Principal Bossard Newsletter

September, 2024

Dear L’Etoile Du Nord families,

Our first few weeks have been so much! Thank you for bringing your students on time if you have dropping off, and thank you for communicating with us. We have enjoyed seeing both new and familiar faces! Here are some important reminders and updates:

School Hours, Drop Off, Pick Up, and Transportation

School begins at 9:30 a.m. and ends at 4:00 p.m. Students may enter the school at 9:15 a.m. and not prior. Please, never leave your child unattended. We do not have staff available prior to 9:15, and front office doors will not be open prior to 9:15. Do NOT park on the opposite side of the street. That is where staff park and you should always be in the drop off lane on the side of the school in your car for both drop off and pick up. Any changes to end of day transportation must be communicated by 3 p.m.

Parent Pick Up: Please have your student(s) names shown on the window on a piece of paper in large letters and stay in line and do not pass cars as that is dangerous. Stay in one line and wait in your car. Pick up is from 4:00 - 4:15.

AMAZE: We are happy to continue with our AMAZE books this year to teach our kids acceptance, kindness, and respect for differences. Attached, you will find a letter about AMAZE.

2nd and 3rd Graders Sign Up for Harmony Program

You can learn more about this program here (click).

When: 3 times per week from 8:00 - 9:15 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

First class is on Monday, October 14th and last class is May 16th (in accordance with the SPPS school year calendar).

How: Register here

Student Rights & Responsibilities

SPPS strives to create welcoming schools where each and every student is seen, known and valued. There are rights students are guaranteed when they are at school as well as responsibilities that accompany those rights. Families are strongly encouraged to review the Rights & Responsibilities Handbook.

Cell Phone Policy

While cell phones and other electronics seem to be an extension of our bodies, we are not allowing them to be used in school between the hours of 9:15-4:15 pm. Here are our expectations:

1. Personal phones and electronics are not allowed to be used at L'Etoile du Nord French Immersion School.
   
   

2. They are to remain at home, or given to the teacher/office after you have talked with me about this and I am aware. If students need to have a phone due to after school plans, multiple locations after school etc, I completely understand and will support but phones must be with a a teacher or office. They also must be shut off during the school day (not vibrate but shut off fully).

3. If the above is not followed, we will do the bellow:

1. Phones and electronics will be collected and left in the office until dismissal time if a student is caught using their phone during school hours (even during recess and lunch).

2. A parent /guardian will need to come to school to pick the phone up of any occurrence after the first.

Q: Why don’t we allow cellphones in class/lunch/bathrooms/halls during the school day?

1. We prioritize real human interaction. We believe that learning the skills of in-person communication and collaboration are much more important. This generation has grown up with computers and cell phones. Students are already good at using electronics -- they do not need social media practice or gaming practice at school. One of the most important skills our students will learn how to build relationships and get along, work well, face-to-face, with a variety of people.
   
   

2. Electronics are disruptive. Cell phones ringing and buzzing disrupt both the student and the class. We want students focused on the lesson, not who’s calling or texting them.
   
   

3. They cause drama. Students tend to say things online that they would never say out loud. We don’t need extra drama at school.
   
   

4. They get stolen. Unfortunately, as wonderful as our students are, phones are stolen. They are attractive items. Leaving them in a locker is still an opportunity for a lost phone and they must be given to the teacher/office staff after you have spoken with me. While we try to help students problem solve, the school is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
   
   

5. They are addicting. This generation of students is struggling to learn to think and stay busy with just their own thoughts. Managing boredom without tools or toys is an important life skill that we have little opportunity to practice when the phone is always present. We want our students to be fully present and experience all that school has to offer.
   
   

6. Students don’t need them. Every student is given an iPad for academic use.

We are asking you to not only review these expectations but also to help out by not texting or contacting your student during the school day. Ideally all necessary communication should occur before and after school. In the event of an emergency, please call the main office, and we will get a message to your student as soon as possible.

24-25 School Year Calendar:

Click here.

Sincerely,

Sofia Bossard

Principal

L'Etoile du Nord French Immersion School

Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) Updates

Congratulations to Mme La Casse for her presidency and Mme Scott for her vice presidency and helping our school once again! Thank you for all you do!

• Download the PTO App & Directory Families are encouraged to join our school directory designed to connect students & families outside of the classroom. Directory access is limited to those that sign up. No information will be made publicly available or distributed. Download our app for quick access to the directory and receive monthly newsletters with PTO updates. Get started with the app here: https://lnfipto.membershiptoolkit.com/

• ALL The Latest Updates from the PTO: https://lnfi-pto.org/pto-publications/

Questions or comments? Email communications@lnfi-pto.org

Join us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/lnfipto

Visit our website: www.lnfi-pto.org