Seymour Back to School Newsletter

It is with great excitement that I extend my heartfelt greetings to both our returning families and those joining our Seymour community for the first time. As your proud principal, I am thrilled to embark on this journey of growth, discovery, and achievement alongside each and every one of you. Our staff has been working hard to prepare for your student's arrival. Please read through this newsletter for some important dates and information.

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Enclosed, please find your child's Student Profile Sheet and supply list. Please know that much time, thought, and effort has gone into creating balanced classrooms, and those decisions have been solidified at this time. Your child's classroom teacher can be found on line 3 of your Student Profile. If you should happen to have a justified concern regarding your student's assignment, you may submit your concerns via email to steve.groulx@flushingschools org. Although movement from one classroom to another is very rare, all submissions will be given consideration by all those involved with the placement process. The decision to move or not to move will be final.

Also, any changes or updates that need to be made regarding the information listed on the Student Profile Sheet should be made in your ParentVue account.

We will hold our Seymour Open House on Wednesday, August 21st, from 6:00-7:00 p.m. Students and parents will get a chance to walk in, see their classroom and meet their teacher.

The school day begins at 9:00 a.m., and students are dismissed at 3:51 p.m. The first bell rings at 8:55 a.m. to signal that students may enter the school and proceed to classrooms. Buses begin unloading at that time. Students that are eating breakfast will be allowed to enter the building at 8:45 a.m. Classroom instruction begins at 9:00 a.m. It is important for all students to be in their classroom on time to begin instruction. Students who enter the classroom after that time may be marked tardy.

Regular School Day: 9:00 a.m.— 3:51 p.m.

Half Day: 9:00 a.m. — 12:15 p.m.

Early Release Day: 9:00 a.m. — 2:05 p.m.

• Please be aware that school buses may and often do run approximately 30 to 60 minutes behind schedule during the first week or so of school!

• Approximately one week before school starts, school bus route information will be available by clicking on the school bus at flushingschools.org and entering your address and student ID number (listed on your student's Profile Sheet).

• School Lunch and Breakfast will be FREE for the 2024-2025 school year.
• It is essential for families to fill out and return an "Educational Benefits Form" that will be handed out at our Open House or the first day of school. This is to ensure Seymour gets the proper funding for this program.

Keep in mind that at the beginning of the school year, things are always hectic and a little chaotic. Please be patient, follow the procedures, and always keep safety in mind. We are the largest elementary school in Flushing, with well over 500 students and staff! With over half of our families picking up and dropping off, arrival and dismissal take a little bit of time. Please follow the following procedures for our students' safety and make things go as smoothly as possible. On average last year, all of our students were picked up approximately 10 minutes after the dismissal bell at 3:51.

Drop OFF/Pick Up:

The school building does not open until 8:55 a.m. Therefore, students will only be allowed to enter the school building at the 8:55 a.m. bell. Students that arrive early will wait outdoors until that time. (Of course, exceptions will be made during the first day or two of school and for those students eating breakfast). Seymour staff and safety patrol team will come out of the building around 8:45 a.m., when we will begin the drop-off procedures.

1. Use the south entrance (see picture below) The North entrance is for buses only!
2. Stay in line and move with the flow of traffic, have student(s) ready to exit vehicle when they get to drop off area. Remind your student(s) to be looking for your vehicle and ready during Pick Up.
3. Drop students off between the cones in the "Drop off and Pick up Area"! We will have staff and safety patrol ready to assist in getting students out of the car, welcoming them to school in the morning, and assisting them into the vehicle during pick-up.
4. Please do not drop off or pick up student outside of the designated area. This creates a backup, is a safety concern and increases the amount of traffic on Seymour Rd.

VISION:

• To provide a caring, safe, and orderly school community that promotes positive citizenship
• To provide a relevant, meaningful, and engaging educational experience for all students
• To support individuals in attaining their greatest potential
• To strive for continuous improvement