Parent Newsletter

Dear Andersen Elementary Families,

We’ve had a wonderful start to the school year, and it’s hard to believe the first month has already flown by! Our students have been busy with beginning-of-year assessments, including the i-Ready diagnostic and FAST Progress Monitoring 1 (PM1) for grades 3–6. These tools help us understand each child’s current instructional level and set a personalized path for growth. FAST PM1 also provides a baseline for measuring progress toward grade-level benchmarks throughout the year.

Parent reports for FAST PM1 were sent home last week for grades 3–6. If you haven’t already, you can access your child’s report through the FAST portal. Students in grades K–2 will take their FAST PM1 assessments this Tuesday (ELA) and Wednesday (Math). We’re excited to see the growth our students will make this year, and our goal is for every child to achieve at least a year’s worth of academic growth from last year’s PM3 score. With hard work and active engagement, we know they can do it!

If you’d like to discuss your child’s scores, please don’t hesitate to reach out to their teacher to schedule a conference. At home, you can support your child by reviewing their homework and classwork, asking about what they’re reading, and spending time reading together.

We’re also thrilled to share that BPS resource teachers will be hosting Family Math & Reading Nights in October. Andersen Elementary will host one of these special evenings on Thursday, October 9 6-7:30pm. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about what your child is learning and how you can support their success at home.

As always, please reach out to your child’s teacher with any questions or concerns. We’re here to partner with you in making this a fantastic year of learning and growth!

Mrs. Harris

Proud Principal at Hans Christian Andersen Elementary

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), requires that a Local Educational Agency prepare and disseminate an annual Local Educational Agency report card and provide information on state, local, and school performance and progress in an understandable and uniform format.

District and School grades provide an easily understandable way to measure the performance of a school. Parents and the public can use the grades and their components to understand how well each district and/or school is serving its students.

Use the links provided below to view either the 2024-2025 Brevard School District Report Card or Andersen Elementary School Report Card. (CTRL + Click to view)

Andersen Elementary's Report Card Link: https://edudata.fldoe.org/ReportCards/Schools.html?school=1141&district=05

District Report Card Link: Brevard School District Report Card

September

Tuesday 9/9 FAST ELA PM1 grades K-2 Don't be late for school!

Wednesday 9/10 FAST Math PM1 grades K-2 Don't be late for school!

Wednesday 9/10 Dominos spirit night & End of 1st interim

Tuesday, 9/16 First PTO mtg 6pm Media Center

Wednesday 9/17 Interims published in FOCUS

Thursday, 9/18 SAC Mtg- 6pm Media Center

Tuesday 9/23 Texas Roadhouse Spirit Night

October

Saturday 10/4 Rocktober 5K (see below)

Thursday 10/9 District Family Reading and Math night- here at Andersen for all schools 6-7:30 pm

Wednesday 10/8 Fall picture day

Wednesday 10/8 Dominos spirit night

Friday 10/10 End of 1st nine weeks

Monday 10/13 Teacher work day/Student Holiday

Friday 10/17 Report Cards Published in FOCUS

Wednesday 10/29 Parent Conference Night (by appt with teacher)

Thursday 10/30 Oogly Googly Concert featuring 2nd graders

September is Attendance Awareness Month! Every day in school matters because showing up is the first step to success. Let’s keep the momentum going from August and stay All in for Attendance all month long! #AttendanceMatters #AllInForAttendance #ShowUpSeptember

Did you know that students who miss just 2 days a month can fall behind by an entire grade level over time? Every day you show up, you’re taking a step toward your goals, your growth, and your future. Let’s make it a great month by being present, on time, and ready to learn—because every day counts!

How Families Can Support Strong Attendance

• Let your child know you believe school is important

• Help your child develop consistent bedtime/morning routines on school nights

• Have a plan for getting your child to school on time

• Notify the school if your child is absent

• Get involved in school activities, attend events, and show interest in your child’s learning

• Schedule appointments before or after school and don’t support leaving school early

• Maintain open communication with teachers

• Plan family vacations or activities during school breaks.

New to our process this year is a Change Form that is available to parents . This form is available in the FORMS SUMMARY section of the FOCUS Parent Portal. This new form will allow parents to make changes to their address and contact information as well as upload any enrollment documents such as birth certificates, physicals and immunization forms.

As required by the Florida Department of Education, we are notifying you that the following teachers are teaching English, Language Arts, or Reading as a Second Language (ESOL) and are currently outside of his/ her field of certification. I want to assure you that the teacher is fully certified by the State of Florida.

· Virginia Welton

· Heather Lichtenberger

· Chantelle Ogden

· Jennifer Maslowski

· Brandi Renshaw

· Sandra Keller

· Sandra Neil

· Kasie McWilliams

School hours are 8:30-3:00pm. (8:30-2pm on early release Fridays) We open the gates for breakfast at 8:00 and instruction starts at 8:30. Be on time. Every minute counts!

We dismiss at 3pm (Fridays at 2pm). The car line takes a little longer at the beginning of the year, but it will get faster day by day. If you are late picking your child up, your child may be sent to aftercare and you will be charged the registration fee + the daily rate. The car line is typically done by 3:20-3:25, so please be in the car line on time to pick up your child.

Office hours are 7:30-3:30.

Today, your child is bringing home a Book Buddy Lanyard letting you know about a safe and easy way for our school to raise funds for essential tools our students and teachers need to succeed.

The SchoolStore Program is 100% online so there is NO face-to-face selling, handling money, or delivering products. Your participation will take less than 12 minutes, and there are exciting prizes to make it fun for the students.

Here is all you need to do to participate:

1. Go to https://www.schoolstore.net/sid.t?0000143265 to sign up.

2. Send form emails inviting family, friends and co-workers to support your child.

3. Return the Book Buddy Lanyard with the Student Prize Code to school for your child to get their fun participation prize.

Be sure to ask your child for the Book Buddy Lanyard tonight. Your participation will make a difference for our school and teachers!

Thanks,

Mrs. Cevallos and Coach S (funds will go to PE and Art)

Hello, September! We are busy preparing for our major yearly fundraiser, the Eagles Walk-a-Thon, starting on September 23. Information will be going soon home on how to donate. The fundraiser will go on until October 3, ending with our Walk-a-Thon.

Our next PTO meeting will be on Tuesday, September 16 at 6 pm in our PTO Room at school. We will be discussing upcoming events such as the Walk-a-Thon and a possible Fall Festival before Halloween.

We are looking for Registered Volunteers for multiple reoccurring weekly events on campus. Events include helping out the new weekly Eagle Buck PBIS Store before school begins, volunteering in the cafeteria as a Volunteer Helper during lunch, and monitoring outside during the weekly Eating Lunch with Your Child Day. These volunteer opportunities can be as small as 30 minutes at a time, before school starts or during lunch time. Sign ups will be going out this month for volunteers. Registration for new volunteers is free at the Brevard School Board at this time.

Please keep an eye on our Andersen Eagles PTO Facebook group page for sign-ups for up to date information on upcoming events and sign-up links for registered volunteer opportunities.

Last year, proceeds went to our PE department. This year another school will be a recipient, but come out and support a good cause and have some fun!

The FortifyFL app is a suspicious activity reporting tool that allows anyone to instantly relay information to law enforcement and school officials. Students, staff, families, and members of the community can use the app to report school safety concerns anonymously and easily. Click the photo for more information.

The SpeakOut Hotline (800) 423-TIPS is designed to help you anonymously report any threatening behavior or situation that endangers you, your friends, family, community, or your school campus. Reporting isn't "snitching,” reporting is when you need to keep yourself or someone you know safe from threats, harmful behaviors, or dangerous situations. By guaranteeing a caller's anonymity, SpeakOut allows the caller to give information without the fear of retribution.

Car Drop off: Please use the South Car loop to drop off your child in the mornings if you are arriving by car. Please stay in your car. No one is allowed to cross the car line or walk their child to the gate. We will have adults and safety patrols there to assist your child opening the door. Pull all the way forward until the traffic line stops. When it stops you may allow your child to exit the vehicle on the PASSENGER side of the car. Parents should not get out of their cars or have the child exit from the rear driver's side. Only use the right lane of traffic in the mornings. If you need to assist your child out of the car please use the front car loop. But stay with your car and do not leave your car to walk them to the gate.

Morning Walkers:Walkers will enter through the gate located on the North side of campus closest to the traffic light on Fiske. The gate does not open until 8am. Do not allow your child to arrive earlier than 8:00am. We do not have supervision. This is too close to Fiske for the students to be waiting by themselves or play around before 8:00am. Time your child leaving your home so they arrive between 8:00am-8:25am. Thank you in advance for helping to keep your child safe.

Car Pick up: Car pick up is on the South side of campus weaving through the side parking lot. You will enter using one lane and then split into two lanes right before the last turn. An adult will be at the last turn calling names using your car tag. Have your car tag hanging from your rear-view mirror clearly displayed so it can be read. Your child will be called to a numbered pick-up location. You will move your car forward to that numbered gate. You don't need to hear the number, just pull up until the car line stops. Watch the teachers and they will direct you. The lane closest to the building will be lined up first, then the left lane will be lined up. Both lanes will wait until all students are loaded before being released. Upon release, both lanes of traffic will go, arranging yourselves either to turn left or turn right out of the parking lot.

Crossing Guards: The City of Rockledge employs crossing guards to direct traffic and keep drivers and pedestrians safe. Please follow their lead. They have entry and exits timed and coordinated so traffic can move smoothly in and out of the school. Slow down when you are in the school zone, stay off phones, and be kind. We love and care for our crossing guards and appreciate them taking care of our students.

Walker/Biker Release: Walkers & bikers will be released at 3:00pm. They exit campus through the North gate closest to the traffic light on Fiske. The intent of walkers is for them to walk off campus. If you use a car to pick up your child, I encourage you to use the car line. Parking is limited on the side streets next to the school. It is a public road, but it is a residential street. Be mindful not to block driveways, park in the grass, or block the street. Please show all the neighbors our kindness and be respectful of their property. Parking across the street is also limited. Do not park in the business parking lots as those are reserved for their customers.

*You may not park in the school parking lots to walk to the gate to pick up your child. This includes kindergarten parents. Cars may not enter the front parking lot or park in the front grass area for dismissal purposes. Only daycare vans and buses are to use the front parking lot. Walkers must walk off campus. This is for the safety of our students loading buses.

Daycare and Bus Pick up: Daycare and Bus riders will be released also at 3:00pm to load in the front parking lot. If your child is absent from school- please notify the day care. It saves us and them time locating your child who is not at school.

Rainy Day Dismissal: Rainy day dismissal will be called if the rain is more than a sprinkle where the students would get significantly wet were they to walk home OR if we hold students due to lightning

in the vicinity. If we hold students due to lightning in the vicinity, we will release them when it is safe according to their rainy-day plans. Please communicate with your teacher how your child will be going home if rainy day dismissal is called. The office will send out a text notification if we hold students due to lightning or if we will be dismissing according to their rainy-day plans. Please discuss with your child what they should do now, so they know.

Rainy day plans choices would be:

1. My walker/biker will be picked up in the car line. or

2. My walker/biker can ride/walk home in the rain (or after threat of lightening is over)

https://www.brevardschools.org/o/bps/page/code-of-student-conduct

Please click the link to become familiar with the student code of conduct. Administration has reviewed the Student Code of Conduct with all the classes and sharing the student responsibilities. We will continue to follow BPS discipline plans, included here for your review.

All students should follow the code of conduct so that there is an atmosphere of learning at school. We look forward to pushing all students to be successful. Please review the student responsibilities and the Code of Conduct as a family, so your child is set up for success.

Breakfast is free in all BPS schools. Lunch is free for all students here at Andersen. You are encouraged to set up a MySchoolBucks account to add funds so that your child can purchase a la cart items or snacks, if you allow.

Family members can eat with your students on Thursdays beginning August 22. Adult meal price is $3.90. You must first come to the front office and check in. Then you may drive your car around to park in the side parking lot. You will use the gate closest to the cafeteria. You may only eat with your child. The picnic tables outside are there for you to eat together. When the student's assigned lunch time is over, he/she will go to their teacher's line as they come out from the cafeteria. They must be released to the teacher at the end of their lunch period. Family will then exit out the same gate. Families may not accompany their student to the playground, class, or have them stay longer at table.

Click here to view the BPS wellness policy and classroom party information : https://www.brevardschools.org/o/bps/page/food-nutrition-services

Birthday Treats

All birthday treats need to be prearranged with the teacher. For student safety, all treats must be store-bought. Did you know you can order class/birthday treats from our cafeteria and have delivered to the class? Click the link above. Orders must be submitted 10 days in advance.

Our partners at Faith Baptist Church have a food pantry available in the summer for families in need from our Rockledge community. Please call the front office at 321-633-3610 to get connected with a representative at the church.

Andersen PTO

FB: https://www.facebook.com/Hans-Christian-Andersen-Elementary-PTO-149345531760536/

Website: www.andersenpto.org

Thank you to the follow businesses/groups for your generous donations of school supplies:

1. Faith Baptist Church

2. Office Depot

3. Valderrama Orthodontics

If your family is still in need of school supplies please come by or call the front office.

Please be sure to like and follow us on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/AndersenElementarySchool