Lobster Life Newsletter - March 2019

L'Anse Creuse Public Schools

From the desk of Ms. Polega…
As we enter into March we are going to be quite busy! We are celebrating with a Mystery themed March is Reading Month. A calendar of school and home activities and events is included in this newsletter. We are excited and to highlight a few events. We have a local visiting Author Scott Bosek, a Celebration of Learning, classroom door decorating, Mystery Readers, A Case of the Missing Lobster Family Night, parent conferences, book fair and bake sale, Cyber Safety Presentation and Kindergarten Orientation for the class of 2032 will also be held. We end the month with Spring Break. Parent-Teacher scheduling will take place through Sign-Up Genius. Your child’s report card will be sent home on March 7th and you will receive conference information along with the report card.

100’s Day
Our Kindergarten students in their 100 day t-shirts each of them made.

5th Grade Ski Trip to Pine Knob
On February 11th the 5th Grade went to Pine Knob for a Ski Trip. They learned how to ski and then were able to practice what they learned. A fun time was had by all.

March is Reading Month
March is National Reading Month. The month of March is known to be the “reading month.” Our theme this year is Mystery. This is a great time for you to grab your favorite book and dive right in! Or if you haven’t read in a while, check out some intriguing titles you can grab at your local library or bookstore! To kick off March is Reading Month, classrooms will be decorating their doors. Check them out at conferences! Let the Fun Begin! Attached you will see the March is Reading Month calendar with all of the exciting upcoming ways we can celebrate reading.

Family Reading Night - Come Solve the Mystery of the Missing Lobster
When: March 26th, 6-8pm
Where: Lobbestael Elementary
Who: K-5 Students and Parents
Why: Solve the Mystery and you will be entered in a drawing for a prize!
Dress as a Detective!

Inside this issue:

100’s Day / 5th Grade Ski Trip / March is Reading Month / Family Reading Night -Mystery of Missing Lobster	1 / 1 / 1 / 1
Lobster Mascot Name / Fun Day Pictures / M-Step Assessment & Testing	2 / 2 / 2
Kindergarten Orientation / Field Day T-Shirts / Golf Outing / Enchanted Princess Ball / Outdoor Recess	3 / 3 / 3 / 3 / 3
Conferences / Bake Sale / Book Fair / Letter of Intent / Robotics Information Night / Upcoming Events / Field Day T-Shirt Sponsors / Math & Science Connection	4 / 4 / 4 / 4 / 4 / 4 / 5 / 6-7

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Lobster Mascot Name
Did you know that Lobbestael’s Lobster Mascot did not have a name? Our Name the Mascot contest was a success with the students. Students submitted names for the Lobster and the top 5 names were selected. The students then were able to cast their votes for the name they liked the best. When the votes were counted, the winner was...Leo! Welcome to Lobbestael Leo!!

Kaiser Fun Day Pictures
Fun Day Pictures will be taken at Lobbestael on Monday, March 18. Flyers are available in the office or online at www.kaiserstudio.com with our school code . View the packages and backgrounds online. Bring your favorite prop or wear a special outfit that will showcase your passion or interests. Strike a pose with your best smile. Students interested in Fun Day pictures should come to school with a completed payment envelope.

LOBBFUN

M-Step Assessment
Each Spring students in grades 3 - 5 at the elementary level take our state summative assessments. The Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress (M-STEP) is designed to measure student progress and growth on the state standards. The results are provided in a variety of reports. Student reports are provided to parents and the data available to us as a school is used to plan goals, interventions and action plans. Data is made available to the public through MISCHOOLDATA.org. There is a great deal of information located on this site and you may want to check it out. The most recent data provided include a School Index Report. This measures data from year to year based on target scores designated by the State. I’m very pleased to share with you our results for the areas that are directly related to our teaching and learning at our school. Our school continues to increase in both student growth and proficiency. The chart below represents all students 3 - 5.
Let’s take time to celebrate the hard work of the students, parents, teachers and support staff. This growth and progress happens as a result of what happens on a daily basis with the positive relationships built with students and all staff; the students putting forth their best effort and high expectations for all. The teachers work hard providing relevant and engaging instruction and active parental involvement with school and in your child’s education help students progress. Thank you to each of you for your role in making our school a success.
The M-Step is aligned to Michigan’s challenging learning standards and is administered each spring to students in 3rd, 4th and 5th grade at the elementary level as well as to students in middle school and high school. Students will take the test by using computers. The state assigns testing windows to which we must adhere. Please do your best to avoid scheduling appointments or vacations during the following testing windows:

	2016/17	2017/18	Growth Percentage
Overall Index	77.08	83.63	6.55%
Growth Index	67.90	74.53	6.63%
Proficiency Index	79.93	90.15	10.22%

3rd Grade / April 29 - May 24	4th Grade / April 29 - May 24	5th Grade / April 8 - May 3

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Welcome to Lobbestael
Class of 2032!
Please join us for our Kindergarten Orientation
Meet the teachers, see the classrooms and
learn about Lobbestael!
When: March 19 from 6 - 7 pm
Where: Lobbestael Elementary
38495 Prentiss St
Harrison Township, MI 48045
Hope to see you there!

Bring your Child!

16th Annual Save the Manatee Race
5k Run/2 Mile Walk/Mini Manatee Mile
When: Saturday, May 11, 2019
Time: Mini Mile Starts at 9:00am
5K starts at 9:30am
2 Mile Walk Starts at 9:32 am
Lake St. Clair Metro Park
More info or to register:
http://www.savethemanatee5k.com/

Sponsors Needed: Field Day T-Shirts

We are looking for sponsors for the Field Day t-shirts. Each student receives a t-shirt and each grade level has a different color. We are asking for a donation of $150 per sponsor. All sponsor logos will appear on every t-shirt. If you are interested in sponsoring your business, please submit a logo and payment to the main office. Thank you in advance for supporting our students. Please complete the attached form, if interested. Any questions, please contact Georgette at 586-783-6450 or poburge@lc-ps.org.

Golf Outing
Our PTC is sponsoring our annual golf outing. It will be held on June 29th at Sycamore Hills Golf Club. Interested in making a donation? Golfing? Sign up your groups of 4. Contact Lisa Lepine at lmpiercey@comcast.net or 586-995-8627.

Enchanted Princess Ball
Lobbestael Elementary is sponsoring the Enchanted Princess Ball being held at L’Anse Creuse High School on April 27th from 11am - 1pm or 2:30pm - 4:30pm, OR April 28th from 11:30am - 1:30pm or 2:45 - 4:45pm. The Enchanted Princess Ball is a theatrical performance that transports little princes and princesses into a magical fairytale world! Classic stories are retold as the characters leap from the pages of favorite books to the stage. Tickets are $24.50 per person and tickets can be purchased in the office at Lobbestael or online at enchantedprincessball.com

Outdoor Recess
We are in the process of expanding options for students during recess. We have gathered input from students and staff. Parental input will be requested on the survey that will be conducted during conference week. If you are interested in helping to design the layout, cut wood for specific games, or are willing to help assemble some of the games/equipment, please let me, Ms. Polega, know and we’ll work out details. Looking forward to sharing more with you as our project develops!

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Conferences
Spring Parent Teacher conferences are being scheduled on March 28 in the afternoon and evening. It’s a half day with dismissal at 12:05pm. The teachers will send a Sign-Up Genius request for conferences.
Bake Sale
Our PTC Sponsored Bake Sale will be held during conferences on March 28 from 1-8pm. Stop by and purchase some delicious baked goods. Donations are being accepted for drop-off on the morning of March 28.
Scholastic Book FairSu
The Book Fair will be held on March 26th from 5:30 - 8:30pm during Family Reading Night and March 28th from 1-8pm in the Media Center during Conferences. Our Scholastic Book Fair is a reading event that provides the books kids want to read. It’s a wonderful selection of engaging and affordable books for every reading level. Remember, all purchases benefit our school. See you at the Book Fair!

Letter of Intent
The Letters of Intent have been sent home for K-4th grade students. These forms let us know whether or not your student will be returning to Lobbestael next year. They are to be returned to the office by March 14th.

Robotics Information Night
Middle School South Students and Current 5th graders are invited to hear about how to participate in Middle School Robotics and what the First Tech Challenge is all about. Join us on March 18th from
6-7pm in the MSS Media Center. If your student is interested in STEM or wants to build a robot at MS South next year please attend the meeting to get the scoop!

Upcoming Events

March 1-29: March is Reading
Month
March 13: Celebration of Learning
2nd Grade 9:30am
March 18: Kaiser Fun Day Pictures
March 19: Kindergarten Orientation 6:00-7:00pm
March 26: Bagel Day
March 26: The Case of the Missing Lobster 6 - 8pm
March 28: 1/2 Day, 12:05pm Dismissal, Parent/ Teacher Conferences, Book Fair & Bake Sale
March 29: 1/2 Day, 12:05pm Dismissal

April 1-April 6: Spring Break
April 8: School Reopens
April 8-May 3: 5th Grade M-Step Testing
April 8: PTC Meeting, 6:30 pm
April 12: School Store
April 19: School Closed
April 29-May 24: 3rd & 4th Grade M-Step Testing
April 29: Spring Concert Grades 3 & 5 at 7pm at JAPAC
April 30: Bagel Day

May 8: 1/2 Day, 12:05pm Dismissal
May 10: School Store
May 13: PTC Meeting, 6:30pm
May 21: Bagel Day
May 24: 1/2 Day, 12pm Dismissal
May 27: No School, Memorial Day Weekend

June 5: 1/2 Day, 12pm
Dismissal
June 7: Lobbestael Family Night at Jimmy John’s Field 7pm
June 8: Fifth Grade Lock-In
June 12: 1/2 Day, 12:05pm Dismissal
June 13: Last Day of School, 1/2 Day,
12:05pm Dismissal
June 29: PTC Golf Outing at Sycamore Hills Golf Course

Field Day T-Shirts
We are looking for sponsors for our Field Day t-shirts. Each student receives a t-shirt and each grade level has a different color. We are asking for a donation of $150 per sponsor. All sponsor logos will appear on every t-shirt.
If you are interested in sponsoring your business, please submit a pdf or jpeg logo and payment to the main office.
___ Yes, I would like to make a donation of $150 for the Field Day t-shirts.
Enclosed is the check made payable to: Lobbestael Elementary. I have sent the logo to poburge@lc-ps.org.
Name:________________________________________________________
Company:_____________________________________________________
Email: _______________________________________________________
Phone number: ________________________________
If we do not get enough sponsors to cover the cost of the t-shirts,
we will not be able to order the shirts for this year.
THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR SUPPORTING OUR STUDENTS!