Dear Parents and Students,
The beginning of school is here once again, and after a summer full of construction, we are hoping the dust is now settled and everyone is ready to “hit the books.” We are looking forward to another exciting and productive year filled with a lot of learning and fond memories. Our teachers are ready to meet their students and get to work on the tasks of learning, achieving, and growing.
As you go through the contents of this folder there are a few things I would like to call your attention to as well as other reminders to assist in the smooth operation of our school.
- School times, policies, and procedures are located on the inside flaps and back portion of this folder. If something is not there that you have a question about, you can contact the school, or go to the district web page www.wash.k12.org and look under policies and procedures.
- Checking students out during school hours- Often times parents or other family members need to check students out during the school day. We ask that if possible these occurrences are kept to a minimum for they van become a real disruption to a child’s learning. In the case that a child must be check out during school hours, THE PERSON CHECKING OUT MUST REPORT TO THE OFFICE, AND FORMALLY SIGN THE CHILD OUT. The adult signing the child out, must also provide a photo ID. Although this may sound like an inconvenience, your cooperation in this matter will help us to continue to provide a safe learning environment for all of our students.
- MORNING STUDENT DROP OFF- Parents wishing to drive their students to school can drop them off in the front of the school entering the valet pick up lane from Man of War. (Remember to use this entrance in the morning only!) The reason we have left the drop off going this direction is because it allows the teacher on duty to assist students out of their cars and places them safely onto the sidewalk. (We do not have the extra hands in the morning that we have in the afternoon to escort students around the vehicles.)
- STUDENT PICK UP AFTER SCHOOL- Parents wishing to pick up their students in the afternoon need to enter the parking lot off of Delmar. There are two options for picking up your students in the front of the school:
ü You may continue to use the valet pick up lane to retrieve your students at the end of the school day. Teachers will continue to be present to assist your students in getting into the vehicles in this lane.
ü You may choose to park in the front parking lot and walk over to the curb where students are waiting. Here, you may pick up your children and walk them back to your vehicle. Students will not be allowed to walk across the valet line without the assistance of the adult who is picking them up!
Keep in mind that the front parking lot gets very busy during pick up time. Please keep the traffic flow going by entering Dlemar and exiting on Man of War. Making a right hand turn on Man of War will help to speed things up as well.
- KINDERGARTEN PARENTS – The above pick up and drop off procedures will also apply to you before school starts at 9:00 and ends at 3:30. The difference will be if you are picking up or dropping off at mid-day. In this situation we ask that you park in the parking lot and walk your kindergarten students across the parking lot to the curb, or to their classroom. In picking up we ask that you walk across and get your student(s) and then walk them back to the car. The busses will be parking and dropping off in the front of the school. If parent’s cars are parked in the bus lane, it makes it difficult for them to do their jobs, and violates many of their bus regulations.
- “I Read to the Principal” – This has become a yearly tradition, one of which I plan to continue for as long as I am at Bloomington Elementary. In the past years I have had the opportunity to read with many of our students. This is an opportunity that I cherish, for during this one on one time I get to know each student better, and I also get to listen to what excellent readers we have at our school. When I have had the opportunity to read with your child, they will get to sign their name on the “I Read to the Principal” poster which will be posted in the front office. They will also get a button to wear home, and you will receive a postcard letting you know about our fantastic adventure.
I know that this is going to be another fantastic year at Bloomington Elementary. We look forward to working together as a school/home team that will help our learners to acquire the skills they will need as they progress throughout their lives and learning careers. Please take time out this year to volunteer in your child’s class, attend an assembly, read with a group of students, or just drop by for a delicious school lunch as your child’s special guest. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Sincerely,
Kim M. Heki, Principal