Schroeder Elementary

As educators, we know that behavior is part of learning. Just as we intentionally teach reading, writing, and math, we also have a responsibility to intentionally teach our students how we expect them to behave, interact with one another, solve problems, and contribute to our school community.

This year, we are placing a strong emphasis on consistency, accountability, and support.

Our goal is not simply to tell students what we expect and then assume they know how to meet those expectations. Instead, we are going to teach, model, practice, reinforce, and reteach the behaviors that help create a safe, respectful, and productive learning environment for everyone.

And when students make mistakes—and they will—we will view those moments as opportunities for learning. We will work to understand what a student may need, provide appropriate support, and help them develop the skills necessary to make a better choice moving forward.

At the same time, support and accountability go hand in hand.

Supporting students does not mean removing expectations. It means helping them meet those expectations. We can be compassionate while still holding students accountable. We can recognize that a student may have a behavioral need while also helping them understand the impact of their choices and their responsibility to repair, learn, and grow.

Our school-wide expectations are also deeply connected to our core values: Kindness, Respect, Perseverance, and Integrity. These aren't just words on a poster or values we talk about occasionally. They should be visible in the way our students move through the building, interact with one another, respond to challenges, and take responsibility for their actions. Our goal is to create a common language and a consistent approach across our entire school.

When students know what to expect, when adults respond consistently, and when we combine clear expectations with meaningful support, we create the best possible environment for students to learn—not only academically, but behaviorally and socially as well.

Click the video below to find out more about our plan for the year!

• September 1: 5th Grade Instrumental Music Family Orientation Night
• September 2: Curriculum Night
• September 4 & 7: NO SCHOOL- Labor Day
• September 9: PTO meeting 6pm
• September 18: Bagel Order Due
• September 22: Kaiser Picture Day
• September 25: DRAGON DASH!

Pikmykid/VisitU is an easy-to-use school safety and dismissal platform that has replaced the attendance line at Schroeder. Instead of calling into the school, parents will now be using the app to record their students absences, late arrivals and early dismissals.

All students must be signed out in the office. Students will only be released to adults and only those indicated on the PowerSchool emergency cards or by personal letter. Parents are required to enter Schroeder and use the kiosk to verify identity before a student is released. The VisitU kiosk replaces the sign-in and sign-out sheets that were previously in the vestibule. Please take the time to make sure your app is up to date and working prior to the school year beginning. Please note, early dismissals must be put in 60 minutes or more prior to the dismissal time.

If your child's dismissal for the day will be different from their normal routine, a note must be sent to the office.

The elementary instrumental music staff are excited to work with your students this year! This school year your student will have the opportunity to learn one of the following instruments:

• Orchestra: violin, viola, cello, double bass
• Woodwinds: flute, clarinet, alto saxophone
• Brass: trumpet, trombone, euphonium
• Percussion: snare drum/bell kit (percussion students must play both)
• Students interested in playing percussion will need to choose a woodwind or brass instrument to play during the beginning of the year. Percussion will be an option in the winter of 2027.

There will be an orientation meeting at Athens High School in the auditorium on Tuesday, September 1 at 7:00PM, located at 4333 John R Road. Parking is available in the lot behind the school adjacent to the athletic fields. Please arrive a few minutes early as the parking lot may be crowded.

The event will also be livestreamed on the TSD Theatres YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@TSDTheatres), and available for viewing later.

At this meeting you will:

• Meet the Elementary Instrumental Music team, along with middle school and high school instrumental music teachers
• Learn about the instruments played in 5th grade, with demonstrations by high school students
• Review the instrument fitting/choice process and timeline
• Learn how to obtain an instrument through rental or other means
• Ask any questions you have about instrumental music in the Troy School District

As a reminder, students do not need instruments or class materials until the week of September 8th.

The meeting should last approximately 45 minutes. All students and families are welcome to attend. We hope to see you there!

Once again, free breakfast and lunch is available for all students!

As always, extra entrees, juice, and bottled water will be available only for purchase. Please read the following information and contact the TSD Food Service office if you have any questions or concerns (248-823-5089).

Breakfast will be available for Schroeder students who would like one. Breakfast begins on Monday, August 31st and does not require a sign up.

Students have the choice of bringing a lunch from home or having the free school lunch. All students will receive an ID card with a barcode that will be used to scan for lunch and should be kept at school. Menus will be available on the Troy School website shortly and will be in the Dragon Journal newsletter published every other week. Please be aware that there may be unannounced menu changes from time to time.

Troy Food Services will use MySchoolBucks for students' lunch accounts. Lunch payments cannot be made through the PowerSchool Parent Portal. Extra entrees, juice, and bottled water may be purchased if desired provided there are funds in your child's account. Charging of ala carte items to student’s accounts is no longer available. Please have your child's account set-up as soon as possible.

Please see the MySchoolBucks flyer below to set-up an account.

Did you know that TSD offers gluten free, sesame free and Halal meals too? All menus and information on ordering these meals can be found on the Troy School District website (https://www.troy.k12.mi.us/departments/food-nutrition).

Each student in grades 2-12 who wishes to participate in the Troy School District 1:1 Device Insurance Program will be required to pay an annual insurance premium of $25 per student, not to exceed $100 per family. This insurance is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. K-3 students have classroom sets of iPads that are shared in the classroom and not brought home, thus, no personal insurance is needed. Please click the button below for more information and to purchase the insurance.

Dear Schroeder Parents,

I wanted to take a moment to remind you of our policies on smart watches and cell phones at school. Cell phones and smart watches are discouraged, however, if you feel your child needs to have one, they must adhere to these guidelines:

· Except for authorized medical use, cell phones must be silenced or powered off and kept in the child’s backpack. Elementary students are not permitted to use their cell phone at any point during the school day.

· Except for authorized medical use, smart watches and devices with data services and messaging/calling capabilities (including GPS watches and Apple watches) must be in “airplane” or “school” mode during the school day. Alternatively, they can be kept in the child’s backpack. Students are not to be receiving and/or sending communications via smart watches during the school day. Students may be required to remove smart devices during assessments (ex, MSTEP testing).

If families need to get ahold of their child during the school day, it is essential that the communication flows through our main office or the classroom teacher. I appreciate your partnership with this.

Principal Lindsay Keegan

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Because medical costs can be expensive, Troy School District does provide families the opportunity to purchase student accident insurance on their student through Student Assurance Servies, Inc.

This supplemental policy would assist with your out-of-pocket medical expenses (i.e. deductible) should your student sustain an accidental injury while coverage is in effect. Also, if you do not have any insurance on your student, this would be primary for accidental injuries. There is a variety of coverage options and premiums are a one-time payment for the school year.

Please review the short video link below as well as the attached forms regarding student accident insurance.

Student Accident Insurance - YouTube

If you have any questions about this coverage, please contact Student Assurance Services directly at (800) 328-2739.