Office Update
As Mrs. Kinser is not expected to be back until after Spring Break, please direct all office communications, including attendance and dismissal changes, to Jenah McCullough, our Stadium Office Assistant.
We appreciate your patience, understanding, and cooperation. Thank you!
Dismissal Changes and Early Pick Ups
The end of the day can be a very busy time in the classroom, in the parking lot, bus loop, and in the office. To help with a smooth dismissal process we are requesting:
- all changes in dismissal be communicated directly to the office prior to 3pm
- if you are picking your student(s) up early (prior to dismissal), that you plan to pick them up no later than 3:30pm
Thank you for your cooperation,
Jenna and Gretchen
Save The Date 4th Grade Families
Attention 4th Grade Families!
We are starting to prepare for our 2nd annual Disability Awareness Workshop Day which takes place during the school day on April 16th. There will soon be a Sign Up Genius link for volunteers* coming out at a later date. But before that comes out, we are in need of a chairperson or 2. Most of the big work has already been done by our fabulous chairperson from last year....but we will still need 1-2 adult volunteers to help pick up the kits in Rochester and run/coordinate the day. If this may be of interest to you, please reach out to Ms. Hynes at gretchen.hynes@lok12.org.
For more information on DAW click here: Disability Awareness Workshop | RCS PAC
*Even if you are NOT a 4th grade family, you are invited to volunteer
PTO
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.
· Kaleidoscope Festival Sign-Up: https://forms.gle/4CVN9Vah9ST4WaB16
· Nomination form for next school year's PTO positions: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1u7klwungS32ctimm1rx6C3y0-cgC4l8BIWxq28cqZBg/edit
· Interested in volunteering: https://qrco.de/beIHLp
· PTO Meeting Link (or join us live at SDE): https://meet.google.com/kjf-ihcm-efv
The SDE PTO board can be contacted at stadiumdrivepto@gmail.com
Positivity Project - HUMILITY
Dear Families,
This week, our school community will focus on the character strength of Humility. Humility means not seeking attention and letting your actions speak for themselves. Humble people understand their abilities and achievements without underestimating them. They can admit mistakes, accept advice, and are open to new ideas. They don't show off their successes or possessions.
Developing humility helps people reflect on how they can improve and work well with others. It allows them to grow and become valuable team members.
To practice and encourage the character strength of humility 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.
Thank you for your support!
support!
Math Update for Parents
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:
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
Student Birthday Treat Policy
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.
Arrival & Dismissal Protocol
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.
Attendance and Late Arrival
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.
Distinguished Dragon
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.
Personal Property and Devices
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
Social Media
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
Birthday Invitation Policy
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.
Drone Usage Prohibited Over District Facilities/Property
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.
CARE SOLACE
When you or your child needs help, it’s hard to know where to turn. In an effort 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. Care Solace’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 research 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 counselor or building principal, and they will submit a referral on your behalf.
For more information, visit the LOCS Care Solace page.
Distinguished Dragon Staff Recognition
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.
Safety Drills
Drill reports: Emergency Drill Reports - Lake Orion Community Schools (lakeorionschools.org)
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.
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.
Volunteer Reminder
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.
Elementary Handbook
The updated Elementary Handbook can be found at 2024-25_Elementary_Handbook.pdf (lakeorionschools.org)
2024-25 Calendars
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.
Specials Rotation
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
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.
Photo Site
Check out photos from the SDE annual Walk/Bike/Roll to school Day held this past Wednesday
Check out photos from SDE PTO Harvest Hustle
https://www.flickr.com/gp/lakeorioncommunityschools/w44VWnn79t
LOCS District albums