Welcome to Claymont
Greetings Families,
I hope that this newsletter finds you and your students excitedly preparing for the first day of school. Outfits are all picked out, bookbags are waiting by the door, and some maybe too excited to sleep or maybe that is just me. Even after 19 years in education, I still get first day jitters anticipating the first day of school. New faces, new challenges, being pushed in ways that I never expected, but ones that always allow me to grow.
Each Sunday afternoon, families will receive updates, information, and upcoming school-wide events via our newsletter. Between our newsletter and Class Dojo our goal is to keep you updated with all the information you need for your family to actively engage in our school community. We know that this is the beginning or continuation of a beautiful partnership, which will allow us to work together so that our students can excel at every aspect of life.
We are going to work collaboratively, respectfully, and productively with each other for the success of all students at Claymont Elementary School. I know that each family has at least one special cougar that you are rooting for, but I implore you to embrace them ALL because this is OUR community and when one succeeds, we all succeed!
As students are learning and growing, we expect them to make mistakes. There will be hurt feelings and challenging choices made, but we will make sure our students know their choices do not define them and we plan to teach them strategies to overcome obstacles they may experience. At Claymont we acknowledge and learn from our mistakes, but the most important step is that we GROW! We apologize to those we hurt and we work harder the next day to do better and the way that we move forward is with support. With a cheering squad behind you, who wouldn't want to be better!? Let's cheer for all of OUR students to be their best selves because At Claymont We GROW!
Welcome to the pack and we know that this will be an AMAZING year because we get to journey through it with each one of you!
Warmly,
Dr. Eryn N. Smith
The Passionate and Appreciative Principal of Claymont Elementary School
By the end of the week, all students should have their car rider numbers which will be placed in their backpacks. Please use the car rider number for afternoon pickup only. Our car line will get faster as the weeks progress. We appreciate your patience and you following car line expectations so that everyone can get home safely.
Our car rider line will be open until 8:55 am during arrival time. After 8:55am you will need to drop your child off at the main office. When this happens, please do not drop your child off at the main office door and leave. You will need to bring your child into the lobby and someone in the main office will assist you from there. It is especially important for our kindergarten students.
Our dismissal time will begin at 3:25 pm. Our car rider line will close at 3:50 pm. At that time all remaining car riders will be escorted to the main office and you will be able to pick them up from there. When picking your child up from the main office, please be sure to have your photo ID with you. We MUST confirm that we are releasing students to an approved adult. If someone not listed on your student's emergency form, please call the main office to provide permission to release your student.
Lastly, safety is our highest priority during both arrival and dismissal times. We are asking all parents and guardians to please follow the instructions of our staff members in the car rider line. We are also asking that you please remain in the designated lane that you have been assigned to. This will ensure that everyone remains respectful , cooperative, and, above all, safe.
Parents, parking and releasing your students on Green Street and the surrounding streets is not permitted. This is a HUGE safety hazard as well as unkind to our neighbors.
If your student arrives or gets picked up from school via car, utilize the car line. If we see this happening at dismissal you will be asked by staff to please go to the car line. Your student will be at the car line door for pick up.
In order to keep our building and students safe, all parents that come to the building to pick up students are asked to wait in the vestibule. This is not to be rude or keep you from your child, but to ensure that we are keeping our building safe and secure. We utilize the intercom system to assess each parent's need. Please push the button and speak loudly and clearly so that we can assist you with your needs. We appreciate your patience and professionalism as we work together to get your students to you in a safe way.
When your student has an early dismissal it is extremely helpful for families to inform the classroom teacher.
Please note: Students are not called to the office prior to parents arriving. Often times there are delays and we don't want students to miss additional instruction.
Please try to arrive before your scheduled pick-up time to ensure that your student is out to you in a timely manner. By keeping everyone informed, we should be able to get your student to you in a timely fashion.
The cut-off for early dismissals is 2:45 p.m.
Over the summer, Claymont staff took sometime to develop a mission and vision that we could live by. Our Mission is our fundamental purpose, the reason why everyone enters the doors of Claymont day in and day out. Our Vision is our compelling future, it our our pie in the sky hopes and dreams for every student who leaves Claymont. It is us shooting for the moon and being proud to land in the stars and we want to hear from YOU!
Mission Draft: To build an inclusive community that educates, inspires, and supports ALL Claymont Cougars to grow to their full potential
Vision Draft: Empowering ALL students to be lifelong learners who excel in every aspect of life.
Please take a moment to share your thoughts so that we can all align toward a mission and vision that fuels our work with students!
Did you know that missing just two days per month means a child misses 10% of the school year!? Early dismissals and late arrivals count too😱 and after 8:55 a.m. your student is officially tardy.
Please help us help your student by ensuring they are in the building available for learning each and every day!
We have a NEW Claymont Elementary School Facebook page! Make sure you like and follow so that you can stay up to date and see all of the amazing things happening within our wall and our community! Click on Codi the Cougar and he will lead you to our NEW page. Our former page will not have any updates for the 24-25 school year.
Ms. Dee's Story Time ~ Kindergarten and First Grade Families
You can join by clicking the link: https://www.youtube.com/@lavinajones-davis4734
