From the Desk of Dr. Sladek
Week of August 22nd - 26th, 2022
What's Happening This Week:
Tuesday -A Day. First Day of School for the 22-23 School Year!
Wednesday - B Day.
Thursday - C Day.
Friday - D Day.
First Day of School!
- It is BEST to use the transportation to and from school on the first day exactly as you plan to use it the remainder of the school year! It is important for bus drivers to see students faces at stops and learn names. It is important for students to learn their "type" of transportation so they don't get confused when asked or when they try to explain they are one way today and a new way tomorrow.
- The expectation is also that all pictures and goodbyes are done at the door. With the way we have students coming into the building buses and cars unloading at the same doors there is no time or area to safely get out and walk into our building. It is for the safety of our students and you that we don't clog that arrival pattern with goodbyes. We will certainly accommodate as needed as we know transitions on Tuesday will be tough for everyone!
- Student will eat breakfast in the cafeteria this year - this is different as we had COVID protocols in place prior to this year. Because we are moving it back to the cafeteria it is another reason we do not want to clog the arrival process with parents wanting to walk their students down to the classroom.
- Breakfast and Lunch ARE NOT FREE! You will need to work with the front office to make sure you fill out a free and reduced form so that your child doesn't run up a negative breakfast/lunch balance.
KidAccount Safety System!
Our School will begin using a new program for daily dismissal. KIDaccount is a two-part system that will help streamline our dismissal process and make it safer and more comfortable for our students.
KIDaccount makes delivering messages to the classroom for transportation changes easier and more efficient. When a change needs to be made, parents can either send a note or call the office. The changes are recorded in the KIDaccount system, and at the end of the day, the teacher can display the dismissal method and any changes on their whiteboard, so the students to see how they are getting home.
Please remember the following procedures:
● Any changes need to be called in by 2:00. Failure to do so may result in your child not receiving the message.
● To make a change, parents must call the office or send a note. Do not contact the teacher directly.
The second part of this system takes place in the parent car-rider line. Parents will be issued two cards with a barcode. This barcode will be scanned by staff in the car line. As barcodes are scanned, the student’s name will appear on a screen inside the classroom. Students will then be released from the classroom and dismissed to the car rider area.
Note: Families are issued 2 cards per student. More can be purchased if needed. Anyone picking up a student without a card may state their name and show a photo ID. The person will be approved if they are on the approved parent pick up list. If the pickup person is not on the list, it will be necessary to go to the office so they can contact the parents for approval.
This process accomplishes two things: First, and most importantly, it provides a layer of safety for our students. This system cross-references the barcode with a list of approved people who can pick up the child. If a person has the card, but has not been approved, administration and secretaries are notified immediately.
Second, it keeps our students inside and off the sidewalk and in the classroom, allowing us to maintain a safe and orderly fashion during dismissal . Students will not have to navigate around other students and cars as they find their parent. This system allows students to stay inside and watch the screen for their name to come up.
Of course, anytime we implement something new, it will slow us down for a few days. Please bear with us as we learn this new system and work out any issues that might come up. We expect to be at least as fast as we were with a much safer system.
**We will also implement this system for our buses - we will scan each students card as they get onto their bus - this helps us streamline which student is on which bus.
KidAccount & Secure Vestibule
New Dismissal Process!
Above is my visual drawing for you!
Similar to arrival ALL CARS will come around the outer road of our building. - PLEASE DRIVE SLOW IF YOU ARRIVE BEFORE 3:15pm as we will still have students on the playground at that time.
We will have cones out for the first set of cars to start the line on the side of the building (where the buses use to be). Once those cones are full we will start a bumper to bumper line around the building (I think this will be a big enough line space to keep everyone off the road (like in the past when you be on the hill up by the softball fields). We will start scanning all the cards and students will start dismissing from their classrooms to the side door. Then we will start filling cars one at a time.
The buses will now be in the front circle and those students will exit out of both *red circle* exits of the building. This allows for us to not have kdg & 1st grade students walking to the other side of the building and will allow for a more thorough process.
All students will have their kidaccount cards zip tide to their backpacks so that we can easily scan as they dismiss.
Also with cars on the side and buses in the front we are no longer crisscrossing paths which could be a safety concern at times!
This is BRAND NEW TO STAFF, STUDENTS AND PARENTS so let's remember that we are all on the same team and the first four days may not be pretty but I will be out there involved in every detail to make sure we get it streamlined and seamless as soon as possible!
Picture Day August 30th!
TRUMAN ELEMENTARY
Picture Day Is: Tuesday, August 30, 2022
Wagner Portrait Group will be photographing students for portrait packages & school records.
Only online orders will be accepted.
(Please do not bring checks, cash, or order forms to school as they will no longer be accepted.)
Online Pre-Order Password: 8B5Y4S5T
Can’t order online or have other questions? We are happy to help! 314-567-5900
August Homework Calendar from Dr. Sladek
Each day your student works incredibly hard to become a better reader, writer, and mathematician. They explore, write, build, sing, create and socialize – it is a long day.
Extra-curricular activities and family time are important. Additionally, students need the opportunity to explore, play, and just be kids!
Research shows that developing fine and gross motor skills, building imaginative thinking skills, and fostering a sense of creativity are critically important skills for young learners. Additionally, these ‘non-academic’ skills build a strong foundation for the learning that happens inside our classroom.
Therefore, this year I will be sending these home monthly as a support for an experience and play-based choice board. These choice boards are not meant to be daunting or overwhelming. Rather, they are intended to build fine and gross motor skills, creativity, and imaginative skills.
As students complete an activity, they may color that square in, and will be sharing their calendar with the class or me at the end of the month. I appreciate your support as we explore a new avenue for monthly family fun.
I look forward to hearing your feedback and hearing about your experience with these choice boards.
Happy Learning!
Inspiration & Ideas: Sleep.
If you need anything at all do not hesitate to reach out!
Elementary Principal Dr. Jenna Sladek
636-346-6156 101 Indian Warpath Dr. Pacific, MO 63069 https://www.mvr3.k12.mo.us/o/truman