The Independence Update - March 14

8/12/2019 The Independence Update - March 14

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THE INDEPENDENCE UPDATE

6850 Hubbard Road Chris Turner, Principal

Clarkston, MI 48348 Ray Lebert, PTO President

(248) 623-5500 March, 2014

From the Principal . . .From the Principal . . .From the Principal . . .From the Principal . . .

Happy March! Its been a LONG, COLD winter and I know were all ready for it to end. I cantremember the last time weve had so many indoor recesses. I think weve set a new record!

Fortunately weve got a lot of exciting learning activities taking place this month to keep us warm

March is Reading Month! Were excited to continue with our One Book, One Schooltradition. Thanks to the generous support of our PTO and your personal donations, every family

received a copy ofMr. Poppers Penguinsto read at home. Well be doing fun activities in school

throughout the month to go along with what the families are reading at home.

S.O.C.K.S. Day is approaching soon! S.O.C.K.S. stands for Serving Our Community KidsStyle. This year marks our 11

thannual S.O.C.K.S. Day. On March 20 all students will participate in

academic service learning activities from 9:00-11:00 a.m. The program ends with an all-school

assembly at 11:00 a.m. summarizing all the wonderful projects that took place throughout themorning.

Dont forget Parent/Teacher conferences this month. Conferences will take place on Friday,March 14 from 12:30-4:00 p.m., and Tuesday, March 18 from 4:00-7:30 p.m. Sign up for

conferences by visiting your teachers Sign-up Genius page.

Many parents are wondering whether Clarkston Schools will have to make-up days at the end of the

year due to the number of snow days weve had. We wont know the answer to that question until

sometime in April. Ill let you know as soon as a decision is made.

Have a great month, and THINK SPRING!

Chris Turner

Principal


2/11

Important Dates to RememberImportant Dates to RememberImportant Dates to RememberImportant Dates to Remember

March 10 School Board meeting Administration Bldg. 7:00 p.m.

March 12 Late Start day School begins at 9:25 a.m.

Forth grade !ield trip to "S# $ "%A &:'0 a.m.(':15 p.m.

March 1' )ast da* o! second trimesterMarch 1+ No School

AM ,eacher -ecords

M arent/,eacher on!erences

March 1& Maret "a* pic(p

arent/,eacher con!erences +:00(7:'0 p.m.

March 19 Fi!th grade photo taen 9:00 a.m.

March 20 S.#...S. da* 9:00(11:'0 a.m.

March 23 Late Start day School begins at 9:25 a.m.

Mo4ie ight 6Mr. oppers engins8 3:'0 p.m.

April 2 Fi!th grade Msic concert 7:00 p.m.

April 7(11 No School Spring recess

April 1+ School resmes

April 13 ,# Board meeting 9:00 a.m.

April 1& No School

April 22 indergarten #rientation 9:15 a.m. $ 1:15 a.m.

April 2' Late Start day School begins at 9:25 a.m.

April 2+ ariet* Sho 3:'0 p.m.

Thank You forThank You forThank You forThank You forSpreading the Love!Spreading the Love!Spreading the Love!Spreading the Love!

Thank you so much for supportingThank you so much for supportingThank you so much for supportingThank you so much for supporting Spread tSpread tSpread tSpread the Love for thehe Love for thehe Love for thehe Love for themonth of February. Our school alone collected over 3 "ars.month of February. Our school alone collected over 3 "ars.month of February. Our school alone collected over 3 "ars.month of February. Our school alone collected over 3 "ars.

The community goal #as to reach $% pb and " "ars and #eThe community goal #as to reach $% pb and " "ars and #eThe community goal #as to reach $% pb and " "ars and #eThe community goal #as to reach $% pb and " "ars and #etruly appreciate your support to help Lighthouse reach thattruly appreciate your support to help Lighthouse reach thattruly appreciate your support to help Lighthouse reach thattruly appreciate your support to help Lighthouse reach thatgoal. Lighthouse helps feed appro&imately ' families agoal. Lighthouse helps feed appro&imately ' families agoal. Lighthouse helps feed appro&imately ' families agoal. Lighthouse helps feed appro&imately ' families a

month. One "ar of peanut butter can last a family of four amonth. One "ar of peanut butter can last a family of four amonth. One "ar of peanut butter can last a family of four amonth. One "ar of peanut butter can last a family of four a#eek. (ith our food donations #e are able to help families#eek. (ith our food donations #e are able to help families#eek. (ith our food donations #e are able to help families#eek. (ith our food donations #e are able to help families

right here in our very o#n community!!!right here in our very o#n community!!!right here in our very o#n community!!!right here in our very o#n community!!!

)gain% Thank You!!!!!)gain% Thank You!!!!!)gain% Thank You!!!!!)gain% Thank You!!!!!*eth +irchner*eth +irchner*eth +irchner*eth +irchner


3/11

2014201420142014----15 Kindergarten Registration15 Kindergarten Registration15 Kindergarten Registration15 Kindergarten Registration

If your child turns five years old on or before October 1, 2014, he/she iseligible to attend Kindergarten.

In the Fall of 2014, Clarkston Community Schools will continue to

offertwo options for parents of Kindergartners:

Traditional Full-Day Kindergarten Traditional Full-dayKindergarten is offered at every elementary school.

Young Fives Kindergarten Young Fives Kindergarten is forstudents that turn five years old between June 1 - October 1, 2014.

Full-day and half-day options are available. Young Fives Kindergartenis offered at the Early Childhood Center and Independence Elementary.

Students in Young Fives go to their home school the following year for

traditional full-day Kindergarten.Registration packets are available at each elementary school, at theAdministration Building, the Early Childhood Center, and online at

www.clarkston.k12.mi.us click on Parents.

Kindergarten Orientation for Independence Elementary will take placeon April 22. All parents that have registered their child for Kindergarten are

invited to attend.

Student Council

Movie Night

NOW SHOWING

Mr. POPPERS PENQUINS

Wednesd!" Mrch #$th

t $%&' ()

Order *or)s co)ing soon+

,# (er (erson *or dvnce tic-ets

,& t the door

(Sponsored by the IE Student council)


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Thursday, March 13, 2014!

In connection with March Is Reading Month, the Young Fives classes invite you to participate in anall-school WackyTackyDay !! Students are encouraged to dress in their wackiest, tackiest

(mismatched, crazy, etc! out"its "or #$%% donation&

'roceeds will ene"it part o" the )indercus* S+)S ay .cademic Service /earning pro0ect o"

contriuting in a meaning"ul way to our school*s /earning 1arden2hanks "or your support&

Your Independence Elementary PTO is on Facebook!

Please look for:

Independence Elementary PTO Clarkstonand

to get even better connected on all the happenings andimportant information from our school!


5/11

Young Fives: Will work on service projects for our neighborhood feathered friends the birds to support ourvery own Learning Garden and Independence Townships Senior Center. Will alsolead a school-wide special day to support their project. Watch for more info. soon!

Kindergarten: Will assemble and donate toiletry bags and a gently used toy to Grace Centers ofHope.

First Grade: Will create dog and cat toys as well as Adopt-Me bandanas for the MichiganHumane Society. They will also collect money from bottle returns to donate to Paws with a

Cause.

Second Grade: Will assemble care packages for a Clarkston High School Graduate and the2nd Calvary Troop currently deployed in Afghanistan as well as write letters of thanks andencouragement.

Third Grade: Will package homemade treats and cards for Meals on Wheels in Clarkston andWaterford.

Fourth Grade:Will make fleece blankets for pediatric cancer patients of the Children's Miracle Network at

Beaumont Children's Hospital.

Fifth Grade: Will host Senior Citizens from our community as well as interview their guests,provide musical entertainment and serve refreshments.

11thAnnual Celebration of

S.O.C.K.S.Day !~ Serving Our CommunityKid Style ~

Thursday, March 20, 20149:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m.

All-School Assembly 11:00 a.m.

Independence Elementarys SchoolIndependence Elementarys SchoolIndependence Elementarys SchoolIndependence Elementarys School----Wide Academic Service Learning Project !Wide Academic Service Learning Project !Wide Academic Service Learning Project !Wide Academic Service Learning Project !

S.O.C.K.S.Dayis right around the corner! It is a morning where all students have the opportunity to reach outto the community and make a difference. Each grade level will participate in a different academic service

learning project that coordinates with their grade level curriculum and benefits an area non-profit organization.

Students not only see what their hard work can accomplish for others but also meet academic learning goals aswell. The 2014 S.O.C.K.S. projects follow:

How can you help? Please watch for grade level information to come home with your student(s) in early March

that will include volunteer information/donation requests. Additionally, we will gladlyaccept donations for both

the Kindergarten and 2ndgrade projects and appreciate the school-wide support. Items may be delivered to the

designated areas in the Kindergarten and 2nd Grade hallways by Monday, March 17.

Kindergarten: Individually wrapped toothbrushes (adult/youth) Toothpaste Washcloths Small new toys2ndGrade: Individually wrapped beef jerky Eye dropsLip balm Decks of cards Coffee (especially Keurig!)

Visit the S.O.C.K.S. website -- www.clarkston.k12.mi.us/ie and click on S.O.C.K.S. Day for more

background information. Thank you for your continued support of this amazingevent!

Suzanne Massey ([email protected])/ Heather Fasczewski [email protected])

S.O.C.K.S. Day Co-Chairs


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Chilling News from the PTOChilling News from the PTOChilling News from the PTOChilling News from the PTO

"Look up" the line-worker stated to the child."But I don't see anything?""It's right behind that cloud. Can you see that ray of light poking out of the side there?""No"

Can we try a short mental exercise? Lets just agree to get into a spring mindset. We can just forget about the furnacerunning all day and how it has been recirculating dust particles from these past few months. Even just for a little bit, if youstare out of the window and look up towards where the sun should be, it almost seems like warmth is on its way. Just don'tlook down, and don't even think about opening the front door. That will be the end of this if you do. The second that yousee the ice, snow, and potholes, it's all over. Think about laying on a hammock - the kids out running in the yard pickingflowers for the house. Someone next door is mowing their lawn while the smoke from your grill rises towards the same skyyou are hypothetically looking at now.

"Look up."This has been a one of a kind winter to say the least. Perspectives have changed from "Go outside and play in the

snow" to "stay inside and jump rope for a while in the living room." But we're resilient as Michiganders. Experiences thatlooked appealing on the TV show Alaska, The Last Frontierare losing interest as we strive to keep our pipes from freezingand our somber perspectives thawed.

School districts around the area are being forced more than ever to make chilling decisions this season as well. Will

school be cancelled again, or have we reached a point where we have become desensitized to the subzero temperaturesin this state? One local school has even declared that they would not close school again if these chilling conditions persist.Needless to say, there are a lot of factors to consider, and while this has been a truly inconvenient winter, we're resilientenough to jump right back. IE Principal, Chris Turner is awaiting word from the state regarding snow-days. "We are waitingto see how much time we have to make up, and also to see if the Governor is planning to give any relief based on thewinter everyone has had."

The first day of Spring is March 20th. Yes, that's literally a couple of weeks away, and what's better than that is wemove our clocks forward on March 9th, giving us more daylight in the evening. We're at the end of the harshest season thawe've had since 1978, and that can only mean one thing - we'll be more than ready for Spring/Summer.

How is Independence Elementary helping ease the transition, you may ask? P.E. Teacher, Katie Lambert facilitated theJump Rope for Heart this past month and helped galvanize the student body into action for a good cause. Mrs. Lambertstated, "Our 2013-14 Jump Rope For Heart event was a great success! All our students did a fantastic job jumping andraising donations for the American Heart Association. This year we have raised well over $3000 (final count is yet to

come). Thank you to all the families who made donations!"Chelsea O'Brien, PTO Member at Large, has been busy working as well with students in the Garden Club, teaching

them to weave seat-cushions out of recycled T-shirts. These will be used in the learning garden in upcoming months andeven in other locations throughout the school. April is right around the corner, and the pieces of the puzzle are nearlycomplete for this growing endeavor.

Additionally, field-trip season will be in full swing in upcoming months, alongside baseball bats and playgroundequipment. Fourth grade teacher Dr. Gretka detailed the nearby 4th grade field trip by saying, "The fourth graders get to goto see the Detroit Symphony Orchestra perform a variety of pieces on March 12. The pieces are from various points inhistory, composers, and sounds. The classes will also visit the Detroit Institute of Arts as well. They get a chance toexplore different types of art, artists, and mediums."

The Independence Elementary PTO has met on a monthly basis to assure that classrooms and your student's day-to-day-to-snowday-to-day experiences are enriched. Kristen Gretka has assured us that her students were looking uplastweek. "Every year, the fourth graders experience a presentation about Birds of Prey. In this presentation, they learn abou

raptors - this includes: hunting habits, survival adaptations, and much more. The kids were able to see a living Red TailedHawk, Barred Owl, and an American Bald Eagle."The IE PTO has responded to teacher requests for learning supplements and continue to support the

environment at IE. We hope to see all of our parents at the upcoming Donuts with Dads and Muffins with Moms events(see calendar), and cannot wait to see all of the kind work put forth during SOCKS day. (See more information at:http://socksday.weebly.com)

The previous examples serve as a sampling of the great things happening at IE. The more you look down the hallwaysand inside the classrooms, the brighter your perspective will become. Even if it's dismal outside, the energy insideIndependence Elementary is effectual.

"Look up. Do you see anything now?"Ray LebertIE PTO President


7/11

Listed below are qualifications to become a Bus Driver for Clarkston schools, all drivers are hired ascall in drivers, working their way up the seniority list to obtain an assigned Bus Route. We do provide

a training program, you must first go to the Michigan Secretary of State office and obtain a Temporary

Operator Permit, and a Temporary Instructional Permit with the endorsements listed below. We do not

pay while training and we will notify you if during training you are not qualified for School Bus

Driving. Once you have passed the CDL road test and all the qualifications, you will be hired on witha 90 work day probation period. Medical benefits and paid holidays are not provided to call in bus

drivers, only drivers with assigned bus routes with 5 hours will receive benefits per contract. If I

can answer any additional questions please give me a call at 248-623- 8040.

Thank you, Kevin

Qualifications: Call In Bus Driver

Must have a CDL (Commercial Drivers License) with Group B, P, S, and Air Brake Endorsements.

Must meet all State and local certification and licensing requirements.

Must not have any felonies or criminal background history.

Must meet all DOT physical requirements.

Must meet drug and alcohol testing.

Acceptable driving record. (Two Points or less with no prior convictions of impaired driving of DUI)

Must have a minimum of 6 years driving experience.

A training program is provided for candidates who do not meet license requirements listed above.

Working Conditions:

$13.10 per hourHours vary between ( 6AM 9AM) (2PM-5PM)

TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT6590 Middle Lake Road Clarkston, MI !"6 P#one$ %!&6%"&!00 'a($ %!&6%"&!05


8/11

In partnership with the National Inventors Hall of Fame, Clarkston Community Education is pleased to offerthe nationally-acclaimed Camp Inventionprogram to children entering grades one through six It!s anexciting, weeklong summer adventure in "cience, #echnology, Engineering and $ath %"#E$& that!s alla'out 'ig ideas Children will work together to seek innovative solutions to real-world pro'lems and sharpencritical ()stcentury learning skills as they rotate through four modules that reinvent summer fun

#his unforgetta'le week 'egins on July 21 July 25, 2014 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day, when

Clarkston eachers !eth "o#ers and $my Camp%ell will direct the Camp Invention &'"()*+-program at the Communty *ducaton !uldn#

In the Super Go module, students design a small, motor-powered vehicle that *ooms+ irls and 'oys willcollect energy coins along the way for 'uilding ramps, 'ridges and tunnels for the "uper o oad ally

.articipants will receive personali*ed challenges from National Inventors Hall of Fame Inductees that willignite a spirit of creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship during the Design Studio: Morphedmodule

#hroughout theAmplifiedmodule, children invent 'ionic gadgets while /ourneying to ac0uiresuperhuman senses #ime will 'e spent encountering illusions and discovering if they are a supertaster

Finally, Camp Invention!s flagship module, I Can Invent: Pinbug,allows participants to use tools toupcycle electronics and 'uild an epic, insect-themed pin'all machine+

1ocal educators will facilitate program modules and enthusiastic high school and college students will serveas 1eadership Interns 2 ensuring that one staff mem'er is in place for every eight children

"e#ster on or %efore &arch 2/, 2014 to recee 25 ' the %ase prce of 235.Every registrationincludes a complimentary Camp Invention t-shirt 3vaila'ility is limited, so visit wwwcampinventionorgor call 455674899( to reserve your child!s spot today+

Parent/Teacher Conferences are being heldFriday, March 14, 1 - 4 pm

Tuesday, March 1, 4 ! "#$% pm&' (C)''* F'+ (T&T( '& F+0, $/14/14


9/11

BONUS DAYS ARE HERE!

Here we go! Some of our favorite desserts are going to help our school. The moredesserts purchased, the more Independence Elementary will earn. Order an oldfavorite or try something new, like the new Strawberry Patch Cake.

Market Day has also added some more new items:

Spaghetti Pie Fish Sticks

Whether you are stocking up on your favorites or trying something new, weappreciate that you take the time to help Independence. This month you can alsoreceive a FREE Munchtables Combo Pack (with a $90 online purchase: PromoCode: MARBONUS). New Customers can save $5 off of a $25 purchase madeonline by using Promo Code: NEWFIVE.

Dont forget to qualify for Market Days Spring FREEquent Buyer program, simplymake two purchases of $40 between February and April, then place a third order of$40 in May to receive a FREE Storage Box at your May sale pick-up. They aregreat for organizing magazines, kids toys, and office supplies!

Market Day Your Way is a program that offers more pick up options. If you haveever felt that you cant make it to the schools pick up date or time, Market Dayoffers alternate locations to pick up your order. And you will still be supportingIndependence Elementary! When placing an order online, select the location thatworks best for you. Go to www.marketday.comfor details.

Place your next order by Wednesday, March 12th and we will see you at the pick-up on Tuesday, March 18th. We hope to see you there! As always, if you haveany questions please give us a call.

Jenn Sesti (714) 348-0769Katie Schmitz (248) 236-2456

NON-DISCRIMINATION CLAUSEIn 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, the Americans with DisabilityAct of 1990, and the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, it is the policy of the Clarkston CommunitySchool District that the Board of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, nationalorigin, sex, disability, age, height, weight, marital status, genetic information, or any other legally protectedcharacteristic, in its programs and activities, including employment opportunities. For information, contact theDirector of Personnel, 6389 Clarkston Road, Clarkston, MI 48346, (248) 623.5400. For informationregarding ADA, contact the Deputy Superintendent, 6389 Clarkston Road, Clarkston, MI 48346,(248)623.5400.


10/11

Passive Fundraising pdate

T"#K $O!

A very special THANK YOUto everyone who is participating with the Passive Fundraising Programs

your efforts are record-setting and IE will definitely benefit!

Box Tops for Education/Labels for Education: Special hans to "eather Powers and #ayla and $yan

%ole for volunteering to count over &'(''' )o* ops+ han you to Pam ,.eil for counting /(/0'

1abels for Education points+ It taes a team effort to mae these programs happen! o date( we have

earned nearly $!"""from Box Topsalone this school year! 2e set a record with our otal compared

to past years+ hose little labels add upso eep them coming( as we collect them all year long+

Hat #a for Box Tops%as anot&er B'( success)3 han you for showing your

support for IE! 2e collected a record-setting *!+," Box Topshats $*+,we

earned from "at 4ay alone! 2e also collected !-"" Labels for Educationpoints

and $*" cas&+ "ats off to everyone for another successful "at 4ay for )o* ops!

Kro.er o00unit 1e%ards: THANK YOUto everyone who has enrolled in the Kro.er o00unit

1e%ards!

2e now have *2 fa0ilies enrolled and our most recent chec was $3*2! WAY TO GO IE FAMILIES!! If

you havent enrolled yet( theres still time! Simply clic on %%%4Kro.ero00unit1e%ards4co0and

follow the prompts to lin your #roger Plus %ard to our Account 567/7'+ Earn 8 for IE while you shop!

E5Labels for Education:$emember to Shop. Swipe. Earn! his program allows our school to earn one

point for any %ampbells 91abels for Education: purchases automatically+ o sign up( register on-line byfollowing the prompts at %%%4E5Labels6orEducation4co0+ Enter your #roger Plus %ard number( and

select our school to receive the E5Labels for Educationpoints+ his program is in addition to any

points;labels you send in( so eep those coming as well!

Tar.et: THANK YOUto all of you who participate with the Tar.et 1E#cardTa7e &ar.e of Education

program by designating IE to receive a percentage of your purchases+ o participate( program

information can be found at %%%4tar.et4co0/tcoe+

2e also continue to participate with the 8ei9er o00unit 1e%ardser+com;rewards!

Office #epot and TsonectAPlus? programs+ %omplete program info can be

found at@ www+clarston+&7+mi+us;ie+ ust clic on P, and then Passive Fundraising+ Also,remember to multipl our eorts b as"in# rien$s an$ amil to parti%ipate on behal o our s%hool,

too!

Thank you for your continued support!Thank you for your continued support!Thank you for your continued support!Thank you for your continued support!


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The Independence Update - March 14

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