Family Access to Schoology and Seesaw
This year, our teachers in grades third through twelfth, are using the Schoology Learning Management System for both in-person learning and in Highlander Virtual. The Schoology Family Portal gives families access to their child’s course information and progress. To learn more about the Schoology Family Portal, please visit https://bit.ly/3hTWC6H. In grades begindergarten through second, our teachers are using SeeSaw as their learning management system for both in-person learning and in Highlander Virtual. If you have not yet received our child’s home learning code for SeeSaw, their teacher will be sending it home soon. To learn more about SeeSaw, please visit https://bit.ly/3iRIqva.
Picture Day Schedule for Highlander Virtual Students
Pictures will be taken at Three Fires on October 14th. Three Fires students who are enrolled in Highlander Virtual will come in on October 14th between 4 PM and 6 PM to have their school pictures taken. Times will be staggered to ensure social distancing and to help get families through in a timely manner. Please do your best to come at the time listed below. If you cannot make your assigned time, you can select a different time that works for your schedule. We will share more information and guidelines for this evening as we get closer to October 14th.
- 4 PM Last Names Beginning With A/B
- 4:15 PM Last Names Beginning With C - F
- 4:30 PM Last Names Beginning With G/H
- 4:45 PM Last Names Beginning With J-L
- 5 PM Last Names Beginning With M/N
- 5:15 PM Last Names Beginning With P-R
- 5:30 PM Last Names Beginning With S
- 5:45 PM Last Names Beginning With T-Z
USDA Extends Free Meals for Kids
Recently, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that it was extending several waivers regarding school meals. These waivers will allow all children under 18 to receive free school meals until December 31, 2020, or until funding for the program runs out. This means that all students purchasing a full breakfast or lunch at school will not be charged. The waivers will also allow the district to provide free meal kits to families with children under the age of 18. The kits will include seven days of breakfast and lunch items. Distribution of the kits will take place each Tuesday from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. in the circle drive on the northside of Howell High School, and each Thursday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the bus lot off Latson Road at Three Fires Elementary. For more information, please visit https://bit.ly/2RxEnbu.
Welcome Ms. Frangedakis, Music Substitute
As you know, Mrs. Welty found it necessary to take childcare leave for the first part of the school year. Ms. Victoria Frangedakis is our new long-term substitute for Mrs. Welty. She has recently graduated from the University of Michigan's Choral Music Education program and carried out her student teaching with Mrs. Schoendorff at Voyager Elementary School here in Howell in the beginning of 2020. She also spent a week and half at Parker Middle School in March with Mrs. Falls until we transitioned to remote learning. Ms. Frangedakis is so excited to be back in Howell Public Schools and has been loving her time here at Three Fires.
Pathways to Potential Partnership
Three Fires Elementary is a partner with the Pathways to Potential program. This program can aid with family food, clothing, childcare, and medical support as well as heating, electric, or propane services as needed in the wintry months. The Three Fires Elementary Success Coach has an office located in the building to give individualized attention and assist students in being successful in school by addressing attendance concerns on Wednesdays. This includes helping families in navigating the many resources that Livingston County has to offer, helping with the application process for programs, processing applications for all DHHS assistance programs and more. Please stop by the Pathways to Potential office on Wednesdays or contact Success Coach, Heather Rohen for more information. rohenh@michigan.gov or Ph: 517-548-0214
Technology Return
Some of our in-person students who were given an iPad or Chromebook last spring still have the device at home. If your child is attending school in person and you still have a device, please send it back to Three Fires ASAP. You can drop the device off in our main office or send it with your child to school. If you send it with your child please contact your child’s teacher and let them know the device is on its way back to school.
Counselor’s Quick Tip: Helping a Child Overcome Shyness, Jeanie Nemeth
Do you have a shy child? - Many children are not quite as outspoken as others. While there is nothing wrong with them, shy children often have a hard time in school and other social situations because they have a fear of talking to and/or meeting others.
Why Being Shy Affects Children - Many things can cause a child to be shy. Some children are introverted and simply prefer to spend time alone. Other times, it’s a feeling of not being like others that causes shyness to develop. Sometimes, it isn’t fun being shy. It seems that every other child is out there having a great time, and your child is left behind. For the child, it can be frustrating as well. It could even be that the child is very emotional and sensitive to the world around them. No matter what is causing your child to be shy, it is important not to label your child as shy, explain to others that your child is slow to warm up to others.
Helping Your Shy Child - It is important to maintain a positive and encouraging attitude about their shyness. Show them that you understand their worries and what they are going through, try sharing a time in your childhood where you can remember feeling shy, explain the emotions behind those feelings. Encourage your child to use their own words to describe their feelings. Support your child's social confidence by not pushing him or her into uncomfortable social situations quickly, or without warning. It is helpful to attend parties, meetings, and other social gatherings that your child can also be a part of; ensure you’re also teaching them the basics of socializing with other people.
Remember:
- Allow your child to adjust to situations as needed. Refrain from forcing them to talk or participate when they are fearful of doing so.
- Encourage your child to be involved with other people. Allow them to see you interacting positively with others as well.
- Give your child books and other age appropriate reading materials that discuss shyness and how to overcome it.
- Accept your child as they are. Some of us are just less outspoken than others — and that’s OK!
PTO Updates/Reminders
The PTO is excited to announce their new website for the 2020-2021 school year! Please visit www.ThreeFiresPTO.com to view information about the PTO including news updates, helpful links, and fun activities & events. Make sure to check out their new online Timberwolf Spirit Store to order your Timberwolf t-shirts and hoodies! The first round of Spirit Wear orders are due by Friday, September 25th. Please contact the PTO at [email protected] with any questions.
Supporting the Resiliency of Families: Your Journey Together Workshop
The Livingston Educational Service Agency has partnered with MSU Extension to offer a free workshop titled Supporting the Resiliency of Families: Your Journey Together Workshop to all interested families in the county. This workshop will provide parents & guardians with the knowledge & skills which promote resilience and help family members better cope with life’s challenges to reach their full potential. Learn to use ordinary, everyday routines, activities & interactions as resilience-building opportunities. The workshop will be held via Zoom. To learn more please visit https://bit.ly/2ZZp3cz. To register for the workshop, please visit http://bit.ly/GSLfall2020.
Child Care Job Opportunities
Are you or someone you know looking to make some extra spending money? The Howell Public Schools Early Childhood Department is looking to hire energetic individuals for our Kids Kare program. These are part-time positions with shifts running Monday-Friday 6:30 - 9:00 a.m. and 3:15 - 6:00 p.m. To learn more, please contact Jenny Myers at 517-548-6310.
Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) Case in Livingston County
Yesterday the Livingston County Health Department notified the district that a horse in Livingston County had tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). As a preventive measure, the State of Michigan will be applying an aerial mosquito control treatment within a 2.5-mile radius of where the horse tested positive, which includes Three Fires Elementary. At this time, the risk to our students and staff is very low, as the majority of our outdoor events take place during the day when the mosquito that transmits EEE is not active. In partnership with the Livingston County Health Department, Howell Public Schools will continue to monitor this situation closely.
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