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.
I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving Break. A few notes as we return…
Harvest Kindness Squad is starting this year with a building-wide kindness calendar for the next month. Learn more HERE.
Our Harvest Hornets will begin their wall climbing unit in PE. Please remember to have your student wear proper shoes (tennis shoes, sneakers, etc.) and socks in order to climb. No boots (winter, cowboy, booties, etc.), or crocs.
Climbing dates: November 28, 29, 30 and December 19, 20, 21 (day 1,2,3)
TODAY – Harvest Winter Gear order closes (shop HERE)
Emily
Wednesday, December 13th – Red Robin Fundraiser (pick-up or dine in at the State Street location, 20% goes to our PTA)
Tuesday, December 5 – 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
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.
Save the Date:
There are NO scheduled bus route cancellations the week of November 16th!
Did you know that our SEL coach, Kathryn Irfan, has now taught a lesson in all our of classrooms? Please take a moment to read a note from her HERE.
During this time of Thanksgiving, I want to share my gratitude for being such an important part of our children’s lives. From supporting your Hornets at home so they can come learn and have fun at school, to participating in family events, to volunteering your time and resources, we are so grateful for your support to make Harvest a wonderful place for all. I hope you find time this week to celebrate and be thankful for all the wonderful people in your life. On behalf of the Harvest staff, I would like to thank you for your continued support and wish you all a safe and happy holiday.
THIS MONDAY – Parent-Teacher Conferences (1/2 Day, 12:10 dismissal; no lunch served)
THIS TUESDAY – 1/2 Day, (12:10 dismissal, no lunch served)
THIS WEDNESDAY – FRIDAY – N0 School
Emily
Sunday, November 26th – Harvest Winter Gear order closes (shop HERE)
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
Tuesday, December 5 – 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
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.
We are currently supporting two organizations, Toys for Tots and the Reinhart Winter Coat Drive. If so inclined, feel free to drop off new toys and/or new or gently used coats to support our community this season.
There are NO scheduled bus route cancellations the week of November 16th!
