Newsletter: August 18, 2023
August 18, 2023
School News
Principal's Message
Dear Thomas Families,
We’ve had a wonderful first two days of school! Thank you for sending your children to school ready to work hard and play hard each day. I think both the kids and the teachers will sleep well this weekend!
We appreciate your patience as we work out some of the kinks that come with a new school year. Our district transportation department is working around the clock to add students to routes, and sometimes it takes a few days. Thank you for understanding!
At the bottom of the newsletter, you will find some clickable “buttons” that will live there permanently. Those buttons lead to commonly referenced links–so if you’re ever wondering, "Where can I find…?", it might be at the bottom of all our newsletters!
Go Tigers,
Melissa Garris
PICTURE DAY
Friday, August 25 is school picture day! All students will have their picture taken, whether or not they are purchasing printed photos. Picture order forms will be sent home from school. If you plan on ordering pictures, please return the order forms by August 25 (even if you have prepaid online).
CURRICULUM NIGHT
Parents are invited to Thomas Elementary on Thursday, August 31 for Curriculum Night. Each teacher will host an informational session in their classroom to present about the content they teach throughout the school year, and classroom routines and schedules.
Teachers in grades K - 2 will hold their sessions from 5:15 to 6:00.
Grades 3 - 5 will take place from 6:15 to 7:00.
This event is intended to be for an adult audience.
School Information
SCHOOL HOURS
9:00 - 9:10 Students arrive (including morning kindergarten)
11:50 Morning kindergarten is dismissed
1:00 Afternoon kindergarten begins
3:40 Students are dismissed Including afternoon kindergarten)
MEET THE OFFICE STAFF
At Thomas Elementary, we have a friendly and helpful school office! Here’s an introduction to our front office staff.
KELLIE AXELBAND, assistant principal
This is Mrs. Axelband’s third year as assistant principal at Thomas Elementary. She has a kindergartener at Bailey Elementary, and two other little ones at home. Before serving as an assistant principal, Mrs. Axelband was an intervention specialist at various elementary buildings in Dublin.
JAMIE NEELY, secretary
Mrs. Neely is new to the role of secretary at Thomas, but not new to Thomas! She is active in the PTO, and has been the parent of a Thomas Tiger for the past six years. Mrs. Neely and family are huge Columbus Crew fans and love to vacation in Hilton Head.
JULIE MILLER, secretary
Mrs. Miller joins us from a school office in Worthington Schools. She lives in Worthington with her husband and five children, and she is very excited to be here to see all the smiling faces!
MOLLIE ZOOK, clinic aide
Mrs. Zook takes care of our students, no matter what seems to be the matter! She lives in Dublin with her husband, two children, and three dogs. She also helps coach the Dublin Community Swim Team.
PTO News
Please join the PTO at the first PTO General Meeting on September 12 at 6:00.
Want to get involved? Check out the PTO website for volunteer opportunities, committee chair descriptions and links to sign-up. The PTO Fall Mumkin sale will kick-off on Monday, August 21st and run through September 5th. Flyers will be sent home Friday 8/18 with your student. The Mumkins will be delivered on Tuesday, September 19th. Pick up time is from 4 pm to 7 pm at Thomas Elementary. We are looking for volunteers to help unload the Mumkins or help distribute. Please use the link to sign up. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080844acad2ca7fe3-mumkin1?useFullSite=true#/
Upcoming Dates
August 21: All students K-5 attend school
August 25: Fall Picture Day
August 31: Curriculum Night (adults only)
- 5:15 - 6:00: Grades K, 1, 2
- 6:15 - 7:00: Grades 3, 4, 5
September 12: PTO General Meeting (all are welcome!) 6:00
Report an Absence (email)
District News
AFTER SCHOOL ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Looking for fun and entertaining enrichment opportunities for your child after school?
Check out the Info Hub/Community Ed page on the district website. Easily found under Quick Links and then Miscellaneous, this is where families can find information about camps, after-school programs, and links to our community partners such as DFL, DYA and more. Recently added opportunities include robotics/lego league information, drawing classes, Cub Scouts and more!
FROM THE CITY OF DUBLIN: What to Know: Pools, DCRC Yearly Shutdown, Healthy Brochure
Get in the know with the Dublin Community Recreation Center (DCRC)! Here are a few reminders and dates to keep in mind:
The Dublin Community Pool South closed for the season Aug. 16
Aug. 18: Pooch Pond event at South Pool
Aug. 22: Fall programming registration begins for Dublin and school district residents.
Read the 2023 Summer/Fall Healthy Brochure for all the information you need to plan your fall at the DCRC
Aug. 26 - Sept. 4: The DCRC will close for its annual shutdown to ensure a clean and safe environment for your recreation success. It will reopen Sept. 5.