Lower School - 8/20
We’re Ready to Welcome You Back!
The first day of school is almost here, and we are excited to welcome our Lower School students back to MCA on Tuesday! You have received a lot of information over the past several weeks, so this week’s communication is intentionally simple. Here are the few things you need to know to help make the first day smooth and successful.
Classrooms open at 7:45 AM.
- Students should be in their classrooms and ready to begin the school day by 8:00 AM.
- Our staff will be throughout the building Tuesday morning to welcome students, help them find their classrooms, and make sure everyone gets where they need to go.
- If your child is feeling a little unsure about where to go, encourage them to find an MCA staff member. We will be ready to help!
First Day Photo Opportunities
We know the first day picture is an important tradition!
Families will have opportunities to take first day photos before saying goodbye in two locations:
📍 Mall Hall
📍 Door 2, Maranatha’s Main Entrance
Feel free to stop for a picture before helping your child head toward their classroom.
Lunch Account Reminder
Before Tuesday, please take a moment to make sure there are funds available in your child’s lunch account. Taking care of this before the first day will help lunch run smoothly as students settle back into their school routines.
Afternoon Dismissal
School dismissal begins at 2:55 PM. Each grade level has an assigned dismissal door and traffic pattern. Please review the attached MCA Dismissal and Pick Up Map before Tuesday so you know where to enter, where your child will be picked up, and how to exit the parking lot.
The current dismissal map identifies the following grade level doors:
- PreK: Door 2
- Kindergarten: Door 1.5
- 1st Grade: Door 1
- 2nd Grade: Door 8
- 3rd Grade: Door 3
- 4th Grade: Door 6
Please remember that the parking lot speed limit is 10 mph, and families should follow the designated traffic flow and pickup lanes shown on the map. The first few days of dismissal may take a little longer as students, staff, and families become familiar with routines. Thank you in advance for your patience and attention to the traffic procedures.
Going to X-tended Day?
If your child will attend X-tended Day after school, please make sure your child has been registered for the program before Tuesday. Knowing each student’s dismissal plan ahead of time helps us make sure every child gets to the correct location at the end of the day.
Your Monday Night Checklist
☐ Make sure your child knows their teacher and classroom
☐ Plan to arrive between 7:45 and 8:00 AM
☐ Decide whether you want to stop for a first day photo
☐ Check your child’s lunch account balance
☐ Review your grade level’s dismissal door and traffic pattern
☐ Make sure your child knows how they are going home
☐ Confirm X-tended Day registration, if applicable
Most Importantly...
The first days of school are about more than getting every routine exactly right. They are about reconnecting, building relationships, learning new routines, and helping every student feel that they belong. Our teachers and staff are ready to welcome your children, help them navigate the first day, and begin what we believe will be a wonderful school year.
We cannot wait to see everyone Tuesday morning!
Dr. Rachel David
Lower School Principal
Heavenly Father,
As we near the beginning of this new school year, we thank You for the gift of learning, friendship, and new opportunities. Fill our hearts with curiosity, kindness, and courage as we grow in knowledge and character.
Help us to do our best each day, to treat others with respect, and to be patient when learning is difficult. Guide our teachers with wisdom, our families with love, and our classmates with compassion. May our words and actions bring hope, encouragement, and peace to those around us.
Bless our school community and keep us safe throughout the year. May everything we do bring glory to You and help us become the people You created us to be.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen