Welcome back from summer, and a special welcome to those parents and students new to our school. It is hard to believe summer vacation is over and it is time to begin a new and exciting school year. We hope your summer was enjoyable and every one is ready to get back into the routines and schedules of school.

To get the year off to a great start there are some important issues which I must call to your attention. Please send in, as soon as possible, your child's emergency information card. For your child's safety and protection please be sure to send in current work and home phone numbers and a back-up person we can contact in case of an emergency. Be sure to sign the Media Access Policy Permission form on the back of the emergency card.

You will also find a copy of the school insurance form attached to this letter. Each year we need to remind parents that accidents involving children at school are not covered by a Board of Education policy. Claims must be addressed to your own family insurance unless you have the coverage provided by the attached policy.

I would also like to remind you of some of our school systems policies and procedures. When a child is absent or tardy, a note, phone call or visit by a parent or guardian is required. Please make every effort to make appointments for the doctor or any special programs after dismissal time. If your child is being picked up early you must send a note, with your signature, in advance, indicating the day and time of this request. The teacher will receive the request and send it to the principle's office for verification and approval. At the designated time, the parent or guardian should report directly to the office to pick up the child. You will be asked to sign out in the log book. Once this is completed, the teacher releases the child to the office for dismissal.

School officially begins at 9:05 and students will not be allowed in the building until that time when there is proper supervision. We will distribute passes to students who are in the building for extra help or other activities where they are supervised. Please do not drop your children off early because they will have to wait outside until the designated time.

If you pick up your child at the end of the day they will be waiting for you at the "Rain Door" which is the door nearest to the parking lot facing Chestnut Street. This will alleviate hallway congestion. During dismissal teachers are on bus duty and are unable to conference with you, however, if you send in a note they will be happy to set up a mutually agreeable time to meet.

You should find the following materials attached to this letter; a copy of the school calendar; an application for free or reduced lunch; a school insurance form; Emergency Information Card/Media permission slip; the Transportation Guide; and a Bus Safety pamphlet. If you do not receive all of these materials, please notify the classroom teacher.

I am very excited about all of the wonderful initiatives we have planned for this year and I am looking forward to working with you and your children. My door is always open to you, but please remember your first line of communication is the classroom teacher. Best wishes to you and your child for an exciting, enriching and productive school year.