I hope your child has enjoyed their first 3 days of school. Our staff enjoyed seeing them again whether it was in the classroom or virtually. At Three Fires, we believe that a major component of student achievement is establishing a positive school learning environment. We are safe, responsible, kind, and respectful. When you interact with a Three Fires staff member, you can expect our very best in regards to courtesy and respect. Please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns this school year at 517-548-6387 or [email protected]. The Timberwolf staff and I look forward to working with you this year to create the best learning environment for your child.
Music Substitute
Due to a current family situation, Mrs. Welty found it necessary to take childcare leave for the first part of the school year. She hopes to be back second semester, but in the meantime she will miss hearing all those sweet voices every day! We are actively looking for a long-term substitute for music. As soon as we have the position filled we will notify you.
Drop Off and Pick Up Update
Thank you for your patience as we implement new arrival and dismissal procedures. Our staff worked diligently this week to tweak the process to improve efficiency while maintaining student safety. Starting on Monday, we will start dismissing parent-pick up students at 3:35 PM. If you arrive early, please fill the pick up lanes in this order, 5, 4, 3 2, 1 (approximately 5 vehicles per lane).
Counselor Corner
My name is Jeanie Nemeth, and I am your School Counselor! I am so happy to be back at Three Fires Elementary full time this year! I work with parents, students, and teachers in different ways through a program of many services. Each service is aimed at helping students learn and develop to their highest potential. Examples of services, based on student need, include the following:
- groups to help students adjust to school (however, due to the current social distancing requirements, any group sessions will be limited to students from the same classroom - cohorts will not be allowed to mix with other cohorts at this time).
- classroom lessons to help children learn how to get along with peers,
- conferences for parents to understand their child’s social/personal progress,
- individual sessions (on a limited basis) to work with students on specific skills, and
- supporting our families attending Howell’s Virtual School through phone, email and zoom appointments.
Here are a couple quick tips to support your child’s transition:
- Encourage your kids to talk about their day by asking specific questions. Try social questions (“Whom do you sit next to in class?”), best/worst questions (“What’s the best/worst thing that happened today at school?”), what you learned questions (“What are some of the rules you have to follow at school?”), and school function questions (How did you celebrate Valentine’s Day?”).
- Use the WIN strategy to help them develop solutions to any jitters or concerns.
- Step 1: W: What happened? Describe the dilemma.
- Step 2: I: What ideas can we come up with to solve the problem?
- Step 3: N: Now move into action! Pick a strategy and give it a try!
- Set your child up for success by helping them build their tolerance for wearing a mask.
- Students will be asked to wear them in the common areas of the building. Help them get comfortable by letting them pick their own.
- Explain the rationale in simple terms (“Germs spread from our bodies whenever we cough, sneeze or even breathe too close to someone else. So we wear the mask not only to protect our noses and our mouths, but to protect those germs from spreading to people around us.”).
- Visit KidsHealth.org for other tips and answers to common questions about masks.
I am always available for you at [email protected]. Please reach out with any questions, comments, or concerns!
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
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