Kelly Newsletter

Dear Kelly Families~

The 2023-24 school year is just around the corner and it’s time to welcome both our new and returning students and families to Kelly School. Our Open House will be held on Tuesday, August 29 from 3:30-5:30pm. It will be a great time to welcome our new families and reconnect with old Kelly School friends. It will be nice to have the smiling faces of our students and their family members once again fill up our halls and classrooms. At Open House, you will be able to meet your child's teacher and drop off school supplies. We will also have tables set up in the gym to deposit money into your child's lunch account, purchase a Chromebook case, meet the nurse, visit with our PTO, purchase spirit wear, and get additional information about the upcoming school year. We can't wait to see everyone!

The back-to-school newsletter always gives us the perfect opportunity to thank everyone for the support we receive from the entire Kelly School community. We are fortunate to be part of such a strong school community.

THANK YOU~Here's to the parents, students, teachers & their family members, former staff members & students, and All Season's Garden Center for the amazing work that has been completed in our courtyard. It looks incredible and a great area for teaching, learning and socializing has been recreated. The courtyard was originally designed and landscaped in honor of a former Kelly School teacher, Mrs. Shirley Kuhn, after her death in 2007. After the passing of Kelly School's longtime school counselor, Ginny Blake, last spring it was decided that it was time for an update to this special area of our school. The ponds had sprung leaks, the trees and bushes were overgrown or at the end of their life cycle, and the perennials needed to be split and transplanted. Mrs. Blake's family was onboard for adding a stone in Ginny's honor and it will be placed next to Mrs. Kuhn's. What a great way to honor the legacy these two women left behind at Kelly School! Funding for this project was made possible through donations and the work was completed by volunteers and All Season's.

We'd also like to take a minute to extend a big thank you to Annie Sondrol, former Kelly PTO President and Lori Kehrwald, former Kelly PTO Treasurer. They donated a tremendous amount of their time to serving our Kelly School community and their dedication is so appreciated. We are fortunate to already have a new treasurer, Matt Nelson, but are in need of a president, vice president and secretary for the 2023-24 school year. Please consider joining our PTO. There is a great group of willing volunteers who need a few people to join forces to help lead the crew! Please contact me at 701.746.2265 if you'd be willing to volunteer some of your time to the Kelly PTO this year.

As we look forward to the upcoming school year, we want you to know that our entire staff is eager to begin working with you as a partner in your child’s education. It’s going to be another successful academic year for our Kelly Cougars.

Please take some time to read through the information below. I realize it's lengthy, but the information included is relevant to the beginning of the school year and pertains to a wide variety of topics.

Looking forward to seeing you all very soon~

Kelli Tannahill

Principal

School Day:

The first day of school is Wednesday, August 30th. The school day is from 8:25am-3:00pm. The first bell rings at 8:20 am. School begins at 8:25 am. Breakfast is offered 7:40-8:15am. Students coming to breakfast must enter the building using Door 16 which is in the north parking lot.

Arrival/Dismissal:

We ask that students be dropped off between 8:15-8:20am at their designated door. As a reminder, there is no morning supervision on the playground. If your child arrives early and does not attend breakfast, he/she will be unsupervised until 7:55am. Entryways will be supervised by paraprofessionals from 7:55-8:20.

At the end of each school day, older siblings will meet their younger siblings at their classrooms and will exit the building together at the youngest sibling's door. Teachers will walk their classes to their assigned doors at 3:00 for dismissal.

Students riding the bus or childcare vans will be dismissed through Door #1.

ASSIGNED DOORS:

Door 1: All Kindergarten

Door 2: Cebula, Miller, Restad, Klingler

Door 4: All 3rd Grade, Kossan, Sorensen

Door 5: Aubol, Pederson

Door 11: All 5th Grade

Door 13: All 1st Grade

Our head custodian, Cory Vacura, and his team have put in long hours to ensure that our building is in top-notch condition for the start of the school year. Due to construction projects at Ben Franklin and Viking, we had custodians from those 2 buildings join our custodians over the summer to help complete Kelly School"s maintenance projects. This team of professionals was a pleasure to work with and we are so lucky to have had them here. Thanks to this team for ensuring that Kelly School is a safe & healthy place for our students and teachers to learn and teach!

Nothing is more important than the safety of our students. For those of you returning to Kelly School, you are aware that the congestion in our parking lots at arrival and dismissal time can be a source of frustration.

We are asking all families to review and follow the traffic flow procedures outlined in the maps below. They have been designed to ensure the safety of all and to expedite the arrival and dismissal process.

NOTE: TRAFFIC ONLY FLOWS ONE DIRECTION IN THE NORTH PARKING LOT. Please adhere to following this traffic flow pattern at all times. Traffic should only flow into the north lot from Oak or 29th and out onto Cherry Street before, after, and during the school day. The same traffic pattern must be also be followed on early dismissal days as well. Please do not exit the north parking lot onto Oak Street. This slows down traffic by causing congestion and puts our students who walk across the parking lot at risk.

Thanks in advance for your cooperation in advance.

Kelli

GFPS Families,

As we continue to focus on our most important work, teaching our students, we continue to review our communication practices in order for our teachers and administrators to be in classrooms working with your students.

These communication practices honor the skills and expertise of our office support staff, establish communication expectations and norms that allow employees to focus on their work while still maintaining timely communication, and encourage a healthy balance between professional work and home.

With the above goals in mind, we ask you to be aware of the following practices:

• Secretaries manage administrators’ time and calendars. Please make meeting requests in advance directly through the secretary, who also may be able to effectively resolve your needs and concerns.

• Employees are encouraged to have quiet hours, which is time after work (around 5 p.m.) and on the weekends when they are not expected to answer emails and other communications. Please note: the teacher contract day ends at 4 p.m.

• Employees are asked to provide an initial response to messages (emails, SeeSaw, etc.) within a reasonable period of time. Employees are encouraged to use their discretion based on circumstances specific to the request received.

• When an immediate response is desired, families are encouraged to contact the school office via telephone. A directory of those telephone numbers can be found at https://www.gfschools.org/Page/7867.

• Unless it is an emergency, families can expect at least one business day to receive an initial response.

• If there is an emergency situation or safety concern after school hours, on the weekend, or when school is not in session, please contact law enforcement.

• An emergency is any situation or threat which requires immediate response or attention to prevent a potential crisis. Building administrators are not always immediately available or able to access their digital devices.

• Call the GFPD at 701-787-8000, or

• Text GFPD to 847-411 to send an anonymous tip.

• If it is an immediate concern, call 911.

• Important and routine school concerns for school administrators will still receive a timely response and should continue to be routed through the school secretary, who will work with the school administrator on next steps. For more information, please see our Guide to Addressing Academic and School Concerns at https://www.gfschools.org/Page/8887.

We appreciate your support and understanding of these practices. We believe having clear guidelines will benefit families and employees as we work together to create a positive school experience.

Thank you,

Superintendent Dr. Terry Brenner

If your student plans on returning to Kelly School please make sure you complete the registration process in the Parent PowerSchool Portal. This needs to be done for every child-new or returning.

How do I get started?

If you have not already done so, you will need to create a PowerSchool Single Sign-On Account that links all your school-age children to the same account. If you need the information to set up your account, please contact the school office.

Visit https://grand-forks.ps.state. nd.us/public/ and log into the PowerSchool Parent Portal. From the Parent Portal:

1. Select the student you wish to register at the top.

2. Select the Registration (23-24) link on the left side of the screen.

3. Agree to the terms and conditions

4. Click Begin Forms

For schools that have bus routes, parent(s)/guardian(s) will be able to sign up for regular route busing for the 2023-2024 school year while completing registration in PowerSchool. If you have completed the signup and require a change to your information, please contact your respective schools’ administrative staff to update any information.

Your child's assigned teacher will be available to view on August 21st. Lists will be posted at the main entrance of the school and will be visible in Power School as well. As we work to finalize class lists, please know that although you may be able to see them in Power School before the 21st, these lists are only drafts and changes may occur. To view your child's teacher on August 21st, go to the Parent Power School Portal at https://grand-forks.ps.state.nd.us/public.

Note: Teachers, specialists and administrators have spent numerous hours considering many variables while creating class lists. Changes will unlikely be made once lists are posted. Each child's academic and social emotional needs, personality traits, and learning style are taken into consideration when assigning him/her to a classroom teacher. Thank you for your trust and support in this area.

The Early Dismissal Program

This year, Kelly School will offer The Early Dismissal Program. This program operates from 1:30-3p.m. on early dismissal Wednesdays for the 2023-2024 school year. This program is free and is being offered in cooperation with Grand Forks Public Schools ENCORE program. Registration is required and you can register your child on the night of the open house. If you were enrolled last year, their enrollment will not carry over.

For additional information on the ENCORE program, please visit https://www.gfschools.org/encore.

Thank you,

Kayla Erickson, Director of ENCORE

Please welcome the following staff members to Kelly School:

MacKenzie King-Counselor

Raquel Polec-Counselor

Heather Turnipseed-Interventionist/Social Studies Teacher

Jake Schauer-Physical Education Teacher

Emily Rositas-Resource Teacher

Kristine Bendol-Resource Teacher

Steph Britton-Resource Teacher

Christina Ibrahim-Social Worker

Crystal Blomquist-Social Studies Teacher

Vanessa Navarro-Classroom Specialist

Sue Vien-Cook

Laura Dahlen-Lunchroom Monitor

Shan Hiatt-Custodian

Kaytlin Kotrba-Austim Para

Ashley Avery-Inclusion Para

Katie Loscheider-Inclusion Para

Natalie Rasmussen-Inclusion Para

Gail Smith-Inclusion Para

Donna Steen-Inclusion Para

Lexy Winkler-Inclusion Para

PARAPROFESSIONALS NEEDED FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR!

We have part-time and full-time positions available for paraprofessionals at Kelly School. We would love for you to join our Kelly Team! If you are interested or know someone who may be, please contact LuAnn or Kelli at 701-746-2265.

Tuesday, August 29th-Open House 3:30-5:30pm

Wednesday, August 30th-1st Day of School

Monday, September 4th-NO SCHOOL

Tuesday, September 12th-School Pictures

Wednesday, September 20th-1:30 Dismissal

Tuesday, September 26th-Vaccination Clinic

• The cost of student's lunch is $2.20, reduced is $1.20. The cost of student's breakfast is $1.20, reduced is $0.00.
• Please click on this link for the Fee and Reduced Lunch Application: https://www.gfschools.org/Page/8333
• IF YOU QUALIFIED FOR THIS PROGRAM IN THE PAST YOU WILL STILL NEED TO COMPLETE THE FORM FOR THE 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR.
• You can check your child's lunch account balance and meal purchases or pay for your child's lunch by going to myschoolbucks.com. It's super easy and convenient.
• In accordance with the Grand Forks Public School Wellness Policy #6175 we strive to be superior in our nutrition standards. This means that no fast food or other restaurant food is allowed in the lunchroom for any student.
• Our district campuses are PEANUT & TREE NUT restricted. We have children in our building that have severe life threatening allergies to peanuts, nuts and products that have peanut or nut traces in them. Please check labels when packing school lunch or snacks for your child.
• If paying by check, please make the check payable to GFPS or Grand Forks Public Schools.

Grand Forks Public Schools will once again use TeacherLists to share 2023-2024 school supply lists with our families! This free tool allows families to find and shop their student's supply list easily with the convenience of one-click shopping or in-store pickup from several national retailers, including Target and Walmart.

If you'd rather complete your shopping in-person the supply list is below.

We ask parents to pay for Chromebook cases, Device Protection (for both Chromebooks & iPads) and intramurals online through MySchoolBucks. This will help minimize the amount of cash/check deposits being handled throughout the day.

Create your free account today and never worry about having to send cash/checks to school with your student again. Visit myschoolbucks.com or download the app today to get started.

How do I enroll?

• Go to www.myschoolbucks.com and click enroll now.
• Create an account for yourself and your children. You will need to know your student’s district ID number, date of birth, school and grade.
• Provide credit or debit card information.

Why should I sign up for this service?

• You can view your child’s cafeteria purchases.
• You can sign up for free e-mail notifications when the lunch account is low in funds.
• You may prepay their lunch account without sending money to school.
• My SchoolBucks will charge a $2.49 service fee when adding money to a lunch account.

The Grand Forks Public Schools has entered into a contract with Valley Busing for the 2023-24 school year.

• There will not be a charge for bus tickets for the 2023-2024 school year.
• During PowerSchool registration, you were asked if you would like your student(s) to ride a regular route bus to/from school during this school year.
• If you have completed the PowerSchool registration process, but now have decided to add busing, please call the school office @ 701-746-2265.
• Kelly School only has an afternoon bus route available for our general education students. A morning route is not operated within our school's boundary lines.
• If you have any questions regarding district busing, please contact Valley Bus @ (701) 772-0601 or Allison Hillebrand at the district office @ 701-746-2205 ext. 7235.

Thank you for your time and attention. We want each student to have a safe ride to and from school each day.

• If your student needs any medication given at school, a Medication Authorization Form must be filled out and signed by the health care provider and the parent/guardian. This is required for all medications including inhalers and over the counter medications.
• Parents or guardians may drop off student medications along with the corresponding Medication Authorization Form at Open House on August 29th.
• Medications must be in their original containers.
• Students are not permitted to bring any over the counter or prescription medications to school in their backpacks and take it without adult supervision. All medication must be administered by authorized personnel in our school office.
• Additional GFPS Medical Information and Forms: https://www.gfschools.org/P

Student Absence: If your child is absent or late, please call the attendance line by 8:30am.

701-746-2269-attendance line

701-746-2265-school office

Telephone Calls: Calls do not ring into the classroom during school hours to minimize interruptions. Messages for students can be left on the teacher’s voicemail.

Peanut/Tree Nut Restricted: When sending a snack or packing a lunch, please remember to check labels to make sure it does not contain or have any traces of peanuts/nuts. We have students with severe peanut allergies in our building.

Birthday Snacks: Due to the increase of students who have severe food allergies and the higher levels of severity, we no longer celebrate student birthdays with a “birthday snack” in our schools. Parents are welcome to find other non-food items to send to school if they wish. Please discuss with your child’s classroom teacher for ideas or preferences.

Arrival:

The first bell rings at 8:20 am. School begins at 8:25 am. Breakfast is offered 7:40-8:15 am. All students coming to breakfast must use Door 16.

Dismissal: The safety of our students is a top priority for us at Kelly School. As per district policy, schools will have parents meet their child(ren) at a designated location outside the school at dismissal time.

• Teachers will bring their students to a location outside the school at their classroom’s assigned door. Students will meet their parent or person picking them up at a prearranged meeting place near the assigned dismissal door.

• Older siblings meet youngest sibling at youngest sibling’s assigned door.

• Bus/Daycare van students will walk through the school to Door #1 to board their bus or van.

GFPS may, in some cases, disclose personally identifiable information about students without the consent of parents unless informed otherwise. If you do not want the district to disclose the information noted on the Student Information Opt-Out Form, please complete the applicable sections on the form. Please Note: Depending on the selection(s) you make, you could be opting out of your child being included in class composites, classroom directories, our yearbook, social media posts, etc. If you choose to opt-out, you must do so prior to the first day of school.

Thank you.