Lancer Summer '23 Update #2

9/5 - Meet & Greet / Block Party 2:00-3:00 PM {UPK orientation 2:00-2:30}

9/6 - First day of School - UPK - 2nd Grade

****scroll to the end to revisit pick up/drop off procedures****

9/13 - PTA Meeting (zoom & in person) 7:00 PM

9/14 - Open House & Book Fair 6:00-7:30 PM

--------------Open House in Classrooms 6:00-6:30

--------------Pizza and book fair 6:30-7:30

9/26 - Immunizations and Medical Records Due to Nurse

Please consider joining our Helendale PTA facebook page for more information as well as volunteer opportunities: East Irondequoit Helendale Road PTA | Facebook

We know many of you want to accompany your child to class. However, for safety reasons, we can't allow parents or caregivers inside the building on the first day and rarely during the first week.

Please understand that this is about ensuring your child's safety. Having unfamiliar adults around while we establish routines can pose challenges.

For those precious #backtoschool moments, take photos at home or by our Helendale Road School sign - it's a great spot!

When drop-off is tough:

It's normal if your child finds it hard to enter the building. The best thing is to give confident hugs and kisses and let our staff guide them in.

Your child needs to see your confidence.

Don't worry if they cry or fuss - that's what we're here for! 😁 We'll give you a nod and take care of them. We can even update you later if needed.

We understand it's hard, but please trust us.

Lancer Lacrosse! Sign up here: East Irondequoit Youth Lacrosse : Powered by TeamLinkt

It's time to gear up for the 2023-24 school year! Visit EICSD's back to school spirit wear store for a wide range of apparel options! Get your orders in by 9/4. Orders will be shipped to your school for pick up. Shop here: https://store.expresspress.com/east_irondequoit_csd/shop/home

I never understood why my mom labeled everything, until I became a parent and have had to replace countless hoodies, hats and other items.

Please label your student's personal belongings such as lunchboxes, backpacks, coats etc... We are happy to return labeled items to students. We do our best to remind students to bring home items they bring in.

Please make sure to call your pediatrician to schedule a yearly physical if you have not done so already.

New York requires all school age children to be up to date on immunizations. Students have 14 days from the first day of school to have immunizations completed. All children who will turn 5 years of age during the school year will also need to follow these guidelines and have 14 days, starting on their 5th birthday, to have updated immunizations completed.

Please see the attached link and flyer for more information.

If your child needs to have emergency or daily medication here at school, contact the health office for further information. Please do not send any medication in with your child, a responsible adult needs to be present for all medication drop-offs/pick-ups.

https://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/immunization/schools/school_vaccines/

For information on how to set up your parent portal account please visit here: https://eastironcsd-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/sdabreu_eastiron_org/EW9Q2VGlRp1Oh_pd2MLeaEkBeP-7CJMPj4yc0sntrML15A?e=vDusF6

Check us out on Facebook and Instagram: @helendaleprimary (or download the East Irondequoit App!)

• Helendale Primary School - East Irondequoit CSD | Rochester NY | Facebook
  
  
• Helen Dale (@helendaleprimary) • Instagram photos and videos

Photo album from last year: 2022-2023 - East Irondequoit Central School Photo Galleries (smugmug.com)

Dear Families,

I hope you are enjoying summer!

This is my third year at Helendale, and am blown away by the amazing community we have here. Growing up in Irondequoit myself, I have a love for this town that dates back to childhood. I take the job of educating and keeping your children safe very seriously, but I hope you will find that at Helendale we include fun, joy and a bit of silliness each day!

This year will be special for me, as my eldest son is headed to school for the first time. So, for all you first-time school parents, I'm 'in it' with you during the day and when I head home!

During the school year, you will get a communication from me every other week.

This summer newsletter is MUCH longer than normal. It has all the relevant information and reminders you and your student(s) will need to have a successful school year, and some FAQ's from that came up last year. You may also wish to view our full family handbook at the link below.

Please reach out with any additional questions or concerns. We make it our practice to reply to e-mails, phone calls and talking points messages within 24 hours, but usually a lot faster.

This year, East Irondequoit has provided your student(s) with schools supplies free of charge.

At some schools, pick up and drop off is harder to do than getting tickets for a Taylor Swift Concert! We aim to make it a quick and safe experience for everyone. Please follow the directions below and help us out!

• Students may be dropped off beginning at 9:00 A.M. There is no supervision before 9:00 AM. If a student is dropped off before then, we will contact you and invite you back to pick them up. Thanks for your help with this!
  
  

• Please stay in your car if you use the drop off loop. We are happy to help your student get out and into the building. Do not get out of your car, nor should students open the car doors.
  
  
• Do not park on Westchester Avenue by the school (other part of Westchester is ok!)

• PRE-K - 2nd Graders: We begin the dismissal pick up process at 3:20. Last year, we had the whole pick-up process complete by 3:26. We have a few additional students this year, but the line should still move quickly.
  
  

• Due to student safety and supervision, pickups between 2:45 and 3:20 are difficult and would only be considered on a case-by-case basis.
  

Please see the map below, our process is:

1. Start on the West Part of Westchester Ave

2. You will pull up to the front loop

3. Show your ID

4. Pull forward

5. Your child will be walked to your car.

6. Pull through the exit area

****cars not lined up on Westchester who attempt to move to the front of the line will be asked to circle around back to the end of Westchester line. ****

PLEASE STAY IN YOUR CAR - it is the biggest thing you can do to help the process. If you need to buckle your student in, you may pull up to the "buckle up zone"

PLEASE Stay in the coned off "LANE" - We are asking cars not pull out in front of each other or cross the paths as that may lead to accidents.

You will receive 2 car rider tags to place in your car on the first day. Please contact the main office for additional tags.

Please let the Office know of early pick-ups with a note or a call in the morning of the pick-up. You may also e-mail hr_attendance@eastiron.monroe.edu

Messaging teachers on talking points or e-mail is great, but because teachers are usually teaching or may have substitutes, a note, phone call, or direct e-mail to the attendance line is much appreciated so we don't miss anything!

Please always have your ID when visiting Helendale. I ask our staff to check everyone's ID, every day - regardless of how well we know you. Please don't take it personally or think it's excessive, I believe this routine is important for consistency and safety.

All Helendale Students will get their devices during the first few weeks of school, no need to attend the device pick up dates.

iPads will remain in school.

Buying Lunch & Breakfast

Information about school nutrition, including menus and free and reduced lunch applications can be found on our school nutrition website. https://www.eastiron.org/page/school-nutrition

Please discuss with your child if they are buying lunch or breakfast each day.

Students are not turned away by the café staff if they ask for lunch or breakfast, and you may be charged, even if you haven’t set up an account.

If you would prefer your student not to buy breakfast/ lunch or only buy on certain days – please call the food service office, so they may put a note on your child’s account. You can always change this later or contact the school office for exceptions on special days.

585-339-1577 Breakfast: $1.65 Lunch: $2.80

Please keep toys, trading cards and electronics from home at home. They often get lost, stolen or more often than not traded - and then wanted back! There will be special days to bring these in if you choose to do so, but as a general rule, we ask that they stay at home.

Students are not permitted to have cellphones or electronic devices during the school day. If you would prefer your student have a cellphone/smartwatch etc.. it will need to stay in their backpack for the duration of the day.

There are many chances to be involved at Helendale! The level of commitment is completely up to you! To get started, you may want to join our PTA Facebook page, or reach out to our PTA: helendale.pta18@gmail.com

East Irondequoit Helendale Road PTA | Facebook

We love visitors! All classroom visitors must first be approved by their student’s teacher and sign in at the Main Office with their ID.

You are welcome to have lunch with your student on Fridays beginning 9/29. Please see your child's teacher for lunch schedule.

If you’d like to come on a day other than Friday, we are happy to accommodate, we just try to stick to the Friday routine. Please connect with Mr. D’Abreu if this is the case, no worries 😊

At HR we participate in non-food celebrations for most events. Our school does not support bringing in food-related items for classroom celebrations, with occasional exceptions.

Please keep the following suggestions in mind when offering to contribute to a holiday or birthday celebration in your child’s classroom:

· A craft activity

· Reading with your child’s class

· A book donation in your child’s name for the classroom library

· Colorful pencils or markers

· Stickers or other age-appropriate surprises

We expect all those on school property to adhere to our code of conduct and values - including visitors and volunteers.

Our Code of Conduct Values and expectations are:

· H - Honesty

· E – Empathetic

· A – Acting Safely

· R – Responsible

· T - Thinkers

Violations to the Code of Conduct and Character are addressed on a case-by-case basis.

Email: sdabreu@eastiron.monroe.edu
Website: https://www.eastiron.org/Domain/10
Location: 220 Helendale Road, Rochester, NY, USA
Phone: 5853391330
Facebook: facebook.com/helendaleprimary
Twitter: @helendaleschool