The Weekly Update #4

First Week of School

It was exciting to welcome our new kindergarten students as they started their school journey and to see our fifth graders return as leaders of our school. The halls have been filled with smiles, learning, and lots of excitement!!! Thank you to our students, families, and staff for making our first week a success. We are looking forward to a great school year together!

Reminder: New This Year: Our car rider drop-off and pick-up location has moved to the back of the building at the gym entrance. This new location will help keep traffic flowing on Coulston Lane and provide a safer, more efficient process for everyone.

This is a new routine for everyone, so the first few days may take a little longer as families and staff get used to the new traffic pattern. We appreciate your patience as we work together to keep all students safe.

Morning drop-off begins at 7:25 AM. Please do not arrive before 7:10 AM, as staff will not be outside to supervise students before that time.

Afternoon pick-up begins at 2:15 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, and 1:45 PM on Wednesdays. To help keep traffic moving, please do not arrive before 1:45 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday or 1:30 PM on Wednesdays.

A Car Rider Tag is required for afternoon pick-up. Tags will be available:

• Beginning Monday, August 3 in the front office

• At Meet the Teacher Night on Monday, August 3, from 5:30–6:30 PM (staff will be available in front of the cafeteria to hand out tags). Please do this after you have visited your classroom.

• On the morning of the first day of school, Wednesday, August 5

***Car RIder Information-New This Year***

New this year…Drop-off and Pick-up will be in the back lot at the gym entrance. Please follow the arrows on the map when entering the car rider line for both morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up. Staff will be stationed at the designated unloading area to help students safely exit their vehicles. For safety, students should always exit on the passenger side onto the walkway. Please make sure your child is ready to exit the vehicle when you pull up. This will help keep traffic flowing and avoid any back up traffic.

All families should use the car rider line during arrival and dismissal. The front entrance is reserved for buses only during these times. Vehicles should not enter or park in the areas marked in red on the map.

This is a new traffic pattern for the school year. We appreciate your patience and cooperation as everyone learns the new routine. Our goal is to keep traffic moving while providing a safe arrival and dismissal for all students, while also allowing Coulston Lane to be accessible to the nearby residents. Thank you for helping us keep our Coulston Comets safe!

Help us give a warm Comet welcome to our new staff members! Follow us on Facebook to learn more about the newest members of the Coulston team.

2nd Grade-Miss Swango

3rd Grade-Miss Tinkle

Librarian-Mrs. Bailey

Parents, here are a few important reminders for the new school year:

• New this year: Indiana has a new technology law that limits the use of personal electronic devices during the school day. This includes but not limited to phones, tablets, watches, earbuds. More information will be available at Meet the Teacher Night.

• Please watch for information about Indiana's new attendance laws and how they may affect your child.

• If possible, please send your child with a plastic water bottle. This helps reduce distractions and accidental spills in the classroom.

• Water only is allowed in student water bottles. Per the Healthy Schools Policy, no other drinks may be brought to school. Any water bottles containing other beverages will be emptied.

• If you send a snack with your child, it must meet the Healthy Schools Policy. More information will be sent home.

• Dress Code Reminder: All shoes must have a back (no backless shoes). Please review the student handbook for the complete dress code before the first day of school.

Thank you for your support and cooperation. We look forward to a great year at Coulston!