Dear Switlik Families,

Welcome October………Fall is the air.  Leaves will start to turn into vibrant colors, the cool air and warm sun, and all things pumpkin flavored!  I hope everyone has the opportunity to enjoy this fun season!

Our students and staff have settled into established routines, and children are clearly aware of expectations and are immersed and engaged in learning.  It is hard to believe it is October!  September was busy month with Back to School Nights and our monthly PTN meeting.  October and November promises to be busy months as well.

Social Emotion Learning:  Mindfulness – This month’s social skill is “Knowing Your Feelings.”

New for 2019-2020 – Student ID Cards:  School safety is of the utmost importance.  In order to continue to strengthen school safety, this year, students will be issued student identification cards in grades Pre-K through 5.  These cards will consist of a photo, school name, school year and a barcode that will eventually be used to purchase lunch (instead of entering their student ID number), take out library books, and be required for sign-in into the nurse’s office.  The ID will be issued in homeroom on day one of school for students in grades 1-5 and in November for students in Kindergarten and Pre-School, once student pictures have become available.  The ID will be kept in the possession of the homeroom teacher when not in use.  Students will not be carrying the IDs back and forth from and school.

Parent Pick Up – PLEASE READ:  In an effort to continuously improve the safety of students and staff, please review the following procedures:

• Parents/Guardians will enter through the key controlled door to the far left entering into the gym vestibule.
• Parents/Guardians will be asked to sign their child out. Please be sure to have your identification with you.
• Parents/Guardians are asked to wait in the designated area in the gym vestibule for their child.
• We ask that Parents/Guardians enter and exit through the appropriate labeled doors.

Book Fair:  The Book Fair is scheduled for October 15^th-18^th.  Our Family Night is Thursday, October 17^th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the gym foyer.  The theme for the fair is Arctic Adventure.  Snow much to read!     There will be many books to choose from and our volunteers will help your little shopper find just the right book!  Students can purchase books using cash, checks, or our new eWallet.  Adults may use credit cards at the fair.  If using a check, please put your child’s name teacher’s name and phone number on the check.  The fair is also an opportunity to donate to your child’s classroom library.  Teachers have submitted wish lists for books that would enrich their classroom libraries.  If you would like to participate, you can find their wish lists at the fair.  We need lots of volunteers to help the students pick just the right books.  If you would like to volunteer some of your time at the fair, there will be a sign-up link on the PTN page and on the PTN Facebook page.  We look forward to seeing you at the fair and appreciate your support!

Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC) Meeting:  Meet the Director.  Question and Answer Roundtable with Teresa Herrero Taylor, PhD BCBA-D, Jackson’s new Director of Special Services on Monday, October 7, 2019, from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at Crawford Elementary School (1025 Larsen Road, Jackson). 

School Violence & Safety Awareness Week/Week of Respect – October 7^th-11^th :   During this week, we will all be spending time in our classrooms reflecting on the ways our conflicts can lead to violence and ways to solve those conflicts peacefully.  On Monday, October 7^th, students and staff are invited to wear a blue shirt to support World Day of Bullying Prevention.  Students will participate in lessons and activities geared toward treating one another with kindness and respect.  We will end the week with Spirit Day.  Students and staff are invited to wear yellow – to Follow the Golden Rule – treat others the way you want to be treated.

Red Ribbon Week – October 21^st-25^th    This week and every day hereafter, we pledge to lead a drug and alcohol free life.  Each day this week, we will show each other and our friends and family in and out of school that we will not become involved with drugs by showing all different ways we can do that.  Every day this week will have a different theme, bringing focus to us all leading healthier, drug free lives:

Monday, October 21^st:  I Believe in Me Drug Free! 

Tuesday, October 22^nd :  Say Peace Out to Drugs! – Students and staff wear tie dye clothing.

Wednesday, October 23^rd:  Team Up Against Drugs! – Dress in your favorite sports team gear

Thursday, October 24^th  “Red”-y to Live a Drug-Free Life! – Wear red.

Friday, October 25^th:  Smarties Choose to be Drug Free! – Students will receive smarties candies in their homerooms.

PTN News:  There are many ways you can get involved at school – please check out our awesome PTN website and Facebook page.  They do so much to support our school programs with your continuous generosity.  Please join us at our next PTN Meeting on Thursday, November 21^st at 10:00 a.m. in the IMC.  Please click on this link to read the October Newsletter and learn about upcoming events. PTN Newsletter - October 2019

Fall Harvest Day:  will be celebrated on Thursday, October 31st.  In keeping with the spirit of fun, children may dress in costumes for the day.  Children who choose to participate should come to school dressed in their costumes and be prepared to remain in their costumes all day.  Please keep in mind that costumes should be comfortable, allow for children to move freely, and should NOT depict any sort of violence.  Masks may not be worn by children or adults visiting the building during the school day, and no fake weapons of any kind will be allowed.  Please plan to apply make-up at home.  Costumes must be school dress code appropriate. Your child’s teacher will be providing additional information on their class pages about classroom times and events. Kindergarten students will have a parade and songs in the gym.  The parade will be followed by a party in your child’s classroom. Please be cognizant of our entry procedures for our Fall Harvest Day Celebration:

• Visitors will be limited to 1-2 visitors per student.
• Visit the “New” Visitor Sign Up Genius Link on your teacher’s class page.
• Please understand that if your name is not on the list, you may not be allowed t to enter the class party.
• Each guest will receive a ticket that must be presented when you sign in with the receptionists.
• Tickets are non-transferrable.
• Please refrain from cell phone/camera use while visiting your child’s classroom. Not all parents have consented to have their children photographed.
• Any student who plans on being signed out early by someone other than their parent/guardian, must be accompanied with a note stating permission.

 All guests planning to attend classroom celebrations are asked to park in the designated area outside of the gym entrance.  All guests are asked to enter and sign in with our receptionists located in the gym lobby.  It is district policy that a photo identification is presented to our reception area each and every time you enter our school.  Absolutely no one will be permitted to participate unless they are signed in and are presented with their visitor’s badge.  Your badge must be on you at all times while you are on school premises.  Children will not be permitted to be signed out to attend sibling parties in the building.  We discourage you from signing your child out after the Fall Harvest Celebrations, as there will be instructional time for the remainder of that day.

The following are a few highlights from the calendar of October:

10/1 – School Closed

10/7-11 – Violence Awareness Week/Week of Respect

10/8 - Grade 3 Rotary Club Dictionary Distribution

10/9 – School Closed

10/11 – School Spirit Day – Respect & Golden Rule Day (Wear Yellow for Respect)

10/14 – District In-Service Day – School Closed for Students

10/15-18 – Book Fair – Gym Lobby

10/17 – Family Book Fair Night

10/21-25 – Red Ribbon Week

10/21 - K-1 Fire Safety Program

10/22 Gr 1-2 Fire Safety Program

10/24 – Gr. 3 Fire Safety Program

10/25 – Gr. 4 Fire Safety Program

10/28 – Fall Pictures

10/31 – School Wide Fall Festival

Please keep in mind that school will be closed for students on Wednesday, October 9^th and October 14^th .

Sincerely,

Kathleen McKiernan

 

 

 

Switlik Is a

Bucket Filling School!

Switlik Elementary School is working towards a more caring and respectful environment. We are using the world acclaimed book by Carol McCloud, Have You Filled a Bucket Today- A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids in order to create a safer, kinder, more respectful school culture.  

The philosophy is simple and is this - imagine everyone is born with an invisible bucket. The bucket represents a person's mental and emotional health. You can't see the bucket but it’s there and it is our responsibility to fill that bucket. When you say nice things, show respect, act in kindness, you are filling each other's buckets and, in turn, filling your own bucket.  

Switlik Elementary school is working towards keeping our buckets full every day, thus resulting in individuals who feel healthy mentally, emotionally, and socially.  

 

Be a bucket filler

not a bucket dipper!