Fox Ridge Family Newsletter

Friday, 8/1- HAC Opens to Parents 8am

Friday, 8/8 - PTO Back to School Family Event

Monday, 8/11- Backpack Night see details below!

Wednesday, 8/13 - 1st Day of School!

Monday, 8/25 - Picture Day

Wednesday, 8/27 - Elementary Early Release- 2:35pm Dismissal

Friday, 8/29 - Institute Day- NO School for Students

Monday, 9/1 - Labor Day Holiday (NO School)

HAC is where you will log into to see your child's teacher information! Please click below if you need help logging in!

Bus Route Information will be available AFTER 12pm in HAC (Home Access Center).

Please fill out our form by clicking the button below!

Volunteers needed

We are looking forward to our upcoming welcome back event this Friday!

• Friday, August 8th
• 5:00 pm-8:00 pm
• Games and Activities for the kids
• Concessions will be available (popcorn and drinks)

This information is also on Facebook and the PTO's website.

Get ready for our first event for our Foxes and their families. Welcome, welcome!
On Friday, August 8th, from 5pm to 8pm, we will be hosting a night of fun, games, and FREE PIZZA out on the school's back playground.
We encourage families to bring their own chairs and/or blankets for sitting outside and enjoying their food.
We need volunteers to help us run some activities. Please consider signing up for a slot:

signupgenius.com

Dear Families,

As we prepare for the upcoming school year, there are a few important updates we would like all families and students to be aware of.

New Cell Phone & Smart Device Procedures

Over the past year, an advisory group of more than 70 parents, students, staff, and community members worked collaboratively to study current trends, review research, and develop consistent district-wide procedures for student use of cell phones and smart devices.

These new procedures will go into effect on August 13, 2025, the first day of the school year. We’re sharing a brief video below, which highlights the voices of our students, families, and staff, and explains why these changes are important:

➡️ Watch the D303 Smart Device Procedures Video

Below is the original communication shared in June from Dr. Gordon:

Dear D303 Community,

I hope your summer break is off to a great start. As staff begin preparing for the 2025-2026 school year, one of our biggest areas of focus is on our new procedures for limiting the use of cell phones and smart devices in our classrooms. These procedures will take effect on August 13, 2025. They are the result of collaborative input from across our community.

Please take a few minutes to watch the video linked above to hear directly from students, parents, and educators about how the new procedures will work—and why they matter.

Thank you,
Dr. Paul Gordon
Superintendent

Elementary School (Grades EC–5)

This is the primary shift for our youngest learners:

• Students may bring smart devices (phones, smartwatches, earbuds, etc.) to school.

• All devices must be silenced and stored away (in backpacks or designated areas) during the entire school day, including lunch and recess.

• Devices may not be used during school hours unless authorized by a teacher or staff member for educational purposes.

Back-to-School Reminder for Elementary Families

As a reminder, all elementary students will now be expected to keep their smart devices turned off and put away throughout the school day. We appreciate your support in helping students understand and follow these expectations, which are designed to reduce distractions and support a more focused, connected classroom experience.

Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

Picture Day is Monday, 8/25.Information from Color Portraits-this is a prepay site and ordering will be closed at Midnight the day of Picture Day to process the orders. If parents missed prepaying they will have a chance to order pictures with their child's Ticket Code. When placing an order after Picture Day with a Ticket Code a shipping fee will be added on and picture packages will be shipped directly to the home. Ticket Codes will be delivered with the bulk picture package order approximately three weeks post Picture Day.

Kimberly Barnum-Certified School Nurse

Samantha Montgomery-Registered Nurse

They can be reached at 331-228-2404 in the Health Office or by email:

fox-nurses@d303.org