Principal's Newsletter
Start of the 24-25 School Year Newsletter
Welcome letter from the Principal
Dear Paul V. Fly Parents/Guardians,
Greetings from Paul V. Fly Elementary School. We trust that you and your family are well and had a wonderful summer relaxing and spending some quality time together. It has been nice to see many of you over the summer break and I am looking forward to welcoming you back to school on Monday, August 26th.
It’s hard to believe that the 2024-2025 school year will begin in just under two weeks. We have been very busy planning and preparing for this new school year. Please review the information contained in this newsletter and if you have questions, please contact the school. I would also encourage you to check the website and follow us on X and Facebook.
Kindergarten orientation will take place on Thursday, August 22, 2024 from 9:00 - 10:15 AM. Kindergarten families have received a detailed agenda outlining this special event. You can also find this information on the school website and in the hyperlink below.
Our Welcome Back Event for 1st-4th graders will take place on Thursday, August 22, 2024. Last name (A - M) will be from 10:30 - 11:15 AM & last name (N-Z) will be from 11:15 - 12:00 PM. Please click on the link to sign up for this event: Welcome Back Event
The first day of school is Monday, August 26, 2024. Car line drop-off will be open from 8:47 - 9:05 AM. A free breakfast and lunch will be served on the first day school. Your child's new teacher will greet them outside their classroom and other staff members will be highly visible to assist students to their new classroom. Please see the FAQ's below for more information about the school day.
Save the Date: Paul V. Fly’s Back to School/Meet the Teacher Night is scheduled for Thursday evening, September 12, 2024. The event will take place in the evening 5:30 - 7:50 PM. Parents will learn about their child's schedule, routines, and classroom expectations. More information will come during the first week of school.
Finally, all homeroom assignments will be available and emailed out on August 19th (NEW Date) and will remain accessible through Infinite Campus. Please call the school office at 610-630-0380 and leave a message or email Mrs. Ryan at mryan@nasd.k12.pa.us if you have any issues accessing your child's homeroom assignment.
I hope you enjoy the rest of your summer.
Sincerely,
Jason W. Smith
Principal
Paul V. Fly Elementary School
Important Dates/Information:
Morning Arrival - Staff will begin welcoming students at 8:47 AM each day. Upon arrival students will go directly to their homeroom as breakfast is served in the classroom. Car riders must use our car rider loop in the back of the building off of Taft road from 8:47 - 9:05 AM. Click here to learn more about our car rider procedures.
Car Rider Tags - We have NEW car rider tags for the 24-25 school year. If you are planning to use our car rider loop this school year you will need to sign up using this form: Car Rider Tag You can pick up a car rider tag during our Welcome Back Event next week (August 22nd 10:30 - 12:00 PM). Kindergarten families will receive them during Kindergarten Orientation.
Chromebooks - Students will need to bring their fully charged Chromebook to school each day. Any broken Chromebooks can be fixed at the the school. New students will receive a Chromebook within the first couple weeks of school. Kindergarten students will receive their Chromebooks in mid-September.
Before & After School Childcare - Are you looking for before or after school childcare? Check out what is offered right here at Paul V. Fly Elementary School. It Takes A Village Childcare
Breakfast & Lunch Information -The Norristown Area School District qualifies for the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) lunch program. Under CEP, all children will receive breakfast and lunch at school at no charge. **Per the district Wellness Policy - Food and beverages shall not be permitted for individual student birthday celebrations. Non-food options will be permitted.**
Important Dates - To access the entire District Calendar, click on the following link. District Calendar
Week of August 19th - Homeroom Assignments will be sent via email to parents/guardians.
August 19th - Be on the lookout via. email for your child/ren's bus assignments
August 22nd - Kindergarten Orientation 9:00 - 10:15 AM
August 22nd - (1st -4th Grade) Welcome Back Event 10:30 - 12:00 - Click here to sign up
August 26th - First day of school K-4
August 30th - September 2nd - No School Labor Day Weekend
September 12th - Open House (2 Sessions: 6:05 - 6:35 & 7:20 - 7:50)
September 17th - Fall School Picture Day
November 26th - Fall Conferences (evening)
November 27th - Fall Conferences (morning)
PSSA testing window (students in grades 3 & 4)
English Language Arts is April 22 – April 24, 2025
Mathematics April 28 – April 29th, 2025.
Test administration is scheduled to begin at 9:30 on testing days
Please avoid these dates when planning to miss school where possible.
***Please see the FAQ's below for more information about the upcoming school year.***
Important District/Parent Information & Forms:
Paul V. Fly Student Handbook - We at Paul V. Fly Elementary School are committed to the adherence to the policies outlined in this Handbook because we are committed to providing you with the program and opportunities outlined in the Handbook. We want Paul V. Fly Elementary School to be the best it can be, and we want you to be a part of it. Please keep this handbook as a reference throughout the year.
FERPA -The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), a Federal law, requires that the Norristown Area School District, with certain exceptions, obtain your written consent prior to the disclosure of personally identifiable information from your child’s education records. Please click here to access NASD's official FERPA Letter
Custodial Letter - Please be advised that the Norristown Area School District will grant equal parent access to school records (and to the child) unless a court order is provided specifying any special conditions that may exist. Please see the district's Custodial Letter for more information.
Day Care Transportation Request - If you are enrolling your child(ren) in a childcare center and are authorizing that center to provide transportation to/from NASD schools each day OR if you if you are enrolling your child(ren) in a childcare center and are authorizing NASD to prove transportation to/from the center each day, you must fill out this form Day Care Transportation Request.
Parent Right to Know Letter - This letter lets you know about your right to request information about the qualifications of the classroom staff working with your child. Click here to access this information: Parent Right to Know Letter
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I access Infinite Campus to find my child's homeroom and bus information? Homeroom assignments will be available the week of August 19th. Bus assignments will also be available the week of August 19th. Both can be accessed using Infinite Campus. Click on the link to learn more.
Is there before and after school childcare available at Paul V. Fly? It Takes A Village Childcare offers before and after school childcare here at Paul V. Fly. Childcare is available from 7:00 - 9:00 AM & 3:20 - 6:00 PM Monday to Friday. To learn more check out. It Takes A Village Childcare
How do I register my child? You can email the registrar at registrar@nasd.k12.pa.us or call (610)630-5016. Click here to learn more: NASD Registration Information.
How do I sign up for information from the Parent Faculty Club? You can sign up by clicking on the following link: Parent Faculty Club
What if I had a change of address? Please contact the registrars office. You can email her at registrar@nasd.k12.pa.us or call (610)630-5016.
When is the first day of school? Monday, August 26, 2024 . We begin welcoming our students at 8:47 AM.
What time does school start and end?
The school day begins at 9:05 AM. Student arriving after 9:05 will be marked late. We dismiss at 3:20 PM. If you are picking up your child at school in the afternoon, please send a note in the morning so that they are at the car-rider pickup door to meet you. The pickup area is behind the building off of Taft road.
Where do the children enter the school? All school buses arrive at the front door and the students enter the building directly from there. If you are dropping off your child, you need to do so in the Car Rider Parking lot in the rear of the building. Do not drop-off or bring your child to school before 8:47 AM.
How do I find out what bus my child rides? You will receive a bus notice from the First Student transportation department the week of August 19th. If you do not, please call transportation at 610-630-5022 or 610-630-5051 or the main number at 610-630-5000. Make sure that you download the transportation app. You can set up an account by clicking here: FirstView Tracking App . You will need to enter the School Code (FGAM) PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THE TIMES CHANGE FOR THE FIRST TWO WEEKS OF SCHOOL AS NEW CHILDREN ARE ADDED TO THE BUS ROUTE. Please stay at the bus stop at the end of the day for at least twenty minutes past the arrival time. It is a good idea to have a cell phone with you at the bus stop, in case the bus is delayed. FOR ALL KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS, SOMEONE MUST BE AT THE BUS STOP AT THE END OF THE DAY TO RECIEVE YOUR CHILD. IF NOT, THE BUS WILL RETURN YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL.
What should I do if my child's bus is running late or if my child does not get off at his bus stop? Make sure to check the FirstView app to confirm the bus is running late and has not passed the bus stop already. Next, check your email or voicemail messages for any missed emails/calls from the district. Then, call the transportation department. Finally, call the school. We have a late stay person until 4:25 PM.
What does Paul V. Fly allow for birthday celebrations? **Per the district Wellness Policy - Food and beverages shall not be permitted for individual student birthday celebrations. Non-food options will be permitted.**
How will I know what days there is no school? The Norristown Area School District Web Site has that information. Please click here to access the 24-25 calendar 2024-2025 School District Calendar. Communication is primarily sent via email. Make sure you provide an updated email address to the school.
What is the dismissal time for an early dismissal day? The dismissal time is 12:20 PM. Please be sure to make arrangements for someone to be at the bus stop for the early dismissal days.
When will I find out about the curriculum? There will be an Open House on September 12th from 5:30 to 7:50 PM for parents. Please join us for this evening to meet the staff, your child’s teacher, and find out everything your child will be learning this year.
What about breakfast and lunch? We participate in a universal meal program, which means all children eat breakfast and lunch free of charge.
What do I do if my child is sick? You should call school to report your child absent. You must send in a completed absence card or written note within 3 days of the illness. Otherwise, the child will be marked unexcused absent. After 3 days of unexcused absences or truancy, a SAIP plan will be required with the School Counselor. This process is a State Law.
What if I want to change my child’s transportation? Any temporary car-rider transportation change must be in writing. A note must be sent in with your child to explain the change in transportation. NO PHONE CALLS WILL BE ACCEPTED TO CHANGE YOUR CHILD’S TRANSPORTATION. This is to protect your child’s safety. Bus changes are not permitted. Permanent changes must be done through the office and transportation.
What do I need to complete if I would like to request transportation from my child's daycare/childcare center? Parents must complete the following request forms.
What if I had a change of address? All changes of address must be reported immediately. The safety of all Paul Fly children is paramount, and that means getting them to and from school safely, responding swiftly during an emergency, as well as ensuring the compliance of all school boundaries. Please notify the main office immediately of any changes at (610) 630-0380.
What if I need to pick up my child early? You must put the request in writing and send it in with your child. You can also email your child's teacher and the school secretary. When you arrive for pick up, you will need to sign your child out and present your ID. Your child will be called to the office after you have signed your child out and it has been reviewed by the secretary. Please do not ask to have your child waiting in the office for you. Students who are sitting in the office are missing instructional time. We will do our best to have your child in the office as quickly as possible.
What if my child needs medication during the school day? Please contact the Nurse’s office. All medical forms should go directly to the Nurse’s Office. No medicine can be administered without written doctor’s orders. You may enclose them in an envelope marked SCHOOL NURSE. ** It would be very helpful if you could send in a change of clothes for your kindergarten child. In case of a spill, dirty or wet at recess, or if your child may not get to the bathroom in time.
Please know that we are happy to have your child with us. Your child’s safety, academic, social and emotional well-being are our primary goals. Please help by providing any information that will help us understand your child’s needs. Thank you in advance for your support and partnership.