Principal Message

Dear FES Families,

It’s hard to believe how fast the summer is flying by! I hope your break has been filled with plenty of rest, relaxation, and quality time with loved ones. As we gear up for an incredible new school year, this newsletter contains essential updates to help your family prepare. Please stay tuned for more details and reminders as the first day approaches.

What You Can Expect From Us The return to school naturally brings a wave of different emotions, from pure excitement and joy to a few nerves and worries. Whether your family is brand new to FES or returning for another great year, please know that our staff is committed to the safety, happiness, and well-being of your child.

At FES, you can count on us to:

Support the Whole Child: We are dedicated to meeting your child's academic and social successes.
Unlock High Potential: We hold high standards for all students because we truly believe in what they can achieve.
Maintain Open Lines of Communication: We value keeping you informed and connected regarding your child's growth.
Partner in Problem-Solving: When challenges come up, we work with you to find solutions, and we always welcome your feedback as we strive to improve.

As your principal, my ultimate goal is to see every single student thrive. True success happens when the school and home work together as a team, and we continue to stay on the same page with open lines of communication. We are incredibly fortunate to be part of a community that offers endless possibilities for our kids. Thank you for your continued partnership, and thank you for trusting us with your child’s education!

Sincerely,

Mrs. McKenna

Your VERY Proud Principal

Are you new to FES? Meet Mrs. McKenna:

I want to extend the warmest welcome to our newest FES families. My name is Kali McKenna (or Mrs. McKenna). I am entering my fourth full year as the proud principal of Freeland Elementary School. I am entering my 20th year in education.

I am a graduate of Bullock Creek and Lake Superior State University. I played basketball for LSSU, and I am a lover of all things sports. I started my teaching career in Phoenix, Arizona, working for a school district of 20,000 students. After 8 years of teaching (a combination of kindergarten, second grade, fourth and fifth grade, and also coaching), I went into school administration after getting my Masters in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University. I spent a total of 12 years in Arizona, and then decided that I wanted to spend the rest of my career in the mitten, so I could be closer to family. My husband and I relocated back to Michigan to the Lansing area, where I was an elementary principal in Charlotte, Michigan for 3.5 years. I left Charlotte when this position opened up in Freeland. I felt that I couldn't pass up the opportunity to get back to my roots of the Tri-City area and closer to my family, and I will say I have not second guessed that choice at all. I have been married to Mr. McKenna for close to 14 years. We love to spend time in Cadillac either on the boat or ORV, and as I mentioned love all things sports (Go Blue!). Mr. McKenna is a Hawkeye, which always makes for interesting sports seasons. Outside of the elementary school day, I am also the assistant varsity girls basketball coach. Being a part of the Falcon Community is something I appreciate so much about this job.

My philosophy is that I am here to serve the community in which I work. My goal for our students, our staff, and our families is that they feel welcome, and that I am always available. Please as you go into this school year, never hesitate to reach out if you need anything. I am here for your child and to support them however I can to guide them to reach their greatest potential.

Have you Moved? 📦

Please call our front office at 989-695-5371 and leave a voicemail, or email Mrs. McKenna at mckennak@freelandschools.net if you are not planning to return to Freeland Elementary. This helps with our proactive planning and balanced placement of classrooms. Thank you in advance!

➕ ➖ ➗ Summer Slide 📗📚

As you navigate your busy summer schedules, please continue to find time for students to read and practice math skills (math fact fluency, flashcards-are all great ways to practice!) The summer slide can affect all children, and some research says that without practice, students can lose up to 2 months of learning over summer, particularly in the areas of math and reading.

💚 2026-2027 Open House Schedule 💚

💻 Chromebook Policy 💻

FES Students will have access to Chromebooks while at school on a daily basis. All students and families must fill out the Acceptable Use Policy through Skyward. Students will not have the ability to check out and take home devices. Chromebooks must be used for academic purposes only.

Skyward Family Access ✅

Please use the links below to make sure to register for Skyward Family Access. By creating an account, you can update personal information, and check the progress of your child during reporting periods. All report cards will be accessible online through Skyward at the end of each semester.

Helpful Links:

Skyward Access

Register for Family Access

Video-Family Access Overview

Mobile App Overview

🚌 Transportation Information 🚌

If your child will be using FCSD Transportation, you can access and fill out the transportation forms through your Skyward account.

Transportation Contact Information: 989-695-5101

Volunteers/Background Checks ✅

Throughout the school year, if you plan to be in the building for any reason during the school day, you must fill out a background check as part of our district volunteer policy. This includes any volunteer opportunity (field trips included), classroom presentations, etc. You can access the form online by clicking here, or you can pick up a hard copy in our main office starting on August 3. We will also have copies available at our open house.

We are looking for immediate volunteers to help with our crosswalk at dismissal time. Volunteer times would be daily from 3:40-3:55pm. If you are interested in volunteering your time even one day a week, please email Mrs. McKenna ASAP, and we will start to set up a schedule. Thank you in advance.

😃 Class Placement 😃

One of the largest wonderings of summer is student placement and "Who is my child's teacher going to be for next school year?" I wanted to take a moment to explain all that goes into student placement for the next school year, and how important it is that we take many factors into consideration. Classroom placement for the 2026-2027 school year was completed at the end of the 25-26 school year and is reviewed continuously throughout the summer. Our goal for student placement in a school year is to provide a safe and successful learning experience for all students. The following list includes, but is not limited to some of the criteria we consider when placing students into classrooms:

Program needs of students (for example: special education services, 504 services, individual learning plans, etc.)
Classroom configuration
Social needs of students
Compatibility of individual students and groups of students
Behavioral factors
Balance of achievement levels in groups of students
Information/Input provided by parent/guardians and teachers
Balance of class sizes throughout the grade level

The process for student placement is a careful process and one that takes a great deal of time and consideration. We want our teachers and students to have the most successful school year and one of the ways we do that is providing a balanced classroom approach. Each one of our teachers at Freeland Elementary School are the best in their profession and your child will have a wonderful school year. Please note that requests for a specific teacher are considered, however, are not guaranteed. Once assigned, class placements will not change.

Class Placement will be available to access on your parent portal for Skyward on August 10 (an email will be sent when these are available if it is earlier). For information on how to access Skyward Family Access, please see a how to paragraph above in this newsletter.

💊 Medication Information 😷

As we start the school year, use of medication at school is sometimes a question that many families have.

For purposes of this policy (5330), "medication" shall include all medicines including those prescribed by a physician and any non-prescribed (over-the-counter) drugs, preparations, and/or remedies.

Important information about medication administered at FCSD:

Before any medication or treatment may be administered to any student during school hours, a written prescription from the child's physician accompanied by the written authorization of the parent is required. Both must also authorize any self-medication by the student. This document will be kept on file in the main office at the child’s school. All medication requires a physician signature, this includes but is not limited to ibuprofen, tylenol, cough drops, etc.
Only medication in its original container; labeled with the date, if a prescription; the student's name; and exact dosage will be administered. Parents, or students authorized in writing by their physician and parents, may administer medication or treatment. FCSD will not alter from any prescription or prescribed dosage amount.
Parents/Guardians are responsible for transporting all medications to and from school (includes any product that contains medication- cough drops, Tylenol, Ibuprofen, etc.) Children are not permitted to bring medication with them.

Authorization for Medication At School- Please note that a physician’s written authorization is required for all medications.

Cell Phones, Watches, and other Personal Electronic Devices

Based on our district policy for cell phones and electronic devices, if students bring cell phones, wear electronic watches/devices, or carry other personal electronic devices with them to school they will be asked to put it away in their lockers upon arrival to school. Students that need access to contact parents or guardians during the school day will have access to our school office throughout the school day.

2nd Grade Supply List

3rd Grade Supply List

4th Grade Supply List

5th Grade Supply List

Freeland Elementary School is a FREE, public school. All students will participate in all classroom activities and have the same opportunities and supplies for instruction regardless if their parents donate supplies or not. Thank you in advance for your consideration. If you are in need of assistance with providing supplies, please contact our office at 989-695-5371.

⭐ Upcoming Dates 📆

August 18: FES Open House 4:30-6:00 p.m.

August 24: First Day of School

August 28: No School

September 4 and September 7: No School- Happy Labor Day!

📱 Have a Question? FES Office Staff Contact Information 📩

FES Front Office Hours starting August 3, 2026: Mon - Thurs, 8:00-3:00 p.m.

Office is closed in July.

Kali McKenna, Principal, mckennak@freelandschools.net

Lauren Hall, Secretary, halll@freelandschools.net (PM Only)

Meghan Maxwell, Secretary, maxwellm@freelandschools.net (AM Only)

Annette Moore, Secretary, moorea@freelandschools.net (All Day)

💚 School Information 💚

Doors Open for Parent Drop Off: 8:25 a.m.

First Bell: 8:45 a.m.

Official Start Bell: 8:55 a.m.

Dismissal Time: 3:45 p.m.

FES Mid-Summer 2026 Update

July 2026

Principal Message

Have you Moved? 📦

➕ ➖ ➗ Summer Slide 📗📚

💚 2026-2027 Open House Schedule 💚

💻 Chromebook Policy 💻

Skyward Family Access ✅

🚌 Transportation Information 🚌

Volunteers/Background Checks ✅

😃 Class Placement 😃

💊 Medication Information 😷

Cell Phones, Watches, and other Personal Electronic Devices

⭐ Upcoming Dates 📆

📱 Have a Question? FES Office Staff Contact Information 📩

💚 School Information 💚

Principal Message Principal Message

Have you Moved? 📦 Have you Moved? 📦

➕ ➖ ➗ Summer Slide 📗📚 ➕ ➖ ➗ Summer Slide 📗📚

💚 2026-2027 Open House Schedule 💚 💚 2026-2027 Open House Schedule 💚

💻 Chromebook Policy 💻 💻 Chromebook Policy 💻

Skyward Family Access ✅ Skyward Family Access ✅

🚌 Transportation Information 🚌 🚌 Transportation Information 🚌

Volunteers/Background Checks ✅ Volunteers/Background Checks ✅

😃 Class Placement 😃 😃 Class Placement 😃

💊 Medication Information 😷 💊 Medication Information 😷

Cell Phones, Watches, and other Personal Electronic Devices Cell Phones, Watches, and other Personal Electronic Devices

⭐ Upcoming Dates 📆 ⭐ Upcoming Dates 📆

📱 Have a Question? FES Office Staff Contact Information 📩 📱 Have a Question? FES Office Staff Contact Information 📩

💚 School Information 💚 💚 School Information 💚

Principal Message

Have you Moved? 📦

➕ ➖ ➗ Summer Slide 📗📚

💚 2026-2027 Open House Schedule 💚

💻 Chromebook Policy 💻

Skyward Family Access ✅

🚌 Transportation Information 🚌

Volunteers/Background Checks ✅

😃 Class Placement 😃

💊 Medication Information 😷

Cell Phones, Watches, and other Personal Electronic Devices

⭐ Upcoming Dates 📆

📱 Have a Question? FES Office Staff Contact Information 📩

💚 School Information 💚