The Falcon's Nest
21-22 Welcome Back Edition
Welcome Falcon Families
Welcome to the 21-22 school year! I hope your children are as excited as we are for the first day of school to arrive! Although last year was full of unique challenges, I am very proud of the way our students, families and staff met them head-on. The summer always seems to move quickly, however, I do hope you had the chance to unwind and reconnect with friends and family.
The Corte Sierra staff is hard at work this week preparing for an exciting year of learning and growth! This year our focus will continue to be on student growth and academic achievement. In addition to this focus we will also be providing a safe, engaging, healthy, supportive and challenging learning environment that is necessary to foster the development and success of the whole child. This year masks are optional for students and staff. Even though this has changed from the previous school year, I can assure you our campus will continue to follow all mitigating measures and promote hand washing throughout the day. The health and safety of our students and staff continues to hold the utmost of importance.
Please do not hesitate to stop by the office or give us a call if we can assist you in any way. Our staff is eagerly waiting to welcome you and your child to another wonderful school year.
Sincerely,
Tanya Rotteger
Corte Sierra Principal
623-547-1000
Corte Sierra Elementary Open House
Please join us Friday, July 30th for Open House.
Class lists will be posted in the gym from 4:00 - 6:00 P.M.. Meet your child's new teacher, tour the school, become a member of our wonderful PTSA, see old friends and make some new ones. If you need general supplies, such as backpacks, pencil boxes, crayons, etc we will have some available during this event.
School Supplies
First Day of School
Our first day of school is Monday, August 2nd. Gates will open at 7:45 AM for breakfast and the first bell will ring at 8:10AM.
Our staff will be easily recognizable in Corte Sierra attire and a badge. Any one of our members located around the campus will be able to help your child safely get to their classroom.
Arrival Procedures:
Our campus opens at 7:45 AM Monday through Friday.
Students can arrive to school as early as 7:45 AM every morning. Gates and doors on both sides of the campus will be open for students. When dropping your child off near the gate, we ask that you pull all the way forward even if it is farther away from the gate to help with the flow of traffic. If you are walking your child to school we ask that you cross at labeled crossing areas for safety purposes.
The bus lane in the East parking lot will be closed off to traffic when the buses are here. This lane may open and close throughout the morning as buses arrive for safety reasons.
Dismissal Procedures:
Corte Sierra has worked closely with Litchfield Elementary School District's Transportation Department and local law enforcement to design an effective and safe protocol for student drop off and pick up. For the safety and health of your child(ren) we will dismiss students (grades 1-5) from the front (South) parking lot in our valet pick up line.
Every student will have a unique code for valet pick up purposes only. During open house parents and guardians will receive a student code and only parents will be able to give this code to out to others who may have permission to pick up your child(ren).
If you are picking up your child in the valet line, we ask that you place the unique student code in your front window. A staff member will be stationed in the parent pick up lane communicating this code with classroom teachers for your students to be released to you. If you choose to pick up in this line you will need to remain in your vehicle at all times as the line does move as students are released.
Parents can also park in open spots and meet students at a designated area, such as the flagpole. If you are choosing this option please make sure your child(ren) know the specifics of the plan, we also ask that you include the classroom teacher as this will help to alleviate any confusion during this busy time.
Dismissal Times:
Kindergarten: 2:45
Grades 1-2: 2:55
Grades 3-5: 3:00
**Please be patient as the first two weeks can lead to longer than normal wait times.**
Kindergarten First Day Drop Off
Kindergarten PM Pick Up Procedures:
Kindergarten dismissal will begin at 2:45 P.M. in the East Parking Lot. This lot is a "park and walk" lot. Parents are asked to park and walk up to the Kindergarten gate near the flagpole to safely pick up students. A staff member will be located at this gate to take your information and dismiss your student to you. Parents should always have their ID available when picking up students. Kindergarten teachers will be giving more detailed information at open house. If you have a kindergartner with older siblings please work with your child's teacher on options for the smoothest pick up experience possible.
School Meals
Families are still encouraged to submit a school meal application for free or reduced-price meal benefits because this information may be used for other programs, such as Pandemic-Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT), Federal and State funding for your school, reduced registration fees for academic tests, free or discounted fees for athletic programs, discounted rates for internet service, and many more!
Closed Campus
All visitors and parents must sign in at the front office before entering the school grounds. Our campus opens at 7:45 each morning. Once our campus opens, students can enjoy breakfast or go directly to their classroom for a soft start activity. Identification is required before entering the campus or checking out students.
Computer Return
If your child checked out a laptop from the district last school year, please return the laptop to our office ASAP.
PLEASE NOTE: Per the Student Laptop Checkout Agreement that was signed when the device was received from the school, you are financially responsible for any equipment that is lost, stolen or damaged.