Petey's Post

We are honored to partner with Fernleaf Community School in Fletcher, NC through a statewide adopt-a-school program. Fernleaf’s K-4 campus received catastrophic destruction during Hurricane Helene with school staff starting over with classroom and campus resources.

Mandy Sallee, the Lower School Director, shared this message on behalf of the school:

Thank you so much for reaching out and offering your support. We are incredibly grateful for your generosity, and it's heartwarming to know that you and your school are thinking of our community during this challenging time. Our K-4 campus suffered a total loss of our buildings, including all supplies, technology, furniture, and curriculum materials. As we begin the long process of rebuilding, any contribution would go a long way in helping us restore a sense of normalcy and continue providing a quality education for our students.

Here are the easiest ways for our school to receive donations:

• Financial contributions can be made on our FernLeaf Fundraiser Donation Page

• Supplies can be purchased from our teachers’ individual Amazon Wishlists or our FernLeaf Recovery Amazon wishlist

We would gladly accept gift cards or supply donations mailed to the following address:

Mandy Sallee

FernLeaf Community Charter School

249 Old Hendersonville Road

Fletcher, NC 28732

Thank you again for your kindness and support. It means so much to our school community, and we look forward to working together as we rebuild.

We will continue to seek opportunities during this school year to partner with Fernleaf to support its students, staff members, and families.

We want our students to have the best educational experience possible, and we know the value of daily attendance. Our students grow so much each year and are so vitally important for the culture and climate of our school.

Our staff members track attendance (late entry, early check out, and absences) to offer intervention as soon as possible for any student who may be missing instruction on a regular basis. We also want to be a support for our families and encourage them to contact our teachers, student support staff, or administrators at any time.

Best practices and notes for attendance:

• Please have students on campus by 9:10 am, so they can be in class ready for learning at 9:15 am. Students not in their classrooms at 9:15 am will be marked tardy (Board Policy 4400).

• Students may always pick up breakfast even if they arrive at 9:15 am or later.

• If buses are late, students are not marked tardy.

• If a weather event delays car rider drop off, students are not marked tardy.

• Early check out ends at 3:00 pm. As we prepare for dismissal, we want students to be able to have a smooth lesson closure.

• Parents may submit a personal note (paper or Talking Points message) for the first three sick days for students. After the third sick day, parents will need to provide a doctor’s note.

• Retention and Promotion decisions are not based on attendance. If a student is experiencing excessive absenteeism that is impacting academic performance, our staff members will partner with families for a positive outcome.

Please contact Saadia Bookhardt-Smith, school social worker, or an administrator for assistance or additional information.

We welcome your positive feedback and praise for a Bryan Road Elementary School staff member. Please share your thoughts through this link.