September Newsletter
Some thoughts for the starting school year
Welcome to the 2026-2027 school year! I am excited to see our students returning to school and bringing life back into our building. I look forward to leading our team in cultivating KIND, SAFE and RESPONSIBLE citizens both inside and outside of school.
To help your students have a successful, stress-free start, here are a few quick tips for the first week:
Goodbyes: Short, confident goodbyes at the door or bus drop-off work best. Our staff will immediately step in to comfort any anxious students.
Label Everything: Please write your child’s name on backpacks, lunchboxes, water bottles, and jackets.
Extra Clothes: Kindly pack a full change of clothes (shirt, pants, socks, underwear) in a labeled ziplock bag to keep in your child's cubby for accidental spills
Important Dates
August 31 Open House for New First Graders, 3:45-4:30pm
September 1 1st Grade First Day of School
Kindergarten Orientation
September 2 Kindergarten First Day of School
Preschool Orientation
September 4 Early Release, 12:05 dismissal
September 7 No School, Labor Day
September 8 Preschool First Day of School
September 25 Early Release, 12:05 dismissalCharlton PTO Meeting, 6pm at Charlton Middle School
Everything You Need to Know About Arrival & Dismissal
We know that arrival and dismissal can feel like a lot—especially at the beginning of the school year! Please review the information below to help keep arrival and dismissal safe, organized, and efficient for everyone.
MORNING DROP-OFF | 8:30–8:45 AM
Doors open at 8:30 AM.
Parent drop-off takes place from 8:30–8:45 AM.
Students being dropped off will enter through the doors closest to the church.
Parents/guardians may park in the church parking lot and walk their child to the designated entrance. You may use any space in the parking lot excluding those directly next to the church.
Students arriving by school bus will enter through the front entrance near the main office.
The parent drop-off door closes promptly at 8:45 AM.
ARRIVING AFTER 8:45 AM
Any student arriving after 8:45 AM is considered tardy.
If you arrive after 8:45 AM:
Please do not use the regular parent drop-off entrance.
Your child must enter through the main office and check in before going to class.
ABSENT OR RUNNING LATE?
If your child will be absent or arriving late, we encourage you to notify the front office.
You may:
Email Mrs. Durant at adurant@dcrsd.org
Call the Main Office at 508-248-7774
Send in a note addressed to Mrs. Durant or Main Office
Providing this information helps our office account for students and keep attendance records up to date.
TRANSPORTATION CHANGES | 2:40 PM DEADLINE
All transportation changes must be made BEFORE 2:40 PM.
After 2:40 PM, we can no longer make changes to a student's dismissal or transportation arrangements.
Please contact the Main Office before the 2:40 PM cutoff if your child's dismissal plans need to change.
AFTERNOON PICKUP
Afternoon pickup will take place at the Kindergarten doors closest to the church for:
PM Preschool 4
Kindergarten
First Grade
PM Preschool 4 Pickup: Doors open at 2:50 PM.
Kindergarten & First Grade Pickup: Doors open at 3:00 PM.
DON'T FORGET YOUR PICKUP CARD!
Please bring your child's classroom-colored pickup card with you each day at dismissal.
If you do not have your pickup card, you must:
Present a valid photo ID, AND
Be listed on the child's approved pickup list.
This procedure is in place to ensure that every student is released safely to an authorized adult.
NEED TO REACH THE OFFICE?
Mrs. Durant
adurant@dcrsd.org
Main Office: 508-248-7774
Thank you for helping us make arrival and dismissal at Charlton Elementary safe and smooth for all of our students and families!
Remember: Morning drop-off ends at 8:45 AM, and afternoon transportation changes must be made before 2:40 PM.
