BULLDOG BULLETIN

The first days of school are always so exciting! I have loved seeing our students back in classrooms and in our hallways these past few days! On Thursday students took time learning Bulldog Best expectations around the building; specifically what it looks like to be respectful, responsible, safe and kind in various parts of the school including the classroom, cafeteria, hallways, bathroom and at recess. We want to set up every student to be successful and plan to use common language for our Bulldog Best expectations around Sarah Adams!

Students have been busy organizing their materials, learning their schedules, and familiarizing themselves with their classrooms. We were thrilled that the sun was out today so that our students can finally test out the new playground! So far, we have had rave reviews!

Thank you for your help in keeping the flow of traffic going in the front of the building during both before and after school drop-off/pick-up. While we love furry friends, and I have 2 at home, dogs should not be on school property before or after school, as a way to ensure safety for all. We appreciate your support during the busiest parts of the school day!

Finally, we have included a new message that we say every day together, "Bulldogs, remember to Be You, and Bring your Bulldog Best every day! " Our hope is that this simple phrase will remind our students how special each of our students are, and how we can be our best selves while being a team.

I hope you have a restful and enjoyable weekend! Thank you again, for a wonderful start!

Fondly,

Dr. Colleen Conway

📌August 20- Family Fun Night

📌 August 21- Curriculum Night | K-2nd grade 5:45-6:45 pm | 3rd-5th grades 7-8 pm

📌 September 2- No School (Labor Day)

Click the link below to see the 2023-2024 school year school supply lists.

2024-2025- School Supply Lists

As we prepare to start the school year, it is important that students and families establish regular routines to maximize student attendance to school. For younger learners, sometimes this means helping students feel more comfortable about a transition away from home and caregivers. Parents can find additional resources for students struggling with thinking about the transition back to school HERE.

Please note that for students who struggle to maintain regular attendance, parents/families will receive additional communication, conference requests, and other interventions to support regular school attendance - in accordance with state law. Parents/guardians can find more information regarding attendance in the Parent-Student Handbook.

Additionally, there will be more information shared at our Curriculum Night. There will also be a parent workshop offered in early September around supporting student attendance - stay tuned for more information!

As we approach the start of the school year, we want to remind all of our students and families of bus behavior expectations. Please take some time to review the information below with your student(s) before the start of school:

• Drink water only while on the bus; other food or drinks should be kept put away

• Use a voice level of 0 (voices off), 1 (whisper) or 2 (conversational volume, such as talking to someone next to you) at all times while on the bus

• Keep the aisle clear when students are loading or unloading

• Keep all body parts within the bus during the entire route

• Remain seated during the entire route

• Report to and stay in your assigned seat during the entire route

• Follow loading/unloading/crossing directions provided

• Exit through the designated doors only

• Take all trash and personal items with you when exiting the bus

• Keep all personal items with you during the route

• Use your assigned bus stop

Families can find additional information regarding bus expectations in Chapter 4 of the Parent-Student Handbook; students will also receive additional instruction on this topic during the first few weeks of school. We look forward to your partnership in these efforts, and to a successful start to the school year on transportation!

Fee Waivers for the 2024-2025 school year are being accepted by the Business Office, and the forms are available on the district website on the Business & Operations Department page at https://www.lz95.org/departments/business-operations. Fee waiver forms must be completed and submitted for review each school year. If you have any questions regarding the Fee Waiver process please contact the Business Office at businessoffice@lz95.org.

Please see the flyer and link below for information on purchasing any SA Spirit Wear.

https://sarahadamsgear2024.itemorder.com/shop/home/

We are excited to kick off the 24-25 school year with a Safety Week, to occur during the week of August 19th. During this week, students will engage in learning around the following topics:

• The Standard Response Protocol (SRP), our emergency response protocol used to address safety concerns

• Safe2Help, our new anonymous reporting tool for safety concerns

• Collective responsibility for school safety (i.e., it takes all of us working together to maximize feelings of safety in the school community)

Families who want to learn more about the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) and the “I Love U Guys” Foundation may access information via the foundation’s website HERE. Please note that students will NOT be engaging in any drills associated with the SRP during Safety Week, and families will receive separate notification in advance of scheduled lockdown drills for the school year.

Effective the 24-25 school year, District 95 has partnered with Safe2Help Illinois, a statewide school safety program. This will replace the current District 95 See Something, Say Something tool. Safe2Help Illinois features a 24/7 helpline (1-844-4-SAFEIL), free mobile app, and dedicated website. Families who want to learn more about Safe2Help can visit the website at www.Safe2Helpil.com.

Thank you in advance for your partnership as we approach the start of the school year; it takes all of us working together to create safe school communities!

As part of our ongoing district Health & Wellness efforts, we have created a short presentation with food practice and allergy/dietary information related to our new food service providers. Follow the link HERE for this information!

As we have done in years past, we will be collecting information from students in Grades 3 through 5 during the week of 8/19/2024 regarding social-emotional and other related needs. This information will be used to plan for any additional supports for students, as well as for parent collaboration on student needs.

This process should only take a few minutes, and will be minimally disruptive to your student’s school day. Students and families may view the items from the needs assessment HERE. If you do not wish for your student to participate in the needs assessment, please contact the building principal, Colleen Conway, colleen.conway@lz95.org.

Our favorite red-headed orphan is coming to our elementary school’s stage this year- Annie! “Bet your bottom dollar” that this musical will be a blast for our Bulldogs! Auditions are open to 5th and 4th graders at this time. Please sign up no later than Sunday, August 18th by end of day. Don’t wait to sign your kiddo up- spots go fast! If there are still spots available Monday morning, 3rd graders will be invited. Important information and dates are included in the signup genius below!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4AADAE23AAFCC61-50595436-annie