Dear Families,

Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year at Harris Elementary! We are thrilled to have you as part of our school community and are eager to work together to ensure your child has a successful, enriching, and fulfilling year.

At Harris, our commitment is to create a safe, nurturing, and inclusive learning environment where every student can excel. Our dedicated teachers and staff are passionate about delivering high-quality, engaging, and challenging instruction tailored to meet the unique needs of each student. We look forward to partnering with our incredible families for another fantastic year ahead!

To kick off the new school year, we invite you to join us at our Open House on Tuesday, August 13th, from 5:30-7:00 PM. This will be a wonderful opportunity to meet your child’s teacher, explore the classrooms, and learn more about what to expect this year.

Important Details for the Open House:

• Enrollment Documents: Please ensure that all necessary enrollment documents are completed by August 13th at 5 PM. These documents are required for your participation in the Open House. If the forms are not completed beforehand, you will be directed to the computer lab to finalize them upon arrival. Once all forms are submitted, you’ll be able to participate fully in the Open House activities.

• Open House Procedure: To help everything run smoothly, we ask that families with last names A-L enter through the main entrance closest to the flagpoles, while families with last names M-Z enter through the middle entrance. After verifying your enrollment, you’ll receive a passport that will guide you to various stations throughout the school in the order you prefer. After visiting all stations and receiving a stamp on your passport, your child can enjoy a popsicle on the playground.

• Spirit Wear & Yearbooks: During the Open House, we’ll also be selling last year’s spirit wear and yearbooks. Please note that we will only be accepting cash for these purchases, so don’t forget to bring some if you’re interested.

• Supply List & Event Calendar: Attached to this newsletter, you will find the supply list and the school event calendar for your reference.

Please remember, if the enrollment process is not completed prior to the first day of school on August 20th, your child will not be able to start school. It is crucial that all forms are submitted on time to ensure a smooth start to the school year.

Thank you for your cooperation and prompt attention to these details. We look forward to seeing you at the Open House and to a fantastic school year ahead!

Ms. Savannah Baum, Building IT Technician

Ms. Sarah Baumann, STAR Teacher

Ms. Elia Bowles, ELL Teacher

Mrs. Loretta Bradley, Teacher's Assistant to SOAR

Ms. Kylie Franklin, Secretary to the Principal

Mrs. Danielle Halaz, 3rd Grade Classroom Teacher

Ms. Abby Horn, Lunch/Recess Aide

Ms. Sue Knoelk, Reading Specialist

Mrs. Becky Kintzle, Paraprofessional

Mrs. Amy Krebs, Speech/Language Pathologist

Ms. Shannon Laible, Paraprofessional

Ms. Jillian Rodgers, Paraprofessional

Mr. Walter Salmon, Paraprofessional

Ms. Anne Rolf, Kindergarten Classroom Teacher

Ms. Bailey Shumaker, Resource Teacher

Mrs. Dawn Tranen, Social Worker

Ms. Gabby Williams, 3rd Grade Classroom Teacher

Ms. Andrea Wood, Paraprofessional

We are eager to see these skilled veteran hawks serving in their new roles for the 2023-2024 school year!

Ms. Allyson Hayes, previously in 3rd grade, will be moving to kindergarten.

Mrs. Anna Malkin, previously in 4th grade, will be moving to 3rd grade.

Mrs. Carol Niffen, previously in 3rd grade, will be moving to 4th grade.

Ms. Gabby Rhubart, previously a resource teacher, will be moving to 2nd grade.

Mr. Conor Smith, previously in 3rd grade, will be a resource teacher.

Ms. Dawn Wirt, previously in AU, will be a resource teacher.

The first day of school is Tuesday, August 20th, and we’ll kick off the day with a morning assembly in the gym. To ensure everyone's safety, parents will not be allowed to enter the building on the first day without signing into the Raptor system. This process can be time-consuming even on a regular day, so you can imagine how hectic it would be on the first day of school. We encourage families to take pictures during Open House, at the bus stop, or outside of the building. Our teachers will be in the gym to greet the children and are excited to begin a fun day of learning and relationship-building.

Free and reduced lunch forms are quick and easy to fill out. We have provided the links below for you to review at your convenience. Even if you aren't sure you may qualify, we encourage you to fill out the paperwork. Our school receives more funding for every student who qualifies. (Click below, website in English/Spanish).

August 13th
Open House for all students
5:30 - 7:00 PM

Popsicles on the Playground
6:00 - 7:00 PM

August 20th
First Day of School
8:50 AM - 3:50 PM

August 30th
ERD - School is out at 12:50 PM

SEPTEMBER

• Monday, 2nd: No School - Labor Day
• Tuesday, 17th: Room Parent Meeting, 6:00 - 6:30 PM
• Tuesday, 17th: PTO Meeting, 6:30 - 7:30 PM
• Friday, 27th: ERD - School is out at 12:50 PM
• Monday, 30th: Fun Run Fundraising Kickoff

OCTOBER

• Friday, 11th: PTO Fun Run
• Tuesday, 15th: PTO Meeting, 6:30 - 7:30 PM
• Wednesday, 16th: Evening Parent/Teacher Conferences
• Thursday, 17th: No School - Parent/Teacher Conferences
• Friday, 18th: No School
• Friday, 25th: PTO Trunk or Treat
• Thursday, 31st: Fall Parties, 2:15 PM

NOVEMBER

• Friday, 1st: ERD - School is out at 12:50 PM
• Monday, 4th: No School
• Tuesday, 5th: No School - Presidential Election
• Friday, 8th: PTO Donut With a Grown Up, 8:00 AM
• Monday, 11th: Veterans’ Day Assembly, 2:15 PM
• Thursday, 14th: End of 1st Trimester
• Tuesday, 19th: PTO Meeting, 6:30 - 7:30 PM
• Friday, 22nd: ERD - School is out at 12:50 PM
• Wednesday, 27th - Friday, 29th: No School - Thanksgiving Break

DECEMBER

• Monday, 2nd - Friday, 6th: PTO Holiday Shop (during school hours)
• Thursday, 5th: Holiday Fun Night, 4:00 - 6:00 PM
• Friday, 6th: ERD - School is out at 12:50 PM
• Tuesday, 10th: Winter Choir Concert, 6:30 PM
• Tuesday, 17th: PTO Meeting, 6:30 - 7:30 PM
• Friday, 20th: Winter Parties, 9:30 AM
• Friday, 20th: ERD - School is out at 12:50 PM
• Monday, 23rd - Friday, Jan 3rd: No School - Winter Break

JANUARY

• Wednesday, 1st - Friday, 3rd: No School - Winter Break
• Monday, 6th: Students Return to School
• Friday, 17th: ERD - School is out at 12:50 PM
• Monday, 20th: No School - Martin Luther King Day
• Tuesday, 21st: PTO Meeting, 6:30 - 7:30 PM

FEBRUARY

• Friday, 14th: Valentine Parties, 9:30 AM
• Friday, 14th: ERD - School is out at 12:50 PM
• Monday, 17th: No School - Presidents Day
• Tuesday, 18th: PTO Meeting, 6:30 - 7:30 PM
• Monday, 24th: End of 2nd Trimester
• Wednesday, 26th: Evening Parent/Teacher Conferences
• Thursday, 27th: ERD - School is out at 12:50 PM
• Thursday, 27th: Parent/Teacher Conferences
• Friday, 28th: No School

MARCH

• Friday, 14th: PTO Muffins in the Morning, 8:00 AM
• Tuesday, 18th: PTO Meeting, 6:30 - 7:30 PM
• Thursday, 20th: Fine Arts Night/SOAR Night, 6:00 - 7:30 PM
• Friday, 21st: ERD - School is out at 12:50 PM
• Monday, 24th - Friday, 28th: No School - Spring Break

APRIL

• Tuesday, 15th: PTO Meeting, 6:30 - 7:30 PM
• Friday, 18th: ERD - School is out at 12:50 PM
• Monday, 21st: No School

MAY

• Friday, 2nd: ERD - School is out at 12:50 PM
• Monday, 5th - Friday, 9th: PTO Teacher Appreciation Week
• Wednesday, 21st: Senior Awards Assembly
• Thursday, 22nd: Field Day
• Friday, 23rd: Last Day of School & ERD - School is out at 12:50 PM
• Tuesday, 27th - Tuesday, June 3rd: Possible Snow-Day Makeups

Michelle Whitrock holds a Bachelor's in Business Administration from UMSL and a Master’s in Education, a Master’s in Gifted Education, and a Specialist Degree in School Administration from Lindenwood University.

She has been in the educational field since 2008, serving in various roles including paraprofessional, interventionist, substitute teacher, high school business course instructor (student teaching), coordinator for the Project Read and Reach before/after school program, teacher at a juvenile center, preschool teacher, 3rd-grade teacher, 4th-grade virtual teacher, RtI Specialist, Assistant Principal, and Principal. Michelle loves Harris Elementary because it feels like a family, with long-term staff contributing to a strong sense of community.

In her personal life, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, relaxing by the water, attending concerts, trying new food trucks, and traveling. She and her husband, Dustin, have been together for 23 years, and they have a 16-year-old son named Mason, who will be a junior this year, along with a 9-year-old fur child named Ace. A fun fact about Michelle is that she’s terrible at remembering to take photos, as she prefers to live in the moment rather than stop to take pictures, so she rarely has updated photographs of her family together.

Kristi Litton is thrilled to be a part of the Harris Elementary community. With 19 years of experience in education, she has had the privilege of teaching every grade from kindergarten to fourth grade before stepping into her current role as Assistant Principal at both Coverdell and Harris Elementary Schools. Kristi holds an undergraduate degree from College of the Ozarks, a Master’s from William Woods, and is currently working towards her Doctorate in Educational Leadership at Maryville University.

Kristi is deeply committed to creating a safe, nurturing, and inclusive environment where every student can thrive. She loves the strong sense of community at Harris that makes the school feel like a family. The long-term dedication of the staff plays a significant role in fostering this close-knit atmosphere.

Outside of school, Kristi enjoys spending time with her husband, Everett, and their three children: Annslee (12), Beckett (4), and Camden (2). Whether they are exploring new places, relaxing together, or enjoying outdoor activities, family time is incredibly important to her. Kristi also loves reading, practicing yoga, and traveling, and she is always eager to try new experiences—especially regarding food and fashion.

Email: mwhitrock@stcharlessd.org
Website: https://www.stcharlessd.org/harris
Location: 2800 Old Muegge Road, Saint Charles, MO, USA
Phone: 636-443-4700
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/harriselementaryPTO
Twitter: @PTOHarrisElem