the independence update - feb.15

8/9/2019 The Independence Update - Feb.15

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THE INDEPENDENCE UPDATE

6850 Hubbard Road Chris Turner, Principal

Clarkston, MI 48348 Ray Lebert, PTO President

(248) 623-5500 February, 2015

From the Principal . . .From the Principal . . .From the Principal . . .From the Principal . . .

A few things to know as we move through the Winter months…

• Student Drop-off – Do you drive your child to school? If so, please

have your child ready to exit your vehicle uickly, on the passenger side,

after you pull up and stop in the drop!off "one# $hildren may %e

dropped off %eginning at &'() a#m# *his helps free!up the line of

traffic and keeps it moving# *hanks for your help+

If you drive your child to school, %ut would rather park and walk

himher to the school doors, please feel free to do so# -owever,please %e careful and pay extra attention while crossing the parking

lots or %us lanes#

• Blessings in a Backpack – Independence .lementary participates in the

/0lessings in a 0ackpack1 program# /0lessings in a 0ackpack1 provides

free food for the weekend for any students that ualify for the

2ederal 2ree 3 4educed!price 5unch 6rogram# If you7re not sure if you

ualify, 8ust contact the office and we7ll send an application form home#

• 2!"-!# $indergarten ! Do you have a child that will enter

9indergarten in the fall? $hildren that turn five years old %y

:eptem%er ;, oung

2ives 9indergarten# .nrollment documents can %e found on the District

we%site %eginning 2e%# #


2/12

Important Dates to RememberImportant Dates to RememberImportant Dates to RememberImportant Dates to Remember

2e%ruary


3/12

Calling all

2015-2016Kindergartners!

If your child turns five (5) years old on or before September 1, 2015,

he/she is eligible to attend Kindergarten.

In the Fall of 2015, Clarkston Community Schools will continue to

offer two options for parents of Kindergartners:

• Kindergarten – Full-day Kindergarten is offered at everyelementary school.

• Young Fives Kindergarten – Young FivesKindergarten is available for students that turn five years old

between June 1 – September 1, 2015 (or as late as December 1with a signed waiver). Full-day and half-day options are

available. Young Fives Kindergarten is offered at the Early

Childhood Center and Independence Elementary. Students

that attend Young Fives go to their home school the following

year for regular Kindergarten.


4/12

IE Winter Carnival

Thank You!

Oh, what a night!he irst"e#er Independence Winter $arni#al was a big success!

han%s to the tremendous support o our parents and communit&,the carni#al raised o#er '(),***.'(),***.'(),***.'(),***. his mone& will be put towardsthe redesigning o the school computer lab.

han% &ou to e#er&one that attended the e#ent, and ++R-ON+ thathelped out. n acti#it& o this magnitude doesn/t 0ust happen. Itta%es a lot o planning and preparation 1 and man&, man&#olunteers! han% &ou or &our help.

special than% &ou to the planning team or all the time, eort,and energ& the& ga#e to ma%e the carni#al a realit&2

Dianna $asetti3ichelle $ra&$amila DuarteSusan 4owardDennis 5lenowSarah 3al&sSue 3asse&

6an Norman$helsea O/7rien4eather Powersena Richie7rad Shires


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7/12

Speaking from ExperienceNews from the IE-PTO

John Dewey, an American philosopher who wrote Experience and Education in 1938 stated, “We always

live at the time we live and not some other time, and only by extracting at each present time the full

meaning of each present experience are we prepared for doing the same thing in the future.”

Lately, I have been thinking more and more about the idea of ‘experiences,’ as they relate to the school

environment and at home. Dewey’s ideas have been popularized by countless teachers, but quite a fewarticles online lately have focused on some of the same tenets - create meaningful experiences at home.

Just Google, “Buy experiences, not stuff” and you will see what I mean.

As many of these articles declare, more happiness can be attained when you invest in experiences such as:

trips, concerts/shows, hikes, zip-lining, walking, rock-climbing, impromptu pick-up games, gardening,

writing together, cooking together, playing instruments, drawing together, and other life events - as

opposed to investing in ‘things.’ If an experience is planned out in advance, you and your family will getmore bang for your buck. Not only is there a lead-up to these great events, the education of trying things

out for the first time, followed by the lasting memories afterwards, is worth it in the end.

Can you remember what your family did when the power outage occurred in Clarkston last year? Chances

are (even if you were upset that the Clarkston Wolves football game was cancelled) that you brought out

the candles, board games, books, raided the fridge together, walked outside a bit, and sat on the floorsquinting to read game rules before calling it a night.

At Independence Elementary, the students are experiencing their education in exciting ways every year inthe classrooms too, and these are the memories that will last. This is why the upcoming S.O.C.K.S. Day is

so unique (get ready for it), as well as the wide arrays of field trips, classroom projects, Friday assemblies,

our first-ever Winter Carnival, the Variety Shows, school clubs, Jump Rope for Heart, and the Fun Run.

Thank you to all of the teachers for planning classes that incorporate meaningful experiences while

covering your individual subject matter standards and benchmarks. We see this type of learning happening

all of the time, hear about it when our kids come home, and observe their intellectual growth blossomingevery year.

Parent volunteers are also incorporating valuable experiences throughout the year, and we’re noticingthem as well. All of the holiday parties were a hit! My daughter still talks about the Master Chef Junior

competition that was held at school. Our parents and PTO at Independence Elementary have been

involved in volunteering countless hours to ensure that our school, students, and community remain top-notch. Every month, the PTO meets and discusses how to assist in the functions of IE, and you are alwayswelcome to attend, read the meeting minutes online, and/or volunteer for various experiences throughout

the year.

Ray Lebert

PTO President


8/12

We’d like to thank everyone who supported our January Market Day sale. Everymonth we have a few new families trying out Market Day. We hope that everyonewill give it a try at least once! First time customers will save $5 off of a $25 orderusing the Promo Code: NEWFIVE at the online checkout.

February brings us Cookie Dough Bonus Days with so many delicious flavors.Free Chocolate Chunk Cookie Dough with purchase of any three pre-portionedCookie Dough flavors.

New this month, Market Day has introduced a few new items that might be yournew favorites:

• Tuscon Cod • Cookie & Cream Pie Cups

• Strawberry Pastry Crisps

Market Day has two great offers as a way to say one big thank you to you! With

any online purchase, receive $20 to spend with . You can also qualify toreceive FREE Cheese Ravioli when you order $90 at Marketday.com and enter thepromo code: FEBBONUS during your online checkout.

Finally, February is the start of the Spring Freequent Buyer® offer. Make twopurchases of $40 between February and April. Then place a third order of $40 inMay and you will receive your FREE set of 2 collapsible bowls at your May salepick-up.

Place your order by Wednesday, February 11th and it will be at the school, readyfor you to pick up on Tuesday February 24 th from 3:15 to 4:15 in the schoolcafeteria. As always, please call if you have any questions!

Carrera Gach 847-404-0305

NON-DISCRIMINATION CLAUSE In compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, the Americans with Disability Act of1990, and the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, it is the policy of the Clarkston Community SchoolDistrict that the Board of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex,disability, age, height, weight, marital status, genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristic, inits programs and activities, including employment opportunities. For information, contact the Director ofPersonnel, 6389 Clarkston Road, Clarkston, MI 48346, (248) 623.5400. For information regarding ADA, contactthe Deputy Superintendent, 6389 Clarkston Road, Clarkston, MI 48346, (248) 623.5400.


9/12

It’s another “Independence Elementary Night” at Culver’s on Sashabaw Road!It’s another “Independence Elementary Night” at Culver’s on Sashabaw Road!It’s another “Independence Elementary Night” at Culver’s on Sashabaw Road!It’s another “Independence Elementary Night” at Culver’s on Sashabaw Road!oin us on hursday" #ebruary $%oin us on hursday" #ebruary $%oin us on hursday" #ebruary $%oin us on hursday" #ebruary $% th th th th &rom % &rom % &rom % &rom %''''( p)m) *oo+ &or your I)E) Stud( p)m) *oo+ &or your I)E) Stud( p)m) *oo+ &or your I)E) Stud( p)m) *oo+ &or your I)E) StudententententCouncil members “wor+ing” during that time) $,- o& both lobby and driveCouncil members “wor+ing” during that time) $,- o& both lobby and driveCouncil members “wor+ing” during that time) $,- o& both lobby and driveCouncil members “wor+ing” during that time) $,- o& both lobby and drive''''

thru sales between % thru sales between % thru sales between % thru sales between %''''( p)m) will directly bene&it our school!( p)m) will directly bene&it our school!( p)m) will directly bene&it our school!( p)m) will directly bene&it our school!

.e hope you can stop by &or some dinner and/or dessert!.e hope you can stop by &or some dinner and/or dessert!.e hope you can stop by &or some dinner and/or dessert!.e hope you can stop by &or some dinner and/or dessert!

Your Independence Elementary PTO is on Facebook!

Please look for:

Independence Elementary PTO Clarkston and

to get even better connected on all the happenings and importantinformation from our school!


10/12

Passive Fundraising Update

THANK YOU!

A very special THANK YOU to everyone who is participating with the Passive Fundraising Programs …

your efforts are record-setting and IE will definitely benefit!

Box Tops for Education/Labels for Education: Keep sending in your Box Tops and Labels! They cabe found on hundreds of products. We collect all year long and submit twice a year. Our next submissiodeadline is March 2nd! To date, we have earned over $2,100 from Box Tops alone this school year!That’s over $200 more than the Fall Submission last year. Let’s set another record for our WinterSubmission!!! See attached Winter Sheet.

Hat Day for Box Tops! – Mark your calendars for Friday, February 6th – The Holiday Day for Box Tops was a BIG Success!!! We collected 4,700 Box Tops…That’s $470 weearned from Hat Day alone! Show your support again!! Dig out all those Box Tops you

been saving, and wear your favorite hat to school! No Box Tops, No problem…You can bring in a $ donation and wear your hat.

Kroger Community Rewards: THANK YOU to everyone who has enrolled in the Kroger CommunityRewards. We now have 93 families enrolled and our most recent check was $931! WAY TO GO IEFAMILIES!! If you haven’t enrolled yet, there’s still time! Simply click onwww.KrogerCommunityRewards.com and follow the prompts to link your Kroger Plus Card to ourAccount #82420. Please see the attached one-pager with step-by-step directions to enroll!Registration is quick and easy, so please do it today☺☺☺☺! Earn $ for IE while you shop!

E-Labels for Education: Remember to Shop. Swipe. Earn ! This program allows our school to earn

point for any Campbell’s “Labels for Education” purchases automatically. To sign up, register on-line byfollowing the prompts at www.E-LabelsForEducation.com. Enter your Kroger Plus Card number, andselect our school to receive the E-Labels for Education points. This program is in addition to anypoints/labels you send in, so keep those coming as well!

Target: THANK YOU to all of you who participate with the Target REDcard Take Charge of Educatioprogram by designating IE to receive a percentage of your purchases. This Fall we received a check fo$1,317! To participate, program information can be found at www.target.com/tcoe

We also continue to participate with the Meijer Community Rewards (www.Meijer.com/rewards), OfficeDepot and Tyson (www.Tyson.com/ProjectAPlus) programs. Complete program info can be found at:

www.clarkston.k12.mi.us/ie. Just click on PTO and then Passive Fundraising. Also, remember tomultiply your efforts by asking friends and family to participate on behalf of our school, too!

Thank you for your continued support!Thank you for your continued support!Thank you for your continued support!Thank you for your continued support!


11/12

IE needs your help to receive FREE money!!

Sign Up TO" and Shop# S$ipe and Earn %or IE!

___________________________________________________

Last year, IE received over $3,400.00 from this program to help fund important classroom enhancements/projects withonly 85 families participating. Imagine how much our school could receive if all families participated! Now is the

time to Enroll or eEnroll with "roger!

Please help us receive a cash donation ased on the percentage of your purchases! It will ta"e less than 5 minutes ofyour time. #imply follow the directions elow to lin" your $roger Plus %ard to our #ccount %&4&0.It's (EE and )* E#)+ to set up! &hen, just #'(P, #)IPE *+ E*-+ for IE!!

lease note- +our "roger (uel oints are not impacted with this program. +ou can earn (uel oints and $ for IE!!

irections for /st ime Enrollment

. %lic" on www."roger1ommunit2ewards.com 0. %lic" 1%reate *ccount23. Enter your e4mail address, create a password and confirm password.. #elect your preferred store. 6&his is for information purposes only for $roger7 all shopping done with your

card will still go towards IE. Enter 9ip code, select store, then clic" 1%reate *ccount2.5. Enter your $roger Plus %ard numer and last name used for your $roger Plus card:. ;o to %ommunity -ewards 6near ottom


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the independence update - feb.15

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