No School Friday, October 18
Please remember that there is no school tomorrow, Friday, October 18, for our Fall Break. Classes will resume on Monday, October 21.
Thanks for Your Presence at Trunk or Treat
Thank you to everyone who participated in our PTO’s Trunk or Treat event last Friday! We had great weather, nearly 700 trunk-or-treaters, and about 2,000 friends, family, and staff in attendance. A special thanks to those who organized trunks or donated candy. We also want to thank our amazing PTO for making the event better each year!
Halloween Parade and Costumes
Our annual Halloween parade will take place at 10 AM on October 31st. If it rains, the parade will be indoors, and parents can watch from the gym. Students can wear school-appropriate costumes, but no masks, face paint, gore, or weapons (including costume accessories). If a costume is deemed inappropriate, it will need to be removed.
We’re Having a Book Fair
We’re excited to announce our Fall Book Fair, which runs from Monday, October 21 to Friday, October 25 during school hours. Each student will visit the Book Fair on their assigned library day. If you're unsure of the day, please click here. Families are also invited to attend on Thursday, October 24 from 4:00 - 7:30 PM, during Parent-Teacher Conferences. You can send a check or cash for purchases or set up an eWallet account at www.scholastic.com/bf/threefireselementaryschool1. This allows your child to shop without needing cash. Please make checks payable to TFE PTO.
Book Vending Machine & Student “Pack Reader Leaders!”
Thanks to grants from the Community Foundation for Livingston County and the Livingston Sunrise Rotary Club/LESA, Three Fires has received a book vending machine! The vending machine will officially kick off the week of November 4th. During that week, our media specialists, Mrs. Caldwell and Mrs. LaLonde, will show students how it works and explain how they can earn coins to get books and become a “Pack Reader Leader!” Students will earn coins throughout the year by meeting reading goals set by their teachers. We can't wait to announce our first “Pack Reader Leaders” on November 13th.
Special Education Funding is on the November Ballot
As we approach the November 5 election, we want to provide information about the Livingston ESA Special Education Millage Renewal and Restoration that will appear on the ballot. This millage helps fund services for students with disabilities, which are required by law but are not fully funded by the state or federal government, making local funding necessary. Annually, Howell Public Schools receives more than $3 million from the millage. If the millage is not renewed and restored, we must use general operating funds, which support various programs for all students, to cover the mandated special education costs. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3yYj7VT and remember to vote on Tuesday, November 5.
Statewide Literacy Survey: Opportunity for Parents and Guardians to Participate
The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) is conducting a statewide literacy survey for parents and guardians of children ages 0-10. This survey aims to gather baseline data to help improve awareness of literacy practices and increase participation in literacy activities. The survey is open through November 14, 2024, and can be completed online in just a few minutes. To participate, visit https://bit.ly/3Y7i0LR.
Optional Program to Support Engaging, Positive, and Safe Learning Environments
As Superintendent MacGregor shared in last week’s MacGregor’s Message, the district is launching a new, optional program aligned with the district’s Adaptive Plan focus area of creating “Engaging, Positive, and Safe Learning Environments” by fostering “a shared Highlander identity that appreciates each student's individuality while bringing all students together.” This program, which is not part of the curriculum or classroom instruction, invites students to highlight selected celebratory months. We are launching this initiative by celebrating Disability Awareness Month and Hispanic Heritage Month. To learn about the various ways students can participate, please visit https://bit.ly/488traM. Entries may be submitted to our school office or online at https://bit.ly/3Ntz7Tm for Disability Awareness Month or https://bit.ly/48c2pzd for Hispanic Heritage Month. Entries will be judged by the district’s Instructional Services Department, and winning entries will be showcased in our school.
Counselor’s Corner: Ms. Nemeth, School Counselor
Regular school attendance is essential for your child’s success. When kids attend school consistently, they learn, build friendships, and develop important social skills. If you’re having trouble with getting your child to school or staying at school, please contact me. I’m here to help! Did you know that missing just three days a month adds up to:
27 days in a year
1 whole year missed by the end of 5th grade
162 hours of math instruction missed in grades K-5
211 hours of reading instruction missed in grades K-5
Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/threefireselementary, find our PTO on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ThreeFiresElementaryPTO/.