Morford Monthly Memo

Dear 5th Grade Families,

We hope you are having a wonderful school year! We are writing to share an exciting update regarding our literacy instruction. This year, our 5th-grade team is implementing a new phonics program called 95 Phonics Core Program.

This research-based program focuses on deepening students' understanding of advanced word structures, word patterns, syllable types, and morphology (prefixes, suffixes, and roots). By focusing on how words are constructed, we equip students with the tools to decode complex multisyllabic words and expand their vocabulary across all subjects.

Because our focus is on true skill mastery, our approach to spelling and assessment will look a little different this year:

• No Traditional Spelling Lists: Students will no longer receive a fixed list of weekly words to memorize for a Friday test. Rote memorization often leads to short-term recall rather than long-term retention.

• Focus on Skill Application: Our weekly assessments will evaluate how well students apply taught phonics rules and patterns to new or unseen words, rather than checking if they memorized a specific word list.

• Low-Stakes Weekly Check-Ins: Weekly practice and quick assessments are designed to be low-stakes checkpoints. They allow us to track your child's ongoing progress and provide immediate support where needed without causing test anxiety.

• Weekly Home Practice Sheets: Each week, a practice sheet will come home highlighting the specific phonics patterns we are covering. It will include simple, practical ways you can reinforce these skills with your student at home.

• End-of-Unit Assessments: At the end of each unit (approximately every 7 weeks), students will complete a comprehensive assessment to demonstrate what they have learned and mastered over that time frame.

Our goal is to build confident, capable readers and spellers who understand how language works. We appreciate your partnership and support as we transition to this new curriculum!

Please feel free to reach out to any of us if you have questions.

Sincerely,

Central’s 4th/5th Grade Teachers

We’re excited to share a new resource designed for you to help find information about schools throughout Genesee County.

The new Genesee County Schools webpages provide a central location to explore our county’s school districts and connect visitors with important school and district information.

The landing page features an interactive, linked map of Genesee County, allowing visitors to easily select a school district and access its website. The page also includes a new Find My School District tool to help families determine which district serves their address.

Additional sub-pages include a Genesee County School Directory, providing a convenient way to find school and district information in one place.

We hope these new webpages will serve as a helpful resource for families and our community while making it easier to navigate the many educational opportunities available throughout Genesee County.

Explore the new Genesee County Schools webpages: https://www.geneseeisd.org/county-schools

School Picture day is September 11th. Retakes are scheduled for October 13th.

A yearbook link will be sent as a mass email to all parents around Thanksgiving time with a link to order. I will also share the link in a future SMORE so you don't miss out on purchasing your Eagle a 26/27 Central yearbook. Stay tuned!

We have the big FUN RUN happening on 10/2 in the morning. Please know that this is a student event. The PALS group will be emailing out a sign up genius (mid to end of September) with limited spots for those interested in volunteering. Those who are volunteering must have a valid I-chat on file. Those who do not have a valid I-Chat on file will be turned away and unable to stay for the Fun Run. Also, we will not be allowing spectators during this event.

First and foremost I want to thank you for your patience the first couple weeks of school. Believe it or not with the amount of cars that we had in the drop off and pick up line we were lined up all the way out to Silver Lake Road! With this in mind it is imperative that all those participating pay attention and be alert during both arrival and dismissal. Parents, please put your cell phones away and save the text or social media scrolling for later as we work to ensure we are getting students out of cars safely to their destination or in the car ready to head home. A couple tips to help us continue:

* Pull all the way forward in the line

* Ensure that your student is looking for you and hops in when car has stopped

* If dropping off your student, use the line along the curb. Do not drive into parking lot and drop students. The parking lot is for parking and walking students to the crosswalk.

Thanks for helping making the morning and afternoon a quick process. If students are quick in the afternoon....believe it or not we can beat the busses and get you out of the pick up line before them!

Central Elementary will be hosting a presentation on OK2SAY – Michigan’s student safety for students in 4th and 5th grades the week of October 5th.

The program is designed to inform students how they can help make their school and community safer by reporting dangerous and concerning behaviors to a trusted adult or OK2SAY.

Students in 4th – 5th grade learn essential rules for being safe and responsible online. We teach common internet predator grooming techniques and how students can protect their information online. We emphasize the difference between “tattling” and “telling” and help distinguish between rude, mean, and bullying behavior. We discuss appropriate responses to cyberbullying. These topics are supported using several dynamic videos. The students are also introduced to the OK2SAY student safety program and encouraged to always talk to a trusted adult when they see or hear about something that is not right. Please take a moment to review the videos featured in the presentation.

Additional information and resources are available at OK2SAY(ok2say.com).

If you do NOT want your child to participate, be sure to return the bottom of this sheet to your student's teacher by Friday, October 2nd.

In order to promote a positive school climate, Linden Community Schools has implemented the SOAR expectations across all buildings. To SOAR at Central Elementary, we Stay Safe, Offer Kindness, Act Responsibly, and Remember Respect.

Each classroom has a positive behavior matrix that provides expectations for students to be good citizens and successful learners. In addition, the school has a schoolwide matrix that lays out expectations throughout the school: on the playground, in the cafeteria, in the hallway and in the bathrooms. Morning announcements, classroom lessons, and student recognition with SOAR tickets help to build understanding and reward students for SOAR-ing every day.

Be sure to ask your Eagle how they SOAR each day!

Access the school wide Behavior Expectations Matrix

We are finding that items from home that are not necessary to the learning environment are making the trip here to Central. Please have conversations with your student that stuffed animals, toys, games, etc. need to stay at home.

Of course the only pass on this is if teachers have a scheduled reading day that students might be able to bring a blanket or stuffed animal. Otherwise, all "home" items must stay at home. If your student continues to be warned, we will place a phone call for you to pick up the item in the office.

Thank you for your support with this!

As you know Michigan weather is constantly changing. Students will be going outside unless it is raining or the air temperature and/or wind chill is zero degrees. Students need to wear appropriate clothing and need to dress for the weather. Please make sure that your student has appropriate gear. Flip flops and Crocs aren't safe for the playground. Please ensure safety for your student and make sure that they have a pair of closed toed shoes for the playground.

Please ensure the Health Alerts are up to date on ParentVue for your student. If a prescription is needed to be administered at school, you must have a physician’s authorization and meds in the original container. If you would like your student to have over the counter medications at school, you must have a parental authorization and the meds in the original container. Students cannot self-carry in 4th and 5th Grade. Also, at no time should a student be transferring meds in their backpack to take to the office. Meds must transfer from adult to adult.

Access forms here:

Nonprescribed medication form

Prescribed medication form

Emergency contacts and transportation information must be updated when changes happen. Please make sure that your ParentVue account is updated when things change, like that of phone numbers, address, etc. Our systems pull from this data and if you haven't updated it, we will not know without you making changes to ParentVue. If you should have questions, please contact the office at 810/591-8410.

If you have someone that plans to pick up your eagle and they are not on your emergency contact being they have permission to pick up, someone will be contacting you to approve this change. To eliminate this from happening, be sure that ParentVue is up do date by adding those who are approved to pick up your eagle. Thanks for your support with this!

Just wanted to remind you of the health safety information especially as it pertains to meds and birthday treats.

Some of our students have been diagnosed with Tree Nut/Peanut Allergies and have had severe reactions after contact. Please be cognizant of any allergy in your child’s classroom.
A few students are diabetic and have food restrictions. Medications and special accommodations for the health of your child are required to have a medical professional authorization form completed. Please refer to the forms section at www.lindenschools.org. If planning for birthday treats please take the above info into consideration and plan for store bought pre-packaged items. Check with your child’s teacher for ideas.

Breakfast and Lunch will be provided again this year at no charge. Please make sure that you complete the documents to assist the district in obtaining funds as needed to continue to support students. You will need to fill out the Education Benefits Form either in the Family Portal or from the Linden Community Schools website. If you need a hard copy please stop the office.

Here is the link to the form if you would like to print at home and send into school with your Eagle (note...only one needed per family!)

All exterior doors will be locked. Our entrance buzzer is located just inside the vestibule to the left as you enter the main entrance door. You will need to press the buzzer to be admitted into the new office area. All visitors must make an appointment in advance. All scheduled appointments must report directly to the office, sign in and obtain a visitor badge. This safety measure will ensure that office staff is aware of all visitors entering our building. Please have your photo ID ready to present for entrance into the office.

Central Elementary utilizes our web page as a means to communicate with our families. You will find Daily Schedules, lunch menus and our monthly newsletters. Please visit our web page regularly at www.lindenschools.org. In addition to our web page, I will send out a monthly SMORE via email and also post to the web page. Linden Community Schools offers an app that you can also access the above information.

You may contact your child’s teacher by email, telephone, or letter if you have any questions or concerns regarding your child’s education or classroom activities.

Students may carry a cellphone to and from school, but it must remain turned off and placed in their locker during the day. According to the handbook (see below the excerpt from the handbook) it must remain off and out of sight. If a student continues to have an issue a parent will be contacted. If the issue continues to arise, a parent will need to pick up the phone in the office and additional disciplinary action may be taken.

According to the student handbook……

“Students are prohibited from using a wireless communications device ("WCD") on school grounds during instructional time. A WCD is an electronic device capable of, but not limited to, text messaging, voice communication, entertainment, navigation, accessing the internet, sending and receiving photos and videos, or producing email. A WCD does not include a basic telephone, which is a device primarily used for voice calling that 23 cannot support third-party applications, except those preinstalled, and does not support access to internet platforms via applications or web browsers. For purposes of this policy, school grounds means a building, classroom, playing field, or property used for school purposes to impart instruction to children or used for functions and events sponsored by a school. School grounds does not include a building used primarily for adult education or college extension courses.”

The prohibition on WCD use does not apply to the following:

A. Medically necessary devices, as outlined in a student's medical plan/504, and on file with the school.

B. District-owned devices including, but not limited to, school-issued tablets and laptops.

C. Devices designated by the District to be used for instructional purposes.

D. Devices used for special education programming or devices provided as an accommodation to students as required under Section 504 of Title V of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. 794, or as part of an individualized education plan under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 U.S.C. 12131 to 12165.

E. Lesson-specific academic assignments, at the limited and direct discretion of a classroom teacher. Building principal must be notified in advance.

F. Emergency situations. Use of a WCD under this exemption must not interfere with school emergency protocols or the actions of first responders, and must not endanger students or faculty. A protocol for when and how pupils are permitted to use wireless communications devices during an emergency is included in the District's Emergency Operations Plan (Policy 8402).

Students who violate this policy by using a WCD on school grounds during instructional time will be subject to the following progressive disciplinary measures:

Minimum penalty: Verbal warning and confiscation of the device with parent/guardian notification and required parent/guardian pickup.

Maximum penalty: Confiscation of the device with parent/guardian notification and required parent/guardian pickup, and additional disciplinary action as determined by school administration up to and including suspension.

All students must be signed in at the office whenever arriving late to school. Students are considered late if arriving after the bell rings at 8:19am. The parent/guardian bringing the student will need to sign them in at the office.

If picking up your child early, ring the buzzer to enter the office. While you are signing your student out, an office staff member will call your child from class to meet you in the office. Be prepared to present your picture ID for identification.

Visitors are welcome in our building. In order to chaperone on trips, assist in classroom parties, help at field day, etc. you must have completed a Volunteer Registration Form to have a background check done prior to you helping. Given the process takes a couple days, please plan ahead. The application must be turned into the school at least 5 school days prior to the activity occurring. The form must be completed and is a non-negotiable for student safety. If you do not have one on file the day of the event, you will not be able to attend. As a parent myself, I hope that you understand the importance of the background check and will trust this process.

The best way to avoid hiccups and issues is to complete the form now! Click here to access the form. Complete the form and return it to the main office.

District policy is to run the background checks each semester. If you plan to help anytime during second semester, you will have to complete another form and sign permission for us to re-run the check.

Bus routes will be posted in the Tri-County Times. You can also access them on the school website. Please work with your child on bus etiquette and following bus rules. It is important for your child to know the importance of staying seated on the bus, and keeping track of their personal belongings.

Due to safety of students, students must ride their assigned bus. If you have questions please contact the Transportation Department at 810-591-0996.

Students who are eating breakfast are to be dropped off no earlier than 8:00am. These students will go right to the cafeteria to sit and eat breakfast. Students who are not eating breakfast are to be dropped off no earlier than 8:09am. When dropping a student off for morning arrival time, please remain in your car, drive as far through the loop as you can and make sure your child exits from the passenger side of your vehicle. Please do not use the bus loop at the north end of the building, as a drop off.

Any student who is arriving after 8:19am is considered tardy and must be walked into the office to be signed in.

The front doors will be unlocked at 8:00am for student entry. They will be locked at 8:19am. If this is inconvenient for your work schedule and you need to drop your student off earlier, please contact the Early Childhood Center at 810-591-0320. Hyatt houses our Eagle Club before and after school program for a minimal fee.

Arrival and dismissal can be a bit challenging. Please know that student safety is of top priority. While we recognize that some of you may be in a hurry, it is absolutely important to pack your patience each day for both arrival and dismissal for pick up and drop off.

Student dismissal

Students will be dismissed at 3:27pm. There are two options for dismissal; pick up curbside or ride the bus. We request that students have one consistent way to get home after school Monday - Friday. This will eliminate any confusion at the end of day.

• Curbside Car Pick Up - We have established a convenient parent pick up loop that aids in the efficient flow of traffic. Please remain in your car, drive through the loop the furthest you can and wait for your child to come to your vehicle. Please remind your student to be looking for you to assist in the line moving quickly for all families. Your student will need to independently enter on the passenger side of the vehicle (sidewalk side). Please stay in your car.

• Students Riding the Bus - All students will be put on the bus at the end of the day unless you have established a regular consistent parent/guardian pick up routine. If a situation arises and you need to pick your child up from school, please send a note that morning to your child’s teacher. Students are not permitted to be removed from their bus once they have boarded nor are parents permitted in the bus loop. Please plan ahead to ensure the safety of all students.

Parent Drop off/Pick Up - Traffic Flow:

It is important that we work together to make sure the traffic during drop off & pick up times runs smoothly. Please refer to the map to join the queue both for morning and afternoon. When the line is long, it starts by the high school then loops to Central. At Central, we don't do tags or signs in cars. We rely on students to be paying attention by the tree (Little Library) and follow their car until the line stops to enter. Please practice patience and remain aware for safety. After a couple weeks our goal is that we are moving quickly.

Notes regarding the parking lot

* Students, visitors and parents must use the crosswalk to get to and from the parking lot. A crossing guard (staff member) will be assisting with this. Please do not walk in between cars in the drop off/pick up line.

* Students cannot be wandering into the parking lot on their own. The parking lot is for "parking" only. If you wish to park and walk your child up to the building that is up to you. If you must pick them up from the parking lot, it is expected that you walk your student to ensure safety. The last thing that we want is that someone gets injured because of carelessness.

Our main goal is fluidity, so please join the queue to drop your Eagle off or pick them up from the car line loop. If all those participating in the loop pull all the way forward, students hop out or into the car quickly, the time will be minimal.

The office tends to get very busy at the end of the day. If you have an end of day message for your student, like that of a dismissal change, please contact the office by 3:00pm.

The schedule for the 26/27 year will have classes broken into 3 sections for each grade.

School Hours 8:19 am - 3:27 pm.

8:00am - students getting breakfast can enter building

8:09am - all students can enter building

8:19am - bell rings to start class

**Students arriving after 8:19am must be signed in by an adult in the office

4th Grade

Group A (Gase and Vanitvelt) Recess is from 11:05-11:30am & Lunch is from 11:30-12:00pm

Group B (Bowles and Duguid) Recess is from 11:10-11:35am & Lunch is from 11:35-12:05pm

Group C (Fitzgerald and Cooke) Recess is from 11:15-11:40am & Lunch is from 11:40-12:10pm

5th Grade

Group A (Crampton and Perkins) Recess from 11:45-12:10pm & Lunch from 12:10-12:40pm

Group B (Miller and Lindsay) Recess from 11:50-12:15pm & Lunch from 12:15-12:45pm

Group C (Elmer and Wolosiewicz) Recess from 11:55-12:20pm & Lunch from 12:20-12:50pm

3:27 pm Dismissal

Stop by the PALs table at the open house! We would love to have you support some of the activities that will be happening at Central this year.

PALs meetings are taking place on the following dates at 9am right at Central. We hope that you can join us each month.

September 3

October 1

November 6

December 4

January 8

February 5

March 5

April 9

May 7

Questions contact our Central Elementary PALs via email at central.el.pals@gmail.com

September 11 - School Picture Day

September 16 - Half Day for students - Teacher PD in afternoon

October 2 - Fun Run

October 6 - Half Day for students - Teacher PD in afternoon

October 13 - School Picture retake day

October 15 - Half Day for students - Parent Teacher Conferences in the afternoon and evening

October 16 - No School

October 16 - Homecoming Parade

October 23 - End of 1st Marking Period

October 30 - Halloween festivities from 1:30pm to end of day

November 3 - No School - Teacher PD Day

November 25-29 - Thanksgiving Holiday break

December 2 - Half Day for students - Teacher PD in afternoon

December 4 - NED Show Assembly

December 16 - 4th grade concert

December 17 - 5th grade concert

December 18 - Holiday parties from 1:30pm to end of day

December 19-January 3 - Christmas Holiday Break

January 13 - Half Day for students - Teacher PD in afternoon

January 15 - End of 2nd Marking Period/Semester

January 18 - No School - MLK Day

February 11 - Valentine's parties from 1:30pm to end of day

February 12 - No School - Teacher PD Day

February 15 - No School - President's Day

March 12 - No School - Teacher PD Day

March 12 - End of 3rd Marking Period

March 26-April 4 - No School - Spring Break

May 4 - Half Day for students - Teacher PD in afternoon

May 6 - District wide Art Show at MPB

May 21 - 4th Grade Field Trip to Mackinaw

May 24 - 4th Grade Concert

May 25 - 5th Grade Concert

May 26 - SOAR Day!

June 4 - Last Day of School (Half Day)