Dragon News

Message from the Principal

Greetings Findley Community~

As the sun sets on summer and the first day of school is upon us, a new year of learning, discovery, and growth is about to begin. For our youngest learners, this is a milestone filled with the exciting unknowns of starting school. For our returning students, it’s a reunion and a chance to build on the friendships and foundation they've already laid. And for you, our parents and caregivers, it's a mix of emotions—excitement, pride, and perhaps a little bit of nervous anticipation.

We want to assure you that our entire staff has been working diligently to prepare for your children's arrival. We are committed to creating a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment where every child feels belonging, knows their teachers believe in them and gains the skills to reach their full potential.

A successful school year is a partnership, and your role is invaluable. Your encouragement, your conversations about what they learned, and your presence—whether at school events or simply talking to your students about their day—make a world of difference.

Here are a few things to keep in mind as we begin this new journey together:

Routines are Key: A consistent bedtime and a healthy breakfast will help your child start each day ready to learn. As a reminder, breakfast is available here at school every day for all students, free of charge.
Stay Connected: The Dragon News comes out every two weeks. Classroom teachers communicate regularly. Make sure you keep up with communication from school, we'll keep you informed about what's happening in the classroom and at school events.
Encourage Independence: Help your child practice skills like tying their shoes, opening their lunchbox, and organizing their backpack. These small steps build confidence and responsibility.
Talk with Them: Ask open-ended questions about their day beyond "What did you do at school?" Try asking, "What was the most interesting thing you learned?" or "What made you laugh today?"
Your Support is Welcome: We will have many opportunities for parent involvement throughout the year. Please consider joining us as a volunteer, attending our events, or simply reaching out to your child's teacher with questions or to say hello.

We are so excited to welcome you all back for a new school year! Let's make this a year of wonderful memories, remarkable achievements, and endless curiosity.

With Gratitude,

Sherry Marsh, Ed.D

Principal

Findley

Every Student Belongs Board Policy ACB

Equal Educational Opportunity Board Policy JB

Educational Equity Board Policy JBB

Supporting Immigrant and Refugee Students and Families

Serving LGBTQIA+ Students

2025-2026 Metro League Fan Letter

Planning to attend a middle school or high school sporting event in the Metro League this year?

Please be sure you have read the fan expectations and guidelines from the league this season.

Important First Day Information

The first day of school for our returning and new 1st-5th graders is upon us!

Here are some reminders to help make the first day of school a smooth experience for us all!

Drop off will be Kiss & Go! Families and caregivers will not be permitted in the building to accompany students on the first day.
School staff will be out and about on the school grounds and throughout the building to assist students with finding their classrooms.
School staff will also be available to support any student (and their family) who might need a little extra care starting a new school year.
If you did not purchase supplies through the school or drop them off during the Meet and Greet, students can bring them over the course of the first week of school so as not to make carrying the load too burdensome for our youngest Dragons.
Breakfast & lunch will be available. If students will be having breakfast on day 1, they should report to the classroom teachers first. Students will then be excused to the cafeteria to eat breakfast. Students will need to know their student ID number when getting breakfast and lunch. We will help them with this, but you can help us by practicing with them ahead of time.
Please be sure you have let your child's teacher know about your student's Go Home plan.
Please follow school procedures for drop-off, pick-up and safe crossings in order to keep everyone safe.

Questions? Don't hesitate to reach out! We are here to help.

The Thompson Rd realignment project has been completed. Now is the time to practice your new route to school. Our car drop off and car pick up lot will continue to be accessed via Old Thompson which now dead ends in our lower lot. As a reminder, our Saltzman lot (upper lot) is for buses ONLY during arrival and dismissal.

Additionally, we want to remind our school community that the only safe place to cross either Thompson or Saltzman is at the intersection where we have crosswalks and crossing guards. Lastly, pulling over and allowing students to exit vehicles using the shoulders of either Thompson or Saltzman is unsafe and causes unnecessary traffic jams. Families should drop students off in our lower lot (Old Thompson entry) following our pull ahead procedures ONLY. This keeps everyone safe. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

We have three designated areas for pick-up and specific language we use when communicating go home plans. Please use the following information when communicating your go home plans:

Car Pick Up: This is for students who will be picked up and loaded into a vehicle AND students whose parents want to pick them up on foot near the lower lot. Designated by pink star on the map below. We encourage families to remain in their vehicles and allow us to load their students to minimize foot traffic and congestion in the parking lot. If you do plan to park and get out of your vehicle, please use the designated cross walks in the Thompson Lot. School staff will help you cross safely.
Flag Pole: This is for students who will be meeting their families or caregivers on foot and either walking or driving home. It is also a good spot for students to meet siblings. This area is designated by a green star on the map below. If you do plan to park and get out of your vehicle, please use the designated cross walks in the Thompson Lot. School staff will help you cross safely.
Bus Riders & Day Care Vans: Bus riders and those who attend ASA or Good Times afterschool programs will be loaded by school staff. We use the upper lot for this and this area is designated by an orange star on the map below. The upper lot is closed to families and caregivers during arrival and dismissal. (8:00-8:30am & 2:45-3:00pm).
Common Ground: This is our on site aftercare provider. If students are attending Common Ground, notify your child's teacher. K & 1 students will be escorted by our 5th grade Dragon Riders. 2nd-5th graders will be excused at dismissal to walk to Common Ground independently.
Other Day Cares: Other day care providers also provide pick-up services at Findley. Please let your child's teacher know if your student will be picked up by a day care provider and we will help them find their meeting place.
Walkers: Many students walk home. If this will be true for your student, students will be dismissed directly from their classrooms at 3pm. It is expected that students walk straight home. School staff will be out and about on school grounds to ensure all students leave the property after dismissal.

When your Go Home plans change, be sure to communicate with both the office and your child's teacher.After 3:15 any students left unattended will be brought to the office and staff will communicate with families.

Sparky's Steps to Safety

Sparky invites you to show our community that a safe crossing is the best crossing. Follow the footprints to designated street corners and avoid crossing midblock. Teach others how to stay safe while walking to and from school.

Teacher Assignments Grades 1-5

We know you're eager to learn about your child's teacher for the upcoming year. Please note that teacher assignments are still being finalized and will be shared in a welcome letter from your child's teacher on the afternoon of Wednesday, August 20th.

Our teachers spent a great deal of time in the spring carefully creating classrooms that are balanced and designed for the success of all students. We ask that you please trust this process and refrain from requesting changes. Moving even one student can have a ripple effect on the entire class structure.

Thank you for your understanding. We look forward to a fantastic school year!

Kindergarten Family Connect Appointments

We're excited to welcome our newest students! If you haven't signed up for Kinder Connect appointment with one of our kinder teachers, please do so! See the ParentSquare message from August 19th for appointment sign-ups.

Please note that the teacher you meet with may not be your child's assigned teacher for the year. We will be rotating teachers through the groups to get to know all of our new students. We currently have them assigned in ABC order by last name and birthdate. Your child's class placement will be finalized once we have met all the kindergarteners and when you receive a welcome letter from their specific teacher.

Key Dates for Kindergarten Students:

August 28th: First day of school for students with last names A-L.
August 29th: First day of school for students with last names M-Z.
September 2nd: First day of school for all kindergarten students.

Back to School Night-Save the Date

Back to School Night will be Thursday, September 4. We will open our doors at 6pm. Teachers will be presenting their classroom information two times throughout the evening in order to accommodate families with more than one student. Additionally, offering two sessions allows for some flexibility for families to select the time that works best for them. This is an evening for parents and caregivers only.

6pm-Doors Open

6:05-6:45pm Session 1

6:45-6:50pm Passing Time

6:50-7:30pm Session 2

TAG Updates for 2025-2026

As was announced at the end of last school year, the BSD is transitioning from using the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) to the Naglieri General Abilities Tests (NGATs). This decision aligns with the BSD’s commitment to meet the needs of all students as described in our strategic plan.

In October 2025, BSD 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students will be screened for giftedness in their classrooms using one of three NGATs, unless families choose to request their children to be given the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT).

3rd grade students will take the Naglieri General Ability Test - Nonverbal.
4th grade students will take the Naglieri General Ability Test - Verbal
5th grade students will take the Naglieri General Ability Test - Quantitative

During this school year (2025-26), families who want to request that their student take the CogAT must complete this google form link. Requests must be submitted by September 22nd. Please remember, students cannot be tested with the CogAT in consecutive years, so if your child took the CogAT during the 2024-25 school year, they will not be allowed to take the CogAT again this year. As of the 2026-26 school year, the district will only use NGATs.

If your student is on vacation or ill when their class takes the NGAT, we will have a make-up day for all tests missed at the school. If your student misses the make-up test, they will not be tested this year. Exceptions may be made for 5th graders upon the discretion of the District TAG Coordinator.

2025-2026 Findley Student/Family Handbook

ParentSquare Message from BSD

Dear BSD Families,

We’re less than a month away from the start of the 2025-2026 school year! We hope that your family is enjoying the summer break.

Here are a few things to think about as you prepare to return:

First Day of School

While many students begin the new school year on Tuesday, August 26, your child’s actual start date depends on their grade level and school. Check the district website for specific start dates.

New Bell Schedules

Don’t forget, we’re implementing new school start and end times this year. Check on the district website for your school’s schedule.

Annual Online Verification

The annual online verification process is now open. For safety reasons, we encourage all parents/guardians to complete the process before school begins. Verification allows you to check that important information such as emergency contacts and health/medication requirements is up-to-date in our system.

In ParentVUE (not ParentSquare), click on the “Family Updates and New Student Enrollment” tab in the top right-hand corner to start the verification process. A message will display in your ParentVUE portal with a link to the online verification screens for your review.

If you haven’t activated your ParentVUE account or if you have access concerns, please contact your school (not the District Administrative Office). If you’ve forgotten your ParentVUE password, please follow these instructions to reset.

Waiver/Discount on Student Fees

To apply for a student fee waiver/discount for the 2025-2026 school year, please complete the application for free/discounted student fees as part of the online verification process. The form should take less than one minute to complete.

Free Meals for All

All students, regardless of family economy, are eligible for a free daily breakfast and lunch. Families do not have to apply to receive this benefit.

We look forward to seeing you in a few weeks!

In alignment with Governor Tina Kotek’s executive order, the district has made adjustments to the personal electronic device policy. All personal devices — including cell phones, earbuds, headphones and smartwatches — must be stored in backpacks during the school day, including restroom breaks and lunchtime. Students with IEPs or 504 plans that include device-related accommodations are exempt. If you need to get an urgent message to your child during the school day, please call the main office.

Please take a moment to review this policy with your child

to ensure a smooth start to the school year.

New Fee for all Credit Card Payments

Starting this month, a convenience fee will be added to all online payments made with a credit or debit card via the district's online portal. The fee includes: