With Halloween just around the corner, I wanted to share some information about the day. On Wednesday, October 31st, we will be holding our annual Halloween parade from 1:30-2:00. The route will take students through the north hallway (kindergarten wing) into the gymnasium, down through the first grade wing with students exiting the building at the end of that hallway, and then they will walk along the south side of the building and down the sidewalk in front of the Learning Center, looping back into the building through the north entrance (kindergarten doors). Parents and visitors may observe the parade from inside the gym, or outside the Learning Center on the north, south, or west side of the building. Barring inclement weather, we will try to keep the hallways clear of visitors so that students may line up to watch their peers. In order to allow us time to clean the gym after the lunch periods, I ask that you arrive no earlier than 1:10. Any student wishing to dress up for the parade should bring their school-appropriate costume to school in a bag. For safety purposes, all weapon-like accessories should remain at home.

As is the case with all days involving classroom parties, i.e. Halloween, Christmas, Valentine’s, etc., lunch visitors are not permitted. The reason being that our gym simply cannot accommodate the large number of guests, while still leaving room for all of our students. I appreciate your understanding in advance. Family members are, however, more than welcome to attend the parade and classroom parties. Below are the times for each grade level’s classroom parties:

Young 5's: 2:00-3:20

Kindergarten: 12:00-1:30

1st Grade: 1:00-1:30 & 2:00-2:30

The students are doing an excellent job demonstrating their understanding of our expectations in the various settings here at school! Any additional reinforcement you can provide at home is always appreciated. Below are a few of the most important behaviors we have been teaching and reviewing in an effort to ensure a safe and positive atmosphere. We are also continually reminding students about the importance of good hygiene, i.e. washing hands thoroughly before lunch, sanitizing throughout the day, and covering coughs/sneezes with the inside of the elbow.

* Hallways – walking feet, quiet voices, keeping hands to ourselves

* Cafeteria – taking time to eat, inside voices, staying in seat while eating and after cleaning up

* Playground – keeping hands to ourselves, appropriate use of equipment, ask adults for help

* Bathroom – “GO, FLUSH, WASH, LEAVE” and respecting others’ privacy

Spirit Week culminated with some special guests paying a visit to the Learning Center today. Our youngest Falcons enjoyed their time with members of the Freeland High School football team. Thank you to Coach Wheeler and the football team for letting us share in your big day!

The Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance announced today that Early Childhood STEM Passports are being distributed to students in 8 counties (Arenac, Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, Isabella, Midland, and Saginaw). The Great Lakes Bay Region (GLBR) is committed to developing the workforce, particularly in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).

The idea of a STEM Passport began after attending the U.S. News & World Report STEM Conference in the spring of 2017. Beginning this week, these passports were distributed to children (and their families). The passport features fifteen STEM-rich institutions and community-based STEM programs including discounts, coupons and promotional advertisements. The passports were given to Learning Center students to bring home today, so please be on the lookout for those.

School will not be in session on Monday, October 8th. Staff will be involved in professional learning all day.

For those using the mobile app, please be sure to go into "settings" to turn on your notifications to receive updates on important information. Just so you know, not everything that we share on the app or website is "notification" worthy. Therefore, I would encourage you to periodically check out our live feed, events, and news sections. Sometimes, I just like to share some of the neat things that are going on and don't necessarily want to disturb you with a "notification." I hope you are finding this new app and website easy to use.

The app can be downloaded for free in the following ways:

Android:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.apptegy.freeland

iPhone:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/freeland-community-schools/id1418588052?ls=1&mt=8

The PTO will eventually be putting something together for parents to purchase Freeland Falcon gear for students, but in the meantime you may also visit the FALCON THREADS online store to purchase items as well. Please use the link below to view/order your apparel. There are a few items (hoodie, t-shirt, sweatpants) that are available in youth sizes. The online store is only open through October 14th.

https://sportsaddix.tuosystems.com/stores/freeland-high-school?sr=true

Our Parent-Student Handbook is a document that outlines building information and expectations for both the Learning Center and Freeland Elementary. I would encourage you to review the handbook at your earliest convenience. It may be viewed by clicking on the link below, or by locating the "Documents" section on our school website or app and clicking on Parent-Student Handbook. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/223103/FLC_-_FES_Handbook_18-19.pdf

Monday, October 8th

• No School

Tuesday, October 23rd

• Literacy Night ~ 5:30-7:00 p.m.

Thursday, November 1st

• Picture Retake Day

Monday, November 12th

• Report cards available in Skyward; hard copy will be given at conferences

Tuesday, November 13th & Thursday, November 15th

• Parent/Teacher Conferences
  

Thursday, November 22nd & Friday, November 23rd

• Thanksgiving Break (No school)