Dear Parents, Guardians, and Students,
As we approach the end of summer, I hope you’ve all had time for some sun and fun. Our first day of school together will be Wednesday, August 21st, and will end at 3:25 pm. All following Wednesdays will continue to end at 2:50 pm to give our teachers an opportunity to meet with their professional learning communities.
Our 2019-2020 school year will bring with it some changes as we embark on a whole new administrative team. We look forward to working together in ensuring a safe and loving environment for your children to learn and grow. We ask for your patience and grace as we work out the kinks in our transition.
This year we’re excited to welcome five new teachers to our elementary school. Marisa Swensrud will be teaching second grade, Cassie Bailey and Shelby Zahn will teach fifth grade, Shania Mau will teach sixth grade, and Kerri Niemitalo will be our new Speech Pathologist. We’re looking forward to the talents and enthusiasm they’ll share with the students.
We will have a change in student drop-off for this year. Buses will drop students off on the north side of the building in the morning. Parents will continue to drop students off in front of the building on the south side, but only if you are not getting out of your vehicle. If you choose to walk your child to the door or they need help getting out of the car, please park on a side street or parking lot and walk them across to the building. As many parents/guardians need to get to work, I ask that you respect their time. For younger students I recommend some practice with getting their things together a couple blocks early and getting out of the car on their own before the school year begins.
We’ll have the same phone policy as the high school for students this year. Phones may only be used when teachers allow it for learning activities. They will otherwise stay in their lockers and turned off all day. Phones will be taken away if used without permission during school hours. For the first offense, it will go to the office and can be collected by the student at the end of the day. For the second offense, it will go to administration, and parents will need to come to school to pick it up. Thank you for your help in this matter. It’s important that the students have a healthy mental break from their phones. As always, you’re welcome to call the school to get a message to your child, and the students can use the office phone when they need to contact you.
Our open house this year will be Monday, August 19thfrom 4:30 to 6:00. I’ll have an informal meet and greet for parents in the gym at 5:00 for anyone who’d like to attend. I’d like to introduce myself and give you a quick overview of some of my expectations and focus for the year. I’d also like to hear what you would like to see continue and what you would like to see change in the upcoming school year. There will be a SurveyMonkey survey coming to you soon via text. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the upcoming year.
My main areas of focus for the year will be maintaining a positive school culture, open and respectful communication by all and to all, supporting the teachers, strengthening our Math curriculum, and bringing mental health awareness into all we do.
I’m deeply honored to work with you all. I’d like to stress the importance of open and respectful communication that is directed through the proper channels. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your child’s teacher first and follow up with me as necessary. I am always available to you, but the only way anything will get addressed is if it’s communicated to the proper person.
Please know I am fully committed to the students, the school, the staff, and the community. I look forward to meeting you all!
Sincerely,
Erica Klabunde
Stanley Elementary Principal