • A student 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.
    • 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.
    • DO NOT use the bus loop to pick up your child or park your car, the buses will block you in.

Ms. Sickler

Upcoming Events 

Monday, October 11th
  • Mrs. Taggart’s Field Trip (Weber-Blaess one-room schoolhouse)

Tuesday, October 12th

  • 9:00am – EL Parent Information Breakfast at Harvest Elementary School
    • All English Learner families encouraged to attend
  • Mrs. Widen’s Field Trip (Weber-Blaess one-room schoolhouse)

Wednesday, October 13th

  • Ms. Hughes’ Field Trip (Weber-Blaess one-room schoolhouse)

Thursday, October 14th

  • Mrs. Deo-Perez’s Field Trip (Weber-Blaess one-room schoolhouse)
Thursday, October 21
  • Early Release Day
    • 1:10pm dismissal
    • Lunch is served
Friday, October 22
  • Fall Break – No School

Monday, November 8

  • Mobile Dentist at Harvest
    • Contact the Harvest office (harvestoffice@salineschools.org) if you would like more information about your child seeing the dentist.

PTA Points

  • Lunch Help
    • Sign up to volunteer as a Y5 – 3rd Grade lunch helper HERE (dates through 10/15)

Quick Links

District

Harvest

District Notes

SASS 2021 Holiday Programs
Saline Area Social Service’s Holiday Programs provide celebratory meals and gifts for Saline area families and individuals in need through distribution events in November and December each year. For those who are interested in participating in the 2021 Holiday Program, the sign-up is open now through Thursday, October 21st at 2:30 p.m.
Contact the SASS office at (734) 429 – 4570 for more information.
The 2021 Holiday Program includes meals for Thanksgiving and the December holidays, toiletries, personal care products, and extra toilet paper, Adopt-A-Family gifts, Toys for Tots, and winter coats.

Sweet Tweets of the Week

 

Did You Know?

Did you know that Saline Swarm of Voices is back! Swarm is a choir made up of 3rd-4th graders. Swarm is now under the direction of our grades 5-8 choir teacher, Eric Floetke. If your student loves to sing, Swarm is the place for them!

Registration is open now and rehearsals start Wednesday, October 27th. Rehearsals are every Wednesday at Saline Middle School from 4:15pm-5:15pm.

Please follow the link to register: Click Here To Register

Ms. Sickler Reads!

Fry Bread Recipe

Week of October 4th – October 8th

Emily Sickler

A Note from Ms. Sickler

This FRIDAY is our Harvest Fun Run!  All students, regardless of fundraising efforts, will participate outside with their grade level during the school day.  Please make sure your child has on tennis shoes and a water bottle so they can fully participate with the fun events on Friday.

  • 9:00-9:50: 3rd Grade
  • 9:55-10:45: 1st Grade
  • 10:50-11:40: 2nd Grade
  • 11:45-12:35: Y5/Kindergarten

Sign up to volunteer at the event HERE.

Ms. Sickler

October Specials Calendar

Upcoming Events 

Monday, October 1st – Friday, October 15th

Friday, October 8th

  • 6:00pm Daddy Daughter Dance
Thursday, October 21
  • Early Release Day
    • 1:10pm dismissal
    • Lunch is served
Friday, October 22
  • Fall Break – No School

PTA Points

  • Fun Run Update
    • We have 237 out of 451 students registered.  This is 53% of our whole school. Out of the 237 registered, 210 have used/shared their webpage. These 210 have raised $19,290 so far, which is great!  With only another 61 students to both register and share their page we will meet our goal.  Let’s keep it up Harvest!!

  • Lunch Help
    • Sign up to volunteer as a Y5 – 3rd Grade lunch helper HERE (dates through 10/15)

Quick Links

District

Harvest

District Notes

SAS is continuing with a goal revision process for our SAS Strategic Framework. The four goals that are being revised include:

  1. All students will meet or exceed state standards across all curricular areas and acquire the essential skills to be continuous learners and productive citizens in an increasingly global society.
  2. Strengthen family-school relationships and continue to expand partnerships that support student achievement.
  3. Enhance a positive school environment that promotes student and staff well-being, satisfaction, and positive morale.
  4. The district shall establish short-term financial stability and long-term fiscal solvency.

Community workgroups are revising these goals with a target of completing them in late fall. 

Read entire message HERE.

Sweet Tweets of the Week

Did You Know?

Did you know that Saline Community Education registration is now open?  Check out classes HERE.

Ms. Sickler Reads!