PLA@103 Friday Family News

Read on for information including FREE dental screenings, upcoming early dismissal dates and school breaks, our Falcon Families Read event, cold weather and recess guidelines, safety information about drop off and pick up, important upcoming dates, a partnership with Boys and Girls Club for after school, our wireless device policy, our uniform policy, and information from our school nurse.

FREE dental clinic for ages 3-10 that includes dental screenings,

cleanings, and other preventive services plus activities, dental kits, and oral health books.

• Entry into the Children’s Museum is not required, and this event is FREE

• Families who present their Medicaid card at the registration desk will have

chance to receive an adult ticket and a select number of children’s tickets to

the museum

• Services and materials are provided on a first-come,

first-served basis

• Pre-registration is highly encouraged but not required

Please plan ahead for our next 11:20am Early Dismissal on Wednesday, February 5, 2025.

THE BENEFITS OF READING TO YOUR CHILDREN

Reading is one of the only entertainment mediums that’s also an essential life skill.

In today’s fast-paced world, reading often rides in the backseat of the entertainment car. While advances in technology have made for impressive entertainment choices, it’s important to remember that reading is the only entertainment medium that’s also an essential life skill.

Among other benefits, reading boosts intelligence, provides competence in school and for future jobs, and inspires the imagination like no digital medium can.

When I was in elementary school, my mom or dad took us to the library every two weeks. My sisters and I would plop ourselves down on the floor of the children’s book room and skim the titles — our heads tilted at 90 degrees. The checkout limit was a dozen books, which never seemed like enough. My parents, both avid readers, instilled in us a love for reading.

Without too much effort, you can teach your children to read and love it, keeping in mind a few simple tips and cautions. Try introducing your child or teen to some classic books and magazines you may have read in your younger years. You may even find some unexpected discoveries along the reading journey.

Benefits of Reading

Research shows that avid readers:

• Read better, write better, and concentrate better
• Are quicker to see subtleties
• Have an easier time processing new information
• Have a better chance for a successful, fulfilling adult life
• Have many interests and do well in a wide variety of subjects
• Develop an ability to understand how other people think and feel
• Acquire the ability to sift information and to understand how unrelated facts can fit into a whole
• Tend to be more flexible in their thinking and more open to new ideas
• Weather personal problems better without their schoolwork being affected

Given all the benefits of reading, it’s no wonder parents want to instill a love for reading in their children. And with the explosion of information in the workplace, only avid readers can stay well informed with relative ease.

BY ANDREA VINLEY JEWELL, JANUARY 1, 2008

We are going to extend our Falcon Families Read Challenge with a *NEW* theme! Stay tuned for more information!

ONLINE READING LOG is HERE.
SUBMIT READING PHOTOS HERE.

Parents/Families,

Please be sure your child is coming to school dressed appropriately for the weather. Recess will take place outdoors as the weather permits, and scholars should be dressed for that. Coats, hats, and gloves are a necessity. If your child is in need of a winter coat, hat, or gloves, please contact the school.

Ideally, recess should take place outdoors on school grounds as weather, space, and safety permit. Outdoor recess allows children to get fresh air, provides an opportunity for children to engage in moderate to vigorous physical activity, and gives students more activity options than most indoor spaces. Outdoor recess is an important part of a child’s school day and schools are highly encouraged to provide students with the opportunity to play outside whenever possible. PLA@103 uses the following guidelines to determine whether recess is held indoors or outdoors each day:

All cars should pull up to the circle. NO CARS can be in the bus lane by the sidewalks until all 6 buses have been loaded and have departed.

*Please note, we have more buses this year. The front sidewalk/curb IS NOT available, and is not the designated drop off area due to safety concerns. Cars may not be in the bus lane until all six buses have been loaded and have departed.*

MORNING DROP OFF

*Doors open at 7:30am

* Do not drop scholars off before 7:30am. due to safety concerns.

* Do not drop scholars off anywhere but the circle drive.

* Pull as far forward as possible; do not drop scholars off until you've

pulled up to where staff are directing you to go

* Encourage your scholar to exit the vehicle quickly

* Stay in line. Dropping children off in the middle of the

circle drive is an extreme safety hazard that puts your child(ren) and others at risk.

* If you arrive after 8:15am, you must walk your child to the door and buzz to be let in.

Your child will be marked tardy.

* If you arrive at 10:30am or later, your scholar will not be admitted unless you

provide a written excuse from a medical professional. This will be an unexcused absence.

*Please note, we have more buses this year. The front sidewalk/curb IS NOT available as the pick-up line. Cars may not be in the bus lane until all six buses have been loaded and have departed.*

AFTERNOON DISMISSAL/PICK-UP

* If your child is walking home, they will not be dismissed until the busses have left.

* If your child is a car rider, you must be in the car rider line ON THE CIRCLE.

* There will be a staff member at the entrance to the circle drive.

You must stop and speak to them to give them your car rider number.

* Your child will not be dismissed from class until you've given your car rider number.

* DO NOT cut line. Your number will be skipped, and you'll end up waiting longer.

* DO NOT park and walk up to the building. STAY IN LINE.

* We know the line looks long, but it moves fast when everyone

cooperates and follows the procedures.

* Stay in line. Do not encourage your child to walk into the parking lot.

This is an extreme safety issue.

* Encourage your child to enter the vehicle quickly so the line can move efficiently.

* Talk to your child about exiting the building quickly.

They are not to stop by other classrooms or hang around in the halls talking to friends.

* Honking adds unnecessary noise and stress to the procedure. Please don't honk.

* Do not encourage your child to come to your vehicle if you are far back in line.

If you are changing the way your scholar gets home (permanently or temporarily) please call the office before 1:30pm (317-226-4103).

Scholars will not be dismissed early unless you arrive before 1:30pm. Please plan accordingly.
The office phones will not be answered after 1:30pm so that we may carry out safe and organized end-of-day and dismissal routines.

THANK YOU FOR FOLLOWING THESE PROCEDURES TO KEEP OUR SCHOLARS SAFE.

* February 5- 11:20am EARLY DISMISSAL - Please plan ahead and be on time!

* February 17 - NO SCHOOL- Presidents Day

* February 26 - Spring PIT Day Conferences - Your scholar's teacher will be in touch if a conference is requested.

* March 3-14 - IREAD testing for grades 2nd and 3rd

* March 28 - 11:20am EARLY DISMISSAL - Please plan ahead and be on time!

* March 31-April 4 - SPRING BREAK - No School!

* April 7 - Scholars return to school

* April 9 - 11:20am EARLY DISMISSAL - Please plan ahead and be on time!

* April 14-May 9 - ILEARN testing for grades 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th

* May 26 - NO SCHOOL - Memorial Day

* June 4 - 11:20am EARLY DISMISSAL - Please plan ahead and be on time! LAST DAY OF SCHOOL

The Boys & Girls Club at 38th and Post Road is available as an after school resource. There is no transporation provided, but please see the Open Enrollment form below. Applications can be found in English HERE and Spanish HERE.

In response to the statewide Senate Bill (SB 185) passing and going into effect as state law in 2024, PLA@103 will operate within the following guidelines and procedures regarding all personal student devices (including cell phones and smart watches) during the school day (7:30am-2:30pm):

• Scholars are encouraged to keep all electronic devices (including cell phones and smart watches) home during the school day.

• Scholars who choose to bring their personal devices (including cell phones and smart watches) to school will be required to keep the device(s) in their backpack or a protected collection container within the classroom based on the teacher’s discretion.

• If the device is out during the school day, the scholar will be asked to give it to the teacher until the end of the school day.

• If the scholar refuses to turn in their device, the teacher will refer them to the Dean through an official write-up.

• Progressive discipline will be instituted in ordinance with SB 185.

• 1st offense - give phone to teacher; warning; teacher documents and informs parent

• Official write up to Dean if scholar refuses to turn in phone; teacher documents and informs parent

• 2nd offense - write up to Dean; Dean contacts parent; phone stays with Dean until parent can retrieve

• 3rd offense - write up to Dean; Dean contacts parent; ISS; phone stays with Dean until parent can retrieve and meet with Dean or administrator

• 4th offense - write up to Dean; Dean contacts parent; 2 days ISS; phone stays with Dean until parent can retrieve and meet with Dean or administrator

• 5th offense - write up to Dean; Dean contacts parent; wireless device suspension (scholar’s device will remain with Dean during the school day for 1-2 weeks depending on severity of the insubordination)

• 6th offense and beyond - write up to Dean; Dean contacts parent; wireless device suspension (scholar’s device will remain with Dean during the school day for 1-2 weeks depending on severity of the insubordination); parents, Dean, administrators meet to discuss next steps in regards to OSS or expulsion.

Please see important health information from Nurse Sara below (click the images to enlarge).

* More pictures coming soon!

FIND MORE PICTURES ON OUR INSTAGRAM and FACEBOOK!

Mission: Our mission is to ensure that each of our scholars meet high academic and social standards, and thrive as leaders at home, in their communities, and in the world.

Vision: Our ultimate goal is that our scholars master key academic skills, and demonstrate strong character as exhibited by: honesty, service to others, a superior work ethic, and a strong vision for and belief in their futures.