Families of Longfellow Elementary,
Thank you to all for an awesome first week of school. This time of year is always extra busy as we get things set up and dialed in for the kids. This week we were able to run all our 1st through 4th grade students through our ROAR positive behavior system stations to show them our behavior expectations throughout our building. Last night, we held our parent orientation meeting to familiarize our new families with Longfellow programs and procedures. This afternoon, the Longfellow Parent Association is hosting our annual Ice Cream Social. Please come by right after school and connect with families and celebrate a successful start to the year.
I appreciate you all and thank you for your support as we strive to continue the excellence in education that is Longfellow Elementary.
Cory Scheffel, Longfellow Principal
Mark your calendars: We will be holding our annual reunification drill on the afternoon of Monday, August 25th. 1st through 4th graders will be released at 2:00. Kindergarteners will be picked up through the reunification process. More information on this important drill will come out next week.
For those who missed the orientation yesterday, below I’ve highlighted some of the topics covered. Please read carefully (this will help with daily procedures and programs within our building.)
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 data 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 at the bottom of 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. Meals are free for all again this year.
Buses–Getting 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 the school doors, 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–This year the entire district is cell phone free throughout the school day. At Longfellow, 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. If a child is utilizing a phone or smart watch during this time a staff member will bring the device to the office and the office will be calling families and reminding them of this policy.
Volunteering in the classroom– Any volunteer that enters the building or accompanies a field trip is required to fill out the volunteer agreement form which includes a background check. Get ahead and swing by the office to pick up your form today.
School Services
School Nurse- Missy Tanner mtanner@salidaschools.org
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 khamilton@salidaschools.org
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 Ally at Salidaclub@bgcchaffee.org.