South Elementary School News

Dear South School Families,

We have had a great start to the school year. The students are doing a great job settling into the routine. We are looking forward to a great school year.

Thank you to all of our families for helping us get everyone to and from school safely. Here are just a few reminders to help us get everyone to the person they need to be with.

1. Use the pick-up/drop-off lane for dropping and picking up students. This is a drive through lane. Please do not park in the drop/pick-up lane.

2. There are Handicap parking spaces. These are reserved for those that need them and have a handicap sign in or on their car. Please do not park there unless you have a handicap sign. Also, do not use these spots as part of the pick up lane.

3. In order to keep the drop off lane moving, please pull up when there is space to do so. Stopping at the front entrance and not pulling up, backs up traffic through the intersection. There are staff members to help students get where they need to be.

4. Students need to stay in the car with an adult until 8:40 when staff is on duty. It is not safe for students to wait unattended.

5. At dismissal, please do not stand near the exits. The staff needs to see which person each child is leaving with.

6. Please do not “call your child” out of the line. They are to raise their hand when they see their “big person” and the staff member in charge will dismiss them. The students know and practice this routine.

7. Thank you again for working together as a “South School Family” to keep everyone safe.

As always, contact me through email (murphyt@dovertornadoes.com) or the school office should you have any questions or concerns.

Tracie Murphy, Principal

South Elementary School

Students are expected to display proper behavior during home football games. Do not bring footballs into the stadium. Students are not permitted to play football anywhere in the stadium. Many concerns have been raised regarding the safety of students as well as other spectators that are trying to watch and enjoy the game on the field. Elementary students need to be seated with parents or guardians. Please be sure that your children are properly supervised for the safety and enjoyment of all.

Area school districts are joining those across the state in participating in an effort to identify, locate and evaluate all children from birth through 21 who may have disabilities. Many unidentified children with disabilities are preschoolers and parents may not be aware their child has a disability or that there are programs and services available. Anyone knowing of a child who may have a disability should contact the school.

In 2024-25, all K-12 students are eligible to receive free breakfast and lunch at school. Per federal requirements, this applies to full meals only. There is a charge if students purchase "extra" or "independent" items. Examples of this might include extra milk, a bottle of water or special drink only, or extra entrees. Please contact Angie Welch, Food Service Director, at 330-364-7103 with any questions.

If you plan to drive your child to school, the drop off lane will be in front of South School on Shafer Ave. Please Do Not Park your car; this is a DROP OFF ONLY LANE. Please be sure to follow the “Traffic Pattern” map that you will receive at “Meet the Teacher'' in order to help this lane move more smoothly. There will be staff members on duty to direct students where to go. We are asking that parents remain in your cars. Students cannot enter the building until 8:40 A.M. They will report directly to their classrooms. Please do not drop your child off early as there will not be supervision until 8:40 A.M. We do not want groups of students waiting in front of the school unattended.

First grade students should enter through the front doors. Doors are “color coded” to help students remember where to enter. Kindergarten students should enter the doors nearest their classroom. This information will be shared by your child’s teacher during “Meet the Teacher”.

Morning Preschool begins at 9:00 A.M. and the afternoon session begins at 12:30 P.M. Parents will use the preschool side of the building, (Prospect St.) to drop off preschool students. A staff member will come out to get the students.

Buses will drop students off on Prospect St. Please do not park in the bus drop off lane. Bus students will enter through the side doors on Prospect. Staff members will be available to direct students.

As we all know, a strong parent-support partnership is important to a child’s school success. For the safety of all, parents are not permitted to walk students to the classroom. Staff members are on duty throughout the building at arrival to help students find their way. Should you need to drop something off for your child during the school day, you will need to leave it in the office with a label. These labels are provided in the office. We will make sure your child receives the item they need. Thank you for helping us keep everyone safe.

Birthdays are very exciting and important days for our students. Teachers are happy to have students share treats for their birthday. We ask that all treats be prepackaged in order to be sure that all students with allergies and dietary restrictions can be kept safe. Please contact the teacher in advance to ask about appropriate treats, allergies and the number of students in the classroom. Also, be sure to let your child's teacher know the day you intend to send in the treat.

Please be sure to send a note to school if your child is going home a different way than is normal for them. Also, should you need to change the way your child is going home during the school day, please call the office by 2:30 P.M.. The end of the day is very busy and we would not want to miss someone. It is best if students know how they are getting home in the morning. Not being sure how they are getting home and where they are going sometimes causes children unnecessary stress and also causes confusion for all. Thank you for helping us in this matter.

There will be a pick up lane for parents that are providing transportation. Shafer Avenue, in front of

the building, will be the pick-up lane. Please do not park in this lane, it is for drop off and pick up

only. (Don’t pull into the handicapped spaces in front of the building unless you have a handicapped

sign in your car.) In unique circumstances, if you need to wait outside, please use the tornadoes

painted on the front sidewalk. Dismissal is a very busy time and we have young children. Gathering at the doors and along the sidewalks make it difficult for the staff to make sure each child leaves with the appropriate adult. Staff will be on duty to help direct students to their cars. First grade students will come out the main front doors. Kindergarten students will be dismissed through the other two front doors closest to their classroom. Students will be dismissed and supervised by staff.

Please be patient as you wait for your child. Dismissal is a very busy time. Please do not call your child to you until the teacher has given them permission to go. Staff members need to see the person taking each child. Our staff is working hard to make sure all students get home safely. Following these procedures will help us to keep all children safe.

Parents or Guardians are required to call the school office to report his/her child absent. If no call is made, the school will attempt to call you. Parents are responsible for informing the school of his/her child's absence and the reason for the absence. Please call the school office between 8:00 A.M. and 8:30 A.M. Upon returning to school, a written note is required explaining the reason for the absence. Please refer to our Elementary Handbook for our entire attendance policies and procedures.

For your planning, Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Day will be April 25th, 2025 at 2:00 P.M.

In order to protect your child, we have a procedure that asks you to come into the school office to pick up your child while school is in session. Students must be signed out before being able to leave. Please be sure to state the reason for early pick up on the sign out sheet. Students arriving late to school must be signed in at the office as well. Please do not simply drop your child off at the door. You will need to escort them to the office to sign them in.

All doors will remain locked throughout the day. All visitors must use the office door when visiting our school. A monitoring device has been installed on the office door. Please activate it by pushing the button. Office personnel will unlock the door once you've been identified. If you will need to go anywhere in the building other than the office, you will need to provide a photo I.D. This I.D.

will be scanned and a visitor badge will be issued. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping everyone in the building safe.

Parents are reminded to update their child’s Emergency Medical Authorization, (EMA), every year.

This provides us with information about your child. If you haven’t updated this yet...please do so at your earliest convenience by visiting www.dovertornadoes.com.

*Click on the Parents tab located at the top of the web page.

*Click on Parent Portal

OR Click on the link below

https://dover.esvportal.com/

The first day of Preschool for ALL students will be Tuesday, September 3rd. We will not be rescheduling those that missed their phase-in day due to school cancellations. The morning session begins at 9:00 and ends at 11:30. The afternoon session begins at 12:30 and ends at 3:00. We look forward to welcoming back our returning students and getting to know our new preschoolers.

Pets and/or other animals are not permitted on school grounds. This includes all exterior areas including sidewalks immediately surrounding the schools during drop-off and pick-up times. This policy is for the safety of all, and with respect to allergies and/or health issues of all

students.

Throughout the school year, we conduct several safety drills. These drills are required and also help

our students and staff know what to do in the event of an unlikely emergency. The following drills

are conducted throughout the school year; Fire drills, evacuation drills, intruder drills, reverse evacuation drills and tornado drills. Teachers review these with students before they are conducted. Our local Police department and first responders are also involved with conducting drills. If you have any questions regarding these required drills, please feel free to contact the school for more information.

Students that are walking home need to remember to cross with the crossing guard. Parents need to wait for the crossing guard as well for the safety of all. Please do not park across the street and wave your children across. Arrival and dismissal are very busy times with a lot of traffic, it is important to follow all safety rules and procedures. It is also important for us to model the proper procedures for our children. Thank you for your help in keeping everyone safe.

Prompt payment of workbook and supply fees is greatly appreciated. The fee for K-1 st grades is $25.00. As always, thank you for your cooperation. Pre-school tuition must also be paid by the first of each month. Our preschool tuition is currently $130.00 per month. Failure to pay your preschool tuition will forfeit your spot in our program.

Students can enter the building at 8:40 A.M. The first bell rings at 8:40 A.M. Students must be in their seats ready to work at 8:55 A.M. when the bell rings in order to be considered on time for school. Good habits begin early so it is important that children are on time and ready to begin their day. Dismissal

begins at 3:20 P.M.

Communication between home and school is very important. In order to keep you up-to-date with what is happening, we have several methods of communication.

1. Email Newsletters: Be sure to check your email for monthly newsletters and occasional updates.

Should your email address change, please let us know.

2. Phone Notification System: In the event of any emergency or to share important information, Dover Schools has a phone notification system. Please be sure to notify us if you change your phone number.

3. Staff Email: Each staff member has an email where they can be reached.

4. Voicemail: Each staff member has voice mail where you can leave a message if needed. Simply call the office and ask for the staff member you need. Mrs. Polce can transfer you to the proper voice mail box to leave your message.

5. Facebook: Check us out on Facebook to see what all is happening at Dover City Schools.

September 2nd Labor Day: No School

September 5th PTG meeting 6:00 PM East School

September 11th Picture Day

September 23rd Teacher In-service Day: NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS