ANNOUNCEMENTS:

August 2011                                                                           

Dear Parents,

It is a pleasure to welcome you  to the 2011-2012 school year at Garden Road Elementary School.  We are looking forward to getting to know your child and helping them learn the skills they need to be successful.  Please call the school at 858-748-0230 if you have questions, or check our website at http://powayusd.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/pusdgres/

SCHOOL BEGINS on Wednesday, August 24, 2011.

SCHOOL HOURS

            Grades 1 through 5                         
8:00 – 2:20        Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
8:00 – 12:40      Friday

Kindergarten           
8:00 - 1:00         Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs from 8/24 through 9/29.
8:00 – 12:40      Friday

8:00 – 2:20       Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs from 10/3 –end of the year
8:00 – 12:40     Friday

PEPP     
8:00—11:20    Monday through Friday all year

ATTENDANCE
      Regular attendance is critical in ensuring student success in school.   Please call the Attendance Line at
      858-486-6273 when your child is absent.  If the school is not notified regarding an absence by 9:00 a.m., our automated system will call you for verification.  Unverified absences are considered truant.   

ABSENCE ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
Please call the school at 858-486-6273 to account for your child’s absence.  If this is a planned absence, let the office know in advance.  An unconfirmed absence on the first day of school may result in the District dropping your student from attendance at Garden Road.

CLASSROOM ASSIGNMENTS

      Classroom assignments will be posted on the Multipurpose Room windows on Monday August 22 AT 4:00 P.M.  

NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION    There will be an orientation for new students and their parents on Tuesday August 23 from 9:30–10:30 a.m. in our Multipurpose room.  An overview of our school and a tour will be provided. 

SPRING KINDERGARTEN ORIENTATION
Parents of incoming kindergartners are invited to attend a spring kindergarten orientation on Thursday, May 26 from 8:00-9:00 a.m. in the multipurpose room.  An overview of the kindergarten program will be provided. 

KINDERGARTEN OPEN HOUSE
      Kindergartners and their parents are invited to our Kindergarten Open House on Tuesday August 23th from 8:00-9:00 a.m. in our Multipurpose Room.  Parents and students will receive an overview of our kindergarten and school programs and meet your child’s teacher.

BEFORE-SCHOOL SUPERVISION

      Children should not arrive on the playground before 7:40 a.m., the time that supervision begins.

CLOSED CAMPUS

      Garden Road is a closed campus.  Once children arrive, they may not leave unless a parent or other authorized person comes to the office to sign a release.  To insure the safety of our children, you will be required to show I.D. when you pick up your student.

SCHOOL LUNCH (price change this year)

      The price for lunch is $2.50.   Please prepay for lunch whenever possible.  Checks should be made out to PUSD Food Service or you can pay on-line at www.MyLunchMoney.com   If a student forgets to bring lunch or lunch money he or she will be allowed to call home.  The school will not lend money to students for lunch

FREE OR REDUCED-PRICE LUNCH
If you qualified for free or reduced lunch in 2010-11, then you will receive free or reduced lunch until September 30 only.  You must complete a new application every school year.

MEDICATION AT SCHOOL

      If your child is on medication, a “Physician’s Recommendation for Medication” form must be obtained from the school office, completed by your physician, and returned to school.  NO MEDICATION WILL BE GIVEN AT SCHOOL WITHOUT THIS FORM.  An adult must bring the medication to the school office.  Children may not have medication in their possession.  This includes aspirin, inhalers, and cough drops.

BICYCLE RIDING

      Riding a bicycle is limited to children in grades 3, 4, and 5.  Each child must wear a helmet and provide a lock for his or her bike.   Students riding a bike to school must have a permission slip on file in the office.  Skateboards, roller shoes, and rollerblades are not allowed on campus.

PARKING LOT

      The parking lot attached to the school is for staff parking, except for stalls marked “Handicapped Parking.”  The street and the parking lot across the street are for parents and visitors.  You are encouraged to drop off and pick up your child in front of the Multipurpose Room. 

VOLUNTEERING AT GARDEN ROAD

      If you would like to volunteer at Garden Road and have not already completed a background check and submitted a current TB test, you will need to do so.  Please stop by the office for the necessary forms. Your clearance is still valid if you were cleared to volunteer last year.

BACK-TO-SCHOOL NIGHT

      This is an opportunity for parents to meet their child’s teacher and learn about their child’s classroom expectations, homework policies and curriculum. Back to School Night is Thursday, September 1.   This is an ‘adults only’ evening.  SAVE THE DATE!

I am excited to be working with such a talented and dedicated staff in a school where parents are supportive of our efforts.  Children are our greatest natural resource.  We take seriously our responsibility to nourish, protect, and develop children to their fullest potential.  Best wishes for a great 2011-12 school year!  You have enrolled your children in an outstanding school where we make a difference, one child at a time!

Sincerely,

Jeannie Miller, Principal

Garden Road Elementary School