Attendance Matters!
The school day officially begins at 7:30 a.m., and students should not arrive before 7:15 a.m. Regular attendance is critical for student success, as it directly impacts school interest, social adjustment, and academic achievement. Attendance is a shared responsibility between the student, parents, and school, and frequent absences disrupt instructional continuity—even when students attempt to make up missed work. Research and our own experience show that student success is strongly connected to consistent attendance. Our average daily attendance for September 8th–12th was 95.63%, and our goal for next week is 97%. Please help us reach this goal by ensuring your child is at school each day, and remember to notify Ms. Lonna if your child will be absent. Together, we can set our students up for success!
Illness
We follow the guidelines set by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). Students who are vomiting, or have a fever of 100 degrees or higher will be sent home. If your child has had symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea, or fever, her or she cannot return to school for at least 24 hours after the symptoms have subsided.
Hug and Go Lane Reminders
Families dropping off students between 7:15–7:30 a.m. or picking up between 2:35–2:45 p.m. are encouraged to use the Hug and Go Lane. To keep traffic flowing smoothly and safely, please pull up to the first available spot along the right-hand curb, drop off or pick up your child promptly, and then exit the lane. If your child needs assistance with a car seat, seat belt, or getting in and out of the car, please park in a designated spot instead, as the Hug and Go Lane is reserved for quick drop-off and pick-up only. We kindly ask that you remain mindful of both students and staff on duty, and if staff ask you to pull forward, please follow their direction to ensure safety for everyone. Thank you for helping us keep arrival and dismissal safe and efficient!
Homecoming Updates
We invite all students and families to join us in celebrating by participating in the Homecoming Parade! It’s a wonderful way to show your school spirit and be part of a special community tradition. More details can be found in the information attached at the end of this newsletter.
Infinite Campus
The Parent Portal on Infinite Campus is a great tool for staying connected to your child’s education. Through the portal, families can view grades, attendance, and progress on assignments in real time. Parents can obtain their GUID number from the school to set up an account, and the portal can be accessed either online from a computer or through the app on a tablet or phone. To get started, please contact Ms. Lonna to set up your username and password.
4th Grade Field Trip
Attention all 4th grade families! Permission slips and the $4 fee for the upcoming field trip are due by Wednesday, September 24th. Our 4th graders will be heading to the Centennial Village Museum in Greeley, Colorado on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, for an exciting day of hands-on learning and exploration.
Lunch and Recess Times
K/1st: Lunch: 11:00-11:20; Recess: 11:20-11:40
2nd/3rd: Lunch: 11:20-11:40; Recess: 11:00-11:20
4th/5th: Lunch: 11:45-12:05; Recess: 12:05-12:25
MS: Lunch: 12:10-12:25; Recess:12:25-12:40
Electronic Devices
Electronic devices such as phones, tablets. Smart watches, laptops, etc. are the responsibility of the student. All electronic devices are expected to be out of sight and turned off, unless a staff member has granted permission. If a student has his/her phone out without permission it will be temporarily confiscated and parents will be called to pick the phone up from school.
In an effort to respect the privacy of our staff and students, as well as prevent cyberbullying and the use of social media without permission, the use of picture taking or video recording during school hours is prohibited, unless permission has been granted by the administrator for the promotion of learning at school. Violators will be subject to the confiscation of their device, as well as out of school suspension. If a student chooses to bring a device to school, they are responsible for following the rules and for safekeeping their device.
Backpacks and Lockers
At Homyak, we support and understand the need for students to transport books and materials to and from school in a backpack. Once at school, however, we ask that middle school students make use of their lockers. Lockers are the primary way to ensure the safety of students’ personal belongings, including backpacks, books, materials, and cell phones. Students are expected to visit their lockers at designated times or with teacher permission as needed. Please note that lockers are large enough to store necessary items, especially when they are organized and cleaned out regularly. Larger items, such as band instruments, should be stored with a teacher rather than in a locker.
For safety reasons, backpacks are not allowed in the lunchroom, hallways, or classrooms in grades 6–8. After entering the school, backpacks should remain in lockers until dismissal. Additionally, for health reasons, we encourage students to keep the weight of their backpacks to a minimum whenever possible. Thank you for helping us keep our school safe, organized, and student-friendly!
Student Behavior Expectations
At Homyak, we believe every student deserves the opportunity to learn in an environment that is safe, respectful, and free from unnecessary disruptions. We work toward this by fostering collaboration, encouraging respectful dialogue, honoring cultural differences, and building trust-based relationships.
Our approach to behavior emphasizes teaching and modeling rather than solely disciplining. We prevent negative behaviors by providing direct instruction on expectations, modeling respect for all, reinforcing positive choices, and maintaining consistency across the building. When needed, a reflection form may be used by office staff to help students think about their actions and learn from the experience. Together, we are committed to creating a school culture where all students can thrive.
Additional Updates
As a reminder, there is no school for students on Monday, September 22nd.
If you are interested in volunteering at the school, please speak with Ms. Lonna in the front office regarding the process.
