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Happy New School Year!
I hope this letter finds you all in good health and high spirits. As we prepare to embark on another exciting school year, I want to extend a warm “welcome back” to everyone returning and a hearty “welcome to the family” for all of our new students and parents. The focus of our dedicated staff remains on fostering a positive and inclusive school culture that values the dignity of every individual and encourages creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration. We believe that every student has unique talents and potential, and our goal is to help them discover and develop those talents and passions to become well-rounded individuals and responsible citizens who positively impact their communities.
Our school community continues to grow and we will have a record high enrollment as we begin the fall semester. As we grow, we continue to encourage your involvement in school activities, events, and volunteer opportunities. We strongly believe that a healthy home-school partnership plays a vital role in the success of our students. Together, we can create a supportive and engaging learning environment that will empower your children to reach new heights. I encourage you to stay connected with us through ParentSquare, our school website, newsletters, etc., where we will share updates, announcements, and highlights of our students' accomplishments. I also hope you will take the time to connect with our wonderful PTO and talk with your student’s teachers about how you can help be a part of all the things we do for our kids.
Parent access to Skyward will be turned on for elementary schools by the district on Monday, August 5th. You will be able to see your student’s homeroom teacher assignment at that time. We will also print rosters to post in the building during our Back-to-School event on Tuesday, August 6. Following the format we have used in the past, we are inviting students and their parents (limit of 2 adults per student in an attempt to control massive overcrowding) into the building to see their homeroom, meet their teacher, take care of some beginning of the year items such as lunch balances, pick up car-rider or bus-rider information, and visit tables from our PTO, Scouts, etc.. (There will also a be silent auction fundraiser for the PTO where we encourage everyone to stop by and consider bidding on something.) As has been advertised, it will be on August 6th at 3:30-4:15pm (Suggested Last Names A-L) and 4:15-5:00pm (Suggested Last Names M-Z). We will have a huge crowd of people getting in and out of the building throughout this time, so please plan accordingly for very crowded parking lots and hallways. You can park in any of the parking lots around the school, and we will likely spill into the HS lot just south of our building.
Some additional information is linked below, and I highly encourage you to take some time to review everything and be prepared for the first day of school. Also, please be sure to register online if you have not already done so for this academic year (and that includes returning students).
School Day: Our regular school day runs from 7:45a-2:15p. If your student will be eating breakfast at school, please have them at the building by 7:25a. Students who are not in their classroom ready to start by 7:45a will be considered tardy. Early Release Wednesdays have dismissal at 1:30p. Our calendar is linked on our website HERE. Car Riders: The drop-off line will run from 7:23-7:42a. After 7:42a, parents will need to park and come into the building with your student to sign them in. Please be sure you are familiar with our Drop-off and Pick-up Procedures. If your student(s) will be an afternoon car rider at least once per week AND you do not already have a number from last year, please fill out THIS survey prior to Back-to-School. We will have new car rider numbers for ALL families that evening, but we will use the same number as last year for returning families. Fees: While textbook fees are no longer assessed, field trips, extra programs/clubs, etc., and cafeteria fees will continue as they did last year, so be sure to apply for Free/Reduced lunch status if you qualify to avoid being charged for school meal fees. Snacks: Please do your best to provide your child with a high-quality, nutritious snack if they want to eat one at school. Sometimes it can be more of a problem than a help if students eat snacks that are high sugar, etc. Fresh fruit and vegetables are always a great option, although I know that they pose their own challenges. We also want to be mindful of food allergies, etc. of other students. HERE is our recommended snack list. Students should not bring drinks other than water or anything containing nuts to be consumed in the classroom. House System: Every student and each class participates in a house system. You can read a little more about our system HERE. Your child’s teacher will inform the class of which house they will be in for the coming year, and be aware that your student will have several days when they will be encouraged to wear the color of their house, so take note and plan accordingly if you wish. Mt. Vernon Elementary Student Handbook: Our families should be familiar with the information in our handbook which includes numerous policies, procedures, and expectations. Supply Lists and many other helpful links for parents on our website.
I am looking forward to seeing everyone at the Back-to-School event and on the first days of school. Feel free to reach out to myself, our stellar office staff, or our fabulous faculty if you have questions or need help. I fully expect a highly successful year as we work together to do great things for kids.
With great anticipation,
Dr. Edwards
Principal
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