Welcome Back, July Edition

Open House is a fun evening to take care of all the things—drop off supplies, meet your child’s teacher and our school nurse if needed, complete enrollment, sign up for SACC, connect with the PTO, and more!

Join us Wednesday, August 19, from 5:30–7:00 p.m. during the time slot that matches your LAST NAME:

A-G 5:30-6:00

H-M 6-6:30

N-Z 6:30-7:00

Families will have 30 minutes to meet their teacher and converse about all things back to school as well as drop off student supplies. You are welcome to take time to adventure through Coleman Elementary, explore the school, find important locations and enjoy fun photo opportunities.

The school day begins at 8:35 AM and students will be released at 3:40 PM.

Students should not be dropped off before 8:05 am; there is no supervision available. Students dropped off between 8:05 - 8:20am will either eat breakfast or play on the playground/gym.

*If your child is a morning car rider and will not eat breakfast, we strongly encourage you to drop them off after 8:20am.

SACC is our before and after school care program.

If your child needs morning childcare before 8:05 am, contact the school office at 636-742-2133

or visit the School Age Child Care Program website to register.

For more information please see the flyer below:

Please check BusRight for current bus schedules. If you have any questions please contact Transportation at cguenzler@mvr3.k12.mo.us or rtaylor@mvr3.k12.mo.us.

We encourage families to have students arrive and leave school using their regular transportation method beginning on the first day. Bus riders should ride the bus to and from school so they can meet their driver and begin learning the routine. Parents may meet their child at school after the bus arrives to take a photo outside.

MVR-III uses the free BusRight Parent App to share bus routes and times. Families can track the bus in real time, receive route notifications, view estimated arrival times, and receive Transportation Department updates.

To get started:

1. Download the BusRight app.
2. Create an account using your Infinite Campus email address.
3. Begin tracking your child’s bus route.

If you have trouble creating an account, contact your school office to confirm you are listed as the primary guardian in Infinite Campus. More information is available on the district website under Transportation.

To help students understand and practice their arrival/dismissal routine, we encourage parents to start the year with the routines they plan on using for the entire year. If your student will be a bus rider, we encourage them to ride the bus to and from school on the first day. Students need to meet their bus driver and get into the routine of those normal procedures starting on day one. Help your child be successful and have a smooth transition to school by starting their day off with our friendly bus drivers. On the first day, parents are welcome to meet their student at school after they arrive on the bus and snap a picture outside!!

It is the goal of the Meramec Valley R-III School District to provide a safe environment for students. The district recognizes that rules regarding dismissal of students are a necessary part of the district’s safety program. All visitors must enter the school through the main office doors. You will present your ID and receive a visitor's badge. Students who are going to be picked up before the end of the school day will be released through the main office only.

We will continue to use Kid Account to dismiss this year. We will be passing out your official Kid Account Card on Monday. Every student gets one card. This card will be scanned at pick up to ensure each child is released to the correct guardian. We will also use Kid Account as students get on the bus each day to ensure all students are released to the correct bus.

Below you will find a picture of our entire dismissal process. There is a lot happening from 3:30-3:50 to make sure that we dismiss safely, efficiently, and timely.

We will use Kid Account at all dismissal locations: SACC, each individual bus, and for the car lane.

• Car Riders - We will come to your car window and scan a Kid Account Card or type your child's last name into your system and log who is picking up your child - Please make sure anyone that is allowed to pick up your child is on their portal and approved by you. This is the safety feature that helps us accurately know to whom we are releasing students to. If an adult is picking up your child and they are NOT listed on the emergency contact, we will be asking for an ID - to keep the line moving we may ask you to pull out of line and move to the front lane by the stairs until we can confirm ID and contact the child's guardian. THE FRONT CAR CANNOT LEAVE UNTIL ALL SIX CARS ARE LOADED. We don't want any moving vehicles while loading students. WE ASK THAT IF YOUR CHILD NEEDS HELP GETTING SITUATED THAT YOU PULL OUT AND PARK IN ANOTHER LOCATION TO GET OUT AND HELP THEM. ALL DRIVERS WILL NEED TO STAY IN THEIR CARS AND WE WILL HELP THE KIDDOS IN.

*** If you have more people that may pick your child up, it also works if you take a picture of the card or we can type in the last name and search for your child. The line and scanning move quicker with the card ready which is our main goal.

The annual online student information update for the 2026-2027 school year was already emailed out - please make sure you take time to complete this process or call the office (636-742-2133) to get some support in completing this task!

During our Open House you are welcome to come to the front office and the secretaries can assist families with the online update.

Additionally, Free/Reduced Meal Applications will be available at Open House and will be sent home in electronic and paper form! It is important that this application is completed by ALL families, even if you think you will not qualify. You can also complete the application in Infinite Campus.

At Meramec Valley R-III School District, we remain committed to ensuring every student has access to healthy, nutritious meals that support their learning and success in the classroom. While we have been proud to provide free breakfast over the last two years, it has been funded at a shortfall, and the district has been making up the difference to cover the cost. As a result, the district will no longer be able to provide free breakfast to all students.

While we work hard to absorb rising operational costs, MVR-III will be adjusting meal prices for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year. This is the district’s first meal price increase since before 2022. Beginning this fall, student lunch prices and secondary breakfast will increase by 30 cents, and elementary breakfast will increase by 25 cents.

To help families navigate these changes, we highly encourage everyone to complete the Free and Reduced-Price Meal Application. Eligibility guidelines change from year to year, and many families who may not have qualified in the past find that they do now. This application will be available at all Back-to-School events. Approved applications not only assist your family with meal costs but also ensure our schools continue to receive other vital funding.

Detailed information regarding finalized meal prices, payment options, and the application process will be shared before the start of the school year. If you have any immediate questions regarding free or reduced lunch applications, please reach out to Michelle Dawson at (636) 271-1428 or email Michelle at mdawson@mvr3.k12.mo.us.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support as we prepare for a fantastic school year ahead!

A copy of the most updated shot record should be turned into the office as adequate immunizations are required by law. Special health conditions regarding your student should be reported through our Medical Information Form filled out during registration but a follow up with Nurse Calvin but you may follow-up with Nurse Calvin during Open House if you have specific health concerns.

In accordance with the Food and Drink Guidelines outlined in the MVR-III Student Handbook, we want to share a quick reminder about classroom snacks and celebrations.

We love celebrating our students! If you plan to send a birthday treat, classroom snack, or special celebration item, please review the guidelines below.

All food items must be individually prepackaged and include an ingredient label, and homemade treats cannot be distributed at school. Because individual classrooms may have additional allergy restrictions, please check with your child’s teacher before sending any food or non-food celebration items

The district is also expanding the Watch D.O.G.S. (dads/guardians of great students) safety program at each K-8 building in the district. If you are interested learning more about this program or volunteering even 1 day a year as a Watch D.O.G.S. in your child’s school.

Watch D.O.G.S. is a national innovative program focusing on the prevention of violence in our children's schools by using the positive influence of fathers and father-figures for two purposes:

1) To provide positive male/adult role models for the students, demonstrating by their presence that education is important.

2) To provide extra sets of eyes and ears to enhance school security and reduce bullying. WATCH D.O.G.S. are fathers, grandfathers, uncles, and any other father-figures who volunteer as a positive presence for at least one whole school day each year at an official WATCH D.O.G.S. school.

Please contact the Coleman office if you are interested in serving as a WATCH D.O.G.S. at Coleman Elementary.

Volunteering helps create a positive community, makes school better, and increases student achievement.

If you plan to volunteer or attend field trips you will first need to complete the background check process. Two background checks are now required, and the process takes up to 10 days to complete.

We suggest families plan ahead and complete the process prior to the start of the school year. Volunteers should review the links below. Please contact the school office if you have any questions.

Please take some time to review our 2026–2027 Student Handbook. The handbook contains important information about school procedures, expectations, and policies. Below are a few reminders we especially want our Coleman families to know as we begin the year!

Attendance: Regular attendance makes a big difference! If your child will be absent, please contact the school office before 9:00 a.m. each day they are absent. Families will receive attendance letters through Infinite Campus after the 3rd, 5th, and 7th absences. These letters are simply a way for us to keep communication open and provide support when needed.

Birthdays & Celebrations: We love celebrating our Warriors! Families are encouraged to find fun ways to celebrate without food. If treats are sent for a birthday or classroom celebration, they must follow the district’s approved Healthy List/Smart Snack guidelines. Prepackaged food items must include an ingredient list.

Cell Phones & Smart Watches: Cell phones and smart watches may not be used during the school day. Students who bring a cell phone to school must keep it turned off and stored in their backpack from 8:35 a.m.–3:40 p.m. If a student needs to contact a parent or guardian during the day, they should do so through the office. Wireless Bluetooth earbuds and headphones should also remain at home.

Recess: All grade levels have recess each day, and students will go outside whenever weather permits—so please dress for the weather! Recess will not be taken away as a consequence for unrelated classroom behavior. Any recess restriction must be assigned by administration in accordance with the Student Handbook. Walking laps may only be used as a logical consequence connected to behavior that occurs during recess.

Personal Items & Lost and Found: Toys, collectibles, and other small personal items are best left at home, especially when they may become a distraction or could be lost or damaged. Please label jackets, coats, water bottles, lunch boxes, and other belongings with your child’s name. Unclaimed Lost and Found items are donated after 30 days.

As we head into the 2026-2027 school year, our district is focusing on Pathways to Success.

The motto of Coleman Elementary this year is "Warriors Rise: Build Community and Lead with Character" We will focus on building strong relationships with our students, parents and guardians to ensure they have a successful school year.

For the 2026-2027 school year, our district is focusing on Pathways to Success.

The motto of Coleman Elementary this year is "Warriors Rise: Build Community, Lead with Character" We will focus on building strong relationships with our students, parents and guardians to ensure they have a successful school year.

• August 19th - Open House
• A-G: 5:30-6:00
• H-N: 6:00-6:30
• M-Z: 6:30 -7:00
• August 24th- First Day of School!
• August 25th: Fall Picture Day
• September 7th: Labor Day, No School!
• September 14th: PTO Meeting, Coleman Library @ 4:15
• September 18th: Bridging the Future, Kindergartners meet the Seniors on the field at half time.
• October 2nd: Early Release Day, Homecoming Parade.

2026–2027 PTO Board

President: Morgan Copeland

Vice President: Rachel Hill

Treasurer: Chelsey LaFrance
Secretary: Kassandra Guardian Grant

Contact Us

Email:colemanpto63089@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ColemanElementaryPTO/

PTO Meetings

Join us every first Monday of the month at 4:15 p.m. in the Coleman library. Keep an eye out for

Coleman Elementary Principal

Email: tgish@mvr3.k12.mo.us

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ColemanWarriorsMVR3

Coleman Website: https://www.mvr3.k12.mo.us/o/coleman

Location: 4536 Coleman Road, Villa Ridge, MO 63089

Phone: 636-742-2133 ext 4000