Greetings Rondout Families and Faculty,
Welcome Back!!! We are just hours away from the start of the 2022-2023 school year. We are very excited and inspired by the many possibilities that lie ahead as we move to a post-pandemic environment. The first day is always an exciting time which can bring some feelings of celebration but also anxiousness about the start of the new school year. Rest assured that our team is prepared to provide a nurturing and supportive environment for all our students for not only the first day but everyday throughout the year ahead.
First Day of School Arrival and Dismissal Notes…Prior to COVID times, some parents enjoyed taking pictures of their children as they arrived on the first day of school. We are pleased to say that this will once again be an option. If your child rides the bus, we ask that you park your car and wait on the “main entrance porch” near the flagpole. Buses will drop off at the main entrance and we will be out to assist with managing students’ arrival. Since students will be going to their classrooms directly, we will not be inviting parents in to accompany their children to class. We will have our staff waiting to assist any students in getting to their homeroom safely. We will only have morning gathering time as a school at our Village Town Meetings. Parents will have an opportunity to join those meetings at various times throughout the year and will have a list of “open meetings later in the trimester.
Parent Drivers …If you are driving your child on the first day, you are welcome to park at the south end and take photos at the Rondout sign. Please exercise caution in parking and making your way across the driveway. The South entrance will not be open. After you take your photos, we ask that you return to the drop off line and bring your child to the main entrance. We expect a fair amount of traffic tomorrow morning so please bring your patience and flexibility as we manage the excitement of the day. Since drop off for students who are driven will be at the main entrance as well, if a bus is unloading there, please wait behind the bus and do not drop off until you are at the main entrance.
If your child is riding the bus, please note that they have assigned seats which are marked with a label. The first day of the bus route can sometimes take a little longer so please be out at your stop on time and know that there may be some delays. Another reminder about the afternoon route for K-2 is that the driver will not drop off a child unless an adult is present to insure they arrive home safely. If no one is there, the child will be brought back to school and parents will be contacted.
Dismissal:
Pick up for car riders will be at the South end of the school and drivers are asked to line up next to the walkway. Please do not park in the west parking spaces and have your children walk across the drive. Staff will be out to assist during dismissal time. (2:40 p.m. for K-2 and 3:30 p.m. for 3-8). It may take a few days until everyone gets into the routine.
We will not have staggered routes for the 3-8 dismissal this year which will result in each bus having only one “run”.
Rondout Goes Out To The Ballgame
It was great to see so many families at Friday night’s Chicago Dogs Ballgame. Thanks to Allyson Wells and her PTSA Super Team onboard this year for making it happen. A great time was had by all and everyone could enjoy the evening with our Rondout Community. People could sit back, enjoy some conversation, snack on some ballpark food and beverages and the kids had a great time as well. It was a terrific way for families to celebrate and reconnect in a relaxing way without any additional prep or cleanup. It looked like an all around winner in our book. The fact that it was International Dog Day and dogs were welcome was an additional perk. We enjoyed the added “dog watching” the event provided. Thanks to all who came out and to the PTSA team that did the pre-event work.
Looking Ahead...Next week’s Flyer will focus on an update on many of the new and exciting ways that families can get involved and a preview of some of our clubs, activities and sports on the agenda for this school year. Please feel free to reach out with any questions, suggestions or needs.
We hope you will find this a year of inspiration and joy as we find out way back to some old traditions and introduce some new activities and opportunities. It is truly a gift to serve this school community and we look forward to making this the best year ever!
Until next time…
Dr. Jenny Wojcik
Superintendent
Ms. Elizabeth Davis
Principal
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