Stevenson Middle School Update
Week of August 31
The Importance of Being on Time to Class
Being on time to class is an important part of being a successful student. Arriving on time shows responsibility, respect for your teacher and classmates, and a commitment to your education. Every minute of class matters, and students who arrive on time are prepared to begin learning when instruction starts. Developing the habit of being punctual also helps students build a skill that will be valuable throughout high school, college, and the workplace.
Being tardy can have a negative impact on both the student and the entire classroom. When a student enters class late, it can interrupt the teacher's instruction and distract other students who are already learning. Students who are tardy may also miss important announcements, directions, assignments, or instruction that can affect their ability to be successful. Even being a few minutes late each day can add up to a significant amount of missed learning over time. Students are expected to plan ahead, arrive at school on time, and make it to each class before the bell rings.
To help reinforce the importance of being on time, tardy sweeps will begin. Students who are found in the hallway or not in their assigned classroom after the bell will be identified as tardy and will be subject to the school's tardy procedures. As part of this process, students may be required to call home and inform their families that they were not in class on time. The goal of tardy sweeps is not simply to assign consequences, but to help students develop the responsibility and accountability needed to arrive to class on time, every time. Being on time is a choice—and making that choice consistently helps create a focused, respectful, and successful learning environment for everyone.
Please note that we have no school on Wednesday, September 23 for a staff professional development day. We return on Thursday, September 24.
If your student is running late to school, please do not add to the lateness by stopping for food or drinks with which the student is then walking into class. The appearance that stopping for breakfast, snack or a drink is that getting to school is less important as well as it adds to your student's tardy number and can be disruptive to class beginning. We thank you in advance for getting your student to school, on time, each day.
Picture retakes will take place on Wednesday September 30. If students want a retake, they need to bring in their original picture packet. We will not be doing new IDs with retake pictures. Students who were not in school on the original picture date will need to take their picture for their ID. Our building Picture Day ID is EVTG3GDFN which can be used to set up your retake day photos. Please go to lifetouch.com and use the ID.
The lunch meetings with counselors were a success. We enjoyed seeing students, supporting them, and answering their questions. It was an excellent opportunity to interact with students.
Mental Health Tips for School Success
Sleep is vital for student success. A well rested child has increased cognitive (thinking) function and the ability to better regulate their emotions. As students enter their teenage years, their internal clocks change as well. Children naturally feel more awake later at night. To help your student get a good night’s sleep you can encourage 30 minutes of physical activity after school, eliminate technology an hour before bedtime, ensure they have eaten a balanced meal for dinner, encourage reading for 30 minutes before bedtime, and/or start a daily bedtime routine.
Counseling Secretary
Ms. Natalie Greenshields
Counselors:
Student Last Name:
Krista Dezsi (Students Hoq-Me Wed & Friday)
Student Last Name:
Yvette Jonna-Moore (Students A-Hop)
Student Last Name:
Kelly Reinink (Mi - Z)
Near the start of school, when you login to your Parent Connect and/or Student Connect accounts, you will have access to your schedule. If you have any questions around courses that are scheduled, or an issue with your schedule (example: a hole in your schedule), please contact your child's counselor by email. The beginning of the school year is busy in the counseling office. They will address questions and concerns as quickly as possible. However walk ins and demands for specific teachers or courses is not guaranteed.
School Counselor Role
The role of the school counselor is to support student success and well-being,
help all students reach their full potential by creating a supportive learning environment, and serve as advocates, liaisons, and collaborators within the school community
We support student social-emotional development/SEL, academic goals, personal development and college and career aspirations.
School counselors provide short-term individual counseling, targeted small group counseling, classroom lessons/career development, and community resource referrals.
How to see your counselor?
Sign up on the Student Hub or email your counselor
Your counselor will call you down as soon as they are available. In the event of a mental health emergency, please go directly to the counseling office which is located in the main office.
All wireless communication devices (including, but not limited to, smart phones, cell phones, airpods, tablets, and smart watches) must be turned off or locked in the student's locker during the school day inclusive of passing time and lunch time.
Consequences Framework for Middle Schools (grades 6-8):
First Offense: Tracked warning and parent communication
Second Offense: Phone brought down to the office by student or behavior coach, parent communication, student picks up phone at end of day.
Third Offense: Phone brought down to the office by student or behavior coach, parent communication, parent pickup.
Fourth Offense: Phone brought down to the office by student or behavior coach, parent communication, parent pickup, and cell phone “detention” (student brings phone to office every day and pickup at end of day for a predetermined amount of time).
Fifth Offense: May result in ISS/OSS. Any beyond five offenses will result in progressive discipline.
To be clear, there is no educational, social, or emotional benefit to a student having a cell phone or headphones/earbuds/etc. in our building. It only serves as a distraction or catalyst to inappropriate behavior.
Certain allowances are made for medical reasons, but those must be coordinated with administration. Students that violate the no cell phone policy during class time will receive progressive discipline which includes
If you need to reach your student during the school day you must reach out to the front office.
This year, Wayne-Westland Community Schools is launching the Aim for 8 Attendance Campaign to encourage students and families to prioritize regular attendance.
Our goal is simple: Aim for 8 or fewer absences during the school year.
When students are in school every day, they have more opportunities to learn, build relationships, participate in activities and stay on track for success. Even a few missed days can add up and make a difference.
Let’s work together to help every student show up, stay engaged and succeed!
1. Log into parent connect and select student
2. Click on the three lines in the upper corner
3. Select "Report Absence"
4. Enter information about the absence and click submit
Transportation will begin on the first day of school, Tuesday, August 25th, for all eligible students. Your transportation information (route and pick up and drop off times) will be found under the 'Transportation' tab in your Parent/Student Connect account.
Bussers
Please note students are expected to load their bus immediately at the dismissal bell. Dismissal is at 2:40pm and buses depart at 2:47pm. Buses will not return to the school for students that missed the bus. Students will need to come to the main office to contact their parent/guardian to be picked up.
Parent/Guardian Pick up
Students that are picked up from school are not allowed to wait in the building. They are dismissed outside with all other students. Students will need to be picked up in a timely matter as afterschool supervision is not provided for late pick ups.
Walkers
Students that walk home need to leave the premises immediately after dismissal. Reentry into the building is not allowed and students are not to hang out on school property or at the surrounding businesses.
Wayne-Westland Community Schools has partnered with Here Comes the Bus to offer families an app that will help avoid students and parents from waiting too long for the bus. Here Comes the Bus allows parents to see where their child's bus is along the route and when it will be at their bus stop.
DIRECTIONS:
Visit herecomesthebus.com
Click the "Sign Up" button
Enter school code 87839 and click "Next" followed by "Confirm"
Complete the "User Profile" box
Under "My Students," click "Add." Enter your child's last name and student ID number
Once you confirm your information, you're ready to begin using Here Comes the Bus!
