July 22, 2019
Welcome Back!
Hello Lyon Families!

Welcome to the 2019-2020 school year.  With such busy summer schedules, our goal is to give you all the information you need to start the school year off right!

Lyon staff have been working throughout the summer to ensure this school year is a success.  With a new vision in place, staff will work to instill traits surrounding leadership, self-worth and empathy, and of course academics.   Our shared vision will drive staff to continue building leadership capacity amongst ALL Lyon students.  Stay tuned for more information surrounding our vision to LEAD, LOVE and LEARN at Lyon!

As we reflected over the past school year, we want to celebrate our student leadership teams, meeting and exceeding our school improvement goals, and hosting our first ever Leadership Day.  We can't wait to see where the students take us this year; the new ideas students bring to the student lighthouse team, watching students strengthen relationships with each other, and goal setting will be something that continues to move Lyon forward.  

Continue to watch for additional information that will assist us in helping grow and develop your child as a lifelong leader and learner!   We know this year is going to be great.  We can't wait to get started.

See you soon!
Casey Mitchell
Lyon Building Principal


NEW PROCESS...ONLINE BACK TO SCHOOL FORMS:
One really important element for the 2019-20 school year is that nearly all back to school forms will need to be completed online through the SISK12 Parent Portal. As a reminder, the Parent Portal is a tool that parents can use to monitor items like meal balances, grades, attendance, etc. We recommend using it throughout the school year!
Now, this tool will be used to make the back to school form process much easier and smoother for our families.  Please login to the Parent Portal and complete the needed forms by the first day of school, August 15. All kindergarten through 12th grade students must have a parent/guardian complete these required forms. Take note that specific forms must be completed for students to participate in various activities, including technology usage.
To find the Parent Portal  CLICK HERE or simply visit  republicschools.org and click on the "Parent Portal" icon. This can also be accessed through the district's free mobile app. As a reminder, to login use the email address you have provided to the district and enter the password you have created. If you've forgotten it, simply click on the "forgot password" button and follow the prompts.
TAKE NOTE: Do not choose "Register New Family" if your student has attended Republic School District in the past or is registered to attend kindergarten for the 2019-20 school year. This option is for new to Republic families only.

Thank you in advance for your assistance in helping us transition to online back to school registration!  

NOTES REGARDING ONLINE BACK TO SCHOOL FORMS:
Student Handbook:  Student handbooks provide a summary of the practices, policies and procedures our district follows. Please review the document at https://www.republicschools.org/rmshandbook . The handbook will remain on the website throughout the entire school year, and  prin ted copies can be requested by contacting our building office. Digitally signing the online Policy and Procedure Acknowledgment form indicates approval of this document.
FOOD SERVICE INFORMATION:
NEW SYSTEM FOR ONLINE MEAL PAYMENTS (REVTRAK): 
The district Food Service Department offers daily breakfast and lunch options. Meals may be prepaid by submitting cash/check to the school office in a sealed envelope with the student(s) name and amount enclosed on the outside of the envelope. In addition, t hrough the SISK12 Parent Portal families have the option to make online meal payments through a secure system, ConnexPoint. Like other online payment systems a processing fee is applicable. ConnexPoint charges a 3.99% processing fee for transactions. To make an online meal payment simply login to the SISK12 Parent Portal, select the Meal Service Balance icon and follow the prompts.
 
 
As a reminder, to find the Parent Portal simply visit  republicschools.org and click on the "Parent Portal" icon. This can also be accessed through the district's free mobile app.  As a reminder, to login use the email address you have provided to the district and enter the password you have created. If you've forgotten it, simply click on the "forgot password" button and follow the prompts. The Parent Portal is the same system used for back to school registration forms and to view student information like grades and attendance. 
2019-2020 MEAL PRICES:
Breakfast:  $1.15,    Reduced:  Free
Lunch:  $2.40   Reduced:  $ .40
Adult/Visitors: Breakfast, $2.10, Lunch, $3.60
Extra milk/juice: $0.45
MEAL BENEFITS:
The Republic School District encourages ALL families to complete the free and reduced meal application.  A hard copy will be sent out or you may access the form on our website by clicking HERE.  By completing this form, your family may qualify for free or reduced breakfast or lunch prices.  For assistance with this form, please contact the Lyon office or by visiting the Food Service tab at republicschools.org
CELEBRATING BIRTHDAYS AT SCHOOL WITH SMART SNACKS:
Celebrating birthdays at school is certainly fun and memorable for our students. All students have an opportunity to celebrate by sending trinkets or treats to share. Due to district policy, if treats are brought in they must be on the USDA Smart Snacks list and also must be store-bought and sealed. There are many delicious, fun and healthy approved items including cookies, puddings, snack crackers, fruit snacks and ice cream treats. Additional details can be found at https://www.republicschools.org/healthservices . While this is a change from previous years, only allowing snacks from this list to be brought into classrooms will assist in making sure we are able to meet student allergy needs along with providing healthy snacks for students as birthdays and celebrations are a regular occurrence.
  
ATTENDANCE:
The best way to support your child's education is by making attendance a priority.  Students cannot learn if they are not in attendance.  Lyon staff have developed incentives for students who have 98% or higher attendance each month.  Staff and students also monitor attendance through goal setting and data tracking.  We certainly understand students become ill, or might miss school for unforseen circumstances.  Please contact the Lyon office to report these absences in a timely manner.
Arrival and Dismissal Procedures:

Arrival: 

  • Doors open at 8:10 a.m. Please refer to the Traffic Flow Map or visit Lyon's website under "Resources" for drop-off and pick-up procedures. Students may not be dropped off prior to 8:10 unless he/she is enrolled in Tigers STRIPES. 
Dismissal: 
  • All students must be picked up at the end of the day from the main car line located at the back of Lyon. Please plan ahead as no pick-up changes can be made after 3:00 p.m. (2:00 p.m. Fridays) and no child may be picked up in the office after 3:15 p.m (2:15 p.m. on Fridays). Any adult picking up a child within the car lane must have a car tag.  Please place the car tag you receive at Open House on the dash or rearview mirror of your vehicle each day. Do not get out of your vehicle, as this slows down the process and causes unnecessary congestion. 
    For safety of students and staff, w e also request students enter and exit on the passenger side of the vehicle.
    In order to decrease congestion, please do not line up prior to 3:15 p.m. Monday-Thursday and prior to 2:15 p.m. on Fridays. We will dismiss students at 3:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday and at 2:30 p.m. on Friday. It is our goal to connect students with families within 10-13 minutes.
  • Riding a bus? A letter from the Transportation Department will be sent to families via email and mailed the first week in August identifying bus number along with pick-up and drop-off times. Questions regarding transportation can be directed to 732-3680.
WEEKLY FRIDAY EARLY RELEASE:
As a reminder, the Republic School District implements a weekly Friday early release. To learn more about early release and find answers to frequently asked questions, visit the district website by  CLICKING HERE.
Tiger STRIPES will be available on the early release day at no extra cost to families already enrolled. For families who only need care on the early release day, Tiger STRIPES will be available at no cost for one hour of care (2:30 - 3:30 p.m.) and/or a cost of $3.50 per weekly release day for students needing care until 4:30 p.m. To attend Tiger STRIPES, families will need to sign up in advance. Registration details can be found HERE. 
COMMUNICATION:
Lyon will utilize an abundance  of sources to keep all parents up to date with current events, as well as, communicate out happenings around Lyon throughout our days.  PLEASE MAKE SURE ALL CONTACT INFORMATION IS CURRENT AND CORRECT.

The district and Lyon will utilize the following resources:
  • District website (republicschools.org); Select Lyon
  • District Twitter (@republicschools); Lyon @CaseyMitchell87
  • District Facebook:  Republic Schools  
  • Lyon Facebook:  Lyon Elementary School
  • Voice calls and text messages (if not receiving send "Y" to 67587 to opt-in)
  • Peachjar E-flyer Service (weekly optional e-mail with school related and approved e-flyers to keep informed of district and community information);
  • Tiger Talk e-newsletter (Sent on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month during the school year. Parents who have provided an email account are automatically signed up. Others can sign up on our website.) 
  • Building newsletters (monthly)
  • Classroom newsletters (weekly)
BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL CHILDCARE:

The Republic School District offers quality and affordable student programming during non-school hours through STRIPES 360. Care is offered before and after school daily and during days that school is not in session. The Tiger STRIPES/TEENS program will be using online enrollment only for registration. As a reminder, each year students must re-enroll in this program.
 
Registration for Tiger STRIPES/TEENS will require a $30 registration fee along with the first two weeks of tuition. Online or in-person payment is available. A STRIPES 360 staff member will be available at all open houses and orientations to answer questions, but no payments can be accepted at that time. To register for Tiger STRIPES/TEENS and to learn more about STRIPES 360 programs, CLICK HERE or visit the STRIPES 360 table at Lyon's Open House.
Save the Date

You can access the district calendar  HERE or download our mobile app for a full calendar of events.

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Click here for the current
Thank you for taking the time to read the above information.  By doing so, you will assist Lyon staff in a smooth kick off to the new year.  We request all online applications and forms be completed by the first day of school.  For questions or support, please contact the Lyon office at 732.3630. We'll be happy to assist you with any needs you or your child might have.  

See you at Open House on August 13th!

Sincerely,
Casey Mitchell                 Leanne Gove
Building Principal             Assistant Principal