Dear Three Fires Families,
From our entire Three Fires Staff, please accept our heartfelt gratitude for your continued support. Our wish for you is a joyous holiday season, filled with warmth and happiness, and a wonderful new year. We appreciate you taking the time to read this information-filled newsletter, as there has been a great many share-worthy happenings over these past two weeks as well as many yet to come.
Food Drive Success
Our annual district-wide food drive for the Gleaners Community Food Bank was an incredible success! With help from Howell High School Leadership Students and our Student Council, Three Fires collected 4,450 items. Congratulations to our top classes:
1st Place: Mrs. Emme’s class (958 items)
2nd Place: Mrs. Boyd’s class (861 items)
3rd Place: Ms. Shepard’s class (815 items)
Santa Shop Fun
The Santa Shop was a wonderful success! It was heartwarming to see students selecting gifts for their loved ones with such joy and pride. We are so grateful to our PTO and parent volunteers for organizing this beloved event.
Holiday Door Decorating Contest
The school hallways were extra festive this year thanks to the PTO-sponsored holiday door decorating contest. Thank you to all staff who participated—your creativity brought holiday cheer to our school! We are excited to announce the winners: Student’s Choice Award: Mr. Johnson and Staff’s Choice Award: Mrs. Kucharski!
Holiday Performances
Our 4th-grade students shined in their “A Winter Collection” holiday concert, led by Mrs. Welty. A special thank-you to the 8th-grade students who returned to perform music for the opening song! Today, Mr. Johnson’s 5th graders, with guidance from Mrs. Welty, caroled throughout the school, spreading holiday spirit. Earlier this week, the Howell High School Highlander Chorale performed for the whole school, creating a magical assembly.
Reaching Higher Graduation
On Tuesday, 24 of our 5th-grade students graduated from the Reaching Higher leadership program. The evening featured inspiring student testimonials and heartfelt affirmations from parents.
District Holiday Card Artist
We are proud to announce that 5th grader Ivy Holmes was one of only three elementary students chosen to have her artwork featured on the district’s holiday card! Congratulations, Ivy, on this incredible achievement!
Robotics Explore Festival
On Saturday, December 7, we hosted our annual Robotics Explore Festival for lower elementary students. This year’s ocean-themed event encouraged teams to design and test models while practicing teamwork and Core Values. It was a fantastic day filled with creativity and fun!
Robotics Program Shines: A Special Thanks to Our Coaches from Mrs. Cain
Thank you to our amazing robotics coaches: Clare, Justin, Danny, Simon, Ashley, Lauren, Matt, Kyle, Rachel, Danielle, Tyler, Ryan, Jessica, Andrea, and Jason. Your dedication allowed every student who wanted to join the program to participate, making this our best season yet! Mark your calendars for our spring recruiting event at Parker Middle School! This event is the key opportunity to sign your child up for next year’s robotics program. Team rosters are created based on spring sign-ups, so don’t miss out! We anticipate adding another Challenge team next year due to growing interest. This program relies on parent volunteers as coaches, and we encourage anyone interested to get involved. Coaching is a rewarding experience, and you’ll have plenty of support along the way.
PTO Updates
Save the Date: Snow & Glow Festival: Join us on January 31st, 5–8 PM, for our Snow & Glow Festival! This exciting event will include a glow dance, silent auction, basket drawings, food trucks, and games.
Open Swim Fundraiser: Support our school by attending Open Swim at the Aquatic Center this January and February. Each visit earns $1 for our school, with a chance to win a $500 bonus. Just mention Three Fires at check-in.
Next PTO Meeting: Our next meeting is on Monday, January 6, at 6 PM in the media center. Come learn how you can get involved! Questions? Email us at [email protected].
Holiday Break Information
Holiday Break will run from Monday, December 23, through Friday, January 3. Classes will resume on Monday, January 6. Please note that office hours will vary during the break. If you need to visit the school or district office, call ahead to confirm availability.
Counselor’s Corner: Tips for Family Connection (Ms. Nemeth)
The holiday season is a time for family, but it can also feel busy and overwhelming. These small moments of connection can make the season more meaningful for everyone. Here are some simple ways to connect with your loved ones during the holidays:
- Unplug Together: Take a break from screens to play a board game, bake cookies, or go for a walk.
- Create New Traditions: Try something simple, like a hot chocolate night or driving around to see holiday lights.
- Be Present: Spend a few uninterrupted minutes talking and listening to each other.