Eagle Express

Good afternoon, Arrowwood families!

We are thrilled to celebrate the successful close of our first week of school, and the energy in our hallways has been nothing short of electric. Whether your student is stepping into our classrooms for the very first time or returning as a seasoned leader, it has been a pleasure to see them reconnecting with friends and diving into new routines. Thank you for your partnership, your patience during those busy morning drop-offs, and for bringing such incredible energy into this new academic year. Here is to a fantastic year of growth, discovery, and soaring to new heights together at Arrowwood!

A Quick Note on Morning Safety For your child’s safety, please keep in mind that our staff does not begin morning supervision until 7:25 AM. Because we want to make sure every student is safe and cared for, please do not drop off your children or leave them unattended before this time. We kindly ask that you wait until you see our school employees outside before waving goodbye for the day! Students should not be dropped off in the parking lot to walk unattended or at the exit of the parking lot to cross through traffic. The parking lot is a busy place and we want to be sure that all of our students are safely arriving to school.

Have a great weekend, Eagles!

• September 4th to 7th No School, Labor Day
• September 21st to 25th Homecoming Week
• September 22nd Fall Picture Day
• September 22nd Dental Bus Presentations
• October 7th Fall Count Day
• October 19th to 23rd Fourth Grade Hartley Trips
• October 22nd to 23rd, 26th Dental Bus Visits
• October 27th Fall Picture Retake Day
• November 16th to 20th Mobile Vision Visits
• November 25th to 29th Thanksgiving Break

The Arrowwood Action News team was on location at Arrowwood this week sharing with students the building's PRIDE expectations. The news team shared how to have a Positive attitude, be Respectful, demonstrate Individual responsibility, Demonstrate safety, and soar with Excellence (PRIDE). Check out the broadcast below.

After School Activity Clubs (ASAC) information is available on the STCS website at https://www.stcs.org/page/after-school-activities-clubs. To register or ask questions, please contact Community Education at (989) 797-1847. Community Education staff will also be available at Open House to enroll students in programming.

Keeping our students safe as they head home each day is always our top priority! We know family schedules are busy and daily routines can shift, so we truly appreciate your partnership in keeping dismissal running smoothly.

To help us ensure every child arrives home safely, please keep these quick reminders in mind:

• Talk with your child: Make sure your student knows how they are getting home each day before they head out the door in the morning.

• Notify us of changes early: If your plans change during the day, please contact the main office before 2:00 PM. Calling prior to 2:00 PM ensures our office team has plenty of time to get the message to your child's classroom before the end-of-day bell.

• Send a message via Rooms to your child's teacher if the schedule shared at Open House has changed.

Thank you for your support and collaboration in keeping our school community safe!

We love seeing your children every day! Regular attendance is incredibly important for your child's learning, social development, and overall success.

To help your mornings run smoothly at Arrowwood, here is a quick breakdown of our daily schedule and attendance guidelines:

Morning Arrival

• 7:30 AM (First Bell): Doors open! Students are welcome to enter the building.

• 7:35 AM (Second Bell): The school day officially begins! Students should be in their classrooms and ready to learn.

• 7:40 AM – 7:59 AM: Students arriving during this window will be marked tardy.

• 8:00 AM or later: Students arriving at 8:00 AM or later will be marked absent for the morning half-day.

Afternoon Dismissal We know appointments sometimes come up, but whenever possible, please try to have your child stay through the end of the day.

• Leaving before 2:15 PM: Students checked out before this time will be marked absent for the afternoon half-day.

• Leaving between 2:15 PM and Dismissal: Students checked out during this window will be marked as "left early," which counts the same as a tardy.

Thank you so much for partnering with us to make sure every school minute counts for your child!

Arrowwood and all STCS buildings love to have volunteers as a part of our students' education. There are many ways that you can work with our PTO or classrooms during the year whether it is popping popcorn on Fridays, chaperoning a field trip, or working in the library. Annually all parents and guardians must have a completed volunteer form with background check prior to being allowed in the building or field trip. Please complete the background check acknowledgement form with a copy of your current Michigan Driver's License at least one week prior to volunteering. The form and copy of license can be returned to Arrowwood or the Board of Education Office. Thank you for your support.

Arrowwood is excited to offer Violin Club afterschool in partnership with Saginaw Bay SoundBridge. Students will be exposed to the basics of playing a string instrument. Registration will be through Saginaw Bay SoundBridge and limited to 15 students. Priority will first be given to fourth and fifth grade students first for registration. Please see below for more information and for the link to register.

Arrowwood Violin Club Registration

Instructor: Dr. Anna Tsukervanik

Class Dates (Thursdays from 2:30-3:30 PM):
September 10, 17, 24 • October 1, 8, 22, 29 • November 5, 12, 19 • December 2, 10

Please pick up from the main entrance promptly at 3:30 PM.

Violin Club Party & Dress Rehearsal:
Saturday, December 5 • 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
Location: 1415 N. Center Rd.

Final Performance: Friday, December 11 • 9:30 AM • Arrowwood Theater (Families are welcome!)

Registration Fee: $50

Registration Steps

1. Complete the Registration Form

• Priority registration for 4th and 5th graders opens August 25 at 8:00 PM (15 spots available). Once all spots have been filled, additional registrants will be placed on a waiting list in the order their registration forms are received.
• If any spots remain, 3rd graders may register beginning August 26 at 8:00 PM.

2. Pay the Registration Fee

If your registration is accepted, you will receive an invoice on August 27. The $50 registration fee is due by September 7. If payment is not received by the deadline, your spot will be offered to the next student on the waiting list.

3. Obtain a Violin

Option 1: Borrow a Club Instrument (Recommended)

• Instrument rental is free (Generously sponsored by Mark Schwartz Violins)
• A $25 refundable security deposit is required.
• The deposit will be returned when the instrument is returned in good condition at the end of the program.

Option 2: Rent from a Local Music Shop

Many string instrument shops offer rental programs that include insurance, a music stand, instructional materials, monthly payment plans, and rental credit toward the future purchase of an instrument.

⚠️ Please do not purchase violins from Amazon, as they are typically very poor quality.

Option 3: Purchase Your Own Violin

If you are considering purchasing a violin, feel free to contact Dr. Yeagi Kim Broadwell before buying. She is happy to help evaluate the instrument's quality.

Please bring your violin and all necessary supplies to the first class.

Questions?

Please contact Dr. Yeagi Kim Broadwell at saginawbaysoundbridge@gmail.com.

Link to register: https://saginawbaysoundbridge.com/the-violin-club/arrowwood-and-weiss/

The Arrowwood Eagles are writing to ask for your support and understanding in helping us protect the health and safety of our students and their families.

Several of our students or family members are immunocompromised due to a serious medical conditions this year. Because of this, even common illnesses can pose a significant risk to their health and well-being.

We ask that you please be especially mindful during this time:

• If your child is feeling unwell or showing signs of illness (fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, stomach issues, etc.), please keep them home until they are fully recovered.
  

• Encourage frequent handwashing, proper hygiene, and covering coughs and sneezes at home and at school.

The Eagles truly appreciate your cooperation and compassion for the health and wellbeing of all of our school community. By taking these extra precautions, you are helping to create a safer environment for all students, especially those who are most vulnerable. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Thank you for your understanding and continued support.

Another new opportunity for the Eagles, Mini Hawks Pom Pon! Join Coach Sheila in seven practices working up to a performance during the Homecoming Parade. Students from Weiss, Hemmeter, and Arrowwood will join forces to form the Mini Hawks. All practices will be held at Weiss Elementary. The group will be limited to 60 students so register today!

Registration Form:

https://form.jotform.com/262165412724150

Practice times:
Week 1

9/10 & 9/11: 6pm-7:30pm

Week 2

9/17 & 9/18: 6pm-7:30pm

9/19: TBD

Week 3

9/24: 6pm-7:30pm

9/25: Meet at Sherwood Elementary at 3:30pm to line up for the parade.

• Students may exit vehicles and line up to enter the building beginning at 7:25 AM when a staff member is outside and present.

• Please say your good byes at the median before your students cross independently or at home so they can quickly exit their vehicle on the passenger side. Parents and families should not line up with kids to help with congestion.

• The doors will be opened for all students beginning at 7:30 AM.

• All parent drop off students will enter the building at the Main Office Entrance and using the East Parking Lot.

• Students in Ms Shanna, Ms. Tera or Ms. Marisa’s classrooms or preschool will use the West Parking Lot for drop off and pick up.

Please make a decision based on if your car will be turning left or right on to Seidel Road whether you park or go through the drop off line.

There will be cones and chain to keep the lines separate and help keep a constant flow of traffic. You will not be allowed to change lanes as it stops the flow of both lanes. If everyone follows protocols, we are able to arrive and dismiss in less than 10 minutes.

Again you are not to turn left from the right drop off lane and cross traffic. When this occurs it stops traffic causing significant delays and is a safety concern.

Families will park their vehicles and walk to the crosswalk closest to the main entrance where a staff member will be directing traffic. Please use only the crosswalk with staff crossing guard. Parents and families do not need to cross with students unless they are conducting school business.

For the safety of our students, PLEASE DO NOT DROP CHILDREN OFF AT THE MEDIAN AT THE PARKING LOT EXIT. This is not a second drop off line. If you do not want to have to leave your vehicle please use the right turn drop off lane.

Pick Up: As the students come out of the building all PARKERS will be crossed at the center crosswalk to families waiting in the median. Parents will be able to take their children from there and return to their vehicles.

When your vehicle is leaving, you will turn LEFT onto Seidel Road from the parking lot.

Follow the perimeter of the parking lot to be in the drop off line. Once your vehicle has reached anywhere on the main sidewalk from the Conference Center to the Main Entrance, your child may exit the car.

Do not wait to drop off or pick up your child at the main entrance as this slows down traffic. Once they are at the sidewalk and you are pulled up as far as you can, please have them exit on the passenger side of the vehicle.

Please say goodbyes at home and be ready to have your child exit the vehicle immediately as this line moves quickly. Drivers are not allowed to exit the vehicle and will be asked to park.

When your vehicle is leaving, you will turn RIGHT onto Seidel Road from the parking lot.

IF YOU ARE USING THE DROP OFF LANE, YOU MUST TURN RIGHT.

You may have recently heard about the new law regarding cell phones in schools. We wanted to reach out and clarify what this means for our students here at Arrowwood Elementary.

The great news is that there are no changes to our current policy at the elementary level. To help keep our classrooms distraction free, our daily guidelines remain the same:

• During the School Day: All devices must be completely silenced and kept safely tucked away in backpacks.

• Arrival & Dismissal: Students may not use their devices during morning drop-off or afternoon pick-up times. Once at school the device should be kept away.

• All Devices Included: This policy applies to all personal electronics, including cell phones, smartwatches, personal tablets or iPads, gaming devices, and personal laptops.

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A Helpful Recommendation We highly encourage students to leave their personal electronics at home. This not only helps them stay focused on learning, but it also keeps their belongings safe, as the school cannot be responsible for any lost, damaged, or stolen items.

If you have any questions about these guidelines, please feel free to reach out. Thank you for your continued partnership and support!

The Arrowwood PTO meets monthly at 5:30 PM in the Arrowwood Commons. Enter through the main entrance doors and join us! Meetings are usual quick check ins and please come as you are. Meetings for the 26-27 school include:

• September 14th, 2026
• October 12th, 2026
• November 9th, 2026
• January 11th, 2027
• February 8th, 2027
• March 8th, 2027
• April 12, 2027
• May 10, 2027

Popcorn Fridays are back. Families can purchase individual bags on selected Fridays or can choose to subscribe for the year. Flyers will be available with more information at Open House. Dates for Popcorn Fridays for the 26-27 school year:

• September 11th and 25th
• October 9th and 23rd
• November 6th and 20th
• December 4th and 18th
• January 8th and 22th
• February 5th and 19th
• March 5th and 19th
• April 9th and 23rd
• May 7th and 21st

The PTO welcomes all volunteers and is willing share the secrets to making delicious popcorn!

Dear Families,

We have heard your feedback and are excited to increase the ways you can be involved here at Arrowwood Elementary, because when families and schools work together, students soar. Beginning as soon as October, we will be launching the Soar Squad, a parent and family volunteer initiative where you can help support students to soar to new heights here at school. Please follow the link (https://forms.gle/mayEUyHU1sSpeQwp6) or use the QR code to complete this interest survey to get on the list for this year, see the opportunities available, share how you would like to help, your preferences for volunteer training, and more. Thank you in advance for your partnership and commitment to our Eagles!

With excitement,

The Arrowwood Staff