Raz Kids Update

I want to send a HUGE congratulations to those who have already accessed their Raz Kids account!  I'm very impressed with how many books our class has already read since Friday!

If you have not had a chance to access your child's account, I highly recommend this amazing at-home leveled reading program.   

If you have any questions, or are having trouble logging on, please let me know. 

Happy reading!

Have a Wonderful Break!

From the whole First Grade Team...

Happy Holidays

Raz Kids

We've got Raz Kids! 

Today, all of the first grade classrooms had their Raz Kids reading account activated for use!  Raz Kids, which stands for Reading A to Z, is an amazing program that allows students to read books at their level from home.

Today your children brought home a parent letter i their red folders.  This letter explains Raz Kids and gives you your child's username and password.  To help get you started, I have included a link to the login page for your convenience.

Helpful Hints

1.  You need to search for your child's teacher's username to find our class list.  To do this, use the name mrkefgen in the search box.  No period, all lowercase.

2.  Find and select our child's name from our classroom page.

3.  Enter your child's password.  Each child has a unique password.  This is their last name and birthday.  For example, my birthday is May 27, so my password would be kefgen527.  When entering the numbers, you do not need to add any 0's (as in 01) for either the month or date.

4.  After logging in, your child has an assignment section.  Here, I have load their scores so that they have access to "Just Right," "Comfort" (2 levels below their level) and "Challenge Books" (2 levels above their level).  They should select the "eye" icon to read each book, both fiction and non-fiction, as well as the "?" to take a comprehension quiz.  The "ear" icon reads the book to them.

5.  The more books and quizzes the children use, the more stars they can earn.  They can use their stars to design their own robots and spaceships.

If you have any questions, please let me know.  I am so excited that we have access this our account just in time for the long break!.

Good luck and keep reading!  :)

http://www.raz-kids.com/main/Login

Popcorn Day - Tuesday, Dec. 16

This is a gentle reminder that tomorrow, Tuesday, Dec. 16, will be Popcorn Day.  The cost is $0.50 per bag.  Students who forget their money will also be able to have popcorn.

If you do not want your child to have popcorn, please let me know.  Thank you!

Fruit Donation Reminder

This is a gentle reminder that Harlan will be collecting fruits to be donated to local soup kitchens and shelters this week. 

If possible, please send in one or more pieces of fruit for our multi-age Husky Packs tomorrow, Monday, Dec. 15. 

The fruits we are asking for include apples, oranges, grapefruits and pears as these fruits last the longest. 

Thank you in advance for your help!  If you have any questions, please let me know. 

Mystery Reader

Thank you so much to HH for joining us as our Mystery Reader today!  The children had a great time guessing what the different animals in your book were!

If you were interested in becoming a Mystery Reader please use the below link to find an available date that works best with your schedule. 

Fruit Donations for Husky Packs

In our multi-age Husky Pack meetings this Monday, Dec. 15, students will hear a story about a soup kitchen and see an interview with the director of The Welcome Inn day shelter/soup kitchen.  We will also make fruit baskets to be donated to The Welcome Inn, Lighthouse of Oakland County and Open Hands Food Pantry.

We are asking each student to please bring one or more pieces of fruit (apples, oranges, grapefruits or pears, as these last the longest) to school on Monday, Dec. 15 so that they can be made into edible donation baskets.

If you have any questions, please let me know.  Thank you in advance!

Winter Party - Thursday, Dec. 18

This is a gentle reminder that on Thursday, December 18 from 2:15 - 3:15pm, our class will be enjoying our Winter Party!  We will have snacks, activities and lots of fun!  Please know that all families are invited to join us for the party.  If you have any questions, you may contact our room parent directly, or let me know and I can pass the information along. 

We cant wait to see everyone next week!

Schedule for the Week of 12/15 - 12/19

Monday (C) - PE
Tuesday (D) - Media Center
Wednesday (A) - Music
Thursday (B) - Music & Art
Friday (C) - PE

Please remember to bring gym shoes on days we have PE and return library books on days we visit the Media Center.

Delayed Start Reminder

This is a gentle reminder that tomorrow, Wednesday, December 10 will be a delayed start day. School will begin at 10:14 AM. All buses will run their usual routes, only 90 minutes later. 

If you have any questions, please let me know. 

Pink Eye

From the Office: 

Conjunctivitis has been reported in your student’s grade level at Harlan School.  The invasion period may be variable after exposure.

            Observe your child for symptoms during this period.  Keep your child home if he/she shows signs of illness.  Attacks of this disease may vary in severity.  Some may be very mild.  Either severe or mild cases may have serious complications.  It is usually from mild attacks that the disease spreads because the parent does not recognize the disease and fails to call the physician.

            Cases of Scarlet Fever, Diphtheria, Smallpox, Tuberculosis, Infectious Hepatitis, Typhoid Fever and Salmonella (intestinal infections) should be reported to the Health Department immediately.  Children who have recovered from these diseases, except Scarlet Fever, must have clearance through the Department of Health in order to return to school.

Gentle Reminder

This is a gentle reminder that we will be visiting the Media Center tomorrow afternoon. Please remember to return media center books so that your child can check out new books for the week. 

Thank you in advance!

Thanksgiving Break

This is a gentle reminder that there is NO SCHOOL this Wednesday, November 26 - Friday, November 28 due to Thanksgiving Break. School will resume on Monday, December 1.

Schedule for the Week of 11/24 - 11/28

Monday (C) - PE

Tuesday (D) - Media Center

Wednesday - NO SCHOOL

Thursday - NO SCHOOL

Friday - NO SCHOOL

Please remember to bring gym shoes on days we have PE and return library books on days we visit the media center.

A Note from Mr. Price regarding Jump Rope for Heart

Hello Parents,

 Harlan Elementary School is hosting our annual Jump Rope for Heart event in February. Jump Rope for Heart is a community service learning program of the American Heart Association. It teaches kids:

·        The importance of developing heart-healthy habits;

·        That being physically active can be fun; and

·        That by raising funds to support research and education they help save lives across the country and in their community.

Please keep in mind these dates:

Envelopes Passed Out:  Nov 3^rd – 7^th

Envelopes Due: Feb 27^th *duck coupons can be turned in anytime*

Date(s) of Event:  During PE class Feb 23^th – 27^th

As Harlan’s faculty, staff, and parents, we also have the opportunity to participate in fundraising for Jump Rope for Heart along with our students.  You can easily set up your own page and/or help your child set up theirs and email friends and family asking for support. It’s very easy to create a page, it only takes minutes, go to www.heart.org/jump to join Team Harlan and join us in supporting the American Heart Association and our school. Last year we were 3^rd in the entire state raising $21,547! Harlan was #1 in the state in online fundraising over $14,000 J

Thank you for your time and I look forward to passing on the 2,000 ducks in my office to all of you!

Mr. Tim Price & Mr. Greg DuMont

Tp04bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us 

(Please email me with any questions......NOT the classroom teachers, THANKS)

Dog Biscuit Sale

Mrs. McKinney, one of Harlan's ASD program teachers, has passed on information about next month's service learning project her students are continuing after this months success!  Please see below:

"The students in our ASD program, along with some of their peers, are participating in a service learning project, as well as practicing entrepreneurial skills, by making dog treats that they will be selling to students each month.  Each bag of treats is $1.00.  For every bag sold, they will be donating a bag, and the proceeds made, to the Humane Society of Michigan.  The next dates that they will be selling are December 11^th and 12^th during lunch times."

Ernie wanted to personally tell the Room 112 families how delicious the treats are!  He enjoyed several after the first day of sales this month!  He can't wait until next month!  Its hard to see, but he is actually licking his lips in the first picture!

 

Wednesday and Thursday - HALF DAYS

This is a gentle reminder that there are half days of school on Wednesday, November 19 and Thursday, November 20 due to conferences.  On both of these days, school will begin at our regular time, with dismissal at 12:05pm.  Please remember that there is no school in the afternoon on these days.  After school care will be provided by Kids Club on these afternoons, but students must be registered for the program.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Report Cards

You should have received your child's Fall Report Card yesterday.  If you did not receive this, please let me know as soon as possible so that I can print and send an additional copy home for you.

After receiving your child's report card, please sign the envelope that it came in and return the envelope to school.  This lets the office know that you received the report card.  The actual report is for you to keep.

You are more than welcome to bring your child's report card to your conference if you have any questions.

Thank you in advance!

Lice

A case of lice has been reported in our grade level.  Please be on the lookout for symptoms in your child.  If your child does contract lice, please notify the office and keep them at home until a lice treatment can be completed.

Thank you in advance!

Popcorn Day - TOMORROW, TUESDAY, NOV. 18

This is a gentle reminder that tomorrow, Tuesday, Nov. 18, will be Popcorn Day!  Each bag of popcorn costs $0.50.  I have extra money saved from previous family donations in case your child forgets their popcorn money.

If you do not want your child to eat the school's popcorn, please let me know so that I do not order them a bag.  You are welcome to send in your popcorn from home as well.

Thank you in advance!

Schedule for the Week of 11/17 -11/21

Monday (B) - Music & Art
Tuesday (C) - PE
Wednesday (D) - Media Center
Thursday (A) - Music
Friday (B) - Music & Art


This is a gentle reminder that next Wednesday, Nov. 19 and Thursday, Nov. 20 will be half days of school.  There will be NO SCHOOL on those afternoons.  School will be dismissed by 12:05 on these days.

I look forward to seeing everyone at conferences next week!

Teachers Take Pies to the Face for a Good Cause!

Following today's amazing assembly, a local children's theater production of different Cinderella stories around the world, the children of Harlan were treated to something special!

Any child who brought  a food item to be donated to Gleaners Food Bank had a ticket with their name on it submitted for the chance to throw a pie at a teacher! 

The children did an amazing job of collecting food!  The assembly was the perfect way to end the day with a little dessert!

Here is Mr. Kefgen just after a 3rd grader got him right in the face!  What a great throwing arm!

Mystery Reader

Thank you so much to Mrs. BB for joining  us as our Mystery Reader last week!  The children loved your book and were so excited for the special smelly pencil surprise!

If you are interested in becoming a Mystery reader, please use the below link to choose a date that works best for your schedule.  Thank you!

Mystery Reader Sign Up

Strep Throat in Our Grade Level

 SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICES

BIRMINGHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS

OAKLAND COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

COMMUNICABLE DISEASE CONTROL

Strep Throat has been reported in your student’s grade level at Harlan School.  The invasion period may be 1-3 days after exposure.

            Observe your child for symptoms during this period.  Keep your child home if he/she shows signs of illness.  Attacks of this disease may vary in severity, some may be very mild.  Either severe or mild cases may have serious complications.  It is usually from mild attacks that the disease spreads because the parent does not recognize the disease and fails to call the physician.

            Cases of Scarlet Fever, Diphtheria, Smallpox, Tuberculosis, Infectious Hepatitis, Typhoid Fever and Salmonella (intestinal infections) should be reported to the Health Department immediately.  Children who have recovered from these diseases, except Scarlet Fever, must have clearance through the Department of Health in order to return to school.