The Panther Post

Welcome to a new school year!

It was truly wonderful to see so many warm, smiling faces at Meet the Teacher. There was so much excitement throughout the building as students reconnected with friends, met their teachers, and explored their new classrooms. We could not believe how tall all of our students have grown over the summer!

Our staff has been working hard to prepare for a wonderful year filled with learning, connection, kindness, and new opportunities. This year’s theme is “Leave Your Mark on Page.” Throughout the year, we will encourage our students to make a positive difference through kind hearts, growing minds, and actions that help everyone feel like they belong.

We are so excited to welcome our students back and look forward to partnering with each of you to help every child feel safe, supported, connected, and successful at Page.

As we begin the year, clear communication will help our arrival and dismissal routines run safely and smoothly. Included in this letter is important information about our pick-up procedures, how to notify the school about your child’s transportation plans or any changes to those plans, and the Stopfinder app for families with bus riders.

Thank you for trusting us with your children. We are grateful to have your family as part of the Page community and cannot wait to see the wonderful ways our students leave their mark on Page this year!

Together, we leave our mark,

Teresa Collins
Principal, Elizabeth Page Elementary

Wednesday, September 9

• First day of school for students in grades 1–5
• Kindergarten students with last names beginning with A–L attend
• School hours: 8:35 a.m.–2:50 p.m.

Thursday, September 10

• Students in grades 1–5 attend
• Kindergarten students with last names beginning with M–Z attend
• School hours: 8:35 a.m.–2:50 p.m.

Friday, September 11

• Students in grades 1–5 attend
• School hours: 8:35 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
• No kindergarten
• Kindergarten class lists will be posted at 4:00 p.m.

Monday, September 14

• First day of school for all kindergarten students
• All students in grades K–5 attend
• School hours: 8:35 a.m.–2:50 p.m.

Students may arrive beginning at 8:00 a.m., when breakfast is provided. Please do not drop students off before 8:00 a.m., as supervision is not available. Classroom doors open at 8:25 a.m., and school begins at 8:35 a.m.

Families may walk students to the front doors. For the safety and security of all students, parents and guardians may not enter the building, even on the first day of school. Please take your first day of school pictures and say your goodbyes outside before your child enters the building.

Teachers will work with families to establish each student’s regular transportation plan. If your child’s plan changes, a parent or guardian must notify the office in writing or by phone before 2:00 p.m. on the day of the change.

Please do not send transportation changes through Seesaw or ask your child to communicate the change, as these messages may be missed or misunderstood. For safety, all changes must come directly from a parent or guardian. If the office does not receive advance notice, your child will be sent home according to their regular transportation plan.

To help dismissal move safely and smoothly, please remain in your vehicle and pull all the way forward in the pickup line. Staff will bring your child to your vehicle. Please stay alert and watch carefully for students and staff moving through the area.

For more detailed information about our dismissal procedures, please see the attached document. Thank you for your patience and for helping us keep everyone safe.

Students who walk or ride their bikes to and from school should use sidewalks and designated crosswalks and follow the directions of our crossing guard and staff. Bike riders should walk their bikes while on school grounds, and all students should stay clear of vehicle loading and passing lanes.

For safety, students in kindergarten through 2nd grade may not walk home or to the Salvation Army parking lot on their own. They may walk with an older sibling, if the school has written permission from a parent or guardian. After dismissal, students should go directly home and check in with a parent or guardian before going anywhere else. Please review your child’s route and after-school expectations with them before the first day.

Students should follow all bus safety expectations and listen carefully to the bus driver’s directions. District policy requires students to ride only their assigned bus and route. Students may not ride home on another student’s bus. Before the first day of school, please make sure your child knows their bus route.

Families of bus riders will receive an email with information about the Stopfinder app. Stopfinder allows families to view their child’s bus schedule anytime and from anywhere. Click here to learn more.

Elizabeth Page Elementary

1300 Hayden Bridge Rd

Springfield, OR 97477

Email: teresa.collins@springfield.k12.or.us

541.744.6407