Bryant Newsletter

Bryant families,

We look forward to seeing your child/ren ( grades 1-5) at school tomorrow!

I enjoyed getting to meet a lot of you at Open House. The Bryant community is so supportive and welcoming!

Student drop off begins at 8:00 and goes until 8:30. All students can be dropped off at the playground. K-2 students will line up on the blacktop (see below picture) and 3-5 students will go directly into the building into their classrooms.

See the below picture for pick-up locations. We ask that you DO NOT pick up prior to 3:15. Early pick up can be quite disruptive; teaching and learning goes until the end of the day. We are so appreciative of your support.

Warmly,

Mrs. Wilkins

Lwilkins@heleanschools.org

First day of School: This Wednesday (August 28th) for grades 1-5. KinderSprouts students will visit their classroom. Kindergarten students start on September 3rd.

School start: 8:30

Playground coverage begins at 8:00

Dismissal: 3:15 (Tuesday- Thursday), 2:30 (Monday)

This year we are focusing on attendance. Please help your child/ren be on time, ready to learn for the full school day.

Security: You are always welcome at Bryant but please remember you must sign in and be buzzed through the security doors at the front entry (entry 1). Look for the flagpole.

Attendance: The school day begins at 8:30 a.m., and ends at 3:15 p.m (Tuesday- Friday) and 2:30 on Monday's. Please be aware the District policy is if a student arrives between 8:30- 9:00am they will be marked tardy; between 9 am- noon they will be absent in the morning; and if they check out before 2:45 pm they will be marked absent for the afternoon. If your child will be absent for a full day or any portion of the day, please call the main office. If we cannot verify a child's absence, then you will receive an automated phone call letting you know your child has an unverified absence. There is a sign in/ out sheet if you bring your child late or take them out early. A parent/ guardian must be present when signing their child into the building. An attendance meeting or discussion will occur after 7 absences. We ask that you do not pick up your children early as teaching and learning goes until 3:15.

Monday's Early Out: Every Monday the school day ends at 2:30 pm. The busses run at that time. If you child does not ride the bus please make note of the early out and plan accordingly.

Playground Coverage: The Bryant playground opens @ 8:00 and closes at 3:30 ( 2:45 Monday's). We do not have adult supervision on the playground prior to this time, so please plan accordingly if you need to arrange transportation. If you bring your child to school or pick them up after school, please stress to your child the importance of being careful! Students must be accompanied by an adult to play on the playground after-school. For student safety animals are not permitted on the playground during school hours, pick-up, and drop off.

Medications: The School District Medication Policy is available upon request. If a student is unable to complete a school day without a medication (prescription or non-prescription), parents should contact the school nurse. Medication will not be administered in school without proper authorization from the student’s physician. Self-administration by students is not allowed. Under no circumstances shall school personnel administer any medication without proper authorization. Please note it can take up to 24 hours for the school nurse to approve meds. A parent has the option of coming to school to administer medication to their child.

Emergencies: Should a student become ill or injured during school, the parents will be notified. If the parent cannot be contacted, the person(s) indicated on the student’s Emergency Information Card will be notified. Please contact the school office to update any contact information. Please make sure to save the Bryant school office number to your phones (406.324.1200).

Dressing for School: When dressing your child for school, remember that they will be doing such things as painting, sitting on the floor, using the bathroom, and playing outdoors every day. Clothing should be comfortable, washable and easy to manage for your child. Tennis shoes are recommended. Heavy boots, sandals, clogs, and shoes with slippery soles can make our activities difficult and even hazardous. Your child should be able to take care of his/her own clothing (including zippers, buttons, tying laces, etc.). With some clothing, this may mean practice at home. Clothing with alcohol, tobacco or drug advertisements or statements are not allowed. PLEASE LABEL all coats, sweaters, hats, boots, mittens, and backpacks with your child’s name. Pre-K and K students please send a change of clothing in the backpacks every day. Bathroom accidents as well as spills are common as students adjust to a new school routine.

Cold Weather/ Unhealthy Air: Our students go outside to play in all kinds of weather. All students are outside before school, after school, and during recess times whenever the temperature (with or without the wind chill) is above zero degrees. Students do not go outside when the air quality is in the unhealthy range (https://gis.mtdeq.us/portal/apps/experiencebuilder/experience/?id=000f42b119c44c7f9c3b4336470c721e) Exceptions are only granted with a note from a doctor. Please make sure your child is dressed for the colder temperatures each day.

Volunteers and lunch visitation: Volunteers are welcome! All volunteers need to be background checked through Helena School District's Human Resources office at Lincoln Center (1335 Poplar Street). Please let the Bryant office know when you have gone to get your background check completed. Background check's are free of cost and last five years. Parents are invited to eat lunch with their child/children once a month. Volunteers and parent lunches will begin in October. We use the first month of school to build routines and review school-wide expectations.

Birthdays: Children may celebrate their birthdays in school. Cupcakes, cookies, or other treats may be sent as a special treat. Due to the large amount of students with food allergies, please check with your child’s teacher prior to sending birthday treats. Balloons are not permitted as we have students with latex allergies.

Dear Bryant Families,

I hope that you have all had an enjoyable summer break! It is hard to believe that a new school year is upon us already! This time of year brings so much excitement for staff and students! Starting a new school year also brings change. I would like to take this opportunity to inform you all that I will not be returning to Bryant Elementary for the coming school year. I will continue to serve Helena students as the new school counselor at Warren Elementary School. I am filled with emotion as I take on this new placement. I have been so honored to serve the Bryant community for the past five years! I do not think that I can accurately express my gratitude for you all allowing me to have a part in your child’s growth and development. Your children will always have a place in my heart and my continued support for them does not end here.

Bryant will be in wonderful hands, as Mrs. Colette Ozburn will be stepping in as the new school counselor this year. Mrs. Ozburn has served as the school counselor at Warren Elementary for the past eight years. I know she is looking forward to connecting with and supporting the Bryant community.

I will miss my Bryant kiddos dearly and know that they will continue to do amazing things! I wish you all the very best school year, and years to follow! Bryant will always have a piece of my heart! 

Wishing you and your kiddos all the best,

Olivia Blood

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Hello Bryant Families!

My name is Colette Ozburn and I am so excited to be your new school counselor! I have spent the last eight years serving as the school counselor at Warren School, and the ten years prior to that, I was a History and World Cultures teacher at Helena High School. I was born and raised in Helena (my father was a Bryant panther himself!). My husband and two children (ages 8 and 10) keep me very busy when I'm not at school! We love the outdoors and everything our beautiful state has to offer. I am looking forward to getting to know all of you this year! Forming collaborative relationships with families is key to me, so please feel free to email me (cozburn@helenaschools.org) with any questions and / or concerns. I hope you all enjoy your last days of summer!

Sincerely,

Colette Ozburn

The Carnival Classic is a city-wide celebration of public education and kick-off to the new school year held annually at Memorial Park in September. Student organizations, PTOs, sporting and academic groups, and other school related groups participate with booths and games from which they retain 100% of their proceeds. Other youth-related, nonprofit organizations in the Helena area participate with performances or informational booths.

Mark your calendars for Carnival Classic 2024 on Sunday, September 8 from 11:00 to 3:00 at Memorial Park!