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August 13, 2022
Dear Lower School Families,
I hope this letter finds you and your family enjoying the final days of the summer holiday. We are very excited to welcome all of our students and families back to school for the 2022-23 school year. As mentioned in yesterday’s Viking Voice newsletter, our new faculty began their training on Thursday, and all faculty return on Monday for a week of professional development and preparing their rooms for the arrival of students on Tuesday, August 23.
By the Numbers…
We plan to welcome 501 students to the Lower School when school begins, of which 101 are new to Academy! It will be wonderful to welcome back both our returning and new families into our vibrant community on August 22 at the Ice Cream Social!
Class Lists
Class lists for Lower School will be distributed on Friday, August 19. Throughout the spring and summer, the faculty and administration have worked very diligently to build successful class groupings at every level. The distribution of these lists can bring some anxiety, excitement and disappointment on the part of parents and children. It has been my experience, however, that each child quickly develops a sense of “group identity” with his/her class, and late summer nervousness quickly fades as the year gets underway. I encourage everyone to come to the Ice Cream Social on Monday, August 22, to meet your children’s new teachers and classmates.
Lower School Ice Cream Social
The Ice Cream Social will take place from 4:00-5:45 p.m. on Monday, August 22. Teachers will meet with students in their classrooms anytime between 4:00-5:00 p.m. This will be an opportunity for children to say hello to their new classmates and teachers as well as get a peek at their classrooms and drop off their school supplies. After seeing their classrooms, families will meet in the bus circle (between Academy Hall and the lower school playground) for ice cream sundaes. Our parent-run Viking Corner store will be set up to sell dress code clothing and spiritwear there. You can purchase in advance at vikingcorner.org and pick up your order during this event. Also, the Clothing Exchange Closet (located on the lower level of the Middle chool just down the hallway from the nurses’ office) will be open as well. There you can find gently used dress code items and spiritwear that are free for the taking.
First-Day Logistics
On Tuesday, August 23, there is no early dropoff for students in the Lower School. Please plan to arrive between 7:45-8:10 a.m. Students will go directly to their classrooms upon arrival. Early morning supervision will begin on Wednesday, August 24, from 7:00 a.m. onwards in the Barton Room. Please take advantage of the Ice Cream Social to help your children carry in supplies and navigate the building to prepare for the first day of school. The Ice Cream Social is also a great opportunity to take photographs of your children in their new learning spaces! We look forward to inviting parents and guardians to volunteer and visit in the classrooms but ask that we first establish student routines for entering the building and limiting congestion during the first week.
Start of School for Kindergarten-Grade 5
The Lower School will begin the school year on Tuesday, August 23. All students, with the exception of Explorers and PreK, will follow a regular school day (8:05 a.m. to 3:20 p.m.) schedule.
Week 1 Logistics for EXPLORER Students
Tuesday, August 23
- 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. while parents stay on campus for a brief program and coffee
- Drop off and pick up at classroom
Wednesday and Thursday, August 24-25
- 8:00 to 10:00 a.m.
- Drop off and pick up at classroom
Friday, August 26
- Half-day students are dismissed at 11:25 a.m.
- Full-day students are dismissed at 12:15 p.m. (after lunch)
- Drop off and pick up using carpool lane in front of the Lower School
Please note, CASE is not available for Explorer students during this modified schedule the first week of school.
Week 1 Logistics for PRE-KINDERGARTEN Students
Tuesday, August 23
- All students in PreK will attend school from 8:05 to 11:25 a.m.
- PreK parents may walk children to classrooms for their first day of school (carpool routines will be introduced, and carpool will be used for dismissal)
Wednesday through Friday, August 24-26
- All students in PreK will attend school from 8:05 to 11:25 a.m.
- PreK arrival and dismissal will take place using carpool
Please note, CASE is not available for PreK students during this modified schedule the first week of school.
Masks
Columbus Academy is continuing a mask-optional policy as we open this school year (click here for guidelines). If you wish for your children to wear masks during school hours, please make sure you have talked with them about your expectations.
Arrival Details
Beginning on Wednesday, August 24, students may arrive at school between 7:00-8:05 a.m. Students arriving between 7:00-7:40 a.m. should enter the building at the Lower School’s main entrance and will be directed to the Barton Room for supervised quiet time. At 7:45 a.m., all students will go to their homeroom classrooms.
Dismissal Details
Students will be dismissed from classrooms to CASE (our after-school program), bus or carline. We will continue to use SchoolPass for carline. Students going home through the carline will wait in their individual classrooms until their ride arrives. We will also be using SchoolPass for bus dismissal. All families should receive details on how to register your vehicles directly from SchoolPass on August 19 (if not, please email techhelp@columbusacademy.org). It is important that you always display your name placard (please pick these up in the classroom during the Ice Cream Social) on the passenger side of the windshield to help speed up the process.
Late Arrival/Early Dismissal
The school day begins at 8:05 a.m. Students who arrive after 8:05 a.m. or depart before 3:15 p.m. must sign in/out through the SchoolPass kiosk in the lower school office. Please be sure to notify the school and homeroom teachers in advance through the SchoolPass app.
Parents/Guardians and Visitors
All parents/guardians and visitors must check in at the lower school office via the SchoolPass kiosk and wear the printed visitor’s badge. Everyone needs to use the Lower School’s main entrance only.
Supply Lists
In addition to the Lower School Supply Lists, all students need to bring a water bottle to school each day. Filling stations are available throughout the school.
Lockers
Hallway lockers and cubbies will be used in the Lower School. Please make sure all of your children’s belongings are clearly marked with their first and last names.
CASE (Children’s After School Experience)
CASE is our popular after-care program. If you are interested in registering for CASE – either for full weeks or by a drop-in basis – please click here to learn more and to complete the registration form.
“Get To Know You” Conferences
Our annual “Get To Know You Conferences” will be held on Friday, September 2. This is an opportunity for parents and caregivers to share insights regarding their children. There are no classes for lower-schoolers on this day. You can either sign up for a 10-minute Zoom or in-person conference. Details from your children’s homeroom teachers will be sent out during the first week of school. CASE is not available for these conferences.
Welcome!
We have several new faculty members joining the Lower School this year. Please welcome (from left to right):
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