The Spartan Spark

Dear Upper Elementary Families,

November is here, and although we've enjoyed an unusually warm Michigan fall, cooler weather is certainly on its way! As temperatures begin to drop, please remind your child to dress appropriately for outdoor recess. Jackets, hats, and gloves will soon be necessities!

This month, we are especially proud to honor our veterans and recognize the courage, sacrifice, and service of those who have protected our freedoms. Veterans Day is a wonderful opportunity to teach our students the importance of appreciation and respect.

Our November character traits are Gratitude & Kindness. We will encourage students to show appreciation, lend a helping hand, and find small ways to make a positive difference each day. A little kindness goes a long way!

With the recent time change, it's also a great time to revisit bedtime routines. Getting enough sleep helps our students arrive at school rested, focused, and ready to learn. A well-rested Spartan is a successful Spartan!

As we enter this season of thankfulness, I want to express my gratitude to our students, staff, and families for making our Upper Elementary such a wonderful place to learn and grow.

Wishing you all a fantastic November and a Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃🍗

Spartan Strong!

Mrs. Danielson

Principal, MCC Upper Elementary

November Character Traits: Gratitude & Kindness 🍂

This November, our Spartans are focusing on Gratitude & Kindness! Gratitude means being thankful for the people and things in our lives, while kindness means showing others we care through our words and actions. We encourage students to say "thank you," lend a helping hand, include others, and spread kindness wherever they go. Small acts can make a BIG difference! Let's work together to make November a month filled with thankful hearts and kind actions!

Spartans are THANKFUL, KIND, and STRONG! 💙💛

Helping Our Spartans Make Smart Choices!

Phones, games, and apps are a big part of kids' lives. While technology can be fun, it can also bring risks. Here are a few ways to help keep your child safe online:

Check Devices Often: Know what apps and games your child uses, who they talk to, and what they are watching. Check phones, tablets, and gaming systems regularly.

Know the Dangers: Games like Roblox, youtube, and other online apps can allow kids to chat with strangers, see unsafe content, or experience bullying. Be sure to check safety settings and monitor their activity.

Keep Personal Information Private: Remind your child to NEVER share their address, school, phone number, passwords, location, or personal pictures with strangers online. Not everyone online is who they say they are!

Talk With Your Child: Remind kids to tell a trusted adult if something online makes them feel scared, uncomfortable, or unsure.

Be Kind Online: Our November character traits are Gratitude & Kindness. Remind your child that kindness and respect matter online, too!

Working together, we can keep our Spartans safe both online and offline!

For the safety of all students, please remember that our doors do not open and there is no student supervision until 8:15 a.m. each morning.

We also kindly ask that all transportation changes be called into the office before 2:30 p.m. This helps ensure we know exactly where students are going at the end of the day and helps us maintain a safe and smooth dismissal process.

As a reminder, students are not allowed to have phones or smart watches in class. If you need to get a message to your child during the day, our office is always happy to deliver notes or help connect you with your child in the case of an emergency. Families are also welcome to contact their child’s teacher directly through Dojo for communication about classroom matters.

Thank you for helping us keep our school safe and running smoothly!

You can review our handbook update at: https://www.mccschools.org/o/mcc-upper-elementary

As a reminder, our school handbook includes a No Toys at School expectation to help keep students focused on learning and minimize distractions during the school day.

Because many popular fidgets and collectible items can become distracting, personal items such as NeeDohs, 3D-printed toys, pop-its, squishies, spinners, trading cards (including Pokémon, sports cards, and similar collectibles), and other toys should remain at home. These items can sometimes lead to distractions, lost items, or disagreements among students.

If a student would benefit from a fidget or sensory tool during the school day, the classroom teacher or school office can provide or approve an appropriate item based on the student's needs.

Occasionally, teachers or our Golden Ticket incentive program may provide students with small toys, fidgets, or collectible items as rewards. When possible, students will be encouraged to take these items home rather than use them during the school day. This helps us maintain a positive learning environment while still celebrating student success.

We appreciate families' support in helping students come to school ready to learn. By keeping toys, personal fidgets, and collectibles at home, we can ensure that classrooms remain focused, positive, and productive learning spaces for all students.

To access the HS Spartan Athletics schedule go to:

https://www.mccschools.org/o/mcc-high-school/article/3089924

Be sure to download the district app from the app store as well as join our Upper Elementary Facebook page!

We are incredibly grateful for the continued support of our students, staff, and schools. Your support makes a meaningful difference for our kids and helps us continue creating safe, welcoming, and successful learning environments.

We also want to share that safety and security bond work is expected to begin in May 2027. We look forward to sharing updates as that work gets underway.

Thank you for investing in our Spartans and in the future of our schools!