Herbison Woods News
February 16, 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 of at 8:25 a.m. or later. Supervision is not available before 8:25 a.m.
Dismissal Time: 3:35 p.m.
Upcoming Events:
February 19: No School - President's Day
February 21: Early Release - CLT Day (12:12 Dismissal)
March 1: Half Day for Records Day/End of Trimester (11:42 Dismissal)
A Message from Mrs. Ormsbee
Greetings Herbison Woods Families!
We had a fun-filled week at Herbison Woods! Students enjoyed classroom celebrations for Valentine's Day. Students and staff had the opportunity to show kindness to one another as they passed out cards and special treats throughout the day. Fifth grade students had the opportunity to try instruments for sixth grade band this week as they begin to prepare for transitioning to Middle School. Our fourth grade students began some of our cow eye dissections in our Makerspace this week as well. We appreciate all of the parent volunteers who were involved to help make this experience happen for students!
There are several changes to the schedule in the upcoming weeks. Monday, February 19th there is no school due to President's Day. On Wednesday, February 21st, our students will be released at 12:12, while our staff members engage in professional development for the remainder of the day. On Friday, March 1st, there will be a half day for a teacher records day. Students will be dismissed this day at 11:42. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out!
Have a great weekend!
Sincerely,
Alicia Ormsbee
Principal
A Note from Mrs. Nowak
Herbison Woods Families,
Although February has just passed its halfway mark, we are already thinking about how to get your 4th or 5th grader ready for the next step in their educational journey. That means asking them to be more responsible and independent with their learning and as a HWE kid.
Although as a parent, it may be a lot easier to help your child along the way, especially when it comes to potential failure, but failure is okay! This could range from forgetting a snack or snow gear, to not turning their book project in on time. Students who fail or make mistakes are developing coping and problem solving skills. It also helps them develop communication skills when they have to have a conversation with their teacher.
Failing also encourages a growth mindset, in which mistakes are seen as challenges to overcome, not barriers that stop growth from happening. Thank you for letting your child make mistakes, and helping them process through the solution. That will help them immensely on their next step as a 5th grader next year, or even a 6th grader at the Middle School.
In Partnership,
Rachel Nowak
Updates from Mr. Rogers
Hello, HWE parents and families!
The snow is back and so are classroom lessons! I've had the pleasure of joining each class at least once this month for an SEL lesson and have continued supporting students on an individual basis as well. This month we will be starting small groups, where students who would benefit from working on specific skills meet with me to have fun, build connections, and target growth areas. I am fortunate to be able to work with such amazing kids and staff each day at HWE!
Mr. Rogers
Valentine's Day Fun
5th Grade - 1,000th Day of School
Our fifth graders celebrated their one thousandth day of school with a beach themed day full of activities!
Lost and Found
There are many items in our lost and found. We have asked students to go through it and there are still quite a few lost items. If anything looks familiar, please stop by our tables in the vestibule.
P. E. Corner
We are halfway through our fundraiser for the American Heart Association, and we are almost halfway to our goal of $10,000! Students have raised over $4700.00 in the first couple weeks of the fundraiser, and many students have already completed the Hands-Only CPR and Warning Signs of a Stroke online lessons!
In class, the students just finished with their Volleyball unit and will spend the next week focusing on Heart Health and Cardio Exercising. Please continue to help your student(s) remember appropriate footwear for athletic activities on their PE days. Proper footwear is essential to effort and will decrease the risk of injury.
Previous Unit of Study: Volleyball
Current Unit of Study: Heart Health and Cardio
Next Up: Floor Hockey Skills
Mr. Louisignau
Herbie Buck Store Donations
Our Herbie buck store continues to motivate students to be respectful, responsible and safe. We are always accepting donations such as small candies, school supplies, small toys, etc. In addition, we have also put together an Amazon Wish List of items that we feel our students may enjoy. We appreciate your generosity and are grateful for your support!
March is Reading Month Shirts
Order a Yearbook
Breakfast and Lunch
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.
Volunteering at DPS
If you are interested in volunteering, you must complete the DPS Volunteer I-CHAT Form.
Volunteers need to be cleared every year before being an approved volunteer.
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.
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.
Attendance
If your child will be absent from school, please call the Herbison Woods attendance line at:
517-668-3347.