The Timberwolf Times - February 16, 2023 

No School Friday, February 17 - Monday, February 20

Please remember that there is no school Friday, February 17, or Monday, February 20, for our mid-winter break. Classes will resume on Tuesday, February 21.

 

#PackPride  

The Three Fires archers took home a 1st place team trophy at the Swartz Creek Shoot last Saturday!  Top finishers include Remy Schaefer (261), Scarlett Rich (251), and Shelby Vogan (229)!  

 

Behavior Expectations Poster Contest Results    

Thanks for supporting your child with their behavior expectations poster!  It was evident that a lot of thought and effort went into the submitted posters.  We will be displaying the posters around the school. Congratulations Declan Hohn for being the overall winner!  Also, congratulations to our grade level honorable mention winners: Reagan Cieslak, Raelynn Martin, Milana Daniels, Willa Lobbestael, Brooklyn Carlson and Anna Marchetti.  

 

Attention Fifth-Grade Parents 

Before you know it, your students will move on to Middle School. We wanted to make you aware of some important upcoming dates. The Middle school principals (Dr. Tim Moore - Highlander Way Middle School Principal, Mrs. Trish Poelke - Parker Middle School Principal) will visit all fifth-grade classes on March 13. Before the visit, students will watch a video created by Dr. Moore and Mrs. Poelke that will go over the changes to expect in the transition to middle school and some things they can start doing now to prepare. They will review how the middle school day is structured and the different encore classes offered. During the visit, the principals will answer questions from students. A fifth-grade parent night will be held on Tuesday, March 14, at 6:00 p.m. at both Parker and Highlander Way. If you are interested in transferring to the middle school that is not your assigned school, you will need to fill out an Intra-District Transfer Request Form by Thursday, March 9. This will ensure that the committee can meet and notify parents before the elementary school visits and parent night. 

 

Register for Begindergarten and Kindergarten Today!

Begindergarten and kindergarten registration for the 2023-2024 school year is now open. If you have an incoming begindergarten or kindergarten student, please visit HowellSchools.com/KDG to enroll them. On Thursday, March 16, from 6–7 p.m., our school will host a Begindergarten and Kindergarten Information Night. At this event, families will learn about the school, meet the principal and begindergarten and kindergarten teachers, and tour the school. 

 

New Dual Language Immersion Program Now Accepting Applications

Howell Public Schools is now accepting applications for its new Spanish Dual Language Immersion program. Starting this fall, Academia Bilingüe at Three Fires Elementary will consist of one kindergarten classroom and one first-grade classroom. Dual Language Immersion is a unique educational model where children learn to think, read, write, and communicate in two languages. Students enrolled in a dual language immersion program develop a high level of thinking that sets them on a path to be future ready. To learn more about this exciting opportunity, please visit HowellSchools.com/DualLangauge.

 

A Boy Called Bat at Home Reading Schedule and Recorded Videos   

We hope you are enjoying the book.  Each week, your child and their peers will be invited to answer trivia questions and participate in interactive games and activities that are related to the book (see attached calendar of events). Please do your best to keep up with the assigned chapters so your child can be included. In the event that you are struggling to fit a chapter or two into your nightly routine, please sit with your child while they follow along in the book and watch a video of a staff member reading that chapter aloud.  A link to these videos can be found here:  https://www.youtube.com/@threefiresbookclub2370

 

Spring Picture Day is Coming! 

Spring Picture Day is Monday, March 7th. Unlike fall photos, only those students who are ordering pictures will have their picture taken. The easiest way to order Spring Pictures is online at https://my.lifetouch.com/mylifetouch/#/

Flyers were sent home this week for distribution.  Return your completed flyer to school with your child on Picture Day to make sure that your child is photographed.
Picture Day ID: EVTJFDPCV 

 

Counselor’s Corner: Helping Children with Friendships (Jeanie Nemeth)  

Research shows that friendships are critical for social and emotional health: they can decrease stress and tension, help us develop empathy, and strengthen our defenses. To kids, though, choosing friends is a little simpler - they likely connect with people they have the most fun with. For a child, having even one good, dependable friend can make a huge difference! Similarly, when those friendships change, children can really feel a sense of loss.  There are three basic, social skills that are critical for making and keeping friends, whether you are 5 or 55:

  1. Breaking the ice with kids/people you have not met before
  2. Acting positively and appropriately with others
  3. Managing conflicts/problems constructively

We are often very vigilant in helping our kids master concepts in math or reading, but we often forget to teach behaviors. Here are some strategies for teaching these important friendship skills to our children:

  1. First and foremost, do a self-assessment and make sure you are modeling and showing the behaviors we are hoping to see in our children! Do you make friendships a priority? Are you friendly to new people? Are you open-minded and respectful when problems arise with others?
  2. Pay close attention to how your child behaves with same-age peers. Point out his/her strengths (“I noticed you let Lilly go first - that was very thoughtful!” or “When Stuart tried to argue with you, you calmly walked away - that was a good choice.”).
  3. Similarly, take note of what skills s/he needs to practice. For instance, does your child often interrupt others or boss them around? Is your child shy and afraid to try new activities, or hesitant to join a group?
  4. Once you identify what your child needs to work on, come up with creative ways to practice the skill. When it’s not the heat of the moment, talk about what that skill looks like. Go to the park and role play different scenarios. Check out books from the library that illustrate children using these skills. At the least, talk with your child about your strengths and weaknesses, and work together to form and strengthen your personal relationships together.
  5. Lastly, be patient. Teaching social skills takes time and lots of practice. 

For more support, or a more personalized plan for your family, please reach [email protected].

 

Spring Book Fair Volunteers Needed   

Volunteers are needed for our Spring Book Fair!  Please consider signing up for a time slot to help our students. Volunteers are needed to help students create book fair wish lists and help students make purchases. We cannot hold this event without your help.  Volunteers must have a criminal history background check on file with the main office.  Please click here to access the sign up sheet.    

 

Bus Drivers Wanted: Earn Up to a $5,000 Sign-on Bonus

Howell Public Schools is still in need of additional bus drivers. During February, the district is offering a sign-on bonus of up to $5,000 for fully trained certified bus drivers, up to $3,000 for fully trained licensed bus drivers taking on substitute runs for at least 20 hours per week, and up to $2000 for individuals who will take part in the paid training program. Please help us spread the word about these limited-time incentives. Individuals interested in applying can do so at BeABusDriver.org.

 

PTO Updates 

Our next PTO meeting will be on Wednesday, March 1st at 6 PM in the Media Center.   

 

Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/threefireselementary, find our PTO on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ThreeFiresElementaryPTO/, find us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/HowellTFE 

Posted by tormanes On 20 February, 2023 at 8:29 AM