This school year we have added a few new faces to Classical School. Please join us in welcoming both our new and returning staff members. We are fortunate to have a knowledgeable, hardworking staff. Check out the directory on our website to find out more information about our new staff members: https://classical.aasd.k12.wi.us/

Staff Changes

Ms. Chelsey Rockey, AM Administrative Assistant: Chelsey has accepted a fulltime position as a Graphic Artist and is excited to pursue her career in Graphic Arts. We will miss her and wish her good luck! We welcome Mrs. Elizabeth Jentink to her position in the office. Elizabeth has two little girls and is excited to reduce her fulltime work schedule. Make sure to welcome her the next time you're in the office!

Mrs. Gwen Bomann, Kindergarten: Gwen is moving to Huntley School to use her amazing teaching skills as a Reading Interventionist. Our loss is certainly Huntley's gain, and we wish Gwen good luck in her future endeavors!

Mrs. Amanda Baptist will be moving from 4th grade to teach Kindergarten. She did her student teaching with Mrs. Nagreen two years ago and is excited to be back teaching Kindergarten!

Shannon Jelinski, Guidance Counselor: Shannon has accepted a position at Clayton School in Neenah. She's looking forward to being at only one school all day and not having to travel. Good luck, Shannon!

We are pleased to welcome Tanya Arps to take Shannon's place as Guidance Counselor. Tanya comes to us from the Greenville school system and is looking forward to meeting and working with our students!

We also welcome:

• Mr. David Granatelli will be teaching Grades K, 1 and 6 Phy Ed part time at Classical School
• Mrs. Lisa Madsen will be teaching fourth grade
• Ms. Megan Conde will be teaching middle school Choir
• Ms. Diane Nackers, Speech & Language

Look for more staff bios in future Columns.

Student Teachers

Siri Claybaugh is from St. Norbert College and will be working with Kristy Alba, Grade 3, 1st semester

High School Interns

Natalie Roe will work with Mrs. Crownhart in middle school

Addison Schneider will work with Mrs. Shinners in middle school

Parents, you are cordially invited to join us on the blacktop playground for the back-to-school coffee on Tuesday, September 3rd, from 8:00-9:00 a.m. Enjoy a coffee, juice, and a sweet roll while connecting with other parents.

The first day of school for all students is Tuesday, September 3, 2024.

• Students in Grades 6-8 should be on the blacktop/playground area by the 7:45 a.m. bell. Students must be in their classroom seats by the 7:50 a.m. bell or they will be considered tardy.
• Students in Grades K-5 should be on the blacktop/playground area by the 7:54 a.m. bell. Students are to be in their classroom seats by the 8:00 a.m. bell or they will be considered tardy.

Students can be dropped off on either the Durkee Street or Capitol Drive terraces. This area is for quick drop-off/pick up only. If you plan to walk your student to the blacktop, please park in the Einstein Park parking lot.

We ask all parents to drop off their children and pick them up at the drop-off/pick-up terraces or on the playground rather than entering the building. Please remember that school is in session earlier and later for our 6th-8th grade students. We need to keep our building secure for our students between the school hours of 7:30 a.m. and 3:15 p.m.

If you do need to enter the building, all adults need to sign in at the Welcome Center located in the hallway across from the office and wear a visitor's badge. Staff is required to stop all adults without a badge and escort them to the office.

The entire Classical staff takes pride in ensuring every student is safe to learn and grow each day. Part of making sure this continues to be a safe and welcoming place is conducting ongoing safety drills so students and staff know exactly what to do and can act instead of freezing under duress.

As we start school, I want you to be aware that as per Wisconsin Statutes 118.07, fire drills must be conducted at least once each month, without previous warning. Weather permitting, our first fire drill will be during the first week of school. The Appleton Fire Department will visit each AASD school (unannounced) to witness a fire drill sometime between October and December.

Tornado or other hazard drills must be conducted twice per year, without previous warning.

School Violence/Safety drills must be conducted twice per year. The first safety drill will take place during the second half of September. This will consist of teachers having a conversation about the way we might respond to a potential threat.

I would like to reiterate that every staff member takes collective responsibility for safety at Classical. Please understand that we take great care to empower, not frighten, all of our students and families with these precautionary measures.

Kindly,

Nick Winch

September is National Family Meals Month! Follow the link below for tips on eating meals together as a family/accessing food.

September Family Meals Month

Lunch and breakfast menus can be found on the Classical website: https://aasd.nutrislice.com/menu/classical-school. Hard copies are also sent home for your convenience in the Pegasus Flyer take-home folders.

FYI: Lunch prices have increased by 10 cents. There is no charge for breakfast.

This year's school picture day will be held on Thursday, September 26th.

To order: On picture day after pictures are taken, students will be given a form that provides a link, school code, and individual keyword to be able to access the student's image online and order at that time if you choose to.

Orders not placed within one week following picture day may be delayed in processing by up to eight weeks. Any orders placed after December 15th will be subject to increased fees.

If you do not have the ability to pay online, please call Harmann Studios for other payment options at 1-800-236-8910.

Retake Picture Day is Monday, October 28th.

The terraces on Durkee Street and Capitol Drive are used as a quick drop off/pick up. Please do not park in the quick-drop areas (Durkee Street/Capitol Drive terraces) -- one parked/empty car causes backups and congestion for many. Students should be prepared to leave the car as soon as it has stopped to head to the playground (no backpacks in the trunk/cargo area). If you prefer to park and walk your child/ren to the playground, please use the Einstein Park parking lot located to the south of our building. If you park in the neighborhood, please be a good neighbor and do not use driveways, block driveways/mailboxes.

For safety reasons please escort your children across any street or parking lot. Though it is tempting, waving your child to come to you across a street is unsafe and has caused a few "close calls" in the past.

We also ask that you to refrain from taking/placing cell phone calls or texting during drop off/pick up after students have been released while you are in the school zone.

Be aware that 6th-8th grade homerooms remain in class until 3:00 p.m. while K-5 grades are dismissed at 2:49 p.m. Please do not stand near the school windows that border the playground/blacktop during elementary pickup. Adult conversations can be heard even through the closed windows and are a great distraction for our 6-8 grade students. If you would like to converse with other parents at elementary pickup, please step away from the MS classrooms. Thank you!

Please join us on Tuesday, September 17th, for the K-5 back-to-school night from 5:30-6:30 pm. More information to follow.

Classical School uses several communication vehicles for valuable school information:

Pegasus Flyer

Every student will receive a yellow take-home folder that will double as the Pegasus Flyer. Please check this folder, especially on Thursdays, as that is the day important communications will go home from the school office.

Classical Columns

The Classical Columns, the school's newsletter, is published once a month during the school year and emailed home at the beginning of the month. Please take time to read this important publication as you will find answers to what is up and coming, information on CCSA Board work, club and activities updates, school calendar, and much more. If you would like a hard copy, you may pick one up outside the school office.

Classical School Website

If you haven't had a chance to visit our school's website lately, please do so! It is an excellent resource for current and prospective families who would like to learn more about classical education and the Core Knowledge Curriculum. Visit the website for teacher biographies, enrollment information, and so much more! http://classical.aasd.k12.wi.us/.

Facebook

Follow us on Facebook!

If a student will be absent due to illness, appointment, etc., please call the school office at 920-852-5525 before 8:30 a.m., to report it. (An email to the teacher does not suffice.) You can also use the Infinite Campus Parent Portal to report absences. If the student will be absent all day, homework is automatically put together by the teacher and sent to the school office (Grades K-5) by 2:45 p.m. Any homework that has not been picked up by the time the school office closes at 3:45 p.m., will be placed on the homework cart and put in the hallway outside the office. Middle school homework is placed in the hanging file cart located right inside the main entrance. The school building is open until 6:00 p.m., so you will have access to the homework until that time.

It's helpful for kindergarten and first grade students to have a change of clothing in case of bathroom/mud accidents. The health room has a limited supply but students feel most comfortable in their own clothes.

Mark your calendars for Classical School's Fall Fest! Sunday, October 16th, 12:00 pm -- 3:00 pm, is the annual Fall Fest at Classical School. This is a fantastic family event and loved by all. Please contact Kristen Zeimet at zeimetkristen@aasd.k12.wi.us if you are interested in being involved or have a question. Stay tuned for more information!

Tuesday, October 22nd from 3:30-7:00 p.m.

Thursday, October 24th from 3:30-6:45 p.m.

The link to sign up for conferences will be sent out in the near future.

Please note that there will be no school for students on Monday, September 30th. This is a professional development day for staff.

Monday, September 2, 2024 NO SCHOOL: Labor Day

Tuesday, September 3, 2024 First Day of School/Beginning of 1st quarter

Tuesday, September 3, 2024 Back-to-School Parent Coffee 8:00 AM-9:00 AM

Wednesday, September 4, 2024 Cross Country meet at Pierce Park 4:30 PM

Thursday, September 5, 2024 Pegasus Flyers go home

Wednesday, September 11, 2024 Cross Country meet at Erb Park 4:30 PM

Thursday, September 12, 2024 Pegasus Flyers go home

Tuesday, September 17, 2024 "Words Hurt" presentation 8:45 & 10:30 AM

Tuesday, September 17, 2024 Cross Country meet at Pierce Park 4:30 PM

Tuesday, September 17, 2024 K-5 Back-to-School Night 5:30-6:30 PM

Thursday, September 19, 2024 Pegasus Flyers go home

Thursday, September 26, 2024 Picture Day7:30-11:00 AM

Thursday, September 26, 2024 Cross Country Invite at Memorial Park, Neenah 4:15 PM

Thursday, September 26, 2024 Pegasus Flyers go home

Monday, September 30, 2024 NO SCHOOL: Professional Development Day

Monday, September 30, 2024 Cross Country Invite at Grignon Park, Kaukauna 4:15 PM