🐾September Newsletter🐾

Dear A. Montoya Families,

As we settle into the school year, I want to take a moment to thank you for your continued support of your students and of our school community. I especially appreciate the patience and courtesy you have shown one another as we navigate the changes caused by the loss of the bridge leading to the community center. Morning traffic has certainly been an adjustment, but your cooperation is helping us keep everyone safe and moving smoothly.

A big thank you also goes out to all the families who joined us for Curriculum Night, the Title I presentation, and our first Movie with Monty event. With well over 250 guests, the evening was a tremendous success. It was such a joy to see so many smiling faces and excited children—even if the sun took its time setting on us! We recognize it made for a late evening, and we will be sure to account for sunset in planning future movie nights.

Thank you again for your partnership, flexibility, and support. Together, we are building a strong and connected Mountain Lion community.

With gratitude,

Andrea Day

Principal

🐾A. Montoya Elementary School🐾

If you have any questions, concerns, or just want to reach out and say hi, please feel free to send me an email at andrea.day@aps.edu.

• All visitors must check in at the Administration entrance and wear a visible badge.
• Only cleared volunteers (with prior teacher/admin permission and updated background checks) may stay on campus to volunteer.
• Volunteer info: https://www.aps.edu/police/background-and-fingerprinting/background-checks-for-prospective-volunteers
• A photo ID is required to check out a student.
• All items must be dropped off at the front office. Office staff will deliver them to the appropriate classroom. For minimal disruption, families are not permitted to deliver items directly. If preferred, the office can call the student out of class to retrieve the item upon request.

As we move into September, the health office would like to share a few important reminders:

• PE Shoes: Please ensure your child wears appropriate shoes for P.E. days to help prevent injuries.

• Immunizations: Students must be up to date with their immunizations or have a completed exemption form (religious or medical) on file. We are currently reviewing records and will send notices to families if updates are needed.

• Medications at School: If your child has medical needs or requires medication during the school day, please contact Nurse Holly directly. For safety reasons, do not send medication with students—all medications must be checked in and dispensed through the health office.

Thank you for helping us keep all of our Mountain Lions safe and healthy!

Nurse Holly

• Upcoming Fundraiser: Please bring your soft item donations to the school (clothes, linens, etc.) for us to give to Savers. There will be a box in the vestibule to drop off donations through November.
• Spirit Wear Fundraiser: Spirit Wear will be available for purchase starting on September 8 until September 19. More information to come out later.

• Tardies are recorded at 8:05 a.m.; students must be walked into the office.
• For early pickup or if a student becomes ill, please bring a valid ID to the front office. This helps us verify that you are listed as an authorized contact for student release.
• Doctor's notes are requaired to excuse medical appointments.

• Keep ParentVue contact updated at all times.
• Call the office by 2:15 p.m. for emergency end-of-day changes. We will do our best to accommodate last minute requests.
• APS and AMES uses SchoolMessenger to send alerts via phone/email.
• Weather closures or asynchronous days will be announced via SchoolMessenger, school website, ClassDojo, and news outlets.

• AMES Website

• Monthly Smore Newsletter: This will be sent out monthly and posted to the school website.
• School Messenger: School-wide phone/email messages. These will be sent out with important messages, reminders, or updates, as needed.
• Teacher Communication: Your child's teacher will send out communication regularly.
• Parent-Teacher Meetings: These will be scheduled as needed.