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October, 2018
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 a short, but busy month with Back to School Nights and our monthly PTN meeting. October and November promises to be busy months as well.
Book Fair: The Book Fair is scheduled for October 15-18th. Our Family Night is Thursday, October 18th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the gym foyer. The theme for the fair is Enchanted Forest. Let your Imagination Grow! 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. There will be a link on the PTN page and PTN Facebook page if interested in using the 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!
School Violence & Safety Awareness Week – October 15th-19th: 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.
Red Ribbon Week – October 22nd -26th: 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 22nd: I Believe in Me Drug Free!
Tuesday, October 23rd: Our School Rocks, Drug Free! – Dress as your favorite rock star or musician.
Wednesday, October 24th: Wild About Being Drug Free! – Dress Wild and Crazy today.
Thursday, October 25th : I Love My Drug Free Selfie!
Friday, October 26th: I Mustache You Not to do Drugs! – Students will receive ribbons and faux mustaches to wear to declare their commitment to a drug free life.
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 Monday, October 29th at 10:00 a.m. in the IMC. Special Guest, Mr. Baginski, Assistant Superintendent, will discuss district-level initiatives and priorities. One topic of conversation will be the vote taking place on November 6th to hire six additional security guards. In order to provide optimum security coverage for all of our ten schools, these additional officers are needed. Our security team is excellent, as is our collaborative relationship with the Jackson Police Department. But in today’s world, it is not enough. We want to know we are doing all we can – and that means we need additional staff to provide another key layer of security. Please join us on October 29th for this very informative PTN meeting.
PTN Save the Dates:
School Store – Students can shop on Wednesday, October 10th during their lunch periods.
Bubbakoos Burrito Fundraiser – Dine to donate on Wednesday, October 10th from 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. at Bubbakoos on County Line Road. Bring the flyer that was sent home or show on your phone and Switlik will receive 20% of your purchase.
Yankee Candle Sale – Purchase your favorite scented candles – they make great holiday gift! Sale runs through October 12th. Packets were sent home with students.
Clothing Drive – Bring your unwanted clothing to Switlik on Saturday, October 13th from 10 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Spirit Wear Sale – Our Spirit Wear sale is up and running and runs through October 14th.
PTN Fall Festival – Please join us on Thursday, October 25th from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Switlik students should wear costumes to enter the costume contest parade. Reservation forms were sent home. Payment is due by Monday, October 15th. Late registrations will not be accepted.
Fall Harvest Day: will be celebrated on Wednesday, 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:
10/1-5 Week of Respect
10/1 – Blue Shirt Day (Week of Respect)
10/2 – K-2 Fire Safety Presentation (in classrooms)
10/3 – K-2 Fire Safety Presentation ( in classrooms)
10/3 – Wear Yellow Day (Week of Respect)
10/4 – Grades 3-4 Smoke House
10/5 – Grades 3-4 Smoke House
10/5 – Wear Red and/or School Spirit Wear (Week of Respect)
10/10 – School Store (during lunch periods)
10/12 – School Spirit Day – Bucket Fillers/Brighten Someone’s Day – Wear Fluorescent
10/15-19 School Violence & Safety Awareness Week
10/15-19 Book Fair
10/22-26 Red Ribbon Week
10/31 Fall Festival Parties
Please keep in mind that school will be closed for students on Monday, October 8th while Jackson School District staff participate in their In-Service.
Sincerely,
Kathleen McKiernan