Eagle Express

Good afternoon, Arrowwood families!

The nest has started to come alive this week as our teachers migrated back from summer break and began setting up their classrooms. We are so thrilled to open our doors and kick off another incredible school year! We know that together, we soar when we work in true partnership to help your child succeed.

This newsletter is packed with important details to help your family start the year strong. Here are a few key highlights included in this issue:

• Suggested School Supply List

• School Events Calendar

• Open House Details: Including the 3rd Grade Welcome and 4th Grade Hartley Information Session

• Transportation & Aftercare: Sign-up information and forms

Don't forget that next week is when we get to see our entire school community! We can't wait to welcome you into the building.

• Date: August 19th

• Time: 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM

In the meantime, our weekly newsletter, the Eagle Express, will arrive in your inbox every Friday to keep you updated on all our school happenings. We also encourage you to follow us on the Rooms app, Facebook, and Instagram to catch all the latest photos and updates as our Eagles soar into the new year.

Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions along the way. See you next week!

Have a great weekend, Eagles!

• August 14th Class Lists release on Skyward Family
• August 19th Open House, 5:00 to 6 PM
• August 23rd 7:00 PM Night Before School Read Aloud with Mrs. Hill
• August 24th 7:00 PM Night Before School Read Aloud with Ms. D’Haene
• August 25th First Day of School
• August 28th No School
• 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

Class assignments are being finalized and uploaded into Skyward. They will be made public to families on Friday, August 14th by 3:30 PM.

A great deal of time is spent by our classroom teachers, principal, and coaches to build class lists. There are multiple factors that are used to ensure the best learning environment possible for your child, including the ratio of boys/girls, learning styles, ability levels, and personalities. We do not make any changes to class lists, for any reason, at this point in the process. Thank you for your understanding.

Third Grade

• Welcome to Arrowwood - 5:00 PM: Please join your teachers in the Arrowwood Conference Center to get to know your new school better. Teachers will then lead students to their new classrooms.

• Classrooms will be open from 5:15 - 6 PM for families to drop supplies and meet teachers.

Fourth Grade

• Classrooms will be open from 5 - 5:40 PM for families to drop supplies and meet teachers.
  

• Hartley Parent Meeting - 5:45 PM: Please join your teachers in the Arrowwood Conference Center to hear about the Hartley Outdoor Center trip, paperwork, and fundraising for the trip.

Fifth Grade

• Classrooms will be open from 5 - 6 PM for families to drop supplies and meet teachers.

Stations and checkpoints will be available for families in the Commons Area and Library to get more information and sign up for programs. After School Activity Club, Nutrition Services, and PTO will be available during this time.

Each family must review their student’s information on a yearly basis. It’s very important for your school to have the most up-to-date information and emergency information for quick contact. If you have done so already, thank you.

This must be done using Skyward Family Access and it’s a simple and fast process. You can access your Skyward Family Access account at STCS.ORG under the ‘Parents’ tab.

1. Please log into your Skyward account and verify or update your student information. This must be completed by August 18th.
2. It’s very important for your school to have the most up-to-date information and emergency information for quick contact. Students also need this to be accurate for any online classes they want to take. If you have already filled out the 26-27 Transportation form, please do not duplicate. Please leave ‘Health Information’ blank unless your student has critical alert information.
3. If you have moved out of the township, you have to apply for Schools of Choice (K-6th grade only). Any questions regarding Schools of Choice can be directed to STCS.org, click ‘Departments’ then click ‘Community Education’ or call 797-1847.
4. If you have forgotten your password and need to reset it, a password reset link can be requested by clicking ‘Forgot you Login/Password?’

If you have any questions, please reach out to your school’s office or the central office at 797-1800.

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.

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.

STCS is continuing to utilize "Rooms", a way for families to connect directly with their child’s teachers, coaches, and school staff, all within the STCS app.

Rooms is the go-to place for classroom updates, one-on-one conversations, group messages, and important announcements. This allows us to give you one secure place to stay informed and connected to teachers and STCS.

To Get Ready, Download the STCS App to Communicate with Your Classroom Teacher

• Receive instant notifications. Receive instant notifications of new messages and announcements, even if you haven't downloaded the district app.

• Get one unified hub. All school and district communication, updates, and alerts conveniently located in one single app and web experience, with one single login.

• Read updates in your preferred language. All messages, announcements, and updates will be automatically translated to your preferred language.

• Message staff in one click. Easily connect with teachers, coaches, counselors, and more and see all of your messages in one inbox.

Families will automatically begin receiving messages once the platform launches for the school year. You’ll be able to view and respond to messages right from your mobile phone - through the STCS app or mobile web.

Download instructions are attached for Android and iPhone.

How to download on Apple

How to download for Android

Dear Saginaw Township Community Schools Families,

Beginning this school year, Saginaw Township Community Schools will implement a

new Wireless Communication Device Policy in accordance with a Michigan law passed in 2026.

What does the new law mean?

The new state law limits student use of wireless communication devices during the school day. The goal is simple: protect valuable instructional time and create the best possible learning environment for every student.

Specific procedures and expectations will vary by building, and each school will

communicate those details directly to its students and families before the start of the

school year. Families will also receive reminders and updates throughout the school year as we work

together to ensure a consistent and successful implementation.

Why does this matter?

Personal electronic devices can be a significant source of distraction during the school day. Research continues to show that limiting personal device use at school can help:

• Increase focus and engagement: Students are better able to concentrate on instruction and actively participate in classroom learning.
• Reduce distractions: Fewer interruptions allow teachers to maximize valuable instructional time.
• Support student well-being: Creating intentional boundaries around personal devices can help students be more present and engaged in their school experience.

What can families expect?

Before the first day of school, each Saginaw Township Community Schools building will provide families and students with information about the specific procedures and expectations that will be followed in that building.

Because the needs and routines of an elementary school are different from those of a

middle or high school, building-level communication will provide the details families

need to understand how the policy will work for their students.

Please watch for communication from your child's school and take time to review the

expectations together as a family.

Sincerely,

Jamie Kraatz

Superintendent

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!

Here is our list of suggested school supplies for the year! Friendly reminder: this list is entirely optional. If your family needs help getting supplies, please reach out to Ms. D'Haene at rjdhaene@stcs.org. We are more than happy to help make sure your student has everything they need for a great year!

Bus riders will be expected to use the backpack tags distributed on the first day of school. To access your child’s bus route, log on to Skyward through the STCS website. If you do not have a login, please contact our office and we would be happy to assist.

Log on to Skyward.

Click link called “Student Information” located on the left side of the screen.

Select “Bus Schedule” tab at the top of the page. Your child’s bus schedule should appear on the next screen, including any bus transfer information.

Does your child need busing during the school year? You must renew your request each year!

Whether you're new to the district or if you've had busing previously, you must sign up for transportation here:

https://www.stcs.org/page/transportation

If you have any questions, reach out to the Transportation department at 989-797-1840.

Please Note:

1. Students living outside of their school zone will not be eligible for busing. In addition, students living within 1.5 miles of their school will also not be eligible for busing.

2. If you have a student that requires Special Needs Transportation (i.e. IEP, ECSE), do not fill out the form. Please contact Harmony Terry in Special Services at 989-799-5511 and she will help get you set up for busing.

3. If you have moved, please fill out the transportation form above. Also, in your Skyward Family Access, click on 'Online Forms' and fill out the Address Change/Housing Status Change form. New proof of residency will need to be taken to your child's school office.

4. Heritage High School students needing transportation to the Saginaw Career Complex can sign up by clicking on the form above.

5. If you need an alternate location (daycare) pick-up or drop-off, please also use the form above. Only one address can be used as an alternate pick-up or drop-off site and location must be used on a regular basis and meet eligibility criteria for bus transportation.

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!