Dear Voyager Families,
As you read this issue of the “Viking View”, we are two weeks away from the end of the first semester - WOW!!!
Lost and Found - Even during a pandemic, student belongings seem to make their way to our lost and found area in the cafeteria. There is quite a collection accumulated at this time. Due to our COVID-19 restrictions regarding building access, we are asking parents who want to stop by and check our lost and found for themselves to please stop by before school (8:00 a.m.-8:30 a.m.), after school (3:50 p.m.-4:30 p.m.), or during the following times during the day - 9:15 a.m.-10:45 a.m. or 2:15 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
While mentioning lost and found items, let me remind everyone to please label your child’s belongings whenever possible. Having items labeled helps immensely when needing to return lost items to students. Labeling with a student’s last name or even first and last initials is helpful.
Holiday Stress & Anxiety in Children - Last year, I came across an article from Very Well Family that was entitled Preventing Holiday Stress and Anxiety in Children. I find it to be a timely article to share again this year. Here are the pointers that they shared:
- Set a calm example
- Set up conditions for good behavior
- Remember the importance of routines
- Watch what they are eating
- Get your child moving
- Avoid over scheduling
- Have your grade-schooler help you (younger & older can help, too!)
- Schedule some quiet time
- Remind your child what the holidays are really all about
I wish each of you a stress and anxiety-free holiday season and break!!!
This concludes the information that I have to share today! Please read the following information from others:
- VBC December Newsletter
- “Counselor’s Quick Tip” below. It contains information about college-savings plans. These can be a great gift suggestion when children seem to have enough toys, clothes, etc. A grandparent just might be interested in making a deposit to a college-savings plan.
- District Updates - Please read this week’s information from the district. There is a reminder about bus stop protocols and information from the district/health department re: COVID-19 self-reporting of positive test results.
As always, please reach out to me with any questions that you may have. Email is the best way to reach me. My email address is [email protected]. We are here for you and willing to assist in whatever way we can.
Sincerely,
Kari Naghtin
Principal
Counselor’s Quick Tip:
College-Savings Opportunities
Although our day-to-day is often chaotic, it is beneficial to spend a little time thinking about our children’s futures. Here are two great college-savings opportunities: Michigan Education Trust (MET) and Michigan Education Savings Program (MESP).
MET is a 529 Prepaid Tuition Plan which allows for the pre-purchase of tuition based on today's rates and then paid out at the future cost when the beneficiary is in college. Click here for more information about MET, or visit https://www.michigan.gov/setwithmet.
The MESP is a college savings account that you pay into over time. By setting up automatic contributions from your bank account or by payroll deduction (if supported by your employer), making regular contributions is hassle free. MESP can be used at colleges and universities all over the country, and it allows for unused benefits to be transferred between members of the same family. Click here for more information about MESP, or visit www.misaves.com.
Both MET and MESP are simple, user-friendly, and can help maximize your savings even on a modest budget. Contributions may qualify for a state tax deduction and can be made automatically. You can even invite others to contribute to your children’s accounts through e-gifting!
As always, reach out for support and resources! I am just an email away: [email protected]
Your Partner in Education,
Jennifer Starkey, LPC
District Updates
Younger Students at the Bus Stop
Please remember that students in begindergarten through third grade must be met at the bus stop by a parent, guardian, or older sibling. If an adult or older sibling is not present, our bus drivers will not release students in these grades from the bus. Instead, the child will be returned to Kid's Kare, and a twenty ($20) dollar fee will be charged.
Update from the Livingston County Health Department
At the guidance of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), the Livingston County Health Department (LCHD) has realigned its COVID-19 case investigation prioritization strategy. This realignment is necessary for local public health to maximize staffing resources and prevent outbreaks within the school environment and amongst the most vulnerable populations. A top priority of this realignment at LCHD is to keep schools open for in-person learning. The new strategy includes case investigation only for individuals below 19 years and above 64 years of age, as well as students attending in-person schools and those living in congregate living environments. Due to this realignment strategy, the LCHD will need help to identify individuals between the ages of 19 and 64 that test positive for COVID-19 and reside in the same household as a child attending school. To self-report a positive COVID-19 test result, please fill out the self-reporting form here: https://bit.ly/3pGWJGV. Questions about self-reporting can be submitted to the LCHD COVID-19 email at [email protected]. Please remember that if your child has been tested for COVID-19 for any reason, they should not attend school while their test results are pending.