Dear Arcade Elementary Families:
I hope that you have all been enjoying your summer! It’s been nice running into many of you around town--at Arcade Market, McDonald’s, Tops, Nellie’s, Tractor Supply, and even over at Woodstream Campsite! I just love seeing your smiling faces! We’ve had a busy summer here at school, between construction and teacher training, but it’s just not the same without “our kids,” so we look forward to having them back.
On the back of this letter, you will see the outline for Return to Learn on Wednesday, August 27. For Arcade Elementary, this will run more as a meet-the-teacher opportunity rather than a full presentation; we have found that the presentations are a lot for families to absorb, while students really just want to see their teachers’ faces and figure out where their lockers or cubbies are! (Other buildings may run it differently.) We will also have the usual forms available for you to fill in, so you can leave without “homework” if you wish! Please come prepared to provide names and phone numbers of emergency contacts, as this is critical information for us to have on Day 1 for student safety purposes.
In reflecting on the last year with our staff, it’s apparent that we’re seeing fantastic things in our school. One area that we believe will help us to do even better pertains to habits and behaviors. Please be on the lookout for some “Back to Basics” behavior expectations—routines and expectations that have been in place all along but can use a little more focused attention. The more we can all work together on promoting a calm, supportive environment, the more our students can grow in terms of academics and social/emotional learning. Part of this also relates to attendance, as we know students can’t learn and can’t be in a routine when they aren’t here. Students will become ill, and they cannot attend school with a fever, but we will continue to promote good work and attendance habits. If you are unsure or if you believe there is something dampening your child’s enthusiasm for school, please contact us so we can gather more information and work together.
I can’t wait to see all of you on August 27; if I can be of any assistance before then, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m looking forward to another wonderful year of learning and growth, and I appreciate your support!
Sincerely,
Kerry Slocum, Principal
Arcade Elementary School
Have Courage & Be Kind