Herbison Woods News
December 13, 2024
Principal: Alicia Ormsbee
School Address: Pride Dr, DeWitt, MI 48820
Office Phone Number: 517-668-3300
Attendance Phone Number: 517-668-3347
Website: https://hw.dewittschools.net/
Start Time: 8:45 a.m. (First bell rings at 8:40 a.m.)
Students may be dropped off at 8:25 a.m. or later. Supervision is not available before 8:25 a.m.
Dismissal Time: 3:35 p.m. (Half Day dismissal 11:57 a.m.)
UPCOMING DATES:
December 21 - January 5: Winter Break
January 6: School Resumes
January 7 - 17: NWEA Winter Testing Window
A Message from Mrs. Ormsbee
Greetings Herbison Woods Families!
The energy and excitement in the building at this time of the year is always incredible. With winter break coming soon, I wanted to take the opportunity to wish you and your family a happy and safe holiday season! Take the time to relax, reset, and make memories with your loved ones.
Please remember to take a moment and look at Infinite Campus for your child's first trimester grades. These were posted a couple of weeks ago, and are available through the Parent Portal. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.
Shortly after we return in January, we will be jumping into our NWEA and DIBELS benchmark assessments. We will notify you of the specific dates upon our return. It is a pleasure to have the opportunity to work with your child. Thank you for your partnership in their education!
Wishing you a Happy Holiday Season,
Alicia Ormsbee
Principal
A Note from Mrs. Nowak
HWE Families,
Thank you for your continued support of sending students to school with appropriate gear for the weather. Students will only stay inside if the temperature is below zero degrees, including the wind chill. Coats are a must below 50 degrees, and we really appreciate all the students coming ready to take on that winter weather!
Did you know that Infinite Campus (IC) not only is your go to place for seeing your child's academic progress, but it also has up to date attendance information right at your fingertips! When you log on to the parent portal, you are able to see how often your child is at school. If you are not set up with IC yet, please reach out to our Technology Department at helpdesk@dewittschools.net. They will get you on your way to being informed about so much!
Have a restful holiday break and we look forward to helping your child grow even more in 2025!
In Partnership,
Rachel Nowak
HWE Spirit Days 24-25.pdfSpirit Week
Join Herbison Woods in some Spirit Day fun as we count down the last week to winter break.
Lost and Found
Our lost and found has been moved to the vestibule. If your child is missing an item, please come take a look and see if it is here. The vestibule is open during the school day, and the lost and found will be available through next week. After Friday, December 20, the items will be donated. Thank you!
November Students of the Month
Our November Students of the Month were recognized for showing gratitude.
Color Run Prizes
Students who raised $150 or more from the Color Run Fundraiser earned a special pizza lunch with Mrs. Nowak. Our top ten students spun the prize wheel for their additional reward.
Gingerbread Fun
Each class made a gingerbread person to represent their class. We have been putting them in announcements each day and having students guess which class they belong to. This has been a fun activity for students and staff as we move into break!
Winter Weather Wear
The winter weather came upon us over break. It’s time to dig out the winter gear for your child so that they are ready for the cold weeks ahead. Students wait outside before and after school, and are outside for recess. Please help them select proper clothing for both outdoor and indoor settings. Although shorts are comfortable and stylish, they are best suited for warm weather months, not for the blistery cold ones. Outdoor apparel such as a winter coat, warm hat, and gloves or mittens are essential items. When the snowy Michigan weather hits, snow pants and boots are also necessary. A scarf is certainly another great accessory to keep warm, but isn't a must. Please be aware that students go outdoors for recess when the temperature is above zero degrees Fahrenheit. Students should wear a coat outside if the temperature is 50 degrees or colder. Thank you for helping your child be ready for the winter temperatures and equipped for fun in the snow.
Paper Product and Personal Care Drive
HWE students load the truck with all of the items gathered in our Paper Product and Personal Care Drive. Thank you to all of those who donated items to our community!
PTA Updates
Culver's Community Share Night
Join us at Culver's of DeWitt on Monday, December 16th, from 5-9 PM! A percentage of all sales will be donated to the DeWitt Elementary PTA. No flyer or code is needed—simply drive through, dine in, carry out, or order online at culvers.com (note: delivery services are not included).
Staff Favorites
Looking for a thoughtful way to show appreciation this season? Check out the Staff Favorites List we’ve been compiling throughout the year! Visit ptadewitt.org/staff-favorites to see your favorite staff members’ preferences and ideas. We’re still collecting info, so if you don’t see your favorite staff member listed, check back soon!
January PTA Meeting
Start the new year with us! Our first PTA meeting of 2025 will be on Wednesday, January 8th, at 7 PM in the Herbison Woods Media Center. We'll discuss plans for upcoming events like STEM Night and Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week, as well as brainstorm for the future. You don’t have to be a member to attend—why not make a resolution to stop by and see what we’re all about?
Celebrations and Class Parties
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.
Volunteering - IChat
If you plan on volunteering this year in the DeWitt Public Schools, please fill out the following background check form: IChat link.
Stop the Spread of Respiratory Illnesses
Respiratory Illness Protocol.docx.pdfPlease see the following CDC Guidelines for reducing the spread of Respiratory Illnesses.
Recess and Paraprofessional Positions
If you are interested in being a paraprofessional, or supervising lunch or recess, we would love to have you join our team!
Please contact us at 517-668-3300. http://jobs.dewittschools.net
CLT and Professional Development Dates
Below are the dates for Collaborative Learning Time (CLT) and professional development calendar. On early release days, Herbison Woods will dismiss at 11:57 a.m.
November 5 - No school for students - Full Day Professional Development
February 14 - Early Release for CLT
March 19 - Early Release for CLT
May 14 - Early Release for CLT
Car Loop Procedures
Safety is our #1 Priority.
Car loop begins at 8:25am; please do not drop off students before this time.
Please only drop off students in the car loop area; supervision is only provided in this area.
Please drop off and pick up students along the entire painted blue line along the curb.
Utilize the entire length of our “blue drop off line” by:
Pulling up behind the car in front of you (please refrain from leaving large spaces between vehicles)
Dropping off along the whole blue line (Please refrain from dropping off your child only in front of the area where their class waits. The entire blue line should be utilized for efficiency. )
During arrival, your students should be ready and prepared to get out of the car by having all their materials gathered and good-byes complete.
For the beginning of the school year, signs will be posted with teacher names in the front of the school. At parent drop off, students should stand by their teacher's sign.
Dismissal Procedures
Car loop:
Students will be escorted out to the car loop and will stand in their classroom’s designated area.
Students will remain in their area and wait for their car to pull up.
Cars will use the painted blue line as the area to pick up their children.
Please pull all the way forward, as to allow the maximum number of cars to pick up their students at one time.
Please post a sign with your child’s first and last name in a visual area of your vehicle for the first couple of weeks of school.
When students see their car, they will walk toward it and quickly get in.
Students will enter their car on the sidewalk side.
Adults should not get out of the car at any point in the car loop.
To exit the car loop, please follow the signs and exit to the right only.
Bussers:
Students will be escorted outside and will stand in their classroom’s designated area.
Once their bus arrives, they will walk to their bus.
Medication Information
In order for Herbison Woods Staff to administer medication to your child, you must:
Submit a completed district medication form to our office.
All medication must be dropped off by a parent/guardian. Students should not bring any medication to school.
Be sure all medications are brought to school by a parent/guardian 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.