Newsletter - Sept. 5
Principal’s Corner
There have been several cases the last few weeks of Stranger Danger in our neighborhood. A few weekends ago, a man tried to grab one of our students after asking if she had seen his lost bunny. There was an assault at 48th and X and the suspect was at large so we didn’t have students go outside for recess that day. We will keep our students as safe as possible at school. Please visit with your child about a safety plan at home. Do they let you know where they are at all times? If they are approached by a stranger, how do they respond? If they don’t feel safe, where are safe places to go? Teach students to run to the fire station, police station or a neighbor that you trust to get help. Make sure you know where your children are and how to reach them.
Sign In and Out Procedures: Thank you for your great work signing in and out whenever you come in the building. You are doing a great job of wearing name badges for all students to see.
Toys and Nuisance Items: Please help monitor what your child brings to school. If they bring toys or valuable items they could be stolen, lost, or taken by staff because they are interfering with learning.
Traffic Flow:
Please help us keep all students safe by following the Clinton Traffic Flow. Here are some helpful tips:
- Do not drop off or pick up in the staff parking lot. Please do not cut through the parking lot to pick up, enter 29th from the north from Potter Street only. Students use the parking lot as a walk way to get home.
- Please let your children out on the curb side of your vehicle so that they don’t have to cross traffic.
- Please use marked crosswalks to cross any streets. These are the areas where cars expect you.
Please follow these guidelines to help keep our students safe.
SCHOOL PICTURES: Mark your calendars for individual pictures on September 19th . They will be taken during the school day.
Have you turned in your Free and Reduced Lunch Application for your family? Remember they need turned in each school year by Friday, Sept. 21st. Otherwise, you will pay full price on the 25th.
Arrival Procedures:
Just a reminder that no student will be allowed on school grounds before 7:45 a.m. Students arriving earlier than 7:45 a.m. will be asked to leave. Students arriving between 7:45 a.m. and 8:05 a.m. must eat breakfast. Non-breakfast students may arrive at 8:05 a.m. Help us keep our students safe as we will not have outside supervision for students until 8:05 a.m. when they may enter the building.
Before and After School Child Care:
We are aware that some parents must go to work prior to the time students may be at school. If you are interested in before or after school child care, please contact Kristi Chambers at 437-8835. If your child qualifies for free/reduced lunch and you are working or attending school, you may be eligible for partial or total child care payment through Title XX funds. Scholarships are also available.
Office Hours: Office hours are 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. You may call in absences before or after these hours and leave a message on our answering machine. If you have questions, please give us a call (436-1132).
CHILDREN FIRST VITAMIN PROGRAM: We had our first distribution last week. We had such an overwhelming response that we did not have enough vitamins. We will distribute again on Thursday, November 15th at the Food Distribution from 5-6 p.m. If you signed up, you will be able to receive your 3 month supply at this time.
Tips for Reading Aloud: Why is reading aloud to your children the number one suggestion from reading experts across the country? Because it builds the desire to read‚Äîin only 15 or 20 minutes a day!! Whether your children are already reading on their own or haven’t yet begun, now is the perfect time for reading aloud regularly. Here are a few tips to help:
- Get comfortable. Offer your children soft mats or pillows to sit on. Snuggle up together.
- Remove distractions. Make your reading spot as quiet as possible so your children can focus on the story.
- Encourage participation: Children are apt to enjoy reading more when they’re invited to join in. Let them take turns choosing a book and turning the pages. If there’s repetition in a story, challenge them to recite the key phrases with you.
- Keep it appropriate. If your kids have trouble following the language or plot of a story, it may be too difficult for them. Look for books that are closer to their reading levels. Ask a librarian or your child’s teacher for suggestions.
Dates to Remember:
--Tuesday, Sept. 18th—7:00-8:00 p.m., Parent Group Meeting, Cafeteria.
--Wednesday, Sept. 19th—Individual Picture Day. Order packets must be turned in today to order pictures.
--Thursday, Sept. 20th—5:00-6:00 p.m. –Center For People in Need Food Give Away, Clinton North Hallway by the gym.
--Monday, Sept. 24th—No School for LPS Elementary Students
--Tuesday, Sept. 25th—School dismisses at 1:33 p.m for staff to participate in Professional Learning Communities.
--Thursday, Sept. 27th—4:30-6:00 p.m, Family Math and Reading Night.
--Monday, October 15th—3:15-6:00 p.m., Parent Teacher Conferences.
--Wednesday, October 17th—3:15-6:00 p.m., Parent Teacher Conferences.
--October 22-26, No School in LPS. First Quarter Break.