Now that school is in session, it's a time to remind elementary parents of several important pieces of information involving the new school year.
Here is a summary of that information from the elementary September newsletter. A copy of the newsletter is a printer-friendly attachment.
SCHOOL DAY: School begins at 8:10 a.m. daily. Parents should drop off their students in front of the elementary school between 7:55 and 8:10 a.m. Students that ride buses will be dropped off at the south entrance of the middle school.
Dismissal for students that walk, or are picked up after school, will be at 3:00 p.m. from the Elementary entrance. Students that ride buses will be dismissed at 3:05 p.m. from the Middle School parking lot.
PICK UP AND DROP OFF PROCEDURE: Please do not pick up or drop off students at the stop sign or from the road. Please pull over to the curb to safely pick up or drop off students. Do not park in the “yellow curb” zones.
ABSENCES: Please call the elementary office at 419-358-7951 between 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. to notify us if your child is sick. Notification must be given each day the student is absent. Students who are absent without an excuse are considered unexcused for the day.
BREAKFAST PROGRAM: A grab-n-go breakfast will be served before school on a daily basis 7:35-8:05 a.m. in the Middle School Cafetorium. The price of a breakfast is $1.50. Free and reduced prices will be honored through the completion of the free and reduced lunch form given to every child on the first day of school.
FREE SERVICE…LUNCH BALANCE NOTIFICATION: Did you know you can get an email and/or text alert when your child’s lunch balance reaches a certain amount? This is a free service but you must register on “Meals Plus” located on our website. Click “Meals Plus” on our website, login, click “Manage Profile.” Next, enter your balance amount on the “Low Balance Notifications” section.
OPEN HOUSE: Bluffton Schools will hold Open House on Monday, Sept. 26. The following times are scheduled: Elementary from 6 to 7 p.m., Middle School from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., and High School from 7 to 8 p.m.
TWO-HOUR DELAYS ANNOUNCED: Bluffton Exempted Village Schools will have two- hour delays on: Wednesday, Sept. 28 and Wednesday, Oct. 26. Teachers and administrators will be receiving over 17 hours of training this school year to prepare for the state adopted curriculum.
TWO-YEAR KINDERGARTEN DELAY SCHEDULE PLAN B: When school is delayed for two hours, the two year Kindergarten class will go to Plan B. This means that the two year kindergarten students will attend school, but will stay in school one hour later than usual. The two year kindergarten class dismissal for walkers and bus students will be at noon.
THREE -HOUR DELAYS: If school is delayed three hours, the elementary starting time will be 11:10 a.m. and will dismiss at the normal time. Lunch will be served within 20 minutes of the normal time. The two-year kindergarten program will be cancelled.
ALERT SYSTEM: If you would like to be notified of the delays and/or cancellations via a text message on your cell phone, visit the school’s website at www.blufftonschools.org and sign up. On the website’s home page, under the “Parent Links” heading, click on “Parent Alert System” and follow the simple steps to subscribe to alerts. Contact the office if you have any questions.
HEALTHY SNACK CHOICES: Please consider the special needs of students in your child’s classroom with food allergies or diabetes. Send in healthy snacks that all kids will enjoy.
For the safety of our students with allergies, please do not send nuts or food containing nuts to the classroom with your child. This includes all special treats, i.e. birthday and holiday parties, incentive days, etc.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Reading tutors are needed at all elementary grade levels. If you are interested, contact Beth Ackerman at 419-358-7951.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PICTURES: Elementary picture day will be Thursday, Oct. 6. All students will have their picture taken this day for student records. Picture information will be sent home with each child. Picture re-take day is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 9.
STUDENT SAFETY: This is an excellent time of year to reinforce the basics of personal safety, along with discussing how to handle situations such as an approaching stranger. It is important for you to notify the school of any safety concerns.
DISMISSAL PROCEDURES: If your child is going home a different way than normal, he/she will be required to have a note from a parent. If your student does not have a note, then he/she will be sent home the normal way. A Bus Request form must be signed in the elementary office if a parent is changing a daily pick up or drop off.
TRANSPORTATION CHANGES BY 2 P.M.: Only emergency transportation changes will be made after 2 p.m. for that day. Written notes by parent/s must be turned into the office by 9 a.m. for same day changes.
WORKBOOK FEES: Workbook fees for the 2016-2017 school year are as follows: 2 Year Kdg.-$18, Kdg.-$52,1st grade-$33, 2nd grade-$32, 3rd grade-$45, 4th grade-$36, and 5th grade-$37.
You may send one check for all your elementary students. Please note on the memo line your child and grade level. For security reasons, please send the check in a sealed envelope marked “Student Workbook Fees” with the student and teacher name. Please pay your child’s workbook fees by Oct. 15.
MONEY SENT TO SCHOOL: Please write your child’s full name and information such as student number or reason for check in the “memo” section of checks you send to the school. This helps us determine if it is for workbook fees, lunch money or special events.
PLEASE RETURN FORMS PROMPTLY: Turn in Emergency Medical, Field Trip, Early Dismissal and Free/Reduced Lunch forms as soon as possible.
P.T.O. NEWS: Look for flyers coming home with your student. One is our volunteer sign up form. If you want to volunteer, sign up for any of our events this year. Please fill out a separate form for each student you may have.
Another flyer will be what we collect, meaning labels, Box Tops, etc... where we are reimbursed. Turn these items into your child's teacher at any time throughout the year. Please make sure the labels, UPC codes, and Box Tops are neatly cut.
Also, make sure the Box Tops are not expired. This really helps our volunteer coordinators when they are processing them. We have drop off boxes in the Middle School and High School offices for families who maybe don't have elementary age children.
A bake sale held in the Elementary School Gym during Open House on Sept. 26 and purchase a baked good by donation. Our Spirit Wear sale will be going on this fall.
