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I was delighted to see so many of you at Open House. Please take a moment to review the following guidelines to ensure a successful and safe first week for each of our Harvest Hornets🐝. While Harvest Happenings is always scheduled for Sunday at 3:00pm, I am sending this one edition early as there is a lot of information to cover. I hope any questions that are lingering are answered. If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to reach out. As this week's Ms. Sickler Reads! reminds us, we (students and family members) may be a little nervous to start school.

-Emily

NEW PARKING LOTS

The new parking loop is designed to improve traffic flow and safety around Harvest. Here's how it works. Please be patient as we all learn the new flow.

• One-Lane Traffic: The drop-off loop operates in a clockwise direction and ideally as a "roller coaster". Cars pull forward, students exit the passenger side door to safely get to the sidewalk, cars leave and the next set of cars can pull forward.
• Pedestrian Crosswalks: Families who are parking and walking into school will cross at our two designated crosswalks.
• Designated Spaces: Handicap parking is available and spaces with diagonal lines are noted as No Parking spaces to ensure safety entering and exiting the parking lot.

ARRIVAL

• Many adults will be outside to support arrival the first week of school. If you can help students who are arriving off the bus, please sign up HERE.
• In the morning, students will line up with their class outside. All families are asked to give last hugs and words of encouragement outside as teachers meet their class and walk their students in. Young 5s and Kindergarten will go directly to the gym on Tuesday, August 17th - Tuesday, September 3rd. Harvest staff and volunteers will be available to help walk our newest Harvest Hornets from outside to the gym.
• IF you are bringing a pet with you to drop-off, we ask that you stay in the grassy area behind the flagpole to ensure safety and comfort for all students.
• Check out where each class lines up below:

DISMISSAL

• Please make sure your student's teacher is aware of how your student is getting home on the first day of school.
• Y5s, Kindergarten, and First Grade families are asked to walk up and pick up their students. Second and Third grade families can use the car loop OR pick up their students.
• IF you are bringing a pet with you to pick-up, we ask that you stay in the grassy area behind the flagpole to ensure safety and comfort for all students.
• Saline Area Schools use the My Ride K-12 app to share bus route information and updates. The app is available in the Apple and Android app stores.
• If you have any questions about bussing/transportation, the best way to reach the department is by email at transportation@salineschools.org or by phone at (734) 401-4479.
• We make every effort to be sure that all our students are on the correct bus going to the correct stop with all the adults who support dismissal. Please do NOT become alarmed if the buses are behind schedule during the first week of school. Also, we do have radios on all buses so we are only a phone call away from any child!

SPECIALS

Each Harvest Hornet experiences a "special" block a day. Check out the Specials Calendar and Specials Rotation below:

LUNCH

• All students eat for free, both breakfast & lunch, full meals only not a la carte items. A la carte items include milk, snacks, etc. Families may still choose to fund their students’ accounts using the Meal Magic Portal, in order to cover the cost of only a beverage, a la carte choices, and snacks during breakfast and lunch. Parents are invited to view the Frequently Asked Questions for additional information.

• We GLADLY accept help in the lunchroom each week, please sign up HERE to help!

YOUNG 5s/KINDERGARTEN ONLY

Monday, August 26th will be an ORIENTATION day for district Young Five students and Kindergarten students. Your child leaves with you at the end of orientation. This type of day provides an opportunity for you and your child to meet the teacher and receive important information as part of a small group. We feel this day will greatly reduce “first-day jitters” and help produce a smooth, easy transition into the school year. When visiting the classroom on August 26th, please come at the time designated in your child's teacher placement letter. Family members and students will stay for the entire 45-minute session. Please arrive promptly! We ask that you NOT bring younger siblings to this orientation day. Our students and family members will have several tasks to complete during this period. Unfortunately, we do not have babysitting arrangements for younger children.

Finally, an important reminder to give your students a lot of grace when they get home this first week of school. We ask a lot of our young learners as they transition from a "summer schedule" to a "school schedule". Please be ready with water, snacks, and (most likely) quiet time when you see your children at the end of the day. It takes time for young brains and bodies to adjust to the new social, emotional, and academic load. We get there, but usually not for a couple of days... and water and snacks help!

Emily

• 8/26 – First Day of School for 1st – 3rd graders
• Y5 & Kindergarten Orientation (specific times sent with teacher letter)
• 8/27 – First Day of School for Y5 and Kindergarten students
• 8/28 - 9/1 – Saline Community Fair
  • 8/28 – Free admission if wearing Saline Schools gear
• 8/30 & 9/2 – No School
• 9/5 – Harvest Picture Day (KEYWORD: AA1205Fall24)
• 9/11 - Harvest Fall Family Event; Marsh View Park Playdate (4:15-5:15pm)

• Check out our WELCOME LETTER and put some dates of fun events HERE.

• 🌟HELP OUT IN THE LUNCHROOM🌟 - SIGN UP HERE

• 🌟HELP OUT IN THE MORNING FOR BUS/DROP OFF🌟- SIGN UP HERE

DID YOU KNOW that Picture Day is September 5th and you can pre-order pictures now? Click HERE to order! (KEYWORD: AA1205Fall24)

District

• Transportation
• District Calendar
• 2021-2026 Winter & Spring Breaks
• Volunteer Information (VERKADA System)
• Accessing REMIND account

Harvest

• Harvest Elementary Website Main Page
• Harvest Before & After Care (run through Saline Community Education)
• Harvest Spirit Wear Order Form
• Breakfast & Lunch Menus
• Harvest Walk Area Map (from transportation)
• Purchase School Pictures (KEYWORD: AA1205Fall24)