We have been having a wonderful start to the school year! Seeing the students coming to school, enjoying being in their classrooms, and leaving with smiles on their faces has been a delight. Thank you for helping us have a strong start to the year.
Car Rider Line Up
Please remember that car riders cannot start lining up unitl 2:30 p.m. Having lines of cars throughout the day impedes our staff and county workers, blocks our fire and rescue lanes, and increases our safety concerns. Please do not start lining up until 2:30 p.m. We appreciate your support and understanding.
Transportation
After a bumpy start to the school year, it seems that transportation has smoothed out! We have been sending texts to families as the buses leave our bus loop to help with the uncertainty of the buses. However, starting in September, we will only send those texts out when we know buses will be late.
To be able to track your student's bus location, please use this link to open Versatrans. Use your student's ID and birthdate to login. This program allows you to view your child's bus route and if you use the mobile App (MyStop) you can watch the bus move through its route.
Another important link is the link for Issuetrak. This link will allow you to tell transportation about any issues you are having with transportation.
NWEA MAP Testing
The students in grades 2-5 are taking the MAP tests this week. Grades 4-5 will be taking the Reading test, and grades 2-5 will be taking the Math test. These tests are required by the Division and they inform our teachers where the students need extra support and increased instruction. The children do not need to do anything to prepare for these tests other than get a good night sleep and eat a healthy breakfast in the morning.
The Reading test was on Monday, August 21 and the Math tests are Wednesday, August 23.
SOL Growth Assessment Tests Are Coming
The Growth Assessment Tests are required by the Virginia Department of Education for students in grades 3-5 of elementary school. Our students will take the tests beginning in September. Students in grades 3-5 will take a math and a reading assessment. Again there is nothing for the students to do to prepare for these assessments. They just need to get a good night's sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and try their best on the tests. The schedule of testing dates are below in the Upcoming Events section of this newsletter.
Stafford Schools Restaurant Week
The Stafford County School Board is sponsoring a Stafford Schools Restaurant Week. If you visit one of the location listed below on their day, approximately 15% of the combined proceeds will be given back to SCPS to help offset student meal debt! See the flyer below to see what restaurants are participating on which days this week.
Calling all Teachers
We continue to look for staff to meet the needs of an ever growing student population and we are still very much in need of teaching staff. We still need teachers and a School Safety Monitor who will also help in the cafeteria. If any of these positions are of interest to you, please reach out to us at 540.658.6340 or email sanderssd@staffordschools.net. We are more than happy to speak with you and help guide you through the application process.
SMILE Mobile Dentist
Thank you to everyone who completed the form for the SMILE Mobile Dentist who will be coming to Stafford Elementary on Tuesday, August 29. This program was a great success last year and we are proud to be able to offer it again this year.
Thank you for all your patience and understanding as we began this school year. Things have seemed to smooth out and we look forward to a wonderful September!
S. Sanders, Principal
J. Rojohn, Assistant Principal
