Pony E-News

When students walk through our doors this week, it’s about so much more than schoolwork. It’s about knowing they belong. It’s the everyday acts of kindness that make our kids feel like they matter from day one and turn our schools into a community. Thank you to all the amazing teachers and staff who care so deeply for our students and make our halls feel like home.

The new school year officially begins on Monday, Aug. 17 as we welcome our 6th and 9th grade students to school as part of our orientation programs. The students will spend the first day of school in buildings without older students. They'll get familiar with their new school, connect with teachers and make new friends!

Don't forget:

• Aug. 17-19 | Ready, Set, Go Conferences (All elementaries)
• Aug. 17 | Grades 6 & 9 First Day
• Aug. 18 | Grades 7-8 and 10-12 First Day
• Aug. 20 | Grades K-5 First Day
• Aug. 24 | PreK First Day

School buses are often delayed on the first few days of school as both drivers and students learn their routes and get used to the routine. Delays may be longer than normal this year as student learn to navigate the new transfer bus model in the afternoons. Please be patient.

Routes will continue to be updated as we start the new year. Be sure to check the free MyRide K-12 app before heading out to the bus to ensure you have the latest information. Once the app is installed, you can choose to receive push notifications if there are any changes to your route. Search for the app in the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.

At the start of every school year, parents/guardians are required to sign forms to confirm they’ve reviewed our district handbook and are up-to-date on district policies, expectations and more. There is also a Field Trip Form. All required annual forms are available under the "Forms" button in PowerSchool. You must sign off for each student.

Any time your child is due for an immunization, updated records showing compliance must be submitted to your child's school health office.

All of our schools are phone and device-free! Please leave phones, smart watches (including Gizmos), ear buds, personal laptops or tablets and other personal devices at home. If your child needs to bring their device to school, they must turn them off and lock them up in the designated location.

If a student is found using a phone or personal device during the day, it will be taken away and a parent/guardian must come to school to pick it up. Learn more about our Phone-Free Policy.

Families may be eligible for educational benefits to help cover the cost of school related expenses. Fill out an Application for Educational Benefits and you may qualify to receive free and/or reduced fees for sports, activities, instruments, field trips and more. Apply now. You must fill out the form each year.

PowerSchool allows caregivers to access all of the tools they need to connect with their child's school. Go to the PowerSchool Parent Portal to report absences, pay for field trips, and view grades and assignments. You can even find links to SchoolCafe (to view lunch menus) and the online payment system (for field trips or activity fees) within the portal. Learn more about how to log in to PowerSchool.

Our Family Tech Help Desk is available to help families struggling with the technology needed to start the new school year. They're available to troubleshoot help solve issues logging into various online resources. Contact them at 651-351-8404 or familyhelp@stillwaterschools.org. You can also visit our tech support webpage for tutorials and FAQs.

• Sept. 4 & 7: No School

• Sept. 25: Pony Homecoming Carnival, 4:30-6:30 p.m. SAHS