Week of April 24th – April 28th

Emily Sickler

A Note from Ms. Sickler

Order your 2023 Field Day Shirt HERE (orders due by 4/28)!  Harvest Field Day is Friday, May 26th.  

Transparent Background Musical Notes Clip Art Transparent PNG - 719x480 - Free Download on NicePNG

 

This FRIDAY, April 28th, is our 1st-grade music concert.  Each concert will last approximately 30 minutes.  Please do not arrive more than twenty minutes prior to the performance.  Due to space constraints, family members will not be able to “sign out” Harvest siblings to watch the concert.

  • 10:00am – Mrs. Finn & Mrs. Ridinger’s classes
  • 2:30pm –  Mrs. Mierkowicz, Mrs. Smith, and Mrs. Treber’s classes

Emily

PTA Points

  • We want to show our amazing staff how much we appreciate them by having the Harvest families provide a taco bar lunch on Thursday, 5/4/23.   Please review the *FEW* available slots left below and click HERE to sign up.

  • Lunch Help (through 5/5 )

  • Harvest PTA Website

District Notes

SAS School and District Quality Survey
SAS families, staff, and 3rd-12th grade students will be invited to complete the SAS School and District Quality Survey in the near future.  This survey is Saline’s annual end-of-year school/district quality survey. District officials want to hear your thoughts on critical school issues, including academic support, student support, family involvement, school/district leadership, safety, and behavior.
 
STUDENTS in 3rd-12th grades will be invited to take this survey when the window opens.  If you would like to preview the student survey, you can do so via the following links:
**If you would like to opt your child out of this survey, please let Emily Sickler know.

Family Input For the 23-24 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 2023-20234 school year.  These input forms will be open throughout the remainder of the current school year.

Quick Links

District

Harvest

Did You Know?

Did you know there is a chess camp for Harvest Hornets in June?  John Smalec has been teaching chess and organizing chess camps for young people for over 35 years. Some of his students have gone on to become chess masters and teach chess full-time.   John has played in National and International tournaments since 1972 when Bobby Fischer won the world championship. His tournament schedule has taken him to St. Martin’s, The Isle of Man, St. Petersburg, Russia and Reykjavik, Iceland. Closer to home he has played in the U.S. Open, U.S. Amateur and several times in our state championship known as the Michigan Open.  The interest in Scholastic chess has grown over the years. In the 1980’s the state children’s championship might have had 40 students. Since then some of these same events have had close to 400 young people.   John enjoys helping young people and answering the questions of parents.  so feel free to contact him anytime at adventuresinchess@gmail.com 

Ms. Sickler Reads!

To our Harvest Hornets celebrating, Eid Mubarak.

Week of April 17th – April 21st

Emily Sickler

A Note from Ms. Sickler

A few reminders that we need everyone to follow to keep all Harvest Hornets safe.  Thank you for everyone working together to ensure our pick-up loop runs smoothly in the morning and afternoon.

    • 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.

Transparent Background Musical Notes Clip Art Transparent PNG - 719x480 - Free Download on NicePNG

 

This FRIDAY, April 21st, is our 2nd-grade music concert.  Each concert will last approximately 30 minutes.  Please do not arrive more than twenty minutes prior to the performance.  Due to space constraints, family members will not be able to “sign out” Harvest siblings to watch the concert.

  • 9:30am – Mrs. Deo-Perez and Mrs. Taggart’s classes
  • 2:30pm – Ms. Dobbins, Mrs. Shende/Mrs. Burt, and Mrs. Widen’s classes

Emily

PTA Points

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! - Montgomery County Public Schools

  • PTA is still looking for parent help to collect notes of appreciation for our upcoming Staff Appreciation Week (SAW). Volunteers will need to come to student lunches to collect sticky notes from each student (sticky notes provided by PTA). Volunteers are needed from 10:45 AM-1:15 PM. Please review the available slots below and click HERE to sign up.
  • We want to let our amazing staff know how appreciated they are by providing a quick breakfast before their weekly staff meeting on Wednesday, 5/3/23.   Please review the available slots below and click HERE to sign up.
  • We want to show our amazing staff how much we appreciate them by having the Harvest families provide a taco bar lunch on Thursday, 5/4/23.   Please review the available slots below and click HERE to sign up.

District Notes

The Saline Area Schools’ Sex Education Advisory Board will be accepting applications for its 2023-2026 membership.  Applications are available online . The Sex Education Advisory Board is also seeking student representatives.  Students who will be in grades 9-12 in the 2023-2024 school year may apply.  Student applications are available online, as well. 

The timeline for application is as follows:

  • Applications accepted: May 1, 2023 – May 15, 2023
  • Review period: May 15, 2023-June 15, 2023
  • Members will be notified by June 20, 2023

The SEAB is charged with reviewing and recommending materials and methods to the local school board, taking into consideration the district’s needs, demographics, and trends including, but not limited to, teenage pregnancy rates, STD rates, and incidents of sexual violence and harassment. They are not responsible for trade book selections or integration into the classroom curriculum.

If you have any further questions, please email Cameron Cochran, SAS SEAB Co-Chair, at cochranc@salineschools.org. 

Family Input For the 23-24 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 2023-20234 school year.  These input forms will be open throughout the remainder of the current school year.

Quick Links

District

Harvest

Sweet Tweets of the Week

Did You Know?

Did you know that some Harvest Hornets (and other Y5-8th grade Saline Hornets) have their artwork displayed in the Saline District Library Children’s Department through April 26th?  Check it out!

Week of April 10th – April 14th

Emily Sickler

A Note from Ms. Sickler

To all those who celebrate,

80+ Best Happy Easter Wishes and Messages for Friends and Family

This Wednesday is our Final PTA Community Conversation from 6:30-7:00pm at the Harvest Cafeteria.  We will be discussing the following items:

  • Staff appreciation week
  • Harvest field day
  • PTA board/committee positions for the 2023-24 school year

We will also have our new Harvest spirit wear for sale. We hope to see many family representatives there!

Music Notes Stock Illustrations – 51,661 Music Notes Stock Illustrations, Vectors & Clipart - Dreamstime

This FRIDAY, April 14th, is our 3rd-grade music concert for all four classes.  The concert will last approximately 30 minutes.  Please do not arrive more than twenty minutes before the performance.

 

Order your 2022-2023 Harvest Yearbook HERE

Emily

PTA Points

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! - Montgomery County Public Schools

    • PTA is looking for parent help to collect notes of appreciation for our upcoming Staff Appreciation Week (SAW). Volunteers will need to come to student lunches to collect sticky notes from each student (sticky notes provided by PTA). Volunteers are needed from 10:45 AM-1:15 PM. Please review the available slots below and click HERE to sign up.

    • We want to let our amazing staff know how appreciated they are by providing a quick breakfast before their weekly staff meeting on Wednesday, 5/3/23. Please deliver all items to the school by pick up on Tuesday, 5/2/23 so they can be set up for the early staff meeting. All items should be delivered in disposable containers. Thanks!  Please review the available slots below and click HERE to sign up.
    • We want to show our amazing staff how much we appreciate them by having the Harvest families provide a taco bar lunch on Thursday, 5/4/23. All donations must be turned in at drop off on Thursday morning. Please deliver your item(s) in disposable containers, unless your dish needs to be served warm; please bring those in a crock pot (labeled with your name). Anything that needs to be returned will be available at pick up on Thursday afternoon. Thanks for making our Harvest Staff feel special!  Please review the available slots below and click HERE to sign up.

  • Lunch Help (through 4/21)

  • Harvest PTA Website

District Notes

  • Upcoming Events

    April 11:  Board of Education Meeting @ 6:30 pm

    April 13:  Parent/Caregiver DEI Education Series (via zoom) 7:00 pm

SAS Community,

I am asking you to vote in the upcoming May 2nd election. Saline Area Schools will be on the ballot for an operating millage renewal. This is not a BOND, it is a 10 year millage renewal proposal that is part of the normal, day-to-day, funding structure for all Michigan School Districts.

If you only own one home, you would NOT pay this millage. It would be paid by second home owners, businesses and all other non-principal residence property owners.

It would help SAS continue to generate a little over $8.5 million dollars for the GENERAL OPERATING budget (the budget that helps pay for teachers and other staff members) on an annual basis for the next 10 years.

If you have more questions about this operating millage proposal, please go to www.salineschools.org and you can click on the pop-up button “Millage Renewal 2023.”

Please click HERE for more details about the SAS Millage Renewal.

For questions, feedback, or concerns….please click HERE and fill out the form.

Again, Please vote on May 2nd.

Thank you,

Superintendent Laatsch

Family Input For the 23-24 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 2023-20234 school year.  These input forms will be open throughout the remainder of the current school year.

Quick Links

District

Harvest

Sweet Tweets of the Week

 

Did You Know?

Did you know Community Education summer registration is open?  Browse their interactive guide at https://bluetoad.com/publication/?m=61966&l=1

Week of April 3rd – April 7th

Emily Sickler

A Note from Ms. Sickler

Welcome back from Spring Break.  I hope that you were able to enjoy some relaxation and time with loved ones.  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 2023-2024 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 2023-20234 school year.  These input forms will be open throughout the remainder of the current school year.

Finally, remember this Friday we have NO SCHOOL.

Order your 2022-2023 Harvest Yearbook HERE

Emily

April Specials Calendar

PTA Points

  • Save the Date – Final PTA Community Conversation
    When: Wednesday, 4/12/23
    Where: Harvest
    What: This is the final group meeting for the 2022-23 school year! Items being discussed are staff appreciation week, field day, and PTA board/committee positions for 2023-24. We will also have our new Harvest spirit wear for sale! We hope to see many family representatives there!

  • Lunch Help (through 4/14)

  • Harvest PTA Website

District Notes

Saline Area Schools will be on the ballot on May 2, 2023, for consideration of an operating millage renewal. Click HERE to learn more and contact Saline Area Schools with questions.

Quick Links

District

Harvest

Sweet Tweets of the Week

Did You Know?

Did you know that Harvest raised $11,126.14 with our recent Kids Heart Challenge /American Heart Challenge program?  Our support and participation in the Kids Heart Challenge/American Heart Challenge make a tremendous impact in helping millions of Americans through increased awareness of cardiovascular disease, lifesaving scientific research, and critically needed education efforts!

Week of March 20th – March 24th

Emily Sickler

A Note from Ms. Sickler

This Wednesday is our Kindergarten Music Concert!

Bring a furry friend to school on Wednesday!

Order your 2022-2023 Harvest Yearbook HERE

Emily

PTA Points

  • Save the Date – Final PTA Community Conversation
    When: Wednesday, 4/12/23
    Where: Harvest
    What: This is the final group meeting for the 2022-23 school year! Items being discussed are staff appreciation week, field day, and PTA board/committee positions for 2023-24. We will also have our new Harvest spirit wear for sale! We hope to see many family representatives there!

  • Lunch Help (through 4/7)

  • Harvest PTA Website

District Notes

Saline Area Schools 3 Year DEI Action Plan Focus Groups – Join Us!
In 2020, the Saline Area Schools’ community came together to write a 3 Year DEI Action Plan. The time has come to revisit and revise this plan. The Saline Area Schools’ Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee has partnered with an independent organization, Sensei Change Associates,  to facilitate focus groups in order to collect feedback and input on the next iteration of this plan. If you are interested in providing feedback and input on this plan, please let us know by completing THIS FORM.  (The plan is linked in the response form.)
Your input and collaboration are valued. If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Channon N. Washington at washingc1@salineschools.org or Principal Laura Washington at washingl@salineschools.org.

Quick Links

District

Harvest

Sweet Tweets of the Week

Did You Know?

Did you know that this Friday, March 24th, is Para Appreciation Day?  Here at Harvest, we have many para-educators that support students in classrooms throughout Harvest to make sure students can successfully learn and have fun with their peers each and every day.  We are so appreciative of our para team! If you get a moment to share your appreciation (para educator favorite things linked HERE), we know how much it would be appreciated!

Ms. Sickler Reads!

Week of March 13th – March 17th

Emily Sickler

A Note from Ms. Sickler

Author Bryan Smith is presenting to families THIS WEDNESDAY  at 6:00 pm in the Saline High School Media Center!  “Putting the FUN Back When Dealing with Executive FUNctions!”  Topics included in the presentation are self-control, organization, time management, planning and prioritizing, reacting appropriately, using flexible thinking, helping students focus, having children self-monitor, and problem-solving.  Please join us at Saline High School for an informative and FUN presentation!

 

         

Additionally, trimester 2 report cards should be sent to you digitally by Friday, March 17th.  If you do not receive a report card by the end of the day on Friday, please send an email to harvestoffice@salineschools.org so we can help.

Emily

PTA Points

  • Save the Date – Final PTA Community Conversation
    When: Wednesday, 4/12/23
    Where: Harvest
    What: This is the final group meeting for the 2022-23 school year! Items being discussed are staff appreciation week, field day, and PTA board/committee positions for 2023-24. We will also have our new Harvest spirit wear for sale! We hope to see many family representatives there!

  • Lunch Help (through 3/24)

  • Harvest PTA Website

District Notes

A Message About Washtenaw County National African American Parent Involvement Day (NAAPID), March 13th.
 
Due to circumstances beyond the control of the planning committee, such as inclement weather and numerous illness-related cancellations, student entries have been delayed. After much consideration, the committee will delay NAAPID events and reschedule for later in April. Please look for future communications.

Saline Area Schools 3-Year DEI Action Plan Focus Groups

In 2020, the Saline Area Schools’ community came together to write a 3 Year DEI Action Plan. The time has come to revisit and revise this plan. The Saline Area Schools’ Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Committee has partnered with an independent organization, Sensei Change Associates,  to facilitate focus groups in order to collect feedback and input on the next iteration of this plan. If you are interested in providing feedback and input on this plan, please let us know by completing THIS FORM.  (The plan is linked in the response form.)

Your input and collaboration are valued. If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Channon N. Washington at washingc1@salineschools.org or Principal Laura Washington at washingl@salineschools.org.

Quick Links

District

Harvest

Sweet Tweets of the Week

Did You Know?

Did you know the Saline District Library has Spring Break activities?

Ms. Sickler Reads!

Week of March 6th – March 10th

Emily Sickler

A Note from Ms. Sickler

This week we will be doing a Camping Read-a-thon on Wednesday where each class will be doing some special reading in the Media Center with their class.  On Friday, students are invited to wear clothes to pretend like they are taking a trip.

 

Additionally, please note that Thursday and Friday are half days of school, with a 12:10pm dismissal and no lunches served.

Emily

Specials Information

PTA Points

Author Bryan Smith is presenting to families on the evening of March 15th at 6:00 pm in the Saline High School Media Center!  “Putting the FUN Back When Dealing with Executive FUNctions!”  Topics included in the presentation are self-control, organization, time management, planning and prioritizing, reacting appropriately, using flexible thinking, helping students focus, having children self-monitor, and problem-solving.  Please join us at Saline High School for an informative and FUN presentation!

  • Lunch Help (through 3/17)

  • Harvest PTA Website

  • Save the Date – Final PTA Community Conversation
    When: Wednesday, 4/12/23
    Where: Harvest
    What: This is the final group meeting for the 2022-23 school year! Items being discussed are staff appreciation week, field day, and PTA board/committee positions for 2023-24. We will also have our new Harvest spirit wear for sale! We hope to see many family representatives there!

District Notes

Slide deck and video links from last week’s transition meetings:

 

Quick Links

District

Harvest

Sweet Tweets of the Week

Did You Know?

Did you know Girls on the Run’s last chance registration is through March 12th?  Join the Harvest Girls on the Run team for fun, fitness, community and confidence building!  Girls on the Run meets every Monday and Wednesday right after school in the Media Center – all abilities are welcome.

The program integrates fun, games, and fitness into a research-based curriculum designed to build confidence and community among 3rd – 5th graders.  Late registration is open until March 12th and scholarships are available.
Want to learn more?  Visit girlsontherunsemi.org or contact site leader Autumn Rogers at rogersa@salineschools.org

Ms. Sickler Reads!

J.D. and the Great Barber Battle reading starts Monday, March 6th

 

Interested in an alternate story?  Listen to Amelia Bedelia Means Business read by Ms. Sickler.  All chapters are linked as YouTube videos below and discussion prompts are listed HERE.

Week of February 27th – March 3rd

Emily Sickler

A Note from Ms. Sickler

I hope this finds you safe and warm after last week’s storm.

We are so excited to celebrate March is Reading Month with all our Harvest Hornets starting this week.  On Wednesday we will be having our school-wide reveal.  Every student, regardless if you ordered a book or not, will receive a copy of the same book and will be asked to read it together at home.  Check out the fun things we will be doing to celebrate reading this month!

Additionally, our school picture composites are in.  If you think you ordered and should have received a composite but did not receive one, please reach out to SchoolPictures.com.

Emily

March Specials Calendar

PTA Points

Order Bryan Smith’s Books HERE

District Notes

  • The 2023/24 SAS School Calendar is posted pending Board of Education Consent at the February 28th BOE meeting.  The link for the calendar is HERE.

 

  • Check out Saline Community Education’s Bridge 4 Program.

Quick Links

District

Harvest

Sweet Tweets of the Week

Did You Know?

Did you know that the Saline Varsity Dance Team is a club sport with Saline High School?  This team dances at home Football and Basketball games and they attend dance team competitions throughout the state of Michigan.  This showcase is an opportunity for the Dance Team to show the community their amazing talent by performing all of their dances in one night.

Ms. Sickler Reads!

Week of February 20th – February 24th

Emily Sickler

A Note from Ms. Sickler

While we just passed the 100th day of school and there are still loads of joyful learning to happen this school year (like our Harvest Science Fair on April 13th, register HERE), we are beginning the process of starting to plan for the 23-24 school year, and transition/information presentations are part of this process.  Please note that March 1st is the 23-24 Young 5s/Kindergarten Information Night via Zoom (link HERE) and March 2nd is the 3rd to 4th Transition Night via Zoom (link HERE).  Both presentations will be recorded and shared if you are unable to attend the live session(s).  If you know of a family member, friend, or neighbor who would benefit from either of these presentations, feel free to share the zoom link(s).  We want our Saline families to have the information to best help with transitions to start school and to transition from building to building.

Emily

PTA Points

District Notes

A Note from our Transportation Department:

Bus Clipart Images – Browse 8,060 Stock Photos, Vectors, and ...

Just a reminder that students may only ride buses to/from their home registered address.  Unfortunately, we can not accommodate any requests for students to ride home with friends.  Thank you for your understanding.

Quick Links

District

Harvest

Sweet Tweets of the Week

Kids Heart Challenge is happening now, and we are off to a great start. We are so proud of the level of involvement we are seeing so far and all the learning that is happening in PE with Mrs. Benedetto! If you still want to sign up, click HERE.

 

Did You Know?

Did you know that the Saline District Library has many opportunities in addition to checking out books?  Check out some great options coming up in March that are perfect fits for our Harvest Hornets!

 

Ms. Sickler Reads!

Learn about Change Sings author Amanda Gorman HERE.

Week of February 13th – February 17th

Emily Sickler

A Note from Ms. Sickler

100 days of school and still loving it

We have a very busy week ahead at Harvest… the 100th day of school is on Monday, Valentine’s Day is on Tuesday, and an Early Release Day (1:10pm dismissal, lunch will be served) is on Friday.

To add to the excitement of the week, during dismissal on Monday, we will be having architects assess our traffic pattern to begin the process of redoing our parking lots.  This will entail multiple King Scott architects on site and a drone in the air during dismissal.

Finally, this week Kindergarten – 3rd Grade families will be receiving scores that reflect both reading and math from the district. This screening instrument (Acadiance) is used to assess early literacy skills as well as basic math skills and fluency. This tool is a snapshot of what your child can do right now in a timed situation that is norm-referenced.

Emily

Save the Date – Harvest Science Fair!

Registration Link

PTA Points

District Notes

Please join us for an unforgettable evening of food, friends, and fun, but most importantly, to help raise funds for grants for Saline Area Schools!  Buy tickets HERE.

Quick Links

District

Harvest

Sweet Tweets of the Week

Did You Know?

Did you know our 2023-2024 Young 5s & Kindergarten Information Night is on March 1st via Zoom?  If you have an incoming Young 5s or Kindergarten student or know a family who could use this information, please share widely!

Zoom Link

Ms. Sickler Reads!

Also, to complement Over in Motown, check out the show Motown Magic.  Motown Magic is a Netflix TV show that centers around Ben, the 8-year-old Black boy who uses a paintbrush to bring the streets of Motown to life. Filled with imagination, and remarkable, historically-accurate music.  Note: Information harvested from Britt Hawthorne’s blog post 32 Children’s Activities for Black History Month.