Spartan Spotlight: Spartan Spotlight Volume 2

Quote of the Day:

“School bells are ringing loud and clear; vacation’s over, school is here.” — Winifred C. Marshal

Principal's Message:

Happy Friday!

It was so nice to see everyone back on campus this week. The beginning of the school year has always been my favorite part of the year. The new school year brings opportunities for all students to shine! Here's to learning, making new friends, and having a good time!

As we approach our second week of school, I wanted to send a friendly reminder that Spanger is a closed campus and that parents will be asked to say goodbye at the gate on Monday. This includes the cafeteria.

Lastly, thank you for reading our weekly blog. The blog is usually published on Fridays, but sometimes on Sundays if we have an event over the weekend. The Spartan Spotlight, our blog, is an important resource to learn about all things Spanger. Be on the lookout soon for our updated Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages as well.

As always, if I can assist you in any way, please do not hesitate to contact me. It's going to be a great year!

In partnership,

Mr. K

Safety is our top priority at Spanger. We are pleased to announce that our school, as part of our districtwide launch, is now utilizing STOPit, an anonymous online reporting tool. STOPit is designed to deter vandalism, threats, violence, suicidal ideation and other behaviors, consisting of an app/online platform and a back-end incident management system for school administrators.

Our families will have access to the STOPit mobile app and web-based reporting system, which have two simple but powerful features.

Specifically, the program educates students and families to:

Recognize the signs of at-risk behaviors
Take every sign and signal seriously
Report it anonymously through STOPit app, website or 24/7 Incident Response Center
Submit photo or video evidence
Alert designated administrators to issues and risks early, before they escalate

No personal information is needed to use STOPit. The only way personally identifiable information will be accessible through STOPit is if a requester voluntarily includes it within the content of a request or message.

Both our school and STOPit are committed to protecting the privacy of student data. STOPit is a signatory to the Student Privacy Pledge, spearheaded by the Future of Privacy Forum and the Software & Information Industry Association. You may review STOPit’s Privacy Policy for details, including more information on how anonymous reporting works.

Students and families have the power to help put an end to harmful and inappropriate behavior they see online through social media and other means. They can use STOPit to reach out for help with the following:

Vandalism
Weapons
Threat or planned attack
Hate crime/discrimination
Cutting/self-harm
Domestic violence
Assault
Suicidal ideation

Our goal with STOPit is to create safer, kinder, school communities both online and off.

We encourage you to download the STOPit app and search for your student's school using the directory or report online via our website by clicking on the STOPit icon at the top of the homepage. You can privately ask for help for your student, family, others you care about, or even acquaintances who appear to need help.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Together, we can make sure everyone in our community is healthy, happy, and able to learn and thrive. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our schools safe and healthy.

As we embark on a new school year, I am delighted to announce the launch of the district-wide "Every Day Matters" Attendance Campaign, an initiative aimed at emphasizing the crucial role of regular school attendance in the academic success of our students.

We firmly believe that consistent attendance plays a pivotal role in shaping the educational journey of each child. It lays the foundation for their growth, fosters a sense of responsibility, and cultivates a lifelong love for learning. By attending school every day, your child gains the essential tools to overcome challenges and seize the opportunities that lie ahead.

To support you in ensuring your child's attendance remains steadfast, we have curated a wealth of valuable resources on our “Every Day Matters” website. These resources are designed to empower you with practical tips, strategies, and inspiration to encourage your child to embrace the educational journey with enthusiasm and dedication.

Our school office is always here to lend a helping hand, so do not hesitate to reach out should you require any assistance or encounter challenges in ensuring your child's consistent attendance. We understand that life can sometimes throw unexpected hurdles our way, but with your support and our unwavering commitment to your child's success, together, we can overcome any obstacles that come our way!