Welcome to the 2023-24 school year. We are all getting ready and excited to welcome your student(s) to school on Wednesday, August 30, 2023.

This fall marks our first full school year in our completed building. After multiple years of construction, students will come to school in a completed school, with all the spaces open and fully functional.

We want our families to be involved in their student(s) education and know what is happening at school. In turn, we want our families to feel comfortable communicating with us. Communication is the key to successful working relationships. We have several ways that we communicate with our families:

1. JFK Weekly Update: Each Friday, I write a Weekly Update for families. This weekly update is sent home as a paper copy with each student. It is also posted on my page on the WSD website.

2. Class Dojo: The school expects each teacher and/or grade-level team to have an active Class Dojo page. These pages allow school adults to post information, pictures, reminders, celebrations, etc. on the page so families can see them. Each school adult will send home information on how to join their Class Dojo page during the first week of school. There is a free Class Dojo App that you can download to your phone to make access even easier.

3. E-mail: Every staff member has a school email. All emails follow the same format – firstinitiallastname@wsdvt.org (for example sraabe@wsdvt.org).

4. Telephone (655-0411): This brings you to the main office. Please limit calling classrooms during teaching hours unless it is an emergency.

5. ALERT Now: ALERT Now is used for important communications such as snow days, delayed starts, etc. Please make sure to keep your phone numbers current in PowerSchool to ensure you receive these messages.

6. Winooski School District website: www.wsdvt.org

School starts at 8 am each day. If students arrive before 8 am, they will go to the cafeteria, even if they are with an adult from home. Students are not allowed in the JFK hallways or classroom before 8 am. Students that arrive after 8:05 are considered tardy and will need to get a tardy slip before going to class. When a student is going to be tardy or absent from school for all or any part of the day, the family must call the attendance person, Allyssa Ravelin, at 802-383-6183 to report the absence. This call will ensure the safety of students and accuracy in tracking attendance.

An absence is considered excusable when it is the result of

• Student illness (after three consecutive days, we require a doctor’s note. If no note is provided all the absences for those consecutive days become unexcused);

• Observance of recognized religious holidays when the observance is required during the regular school day;

• Emergency family situations such as a death in the family;

• Absences due to suspension or expulsion;

• Planned absences for personal and educational purposes which have been approved by the administration.

Medical and dental appointments or court appearances are also excused absences, however, will require documentation to be obtained from the medical care provider or the court. Documentation will be required to be submitted in writing within (5) school days of the absence; otherwise, it will remain unexcused.

School ends at 3:00 each day. Students staying at school after 3:00 p.m. are no longer under the supervision of JFK staff unless they are here for a specific, supervised activity

During the school day, we want our students to engage with their learning. All students’ personal cell phones and electronics must be off and away during the school day. The first time a student violates this, the cell phone or electronics will be taken by the adult and given back at the end of the day. The second time, the cell phone or electronics will be taken and given to me. At that point, an adult from home must come and get the cell phone or electronics. If the student continues to violate this rule the school may take further action. I understand that some families want their student(s) to have a cell phone so they can get in touch with them, especially if they walk home. If you need to get in touch with your student(s) during the school day because of a change in plans or/and emergency, please call the main office.

We are also excited to announce that Costco has once again donated backpacks for every student K-5. These will be distributed on the first day of school.

I am looking forward to a great school year with you and your student(s)!

Sara Raabe

JFK Principal

sraabe@wsdvt.org

(802) 655 – 0411