Longfellow Elementary School

Salida Schools - The Education Community

April 4, 2024

Families of Longfellow Elementary-
Phew! Other than a few make-ups, our statewide test, CMAS, is done. I am proud of our 3rd and 4th graders and the effort they put into this test and showing all they know. I want to say a big thank you to our students, families and teachers. This team is what makes Longfellow so great!
We aren’t the Guggenheim Museum, we’re even better! Yesterday morning, the students' faces lit up as the building was literally transformed overnight into the Longfellow Art Museum. Last night, family and friends were invited to tour the school and take in art displays created by kids from all grade levels.  Astronauts, butterflies, perspectives, clay pieces, paper mache’, and the very popular glow room were all on display. The students beamed with pride as they shared their art pieces with their friends, family members, and the community. We estimate that around 500 people were in attendance and over a 1000 pieces of art were displayed. I’d like to extend a huge thank you to Mrs. Everett for putting this event together and to all the staff who helped put up the art displays throughout the building. 
Here are a few reminders of some of our upcoming Longfellow Parent Association events. From some of our big ticket items, to teacher grants, to just being there when we need an extra hand, time and again, the LPA steps up and puts our kids first. Please come out and support them as they do so much for our school.
-The first event  is our second annual Campus Clean-up. It’ll be held this Sunday, April 21st from 1-3, and is a chance to help get our school shining for the warm days ahead. You can find the link for the sign-up here (or you can just show up with your work gloves and get ready to get dirty.)
-The second is the Mountain Lion Fun Run. This will be LPA’s big fundraiser for the year, but is also intended to bring our Longfellow community together. If you’re not into running that’s ok. You can still support by making a donation to our parent group. To register for the run you can sign up here or you can make a donation here.
Note: Please don’t send classroom treats with your child for birthdays or parties. It is against the district’s wellness policy. 
Thank you all, Cory Scheffel, LES Principal
Upcoming Events:
-Campus Clean Up Sunday, April 21st, 1 pm
-LES 4th Grade Choir concert Thursday, April 25th, 6 pm
-Mountain Lion Fun Run Saturday, May 4th, 10 am
Sidenotes:
-Yearbooks are available to order. Go to entourageyearbooks.com, and click the Buy Yearbooks button at the top. Type in Longfellow Elementary and be sure to select the 2024 option. Yearbooks are $24 and will be delivered the 2nd week of May through classroom teachers. Any questions can go to [email protected]. 

Before and after school supervision–Please do not drop off your student before 7:50 or pick them up after 4:05. We want your child to be safe and our outside supervision does not extend beyond those times. Breakfast starts at 7:50. As you drop them off, if they are eating breakfast, watch them as they enter the building. If they aren’t eating breakfast, watch them enter the playground. If it’s after 7:50, once they enter one of those two areas, we have eyes on them.

Attendance– If your child is going to be absent, please contact our attendance secretary at 719-530-5261. Absences for reasons other than illness will be marked as unexcused. We will have our attendance dialer on to automatically notify you if your student is absent. You will get a call letting you know that you have a message from Salida Schools. We are utilizing this system to let you know as soon as possible that your child is absent. If you get a message and your child is here, don’t panic. Call the office at the number above. Often it can be a mistake on the attendance entry. These situations are our highest priority and we don’t stop working on it until we confirm the child is safe.

Communications–Throughout the year our primary form of communication will be email. If you hear of someone having difficulty, please have them contact the office so that we can make sure their contact information is up to date. For emergency situations and school closures, we will be communicating via the school messenger app. You can find information on downloading the school messenger app on the district’s homepage, salidaschools.com 

Visiting the School–Anytime you are visiting the school, whether for a meeting or to pick up a child, please enter through the first set of the front doors and speak to the secretary through the service window. They’ll have you sign yourself in or sign your student out. This allows us to keep track of everyone who is in the building.

Lunch and Breakfast–Please be sure your child is on time if they plan on eating breakfast.  Breakfast is served from 7:50-8:10. This year, meals are free for all. Even if you don’t need assistance, we ask that everyone fill out the meal assistance form (free and reduced lunch form.) This is crucial for a couple of reasons. First, it is still unclear what rate the state will be reimbursing the schools for each lunch. The meal assistance form will allow the federal government to backfill any amount not covered by the state. Second, some of our federal funding is based on the return rate of these forms. We understand that it has been difficult for some to fill out these forms through Infinite Campus. If you need help, please come by the office and we can assist you through the process.

Buses–Herding up to a hundred students to the buses can be a logistical challenge. At this point in the year, we are feeling extremely successful. If you have a change in the route plans for your child, please contact our transportation supervisor Evalyn Parks at 719-530-5231, the front office at 719-530-5261, and your child’s teacher so that we may ensure that your child arrives home safely.

Circle Drive–The circle drive is for immediate drop-off of students only. If you need time with your child, or you’d like to walk them to class, please park in the parking lot or along the street.  We also ask that bikes avoid the circle drive as it adds an extra layer of danger for drivers as they are working to keep eyes on their student and all the other students in the area.

Bikes–Bikes should be walked when on the school campus (both students and parents.) They should be locked up throughout the school day. Please do not ride bikes in the bus area while they are picking up or dropping off students or in the circle drive.

Cell Phones–Cell Phones and smart watches are increasingly becoming an issue at school.  Our policy is that phones and smart watches should be off and in their backpacks. If you need to communicate a message with your child, please do so via the front office or text them after 3:30 to minimize classroom disruptions.

Volunteering in the classroom– In early September, we will be sending out information on how to complete background checks in order to volunteer in the school.

School Services

School Nurse- Missy Tanner [email protected]
Please contact our school nurse if you have any questions about Medications/Care plans, Immunizations, Allergies, if your child is well enough to send to school or anything that may be affecting your child’s health.  

School Counselor- Kelly Hamilton [email protected]
Please contact our school counselor if you have any questions about counseling, counseling groups, our Positive Behavior System, or any issues that might be affecting your child’s emotional wellbeing.

Partner Organizations
Longfellow Parent Association–provides grants, events, and support to the students, staff, and school throughout the school year. Please become a member. Application forms can be picked up in the front office.

Boys and Girls Club- provides after-school and Friday child care as well as enrichment opportunities. For more information, contact Kiki Lathrop at [email protected].

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Cory Scheffel
Principal
Longfellow Elementary School