Northlake Notes
December 21, 2023
December 21, 2023
Ms. Kellagher's Message
I cannot believe I am sending the last Northlake Notes of 2023! It has been a busy first semester. We've had a few challenges, but are able to celebrate many successes too. I am scheduled to have my knee surgery on January 8th and hope to return to Northlake by the end of February. Mrs. Easter will be serving as Principal in my absence. She was able to spend a couple of weeks here with me and Mrs. Wall and has already gotten to know several students. I am confident that things will run smoothly in my absence. You are in great hands with Mrs. Wall and Mrs. Easter.
I hope that you have received and read the message from our LH Area Superintendent, Mrs. Bates. I have been able to connect with some parents regarding their concerns with some of the behavior at Northlake and I would encourage you to reach out to Mrs. Bates, Mrs. Easter or Mrs. Wall with any concerns while I am out on leave with my knee surgery.
Wishing you all a wonderful Holiday and Winter Break,
Ms. Kellagher
Parents Needed To Serve on Library Reconsideration Committee
The selection of RISD library materials (including donated books) is guided by district and board policy, published professional reviews, and knowledge of how a book would fit into a current school library collection. Periodically, a library book may be challenged, and a reconsideration committee evaluates the challenged material. Our campus is seeking parents to serve on the library reconsideration committee.
The time commitment for committee representatives includes reading a challenged book and meeting with the committee to help determine if the book meets RISD’s guidelines for materials. Parents interested in serving on this committee can complete this online form no later than January 10, 2024.
For more information about RISD’s library books and materials, including an online search by title and how parents can opt out of any selected books, please visit the RISD Library Services website.
Birthday Reminders
Parents are welocme to bring a small birthday to celebrate their child's birthday. Here are a few reminders:
- Treats must be store bought or baked (cupcakes and cookies are best). We ask for store bought so teachers can see the ingredients listed in order to be mindful of any allergies students may have.
- We do not pass out drinks, party bags or balloons.
- Parents may drop treats off in the main office and we will get them to the classroom.
- We will not call students out of class to come to the office for pictures with their treats.
- Teachers will pass treats out at the end of the day.
Report Cards
The district will not be printing paper copies of the report card for the second quarter. You may view your child's grades on the Parent Portal in Focus. The second quarter report card and grades will be available to you the second week of January. If you have not signed up for a Parent Portal Account, please see the information below.
Focus Parent Portal
Please be sure to sign up for your Parent Focus Account. This will give you access to all kinds of importatnt student information. Most importantly, you will have access to your child's grade.
RISD Elementary Dress Code
The district has updated the Elementary Dress Code. Please be sure your students are dressed appropriately for school each day. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Lunch Visitors
Parents are welcome to come visit duing lunch and eat with their students. We ask that you sign up for a day at time using the sign-up genius below. In order to keep students safe and to accommodate everyone, please read through these reminders for visiting Northlake for lunch:
- Sign up for your visit using the Sign Up Genius.
- No Siblings, due to limited space on the stage.
- You may eat lunch with your child only.
- Please do not take pictures of your child while at lunch.
- When you are finished with lunch, please check out through the office. Parents may not go back to class with their children to visit.
Attendance Reminders
The school day is from 7:50-3:10
The building opens at 7:30.
Breakfast is served in the classroom from 7:30-7:50.
Your child is tardy at 7:51 and will receive a tardy pass to get to class.
Your child is late for school after 8:05 and a parent will need to sign them in at the office.
If your child arrives to school after 9:00 AM they are counted absent for the day.
If you child is absent for any reason, please be sure to send a note to school on the day your child returns, letting us know the reason for the absence. Any excuse notes must be received within 3 days of returning to school in order to receive an excused absence.
If you have any questions regarding attendance, please email our Student Data Specialist, Ms. Martinez at melinda.martinez@risd.org.
Volunteering at Northlake
If you would like to volunteer at Northlake Elementary, you must complete a volunteer background check EVERY new school year. Volunteering could include helping with class parties, attending field trips with your children, working in the library, helping at Field Day, or many other activities. We will not allow anyone who has not completed and passed the volunteer background check to volunteer. Please click on the link below to complete the background check. You MUST also watch the very short powerpoint at the end to complete the entire background check. Failure to watch the powerpoint will make your application incomplete and you will not be able to volunteer.
Northlake PTA
We need your help! We are working hard to grow our PTA membership. It costs $8 to join PTA and there is no time commitment needed. We always need volunteers at PTA school events such as Carnival, Multi-Cultural Night and Buddy Fun Day. But, we are flexible and you can work as much or as little as your schedule allows.
You can find more information out about our PTA on their . Thanks in advance for supporting our school!
Breakfast and Lunch
Parents must apply for their child/children to receive free or reduced breakfast and lunch. Last year everyone received free school breakfast but this year families must apply to receive free or reduced breakfast. The application must be completed as soon as possible to ensure that there is no interruption to their meal service. This application needs to be filled out every year. Please click on the picture or link below to get to the lunch application.
School Lunch Options
Students are welcome to pack a nutritious lunch from home or a lunch may be purchased in the school cafeteria. If your child happens to forget their lunch from home, please drop it off in the front office by 10:30 AM. This will ensure that the lunch will reach your child by their lunch time. Please refer to the RISD Child Nutrition website for menus, pricing and payment options.
Safety and Security
In the interest of safety & security, every visitor to a Richardson ISD campus must present a valid form of identification and be processed through the Raptor background check system each visit, regardless of previous checks. Please be sure that you have your valid identification with you every time you visit Northlake Elementary. Thank you for your patience and understanding as RISD works to ensure the safety of students and employees. Volunteer questions may be directed to the office of Strategy & Engagement.
Additionally, the front office staff will use the intercom system to ask visitors to identify themselves and the purpose of their visit before granting access to the office. This is part of our heightened security measures. Please be cooperative and patient as we all get used to these new measures. As you enter the building, please do not allow others to enter with you or to follow you through the doors as you enter or leave. Everyone who enters should ring the buzzer and speak to someone in the office before entering the school building.
Dates to Remember
December 22 - January 8 - Winter Break
January 9 - Return to School
January 15 - MLK Day - No School
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