Saline Hornet Highlights for Sunday, November 8, 2020

Principal's Message:  

First of all, thank you to all of the Veterans that have served and continue to serve our country.

With the holidays and winter quickly approaching, we know that there are families truly struggling right now. If you are in need of assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to Saline School Services at 734-429-4570 or acummings@salinesocialservices.com. If you are able to help, Saline Social Services is also taking donations. See further information below.

With the rise in Covid-19 cases, it is imperative that we continue to work together to mitigate the spread, even while out of school. Staying socially distant, wearing masks and washing hands continues to be imperative during these times. Please report absences through the front office with specific symptoms, even remotely. Please call the Saline Middle School front office to report attendance at 734-401-4600; press #1 for attendance OR use the Google Form.  Please note that if you contact the teacher first, the front office will still be contacting you in order to obtain the proper information.

Schedule for the Week:

Elective Day	Monday A	Tuesday A	Wednesday B	Thursday B	Friday A and B
Blue (A-K)	In-Person	Remote	In-Person	Remote	Remote
Gold (L-Z)	Remote	In-Person	Remote	In-Person	Remote

New and Important Information for the Week:

Today is the last day to fill out the Trimester 2 Transition Survey.  Here is the letter sent on Thursday by Mr. Graden:

Dear Saline Families,

Today is the launch of our Second Trimester Transition Survey to gather feedback about your family’s school/instructional model preference and transportation needs. It will be open through Sunday, November 8. This year, the Second Trimester runs from Monday, November 30th, 2020 through Friday, March 12th, 2021. 

You should have received a personal invitation and survey link, via email, from our independent research partner, K12 Insight. The survey is compatible with any computer, tablet, or smartphone. It is available in English or Spanish.

We would like for you to take the survey once for each student you have enrolled in Saline Area Schools during the 2020-2021 school year so we can better understand the needs at each school. The survey includes the student's name for the purposes of trying to match your instructional model preferences. However, this information will not be shared with the general public. It will be shared with our administrative team to determine staffing models to support families and their options.

If your survey link is not working, you did not receive a survey invitation, or you are missing a link for one of your students, please click here:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/17GcabNvTLhUhbGjd6IBYVkwe7C2JTf-fbXPZN12gTmo/edit?usp=sharing

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to Saline Area Schools.

Sincerely,

Scot A. Graden

Builder's Club T-Shirts on Sale:  A reminder for interested Builder's Club members and families to purchase a 2020-21 Builder's Club shirt on sale via this Revtrak link through TODAY Sunday, Nov. 8th. Thank you for supporting these civic-minded students! 

More Information from Saline Social Services:

Dear SAS Families,

As we head into the winter/holiday season and the global pandemic continues, we know that the needs of our families may be significant.  This year, we are partnering with Saline Area Social Services to offer assistance to struggling families.

Saline Area Schools families (including school of choice students and employee children) are eligible to receive bags of supplies for a Thanksgiving meal from Saline Social Services.  Supplies include:

Stove Top Stuffing – 1 box

Green beans – 2 cans 

Cream of Mushroom – 1 can

Gravy – 1 can

*Please note, if a family has 4 or more people, they will receive two bags. 

Please call Saline Social Services at 734-429-4570 by Monday, November 16th.  When you call, let them know that you are a Saline Area Schools family and indicate whether you would prefer to pick up your supplies at Saline Social Services or at your child's Saline School.

Saline residents may also apply with Saline Social Services for on-going assistance including: 

• A weekly food pantry that includes fresh, frozen, canned and boxed goods, diapers, toiletries and paper products.  We also provide special items, like laundry soap, dish soap, shampoo, deodorant and feminine hygiene products to our clients monthly.
• Referrals to government agencies and additional resources that can help our clients with specific needs.
• Limited assistance with rent, energy bills, car repair and prescription co-pays.
  • Rent assistance, in emergency situations only.
  • Utility must be in client’s name.  Client must be on a budget plan or payment protection plan or have a shut-off notice. In shut-off situation, client must go to Department of Human Services first and get verification of what DHS will pay.
  • We can assist with co-pays for prescriptions filled at our partner pharmacy (Saline Pharmacy) once the client enrolls in the Washtenaw County Prescription Plan, Medicaid, Medicare Part D, or a private insurance carrier.
• Personal items — such as eyeglasses, backpacks, children’s musical instruments and supplies.
• Back-to-School backpacks and supplies, including new shoes.
• Birthday gifts for children under the age of 18.
• The Holiday Meal Program, providing a complete holiday meal for Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
• Adopt-a-Family Program, which matches our families with generous adopters for gifts during the Christmas season.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to your building's School Social Worker.  Contact info can be found here.

Thank you and take care,

SAS School Social Work Team

Saline Middle School Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA):  Is your student interested in helping start Saline Middle School's Gay-Straight Alliance? Whether you're a part of the LGBTQ+ community or you're an ally, we would love to hear how interested your student is.  Please fill out this form if your student is interested. 

Super Smash Bros. is back!  Super Smash Club will meet Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 7:30-7:55 AM in the SMS Hot Spot. There are a limited number of screens and seats available for use, so interested students please complete the Super Smash Club Interest Form. Contact Mr. Terberg for more information: terbergj@salineschools.org.

The SMS Girls Who Code Club is looking to begin meeting in the 2nd trimester. Please go to HQ.girlswhocode.com and use MI27446 to sign up and show your interest. Meeting dates and times will be determined after everyone has signed up based on everyone's availability. 

Toys for Tots: Miss Saline is collecting donations for Toys for Tots. You may find a donation box at: Saline Middle School, Saline High School, Renew Salon and Spa, Mancino's, Susan Rosales at State Farm Saline, Brewed Awakenings, and Katherine Kelly Orthodontics. Please donate a new unwrapped toy by December 14th. Thank you! 

Covid-19 Related Items:

What Happens When Someone Gets Covid

Flowchart for Symptomatic Individuals

If you are coming into Saline Middle School for a meeting, please fill out the Health Screener before your arrival.  Your cooperation with this is appreciated.

Here is the latest version of the SAS Connected Learning Plan. This includes updates to sample schedules and a new flow chart for health scenarios.

From the SMS PTO:

PTO No Hassle Fundraiser.  Please donate at this link:  http://mspto.weebly.com/fundraising.html

Upcoming Dates:

For information about clubs, athletics and school events, subscribe to the Saline Middle School calendar or go to the Saline MIddle School Website.

November 18th and 19th:  1/2 Day for Students and Afternoon and Evening Conferences

November 20th:  1/2 Day for Students (Remote for All Students)

November 24th:  Remote for ALL Students

November 25th-27th:  Thanksgiving Break

Repeating Messages:

Did you that there is a website to assist Saline families in need?  Here is the link to Hornets Helping Hornets! 

Need tech help?  The SAS Tech Department is here to help!  Fill this form out with your tech questions and problems.

Attendance:  Please remember that if your child is going to be absent, even remotely, please call the Saline Middle School front office to report attendance at 734-401-4600; press #1 for attendance OR use the Google Form.  

Grades:  Please check Powerschool or Summit Platform as many teachers have begun to enter grades.  Please contact the technology department here if you are having difficulty accessing Powerschool.

Breakfast and lunch continue to be free for ALL students as long as Federal funding allows.  

Office Loop:  At the end of the day, please pick-up students in the pick-up loop near the auditorium as buses do arrive at Saline Middle School very close to the bell at 2:54 pm.  Thank you for your attention to this matter.

SMS Pick-Up Loop:  In an effort to keep our students and families safe, and keep traffic off of Maple Road, please watch this short video about the Saline Middle School Pick-Up Loop in the afternoon.   https://youtu.be/wfilwLopcvI