Herbison Woods Families,

Has your 4th or 5th grader come home sharing how many Panther Paws their class has? If not, ask them! At Herbison Woods, we have many motivators to encourage individuals and classes to make responsible, respectful and safe choices. One of those motivators is our Panther Paw class awards. As a class obtains a certain number, they earn a reward. Mr. Rogers and I get the pleasure of going into classes once they have earned 40. Ask your child what their class has earned and how they can help earn more as a group. 

One area of the school students are working hard to have respectful, responsible and safe choices is the cafeteria at breakfast. Please remind your HWE student that only those going to eat breakfast should enter the cafeteria, no matter how cold it is in the morning! Also, remind them that picking up after themselves is an expectation; all trash should be put in bins and not left at tables. Thank you for your support with this!

In Partnership,

Rachel Nowak

Students are in the middle of their first Sport-Specific Unit: Flag Football.  It's great timing because Flag Football was just announced as one of the new Olympic games for 2028!

Please help your student remember to be properly equipped for their P.E. days!  I am seeing an increase of non-athletic shoes in class, and these will increase the risk of injury.  If you need help purchasing athletic shoes for your student please contact me directly.

Previous Unit of Study: Pre-Physical Fitness Testing

Current Unit of Study: Flag Football

Next Up: Bowling

Go Panthers!

Mr. Louisignau

4th graders participated in a makerspace after finishing the novel they were reading as a class.  They worked together to plan, design, and build an item that would help the main character solve one of his problems in the story.  They wrote about the reading and recorded videos to share their projects. 

To promote a safe and secure indoor school environment, create an inclusive atmosphere for all students, and to reduce distractions for the duration of the school day, the following school celebration guidelines will be followed: 

• Classroom celebrations will be kept to one hour. 

• We encourage healthy snacks and alternatives to food to support allergies and our wellness policy.  Some classrooms may have a “no food” policy due to allergies.

• Only volunteers and party classroom coordinators may be allowed in the classroom to help support classroom celebration activities per individual teacher request/classroom needs.  There will be 3-5 parent volunteers per classroom.

• Volunteers and party classroom coordinators may not bring any additional guests including siblings (of any age), relatives, etc.  

• Volunteers and classroom coordinators must complete the I-Chat Form and be cleared if they at any time are going to work with students independent of where the classroom teacher is.

• Halloween/Fall Celebration Specific: 

  • All students will have an opportunity to wear a costume at school.  

  • Simple costumes may be worn, but please be mindful of your child's ability to participate in regular school activities throughout the day including PE and recess.

  • Costumes should be tasteful, modest and appropriate for a school environment.  

  • Costumes shall have no representation of violence, horror characters or be scary; no blood or weapons.  

  • Wearing costumes is an opportunity but not an obligation.  Families may choose whether or not their child participates.

  • If your child or you are questioning if a costume is school appropriate, it is recommended to err on the side of caution and choose something else.

Recorder playing begins this coming week in music class! If your child needs a recorder, please remember they can be purchased with a $5 donation (cash, check made out to Herbison Woods elementary, or credit card through Rev Track https://dewittschools.revtrak.net/herbison-woods-elementary/#/list). If your child has a recorder at home, please remind them to bring them to school starting on Monday.

Picture Retake Day is scheduled for Tuesday, November 7 at Herbison Woods.

Lunch Menus can be found here:  https://dewittschools.nutrislice.com/

Breakfast and lunch is free this year for students.  All students can have one complete breakfast and one complete lunch per day.  The guidelines to receive free breakfast and/or lunch require a students to take items that meet the guidelines for a complete meal.  

Breakfast will be served in the cafeteria at Herbison Woods.

Option to Purchase Ala Carte Items:  In addition to free complete meals, extra entrees and ala carte items such as milk will be available for purchase if your student brings a meal from home. Students will need money in their accounts to do this.  There is a charge of $1.95 fee per $100, and .50 fee for multiple students with no transaction amt. cap to families who choose to use the online payment system.  Also, you can pay by E-Check for $1 fee per transaction with a $750 transaction cap. Also, there are deposit boxes located in all school buildings. 

Federal & State Funding Help:  DeWitt Public School District is excited to offer free breakfast and lunch to all students starting this new school year thanks to the Michigan Healthy School Meals Program! Even though meals will be provided for free, it's important for families to continue sharing household income information in order for our schools to receive full access to federal and state funding for educational programs that our students are entitled to.  Paper applications are available upon request.  Please contact Sandy Leach at leachsand@dewittschools.net or Marcy Updike at updikemar@dewittschools.net.  Online applications can be completed at:  https://dewitt.familyportal.cloud.

In order for Herbison Woods Staff to administer medication to your child, you must:

• Submit a completed district medication form to our office. 

• Be sure all medications are brought to and stored in our office. 

• Be sure prescription medication is in its original container accompanied with a physician’s signature. 

• Be sure non-prescription medication is in its original container accompanied by a parent’s signature. 

• Please communicate with your child's teacher if he/she takes medication daily at school. 

• If your child has a medical condition, please be sure to complete a Medical Management Plan for your child and turn it in at the office.

• Medication and other medical forms can be found on our DeWitt Public Schools website.