Cougar Connection

August 12, 2024

Volume 2, Issue 3

As we settle into the new school year, I wanted to take a moment to address what some of you may notice during the first few days. To the untrained eye, our mornings and afternoons may appear a bit chaotic, but I assure you that our dedicated staff has everything well under control.

The first week of school is always an adjustment period for everyone—students, parents, and teachers alike. It’s natural to see a few tears as our younger students face the challenge of separation, but rest assured, we are accustomed to handling these moments with care and compassion. Your children are in good hands, and we are committed to making this transition as smooth as possible.

One area that tends to be particularly hectic is drop-off and dismissal. We understand that this can be a stressful time, especially as everyone gets back into the routine. However, I kindly ask for your cooperation in following a few important guidelines:

1. Please adhere to all road rules: The safety of our students is our top priority, and we need your help in ensuring a smooth and safe traffic flow around the school.

2. Treat the yellow curb as a loading and unloading zone only: This area is designated for dropping off and picking up students. Please do not park or leave your vehicle unattended in this zone, as it causes unnecessary delays and congestion.

3. Stay in your vehicle: To keep the process moving efficiently, we ask that you remain in your car while dropping off or picking up your child. This will help us avoid bottlenecks and ensure that all students can be safely and quickly escorted onto campus or to their waiting vehicles.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate these first few days together. With your cooperation, we can ensure that drop-off and dismissal are as smooth as possible for everyone involved.

Thank you for your support and partnership. We look forward to a wonderful school year ahead!

Smith was without internet and phone service today. Comcast Business is aware of the issue, but it is quite possible that service will be out tomorrow as well. During this outage, phone calls to the schools will automatically go to voicemail and staff will not have the opportunity to retrieve voicemails or emails until the systems are back online.

School offices will remain staffed and open until 4:00 p.m. for those who need to have an urgent matter addressed.

As parents and staff members we often forget the messiness of the first few weeks of school because everything was running so smoothly in June. Because of this, the information being shared with you seems abundant, but it is an attempt to ensure that you and your child are prepared and well-informed.

Going forward, newsletters will be published no more than twice a month. However, important time-sensitive information will be shared via text and/or email. The classroom teachers will inform you of their methods of communcation during Back to School Night on Thursday, August 22nd.

Please note that opting out of any email or text that has originated within LVJUSD will opt you out of ALL communication across the entire district.

At Emma C. Smith, we are committed to raising awareness about the importance of regular school attendance for all students. Regular attendance is directly linked to better academic performance, even when absences are only occasional.

Both excused (including Independent Study) and unexcused absences can lead to significant time lost in the classroom. Students are academically at risk if they miss 10 percent of the school year, or about 18 days whether they are consecutive or sporadic. Regardless of the reason, absences can negatively impact learning. While some absences are unavoidable, such as when a child is sick, it is important to get your child/ren to school as often as possible.

Being on time to class is equally as important and crucial for elementary students as it sets the foundation for a successful school day and cultivates lifelong habits of responsibility and punctuality. Students who arrive on time are better prepared to engage in the day's learning activities, build strong relationships with their teachers and peers, and participate fully in the structured routines that foster a positive and productive learning environment. Consistently arriving on time minimizes disruptions, allowing students to maximize their learning opportunities and stay on track academically.

Developing a habit of regular attendance prepares students for success in their careers and in life.

Every student, every day matters.

Breakfast and lunch are free to all students!

Breakfast will be served in the MPR from 8:00 a.m. - 8:20 a.m. Supervision is provided. Students will enter campus through the parking lot gate and proceed directly to the MPR.

All students have the option to eat a school lunch complete with entree, fruit or vegetable, and a milk. Students may purchase additional meals if they choose. Visit the Child Nutrition Services page for more information.

Website: livermoreschools.org/smith
Location: 391 Ontario Drive, Livermore, CA, USA
Phone: 925.606.4750