OCTOBER 2018
Message from Principal Rascon
Greetings! I hope your family had a fun and relaxing summer and you are finding your child’s transition into this new school year a smooth one. There is much information to be shared, so please have your pencil and calendar available as you read through this communication.
We extend the warmest of welcomes our first year to Hansen teachers. In first grade we have Lisa Simmons. In fifth grade, please welcome Kristen Carson. Also, Nurse Connie Johnson, Social Services Coordinator William Schermerhorn, Speech and Language Pathologist Joel Peach, and Developmental Learning Classroom teachers Sarah Wernke and Tami Corbin, New para educators to our building are Alex Davidson, Yin Garner, Tami Langford, Maria Cumache-Medina, Teri Schold, and Kristen Toney. We have a new technology specialist in Monique McFarland.
We are continuing our implementation of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). Our school will make greater academic gains by building a school wide positive social culture. PBIS organizes adults and students to create a social culture in schools that encourages positive behavior and positive interactions. This will lead to a safer environment where students achieve academically and build positive relationships with each other and with adults. This will be accomplished by defining clear expectations, direct teaching of the behavior expectations, supervision, consistent acknowledgement of the expected behaviors, and consistent correction of the problem behaviors. We are continuously reviewing data to help guide school wide interventions in the classroom and non-classroom settings.
Our school hours are 8:20 am - 2:42 pm, daily. The front doors open at 8:20 am. All students are directed to the gym upon arrival to be picked up by their classroom teacher. We have noticed an increase in traffic into and out of the school at arrival and dismissal times. We have placed cones in the entry way as the circle and exit really get jammed up. Please remember to pull as far forward as you can in the circle to drop off or pick up your child(ren). If you need to leave your vehicle, please find a parking stall and those are quite scarce. Please drive carefully. I’ve noticed a number of drivers using their mobile devices while driving. Please wait until you are parked and it is safe to talk on your cell phone or to text message. No child stands a chance against a moving vehicle with a distracted driver behind the wheel. Please do not use the bus gate to avoid traffic in the circle at morning drop off and afternoon pick up times. I realize it’s a little quicker but it would be a shame to have an automobile collide with a child. Let’s keep our kids safe during traffic times.
Please mark your calendars now for the weekly, every Wednesday early dismissal at 1:50. We have had some kiddos remain at school quite a while the first few Wednesdays. We would greatly appreciate everyone making sure their child is picked up on time or proper day care arrangements have been made for early dismissal Wednesdays.
Student, parent, and teacher planning conferences are scheduled for the week of October 23 through 26. School will be half day and dismiss at 11:25 during conference week. Lunch will be served in the cafeteria during conference weeks. The fall conference is a very important time to talk with your child’s teacher to lay out a plan for success. There is no half day kindergarten during conference week. Let’s aim for 100% school wide attendance.
Please be sure to complete and return any forms that have been sent home with your child. We are finding numerous files with very outdated information, including emergency contacts and non-working telephone numbers. This information will enable us to help your child should they become ill or if an emergency arises. Please remember that new registration cards and emergency contacts need to be completed annually. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. Thanks to all of you who have already completed and turned in your forms.
Please make sure your child has your telephone number memorized.
When you visit the school for any reason, please sign in at the front desk. If you wish to volunteer, you must complete the volunteer application annually. You may go to the OSD website and click on Community to fill out an application online or pick up a hard copy in the school office. Submit your application sooner rather than later. The system cannot accept and approve volunteer applications on the day you want to volunteer or go on a field trip.
Our H.C.C. meeting is this Tuesday evening, October 2, at 6:00 pm. At this time we will have our annual Volunteer Social. This will be followed by a H.A.P. parent meeting at 7:00 pm.
For more information about what’s happening around the Olympia School District, I would encourage you to visit the Olympia School District website at http://osd.wednet.edu. Please follow the links to find out what you need to know.
Let’s have another fabulous school year!
Sincerely,
Ernie Rascon