The Fleming Welcome Back Flyer

Greetings Fleming Families!

We are thrilled to welcome in and welcome back new and returning Fleming students and families! We hope everyone has had a wonderful summer and are feeling ready for the 2025-2026 school year! As many of you know this is a special year for Fleming as we welcome 3rd grade students in addition to 4th and 5th for the first time!

The incredible team at Fleming has been working hard to make sure we are ready for your learners on the first day of school (Wednesday, August 27th). Please note that the first day of school is an early release day with dismissal at 1:45pm. For those of you who are new to Fleming, The Fleming Flyer is a bi-weekly family and caregiver newsletter that will keep you informed of the happenings at Thomas Fleming School. You will see information regarding dates and events, pick-up and drop-off, PBIS, classrooms and curriculum, and other information throughout the year. Please read through the information below and mark your calendars for the first day of school, and other school events! We can't wait to see you soon!

- Matt

• 8/27 - First Day of School! (Drop off is 7:30 - 7:45) - EARLY DISMISSAL @ 1:45
• 9/1 - NO SCHOOL (Labor Day)
• 9/17 - Fleming Open House 5:00pm - 6:00pm
• 10/15 - Picture Day
• 10/22 - Afternoon / Evening Family Conferences
• 10/23 - NO SCHOOL (Diwali)
• 10/24 - Family Conference Day

• Fleming's school day is 7:45 am - 2:45 pm M, T, Th, F
• Every Wednesday is an early release day which runs 7:45 am - 1:45 pm
• Students can be dropped off between 7:30 am and 7:45 am
• Students cannot be dropped off prior to 7:30 am
• All drop off and pick up traffic at the beginning and end of day will go behind the building and take place on the side walk outside of the main entrance (see image) - Please do not use the front loop between 7:30 - 8:00 am and 2:15 - 3:00 pm.
• During the middle part of the day (8:00 - 2:15) parents are encouraged to use the front loop for drop off and pick up.

Please be on the lookout for a letter from the school regarding our adoption of a new communication portal for after school plans called PickUp Patrol. This will become the primary way to communicate after school plans with the school.

Please be reminded and have a conversation with your child about our expectation that phones and smart watches are not to be used during the school day. Cell phones and smart watches should be off and out of sight during the school day unless there is an extenuating circumstance and pre-approval by the school. Cell phones and smart watches can cause a significant distraction to our learners. Additionally, the Vermont Legislature passed a Bill that was signed into law by Governor Scott which bans cell phones in the classroom. There is an abundance of research now available that has shown the negative impact of cell phones on both mental health and educational performance. Please have conversations with your learner about this topic and support us in our efforts to provide a healthy and focused learning environment for all students.

In order to register as a 501(c)(3) the Fleming PTO needs more officers. If you are interested in joining the Fleming PTO, please reach out to PTO president Andi Kwon @ andi.kwon@gmail.com.

The EWSD Transportation department is still working on bus routes and other updated transportation information. Please keep an eye out for district communication about transportation. In the meantime please regularly check the EWSD transportation website throughout the month: www.ewsd.org/transportation.

Please note that EWSD has outlined walking zones for our various schools, and bussing is not typically available in those zones. To check the Fleming walking zone please refer to the following link: https://shorturl.at/hNbvH

Please refer to this document for information on many resources available to you in the greater Essex community. The list includes information related to housing, food, child care, pet care and other essentials.

All children will receive free breakfast and lunch this year regardless of your household income eligibility. Our EWSD Child Nutrition Program provides nutrition information and menu options. For more information, you can visit: https://www.ewsd.org/page/child-nutrition