Longfellow Family News

Dear Longfellow Families,

What a great first full week of school! We are so excited to have all of our students in grades K–5 back with us and to see our classrooms buzzing with learning, laughter, and new beginnings. We are settling into our routines, getting to know one another, and building the habits that will help make this a successful and exciting school year.

As we continue developing those new routines, we want to emphasize the importance of regular attendance and arriving at school on time. Every minute of the school day matters, and being here on time helps students start their day feeling prepared, confident, and ready to learn.

Students are considered tardy beginning at 8:15 a.m. To help ensure students have enough time to enter the building and make it to their classrooms on time, our car rider loop will close at 8:12 a.m. This allows students to get inside, settle in, and be ready for the start of their day.

Thank you for partnering with us as we establish routines and set the tone for a wonderful year ahead. We are excited about all that this school year will bring and look forward to a year filled with learning, growth, and many reasons to celebrate our students! Here’s to a fantastic year ahead!

Warmly Your Longfellow Principals,

Karen Pasquale and Ashley Girt

#MyChoiceWilloughbyEastlake

7:55 a.m.- Drop off and supervision begins. Safety Patrol and students eating breakfast may enter the building, remaining students are held on buses and in the gym.

8:05 a.m.- Students are released to homeroom classes.

8:15 a.m.- Classes begin.

2:55 p.m- Dismissal begins, the loop starts and students begin boarding buses.

3:00 p.m.- The school ends and walkers are released.

Please see attached for a map of our car loop. When you enter the driveway a staff member will take your name. We use two way radios to communicate inside and will load students 9 cars at a time along the numbered spaces on the sidewalk. Please put your child's seat on the curbside for safety and efficiency. We only want students exiting curbside. It is also important to pull all the way up so 9 cars can load at once then move together to the exit. Adults please remain in your vehicle. If you need to fasten car seat buckles and belts please pull around and park after your child enters your vehicle. We will get quicker as the year moves along but ask for your grace as we develop new routines. Thank you!

School attendance is extremely important, and deciding when a child is too sick to attend school can be a difficult decision. When trying to decide, please use the guidelines below and seek the advice of your health care provider.

Go to school: If your child has the following symptoms, they could probably go to school:

• Sniffles, clear runny nose, and/or mild cough or throat irritation without fever

• Vague complaints of aches, pains, or fatigue

• A single episode of diarrhea without complaints

• 
  

KEEP at home: If your child has any of the following symptoms, please keep your child home and contact your health care provider.

Chickenpox

Chickenpox blisters appear in crops and may leave scabs. Your child should remain home until all blisters are crusted over (usually 6-7 days after rash first appears.) A slight fever may or may not be present.

Colds

General symptoms are watery discharge from eyes/nose, sneezing, mild cough or throat irritation. If symptoms persist beyond 7-10 days, or if fever develops, keep your child home and see your doctor.

Diarrhea

Keep your child home for two or more watery stools in a 24 hour period, or if accompanied by cramping fever, and body aches. If your child will not eat, keep them home.

Ears

Drainage from the ear and/or ear pain should be evaluated by your health care provider.

Fever

A fever is a temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or greater. May return when fever-free for 24 hours WITHOUT the use of Tylenol or Motrin., etc.

Fractures/sprains or Surgery

A doctor’s note is needed to notify the nurse of any modifications to physical activity, length of the school day, mobility or transportation needs. Bus transportation may be affected by the use of crutches. Doctor’s note must include dates of restrictions.

Nasal Discharge

If drainage becomes yellow/gold to greenish, please stay home until evaluated by your doctor.

Rashes

Rashes of unknown cause are considered potentially contagious, especially when accompanied with fever and itching. Child may return when rash disappears or after medically recommended.

Sore Throat

Sore throat with presence of fever, swollen glands, or white spots on the throat should be evaluated by health care provider. May return to school when cleared by doctor, or after 24 hours of antibiotic treatment.

Vomiting

If your child is actively vomiting, please make certain they are able to hold down food/fluids before returning to school.

We are excited to announce that during the 2026-2027 school year. All students will be eligible for one free breakfast and lunch at school daily! No need to fill out forms, or meet other eligibility requirements. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to enjoy nutritious meals at school this year!

Loopers, If you plan on eating breakfast at school please arrive at 7:55. Bus riders and walkers will go directly to the cafeteria after entering the building if eating breakfast.

• Kindergarten
• First Grade
• Second Grade
• Third Grade
• Fourth Grade
• Fifth Grade
• Special Ed Unit +

PTA Mums sale kicked off Aug 26th at 3pm and goes through Sept 14th at midnight. Pick up will be Saturday Sept 26th at 10:30-12pm in the front parking lot of Longfellow. Please see all prizes on the back of the new sheet. Any questions please email longfellowpta01@gmail.com.

President: Brianna Keidel

Vice Presidents: Jamie Owen and Erin Lacina

Secretary: Lindsey Avery

Treasurer: Melissa Wilson

For the 2026-2027 school year, our PTA meetings will be on the first Thursday of the month (except December) at 5 pm in Longfellow Oasis. Please contact Longfellowpta01@gmail.com for your PTA questions!

• Mrs. Karen Pasquale, Principal
• Ms. Ashley Girt, Assistant Principal
• Mrs. Lisa Gabriel, Principal's Secretary
• Mrs. Laura Berardinelli, Administrative Secretary
• Mrs. Jacque Sparent, Family Liaison
• Miss Heather Hajjar, School Psychologist
• Miss Emma Thompson, Crossroads Provider
• Mrs. Jenny Lu, Nurse
• Ms. Justina Pearsall, Nurse

Main Office: 440-975-3720

Fax: 440-269-3022