Roadrunner Review

Welcome Back!
I hope you are enjoying a wonderful summer. I don't know about all of you, but it sure did go fast this summer! I hope you are relaxed, recharged, and ready to start a new school year. I am so delighted that you are part of our amazing learning community. I welcome and value your positive energy and dedication to excellence in education, and I look forward to working with you and your children.

All signs point to another incredible and productive school year. Our skilled and devoted staff is already planning and preparing for your child(ren). Our enthusiastic office team is registering new families, ordering needed materials, and updating student files. Our hard working and conscientious custodians have spent the entire summer thoroughly cleaning the facility. And our much-appreciated PTO is gearing up to welcome families, provide volunteer opportunities, and offer other exciting events and programs. We are a caring community with the common goals of nurturing responsible, caring students and promoting high-level learning.

New Staff
Each year brings positive change. This includes a few additions to our staff. We are delighted to welcome: Lisa Derra (Special Education Teacher), Tiffany McLeod (Special Education Teacher), Rachel Shelf (Band Teacher), and Jaclyn McFarland (Noon aide)

Facilities Update
If you drove past the school this summer, you may have noticed numerous maintenance and construction projects. First, there is a new wonderful mural that has been painted in the multi-purpose room. This has added color and warmth to our gymnasium. Second, our PTO surprised the staff and updated the lounge area. They made it feel like a home away from home for the staff. Our building is undergoing electrical work to update our building in preparation for the installation of our Flat Panel TVs. We also added a conference room for larger meetings. This has all been a labor of love and we truly appreciate all that have helped with these projects.

PBIS

As we enter Year Two of PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention System of Support), our staff is currently in the process of being trained on the next level of school-wide implementation. This will include:

• *Use of a behavior flowchart

• *Use of reflection forms that will be used school-wide

• *Reflection forms will be a communication tool between school and home

• This will be in addition to the common language and school wide expectations that we started last year. Attached you will see our matrix, voice level charts and a copy of our C.A.R.E tickets that we use at Riggs. If you have any questions, please see your child's teacher or anyone in the front office and we will be happy to talk with you.

Student Placement
A great deal of time, effort, and thought has gone into the process of student placement for the 2023-2024 school year. You should have received an email through Infinite Campus showing who your child's teacher is. You can find each teacher's supply list on our school website under their name.

Careful consideration was given for each child. Input from staff and families as well as student learning styles was noted. Classrooms have been balanced academically and socially. Our class lists are structured to provide equitable class sizes at each grade level. Moving students is difficult without causing imbalances and inequities. Please do not call to request changes.

Thank you so much for being positive with your child and helping him or her understand that it is impossible to place all students with a preferred best friend or teacher. ALL of our staff works hard to make school a positive experience for ALL students. Riggs Elementary is eagerly looking forward to enriching your child’s life. Thank you for understanding that it can take a few weeks for a child to acclimate to a new grade, peer group, and teacher.

Thank you to all who are helping prepare for the new school year. Your commitment to ensuring that Riggs remains a celebrated and successful school is awe-inspiring. I eagerly look forward to greeting students and families again. It remains an honor and privilege to serve as your principal. Please stop by and say hello. Together, I know we will make this school year one of growth and achievement for all children.

Warmly,

Jamie Lander

In an effort to provide a safe and efficient student drop off/pick-up procedure, we ask that you follow the traffic pattern. All vehicles need to enter the pick-up/drop-off area from the North and exit to the South.

Arrival will go back to the way it has been done in the past. Students can be dropped off anytime between 8:15 and 8:40. Kindergarten students will report to the kindergarten playground. All other students will report to the large playground on the south side of the building. Teachers will be on duty starting at 8:15. We ask that all families drop off in the pick-up line. We will have adults or a student club opening car doors again this year. Please do not park in the parking lot. It is much more efficient and much safer with the parking lot closed. We do not want students crossing in front of cars.

We are working hard to provide an efficient traffic flow in our student pickup area at dismissal time. You will be receiving a card to complete for your family. We are asking that you display this card (you will need to have your child/children’s name and grade level written on it) in your window as you proceed through the pick-up lane. To expedite the process one staff member on duty will read the name, call for those children over the walkie talkie and the staff member on student pick up duty will have your child/children waiting near the south side of the student pick up waiting area. I have attached a sample card to review and also a permanent card for your family to complete. Please be sure to write clearly and follow the same format as the sample card indicates. The card will have the child/children’s last name on top. Below the last name you will list each child’s name and grade level.

Please do not make a pickup spot down on Pinot Noir. This area is not for parking and our walkers cross there. We had a few close calls last year where students almost got hit because they can't see around the parked cars to cross. Also be mindful of any areas that have no parking signs.

If you are walking, I am requesting that all pedestrians crossing Seville Blvd. please take the time to use the crosswalk. This ensures that all students are safe and sets a good model for the students. Kindergarten students will be released at 3:05. Parents who walk can line up at the fire gates near the playground. Students will be under the pavilion with their teachers. A staff member will radio their name and a staff member will walk them to each parent. All other students will be released at 3:10. All kindergarten and first graders must be accompanied by an adult or older sibling if they are walking home.

Students who ride a bus will receive a colored band for their backpack indicating their bus. Teachers will direct students to the bus area where we will have adults on duty to help them. There have been changes in busing. Please make sure you check in Infinite Campus that your child has a bus stop. They have changed locations and who is granted busing. Kindergarten and first grade students will not be left at a bus stop without a parent/guardian present. The bus driver will always return students to the school if there is not a parent there to pick them up at their stop.

Please make sure that your student knows their mode of transportation or meeting spot for the first day and each day after that. This saves us all the feeling of anxiety at 3:05 p.m.

If there are any changes in transportation throughout the year, please send us an email as soon as possible AND please contact the front office. We don’t always see the afternoon emails until after the bell has rung.

If your child is being removed/picked up from school by someone other than who is listed on their emergency contact list, please contact the office and make changes to your form as soon as possible.

Thank you for your cooperation in helping us to make our parent pickup run quickly, safely, and smoothly. I am sure that you will agree that obeying the traffic and parking laws will provide a safer environment for our students. If you have any questions or input, please feel free to contact us at 224-3400.

Breakfast and lunch are available for purchase. The price of breakfast is $2.75, and lunch is $3.25. You can set up an account for your child online. Attached you will find the link for our Food and Nutrition page. This has lunch menus as well information you may need for your child.

CUSD will be providing on-site before and after school care (Kids Express). They will be on campus from 6:30-8:40 AM and from 3:10-6:00 PM. Please contact them by phone at 480-224-3900 for more information or email them at kids-express@cusd80.com. Registration paperwork for this program must be completed before a student can start.

All medications will be administered in the Health Office by our Health Assistant, Chrissy Munsell, (or a trained office staff member). District Policy requires that prescription drugs must be in their original pharmacy container, labeled with the child's name, date, medication, dosage and doctor's name. All CUSD regulations must be followed, and appropriate paperwork must be signed by both doctor and parent before medication will be administered. Please do not send medication with your child. A parent must bring in all medication. Mrs. Munsell will be in her office during Meet the Teacher if you want to drop off. If you have any questions please contact Mrs. Munsell at 480-224-3402.

All visitors must check in and out at the front office. Volunteers are welcome and appreciated at Riggs. We have volunteers to help with classroom tasks, copying, and with school events. Again this year we are asking that all volunteers finish up at the school by 2:00 PM. This will allow us to close the parking lot and proceed with the smooth traffic flow at parent pick up. This past year we had a lot of compliments on how quickly the pick up line was and that it was much safer without having adults and students crossing into the parking lot.

If you want to have lunch with your student, we will be using our outdoor Roost area again this year. You can come in and request your child be outside with you for lunch. We do suggest waiting until it is a lot cooler outside before you choose this option.

We are going to host two Meet the Teacher nights. Below is the schedule and times by grade level. Meet the teacher is a great event where the whole family can meet with staff. This year we will have our PTO set up in the main hallway. They will have spirit wear samples that you can view and order for this year. There will also be food trucks on the basketball courts. Meals will be available for purchase from the trucks. We have missed you all and look forward to seeing all of your smiling faces!

Monday, July 17th

Preschool: 4:30-5:10 PM

2nd: 4:30-5:10 PM

3rd: 5:20-6:00 PM

5th: 6:10-6:50 PM

Tuesday, July 18th

K/1st: 4:30-5:10

4th: 5:20-6:00 PM

6th: 6:10-6:50 PM

***KONA ICE will be on campus both nights for purchase!***

Website: https://www.cusd80.com/riggs
Location: 6930 South Seville Boulevard West, Gilbert, AZ, USA
Phone: 480-224-3400
Twitter: @durgey