Welcome back to another exciting school year!  I hope that everyone had the opportunity to enjoy time spent with family and friends during the summer break.  Everyone has been busy getting the building ready for the first day of school on September 5, 2017.  I look forward to meeting students and families of those new to our building and catching up with those returning to our school. The most exciting part of September is that all of us have a chance to make a fresh start as we greet a new school year.  Welcome back to all!

Here are some important dates and information to help prepare for the 2017-2018 school year:

August 16, 2017:  The Parent Portal will be accessible for you to sign off electronically on important documents such as the Unplanned Dismissal Form.

August 22, 2017:  The Parent Portal will be open for you to view your child’s assigned teacher and bus pass beginning at 9:00 am.  (Back to School Supplies can be found on the teacher’s website.)

September 1, 2017:  Open House for the McKinley Avenue School will be held from 1:15 pm to 2:15 pm.  This event will give you and your child an opportunity to meet the teacher and visit the classroom.

September 5, 2017:  The First Day of School!  Early dismissal for students.  Students will be dismissed at 11:52 am.

September 6, 7, and 8, 2017:  Early dismissal for students.  Students will be dismissed at 11:52 am.

Enjoy the rest of your summer….Mrs. Hoffman

As a reminder, students who qualify for free or reduced lunch are also eligible to receive free or reduced breakfast, which is available at all Stafford Schools. Please see the Stafford School’s web page to find the breakfast menus in the Food Service link.  The price of a reduced breakfast is $0.30. Please remember that you can prepay for meals using www.payforit.net .

Also, if your family’s financial circumstances have changed since the start of the school year, you may now qualify for the free and reduced program.  If that is the case, see our web site for how to submit an application.

School Hours:  School starts at 7:52 am and ends at 2:35 pm.  Students entering the building after 8:00 am will be considered late.  If your child is late, you must come into the building and sign your child in. 

Early dismissal hours are 7:52 am – 11:52 am and delayed opening hours are 9:52 am – 2:35 pm.  For families that will be dropping off/picking up students at the school, please note the following:

Daily Arrival Procedures:  Families who choose to provide their own transportation are reminded to not enter the front loop to drop off students prior to 7:50 am as we have some buses scheduled to use that lane prior to that time.  Parents who choose to walk their children into the building are reminded that they must park their cars in the parking lot.  Do not park cars at any time in the front loop; the front loop is a fire lane.  Students will not be permitted to enter the building prior to 7:52 am.  Therefore, for the safety of your child, please do not drop off your child before 7:52 am. 

Daily Dismissal Procedures:  Parents/Guardians are reminded to park in the parking lot, not in the front loop.  After all students taking the bus are dismissed, students being picked up will first report to the gym before being released to an authorized adult.  For safety purposes, please anticipate approximately a five to ten minute delay when picking up your child.  Please be sure to have proper identification with you at all times (i.e. photo ID).  Students will not be released to those without the required identification.  Students will not be available for pick-up between 2:00pm and 2:35 pm.  We encourage the utilization of district transportation.

Please help to ensure your child’s success by providing a nutritious breakfast and establishing a consistent bedtime routine.  Ask your child to share what he/she is learning in school each day and be sure to read to and with your child each day.  Thank you for assisting us as we all work together to help your child to reach his/her true potential!