News from East Hills 9-30-16

SCHOOL NEWS

Principal's Message 9-30-16

Dear East Hills School Community:

As we look forward to next week, our sixth-grade students receive their 1 to World iPads on Tuesday and count day, picture day, and a PTO meeting (9:30 AM) will all occur on Wednesday! We look forward to having all of our students in attendance smiling brightly on Wednesday. We also have our first Winner's Circle of the year Wednesday morning and we have club sign-up during lunches running Wednesday through Friday (Oct. 5-7). As you read through this week's message, please note all of the many opportunities to get involved to support our school community, including as volunteers at the upcoming 5th and 6th Grade Activity Afternoon (Friday, October 7).

Have a great weekend!

"Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be."
-Abraham Lincoln

Jason

Jason Rubel
Principal
East Hills Middle School
Bloomfield Hills Schools
(248) 341-6205
Twitter: @EastHills5_8
East Hills Middle School Website
"Enabling learners to become architects of their futures. . ."

Next Week's A/B Schedule:
Mon., Oct. 3 No School
Tues., Oct. 4 - B Day
Wed., Oct. 5 - A Day
Thurs., Oct. 6 - B Day
Fri., Oct. 7 - A Day

KEY DATES
The following are upcoming key dates for the school year, and our full calendar for the year can be accessed on our website.
-Mon. Oct. 3 No School
-Wed., Oct. 5 Picture Day/Count Day
-Wed., Oct. 5 PTO Meeting (9:30 a.m.)
-Fri., Oct. 7 Progress Report #1 (6th/7th/8th)
-Fri., Oct. 7 5th and 6th Grade Activity Afternoon (3:05-5:00 p.m)
-Wed., Oct. 12 No School
-Wed.-Fri., Oct. 19-21 5th Grade Camp

Wednesday Winners' Circle - October 5 - 7:00 a.m. - Room 405 (Drama Room)

Attention all members of the Wednesday, Winners Circle. Our first session is next Wednesday, October 5th

in the East Hills Drama Room (405). Please be here by 7am and we will start promptly at 7:15 am. We are honored to have Colonel Thomas Doman kick off our leadership series this school year. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Massucci at mmassucci@bloomfield.org

See Colonel Doman's abridged bio below:
Colonel Doman graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1987 and was a 3 year letter winner in football. Years after graduation, he was sent to Ukraine in support of OPERATION SEABREEZE that included 14 NATO countries. He was responsible for over 400 men and women in Estonia. Colonel Doman also was a leader in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was responsible for and led over 2,500 men and women during combat operations in Iraq. Colonel Doman is married to the former Jamie Forsee and has 3 children. This past July, he retired from the United States Marine Corps Reserve after 29 years of service. His personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, two Meritorious Service Medals, two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and the Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal. He is also a member of the Hall of Fame at his high school.

Picture Day- Wednesday, October 5, 2016

21st Century Leaders Program Opportunity for Interested 7th Graders

The Birmingham Community House 21st Century Leaders Program is an entrepreneur leadership curriculum taught to inspire and grow future leaders. The program is only open to 7th grade students. This program is sponsored by local businesses so there is no cost to the students who participate except for $30 in student supplies. For students and families who participate, there is a one night parent orientation meeting on October 20 from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. and throughout the year 17 student meeting dates that span from October through April at the Community House in Birmingham. All meeting dates are on Mondays and typically last from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Click here for a link for additional information.

East Hills is only able to nominate two seventh-grade students and one additional seventh-grade student as an alternate. If you are interested in your child taking part as a 21st Century Leaders, please have him/her write a short essay on "Why it is important to be a positive leader." Essays are due to Mr. Kalanquin by Friday, October 7, at 9:00 a.m.

Club Sign Up During Lunches (October 5-7)

During lunch from Wednesday, October 5, through Friday, October 7, we will offer an explanation of the club opportunities for our students. After hearing the explanation, students will then sign up for clubs. Once we know the level of student interest for each club, we will be able to determine what clubs will run for this school year. Most clubs will begin to start in mid October. Students should listen to both announcements during the lunch hour as well as at the end of the day over the PA for more detailed information. Students have until October 7 to sign up during their lunch period.

Clubs meet typically before school (7:00-8:00 AM) or right after school (3:00-4:00 PM). If your son or daughter is currently playing a sport and has paid the $100 pay-to-participate fee that fee covers clubs as well. If they have not paid the $100 pay-to-participate fee, or are not playing a sport, the Club ONLY fee for 2016-2017 is $30. All pay-to-participate fees will need to be paid prior to joining the club. Fees are used to cover stipends for sponsors and the materials used for various clubs activities.

Click Here for more detailed club information.

5th and 6th Grade Activity Afternoon (Oct. 7 - 3:05-5:00 PM) - We Need Volunteers!

It's time once again for the 5th and 6th Grade Activity Afternoon at East Hills Middle School. We have so many fun activities for the kids to do including open gym and fieldhouse for basketball, volleyball, table tennis as well as other athletic activities supervised by adults, open computer lab for those who like virtual gaming, BINGO (with candy prizes) in the media center, a movie in the Gateway space, and of course, music for those that just want to dance!

The 5th and 6th Grade Activity Afternoon is Friday, October 7 from 3:05-5:00 PM (right after school).

Wristbands will be on sale in advance for $6 during the lunch hours on Thursday, October 6, and Friday, October 7. This year, the price of the wristband will include entry and one slice of pizza, chips, and a drink. Cider and donuts will also be available for additional purchase. Wristbands may also be purchased after school at the door for $7.

It takes many volunteers, especially family members, to help this evening run smoothly and safely for the students.

Please consider helping out at the Activity Afternoon helping to create great memories for our students. 7th & 8th Grade parents are also welcome and encouraged to volunteer!

Please go HERE to sign up!

***Please note that this is a nut restrictive school so no nut products will be sold at the event. List of ingredients will be available for review at the event.***

Questions? Please feel free to contact Erin Watson at erinawatson@yahoo.com.

Many Thanks!
~East Hills PTO

Activity Afternoon Flyer

M-STEP Results for 2015-16

M-STEP test reports from the 2015-16 school year will be mailed to students' homes the week of October 3. Click here for a link to Mr. Rubel's letter that will accompany the M-STEP report. Fifth-grade families were given their M-STEP reports at the September Goal Setting Conference. Any families that were unable to attend the Goal Setting Conferences will receive the report by mail.

Free and Reduced Lunch Program Information

Bloomfield Hills Schools participates in the National School Lunch Program. Families must apply directly through the Bloomfield Hills Schools Food Services Department. Forms are also available in the main office. Applications are available online here.

Scholastic Book Fair - Volunteers Needed!

The East Hills Book Fair will be held October 24-28. Volunteers are needed to help set up, take down, and provide sales assistance at the fair. If you are interested in helping, please send your contact information to East Hills' media specialist, Denise Moll, at dmoll@bloomfield.org.

Are you good at event planning? Do you think science should be fun?

Then you're just the person we're looking for. We need a committee to plan the Science Fair. This year—for the first time ever—Eastover Elementary and East Hills Middle School are combining forces to create a K-12 Science Spectacular!

• Just one evening

• March 14th

• East Hills Field House

• Open to all who wish to participate

Kids pick a topic they are interested in and learn science in a fun, hands-on way through an experiment, an invention, or a research project. We can't do this alone.

We need you to help make this happen. For more information, call or email Libby Welch at 248-417-3226 / libby@creativej.com. Thank you!!

Athletics

Families must pay the Pay-to-Participate fee before participating in any sport, which includes try-outs. This fee can only be paid online (click here) or through the Athletics and Recreation Department located at the Doyle Center.

If your child will participate in a sport or club at East Hills Middle School this coming school year, you can get a jump start by submitting your Pay to Participate fee to the Bloomfield Hills Athletic Department now. This district-wide fee is required for our students in grades 6, 7 and 8, who participate in any EHMS sport or club. The Pay-to-Participate fee should not be submitted to the EHMS office. Instead, please submit it directly to the athletic department. Options and instructions for payment are explained in the attached documents. Fifth-grade students who participate in a multi-grade sport or club will be advised by the coach or club sponsor when fees are required, so please do not pay fees for your fifth-grade student in advance.

Additionally, students must have a current athletic physical form on file in the EHMS office before participating in any EHMS team sport, in any manner, including tryouts or practices. A physical is considered current if it took place on or after April 15 of the previous school year. The district form, available at the link below, must be completed and signed by your physician. Incomplete or unsigned forms will not be accepted.

Athletic Physical Form

Pay-to-Participate Form

Student Pick Up after Club or Sport

If your student participates in a club or sport, students must be picked up immediately after the meeting or practice has ended. Students who have no transportation waiting will be sent to Kidz Zone in the media center, where they must be picked up by a parent/guardian. The fee for students attending Kidz Zone is $15.00 per child. Students will not be allowed to wait at the front/back of the school, to go down to the gym to wait for a sibling, or to watch a sporting event without parent supervision. For their own safety and your peace of mind, we want our students to be under supervision at all times.

Yearbook Photos Needed

Yearbook is need of photos of your child at school activities. Parents, If you are attending an event, field trip, or after school sport, and are taking photos of your child and his or her friends, snap a few extra and share them with our yearbook. Click here and choose Share a Photo to upload your photos directly to the yearbook website.

Lunch Balance Changes

If your child buys lunch, there are some new negative balance procedures that will be effective October 1, 2016. Please read more to learn about communication and how to bring your account up to date.

Announcing: My Bloomfield!

Attention Families! New the 2016-17 school year, Bloomfield Hills Schools is pleased to present My Bloomfield! The goal of My Bloomfield is to create, as much as possible, a one-stop-shop for families. To begin, visit: www.bloomfield.org/mybloomfield and login with your PIN and password from last year (or use the username and password reminder link). If you would like to read the My Bloomfield Family Guide please click here.

Cavalier Fund Information

To further our mission for equity and inclusion, the East Hills Global Education Team (GET) is pleased to share information about the Cavalier Fund. The purpose of this fund is to provide access for all students to enjoy school activities (e.g., field trips). As a school community, our desire is for all students to have these learning experiences. Our intention is to provide families with a chance to give funds to assist our students in a direct and meaningful way. Look for upcoming forms regarding field trips, school events, and other specific enrichment activities for opportunities to donate. You may specify how your funds will be directed through future communication (field trip forms and other specific events and opportunities). Click on this link to see more details and review an example of how you will be able to participate and to give toward this new fund.

District Food Service Updates

Welcome back families and students! Here's a quick update on what's going on in food service this year:

We have a new web version of the free/reduced app! Parents can go to https://webconnect.bloomfield.org/fsonline/Main/Lo... to fill it out. It's quicker than paper! You must reapply every year. All apps need to be completed by October 1 or they will return to paid status.
For any student with a food allergy please fill out the food allergy form found on the www.bloomfield.org site under the lunch tab. It must be filled out by a physician and turned in to the food service office. For questions regarding allergies please call the food service office at 248-341-5671.
All menus will be on the Bloomfield website under lunch as well as coming soon to the http://bloomfield.schooldish.com/ site.
There is no longer a charge to put money online using Parent Connect for school meals! This is a great way to check your student's balances as well as check to see what they are eating.
To buy meals and a la carte items you must have money on your student's account. If you are in the negative this amount needs to be paid off at the start of school.
Field trip meals are available to order online on our website as well. Please allow 72 hours for orders.
At BHHS we will soon offer after school meals & snacks to order on the go! Check our website for upcoming details.
Look for new menu items, features and more at all schools! Check your student's menu and the website for more details!

East Hills is a Nut-Restricted School

East Hills Middle School became a nut-restricted school in January of 2013. As a result, please carefully read and review all food packaging prior to sending food items to school. For further information on food allergies, consult www.foodallergy.org We appreciate in advance your full cooperation.

Nut Restricted Letter Summer 2016

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