Parent Newsletter

Dear Andersen Families,

It was great to see all of our families at the school for events this past month: Boosterthon Fun Run, PTO Fall Fest, Ooglie Booglie concert, Parent Conference Night, Award Ceremonies, SAC, and Title 1 Annual Meeting & Bingo night.

This month we have a PTO meeting on November 8th at 8:45am and a SAC meeting on Thursday, November 14th at 6pm. We invite you to attend both meetings to be involved in the planning of Andersen events and have input. November 19th is Books Alive Night. Come out for an evening centered around the love of reading.

Put on your calendar: Tuesday, December 3rd. That is the Kdg & 1st grade Holiday Music Program and Wednesday, Dec 4th 5:30-7:30 is the Orlando Science Center "Gross Out" night for all. A fun night full of interactive science stations is planned.

We have a lot of ways you and your child can be involved and have fun evenings together here at Andersen!

On Friday we will be honoring Veterans in our community by holding a Flag Raising Ceremony at 9am. Veterans and active duty personnel are invited to attend. There will be a PTO hosted breakfast snack for Veteran's and their guests afterwards. Please bring a photo ID to check in at the front office.

Mrs. Harris

Proud Principal of Hans Christian Andersen Elementary

This Month

Wednesday 11/6

Rescheduled Picture Day

PTO meeting 5:30pm

Thursday 11/7

Edgewood Informational Meeting 6pm (6th graders going to 7th)

Friday 11/8

Veterans Day Flag Raising Ceremony 9am

Tuesday 11/12

McNair informational night 6-8pm (6th graders going to 7th)

Wedenday 11/13

Book Fair Begins

Thursday 11/14

SAC 6pm

Tuesday 11/19

Books Alive Night 5:30

Monday 11/25-Friday 11/29

Thanksgiving Break

Upcoming

Tuesday 12/3

FAST ELA PM 2 Grades 3-6

K & 1 Holiday Music Program

Wednesday 12/4

FAST Math PM 2 Grades 3-6

Orlando Science Center Night

Tuesday 12/10

STAR PM2 Rdg assessment K-2

Wednesday 12/11

FAST Math PM2 K-2

Tuesday 12/17

Kennedy Cambridge Parent Informational Night 6pm-7:30pm (and January 14) (6th graders going to 7th)

Wednesday 12/18-Friday 12/20

Early Release Days

Monday 12/23- 1/3/25

Winter Break

Monday 1/6/25

Students Return

Wednesday 1/8

Picture retake Day

We have made it through the first quarter and are getting close to the Fall holidays. It has been a whirlwind year so far and we are so grateful for our families that have shown up and helped out. We have a slow month ahead of us right before the Holidays. Next month keep an eye on more information about our Holiday Shop coming the first week in December. We will be looking out for volunteers for that.

We have to change our upcoming PTO meeting due to the Veterans Ceremony. So the NEW DATE for November's PTO meeting will be, Wednesday, November 13th at 5:30 PM in the PTO Office, Room 400D.

All of our Boosterthon Top Raisers were recognized with a small token of appreciation last week. Mrs. Kulzer's class will be receiving their ice cream party this week for having the most registered students. We will be announcing soon when we will have our Lip Sync Battle commence for all of the Top 3 Grades!!

Lastly I want to give a huge shout out to all of the Rockledge High School Volunteers, the Cadets and Kennedy Middle School Volunteers that helped make the 2nd Annual Fall Fest such a huge success. Thanks to all the families for the donations and a special thanks to Lindsey and Jordan Brong for making us a spectacular maze for the kids to enjoy. They also gave all of the patrons a fun hayride. Lastly thanks to the teachers and staff for setting up their trunks for a trick or treating event that was great. We have such a wonderful community and I loved seeing everyone in their costumes and having a great time. Thanks for coming and enjoying yourselves.

Let's Go Eagles

Andersen PTO

Anastasia Trueblood

Andersen PTO President

FB: https://www.facebook.com/Hans-Christian-Andersen-Elementary-PTO-149345531760536/

Website: www.andersenpto.org

All visitors to Andersen must come through the front office and check in with a photo ID. If you are not a registered volunteer you must be escorted by a school board employee when you are on campus. While on campus, visitors are required to display the yellow vistor sticker on your shirt. At some events we will pre- register you by asking for RSVPs prior to the event.

All gates to the school campus remain locked. Entry for all visitors is at the front office, unless otherwise told for certain events.

To check out your child from school during the day, you will need a photo ID. Only those listed in Focus will be allowed to check out a student. Please come to the front office. You will show your ID to the office staff and they will check your name against the allowed pick up people in FOCUS.

School hours are 8:30-3:00pm. We open the gates for breakfast at 8:00 and instruction starts at 8:30. Be on time. Every minute counts!

We dismiss at 3pm. The car line takes a little longer at the beginning of the year, but it will get faster day by day. If you are late picking your child up, your child may be sent to aftercare and you will be charged the registration fee + the daily rate. The car line is typically done by 3:20-3:25, so please be in the car line on time to pick up your child.

Office hours are 7:30-3:30.

Car Drop off: Please use the South Car loop to drop off your child in the mornings if you are arriving by car. Please stay in your car. Noone is allowed to cross the car line or walk their child to the gate. We will have adults and safety patrols there to assist your child opening the door. Pull all the way forward until the traffic line stops. When it stops you may allow your child to exit the vehicle on the PASSENGER side of the car. Parents should not get out of their cars or have the child exit from the rear drivers side. Only use the Right lane of traffic in the mornings.

Morning Walkers:Walkers will enter through the gate located on the North side of campus closest to the traffic light on Fiske. The gate does not open until 8am. Do not allow your child to arrive earlier than 8:00am. We do not have supervision. This is too close to Fiske for the students to be waiting by themselves or play around before 8:00am. Time your child leaving your home so they arrive between 8:00am-8:25am. Thank you in advance for helping to keep your child safe.

Car Pick up: Car pick up is on the South side of campus weaving through the side parking lot. You will enter using one lane and then split into two lanes right before the last turn. An adult will be at the last turn calling names using your car tag. Have you car tag hanging from your rear view mirror, clearly displayed so it can be read. Your child will be called to a numbered pick up location. You will move your car forward to that numbered gate. You don't need to hear the number , just pull up until the car line stops. Watch the teachers and they will direct you. The lane closest to the building will be lined up first, then the left lane will be lined up. Both lanes will wait until all students are loaded before being released. Upon release, both lanes of traffic will go, arranging yourselves either to turn left or turn right out of the parking lot.

Crossing Guards: The City of Rockledge employs crossing guards to direct traffic and keep drivers and pedestrians safe. Please follow their lead. They have entry and exits timed and coordinated so traffic can move smoothly in and out of the school. Slow down when you are in the school zone, stay off phones, and be kind. We love and care for our crossing guards and appreciate them taking care of our students.

Walker/Biker Release: Walkers & bikers will be released at 3:00pm. They exit campus through the North gate closest to the traffic light on Fiske. The intent of walkers is for them to walk off campus. If you use a car to pick up your child, I encourage you to use the car line. Parking is limited on the side streets next to the school. It is a public road, but it is a residential street. Be mindful not to block driveways, park in the grass, or block the street. Please show all the neighbors our kindness and be respectful of their property. Parking across the street is also limited. Do not park in the business parking lots as those are reserved for their customers.

*You may not park in the school parking lots to walk to the gate to pick up your child. This includes kindergarten parents. Cars may not enter the front parking lot or park in the front grass area for dismissal purposes. Only daycare vans and buses are to use the front parking lot. Walkers must walk off campus. This is for the safety of our students loading buses.

Daycare and Bus Pick up: Daycare and Bus riders will be released also at 3:00pm to load in the front parking lot. If your child is absent from school- please notify the day care. It saves us and them time locating your child who is not at school.

Rainy Day Dismissal: Rainy day dismissal will be called if the rain is more than a sprinkle where the students would get significantly wet were they to walk home OR if we hold students due to lightening in the vicinity. If we hold students due to lightning in the vicinity, we will release them when it is safe according to their rainy-day plans. Please communicate with your teacher how your child will be going home if rainy day dismissal is called. The office will send out a text notification if we hold students due to lightning or if we will be dismissing according to their rainy-day plans. Please discuss with your child what they should do now, so they know.

Rainy day plans choices would be:

1. My walker/biker will be picked up in the car line. or

2. My walker/biker can ride/walk home in the rain (or after threat of lightening is over)

https://www.brevardschools.org/o/bps/page/code-of-student-conduct

Please click the link to become familiar with the student code of conduct. Administration will be reviewing the Student Code of Conduct with all the classes and sharing the student responsibilities. We will continue to follow BPS discipline plans, included here for your review.

All students should follow the code of conduct so that there is an atmosphere of learning at school. We look forward to pushing all students to be successful. Please review the student responsibilities and the Code of Conduct as a family, so your child is set up for success.

Breakfast is free in all BPS schools. Lunch is free for all students here at Andersen. You are encouraged to set up a mypaymentsplus account to add funds so that your child can purchase a la cart items or snacks, if you allow.

Family members can eat with your students on Thursdays beginning August 22. You must first come to the front office and check in. Then you may drive your car around to park in the side parking lot. You will use the gate closest to the cafeteria. You may only eat with your child. The picnic tables outside are there for you to eat together. When the student's assigned lunch time is over, he/she will go to their teacher's line as they come out from the cafeteria. They must be released to the teacher at the end of their lunch period. Family will then exit out the same gate. Families may not accompany their student to the playground, class, or have them stay longer at table.

All birthday treats need to be prearranged with the teacher. For student safety, all treats must be store-bought. Did you know you can order class/birthday treats from our cafeteria and have delivered to the class? See the order form below. Orders must be submitted 10 days in advance.

The FortifyFL app is a suspicious activity reporting tool that allows anyone to instantly relay information to law enforcement and school officials. Students, staff, families, and members of the community can use the app to report school safety concerns anonymously and easily. Click the photo for more information.

The SpeakOut Hotline (800) 423-TIPS is designed to help you anonymously report any threatening behavior or situation that endangers you, your friends, family, community, or your school campus. Reporting isn't "snitching,” reporting is when you need to keep yourself or someone you know safe from threats, harmful behaviors, or dangerous situations. By guaranteeing a caller's anonymity, SpeakOut allows the caller to give information without the fear of retribution.

Thank you to the follow businesses/groups for your generous donations of school supplies:

1. Faith Baptist Church

2. Pirtek

3. City of Rockledge

If your family is still in need of school supplies please come by or call the front office.

Please be sure to like and follow us on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/AndersenElementarySchool