EDW BRAVE BULLETIN

EDW PTO is excited to once again provide a fun, allergen-safe treat for all classrooms this year!

We’re asking for a little extra help to make the celebration even more special. If you’re able to contribute, please click the sign-up link below to see what’s needed.

Thank you for your continued support, we couldn’t do it without you! ❤️

Thanks to our amazing PTO, every student will receive a Pod-colored T-shirt! These shirts are perfect for field trips, cheering on our Braves, and creating fun memories that last. A huge shout-out to PTO, we appreciate you!

If your child hasn’t received theirs yet, no worries! Just sign up for a conference and grab your child’s shirt while you’re here. Let’s show off that Pod pride!

• Costumes:

Students should arrive at school in their costumes, as there will not be time to change during the day. Blow up costumes are okay but only during the parade, they will not be able to be worn during the day. Please refer to the attached flyer for costume guidelines.

• Parade:

Parade will begin at 2:45 PM outside, starting with 5th grade and ending with Kindergarten. Students may wear coats for the short outdoor walk if needed.

Parents: We’re excited to have you watch the parade! Please line up at the North end of the building. Please note that parents will not be permitted to enter through the parade doors during the parade.

• Classroom Parties:

Parties will begin after the parade, around 3:00 PM. The PTO will provide a fun snack and activity for each class. The sign-up to attend the party will be available next week, it will be sent out via email per each class.

• Parent Entry:

Only guests who signed up through Sign-Up Genius at least 24 hours in advance will be allowed inside the building. If you signed up, please check in at the North doors (car line) to receive your pre-made sticker.

• Alternative Activity:

Students not participating in the parade or party will enjoy an alternative activity in the Music Room with Miss Bradford.

• Dismissal:

Dismissal procedures will remain the same. If you plan to take your child after the party, you must sign out with their teacher. Reminder: If you have more than one child at EDW, you must sign out with each teacher before leaving campus.

We can’t wait for a spook-tacular day! 👻

Please remember to connect with your child's teacher to schedule a time for parent-teacher conferences happening next week, October 15th and 16th. This is a great opportunity to discuss your child's progress and address any questions you may have. We look forward to seeing you!

BEFORE THE CONFERENCE:

Assemble any relevant materials.

Review these materials.

Talk with your child before the conference.

Be familiar with your child’s homework assignments.

Prepare a list of questions you want to ask your child’s teacher.

Referral to special education.

Be ready to collaborate.

DURING THE CONFERENCE:

Listen carefully.

Offer your perspective.

You want to hear good news about your child.

Do not be afraid to ask questions.

Did your child’s picture come back with a goofy grin, messy hair, or that classic “I forgot how to smile” face? No worries! Picture Retake Day is October 29th!

Students who missed the first round are already on the list. If you’d like your child to try again, email edwsec@usd204.net before the 29th so we can add them to the retake roster.

With Halloween being our next celebration in October, we wanted to re-share our party procedures. Over the past year, we have implemented procedures to make these events safe, enjoyable, and memorable while keeping the focus on our students. This approach aligns with practices followed across other schools in our district, ensuring consistency within our school community. We greatly appreciate your support as we continue to provide a safe and celebratory environment where children can learn, grow, but also have fun.

We kindly ask that all families continue to follow the established guidelines for class parties. With over 340 students, it is essential that anyone planning to attend signs up through Sign-Up Genius at least 24 hours before the event. This allows us time to prepare for all guests and helps minimize confusion during arrival and dismissal. Only those who sign up by the deadline and arrive without younger siblings will be able to attend. Sign-Up Genius links are emailed to families a week before each party to provide ample time to sign up.

We understand that being unable to attend may feel disappointing, and we want to assure you this is not our intention. These procedures are thoughtfully designed to prioritize the well-being, safety, and positive experience of every student.

Here’s a reminder of our approach:

1. Sign-Up Genius for Each Class
Each teacher has a dedicated Sign-Up Genius link for their classroom. Parents may sign up for a slot, allowing up to two adults per student to attend. The sign-up deadline is 24 hours before the event to allow sufficient time for preparations. If a change is needed, families must call the office at least 24 hours before the event so we can adjust arrangements accordingly.

2. Visitor Registration and Building Access
Only individuals listed on Sign-Up Genius by the deadline are permitted entry. Pre-printed visitor stickers with attendee names are prepared for quick check-in. PTO representatives and staff will welcome guests at the North entry. Reminder: younger siblings cannot attend.

3. Treats
Treats are coordinated with PTO guidance.

4. Departure Procedures and Early Dismissal
Parents wishing to take their child home after the party must sign out directly with the teacher in the classroom. If the child has siblings in other classrooms, parents should sign out with each teacher. After signing out, families are asked to exit promptly to maintain security and reduce hallway congestion.

5. Parent Communication and Expectations
Parents are responsible for communicating party procedures to any non-guardian guests attending on their behalf. Signing up a non-guardian on Sign-Up Genius indicates they are authorized to check out the child early if desired.

Thank you for your continued cooperation and understanding. We look forward to joyful and memorable celebrations with all our students!

Good news! Strawbridge has a NEW Code Lookup Tool which makes it easier than ever to order your child’s school pictures. Simply scan the QR code on the flyer and follow the directions to access your child’s picture gallery, no need for an access code!

👉 For security, you’ll just need your child’s last name and student ID number. To find your child's ID number you will need to login to Skyward- Click on the "Student Profile" tile-You will find the Student Number located at the top under Student Information.

If you have any questions or run into any trouble, our Customer Service team is happy to help through the Live Chat feature on www.strawbridge.net

Our Scholastic Book Fair is coming and it's bound to be epic! From October 8th-16th, you and your little bookworms can browse a page-turning selection of stories at school and online. Shopping from the comfort of home? Use this exclusive link to visit the fair online—it’s bound to have something for every reader!

To make things even easier, set up your student's eWallet ahead of time! It’s a novel way to let them choose their favorites without fumbling for cash. And here’s a plot twist: anyone can contribute to your student’s eWallet using the link above—grandparents, aunts, uncles, your family's favorite characters! Want to help your student's teacher’s library shelf live happily ever after—donate to their eWallet here. Don't wait---this story ends soon! Happy reading!

October 8th-16th: Book Fair

October 14th: Kindergarten Field Trip- Gieringers Family Farm

October 15th: No School- Parent Teacher Conference 3:30pm-7:30pm

October 16th: No School- Parent Teacher Conference 3:30pm-7:30pm

October 17th: No School

October 29th: Fall Picture Retakes

October 30th: 3rd Grade Field Trip-Kauffman Stadium

October Community Meeting: We have rescheduled the community meeting for October and have combined it with our November community meeting.

October 31st: Halloween Parade and Parties- 2:45pm

President: Theresa Wild

Secretary: Kim Lindsey

Treasurer: Ashley Shepard

Volunteer Coordinator: Julie Thomas

Event Coordinator: Kayla Jordan & Tiffany McCann

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CONTACT INFORMATION:

edwpto204@gmail.com

COMMUNICATION:

www.facebook.com/edwpto

To help dismissal run smoothly and safely, we ask families to follow our regular dismissal procedures. After the meeting, please exit the building while students return to their classrooms to gather belongings.

If your child is usually a bus rider but you’d like them to be a car rider that day, please call the office before 2:30 PM to let us know. This ensures they will be in the car rider line when dismissal begins at 3:40 PM.

✨ If you need to take your child with you directly after the Community Meeting:

• Report to your child’s classroom after the meeting and sign them out with their teacher.

• If you have more than one child, you must sign out each child in their own classroom. This ensures we know exactly where every student is. Dismissal can be hectic, and bus drivers and car rider staff need to know which students are where. If a student is missing, the school will be contacted to verify whether they were signed out early or simply didn’t make it to their line. The sign-out sheet is how we track this.

• Only one legal guardian should enter each classroom to avoid crowding. Other guests should wait outside or in the car.

• A legal guardian is a biological parent or someone who has provided legal documentation of guardianship. We cannot release students to emergency contacts without prior approval.

• If someone other than a legal guardian will sign out your child, you must call the office before 2:30 PM to give approval.

Teachers’ sign-out sheets list only legal guardians. If someone is not listed and no prior approval was given, your child will follow their normal dismissal routine.

To help families know the best way to get answers quickly and effectively, our school follows a communication matrix flow. This matrix outlines who to reach out to first with different types of questions or concerns, whether it’s about classroom learning, attendance, technology, or school-wide events.

The goal is to connect you directly with the person who can best support your child and provide accurate information right away. By following the communication flow, families experience fewer delays, staff can respond more efficiently, and everyone stays on the same page.

Good attendance is essential for student success. Please call or email (edwsec@usd204.net) between 8:00 AM–3:00 PM on the day of an absence (or send a note within one day of returning) for it to be excused.

👉 Please note: Excused absences have changed — students now have 14 excused absences for the entire school year. They do not reset at semester like before. After 14, a doctor’s note will be required.

• Tardy: Arrivals between 8:30–9:00 AM or leaving after 3:15 PM = tardy (5 tardies = 1 unexcused absence).

• Truancy: 3 consecutive unexcused days, 5 in a semester, or 7 in a year.

For early release, a parent/guardian must come to the office to sign the student out — students may not wait outside.

This year, we will continue to offer private dining for families who would like to have lunch with their child. However, the location has changed since our music room is now in the former private dining space. We have designated the Makerspace (right across from the office) as the new area for you and your child to enjoy lunch together.

Because the Makerspace is a dual-reservation room, used not only for private dining but also for district employees who may need to hold special meetings with families or staff—all private dining must now be reserved in advance. If the room is not available on your requested day, we’ll be happy to help you choose another day, or you are welcome to sign your child out for lunch and return in time for their next class.

Once you have a reservation scheduled, you are still welcome to bring outside food if you choose.

For safety reasons, and to ensure we can properly monitor and accommodate food allergies and dietary restrictions, friends are not permitted to join for lunch. This policy helps us maintain a safe and controlled environment for all students.

At the conclusion of lunch (and lots of hugs), your child will return to class with their teacher, and you will depart from the Makerspace. Before leaving the building, please stop by the office to sign out so we can keep our visitor log accurate.

We love celebrating birthdays at school, and we’re excited to welcome parents back to join in the fun! To keep learning on track, all birthdays celebrations will take place at the very end of the day. Store bought treats should be brought in by 3:10 PM or later. This ensures celebrations do not disrupt the school day. As always, you are also welcome to just send the treats in with your child.

📞 Planning Ahead: Please communicate with your child’s teacher or the front office before bringing treats, so we can be ready for visitors and adjust the end-of-day routine as needed.

🎈 Birthday Invitations: If you’d like to distribute invitations at school, please provide one for every student in the class. Otherwise, invitations should be shared outside of school.

For the safety and accountability of each student, only legal guardians are authorized to sign out a student from school. We cannot release a student to a grandparent, sibling, boyfriend, girlfriend, other family members, or friends without prior phone approval from a legal guardian.

Please note that even if someone is listed as an emergency contact in Skyward, they are not considered a legal guardian. We still require a call from the legal guardian before releasing a student to an emergency contact.

Legal guardians include biological parents listed on the birth certificate, foster or adoptive parents, or individuals with court documentation stating they are guardians. This policy is in effect every day, including during parties, celebrations, and assemblies.

Thank you for helping us ensure the safety of all our students!

As we navigate the changing seasons, We want to remind everyone of our recess guidelines and the importance of ensuring students come to school dressed appropriately for the weather.

• Winter Guidelines:

  • If the outside temperature or wind chill is 25-31 degrees, outdoor recess will be limited to 5-10 minutes.
  • If the temperature or wind chill is 24 degrees or below, recess will be held indoors.
  • Recess will also be held indoors during falling precipitation (snow, sleet, rain, etc.).

• Summer Guidelines:

  • Outdoor recess may take place as long as there is no heat index warning in effect.

We appreciate your help in preparing your child with weather-appropriate clothing, such as coats, hats, gloves, or lighter attire as needed for the season. These measures ensure all students can enjoy recess comfortably and safely.

To stay connected, we’re continuing to use Rooms, our two-way communication tool with teachers and staff. The best way to access Rooms is through the USD 204 app, available in the App Store and Google Play. Just search USD 204. You can also access Rooms via a web browser at https://id.thrillshare.com.

• New to the district? You should have received an invitation by text or email to set up your account. If not, submit an account request HERE.

• Returning families: Your login hasn’t changed. Use your email or phone number, or reset your password with “Forgot my password.” If you’re unable to log in or see issues, submit a support request HERE.

• Already have the app? Be sure you’re on the latest version—open your app store, search USD 204, and update if needed.

• Don’t see a class yet? Please be patient—teachers are in the process of publishing their Rooms, and classes will appear as they are set up.

What’s new this year?

SMS Notifications: Receive a text whenever a new message or announcement is sent, with a direct link to view it in your browser or the app. Learn how to set your notification preferences HERE.

• Upgraded Messaging: A single inbox now shows all your messages across all children, with the ability to read, reply, or start new conversations. See additional details HERE.
  

Check out this overview of the new experience or watch this short video to learn more.

Thank you for your patience as we work through any issues together—we’re excited for another great school year!

Administration / Counselor

Nancy Julo, Principal: julon@usd204.net

Scott Geary, Asst. Principal: gearys@usd204.net

Janai Johnson, Counselor: johnsonja@usd204.net

Front Office Staff:

Attendance & Transportation Email: EDWSec@usd204.net

Kelli Wille, Registrar/Secretary: willek@usd204.net

Kristin Rissler, Bookkeeper/Secretary: risslerk@usd204.net

Cherie Coffman, Nurse: coffmanc@usd204.net

(doors open at 8:15am for arrival, tardy bell will ring promptly at 8:30am)

Office #- 913-422-4036

Fax#- 913-298-5190

Transportation #- 913-441-2493