Weekly Update 9/18

Dear Clinton Primary Families,

As we wrap up our second week of school, it is wonderful to see how quickly our students are settling in! They are now recognizing their bus numbers, mastering classroom routines, and coming to school happy and ready to learn every single day. A heartfelt thank you to all the families who joined us for our Open House events—your support and partnership mean the world to us!

Emergency Drill Notification

⏰ School Hours: Starting the Day Ready to Learn

Establishing a consistent morning routine is essential for our young learners. Arriving on time ensures your child has a calm, confident start to their morning, connects with their peers, and doesn't miss key instruction:

Doors Open: 8:45 AM
Tardy Bell: 9:05 AM (Getting students into the classroom before 9:05 AM allows them to unpack, settle in, and begin learning right on schedule!)
Parent Pick-Up Line Opens: 3:00 PM (We begin early to manage vehicle traffic and preserve our 3:15 PM bus schedule.)
Official End of School Day: 3:15 PM (start of bus dismissal)

🚗 Arrival, Dismissal, & Parking Lot Guidelines

With 23 buses navigating our compact lot each morning and afternoon, efficient traffic flow is vital to keeping every child safe and ensuring smooth transitions into and out of the building. Please review these essential guidelines for a safe arrival and dismissal:

Crucial Traffic Pattern:

🚫 NO LEFT TURNS INTO THE LOT: Left turns into the school entrance are strictly prohibited during arrival and dismissal. Please approach the building so you make a right-hand turn into the lot. At dismissal, cars queue in a single line along the shoulder; making a left turn cuts in front of families waiting patiently in line and causes dangerous backups on Clinton Street.
🛣️ PULL ONTO THE RIGHT SHOULDER: When waiting on Clinton Street, always pull completely onto the right shoulder so active traffic lanes remain open.

Key Safety Reminders:

🚘 Stay in Your Vehicle at Drop-Off and Pick-Up: Please remain inside your car. Our duty staff will assist your child with entering and exiting the vehicle safely.
📍 Use the Designated Drop-Off Zone: Ensure your child exits or enters only when you are completely stopped in the active loading zone—never drop off in passing lanes.
🛑 Drive Cautiously & Stay Alert: Maintain low speeds, yield at crosswalks, and put away mobile phones while anywhere in the school zone.
🦺 Follow Traffic Monitors: Our staff members are out there to keep cars moving and kids protected. Please follow their signals at all times.

Thank you for your ongoing cooperation in keeping our parking lot safe and running efficiently!

🌍 Celebrating Our Diversity & Culture

As a school, we recognize the value each individual student brings through their own unique culture, traditions, and language. Please take a moment to complete the following questionnaire so we can ensure all students are represented in our classroom and school activities, instruction, and celebrations. Thank you!

Click Here to Complete the Survey

🌟 Skill of the Week: Following Directions

This week, our school community is focusing on Following Directions!

Tips for Parents to Share with Children at Home: Practice at home what it looks like to follow directions:

🛑 STOP: Stop what you are doing right away when an adult starts speaking.
👂 LISTEN: Pay close attention to all the details of the request.
🧠 THINK: Use your brain to picture what steps you need to take.

Ways to Practice at Home:

Play "Simon Says" or "Freeze Dance": These fun games help kids practice listening closely and following directions quickly.
Try 2-Step Tasks: Give multi-step directions during daily routines (e.g., "First put your shoes in the closet, then wash your hands for dinner").
Praise the Fast Follow-Through: Celebrate when your child follows a direction right away without needing a second reminder!