First week message

Typically you would be receiving my weekly message on a Tuesday, but as this has been an exceptional week all around, you are receiving it on Thursday.  Although a bit warm, I believe overall we have had a successful launch to the school year!

For those who are new, there will always be an attached PDF with details about the coming week and other items that are helpful for you to know.  I hope you will take the time to open that each week and scan the contents for anything that may pertain to you.  That way you will be up to speed on most things school-related.

There are just a few items I would like to address briefly.  (Warning:  I'm putting the principal hat on now.)

1. We start school promptly at 8:45  If your student arrives much past that it is likely the doors will be locked and you will need to sign them in on the clipboard just inside the office door.  They will also be marked tardy.  As you can imagine it's very difficult to get started if we have students trickling in until 9:00 am.  The bus barn tells me their goal is for all busses to arrive by 8:35 each day, so even bussers are expected in the classroom at 8:45.  This will allow teachers to make the most of every minute!  We will be keeping better track of tardies this year and letting you know if you need to sharpen up your arrival time.   

Students may not arrive at school before 8:30 am.  Please do not drop your student off early.  

2.  We end school on normal days at 3:30 and 12:30 on half days.   Please pick up your student(s) promptly as teachers have many things to do to prepare for the next day.  We have much grace for an unusual day when you have a delay, but please make it a habit to pick up on time.

3.  Early pickup:  If you need to pick up or drop off your child part way through the school day, please come to the office to sign them out (or in) and we will call them from their classrooms. 

Thank you so much for abiding by these requests as they will make a significant difference in our school year running smoothly.  (OK - principal hat off.)

We have several new families at ICA, so I hope some of our long-term parents will take time to introduce yourselves if you see a new face.  

The next two Tuesdays we have some important events that we would like you to attend:

Back to School Night, Tuesday, September 12th 6:30-8:00:  You are invited to visit your student’s classroom on this evening to hear about classroom expectations and curriculum for the year.  Not only will you be able to speak personally with the teachers, but you will get the chance to engage other parents as well.   There will be refreshments in the courtyard area for those who would like to stick around to chat or meet some of our new families.  Students typically do not attend this event.  Each classroom will present the same information three times at 30-minute intervals:  6:30, 7:00 and 7:30.  This is so parents with multiple students have the opporunity to hear the presentation from every teacher.  This is not a time for individual conferences with the teacher about your student, but more geared toward presentation of information to the group.  They are glad to conference with you at another time if needed.

Fundraising Meeting, Tuesday, September 19th:  This is a mandatory meeting (unless you have chosen to opt out of auction) for at least one parent to attend for information on our one large fundraiser for the year.  Auction doesn't happen until November 18th, but auction season kicks off at this meeting. You will receive your auction packet at this time along with coaching and instruction to make the process as easy as possible for everyone.  It is also the first time our auction "book" is available for you to sign up for businesses you may have a personal connection with.  The last important detail is you will be able to choose your auction job.  This is an all-hands-on-deck event and we need your help!  We will do our best to answer all of your questions, so you leave with confidence and ideas to help us meet our auction goal so we can continue to keep our tuition affordable for families on South Whidbey.

Quests:  I've attached our first quest for Quarter 1.  It is a social quest that is worth 30 house points for every age group!  This is an optional personal and leadership development program for those students who would like to participate.  There are many ways to earn house points, but this is the biggest way to rack them up.

I hope it has been a smooth adjustment for each of your students this week.  We are delighted you have chosen to be part of the ICA community this year!  (remember the attached bulletin!)

Blessings,

Brenda

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