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Early Learning Center Update
First Day Edition: Monday, August 28, 2023
A Greeting from Dr. Champagne-Lee
It was wonderful seeing many of our students and families at this week's welcome events. We hope that these experiences helped to alleviate some of the beginning of the year jitters.
The close of summer is upon us and a new school year is on the horizon! We are looking forward to partnering with you throughout the school year.
Please carefully read the information below. The content regarding arrival and dismissal are of high importance. **** If you haven't yet made a PickUp Patrol account and entered your child's default dismissal plan, please do so before Monday, August 28th so that your child's dismissal runs smoothly.
Our first day of school is officially on Monday, August 28, 2023! We can't wait to see you!
Educationally Yours,
Keya Champagne-Lee, Ed.D.
Elementary Principal
Volunteers!
As we prepare for another year of exciting in-person events and activities, we will need parent volunteers. Volunteers do not need to reapply every year, only when clearances need to be updated. Please click here to apply. We are planning trips and activities beginning in the fall and look forward to welcoming parent volunteers.
Free Breakfast
All students are eligible for free breakfast again this year, thanks to funding from Governor Josh Shapiro. Students may pickup breakfast upon arrival each morning.
School Communication
Beginning the week of September 4, all communication will go through Remind only. Download the app today!
You have an important role in communicating with your child's teacher. Remember that during the school day, teachers are working with students and are directed to limit their communication so that they can teach. If your child's teacher does not respond immediately, trust that they will respond within 24 hours.
In addition, our teachers have families too! Evenings are spent much like yours and I have asked the teachers to take this time with their families and catch up on communication the next day.
PREVIOUSLY POSTED CONTENT
MORNING ARRIVAL: IMPORTANT π
As we seek to make our morning drop off procedure safer and more efficient, we are implementing some changes this year. Parents and guardians are asked to remain in their cars. Please help your child learn to unbuckle seat belts and car seats this summer. *The goal is that all students will be proficient with this task by the first day of school. Remember to give hugs and kisses at home to ensure that the drop off process flows smoothly. Thank you for your grace and patience, particularly during the first few weeks of school. π
Reminder: Drivers should not be on their cell phones during drop off in order to facilitate a safe and speedy drop off.
Student Arrival:
8:40 a.m.-8:55 a.m.
Late arrival:
After 8:55 a.m.
Students must be signed in by a parent/guardian.
Here are the procedures:
- Drivers will enter the parking lot from Pothouse Road and stay to the right following signs to loop around to the car loop lane.
- Doors open at 8:40 a.m. and staff members will be waiting on the sidewalk to greet students. Please note: Staff members cannot open or close car doors for students.
- Students should be seated in the rear passenger side and will exit the vehicle independently. This is a curbside drop-off process. Parents must remain in their cars.
- Students can only exit a car if the car has reached the sidewalk area. Staff members will direct drivers and students when they should exit the car.
- Drivers may not pass other cars unless directed to do so. Please wait until all students in cars next to the sidewalk are completely unloaded.
- Students arriving after 8:55 a.m. will be considered late. After this time, parents or guardians must park in the lot and walk their children into the building. Upon entering the main office, please check-in with an office team member and complete a tardy slip.
*If your child requires special accommodations when exiting the car, and is unable to do this independently, we ask that you park in the lot and escort them to the crosswalk area. Please note, this strategy is only applicable for families with a special need.
NEW DISMISSAL EXPECTATIONS: PICKUP PATROL π
PickUp Patrol is Coming!
DISMISSAL PROCEDURES: The Phoenixville Area Early Learning Center and all elementary buildings will be using PickUp Patrol effective at the start of the year to help us better manage our dismissal process. PickUp Patrol saves time for our office staff, reduces classroom interruptions, and most importantly, adds a layer of safety for our students. PickUp Patrol is used by several neighboring districts to streamline early dismissals and dismissal changes.
On August 8, you should have received a registration email with a link to set up your account.
Use the PUP web app for:
ATTENDANCE: Notify the school office when your child will be absent, arriving late or leaving early.
DISMISSAL CHANGES: Submit changes to your childβs regular dismissal plans.
For example:
β Your child normally rides the bus but is getting picked up today.
β Your child usually goes to aftercare but is leaving early for an appointment.
How it works:
Parents need to enter your child's regular dismissal plan into the system. This is called their Default Plan. Then, whenever you have a change to the Default Plan, youβll submit it through the PUP app. When the change is submitted, the school will be notified, and your childβs teacher will relay the change to them.
Getting started:
1. REGISTER: On August 8, 2023, you should have received a registration email with a link to set up your account.
β The web app is free to parents, and you can use it from your smartphone or computer.
β For easy access, follow the instructions in your registration email for how to add it to your phoneβs home screen (PUP is not accessed through the app stores).
1. ENTER DEFAULT PLANS: Once you register, log into your PickUp Patrol account no later than August 25, 2023 to confirm your childβs default dismissal plan. Itβs important that you complete this step so that we can accurately dismiss your children.
Notes, emails, or phone calls will be accepted for changes for the first week, but starting September 5, 2023, all changes should be submitted through PickUp Patrol.
Thank you for using PUP to make safety a priority and to ensure our dismissal process is efficient for all our students. If you have any questions, please first check the PUP FAQ page. If you still need help, contact us here in the office.
π COMING UP!!!
- Monday, August 28: First Day of School
- Friday, September 1 and Monday, September 4: School closed for Labor Day.
- Wednesday, September 6: Petrucci's Night from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, September 13: Home and School Meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the PAELC Cafeteria
September 18-22: Start with Hello Week
- September 25: Professional Development Day, No Students
September 22: PASD Community Cookout, Washington Field, 5 pm
September 20: PASD ELD Night, PAMS, 6-8 pm
π‘ BEGINNING OF THE YEAR IMPORTANT TIPS
- Keep in mind that buses may be delayed during the first few weeks of school. Thank you for your understanding during this busy season. Additionally, our arrival and dismissal processes take longer during the first few weeks of school as we strive to safely and accurately dismiss 1,100 students on our shared campus. You will definitely notice that things become faster as we all settle into these routines. π
- Classroom Teachers primarily communicate through the Remind app. Make sure you are connected. Please note that our staff members are encouraged to disconnect after their working hours. As such, if you are emailing or calling beyond the school day, please expect a return reply within 24 hours. Our staff members work incredibly hard each day and we actively promote the importance of having a work-life balance.
- Our teachers and staff work hard during the first few weeks of school to build strong classroom communities. Forming deep and personalized relationships with students helps to ensure that they feel comfortable and welcome. We recognize that for many of our students, this is their very first experience in a school setting. As such, we will spend a considerable amount of time teaching routines, procedures, and explicitly modeling expectations.
NEED HELP?? HAVE QUESTIONS??
While your child's teacher is your primary point of contact, there are times in which you may need to connect with other resources:
IMPORTANT CONTACTS:
- Transportation: transportation@pasd.com
- Attendance: PAELCattendance@pasd.com
- Technology: Click here for the PASD technology page
- School Counselors: Ms. Brittany Dellaquila- Dellaquilab@pasd.com, Mr. Ryan Parsons- Parsonsr@pasd.com
- School Administration: Dr. Keya Champagne-Lee, Principal- Champagneleek@pasd.com, Mrs. Natalie Hrynko, Assistant Principal HrynkoN@pasd.com