January/

February, 2020

Important Dates 2– 3

Kindergarten

Registration 4

Kindergarten

Registration 5

Academic Blitz

Career Expo

College Fair 6

LEGO Robotics 7

PowerSchool App 8

Student Recognitions 9

Internet Safety 10

Book Recommendations

11

Leadership Habits 12

School Closing info 13

Positive Attitude 14

Early Childhood 15-16

Programs

Science Exploration 17

Velocity 18

January, 2020 20

February, 2020 21

Principal’s Message

Richard J. Duncan Elementary . . . Celebrating Children

“We are all travelers on life’s highway…May this day and every day be pleasant and rewarding for you.

May all your days be helpful for those you meet—a joy to those who know you best and love you most.”

DUNCAN Dispatch Phone: (586) 797.4600 Attendance Line: (586) 797.4699

Sharon Coil, Principal

The Community at Duncan Elementary is devoted to academic excellence. Sound instructional strategies will provide our students

with a foundation of skills that will prepare them for lifelong achievement in a global society.

Dear Duncan Families, The staff at Richard J. Duncan Elementary wishes to you and your family a healthy and prosperous New Year. Together our teachers, students, and parents are embarking n a new year full of hope and promise. With the start of the New Year, the Duncan team has reaffirmed its commitment to providing a quality edu-cational experience for all of our children. We have an exceptional school because of the dedicated people within it. Each one of us looks forward to the challenging and engaging learning opportunities that the New Year will bring to Duncan. Supportive parents, dedicated teachers, well designed and well delivered curricu-lum are those factors most associated with student success. These efforts can reach highest potentials when the student learning environment is first considered. As we reflect on our successes from 2019 it brings us an opportunity to look ahead to 2020. The Duncan team remains committed to evaluating the teaching and learning that takes place every day. The staff is focused on our School Improvement Process. The development of our comprehensive school profile has resulted from the comprehensive analysis of multiple data sources which has resulted in the identification of target areas that are the focus of our school-wide instructional initiatives at Duncan. The staff has implemented research-based practices to address the target goals and improve student learning. During this month, we also recognize individuals in public service. National School Board recognition month provides our local communities with an opportunity to honor the work and dedication of citizens who serve as members of our Board of Education. The Utica Community Schools is represented by its seven-member Board of Education. Each of these members works diligently to make decisions in the best interest of all of the children in the Utica Community Schools. Their continued support with innovative programming and focus on student achievement has provided our students with many dynamic opportuni-ties to enrich their education and achieve success! Thank you to our Board of Edu-cation for their time and dedication in making the Utica Community Schools a dynamic school district for our students! Through continued support of the com-munity, Utica Community Schools and Duncan Elementary will continue provide efficient and thriving learning environ-ments where all students can best achieve. With the start of the New Year, the Dun-can staff remains committed to providing a quality educational experience for all of our AMAZING students! We wish you and your family a happy and healthy 2020! May the New Year bring us all new hope, new wishes, new dreams and a renewed commitment to our children. Very truly yours, Sharon Coil -Proud Duncan Principal

Lego Robotic Team: Thunder Monkeys Duncan Lego Robotic Team, advanced to the State Tournament!

Competing against 67 teams at the state First LEGO League Ro-

botic Competition, the team received a first place trophy for their

Innovative Presentation and placed eighth overall at the state tour-

nament.

Team Members and Coaches

Hope Irwin, Kate Irwin, Arianna Frocillo, Camden Swanson,

Alyssa Wiedbusch, Leah Clower, and Landon Pickard, Coach-

es Mr. Irwin, Mr. Frocillo, and Mr. Wiedbusch

2

Important Dates in January

Upcoming Events

January 6th

Welcome back to school

January 7th

Variety Show tryouts

January 8th

Bagel Day Waste free lunch day

7:00 pm—D.E.C.O. meeting

January 9th

6:00—9:00 pm Academic Blitz at Henry Ford II

January 16th

10:00—11L30 Variety Show 12:04 dismissal

January 17th

10:00—11L30 Variety Show

12:04 dismissal

January 20th

No School—Martin Luther King day

January 30th

6:30 p.m. D.A.R.E. Graduation

Important Dates in February

Upcoming Events

February 4th

4:00 D.E.C.O. Meeting

February 6th

Bagel Day

Waste Free Lunch Day

February 7th

6:00 to 10:00 Mother/Son Event

Cherry Creek

February 12th

Preschool/Nursery School Open House

6:00 to 8:00p.m.

All current locations, including Duncan

February 17th through 21st

Mid Winter Break

February 24th

School Resumes

Report Cards electronically sent During January, Duncan Elementary will distribute reports cards electronically. The second marking period grades will be sent electronically to families after the end of the card marking period. To receive the report cards, parents will need to have a secure PowerSchool account. Par-ents who do not have access to a PowerSchool account will need to register for one prior to Friday, January 17th. The report cards will then be automatically e-mailed to the email address that is used to register the PowerSchool account. If you already have a Pow-erSchool account, you do not need to take any further action. The report card automatically will be sent to you electronically after the end of the card marking period.

3

Ski Club Begins... UCS SKI CLUB REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!!! SKIING IS ON FRIDAY NIGHTS AT MT HOLLY (THE BEST NIGHT!!) FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO DOWN-LOAD FORMS:

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER@UCSSKICLUB or FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/ucsskiclub or contact Kristi Carpenter at Kristi.carpenter@uticak12.org

Duncan Elementary 2019-2020 Performances

1st Grade Tuesday, February 11th, 6:30pm

2nd Grade Tuesday, March 31st, 6:30pm

3rd Grade Thursday, May 21st, 6:30 pm

4th Grade Thursday, October 24th, 6:30pm

5th Grade Thursday, March 5th, 2:15pm

6th Grade Tuesday, December 17th, 7:00pm

2019/2020 UCS District Calendar Dates to Remember... Please note:

The 2019-2020 teacher and corresponding student calendar con-

tinues to be collectively bargained between the District and the

Utica Education Association. At this time an agreement has

been reached on certain calendar elements through the first se-

mester.

Additional dates for second semester, including but not limited

to marking periods, potential non-school days, half-days and the

last day of school continue to be considered and will be released

September 3

First Day of School

Half Day for Elementary Students

Full Day for Secondary Students

October 10 Secondary Conferences

1/2 Day for Secondary Students

October 31 1/2 Day for Elementary Students

November 1 End of the Marking Period

November 5 No School

November 14 Elementary Conferences

1/2 Day for Elementary Students

November 27 No School

Thanksgiving Break Begins

December 2 Classes Resume

December 23 Winter Break Begins

January 6 Classes Resume

January 15 Secondary Exams

1/2 Day for Secondary Students

January 16 Secondary Exams

1/2 Day for All Students

January 17

End of the Marking Period

Secondary Exams

1/2 Day for All Students

January 20 MLK Day

February 17 Mid-winter Break Begins

February 24 Classes Resume

April 6 Spring Break Begins

April 13 Classes Resume

4

2019-2020

Student Council Elected Classroom Representatives

Involvement in Duncan Elementary Student Council encourages responsi-

bility and promotes decision-making skills. We pay tribute to those Dun-

can students who involve themselves in valued leadership roles in and

around our school. This year each 3rd—6th grade classroom elected two

students to represent them and be their voice at Student Council meetings.

The classroom representatives and board are now in place! Earlier this

month they conducted their first monthly meeting to discuss and work to-

ward resolving school related issues and initiatives. We are so very proud

of all the students that ran for classroom representative and Board positions

and we look forward to a school year filled with vision, dedication and pos-

itive endeavors!

All candidates running for the board were required to meet on many occa-

sions to plan, prepare and execute their campaign. The candidates were

required to acquire 75 signatures from Duncan students, create five posters to display

around the building, and prepare and deliver a speech at a school wide assembly. These

students possess the excellent qualities and skills that Duncan leaders are known for - re-

sponsibility, dedication, commitment, courage, hard work, integrity, problem solving skills,

initiative, work well with others, and great communication skills! Congratulations to all of

our students!

Front row: Ava Iatonna, Adam Burzynski,

Back row: Mila Atreo, Natalie Opalewski,

Gianni Lesperance, Gia Di Cesare

Front Row: Gianna Swoish, Russell Kennedy,

Adrianna Lesperance

Back Row: Emanuella Micakovic, Brett Skonieczny,

Brecken Wylie

Front Row: John Hiegel, Julian Sinishtaj, Laila Sinishtaj,

Ava Lesperance

Back Row: John Walters, Melanie Deutsch, Michelle Rek,

Front Row: Landon Pickard, Brooke Krul, Cassandra

Veliaj, Michael Rice

Back Row: Megan Horecki, Ashli Kuehn, Paige Westgate,

Aleksander Rosol

Ashli Kuehm—President

Laila Sinistaj,- Secretary

Nora Nikollaj—Vice President

John Walters—Treasurer

5

Kindergarten Registration

Set for March 11, 2020

Registration for the 2019/2020 kindergarten stu-

dents will be held on March 11th at 7:00 p.m.

Children who will be 5 years old on or before

September 1, 2020 are eligible for kindergarten.

Registration packets will be mailed home this

month. Parents will need the following to register

their child:

1. An original or certified copy of the

birth certificate

2. Record of immunizations

3. Hearing and vision results

4. Michigan driver’s license

5. Closing papers or property tax

documents

If you know of a neighbor who has a child starting

kindergarten in the fall, please have them call the

school at (586) 797-4600 so we can put them on

our mailing list.

Success Starts Here! 2020

Kindergarten Open House

Parents of children who will be

starting kindergarten in Utica

Community Schools in fall 2020

can begin the registration pro-

cess at the Duncan Kindergarten

Open House on Wednesday,

March 11 at 7 p.m.

At the open house, parents will

have the opportunity to learn

about our nationally-recognized

kindergarten program, meet the

teachers and building staff and

submit school registration

forms.

Children are eligible for kinder-

garten if they turn five years old

on or before September 1, 2020.

However, children who turn five

between September 1 and De-

cember 1, 2015 are eligible to

enroll in kindergarten if their

parents submit a waiver form.

More kindergarten open house

information and forms are avail-

able on the UCS Web site:

http://www.uticak12.org.

6

Utica Community Schools Career and Technical Education Department The UCS has created some unique learning experiences for our students to get them thinking about their career choices & secondary programming. Three great events are open to all fam-ilies interested in specific options available in UCS. The Academic Blitz allows parents and students to develop a plan that takes advantage of the unique programs and services in the district and the Career Expo features over 100 careers for students to begin exploring possi-ble careers of interest and the College Fair provides student/families access to more than 70 colleges, universities and trade schools. SAVE THE DATES… Utica Community Schools 2020 Academic Blitz When: Thursday, January 9, 2020 Where: Henry Ford II High School

Time: 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

Students, parents, and staff are invited to this free event. The Academic Blitz features infor-mation regarding UCS secondary academic courses, clubs and specialty programs. The Blitz serves as an opportunity for students to begin exploring secondary options offered to stu-dents. Students will also have a chance to meet with counselors and teachers to learn how high school classes can bring them closer to their post-secondary goals.

Options available in UCS after graduation

Develop a plan that takes advantage of the unique programs and services in the district.

Utica Community Schools 2020 Career Expo When: Thursday, March 19, 2020 Where: Eisenhower High School Time: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Students, parents, and staff are invited to this free event. The Expo will feature information of more than 100 different careers. The Expo serves as an opportunity for students to begin exploring career possibilities. Students will also have a chance to meet with CTE teachers to learn how high school classes can bring them closer to their career objective. Learn about educational requirements, job duties, expected earnings and job outlook for

six pathways. Develop a plan that takes advantage of the unique programs and services in the district. Utica Community Schools 2020 College Fair When: Thursday, April 23, 2020 Where: Henry Ford II High School Time: 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Students, parents and staff are invited to this free event. More than 70 colleges, universities and trade schools will provide information regarding post-secondary options.

7

Duncan Lego Robotics

State Competition 2019

Duncan Lego Robotic Team, advanced to the State Tournament! Competing against 67 teams at the state First

LEGO League Robotic Competition, the team received a first place trophy for their Innovative Presentation and

placed eighth overall at the state tournament.

Team Members and Coaches

Kate Irwin, Hope Irwin, Landon Pickard, Arianna Frocil-

lo, Alyssa Wiedbusch, Camden Swanson, and Leah

Clower, Coaches Mr. Irwin, Mr. Frocillo, and

Mr. Wiedbusch

Duncan Running Club

5K Jingle Bell Jog

Congratulations to the Duncan Running Club for their dedication and training in preparation for the Jingle Bell Jog

in Shelby Township! With over 40 participants in-

cluding students, parents, and Duncan staff running

this race, Duncan shined! Everyone did an AMAZ-

ING job! We are so proud of everyone that partici-

pated!

Congratulations to our Duncan students that

received special awards at the event.

12 and Under Girls Karis Miller—1st Place Cece Punturiere– 4th Place Payton Mundt– 5th Place

8

FAQ PowerSchool App

Q1. Why is the PowerSchool App not working on my mobile device?

A1. PowerSchool recently did an update to the app.

Q2. Will the login and password I have always used work on the app?

A2. No. To use the PowerSchool app, you will need to have an account for PowerSchool

Unified Classroom.

Q3. How do I create a PowerSchool Unified Classroom account if I previously had ac-

cess to the app?

A3. Go to https://uticak12.org/academics/powerschool and navigate to the directions for Unified Classroom account for a parent who has an original Parent Portal Account.

Follow these directions to create your Unified Classroom Account. This account

needs to be created within a computer browser.

Q4. After I create my Unified Classroom account, will I be able to use the app on

my mobile device?

A4. Yes, you may need to uninstall and reinstall the app. Once installed, you will

enter in the district access code (NKDJ) and use your login credentials for Unified

Classroom to access student information on the app.

Q5. How do I create a PowerSchool Unified Classroom account if I did not have an ac-

count previously?

A5. Go to https://uticak12.org/academics/powerschool and navigate to the directions for Unified Classroom account for a new parent. First, contact the building to obtain

your Access ID to create an account for the first time. Then, follow these directions

to create your Unified Classroom Account. This account needs to be created within a

computer browser. Once created you will need to install the app and enter in the dis-

trict access code (NKDJ). Use your login credentials for Unified Classroom to access

student information on the app.

Q6. My student could access the app on their mobile device, but now is unable to do

so.

A6. Go to https://uticak12.org/academics/powerschool and navigate to the directions for Unified Classroom account for a student. First, contact the building to obtain your

Student Username and Student Password to create an account. Then, follow these

directions to create your Unified Classroom Account. This account needs to be cre-

ated within a computer browser. Once created you will need to install the app and

enter in the district access code (NKDJ). Use your login credentials for Unified

Classroom to access student information on the app.

Q7. My student received the message, “This email is already in use.”, when creating

their Unified Classroom account.

9

Duncan Students Selected for

2020 UCS Honor Choir

The Utica Community Schools Honors Choir is a

group of fifth and sixth grade students who all

share a common passion for singing. Three stu-

dents are selected from each elementary

school to create the UCS Honors Choir.

Students are required to audition for their music

teachers and demonstrate an ability to both sing

and match pitch. Once the students have been

selected and they have signed the participa-

tion paperwork to make a commitment, the ad-

venture begins.

The students have a mini-camp in August before

school starts to initiate the hard work and prepa-

ration of combining their voices to create beauti-

ful music. They rehearse every Thursday after

school throughout the fall and perform at a varie-

ty of venues, including our very own UCS Performing Arts Centers.

The representatives from Duncan Elementary School this year were sixth graders: Ashli Kuehn, Hope

Irwin and Gabriella Ott! Congratulations girls! Your school is proud to have you represent Duncan on

the Honor Choir!

Honor Choir

Ashli Kuehn, Hope Irwin and

Gabriella Ott

Michigan Reading

Association Honors

Kaleidoscope Winner Gabriella Perencin

Congratulations to Gabriella Perencin,

4th grader from Mrs. Siracoff’s classroom, for her

award winning writing piece, Gabriella’s Rainy Day!

Gabriella’s work was selected for publication in the

Michigan Reading Association’s annual Kaleidoscope

magazine. Her writing will be published in Kaleido-

scope, along with other winning short story entries

written by students throughout the state of Michigan.

This distinguished honor comes with several special

recognitions for Gabriella. She will be honored at the

Young Author’s Luncheon at the Michigan Reading Association’s Annual Conference, invited to the Ka-

leidoscope dinner held at the Macomb Intermediate School District and receive special district recogni-

tion at a Board of Education Meeting scheduled later this year. We are very proud of Gabriella for her

10

Rules To Keep Your Child Safe

on the Internet

We tell our children to be wary of strangers, and

that goes for strangers on the Internet, too. Re-

mind kids that the people they meet online are

not always who they say they are. Online infor-

mation is not necessarily private, either.

Consider telling your children to:

• Never give out personal information

(including name, home address, phone

number, age, race, family income, school

name or location, or friends’ names) and

never use a credit card online without

parent permission.

• Never share your password, even with

friends.

• Never arrange a face-to-face meeting

with someone you’ve met online.

• Never respond to messages that make

you feel confused or uncomfortable. Ig-

nore the sender, end the communication

and tell a trusted adult right away.

• Never use bad language or send mean

messages online.

For your information, commercial websites can-

not legally collect personal information from

children under 13 years old without permission.

For more information on your child’s rights and

responsibilities under the Children’s Online Pri-

vacy Protection Act (COPPA), see the Federal

Trade Commission’s Kidz Privacy website:

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcams/

kidzprivacy/adults.htm

Kids and Teens Travel

the Internet Alone

In the physical world, we take our children by the

hand when we cross the street, and we keep an

eye on the safety of our teenagers. When your

children are at Duncan, in Macomb County, they

are protected on the Internet by filters that block

access to websites that are harmful. At home, you

can also install software, use online services

and/or search engines that filter out inappropriate

material to protect your child on-line. Parents

can also explore the Internet with their child and

keep the computer in a family area where their

child’s computer use can be monitored.

When children travel alone on the Internet, they

could be exposed to adults or websites that are

harmful. Consider these facts from the Crimes

against Children Research Center:

• 1 in 4 children/teens, ages 10 to 17, have been

exposed to unwanted sexual material online.

• 1 in 5 children/teens under the age of 17 have

received unwanted sexual solicitations online.

• 1 in 33 children/teens have received an ag-

gressive solicitation to meet somewhere.

• 6% of children/teens ages 10 to 17 are threat-

ened or harassed online and only about half

reported the incident to their parents.

Nothing can replace you in your child’s life.

Your involvement and supervision are more im-

portant to your child than anything else. For

more information on filters and other devices to

protect your children when they use the Internet,

visit one of these:

http://www.getnetwise.org/tools/

index.php3?definition=filters

http://www.searchenginewatch.com/links/

article.php/2156191

11

Books with Pictures: The Secret Subway by Shana Corey Twenty Yawns by Lauren Castille Freedom in Congo Square by Carole Boston Weatherford Mother Bruce by Ryan T. Higgins/Hotel Bruce by Ryan T. Higgins Little Elliot, Big City/Little Elliot, Big Fami-ly/Little Elliot, Big Fun by Mike Curato Shy by Deborah Freedman Dragon Loves Tacos by Ad-am Rubin Last Stop on Market Street by Matt De La Pena Finding Winnie by Lindsay Mattick A Poem for Peter Andrea Davis Pinkney A Bear Ate Your Sandwich by Julia Sarcone-Roach Pink is for Blobfish by Jess Keating Barnacle is Bored by Jonathan Fenske Groovy Joe by Eric Litwin This is My Dollhouse by Giselle Potter Narwhal Unicorn of the Sea by Ben Clanton The Airport Book by Lisa Brown The Cookie Fiasco by Dan Santat We are Growing by Laurie Keller The Totally Secret Secret by Bob Shea

The Marvelous Thing That Came From A Spring by Gil-bert Ford Snappsy The Alligator by Ju-lie Falatko They All Saw a Cat by Bren-dan Wenzel Louise Loves Art by Kelly

Light Whoosh by Christ Barton Horrible Bear by Ame Dykman You Don’t Want a Unicorn by Ame Dyck-man Juana and Lucas by Juana Mendina

Reading Leads to a Life-Time of Adventure...It is so important that we communicate to our children that reading is some-

thing that we value as a life activity! If we want them to read more, we must provide them with classrooms, libraries and

homes where reading is the norm. If reading isn’t held in high regard, they won’t. For some students struggling to finish

books or commit to reading, setting small goals helps them achieve success quickly and rack up positive reading experienc-

es, which feeds more reading. By recommending high interest short story collections, your child will have the satisfaction

of completing a story in less time, while still building stamina. Offer short books which require less of a time investment

from developing readers, while still introducing them to prolific authors. When your child begins to select longer books,

check in often with them to determine their progress and offer positive reinforcement for completing chapters or meeting

page goals!

Mr. Schu & Travis Jonkers Book Recommendations:

Series Lower El Continued All Scholastic Branches for bridging growing readers: • Boris • Haggis Unleashed • Owl Diaries • Kung Pow Chicken • Missy’s • Olive and Beatrix • Princess Pink and the Land of Fake- believe • Dragon Masters • Eerie Elementary • Looniverse • Lotus Lane • Monkey Me • The Notebook of Doom • Silver Pony Ranch • The Amazing Stardust Friends • Stella and the Night Sprites

Upper El The Night Gardener by Jonathan Auxier Shadow House by Don Poblocki Short-Story recommendations: David Lubar’s Weenie books

Jon Scieszka’s Guys Read series

Patricia McLachlan’s Sarah, Plain and Tall

Gary Paulsen’s Lawn Boy

Hans Wilhelm’s Buddy for President Geronimo Stilton Series

Chapter Books (upper el) Raymie Nightengale by Kate DiCamillo Crossover or Booked by Kwame Alexander Nine, Ten: A September 11 Story by Nora Raleigh Baskin Hour of Bees by Lindsay Eagar Pax by Sara Pennypacker The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill When The Sea Turned To Silver by Grace Lin

Graphic Novels Flora and Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo

Series Graphic Novels… Secret Coders by Gene Yang Amulet by Kazu Kibuishi HiLo by Judd Winick (early readers) Zita the SpaceGirl by Ben Hatke

12

Our Duncan students are the leaders of tomorrow and they give our world hope and promise for a better future. Each child has something truly won-derful to contribute to this world and it is our job to help them grow and learn in order to become the confident, productive leaders. We are developing a culture of leadership in our school that is founded on internationally recognized, universal principles, that parents, teachers and business leaders want students to be successful with developing. After em-bracing the work of Stephen Covey’s, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, our staff quickly deemed the importance of integrating these habits into our approach to teaching leadership skills. During the first few months of school, we will be focused on the first three habits- Be Proactive, Begin With the End in Mind, and Put First Things First. Com-bined, these habits help a person become more independent. When put into practice, these three habits enable a person to be more responsible, to take more control of their life, to map out their future, to establish priorities, and to execute a plan by staying disciplined and focused. Embedded in the three habits are time management skills, planning skills, goal-setting skills, and other basic organizing skills that are foundational to independence, or self-leadership.

Habits

Competencies

Key Workforce and Life-Readiness Leadership

Skills

Habits 1-3 (Developing In-dependence as a Leader) #1 Be Proactive #2 Begin with the End-in-Mind #3 Put First Things First

Time Manage-ment/ Organization Goal Setting Skills Planning Skills

Initiative/ Self Motiva-tion

Responsibility/ Vision Integrity

This month we will focus on Habit

#3: Put First Things First

Habit #3: Put First Things First

• I spend my time on things that are

most important. This means I

don’t say no to things I know I

should do.

• I set priorities, make a schedule,

and follow my path.

• I am disciplined and organized.

We are learning about prioritizing

this month. Your child will know

how to make a plan for completing

homework when returning home.

They will take into account any extra

activities and plan accordingly. Time

management is a great skill to learn at

a young age.

Organization will also be a focus this

week. We will determine if your

child’s current organization system is

working for him or her and adjust it

so that it will work long-term. Some-

times one person’s organization is not

best for another person.

How families can encourage Habit

#3 at Home:

• Encourage your child to follow

his or her unique schedule.

• Discuss how you prioritize with

your child. For example, grocer-

ies are a priority, so that may be

put into a budget before purchas-

ing a new piece of technology.

• Ask your child about how he or

she has been following their

schedule. Talk about what organi-

zation looks like at school and at

home.

At Duncan Elementary, we are developing leaders, one child at a time… -adapted from The Leader in Me; Stephen R. Covey

Duncan K-6

grade students

honored at the

November

Leadership

Assembly.

Congratulations to

our students!

We are proud

of you!

13

Patience is extremely important when dropping off or picking up a child. Please review our drop-off and pick-up procedures and follow them close-ly. Our student safety depends on it. Dropping Students off in the Morning: If you are dropping your child off in the morning, please use the south parking lot. School begins at 9:00 am and parents can begin dropping off stu-dents at 8:55 a.m., when school personnel are on duty to supervise them. Under no circumstance should any drivers park their car along the curb and exit their car. This results in significant traffic back-ups and students being late for school. If it is necessary for a parent to exit their car, we would ask that parent to park their car in one of the marked parking spaces and walk their child in to the school. Instilling safe habits in our students is so important. For this reason, we ask that all parents reinforce with their children the im-portance of crossing the parking lot at the desig-nated cross walk. This area is always supervised by an adult. Please do not cross in the middle of the drop-off zone. Picking Students up after school: Parents picking their children up after school are asked to remain outside the front doors until dis-missal. District policy restricts parents from going directly to classrooms to pick their child up. All school personnel will reinforce this policy for the safety of all of our students. Parents picking their child up at the end of the day are asked to pre-arrange a meeting location with their child outside of the school (i.e. the flagpole, by the front doors.) All parents within the building must sign in and wear a visitor badge to move through the building. If a parent is picking their child up early from school, district policy requires students to be signed out in the main office. For the safety of our students, our staff will not release students direct-ly to parents from the classroom.

Thank you for helping us to keep our school safe!

School Closing Information

With the prospect of winter weather ahead,

staff, students, and parents should know

what to do in the event of an emergency

school closing during the school day.

The following TV and Radio Stations will broadcast our

school closings:

WJR (760), WWJ (950), WXYT (1270)

TV Channels 2, 4, and 7

Comcast Cable Channel 22

Wow Cable Channel 15

Utica Community School Website

Www.uticak12.org

Safe Arrival and Dismissal Procedures

14

Recognizing Something Positive Everyday

Adapted from: Catch Your Child in the Act of Doing

Something Good!

By Vanda Skinner-Skelton, R.N.

Catch your child doing something good:

It is such a simple concept and yet, in our attempt

to be “good” parents, we are likely focused on

catching the negative. Dr. Jeffrey Kelly, author of

Solving Your Child’s Behavior Problem writes,

“The best way to motivate a child to good behavior

is to develop a plan to reinforce or reward the good

actions we want to see.” Praise and attention are

powerful motivators. Children learn that they will

get noticed and praised when they behave well,

which, in turn, strengthens their good behavior pat-

terns.

Be specific in praising your children:

Don’t just say, “You were good today.” Find spe-

cific moments that define good behavior for your

children. Saying things such as, “You played nice-

ly with your sister and took turns” and “thank you

for remembering to pick up your toys,” are specific

ways to praise the expected behavior from your

child. Defining good behavior helps them under-

stand the goal.

Offer Occasional Rewards:

There is a difference between reward and bribery.

Reward is offered when you catch him doing

something good, and after the good deed is com-

pleted. “You didn’t run up and down the aisles in

the store today; I think I’ll buy you some candy.”

Bribery occurs before the fact: “If you’re good in

the store today, I’ll buy you some candy.” Can you

see the difference? Reward helps the child to be

self-motivated to do well. Bribery teaches him to

be object-motivated to do well. Remember, object-

motivated children often do not perform the behav-

ior without the promise of a treat. Children whose

parents use reward-based systems tend to be more

secure, more confident, more responsible, and

more creative.

Helping Children Develop Self Concept and

Positive Attitude

• Encourage optimism in every situation. Help your

child see mistakes as opportunities to learn, and ob-

stacles as exciting challenges.

• Build your child’s self-esteem by giving frequent

hugs and words of praise. Urge your child to take

pride in efforts as well as achievements.

• Make sure your child knows you are always availa-

ble to talk. Ask about school every day and listen

with your full attention.

• Teach your child healthy ways to manage stress.

Talking to a trusted friend, playing with a pet, read-

ing or enjoying a hobby are just a few options.

• Ensure that your child eats a balanced diet with

plenty of whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables.

• Emphasize the value of exercise and rest. Physical

activity relieves stress, boosts energy and is a natural

motivator. Adequate sleep prepares your child for

each new day.

• Do your best to stay positive and model the attitude

you want your child to have. Your child learns from

watching you.

Dress Warm. . .

Recess is an important part of the school

day. It gives the children a chance to re-

lease some of their energy, get fresh air,

exercise, and clear their minds for the rest of the day.

Proper clothing for outside recess is a necessity. Please have

your child dress in a warm coat, hat, scarf, gloves and boots, if

necessary.

All students are expected to go out for recess unless we have a

doctor’s note saying they must stay inside. Students will go

out for recess whenever the wind chill is 10 degrees or

higher. The Weather Channel will be used to determine the

wind chill.

Nondiscrimination in Education

In compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of

1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act and the Persons

with Disabilities Civil Rights Act, it is the policy of Utica Community Schools that no person shall, on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, age, disability, height, weight, or marital status be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to

discrimination during any instructional opportunities, programs, services, job placement assistance, employment or in policies governing student

conduct and attendance. Any person suspecting a discriminatory practice should contact the Executive Director of Human Resources at Utica Com-munity Schools, 11303 Greendale, Sterling Heights, MI 48312 or call (586) 797-1000.

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