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.

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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.

Week of February 6th – February 10th

Emily Sickler

A Note from Ms. Sickler

  • On Friday, our Harvest Hornets had a community meeting where we learned about the Kids Heart Challenge. Students are continually learning in PE with Mrs. Benedetto, creating pledges such as drinking more water, being kind, and walking more in hopes to create life-long skills for strong and healthy hearts.  We shared with our students that some families may want to donate money to American Heart Association, and the American Heart Association will share a “thank you gift” for that donation, but the over all goal of the challege is to think about personal pledges this month.  Learn more about the challenge HERE.

 

  • 3rd-grade families – our yearbook cover contest entries are due Tuesday.

 

  • Next week’s weather looks like it will allow our students to get outside and enjoy fresh air, a welcome change from last week!  Melting snow can often lead to recess “accidents” where students need a change of pants or socks.  While we have some extra clothes in the office, if you can make sure your student has an extra change of winter clothes (and socks!) in their locker, we can make sure our students stay warm and dry all day long.

Emily

February Specials Schedule

PTA Points

District Notes

The Washtenaw Intermediate School District (WISD) and surrounding school districts are collaborating to celebrate National African American Parent Involvement Night. As Saline Area Schools is a proud part of this educational community, SAS is sharing information about these events and activities as they are open to our parents.  Please refer to this document for information. It will be updated as events are shared with us. 

Do you have questions about Count Day? Please contact us via Let’s Talk: https://www.k12insight.com/Lets-Talk/embed.aspx?k=WY8F6TLT

Quick Links

District

Harvest

Sweet Tweets of the Week

Did You Know?

Did you know that you can now follow Saline DEI on social media?  Follow Saline Area Schools DEI on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!

Ms. Sickler Reads!

 

Week of January 30th – February 3rd

Emily Sickler

A Note from Ms. Sickler

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats – Tyger Tale

  • I hope like Peter in The Snowy Day, you and your family were able to have some snowy adventures this past week.  We know that winter adventures are most fun when you are warm and dry.  If your family is in need of coats, boots, hats, or mittens for your child, please reach out to our school social worker, Mrs. Pickett (pickettt@salineschools.org), or myself (sicklere@salineschools.org).

 

  • As the tragic and upsetting Memphis police video was released on Friday night, I realized that in this day and age we, as adults, never know what our kids are fully seeing and hearing, even if we think that they don’t have access or are too young.  We never know what they are processing or how they are processing it.  HERE is an article that shares some points about talking to children about difficult news (and some reminders to you, as adults, as well).  If you/your family is in need of support, please do not hesitate to reach out.
  • Last week I shared that our school is about to take part in a special, community-wide shared reading event that will occur in March. Every student, regardless if you order a book or not, will receive a copy of the same book and will be asked to read it together at home.  Order your book HERE.  Remember, the book will be a surprise until March 1st when we have a school-wide reveal.

Emily

Updated Specials Schedule

PTA Points

District Notes

We are so grateful for the community support that was exemplified by the passing of the 2022 Bond in November of 2022. The time has now come to begin designing the Phase 1 projects! The District is seeking individuals who are interested in participating on one of the SAS Bond Project Design Committees.  There are a total of four committees:

  • K-12 STEAM Spaces (Lead: Kara Davis)

  • Liberty Recreation Complex (Lead: Anna Britnell)

  • HS Weight Room (Lead: Rex Clary)

  • K-5 Playgrounds (Lead: Kara Davis)

If you are interested in participating on one of the design committees, please complete this application.  Space on committees is limited to ~20 participants. Preference will be given to applicants who have

  • a vested interest in the space/project,

  • background knowledge on the focus/content area of the space, and

  • represent a wider range of perspectives/uses.

We will communicate with everyone who completes the application, regardless if you are selected or not. The project lead will contact you regarding committee approval and specific dates will be provided at that time.  These will be scheduled very quickly (early February) and will include ~2-3 in-person meetings.

Quick Links

District

Harvest

Sweet Tweets of the Week

Register HERE for the Mother & Son Magic Show

 

 

Click HERE to get support World Down Syndrome Day with a $1.00 Rock Your Socks Kit

Did You Know?

Did you know Heritage has its transition night on March 2nd?

Join Zoom HERE

Ms. Sickler Reads!

Week of January 23rd – January 27th

Emily Sickler

A Note from Ms. Sickler

Our school is about to take part in a special, community-wide shared reading event that will occur in March. Every student will receive a copy of the same book and will be asked to read it together at home.  Order your book HERE.  Remember, the book will be a surprise until March 1st when we have a school-wide reveal.

 

Emily

PTA Points

We had a blast at our winter STEM event last week!

District Notes

Saline Area Schools | School Cancellation FAQ

This document provides parents and employees with information related to the decision-making process and communication strategy associated with school cancellations.  There are essentially two (2) winter weather situations that can result in the closure of school.

  • Extreme Cold –

    • If the ambient air temperature is -25° F school will be closed

    • If the wind-chill is sustained at -25° F  or below school will be closed

  • Poor Road Conditions  –

    • On days when the weather and/or road conditions make travel potentially unsafe the following takes place:

      • A team of administrators begins driving a variety of roads starting at approximately 4:30 AM, (including known trouble-spots) within Saline Area School District boundaries to assess road conditions. Each member of the road crew reports back to the Superintendent, (or designee) with the road conditions no later than 5:00 AM.

      • The Superintendent, (or designee) consults with area meteorologists to obtain the latest weather forecast data.

      • The Superintendent, (or designee) consults with other Washtenaw County Superintendents.

Once the Superintendent, (or designee) makes the decision to close school, the following takes place:

  • The Detroit Media School Closing Alliance is immediately notified. The Alliance reports school closings via the following media outlets:

    • Fox 2 Detroit, Local 4, WXYZ Channel 7, Channel 62, CW50 Detroit, WWJ 950 News Radio, and News/Talk WJR AM 760

  • Saline Area Schools will send a mass text message to all families and staff via the Remind App

  • Saline Area Schools Facebook page is updated

  • The Saline Area Schools Twitter page is updated

  • The Superintendent will place one phone message that will be sent to parents (who have a contact number loaded into our school database, Powerschool) early in the morning to alert them of the school closing.

  • There are times when closings will take place the evening prior to school being closed IF the roads and conditions warrant it.

Quick Links

District

Harvest

Sweet Tweets of the Week

SMS Career Day Registration Link

Did You Know?

Girls on the Run of Southeastern Michigan | United Way of Washtenaw County Volunteer Center

Did you know Harvest Girls on the Run seeks volunteer coaches and a site leader?  Girls on the Run provides all curriculum, materials, and training in an easy-to-follow format – no experience necessary (you don’t even have to be a runner!). 

Want more information?  Contact info@girlsontherunsemi.org or Joyce Mueller (joycemueller@gmail.com / 734-972-7389) with any questions.

Ms. Sickler Reads!

Week of January 16th – January 20th

Emily Sickler

A Note from Ms. Sickler

  • Our Harvest Hornets have been learning about Martin Luther King, Jr. this past week and understanding why we have tomorrow off to celebrate his work to promote justice, kindness, and peace.  I listened to conversations across grade levels of students thinking about ways they can continue to honor the work of Dr. King.  There are a number of family-friendly events in Ann Arbor for Martin Luther King Jr Day and Black History Month in February.  Check them out HERE.

  • Our PTA Winter Family Event is THIS THURSDAY.  RSVP HERE.  There will be no food/beverages at the event, but families are welcome to bring their own to the event. 45+ Easy Toilet Paper Roll DIY Games, Toys and Crafts for Kids | Finding Myself Young
  • Mr. Sherman and Innovation Lab are in need of cardboard boxes, toilet paper rolls, paper towel rolls, and newspapers for future projects.  If you have any at home, please feel free to bring them to him!

Emily

January Specials Calendar

PTA Points

District Notes

MLK Jr. Day Symposium – January 16th

Although we do not have school on January 16th, if you are available, we would like to invite our SAS Community to attend, along with myself and a number of SAS administrators, the 37th annual MLK Jr. Symposium at the University of Michigan (10 AM at Hill Auditorium). Click HERE for more information.

Quick Links

District

Harvest

Sweet Tweets of the Week

Did You Know?

Did you know that Saline District Library allows you to learn how to produce a short story podcast?

Ms. Sickler Reads!

Week of January 9th – January 13th

Emily Sickler

A Note from Ms. Sickler

Easy New Year Drawing Tutorial and New Year Coloring Page

Happy New Year!  I hope your family was able to enjoy time with your family over break relaxing and celebrating.  Sometimes, we see after breaks, students struggle to return to the routine of school after being home for two weeks.  Here are some sentence starters that may help if your child is expressing not wanting to go to school.

Please note that this Friday is an Early Release Day, with dismissal at 1:10pm and Monday there is no school.

Emily

Save The Dates

  • January 13th – Early Release – Dismissal @ 1:10pm (lunch served)
  • January 16th – No School
  • January 19th – PTA Winter Family Fun STEM Building Event (6:30-7:30pm)

PTA Points

  • PTA Winter Family Event –  RSVP HERE!
    When: Thursday, 1/19/23 6:30-7:30 PM

    Where: Harvest Cafeteria
    Contact: harvestptapresident@gmail.com
    Please join us for a STEM-based winter scene-building event. This is NOT a drop-off event-all kids must be accompanied by an adult!
    Each group will receive a building kit (including bag of mini marshmallows, a box of Graham crackers, a can of frosting, and a base). The kits are $10, cash only, paid at the event. If you wish, you can bring other materials for building. Some suggestions are candies, extra frosting, sprinkles, or non-perishable items like Styrofoam, toothpicks, cotton balls, etc.
    *The first 40 kits reserved are guaranteed a space in the cafeteria. Any additional kits may have to be taken home for building due to space limitations.
    Ideas for event: Build an Igloo https://pin.it/NpWjc9G, Build a Bear Den https://pin.it/7wexV2s, Build a Ski lift https://pin.it/AeiKRvQ, Build a Snowman https://pin.it/3g9x6l1

  • Lunch Help (through 1/20)

  • Harvest PTA Website

District Notes

 

Quick Links

District

Harvest

Sweet Tweets of the Week

Did You Know?

Did you know there are a number of family-friendly events in Ann Arbor for Martin Luther King Jr Day and Black History Month in February?  Check them out HERE.

Ms. Sickler Reads!

Week of December 19th – December 23rd

Emily Sickler

A Note from Ms. Sickler

To all our Harvest Hornets and their families who celebrate,

Amazon.com: Happy Hanukkah: 2022 Large monthly and weekly planner | Hanukkah and Jewish Holiday gift book | Menorah, Hanukkah Candles, Torah, Stars Of David, ... and Much ... Holiday Gift for Everyone

Remember, this week we have a school-wide pajama day on Thursday and no school on Friday.  I hope everyone enjoys their winter break celebrating traditions with their loved ones.  See you back in the New Year!

Emily

Save The Dates

  • December 20th – Kindergarten Concert @ Saline High School auditorium (9:30am; doors open at 9:00am)
  • December 23rd – January 8th – No School
  • January 13th – Early Release – Dismissal @ 1:10pm (lunch served)
  • January 16th – No School
  • January 19th – PTA Winter Family Fun STEM Building Event (6:30-7:30pm)

PTA Points

District Notes

As we are seeing increased levels of COVID, influenza and other communicable illnesses in the community, we are in turn seeing increased illness activity within the school setting as well. Our district continues to follow the Managing Communicable Diseases in Schools guidance developed by the MDHHS and the Department of Education. For individuals testing positive for COVID-19, please refer to the quick reference information posted on the district website. Individuals with influenza or influenza-like illness should stay home until fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medications) and until their cough subsides (improves and becomes less frequent). For general guidance regarding when to keep your student home, please refer to page 7 of the linked guidance document. If your child is sick and has an underlying illness that places them at high risk of a severe respiratory illness, please talk with their primary care provider for their recommendations.

Vaccines and antivirals:  Both influenza and COVID have vaccines that are readily available at pharmacies and doctor’s offices. Antiviral treatments are also available for those at high-risk of severe illness. Please contact your provider for more information.

Seek medical care immediately if your child experiences any of the following symptoms: 

  • Illness lasting longer than a week
  • Rapid breathing or trouble breathing
  • Bluish skin color
  • Not drinking enough fluids or not urinating
  • Not waking up or not interacting with others as they normally do
  • Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held 
  • Symptoms that improve but then return with fever and worse coughing

We encourage parents to emphasize the importance of handwashing and covering your cough and we will encourage this in the school setting as well. 

Please note: The district has a large supply of at-home COVID tests that were provided to schools by the MDHSS. These are available in all of our school offices free of charge to our staff and families. Please feel free to pick up a test kit or 2 prior to heading into the holiday break!

Quick Links

District

Harvest

Sweet Tweets of the Week

Did You Know?

Did you know that if you were unable to make the community forums related to grant funding (school safety and mental health), you can still provide feedback to SAS by completing this form?

Ms. Sickler Reads!

Week of December 12th – December 16th

Emily Sickler

A Note from Ms. Sickler

  • Saline Area Schools (SAS) has been awarded grant funding of approximately $500,000 for mental health resources and $500,000 for safety and security resources.  We will host two community forums to allow all stakeholders an opportunity to provide feedback on how these funds should support SAS. If you’d like to attend, please RSVP by clicking HERE.
  • FYI: Lost & Found Items will be donated to at the end of 2022!

Emily

Save The Dates

  • December 20th – Kindergarten Concert @ Saline High School auditorium (9:30am; doors open at 9:00am)
  • December 23rd – January 8th – No School
  • January 13th – Early Release – Dismissal @ 1:10pm (lunch served)
  • January 16th – No School
  • January 19th – PTA Winter Family Fun STEM Building Event (6:30-7:30pm)

PTA Points

District Notes

Important Safety Message from Superintendent Laatsch

Due to student actions, several school districts in Washtenaw County have had to place individual buildings on lockdown over the course of this school year. Although Saline Area Schools (SAS) has yet to take this safety precaution this year, please take time to talk to your students about the seriousness of making threats against an individual student, a group of students, or a building.  Please help your student explore ways of resolving conflict that are peaceful and productive.  Our school handbooks and Board Policies detail very clear student expectations regarding threats.  Gross misconduct by students involving threats will be addressed with discipline up to and including permanent expulsion from Saline Area Schools. While there are many factors considered when disciplining a student, disciplinary actions are usually more severe when the threat includes the use of a weapon.  The administration and Board of Education take all threats very seriously.  Consequences will be issued by administrators and the Board when students make threats.  Board Policy 5772 specifically addresses weapons in school and the severe actions that can occur for any threats or possession of weapons in school. Further, there are many other policies that address school safety and the dire consequences that can occur when our schools, students and staff are subject to false threats. These consequences often require suspension and/or expulsion.

Please clarify to your students that all threats are taken seriously.  Every act, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, has consequences. In today’s world, there is never a time that a threat against an individual student, a group of students, or a building is a joke.

Please also share with your student the importance of reporting concerns/notifying a trusted adult if a classmate is showing any alarming signs or makes disturbing comments. We have actually already witnessed a number of instances where students, parents and community members have reported concerns that they have seen (primarily through social media) to a trusted adult. In addition to reporting to a trusted adult, students can also use OK2SAY, a confidential digital platform.

The law enforcement community also takes these threats seriously, and the Attorney General and prosecuting attorneys are holding offenders accountable.  If you are ever in doubt of who to contact about a threat, especially when school is not in session, call 911 to report your concern.

School violence is a community problem, and it is going to take a community effort to solve.

Thank You.

Stephen D. Laatsch, PhD.
Superintendent, Saline Area Schools

Quick Links

District

Harvest

Sweet Tweets of the Week

 

Did You Know?

Climbing wall child Vectors & Illustrations for Free Download | Freepik

Did you know that during the week of December 12th – December 16th all students will be using the climbing wall in PE?  They will be following many safety procedures to ensure this is a safe and fun activity for all. One safety procedure is wearing closed-toed tennis shoes. It is imperative that students have proper shoes to wear – no booties, crocs, boots, etc. on their PE days.

 

 

Week of December 5th – December 9th

Emily Sickler

A Note from Ms. Sickler

  • 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.

  • As we begin trimester two, please review our drop-off/pick-up procedures.  If we all work together, we can make sure that drop-off/pick-up runs safely for all our students.  If a new adult is picking up your child at Harvest, please let them know of the procedures ahead of time.
    • Do not leave your car unattended at any time 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 for two abreast and have your child walk between cars to your car on the inside lane.
    • DO NOT use the bus loop to pick up your child or park your car.
  • 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 and honored to receive the Region 2 Principal of the Year award.  When asked to write my biography for the award, I was able to write about the resiliency, joy, and creativity I witness from the entire staff at Harvest.  I shared about the partnership, the positivity, and the thoughtfulness of our Harvest families.  And I shared that our Harvest Hornets are the most amazing, fun, and inspiring kids around which makes it easy to show up to work hard each and every day.  While I am gone, central administrators will be at Harvest covering my absence.

Emily

Save The Dates

  • December 7th – Community Education Winter & Spring Program Registration Begins
  • December 14th – PTA Community Conversation @ Harvest Cafeteria (6:30-7:00pm)
  • December 23rd – January 8th – No School
  • January 13th – Early Release – Dismissal @ 1:10pm (lunch served)
  • January 16th – No School
  • January 19th – PTA Winter Family Fun STEM Building Event (6:30-7:30pm)

PTA Points

District Notes

Click HERE to access the official SAS school calendar for the remainder of the 2022/23 school year.

In addition, we often get asked about future calendar dates, beyond the current school year. Saline Area Schools collaborates with the rest of the school districts in Washtenaw County and schedules the same Winter and Spring Break Dates as established by the Washtenaw County Intermediate School District. Below is the chart that outlines both Winter and Spring Break Dates for the County through 2026:

Quick Links

District

Harvest

Sweet Tweets of the Week

Did You Know?

Did you know that December 12th is the last chance for fall portraits?

Ms. Sickler Reads!