Gator Tales Family Updates

To help our students have a smooth and successful start to the school year, families are welcome to walk their child into the building on Monday, August 3, and Tuesday, August 4. Parents may accompany their child to enjoy breakfast (FREE for all students) before walking them to their classroom.

As we welcome hundreds of students back to campus, we kindly ask that you "pack your patience." The first few days of school are always exciting, and our top priority is ensuring that every child enters and exits the building safely and accurately. We will move as efficiently as possible, but we will never sacrifice the safety of our students for speed.

To help us ensure a smooth dismissal process, please:

• Make sure your child's teacher knows how your child will be going home each day.
• If your child will be a car rider, please obtain a car rider tag from the front office if you do not already have one.
• Notify your child's teacher immediately if there are any changes to your child's dismissal plans.

Thank you for your partnership, your patience, and your support as we kick off another incredible school year. We can't wait to welcome our Gators back on Monday, August 3! Together, we'll make it a safe, positive, and exciting start to an amazing year!

Welcome to an exciting new school year at Virginia L. Heard Elementary School! We are thrilled to welcome both our returning families and those joining our Gator Nation for the very first time. This year, our theme, "Ignite the Innovation," challenges us to create engaging learning experiences where every child is inspired to think critically, collaborate, and grow. Together, we will continue living our commitment to Every Student, Every Class, Every Day!

As your Principal, I am honored to serve this incredible school community. Thank you for entrusting us with your child's education. We believe that when schools and families work together, amazing things happen. I look forward to seeing each of you during Open House and throughout the year as we celebrate learning, leadership, and success.

As we begin the school year, I have outlined a few important reminders below to help ensure a smooth and successful start to the school year.

If you registered before class placements were finalized, your child's homeroom assignment should have arrived by U.S. Mail. If you have not received your child's assignment, please contact the school office before Open House so that we may assist you at 912-395-6630.

The safety of our students is our highest priority. Please carefully review the car rider drop-off and pick-up routes included in this newsletter. We will also provide a video walkthrough demonstrating the traffic flow, entry points, and designated routes for both morning arrival and afternoon dismissal at Open House.

Please use the traffic map and video as your guide before the first day of school to help ensure a safe, smooth, and efficient process for everyone.

Additionally, every student will be tagged according to his or her designated mode of transportation (bus rider, car rider, walker, YMCA Base, daycare, etc.). This helps our staff safely direct students to the correct dismissal location each day. If your child's transportation changes, please notify the front office and your child's teacher as early as possible to ensure accuracy.

*Arrival Begins: 8:45

*Dismissal Begins: 4:00

This year, we encourage every family to actively use PowerSchool. The Parent Portal provides real-time access to attendance, grades, assignments, report cards, and important school information. Staying connected through PowerSchool is one of the best ways to support your child's academic success throughout the year.

How do I get started using the PowerSchool Parent Portal?

Visit the Parent Portal by clicking here:

1. Log into Parent Access.
2. Select the student you wish to register along the top.
3. Select the Student Verification Icon on the left side.
4. Agree to the terms and conditions.
5. Click Begin Forms.
6. Repeat the process for all students.

I do not have a Parent Access account.
If parents/guardians need a Parent Access account, please click here to request one.
Use these links to verify:

Do I have to answer all the questions?
Questions marked with a red asterisk (*) are required.

What if I make a mistake?

If you would like to make a change prior to submitting the form, navigate back to the page using the “< Prev” and “Next >” buttons or click on the underlined field on the Review page. If you have already submitted the form, you will need to contact your student’s school to make the changes.

I’ve completed the form, now what?

Once you have finished entering your information, click “Submit" to send the information to the school. If you cannot click on this button, you will need to make sure that you have answered all required questions.

What if I have more than one student in the district? Do I need to do this for each child?

Yes, you will need to provide information that is specific to each child. We recommend that you complete and submit one form and then start another.

We are excited to continue building leadership, school spirit, positive character, and belonging through our House System! Every student is a valued member of one of our five Houses:

• ❤️ Amistad – Friendship
• 🖤 Altruismo – Giving
• 💚 Isibindi – Courage
• 💙 Reveur – Dreamers
• 💜 Nukumori – Compassion

Families will also learn about House App, which allows students and families to celebrate achievements, earn House points, and stay connected to exciting Schoolwide and House events throughout the school year.

If you have any questions or need support with the HOUSE App, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your student's teacher and/or Ms. Mobley at ebony.mobley@sccpss.com. However, please note that the inboxes on social media outlets are not monitored. We encourage you to sign up for PowerSchool Parent Access and Here Comes the Bus (bus riders only) if you have not already done so.

In alignment with the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System, VL Heard's school improvement efforts remain focused on providing high-quality instruction while creating meaningful learning experiences for every student. This year we will continue strengthening:

• High-quality STEAM instruction
• Reading and mathematics achievement
• Student leadership opportunities
• Positive school culture through PBIS and the House System
• Strong family and community partnerships
• Consistent attendance and student engagement

Together, we will continue Igniting Innovation while ensuring every child has the opportunity to succeed.

Every day counts! Students learn best when they are present, engaged, and on time. We ask families to make school attendance a priority by scheduling appointments outside of school hours whenever possible and limiting unnecessary absences. Consistent attendance builds strong academic habits and sets students up for long-term success.

We will continue to offer families the Remote Learning Days option. Each student is allotted up to 5 approved remote learning days during the school year.

✅ How It Works:

• Students MUST login to Brightspace and/or completed assignments each day to be counted present for attendance.

• All assignments from these days are due within 3 days of returning to school.

• These days must be pre-approved by Principal Smalls before being used.

Please review the attached instructions on how to request Remote Learning Days through PowerSchool.

We appreciate your continued support in ensuring learning continues wherever our Gators are!

To maximize instructional time and minimize distractions, students are expected to follow Georgia's updated school cell phone expectations. Cell phones and personal electronic devices must remain turned off, stored out of sight, and kept in the assigned classroom lock box throughout the instructional day unless specifically authorized by school staff for medical/emergency circumstances. We appreciate your partnership in helping us create focused learning environments where students can fully engage in learning.

All students will receive free breakfast and lunch this school year! However, if your child would like to purchase additional food items (such as an extra lunch or drinks), please note that the School Nutrition Department has gone cashless. Families must set up an online payment account to add funds for any extra food purchases.

During special events parents who wish to eat lunch with their child, adult meals are available for $5.25.

• Metal detectors and/or handheld wands
• Bag Inspection
• Enforcement of Clear Bag Requirements

**No weapons, tobacco, vapes, or sharp objects**

All persons and packages are subject to search upon entry. Failure to consent or submit will result in denial of entry.

2026-2027 Heard Elementary

PTA Membership Drive

Your child benefits when you join PTA.

EVERYONE can join! Parents, grandparents, teachers, friends… anyone who supports education! Membership is simple -- it doesn’t commit you to volunteer or attend meetings. It simply helps fund school initiatives and needs.

Find Heard's PTA on Facebook at HeardESPTA!

View in Español, 中文 (简体), more.

🐊 CALLING ALL HEARD GATORS 🐊

Students are welcome to wear PTA Spirit Shirts as a school-approved uniform option under the SCCPSS Dress Code Policy for the 2026-27 school year! PTA T-shirts are the ONLY approved spirit wear t-shirts allowed to be worn during daily school attendance!

The SY 2026– 2027 SCCPSS Code of Conduct is now on line. You can view it at the SCCPSS website-----Search Results - Savannah-Chatham County Public School System

The School Nutrition Program will be cashless starting with the 2025-2026 School Year. All funds MUST be added at MySchoolBucks.com, the district's online prepayment option. MySchoolBucks.com is available for parents to place money electronically on their child’s account. To create an account, you will need the student ID.

Benefits of MySchoolBucks.com:

• ​You may use a credit card or debit card to add funds to the account.

• You may monitor your child’s daily usage amount and what items they are purchasing

• An email reminder will be sent to you when funds on your account are below a certain amount to ensure your child does not run out of money.

• You may set up an automatic payment

1. Bike Riders should always wear a properly fitted helmet.
2. Always stop before crossing the street and walk bikes across the street.
3. Plan your route to and from school. Avoid short cuts, alleys, and unsafe areas.
4. If possible, ride in groups to and from school.
5. Do not use electronic devices while riding your bike.

Bus Stops:

1. Never hang out in the streets and avoid horseplay while waiting on the bus.

2. Always make sure the driver is able to see you.

3. Always wait until the bus completely stops.

4. Never walk behind the bus.

Here comes the bus! Where is the bus? The bus is HERE!

Download the app TODAY and never wonder when your bus is coming again! Parents, grandparents, babysitters...everyone can have an account! https://youtu.be/5JOukHCmbhk

District Number: 29222