EDW BRAVE BULLETIN

It’s that time of year, to spread kindness and help our community! Our school is partnering with Feed His Lambs, a local organization that provides meals and pantry items to families in need right here in Bonner Springs and Edwardsville.

From November 3rd–14th, we’ll be collecting non-perishable food items to support their mission. Each grade level has been asked to donate a specific item — please check the flyer below to see what your grade level should bring.

Let’s come together to show our Braves spirit and make a difference for local families this holiday season!

Capture those epic hair days, unforgettable field trips, and the many “I wasn’t ready!” moments of the year. 😄 Scan the QR code below to snag yours for just $15

👉 Online sales only! Yearbooks will be handed out at the end of the year—perfect for signing, doodling, and reminiscing!

The EDW Spirit Wear Store has officially landed and is open for business! If your closet has been feeling a little too quiet lately, it’s probably just begging for some fresh Braves gear. 😉 Let’s gear up and show that school spirit loud and proud!

🧡🖤 Scan the QR code, place your order, and prepare to be the best-dressed Brave in town!

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

Hello Braves! This month we’re focusing on Self-Control — using our words, actions, and bodies in positive ways, even when it’s hard. Just like leaves slowing down before they fall, we can learn to pause, think, and choose what’s best!

Tips for Families:

-Practice “pause and breathe” moments at home—take 3 deep breaths before reacting.

-Play games that build self-control like Red Light, Green Light or Freeze Dance.

-Celebrate small wins! Praise your child when they wait patiently, follow directions, or calm their body.

This Month’s Theme Self-Control & Calm Bodies

In classrooms, we’ll learn:

-What self-control means and why it matters

-How to use calm-down strategies when we feel wiggly or upset

-Ways to make good choices, even when emotions are big

Book Spotlight

My Mouth Is a Volcano by Julia Cook – a fun story that helps kids learn to pause and think before they speak!

Counselor’s Challenge

-Take 3 deep breaths

-Say, “I can handle this.”

See how it feels to stay calm and in control!

Contact Me: johnsonja@usd204.net

P: 913-422-4036

November 3rd-14th: Feed His Lambs Collection-Flyer Above

November 7th: Oct & Nov Community Meeting-Recognizing the Braves of the Month and the 4th Grade Program & Veteran's Presentation @ 2:45pm, North doors will open at 2:35pm for sign in.- Please follow regular procedures and exit the building after the meeting. If your child will switch from bus rider to car rider, call the office before 2:30 PM. If you plan to take your child directly after the meeting, a legal guardian must go to their classroom and sign them out—each child must be signed out separately. Only one legal guardian should enter the classroom, and if someone else will pick up your child, prior approval must be given to the office.

November 20th: 2nd & 3rd Grade Music Program @ 6pm

November 21st: PTO-La Herradura Restaurant Night

November 24th-28th: Thanksgiving Break

December 1st: Classes Resume

President: Theresa Wild

Secretary: Kim Lindsey

Treasurer: Ashley Shepard

Volunteer Coordinator: Julie Thomas

Event Coordinator: Kayla Jordan & Tiffany McCann

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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