Armstrong Star Gazer - August 2024

Dear Armstrong Star Community,

We are thrilled to welcome you to the 2024-25 school year at Neil Armstrong Elementary School! As we prepare to begin another exciting academic journey, we hope you had a relaxing and enjoyable summer break. Our school community is buzzing with anticipation, and we can't wait to see all the smiling faces back in our hallways starting on Tuesday, Sept. 3.

This year, we have many new and exciting initiatives to enhance our students' learning experiences. Our dedicated teachers and staff have been working hard over the summer to prepare engaging lessons and activities that will inspire curiosity and foster a love of learning. We are excited to share that Armstrong will be Gates Chili's pilot school for the Community School model (read more below).

As always, we believe that strong partnerships between school and home are key to our students' success. That's why we are also thrilled to be launching ParentSquare for all K-12 communication in Gates Chili. We encourage families to stay involved and connected with our school community through ParentSquare, attending school events, volunteering, or simply staying in touch with your student's teacher. Your involvement makes a significant difference.

Let's work together to make this school year the best one yet! Thank you for your continued support and dedication to our students' education. We look forward to a fantastic year of learning, growth, and achievement. Welcome back, everyone!

Proud to be your leaders,

Rebecca Scott, Principal

Lindsey Georger, Assistant Principal

#ArmstrongStars

Weekly News & Updates can be found in ParentSquare.

Dear Armstrong Community,

I am thrilled to introduce myself as the new Assistant Principal at Neil Armstrong Elementary School. My name is Lindsey Georger, and I am eager to embark on this exciting journey with all of you.

Before joining Neil Armstrong, I had the privilege of working as a bilingual teacher in the Rochester City School District for 12 years and as an instructional coach for two years. These experiences have shaped my belief in the incredible potential of every student and the importance of a strong partnership between families, schools and communities. I am passionate about ensuring that every child has the support they need to succeed. I truly believe that it takes a village to nurture and guide our students, and I am committed to building strong, collaborative relationships with you all.

Outside of school, I am happily married and have two wonderful dogs who keep my life full of joy and energy. I also have a deep passion for traveling and immersing myself in new cultures. One of my greatest interests is horseback riding and all things animals.

As we prepare for the upcoming school year, I want you to know how excited I am to be part of the Neil Armstrong community. Together, we will work towards creating an environment where every family feels valued, supported, and empowered to support their student in reaching their full potential.

I look forward to meeting each of you and to the many opportunities we will have to work together for the success of our students. Thank you for welcoming me into this wonderful school community. Here’s to a fantastic school year ahead!

Our PTO Spiritwear Store is now open! Check out the options of youth and adult Star shirts, sweatshirts, and more! Note that there are 3 different color options for the shirts and sweatshirts. The store will be open until September 22! Order online today.

Armstrong is proud to serve as Gates Chili's first school to implement the Community School model in the 2024-25 school year!

The Community School Model is a transformative approach to education that integrates academics, health and social services, youth and community development, and community engagement. The goal of Community Schools is to improve student learning, build stronger school connections, and create healthier communities. This model emphasizes the collaboration between schools, families, and community resources to support the holistic development of students.

Key components include extended learning opportunities, family engagement, health and social services, and community partnerships.

We are excited to introduce Mrs. Kassy Cappon as the Community School Site Coordinator for Neil Armstrong Elementary School for the 2024-25 school year.

Kassy is employed through the Center for Youth, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise in youth development and community engagement. Her role will be pivotal in coordinating resources, fostering partnerships, and ensuring that the Community School Model is effectively implemented to meet the needs of our students and families.

Kassy will work closely with school staff, families, and community partners to create a supportive and enriching environment for all students. We look forward to the positive impact this initiative will have on our school community and the success of our students.

For more information about the Community School Model or to get involved, please contact Kassy via email at krcappon@gateschili.org.

From April when the community school pilot started to now, we have been able to assist families with a variety of services. The services range from helping with things like food, hygiene products and clothing to more emergent type needs. We are looking forward to the upcoming school year to strengthen relationships and support our families in the best ways possible.

The Center for Youth is sponsoring pizza for all Armstrong families! On August 22 from 3-5 p.m., we invite you to join us to:

• eat PIZZA, no cost to families
• play on the playground
• check out the school building
• meet Mrs. Georger- our new Assistant Principal
• learn more about the Community School Model

As we gear up for a year of learning and growth, we want to emphasize the importance of consistent school attendance.

Research from AttendanceWorks shows that regular attendance is crucial for academic success. Students who attend school regularly are more likely to:

• achieve higher grades
• develop strong social skills
• build a solid foundation for their future education

Attendance is not just about being present in class; it’s about engaging in the learning process and seizing every opportunity to grow. When students miss school, they miss out on critical instruction time, class discussions, and the chance to collaborate with their peers.

If you face any barriers preventing regular attendance, our Community School Site Coordinator, Kassy Cappon, and the student support team—including our social workers, case worker, counselor, and school psychologist—are here to assist. Let’s work together to ensure that every student at Neil Armstrong Elementary School is present, engaged, and ready to learn each and every day!

Did you know that chronic absenteeism—missing 10% or more of school days—can significantly impact a student’s academic performance? Even as early as kindergarten, chronic absence can lead to lower reading levels and decreased success in later grades.

We encourage all families to make attendance a priority. Simple steps like setting a regular bedtime, establishing a morning routine, and scheduling appointments outside of school hours can make a big difference. If you need additional support, Kassy Cappon and the student support team are available to help address any challenges. Let’s all pledge to support our students by promoting good attendance habits in September and throughout the year

ParentSquare is a powerful and user-friendly communication platform where families will be able to keep track of news, activities and events from all their students’ schools in one place.

That means you don’t have to use different apps or tools for different schools or grades—everyone will be using the same platform!

By moving all school-to-home communication to one centralized tool, several tools will no longer be in use--well, sort of. While platforms like SchoolTool, Schoology, SeeSaw and others will continue to be used, they won't be used for communication.

SchoolTool still houses all student information, so families can still access attendance information, grades and more by using the SchoolTool Parent Portal. However, items like progress reports, report cards and will be shared via ParentSquare moving forward. Automated attendance calls will also be generated in ParentSquare.

Families can still access student coursework in Schoology or SeeSaw, however messaging capabilities will no longer be available. Communication about clubs and activities will also move to ParentSquare. Finally, the Gates Chili mobile app will begin to be phased out this school year.

With ParentSquare’s mobile app and web-based platform, Gates Chili families will be able to choose how and how often they receive information from the district.

For each message modality (email, text message/SMS, app notification), families can choose how they want to be notified. These choices can also be customized by school building!

• Instant: receive Posts as soon as they are shared
• Digest: receive a summary of any Posts from the day in one message at 6 p.m.
• Off: receive only alerts and urgent messages

Families can also choose the language in which they would prefer to receive messages. The district has pre-populated these language choices for families based on our records, but families can adjust this at any time. Click here for details on how to change notification and language settings.

We’re focusing a lot on “activating” your ParentSquare account, and that’s intentional.

Activating your account will allow you to interact with many features available in ParentSquare, including RSVPs and conference sign-ups, as well as secure documents. Later this month, that includes teacher placements, class schedules and bus assignments.

Please take note of the anticipated dates for information to be shared via ParentSquare Secure Documents:

• Wednesday, Aug. 21: Bus assignments for all students (grades K-12)
  

• Monday, Aug. 26: Class schedules for secondary students (grades 6-12)

Even if you don’t activate your parent/guardian account, you’ll never miss important messages from the district. However, we strongly encourage you to activate your account, which opens up many more opportunities to stay in the know and engage with your student’s school.

Click on one of the links below for step-by-step directions on activating your ParentSquare account today!

• Getting Started Guide (English)
• Getting Started Guide (Arabic)
• Getting Started Guide (Nepali)
• Getting Started Guide (Spanish)
• Getting Started Guide (Ukrainian)
• Getting Started Guide (Vietnamese)

Look for an email invitation from ParentSquare or begin by clicking the button below to register with the email or phone number you have on file with the district.

We are excited to share some fantastic updates about our instructional programs for the new school year.

One of the major highlights is the introduction of the CKLA (Core Knowledge Language Arts) Skills and Knowledge program for our students in grades K-2. This program includes fun content from various subjects and helps students:

• become better readers
• develop strong skills in phonics, vocabulary, and understanding what they read
• learn more while they improve their reading skills

For students in grades 3-5, we’re starting the 95% Core program. This research-backed reading program aims to help 95% of students reach grade-level reading skills. It focuses on key areas like:

• sound awareness
• phonics
• reading speed
• vocabulary
• comprehension

By catering to each student’s unique needs, the program seeks to help everyone become confident, independent readers.

What I Need (WIN) Time is built into our daily schedule this year!

WIN time is a special period where teachers can provide focused help for different student needs. During this time, kids will get personal support, whether they need extra practice, enrichment activities, or challenges in more advanced work. WIN time ensures that all students get the instruction they need to succeed and excel in their studies.

We are dedicated to providing high-quality education that serves all our students well. With CKLA, 95% Core, and WIN time in place, we’re confident our students will see great improvements in their reading skills. We look forward to a year filled with learning and fun!

Aug. 21: Bus assignments sent via ParentSquare

Aug. 22: Pizza on the Playground, 3-5 p.m., Armstrong playground

Aug. 27: BOE Mtg., 6 p.m., Admin. Bldg.
Aug. 28: Kindergarten Orientation, Armstrong, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Aug. 28: Armstrong Kindergarten Bus Orientation, 4:45-6 p.m., Main campus
Sept. 2: District Closed, Labor Day
Sept. 3: First day of school for students!

Sept. 10: BOE Mtg., 6 p.m., GC-PLC

Sept. 19: NAPTO Meeting, 6:30 p.m., Virtual Meeting

Sept. 24: BOE Mtg., 6 p.m., GC-PLC

Sept. 25: Open House, Grades K, 2, 4, 6-7 p.m., Armstrong

Sept. 26: Open House, Grades 1, 3, 5, 6-7 p.m., Armstrong

Always be sure to check the district website for the

most up-to-date dates, times and locations for all events.

NAPTO supports both students and staff in a variety of ways. From organizing family events, to managing fundraisers that help off-set family costs, this organization works hard to promote a fun and inclusive school atmosphere. Last year they hosted events such as the Autumn Extravaganza Trunk-or-Treat, BINGO, and Family Game Night!

This group is only as strong as its volunteers, so please consider joining us this year. There are many ways to get involved that do not necessarily include attending each meeting. Please complete the form LINKED HERE to join!

Armstrong's Equity Team works to promote a welcoming, affirming, and inclusive environment for all students. This team is an opportunity for families to engage and become involved in the academic and social-emotional work we are doing as a building and district. This year, we have a sub-committee for Family and Community Engagement! We value the insights and input of our families, and welcome all who are interested to participate. Reach out to principal Scott for more information about joining.

The Gates Chili Volunteer Program is a critical form of support from our community. There are a variety of ways volunteers can help at Neil Armstrong, including but not limited to:

• Chaperoning field trips
• Reading with children
• Working with small groups to help reinforce math or reading skills
• Assisting in special rooms or team projects
• Clerical assistance such as making bulletin boards and making copies

The process to apply to be a Gates Chili Central School District Volunteer is done electronically and can be competed at any time.

• Step one- Complete the District Volunteer Application is now available online! Click HERE to apply.
• Step two- Complete the Site-Specific Questionnaire for the location(s) you are interested in. This link will be emailed to you once you are approved via the initial application.

Gates Chili is proud to announce a second year of free meals for all students in the 2024-25 school year!

The district has once again been approved for the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), a program that provides free breakfast and lunch to students every day in the 2024-25 school year.

Providing free meals for all students—regardless of income—is a proven strategy to reduce food insecurity, improve mental and physical health, support students’ ability to thrive academically, and bolster educational, health, and economic equity. That’s why we encourage all students to take advantage of this benefit by getting a free breakfast or lunch at school every day.

Families don’t have to fill out any forms for their student(s) to receive free meals at school. However, it is imperative that families still complete an Income Eligibility Form, formerly known as the Free and Reduced Meal Application. This form is tied to other important benefits for students such as fee waivers for advanced placement exams, dual-credit tuition assistance, state funding and more. Historically, this application has also been tied to P-EBT benefits. To complete that secure application, families should still go to gateschili.org/IncomeForm.

During certain times of the year, the health offices typically see increases in the number of illnesses. This occurs in the fall, when students are back in classrooms, after breaks from school, and at other times during the year when illnesses are more prevalent. Families and staff should remind students about proper handwashing and other illness prevention strategies, and caregivers are encouraged to monitor their students for signs or symptoms of illness. As a reminder, any student with a fever of 100.4 degrees or higher must be kept home from school until fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication.

Caregivers are not notified about any contagious illnesses or conditions in their student's classroom unless there is an extreme circumstance that might require notification. The decision to notify parents is at the discretion of the school nurse and the district medical director.

A few additional reminders:

1. If your student is not feeling well, please do not send them to school and consult your family's doctor.
2. Please send your student to school with a water bottle each day.
3. Appropriate footwear is important for playing outdoors to assist in avoiding injury to feet, toes, and ankles.
4. As our Rochester weather continues to change, please be sure to have your student wear appropriate clothing for outdoor play!

• To keep the car line moving efficiently, please pull ahead and the staff will assist your student to your car.
• Do not pass another car in line, unless directed to do so by a staff member. This will be very important for student safety.
• To ensure a safe and timely dismissal, please notify the main office by 12 p.m. (noon) if you intend to pick up your student at the end of the day. If you cannot do this, when you come, you will need to park and enter the main office foyer, Door #6.
• If your student arrives after 9 a.m., you will need to escort them to the main office foyer. This a very important safety concern. PLEASE NO DROPPING OFF.
• Please remember to bring a valid drivers license with you whenever picking up your student.
• If you are picking your student up at the end of the day (dismissal), please be sure to arrive by 3:20 p.m.