MARCH 2020
View current and past e-Communicators by visiting www.seamanschools.org/eCommunicator.
Important Dates
March 3
Community Life Drawing @ SHS - 6 pm
March 5
End of Third Quarter
SMS/SHS Choir at SHS - 7pm
March 6
No School - Professional Learning Day
March 9-13
No School - Spring Break
March 16
Board Meeting
March 17
MELC - Family Night - 5:30 pm
March 18
6-12 All-District Band Concert @ SHS, 7 pm
March 19
SMS Spring Play - 7 pm
March 20
SMS Spring Play - 7 pm
March 26
SHS Spring Musical - Into the Woods - 7 pm
March 27
SHS Spring Musical - Into the Woods - 7 pm
March 28
SHS Spring Musical - Into the Woods - 7 pm
Appreciation/Awareness Days
Music in our Schools Month
Social Worker Month
National Nutrition Month
Youth Art Month
Severe Weather Awareness Week: 2-6
School Social Work Week: 1-7
National School Breakfast Week: 12-16
Emergency Messaging System Test
NOTICE TO USD 345 PARENTS AND GUARDIANS:
USD 345 to Test Emergency Messaging System, March 6
On March 6 at 7 p.m., the Seaman School District (USD 345) will conduct a test of its emergency communication system. In advance of the test, the district is asking all parents/guardians to review their contact preferences within PowerSchool and make updates as needed. This exercise is a proactive approach to ensuring families receive timely information in the event of a real school or district emergency.
Parents/guardians are responsible for updating and maintaining their emergency contact information in PowerSchool. Only phone numbers and email addresses that are signed up to receive SchoolMessenger notifications will receive the test message, as well as district communications.
ACTION NEEDED: If you do not have a parent PowerSchool account, access to a computer, or are having trouble accessing your parent PowerSchool account, contact your school office during school hours to update your information.
WHAT TO EXPECT: The March 6 test will include voice, email, and text messages from the district's SchoolMessenger system, and will be labeled as “USD 345 EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION TEST.” Should a real emergency arise, the test will be delayed.
Just as students drill for emergency procedures, this emergency communication test is intended:
- to test the SchoolMessenger system with a live message to all emergency contacts.
- to let parents/guardians know in advance how the district would communicate with them in an emergency (school closing, active emergency alerts, etc.).
- to create and correct parent/guardian emergency contact information and communication preferences.
The safety of students and staff, along with timely and accurate communication, will always be top priorities for the Seaman School District. Thank you for your partnership as we work together to ensure our communication systems function well and your contact information is accurate.
Please contact your school office with any additional questions or for further assistance.
Census 2020: How it Affects our Schools and Students
It’s time to help shape our community’s future by participating in the upcoming 2020 Census. Census Day will be observed nationwide on April 1, 2020. Every home will receive an invitation to respond in one of three ways: online, by phone, or by mail. This will be the first time households will be able to take the census online.
Have you ever wondered why census data is so important for local communities, including our schools? Data from the 2020 Census will have a big impact on the amount of federal funding distributed to Kansas for programs that impact our schools, students, and families. Results will determine how much our Seaman School District will receive in federal funds to help support special education, classroom technology, teacher training, after-school programs, school lunch assistance, and more. Census counts also impact the number of seats each state will hold in the U.S. House of Representatives and funding for hospitals, roads, public works, and other vital programs. The Census count helps us get back our fair share of the tax dollars we pay in to the federal government.
The Census count is mandated by the Constitution and conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, a nonpartisan government agency. The 2020 Census will count the population in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and five U.S. territories (Puerto Rico, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands). Your responses are kept confidential and the Census Bureau is bound by federal law to protect your information.
So be on the lookout for your invitation. It will only take a few minutes, but your participation will have a long-term impact, on the Seaman community and its students.
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released a statement regarding the potential for the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the United States. The Seaman School District regularly communicates and partners with our local and state health departments and we are prepared to work together in the event of an outbreak.
USD 345 is following the guidance and expectations established by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Shawnee County Health Department. USD 345 Health Services staff closely monitors the health and attendance of our students and staff and we continue to be proactive in our cleaning practices.
Staff members are reminded to promote universal precautions among students, including frequent hand washing. In addition, we will monitor all travel for any school activities that may be affected.
There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The CDC recommends the following preventative actions:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty.
The Seaman School District is committed to the health and safety of our students. Please help to keep our students and staff safe by staying informed, practicing good hygiene, and staying home or keeping children home if they have been running a fever or are exhibiting signs of a fever.
Snow Day Make Up
Due to our current number of school closings, there WILL be school on April 10 & 13. Any additional days needed due to future cancellations will be decided on an as needed basis.
Kindergarten Orientation Registration Open
If you have a child who will be five years old on or before August 31, 2020 and you live in the Seaman School District, please register for Kindergarten Orientation. Kindergarten Orientation will be April 16 from 5:30-7:30 pm at each school.
Click here to find your school and register online.
Little Vikes Preschool
Please complete
this form for your child to be considered to attend Mathes Early Learning Center for the 2020-2021 school year. The school, serves an inclusive model of 3- and 4-year-old students, in high-quality, half-day preschool classrooms. All information must be complete to be considered for placement. Families will be contacted for a screening date. Once a child is selected from this application process, the family will be contacted with paperwork to complete for school and to determine eligibility. Slots are limited. All preschool students in Seaman School District receive priority preference.
Now Accepting Transfer Requests
Applications must be submitted each school year for attendance of school outside a student’s residence boundary. Applications are accepted through July 31. You will be notified in writing of the decision.
Click here to view the transfer documents.
Questions? Call 785-575-8600
Severe Weather Info
Severe weather season is upon us and we would like to share with you our severe weather procedures.
When the National Weather Service issues a tornado warning for Shawnee County during school hours, students in all USD 345 buildings will take cover. Administrators have identified safe places for sheltering in all school facilities and conduct severe weather drills during the school year so students know what to expect. No students or staff members will be allowed to leave the shelter area until the warning has expired. For this reason, parents will not be able to pick up their children from school while a warning is underway. School staff members will not be answering the office telephones since they are all required to report to the shelter areas. When necessary, we will keep children at school beyond regular hours if threatening weather approaches.
We realize dangerous weather has the potential to pop up during bus routes. Our bus drivers’ number one priority is to safely deliver each of our students to their proper destination. Bus drivers have been trained to assess and report potential weather conditions and remain in contact with the transportation department throughout their routes. Drivers have protocols in place to quickly, accurately, and efficiently react to severe weather conditions.
When possible, you will receive an email through SchoolMessenger letting you know the students are taking cover. You will receive a second email when the warning has expired and students and school staff are returning to classrooms. The safety of our students is our number one priority and we will keep you notified of procedures, pick-up instructions (if necessary) and other information pertaining to all emergencies.
If you’re not signed up for email through our notification system, SchoolMessenger, please contact your school office to update your contact information.
Please do not hesitate to contact the school if you have questions or concerns.
Logan Community Resource Room
If your family could benefit from the Logan Community Resource Room, or if you would like to donate, please email
[email protected]. We have school supplies, hygiene items, food, clothing, etc for families in our community.
Open (or email for appointment)
Tuesday March 3 and 24, 4:15-6:15
Wednesday April 8, 4:15-6:15
Tuesday April 21, 4:15-6:15
Tuesday May 5 and May 19, 4:15-6:15
Days and times are subject to change. Follow the Logan Facebook page for more information.
Parents as Teachers (PAT)
The PAT room at Mathes Early Learning Center will be open from 9-11 am every Tuesday (when school is in session) for parents and children to enjoy, play and meet other families with children birth to five.
Click here to learn more about Parents as Teachers.
Board Digest
Following each board of education meeting, the Director of Communications recaps the board meeting in the Board Digest.
Click here to review the latest board meeting.
School Calendar Change for NEXT YEAR
Please note a change to the 2020-2021 School Calendar. At the February board meeting, there was a vote to move a PD Day from September 21 to September 28.
Click here to view the correct calendar for NEXT school year.
SHS Spring Musical - March 26-28
Save the date for the Seaman High School spring musical, “Into the Woods.” Tickets are $8 and $5 for students. The show starts at 7:00 pm on March 26, 27, and 28.
SMS Play - March 19-20
"Disorder in the Court" written by Brianna Dehn
Casey Licit is on a cross-country road trip when she’s apprehended and held for trial in a town appropriately named Berserksville. Charged with an outrageous triple crime, Casey maintains her innocence. But as the trial begins, our level-headed defendant realizes her hapless defense attorney is an ineffective dolt, and the prosecution effectively uses silly, childish distractions to win the case, including bribing Judge Falter and witnesses with candy and leading the courtroom in the Macarena!
There’s also a parade of witnesses whose testimony is nothing more than twisted fibs, boastful self-promotion, or gabby gossip. Casey soon sees that her only chance at justice lies in her quick wits to beat them at their own game in this crazy (and hysterical!) kangaroo court.
The play will be on SMS stage in the commons March 19-20 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $3 for students and seniors. $4 for adults
Come support SMS Theaterworks Group and see this fantastically funny play of a wild and crazy courtroom!
March Lunch Menu
Click here to view a PDF of this month's lunch menu.
Elementary Lunch: $2.65
Secondary Lunch: $2.90
Adult Lunch: $3.90
Breakfast K-12: $1.85
Adult Breakfast: $2.35
Extra Milk: $0.55
School lunch calendars can be added to your calendar feed using this URL: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/ical/usd345.com_bu02c6o8qdtcfqsoqo9p8q9lks%40group.calendar.google.com/public/basic.ics
Softball Apparel
We are excited about providing cool apparel for your upcoming season. The online store will be closed at 11:59pm on Friday, March 13, 2020, and product will be delivered to the coaches approximately 2-3 weeks from the store close date.
https://seamansoftball2020.itemorder.com/sale
Fundraiser for SHS Robotics
The high school robotics team has been making keychains to help raise money for their robotics team that qualified to go to the US open tournament. They are $3 each. The cubes are the objects used in this year's game. They will have them in purple, orange, and green. They also have shirts in sizes small through xl for $20 each. Please email
[email protected] if you would like to purchase and help send kids to nationals.
Annual Spring Promotion at Garry Gribbles
This email is to inform you that Garry Gribbles Running Sports in Topeka will be hosting our annual Seaman District promotion on Friday March 6. The Promotion will allow you to take 20% off any item purchased (excluding Garmin watches). This night is reserved for Seaman district faculty, staff, students and family members. This is an excellent opportunity to get the proper footwear and gear for your spring activities and sports.
We’re hiring!
We are always looking for qualified substitutes, bus drivers and various support positions. Take a look at our
current job openings, and help spread the word!
