The Brilliance Bulletin - 09/19/25

Each week, this newsletter will share a variety of updates and information about The Genius School, including exciting highlights, upcoming events, and important announcements. Stay tuned to keep up with all the amazing things happening in our community!

We’re excited to announce that our first Parent–Community Organization (PCO) meeting of the year will be held on Thursday, September 25, at 5:30 PM. The PCO is a wonderful way for families to get involved, share ideas, and support the success of our scholars and school community. Refreshments will be served, and we encourage all parents to attend, learn more about how you can participate, and help us make this a fantastic year together. We look forward to seeing you there!

Thank you to all of our families for your attention to the updated dress code over the past few weeks — we’ve seen a big improvement as we start the year strong! That said, we still aren’t quite at 100%, and we need everyone’s help to ensure consistency. Please remember that Monday through Thursday students should be in white button-down shirts (not polos) with a tie or cross tie, and navy blue pants are required every day (not khaki). Following the dress code helps our scholars look sharp, feel confident, and stay focused on learning. We appreciate your partnership in making sure every student comes to school prepared and in full uniform each day.

• Monday through Thursday, students should be in dress uniform — this means a button-up shirt (not a polo) with a tie, and a cross tie for girls, along with navy pants every day.
• Friday is our regular uniform day. Dressing for success not only reflects our school pride but also helps create a focused learning environment.

A reminder for families: Picture Day order forms and payment are due by Friday, October 3. Please be sure to return your completed form and money by this date so your child’s photos can be processed. If you have any questions about ordering, please contact the main office. Thank you for helping us keep everything on schedule — we can’t wait to share our scholars’ smiling faces with you!

Tomorrow, scholars will be bringing home their iXL logins. iXL is an online learning program that personalizes Math and ELA practice for each child. It adapts to your scholar’s skill level, provides immediate feedback, and helps build mastery step by step. Please make sure your child uses iXL each day to work on their Math and ELA skill plans. This daily practice is a vital part of ensuring your child continues to grow academically and strengthen the skills they are learning in class.

More detailed information about iXL and how it supports your child’s learning will be shared by Mr. Cassoday later this week. Thank you for partnering with us to help every scholar reach their full potential!

On Wednesday, October 1, The Genius School will hold a synchronous learning day to allow time for staff professional development. Students will receive live, virtual instruction in the morning, followed by independent assignments in the afternoon while staff engages in training.

This is an important opportunity for our teachers to grow professionally and bring back new strategies to the classroom, while still ensuring that our scholars continue learning throughout the day. Thank you for supporting us as we balance high-quality instruction with ongoing staff development.

Mark your calendars for Wednesday, October 22, 2025 — our first Genius Conferences of the year! These conferences are a valuable opportunity for families and teachers to come together and discuss each scholar’s Individualized Genius Plan (IGP), as well as their progress during the first quarter of school. This time allows us to celebrate growth, address any challenges, and set meaningful goals for the months ahead.

Further information, including sign-ups for appointments, will be released soon. We believe that strong partnerships between school and home are key to helping every child succeed, and we look forward to connecting with you during conferences.

• September 25 - PCO Meeting (5:30 pm)
• October 1 - PD Day (Synchronous)
• October 3 - End of Quarter 1
• October 3 - Picture Day Order Forms Due
• October 6-10 - ILEARN Benchmark 1 Assessments (Grades 3-7)
• October 15 - Parent University (6:00 pm)
• October 22 - Genius Conferences (Asynchronous)
• October 23-24 - Fall Break (No School)
• October 30 - Pink-4-Ever Day
• November 19 - Thanksgiving Fellowship
• November 24-28 - Thanksgiving Break (No School)

As we settle into the school year, we’ve noticed an increase in common illnesses going around. To help keep our school community healthy, we are asking families to partner with us in taking extra precautions. Please remind your scholar about the importance of good hygiene habits such as regular handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, and avoiding the sharing of food or drinks. If your child is not feeling well, please keep them home to rest and recover — this helps prevent the spread of illness to others. Together, we can create a safe and healthy environment where all of our scholars can learn and thrive!

To help our days run smoothly, please note our arrival and dismissal procedures.

• Arrival is from 8:15 to 8:30 AM. Students arriving after 8:30 AM are considered late and must be walked into the building by the person dropping them off.
• Dismissal takes place from 3:30 to 3:45 PM.

A successful year starts with being prepared! If you haven’t had a chance to bring in your child’s school supplies yet, please send them in as soon as possible so our scholars have everything they need to learn and thrive. Having supplies in the classroom helps us start each day smoothly and keeps students ready for every activity. You can view and download the complete supply list here: Click for the Supply List. Thank you for your support in making sure our classrooms are well-equipped for a fantastic year!

Our student dress code can be found here.