Stadium Happenings

There was so much ENTHUSIASM this week from Elf and Grinch sightings to the school sing along and reindeer games. This holiday season, please show a little extra KINDNESS to your family and loved ones. Do your best to show GRATITUDE for gifts received and special gestures given, go old school and hand write a thank you card. Be sure to step away from the tv/phone/device and BE PRESENT AND GIVE OTHERS YOUR ATTENTION when visiting with family, friends, and loved ones. Take a drive through town to APPRECIATE the BEAUTY AND EXCELLENCE of the festive lights and CREATIVITY of decorated homes and businesses. Keep PERSPECTIVE about what is truly important during the holiday season. With your family show TEAMWORK by helping out with food prep, gift wrapping, and cleaning, even if you are not asked to help. Be BRAVE and face your fears by trying a new activity like skiing, sledding, or snowshoeing. Be sure to practice a little extra SELF-CONTROL when it comes to the holiday sweet treats. Use your CURIOSITY and OPEN-MINDEDNESS to try new foods at holiday dinners. And be sure to show and share the LOVE you have for your family and friends.

Whatever you do this holiday season, make sure your behaviors demonstrate #PositivityInAction and the #OtherPeople mindset. You have all these traits within you, just take the time to be the best positive version of you!

*Holiday Spirit Week photos posted on Instagram and Facebook

Happy Holidays,

Ms. Hynes

12/23 - 1/3 - No School

1/6 - School resumes

1/10 - Spirit Day - Green/White/LO/P2

1/15 - Hat Day

1/20 - No school for Students

1/31 - Half Day for Students

2/11 - LOCS Safety Summit at LOHS (evening)

3/12 - 6th Grade orientation at all LOCS Middle Schools for current 5th Graders

In celebration of MLK, Stadium Drive Elementary DEI Committee will be holding a gently used Jean & Coat Drive to support the WAVE PROJECT (Welcoming All, Valuing Everyone), an organization founded by Todd Gordon, Choir Director at Scripps Middle School, that provides portable showers, clothing, and essential items to people experiencing homelessness.

*We kindly ask that donors take care to ensure all donations meet the following size and condition requirements: Lightly used items only. All items should be void of stains, rips/holes/tears, odors, and evidence of excessive use. We ask that all items are laundered and folded before donation.

Coat and jean donations can be dropped off at the main office c/o Shannon St. Dennis

REQUESTED JEAN SIZES:

• Men's Jeans: Waist size 30 - 44
• Women's Jeans: Size 4 – 18

REQUESTED COAT SIZES:

• Adult Large - 3XL

SDE PTO meets the 3rd Wednesday of every other month. Meetings are held live at SDE and also available via ZOOM. Please check the Stadium Drive PTO group page on Facebook or the website at stadiumdrivepto.com for more information.

· Interested in volunteering: https://qrco.de/beIHLp

The SDE PTO board can be contacted at stadiumdrivepto@gmail.com

Each year the PTO puts together a Favorite Things survey for staff to share with interested families. Please see document below.

Dear Families,

This week, our school community will focus on the character strength of Optimism. Optimism means that you expect the best from the future and work to achieve it.

Optimistic people have hope and confidence about the future. They believe good things will come and stay positive even when faced with challenges. They turn obstacles into steps toward their goals.

Optimism isn't just seeing the world through rose-colored glasses. It's about focusing on the good in any situation, staying open to opportunities, and managing emotions. Optimistic people make great leaders and can inspire others with their positive outlook and ability to find meaning in difficult times.

To practice and encourage the character strength of optimism at home, please visit The Positivity Project’s mobile-friendly P2 for Families (available in English and Spanish), where you will watch a video together and discuss a quote and three questions. Below are links to this week’s P2 for Families lessons. Click on the grade level that best meets your child’s needs.

Pre-K–K

Grades 1–2

Grades 3–5

Grades 6–8

Grades 9–12

Thank you for your support!

Join other SDE and LO schools at Pine Knob on Thursday nights January 9 - March 13th. See below flyer for additional info. PINE KNOB SKI AND SNOWBOARD SCHOOL - Registration

Lake Orion Community Schools adopted a new elementary math program in the spring of 2024. This is the first year of implementation in all grades DK through five. Below is a short video explaining why LOCS made the switch to a new elementary math program:

https://youtu.be/kUCCvwNOMq0

Attached is a PDF of the PowerPoint. There is a link in the PowerPoint if you would like to read more about the research behind Bridges.

If you still have questions about the Bridges math program and would like a LOCS staff member to follow up with you, please fill out this form: https://forms.office.com/r/LYM3007Qbi

Elementary classroom birthday celebrations are encouraged and preferred to be non-edible. If you would like to do something special to celebrate your child's birthday, we ask that you donate a favorite book to the classroom library, donate a game for the kids to enjoy, or donate special pencils to students, among other options. Please ask your child's teacher for suggestions.

In the event you choose to send in an edible item, there are strict requirements to adhere to. If an item does not meet these requirements, it will not be distributed. In order to make this a safe environment for all students, we ask for your support with this policy.

Whether you choose to send in an edible item or a non-edible item/trinket - it is to be limited to one item shared from the birthday child. Not a treat and a trinket, or multiple items; one item only.

Birthday items MUST adhere to the following requirements:

· Only one treat or trinket is allowed—no bags containing multiple items - LIMITED TO ONE ITEM TOTAL.

· Treats must follow the allergy protocol by being peanut-free.

· Treats must be factory individually pre-packaged and purchased from a store.

· An ingredient list must be printed on each individual package.

· To preserve instructional time, all birthday treats will be sent home instead of being consumed in the classroom.

• For the safety of all, please take the time to read through these procedures and protocol.

  • Vehicles should NOT use the Bus Loop in front of the school during arrival (8:30am - 8:50am) and dismissal (3:30pm - 4pm). You will need to use the upper parking lot or enter car loop just past the school.
  • If utilizing the car loop, please be a courteous driving and alternate taking turns turning into the loop to allow for an efficient traffic flow.
  • When exiting the car loop, if turning left causes the flow of exiting traffic to stop, please turn right.
  • YOU MUST STAY IN YOUR VEHICLE at all times when in the loop
  • Students must exit/enter the passenger side of the vehicle IN THE YELLOW ZONE (see below)
  • In the PM, students will wait in the RED ZONE (see below)
  • Parents may park in the upper parking lot and walk their child to the stairs. The upper parking lot is NOT a drop off loop.
  • Students should not be dropped off until 8:40am once staff is present, doors will NOT open until 8:40am.
  • If arriving after 8:50am you must park in a parking spot and walk your student to the office.
  • If arriving AFTER 8:55am you must walk your student to the office and sign them in.

  
  

  • Contact the main office at (248) 693-5475 or send in a handwritten/signed note if there is a change for how your child is supposed to go home. If your child does not have a note or the office has not been contacted, they will be sent home according to their daily routine. Please DO NOT rely on emails sent to teachers for dismissal changes.

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If/when your child is absent or will be late, please contact the Main Office by 8:30am via phone 248-693-5475 or email jenah.mccullough@lok12.org or jaime.kinser@lok12.org If a message is not received by you in the office, the office will be calling home to verify the absence. If you email the teacher, please always copy the office regarding absences as those emails are not always forwarded to the office.

If you are arriving to school in the morning after 8:50am and/or there are not any staff members present outside, you must park in a parking spot and walk your student to the office to sign in.

If you would like to recognize any staff member (Teacher, Social Worker, Food Service Employee, Staff Associate supervising recess/lunch, etc.) for work well done, please consider following the link below to submit a Distinguished Dragon recommendation.

Any staff member can be nominated by a student, parent, community member or colleague by completing the form at LakeOrionSchools.org/DistinguishedDragon.

Please make sure to select the appropriate school/department form so the message is routed in the proper direction. Please complete the form entirely so the individual can be appropriately honored for their contributions.

Please support your children by reminding them that toys (including Pokemon cards, etc) and sports equipment from home are not allowed at school. This will help eliminate distractions, loss, and theft at school. Thank you for your support with this.

Students may not bring expensive personal belongings to school (ex: electronic game devices, etc) without permission of the principal.

In the event permission is given, the school assumes no responsibility if the item is lost or damaged.

Bringing cell phones and/or Smartwatches to school at the elementary level is highly discouraged. If a child brings a cell phone or Smartwatch to school, it must be off (not asleep) and put away in lockers/backpacks at all times. Students should not be using them to access the internet or communicate during school hours (calls, texting, email, etc). If parents/guardians need to get a message to children, all calls must go through the main office. Please be aware that cell phones and smartwatches that are used inappropriately are a distraction to learning and the development of interpersonal skills while at school

Listed below are some of SDE's social media sites where we post daily - such as reminders, announcements, and photos

PTO Page - Reminders and event announcements

https://www.facebook.com/groups/393347587380354

SDE Instagram - photos throughout the day as stories and posts

Stadium Drive Elementary (@stadiumdrivelo) • Instagram photos and videos

SDE Twitter/X

(17) Stadium Drive Elementary (@StadiumDriveLO) / X

Birthdays are very exciting occasions for elementary aged students. However, we need to be sensitive to students’ feelings and don’t want any kids to feel left out or excluded.

Birthday party invitations are NOT to be distributed at school unless the child's entire class or entire grade level is being invited. If not inviting the entire class or entire grade, you may drop invites off to the office pre-stamped and with return address and we will address them and drop them in the mail or you can access family emails/addresses from the PTO directory (opt-in). Envelopes should also have the student first and last name so office staff can add address below on the front of the envelope. The office and teachers will not provide email/phone/addresses to you.

The state of Michigan’s 2024 budget included a continuation of free meals for all students.

The standards for students to receive the meals for free:

• Every student is entitled to one free breakfast, and one free lunch per school day.
• Students must take a fruit or juice with their breakfast entrée for the meal to qualify as a complete meal and to qualify as FREE.
• Students must take a fruit or vegetable (they may take both) with their lunch entrée for the meal to qualify as a complete meal and to qualify as FREE.

More information is available at LakeOrionSchools.org/FoodService.

Note: It is important that all families who qualify for free and reduced lunch complete the form within this registration process to receive additional services at reduced cost (pay to participate for athletics, holiday assistance, field trip assistance etc.) The forms are available at https://lakeorion.familyportal.cloud/.

For assistance or questions, please contact the LOCS Food Service Department at 248-814-0201.

Breakfast will be served each morning in the cafeteria in a grab-n-go style. Students will NOT be entering the building early for breakfast, any student wanting a breakfast will head to the cafeteria upon entering the building at/after 8:40am.

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Lake Orion Community Schools has a Board of Education policy that prohibits anyone from operating a drone on district property/over a district facility at any time unless the flight plan is approved by the Superintendent. Those operating the drone must also be FAA-certified. That includes athletic events, which are governed by the MHSAA, which also prohibits their usage.

If any individual – staff, student or community member – would like to operate a drone on LOCS property, please email the request to LOCS Director of Communications Mark Snyder at mark.snyder@lok12.org.

When you or your child needs help, it’s hard to know where to turn. In an affort to ease the burden of finding the mental health and substance use services you needs, Lake Orion Community Schools has partnered with Care Solace.

Care Solace will help you find the right help at the right time 24/7/365. Car eSolace’s services are available at no cost to you – and all of your information is kept completely confidential. They will connect you with providers accepting all medical insurances, including Medicaid, Medicare, and sliding scale options for those without insurance.

You can access Care Solace services in three ways:

• Call 888-515-0595 at any time. Multilingual support is available 24/7/365. A dedicated Care Companion will help you every step of the way to reseach options, secure appointments, and follow up to make sure it is a good fit.
• Seach anonymously to get matched with an extensive list of care providers at caresolace.com/lakeorion
• Contact your elementary school social worker, middle school behaviorist, high school counseloro or building principal, and they will submit a referral on your behalf.

For more information, visit the LOCS Care Solace page.

Lake Orion Community Schools is continuing a program to recognize LOCS staff members for their excellence.

The intent of the Distinguished Dragon program is to ensure that staff members who go above and beyond their regular duties are appreciated. The additional effort or support can range from helping an individual to helping a group or any effort that seems worthy of praise.

The staff member can be nominated by a student, parent, community member or a colleague by completing the form at LakeOrionSchools.org/DistinguishedDragon. We ask for the submitter's name and contact information to follow up with specific questions if necessary. Please make sure to select the appropriate school/department form so the message is routed in the proper direction.

Please complete the form entirely so the individual can be appropriately honored for their contributions.

For the 2024-2025 school year, Stadium Drive Elementary will once again work closely with our local law enforcement and fire department officials and conduct our variety of multiple state-mandated safety drills. We will have 5 fire drills, 2 severe weather/tornado drills, and 3 safety drills throughout the year.

Drill reports: Emergency Drill Reports - Lake Orion Community Schools (lakeorionschools.org)

For the 2024-2025 school year, we will be maintaining our district allergy protocol. Please review our district allergy protocol by clicking here. Below are some items to note with our allergy protocol.

• All classrooms will remain peanut aware, meaning food items that contain peanuts ARE PROHIBITED. This includes all student snacks.
• Other allergy restrictions may be in place for individual classrooms depending on allergies present in particular classrooms.
• There are no allergy restrictions in the cafeteria during lunch time.
• There will be a table reserved in the cafeteria at lunch time for students who have allergies that may require them to not eat at the same table as a child who may have these allergens in their lunch.
• While birthday treats are allowed - it is highly preferred and encouraged to be a non-edible . Any edible item must be pre-packaged and store purchased with an ingredient list on each individual wrapper. All edible treats will be sent home with students and not consumed in the classroom.
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The main office and teaching staff will be in touch with families with other food allergies to determine if additional accommodations are required for lunch and snack time.

The District has a standing policy that requires ALL volunteers to be subject to a background check to work with or supervise students at school. Please complete the below linked form and return it to the main office no less than 48 hours prior to your first volunteer time. The background check must be completed each school year.

If coming into the building to volunteer, once all volunteer requirements have been met, you will be required to sign-in and sign-out in the Main Office. You will also be required to wear a visitor badge where it can easily be seen. When volunteering in the building, we require that you limit your activity to the classroom/teacher you are scheduled to volunteer for. Volunteers should not be visiting and/or interrupting any other classrooms other than the one they are volunteering for.

We appreciate your willingness to support Stadium Drive and would not be nearly as successful without volunteers like you! Please contact the main office at (248) 693-5475 with any questions.

The updated Elementary Handbook can be found at 2024-25_Elementary_Handbook.pdf (lakeorionschools.org)

The 2024-25 Lake Orion Community Schools calendars are available by visiting the LakeOrionSchools.org calendar page. A single sheet of the important dates is also listed on that page.

Attached below is the specials rotation for the year. Your child's teacher will communicate which specials they will have on which day. As you will note in the schedule, the specials classes will rotate daily. Monday through Thursday will be consistent, with a rotation occurring on Fridays.

Specials Teachers:

Media - Dan Dabrowski

Music - Katie Sloan

Art - Karen Meehan

PE - Molly Dittrich (Day 1/Monday), Parker Roth (Day 2/Tuesday) and Robert Karagosian (Day 4/Thursday) and

OK2SAY is available state-wide for public and private schools in Michigan; anybody can submit a confidential tip. Specially trained technicians receive the tips and filter the information to the appropriate agency to provide a timely and effective response.

Link: https://www.michigan.gov/ok2say

Check out photos from the SDE annual Walk/Bike/Roll to school Day held this past Wednesday

https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBM9RT

Check out photos from SDE PTO Harvest Hustle

https://www.flickr.com/gp/lakeorioncommunityschools/w44VWnn79t

LOCS District albums

Lake Orion Community Schools’s albums | Flickr