Welcome Back to School Letter

It has been so wonderful seeing our Perry students back in the building and settling into their school routines! From smiling faces in the hallways to students learning, growing, and reconnecting with friends, it is exciting to see our school community getting into the rhythm of another great year.

We know getting back into a routine takes time, and we truly appreciate all our Perry families are doing at home to help make each school day successful. We are so happy to have our students back and look forward to all that September will bring!

Perry families, please mark your calendars for our September Late Start Days:

📅 Wednesday, September 2
📅 Wednesday, September 30

On Late Start Days:

🚗 Morning arrival begins at 9:30 AM
🏫 School begins at 10:00 AM
🚌 D300 Bus Transportation: If your student rides a D300 bus, their bus will arrive two hours later than their regular scheduled pick-up time on Late Start Days.

Please plan accordingly for your family's morning routine, transportation, and arrival.

As we continue moving through the school year, it has been wonderful seeing our Perry students settle into their routines, build friendships, and grow in their classrooms each day. We love seeing our students walk through the doors each morning ready for another day of learning!

We know that life happens children get sick, family emergencies come up, and appointments are sometimes necessary. Your child’s health and well-being should always come first. At the same time, regular attendance is an important part of helping students feel connected, confident, and successful at school.

📚 Academic Growth: Learning builds day by day. Regular attendance helps students stay connected to classroom instruction, hands-on activities, discussions, and new learning.

🤝 Social Connections: School is where students build friendships, practice teamwork, and develop a sense of belonging. Being present helps students strengthen important relationships with their classmates and teachers.

💙 Routine & Confidence: Consistent routines help students know what to expect each day, build independence, and feel more comfortable and confident at school.

Perry Elementary has a dedicated Attendance Committee that oversees student attendance and works collaboratively to support our students and families. Our goal is to build strong partnerships with families, identify and address barriers that may impact attendance, and help ensure every Perry student has the opportunity to be present, connected, and ready to learn each day.

We understand that every family’s circumstances are different. If illness, transportation, school anxiety, family circumstances, or another challenge is making it difficult for your child to attend school regularly, please reach out. We are here to work with you.

Our Family School Liaisons are available to partner with families, problem-solve barriers to attendance, and help connect families with school and community resources.

Mr. Christopher Orange | Family School Liaison
📞 224-484-5606
📧 christopher.orange@d300.org

Ms. Alexis Rosas | Bilingual Family School Liaison
📞 224-484-5606
📧 alexis.rosas@d300.org

• Keep consistent routines: Regular bedtimes and morning routines can help make school mornings smoother.

• Plan appointments when possible: Consider scheduling non-urgent appointments and family trips outside of school hours or during school breaks whenever possible.

• Stay connected: If something is affecting your child’s ability to attend, let us know. The earlier we connect, the sooner we can work together to find solutions and provide support.

If your child will be absent, a parent or guardian is responsible for notifying Perry Elementary on the day of the absence.

🏫 Perry Elementary Main Office: 224-484-5600
☎️ Attendance Line: 224-484-5620
📧 Attendance Email: attendance.perry@d300.org

When reporting an absence, please provide your student’s name, grade, student ID number, and reason for the absence.

👉 Please click here to review our Sick Day Guidelines for more information about when your child should stay home and when they are ready to return to school.

If you have questions or concerns about your child’s health or school attendance due to illness, please contact our School Nurse, Cristelle Escalante:📞 224-484-5611 | 📧 cristellejoan.escala@d300.org

When reporting an absence, please provide your student’s name, grade, student ID number, and reason for the absence.

We understand that medical and dental appointments are important and that it is not always possible to schedule them outside of school hours. When your student does need an appointment during the school day, we encourage families to have them attend school for as much of the day as possible.

Your student can arrive late after an appointment or be released early for an appointment rather than missing the entire school day. Please remember to provide a medical note from the healthcare provider so the missed time can be appropriately documented.

Even part of a school day provides valuable opportunities for learning, connection, and participation. Every day and every minute counts! 💙

Thank you for your continued partnership in helping our students be present and successful. At Perry, every student matters, every connection matters, and every day matters. Together, we can help our Perry students show up, learn, grow, and thrive!

We love having our Perry families involved in our school community! Whether you have a little time to give or would like to become more involved throughout the year, there are many ways our families can help support our students, staff, and school. 🏫✨

📱 Interested in Volunteering?

☕ Coffee with the Principal – September 8 at 8:15 AM
Want to learn more about ways you can get involved at Perry? Join us for Coffee with the Principal! Come meet with us, connect with other Perry families, and learn about opportunities to participate and make a difference in our school community.

📝 Ready to Volunteer?

All parents, guardians, and community members who would like to volunteer at Perry during the school year must complete the D300 Volunteer Application.

Please remember that the application must be completed each school year, even if you have volunteered with us in the past. Volunteers must have an approved application on file before they are able to volunteer at school or during school activities.

Thank you for sharing your time and talents with our students. We look forward to partnering with you and seeing our Perry families get involved!

Did you know that all students at Perry Elementary can receive FREE breakfast and lunch each school day? We encourage all of our Perry families to take advantage of this opportunity!

🍽️ What’s on the menu?
Be sure to check out our monthly breakfast and lunch menus to see what is being served each day. Looking at the menu with your student ahead of time is a great way to help them plan what they would like to enjoy at school.

A nutritious meal helps our students stay fueled, focused, and ready

to learn throughout the school day!

Thank you, Perry families, for your patience and partnership as we continue getting into the rhythm of our arrival and dismissal routines! 💙 With so many students and families coming and going at the same time, everyone’s cooperation helps make a big difference.

🚙 Picking Up by Car?

🚘 A Quick Passenger-Side Reminder

We truly appreciate everyone working together and showing a little extra patience during these busy parts of our day. Our goal is the same as yours to make sure every Perry student arrives and gets home safely! 💙

Please take a moment to review our Arrival & Dismissal Procedures for additional information about our routines.

Thank you for being such an important partner in keeping Perry safe! 🚗🏫

District 300 has a NEW Electronic Device Policy for the 2026–2027 school year. During school hours, cell phones, smartwatches, and other personal electronic devices must be turned OFF and stored in students’ backpacks.

🔗 Please review Dr. Smith’s communication for important information and expectations regarding the new policy.

Families are encouraged to review the District 300 Elementary FAQ for helpful information about school procedures, expectations, and frequently asked questions.

Please note two important updates that reflect changes in practice this school year:

• 🎂 Birthday Celebrations

• 🍎 Lunch Visitors

For more information, please review the District 300 Elementary FAQ:
https://www.d300.org/about/elementary-faq

Stay in the know about all the exciting things happening at Perry Elementary! 💙

👍 Follow us on Facebook for photos, school highlights, events, and reminders.
🌐 Visit our school website for important updates, resources, and school information.

Stay connected and be part of all things Perry! 💙

Office Hours Monday-Friday 7:00AM-3:30 PM

Main Office Number: (224)484-5600 FAX:(224)484-5615

Attendance email: attendance.perry@d300.org

Attendance phone: 224-484-5620

Perry District Website: https://www.d300.org/pes

Perry Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/perryelmschool/