Andersen’s Weekly Blast Off

Welcome back to another exciting school year at Andersen Elementary—home of the Astronauts! We hope you had a restful summer and are as excited as we are to kick off a year full of learning, growth, and fun.

This special back-to-school edition will help your family get ready for lift-off!

First Day of School: Wednesday 07/16/25 New Start time: 8:30am

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  NOW HIRING BUS DRIVERS

  
  

  CUSD Needs Bus Drivers!

  Paid training and a FLASHY vehicle provided

  NEW! Drop-In Interviews are held every Thursday, 12pm - 3pm.

  3750 S. Centre Pointe Parkway

  Chandler, AZ 85249

  C'mon in and ask for Ariana Berisha!

  Click below for job details and to apply now!

  Bus Driver - Full Time

  
  

  
  

• Starting a new school year is exciting—but it can also bring a mix of emotions for both students and parents. Here are some simple but powerful ways you can help your child feel confident and ready for takeoff:

  🕖 1. Establish a Routine Early

  • Start easing into the school-year schedule at least a week in advance.

  • Practice bedtime and wake-up routines, aiming for 8–10 hours of sleep.

  • Do a “practice morning” including breakfast, getting dressed, and packing a backpack.

  🧠 2. Talk About What to Expect

  • Discuss what a typical school day looks like (drop-off, classroom time, lunch, recess, etc.).

  • If they’re new to the school, drive by or visit the building to build familiarity.

  • Let them know it’s okay to feel nervous or excited—and that their teacher is ready to help.

  📚 3. Practice Independence

  Encourage your child to:

  • Pack and carry their own backpack

  • Open their lunch/snack containers on their own

  • Use the restroom independently

  • Ask for help when they need it

  These small skills build confidence and self-reliance—key for a great year.

  💬 4. Set a Positive Tone

  • Celebrate their strengths and talk about what they're looking forward to.

  • Use positive language: “You’re going to have such a great time learning new things!”

  • Share a favorite school memory of your own to get them excited.

  🎨 5. Create a “Launch Pad” at Home

  • Designate a space for their backpack, homework, and supplies.

  • Having a school-ready spot helps with organization and cuts down on morning stress.

  💌 6. Send a Little Love

  • Consider adding a note or doodle in their lunchbox for the first week.

  • It’s a great reminder they’re supported and loved while they adjust to school life.

  👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents, Too!

  Starting a new school year is a transition for the whole family. Don’t hesitate to reach out to teachers or staff with questions. Remember, we're partners in your child’s growth—and we’re here to help every step of the way.

The traffic pattern at Andersen Elementary is designed as separate areas to ensure student safety and consistent parent accessibility. For the safety of your child, please follow all traffic procedures. Assisting our traffic flow is our staff. Look for them in their safety vests! Please be considerate of others when following our traffic rules. Every child at Andersen Elementary is deserving of all the care, time and extra effort it takes to provide a safe walking or riding environment.

Neighborhood carpooling is encouraged whenever possible to reduce the number of vehicles traveling in and out of school. If parents choose to walk their child, we ask that you please model safe procedures for all students (especially those un-escorted) by only using the designated crosswalks at Highland/Ironwood or the supervised crosswalk at Manor Street. Thank you for your respectful adherence of our established traffic patterns so that our staff can safely monitor and protect every child.

Traffic Pattern and Directions

1. Traffic entering and exiting is one way only off Pennington.
2. STUDENT DROP-OFF is at the right side curb of the east sidewalk (Pick up A) or north sidewalk near our MPR entrance (Car Pick Up B). All kindergarten students must be picked up at Car Pick Up Area B . Note -- Pulling ahead of another vehicle creates an unsafe hazard. Come to a complete stop before letting your child exit or enter the vehicle. Cars must not be left unattended. Children will only be allowed to enter/exit from the passenger side of the vehicle from the sidewalk. At no time should children be in the street. Carefully check for oncoming vehicles before pulling out into the exit lane that returns to Pennington.
3. The STUDENT BUS drop-off and pick-up area is at the northeast circular turnaround. Parent vehicles are restricted from this area and must yield the right-a-way to buses. (Arizona School Bus Standards 17-09-104)
4. Parents who need to park their vehicles and enter the building for official school business will proceed from Pennington in the right lane to the north front Office Visitor Parking Lot. This is not designated as a pick-up area or for curb-side parking.
5. The west parking lot is for staff vehicles and is not available for student drop-off. The playground is adjacent from the parking lot and must be a protected environment
6. WALKERS and STUDENT ON BICYCLES use the bike path (north sidewalk) off Pennington to proceed to the playground or exit from school.

Chandler Unified is pleased to announce that through the Community Eligibility Provisions (CEP) of the National School Breakfast and Lunch Program, Andersen Elementary will be able to provide breakfast and lunch to their students at no charge.

All students enrolled may receive one breakfast meal and one lunch meal at no charge every school day. Free and Reduced meal applications are not required.

https://schools.mealviewer.com/school/AndersenElem

https://forourcitychandler.org/operation-back-to-school

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/save-the-acp

https://www.cusd80.com/carecenter

If you would like to purchase student insurance the Chandler School District offers a student coverage option. If you are interested in learning more about this option please see the attached documents.

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🌐 School Website: https://www.cusd80.com/andersen
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Arizona law ARS 43-1089.01 enables taxpayers a tax credit contribution of up to $400.00 per calendar year if filing status is Married, filing Joint Return; $200.00 per calendar year if filing status is Single or Head of Household; and, $200.00 per calendar year if filing status is Married filing separate return — for contributions that fund extracurricular activities in public schools. A tax credit is a full refund, not a deduction.

Contributions eligible for a tax credit are donated directly to schools, not to the state or the school district. To participate, follow the links listed above to donate online or you can print a form to complete and submit your contribution.